Lean

XVII

BEOMGYU

Beomgyu stood before his father, the once familiar and comforting figure now seeming more distant and imposing than ever before. He could see the dark bags under his eyes and the newly etched lines on his forehead. The weight of running a kingdom and fighting a war had visibly aged him in just a few short months. His father's expression was hard to place. It was a mixture of pleasure at seeing his youngest son alive, yet also tinged with caution due to his responsibilities.

No doubt, Beomgyu thought bitterly, his father would soon launch into a lecture about responsibility and the consequences of his impulsive actions. Sneaking out to attend an archery tournament in Evergreen had quickly turned into a nightmare of uncertainty. He could only imagine his father's reaction when he heard the news.

Minjun studied Beomgyu with an inquisitive gaze. His voice, when he finally spoke, was measured but carried an undertone of concern. "You look well, considering what you've been through."

Beomgyu nodded, his voice tight with unspoken emotions. "I had to stay strong," he managed to say. "For our family," he continued.

His father's eyes softened and he nodded. "We've all been very concerned about you. We wish we could've rescued you sooner, but the Kang's tactics didn't allow it."

Beomgyu was shocked by his father's sudden revelation. Rarely did he act and express himself this vulnerably. Beomgyu felt a pang of guilt cross over him due to the secrets he was keeping. He couldn't reveal too much of it; it would jeopardize everything. He nodded slowly, glancing down at his muddy boots.

Beomgyu took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "I understand, Father. Circumstances didn't allow it."

"Yes," his father murmured, leaning forward on the gold throne. "Jongho told me that you two had tried to escape."

Beomgyu gulped audibly. If Jongho had told him that, what else had he told them? Jongho could unravel the secrets he had been keeping. No doubt he was suspicious of the way that Taehyun treated them.

"I... we tried to escape," he admitted reluctantly, "But we were unsuccessful. The Kangs were vigilant."

"And so I've heard," his father murmured, his eyes concentrating on him. "The Kangs tactics, do you know what they could be planning? They'll be here in a week's time."

Beomgyu hesitated before telling him, "No, Father. But I do know that Kang Taehyun is a strategic leader."

"Jongho also mentioned that you and Kang Taehyun interacted a lot," his father stated, his tone filled with a hint of accusation.

Beomgyu swallowed hard, hoping that the flush in his cheeks wasn't noticed by his father. This was it, his father suspected that there was something more than a captor and captive relationship. How could he be so foolish to interact so much with Taehyun while Jongho was around? He had to tread carefully and avoid revealing too much about the true nature of his and Taehyun's relationship. He had fought so hard to keep their love a secret.

"We spoke," Beomgyu admitted quietly. "He treated me with respect, but he also wanted to know what our plans were. He would ask me constantly about our battle strategies."

His father's gaze sharpened, assessing his response intently. Beomgyu held his breath, hoping his explanation would satisfy his father's curiosity without revealing the circumstances behind his and Taehyun's interactions.