황실의 사랑 이야기 (Hwangsil-ui Sarang Iyagi) - The Imperial Love Story

Chapter - 12

Yongbok's heart raced as he approached Hyunjin, the weight of their previous encounter lingering heavily between them. Hyunjin looked up, his expression a mixture of surprise and wariness, as if he were bracing for yet another confrontation.

"Talk?" Hyunjin echoed, his tone sharp, yet laced with uncertainty. "About what? The degrading orders you love giving?" He crossed his arms, defensively blocking himself off.

Yongbok winced at the accusation. "I—" he began but faltered, unsure of how to bridge the gap between them after the tension-filled moments they'd shared. "I wanted to apologize. About yesterday."

Hyunjin's brows knitted together, his expression hardening. "You think an apology will change how you treat me?"

"No, I—" Yongbok took a step closer, his voice softening. "I didn't mean to make you feel less than you are. It was wrong of me to give you such an order. You're not just a commoner; you've proven yourself capable during training."

"Proven myself?" Hyunjin scoffed, shaking his head. "By fighting to prove I'm not beneath you? You don't get it, do you? I'm tired of fighting for your approval, of constantly being reminded of my place."

Yongbok felt a sting at Hyunjin's words, the truth in them cutting deeper than he expected. He opened his mouth to retort but realized there was nothing to say. Instead, he took a deep breath, grounding himself. "I never wanted to remind you of your place. I—"

He hesitated again, searching for the right words, aware of how fragile the atmosphere felt. "I admire your determination. It's just... difficult for me to adjust. You're here now, and I'm used to being the one in control. But that's no excuse for how I treated you."

Hyunjin's eyes searched Yongbok's face for sincerity, the defensiveness slowly ebbing as curiosity took its place. "You're the prince, after all. You were raised to expect obedience."

"Maybe," Yongbok admitted, his gaze steady on Hyunjin, "but that doesn't mean I have to enforce it. I'm still learning how to be a good leader. I didn't want you to think I see you as lesser. You're part of this team, and I respect your abilities."

The air hung heavy between them, and Hyunjin seemed to soften, the fire in his eyes dimming. "You really mean that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Yongbok said, taking a cautious step closer. "You deserve to be treated with respect, not just as someone beneath me. I don't want you to feel that way anymore."

There was a moment of silence, the tension shifting as Hyunjin absorbed Yongbok's words. Finally, he exhaled, the weight on his shoulders lessening. "I appreciate that," he said quietly, his gaze dropping to the ground. "But it's hard to forget how you've treated me before. You've set a precedent."

"I understand," Yongbok replied, a flicker of hope igniting within him. "But I want to change that. I want to earn your respect, not just demand it. We're in this together, after all."

Hyunjin looked up, meeting Yongbok's eyes once more, and for the first time, there was a glimmer of understanding between them. "Okay," he said, his tone cautious but willing. "Let's try again."

Yongbok felt a rush of relief at Hyunjin's acceptance, the bond between them shifting subtly in that moment. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "And... I promise to be more mindful of how I speak to you."

Hyunjin nodded, a small smile breaking through his previously guarded expression. "Good. Let's not dwell on the past, then."

"Agreed," Yongbok replied, feeling lighter as he turned to walk alongside Hyunjin. They began to talk about their training, their voices mingling and rising above the distant laughter of their fellow trainees. The weight of the previous days still lingered, but there was a newfound understanding forming, a bridge being built between them as they stepped forward together.

As they walked, Yongbok couldn't help but glance at Hyunjin, marveling at the way the younger man's determination shone through, making him all the more admirable. The tension that had once threatened to break them apart now felt like a promise of something deeper—an understanding that could lead to a friendship forged through mutual respect and shared challenges.

And with that promise in mind, Yongbok felt hopeful for what lay ahead, ready to face whatever trials awaited them in their journey to become royal guards.