The hall fell silent, the weight of Yeji's confession hanging in the air. The king studied her closely, the stern lines of his face softening slightly as he saw the sincerity in her eyes. Ryujin blushed deeply, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Yeji.
Yeji took a deep breath, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her. "It wasn't just a fleeting attraction or a temporary infatuation. It was a deep, consuming love that I had never experienced before. In her eyes, I saw a reflection of everything I had ever wanted—a glimpse of something pure and beautiful amidst the darkness. I am not just drawn to her. I am attached to her, heart and soul."
The king looked at Yeji, his expression one of surprise and contemplation. The weight of her confession seemed to shift the atmosphere in the hall, as if the very air was charged with the intensity of her feelings.
Yeji continued, her voice trembling slightly but filled with conviction. "My actions may have been driven by my emotions, but I want you to understand that I never meant any harm to your kingdom. My love for Ryujin is genuine, and I believe it is something worth fighting for. I hope you can see that and understand the depth of my feelings. And also, I have always been curious about humans ever since I was a child. When I captured Ryujin, I learned that not all humans are bad. I admit that I may have been too possessive of Ryujin, but my brother and I really have no intentions of hurting your kingdom."
The king remained silent for a moment, clearly moved by the sincerity of Yeji's words. His gaze softened as he looked from Yeji to Ryujin, recognizing the powerful bond between them.
The king's eyes, though still guarded, were now softened with curiosity and contemplation. He leaned forward in his throne, his fingers steepled as he regarded Yeji and Ryujin with a mix of skepticism and intrigue.
"A dragon hybrid falling in love with a human," the king mused aloud, his voice contemplative. "It is a tale that I may have read in my childhood, a story that was often spoken of in legends and lore. But to see it manifest before me... this is unprecedented."
The king turned his gaze to Ryujin, his expression probing. "Is what Yeji has said true? Do you believe that she harbors no ill will towards our kingdom?"
Ryujin felt her cheeks flush deeply, her heart pounding at the king's direct question. She had never imagined that Yeji's feelings were so profound, and the revelation left her momentarily speechless. The unexpected nature of Yeji's confession had caught her off guard, and she struggled to find the right words.
For a moment, Ryujin's mind raced, trying to piece together a coherent response. Her face grew warmer, and she cleared her throat, attempting to maintain her composure. "Y-Yes," she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "Yeji means no harm. She... she's gentle, and she has protected me countless times. I couldn't even count them all."
Ryujin took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Despite everything that's happened, she has never once shown any intention of causing harm. She's been nothing but kind and caring towards me. I think... I think what she feels is real, and I believe she genuinely wants to make amends."
The king listened intently, his expression shifting from skepticism to a thoughtful consideration. The sincerity in Ryujin's voice and the earnestness of her confession seemed to resonate with him.
The king's gaze returned to Yeji, his tone now softer. "And you, Yeji, if you truly love Ryujin and mean no harm to our kingdom, what do you propose we do to ensure that peace can be maintained?"
Yeji's eyes filled with relief at Ryujin's defense. She stepped forward, her voice steady but filled with earnest emotion. "I propose that we work together to ensure the safety of both our people. My brother and I will do everything in our power to demonstrate our commitment to peace and cooperation. We understand that our past actions may have caused mistrust, but we are willing to prove that our intentions have changed."
