My Prince | sunwon

11

Sunoo panted against Jungwon's lips with his hands buried tightly in the prince's hair. He wasn't sure how long they'd been in the passageway selfishly satisfying desires. The prince continued to caress Sunoo's mouth slowly and tenderly with his own. It was everything he'd wanted for longer than he consciously realized, but Sunoo knew he had to break free, they couldn't do this. He couldn't do this. "I can't do this," he whispered against Jungwon's mouth. "We can't do this," he said as he pulled back.

"Sunoo--"

The knight clenched his eyes shut at the pain that tinged Jungwon's voice.

"Your Highness, it's not a-appropriate." He lowered his hands to the shimmering, embroidered tunic that rested across the prince's firm chest and pressed purposefully until the prince took a step back. "I...I have overstepped," he said with his head bowed, unable to watch as Jungwon's eyes rounded further in surprised rejection.

"You did no such--"

"It shan't happen again, Your Majesty, I hope you can...you can forgive my transgressions."

Sunoo stepped to the right of Jungwon, the sound of his boot scraping across the stone floor echoed off the stone surrounding them. "Sunoo," the prince beckoned again. "Sunoo, it was I who brought this to you. You did nothing wrong."

The guard brushed him off as he shook his head, rejecting such notions from the prince. He grasped the worn wooden door and moved to shuffle out of the hidden passageway when Jungwon's voice once again filled the space around him.

"Sunoo, please!"

The desperation in the young prince's voice twisted painfully in Sunoo's chest and he wanted nothing more than to turn around and put himself in Jungwon's arms once again. Instead, he stepped through the threshold and left the stunned, aching prince behind.

Jungwon raised his hand to his chest and clutched the fabric over his heart as he felt it break within its confines. For a fleeting moment his world had fallen back on axis, everything settled the moment he had Sunoo in his hold. With the knight's rushed exit laced with shame and regret, Jungwon felt lost once more. His eyes burned as painfully as his heart, and he drew in a shaky breath as he attempted to regain his composure. He brought the back of his hand to under his eyes to gather the wetness clinging to the bottom rim before it had the chance to stain his cheeks with his vulnerability.

With a deep breath, and a locking of his heart, Jungwon left the passageway.

"There you are!" Sunoo startled as Ni-ki rushed to him just seconds after he stepped into the ballroom. He flushed as his friend's gaze danced over him, convinced the other knew what had just transpired. "You okay?"

The knight gave a short nod and waved off his friend's concern.

Ni-ki looked as though he wanted to push, but then seemed to shake himself out of it. "Listen, I've been called back to the stable, long story and I hope not to take too long, but you see...the people's dance is about to start, and Suri has so been looking forward to it. I was wondering if you might escort her to the floor in my stead."

"I..." He had every intention of tucking tail and running away from the entire feast but as he caught Ni-ki's pleading gaze he sighed. He gave a small, resigned smile, "Of course."

Ni-ki's body sagged slightly in relief. "Thank you. You are the only man I trust with her so soon into our courtship," he said as he ushered Sunoo to where Suri sipped on a chalice of wine sharing polite company with a couple other maidens.

"I understand."

"Darling," Ni-ki said gently as they approached. Suri turned and beamed at him with pink cheeks. "As I didn't want you to miss the first dances, I offer you Sunoo in my stead. I hope not to be long, but please do not limit your enjoyment while I am away."