His Highness

Chapter 4:Two hearts

A month passed by in a blink of an eye and more news was just waiting to be unraveled. Sitting distorted and lost, HyunWoo waited for the arrival of his father.

"Ah HyunWoo. I've been expecting you." The King said and took a seat near him. "Remember I went to visit a nearby kingdom? Well, their King made a wonderful offer and I think you can take it up now. Though it may seem soon, I think you are ready to finally marry someone." He continued.

"What? Marry?" He immediately stood up and stared at him with big eyes.

"Listen first." He patted his shoulder and motioned for him to sit down. "You have to continue our bloodline some day so why not sooner rather than later? Besides I got married to your Mother when I was twenty two so I don't see the problem here." He continued. "I want you to marry JunSoon Kingdom's princess."

"Appa I normally do not oppose what you say but I can't comply with this. I'm not going to marry someone I do not love." He retorted.

"It is not for you to decide! All of us has had arranged marriages and you are not going to be so different!" The King yelled.

"Appa, that is you. I simply cannot marry someone I do not love."

"Enough! My word is final. I came here to tell you not ask you." He said and stormed off.

"Appa, wait-" Before he could utter another word, the King was already gone.

The frustration grew between the duo but neither was ready to give in. HyunWoo was stuck on MinJun and the King was stuck on marrying him off to the Princess. Owing to HyunWoo's persistence, the King grew suspicious as to where his sudden stubbornness was coming from. So, he sent out two of his men to get to the root of the problem. And he was left flabbergasted with the reason.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes Your Majesty. We asked around for many days until we came across an old farmer. He informed us that he had seen Young Master with another man. And one night, he apparently even saw the two kissing." He bowed down.

"This is outrageous! You better not be making up lies thinking I would believe it. This is my son we are talking about. I will not go easy on you." The King threatened.

"Your Majesty, we are only conveying what the farmer told us. We would never lie to you." He said. 

Anger filled the King and he refused to accept that his only son could commit such a vile sin. He ordered to bring HyunWoo to him immediately and had the rest begin the engagement and marriage ceremonies at once.

"Appa, what's going on? Is there a festival coming up?" HyunWoo asked upon seeing chaos ensue in the palace.

"You are getting married to the Princess as soon as the preparations are over. I am sick of trying to convince someone who does not heed to a word I say." He threatened.

"Appa! For the last time I am not marrying anyone!" He exclaimed.

"I am not here to negotiate with you. I am telling you." His eyes burned. "Oh? Or is it because of that MinJun?" 

"W-What?"

"You thought I would never find out right?" He smirked and approached the younger male. "If you want MinJun to at least stay alive, you better shut that mouth and marry Princess Ari." 

"Appa... all my life I've had nothing but respect for you. I never knew you could stoop so low just to have something go your way." He said as tears welled in his eyes.

"Yah! How dare you say such a thing to your Appa?" He yelled and sent a slap flying to his face.

HyunWoo held onto his tender cheek and walked off without saying another word. Though his heart was still stuck on MinJun, he was willing to do anything to protect his love. Even if it meant losing him. 

And just like that, a chapter of his life closed. Before he knew it, he was sitting next to Ari as the ceremonies seized and night fell. It was their first night together. As a married couple. She sat next to him and looked down, assuming he would make the first move but as time passed, it was evident he would not. His mind went wild with thoughts of MinJun and the hurt he must have been going through. Oh how he wished the person next to him was MinJun. He felt incredibly guilty but at least he was safe from harm, right?