Crafting The Lust

✨12✨

Felix stopped in his tracks, his heart skipping a beat at the Queen's words. The king is here? His pulse quickened as he slowly lifted his gaze from the floor, his breath catching in his throat.

And there he was.

The King stood at the far end of the corridor, his presence commanding and unmistakable. His tall figure was clad in dark, regal robes that only enhanced his already imposing stature. His expression, however, was unreadable—his sharp eyes observing the two of them with an intensity that made Felix’s skin tingle.

"Your majesty," the Queen greeted, bowing her head slightly in respect. Felix quickly mirrored her action, lowering his head in an attempt to hide the tremble in his hands. He felt a strange pull toward the king, something that both unsettled and intrigued him.

Hyunjin drifted his gaze to the painter bowing, a small smile dancing over his lips.

"Your majesty, I was showing our royal emblems to the painter," Anna smiled, her eyes held the glimmer of innocence, unknown about the fact that her king has his thoughts conserved at the so called painter.

Hyunjin was intrigued by his feelings, to his heart, why his heart kept longing for just an ordinary painter. As if he wants something more.. and he didn't think he would keep his morals, honestly he didn't care, he will get whatever he wants. Whether it's a painter's body in either way.

"Painter," the king’s voice was deep, resonating through the corridor. Felix lifted his head cautiously to meet his gaze. There was something in the king’s eyes that Felix couldn’t place—an unspoken challenge, or perhaps curiosity.

"Your work intrigues me," the king continued, his tone as measured as his expression.

Felix swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He could feel the Queen watching him closely, as though measuring his every reaction.

"Show me," the king said, his gaze piercing into Felix’s. "The painting you were working on."

Felix froze, the ruined painting flashing in his mind. He couldn't possibly show the king what he had just spoiled—it wasn’t the king’s portrait anymore, not after the red pigment had splattered across the blonde figure. But how could he refuse the king’s command?

“I… I’m afraid it’s not quite ready for display, your majesty,” Felix stammered, feeling the pressure of both the king and queen’s eyes on him. “There was a… mistake in the process.”

The king raised an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly as if amused by Felix’s unease. “A mistake, you say?”

Felix nodded, trying to keep his composure. “Yes, your majesty. I will correct it before it is ready for your eyes.”

For a moment, the king said nothing, merely watching Felix with that same unreadable gaze. Then, without warning, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips—small, but enough to send a strange thrill through Felix’s chest.

"A mistake you say, aren't you considered as the most renowned artist of the present?” the king said, his voice was low and smooth.

The queen spoke before the painter, "Your majesty, I think he is tired that's why he couldn't focus on his work," then Anna turned to Felix, offering a gentle smile to him. She placed a gentle hand on his arms slightly stroking on his fabric, which caught the attention of the king.

His dark gaze stared at how the painter was slightly trembling at the queen's touch, making his anger grow.

"Master Yongbok, you don't have to push yourself take a good rest for today," she softly assured then turned to her king, "he can begin his work from tomorrow, my king," she said, gesturing Yongbok to go.