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

Chapter - 47

The night stretched on, and Yongbok kept vigil over Hyunjin, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Each moment felt like an eternity, and the worry gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the image of Hongjoong's smirk from his mind or the danger that lurked beneath the surface of their interactions.

As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. Hyunjin stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping his lips as his eyes fluttered open. Yongbok leaned closer, relief flooding through him at the sight of his beloved waking up.

"Hyunjin?" Yongbok murmured, gently brushing a thumb across Hyunjin's cheek.

"Yongbok..." Hyunjin's voice was hoarse, laced with confusion. He blinked several times, trying to gather his thoughts. "What happened?"

Yongbok took a deep breath, grateful to see Hyunjin awake but hesitant to explain the full extent of the situation. "You passed out last night. Hongjoong... he spiked your drink."

Hyunjin's eyes widened, panic setting in. "What? I—" He sat up quickly, wincing as dizziness hit him again. "I feel a bit... dizzy."

"Take it easy," Yongbok urged, gently pushing him back down. "You're safe now. Just breathe."

After a moment of quiet, Hyunjin turned to Yongbok, his expression serious. "What are we going to do about Hongjoong? We can't let him get away with this."

Yongbok's gaze hardened. "Minho and I are preparing to leave for home. We'll gather our forces and prepare for war if necessary. We can't allow him to think he can manipulate us like this."

Hyunjin nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'm ready to fight if it comes to that. But... what if he tries to hurt you, Yongbok? I can't bear the thought of him targeting you because of me."

Yongbok reached out, holding Hyunjin's hand tightly. "I won't let that happen. I promise you; I'll protect you, and myself. No matter what."

Just then, Seonghwa entered the room, a look of concern on his face. "How's Hyunjin?" he asked, his voice softening as he approached.

"I'm okay," Hyunjin replied, forcing a smile despite the lingering dizziness. "Just a little shaky."

Seonghwa nodded, relief flooding his features. "Good to hear. We need you strong for what's coming."

Minho then joined them, his expression serious. "We need to leave as soon as possible. The sooner we get back home, the better."

"Let's gather everyone and prepare for departure," Yongbok said, his voice steady.

As they moved to leave the room, Hyunjin squeezed Yongbok's hand tightly, grounding himself in the moment. "I won't let him win," he vowed quietly, a fire igniting within him. "Not now, not ever."

The group quickly gathered, including Taehyun, Seungmin, and Jeongin, who were already preparing to leave. The atmosphere was tense but focused, everyone aware of the gravity of the situation.

"Are we ready to go?" Minho asked, scanning the room for any signs of dissent.

"Everything's packed and ready," Taehyun confirmed, crossing his arms with determination. "We just need to keep a close eye out for Hongjoong's men."

Hyunjin took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "I'll keep watch too. We can't let our guard down."

As they moved towards the exit, Yongbok remained close to Hyunjin, ensuring he was steady on his feet. "Just stay close to me," he whispered, his protective instincts kicking in.

Seonghwa and Taehyun flanked them, creating a protective circle as they navigated through the palace. Hyunjin leaned into Yongbok, finding strength in their bond. He knew they would face challenges ahead, but with Yongbok by his side, he felt they could overcome anything.

As they mounted their horses, Yongbok glanced back at the castle, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "Let's go home," he said firmly, ready to face whatever awaited them on their journey back.

The group mounted their horses, a sense of urgency propelling them forward. The morning air was crisp, and the tension was palpable as they rode through the gates of the enemy kingdom, leaving behind the opulence and danger that lingered in its halls.

Hyunjin, sitting astride his horse, felt a mixture of unease and determination. He glanced at Yongbok, who was riding close beside him, his jaw set with resolve. Taehyun, Seungmin, and Jeongin flanked them, their expressions mirroring the seriousness of the situation.

As they trotted along the winding path, Hyunjin caught sight of a figure watching them from the castle battlements—Hongjoong. The prince stood tall, arms crossed, an unsettling smirk on his lips. Hyunjin's heart raced as their eyes met, the implications of the previous night hanging heavily in the air.

"What is it?" Yongbok asked, noticing Hyunjin's sudden stillness.

"Hongjoong," Hyunjin whispered, barely able to tear his gaze away from the prince. "He's watching us."

"Let him watch," Minho said, his voice low but firm. "We'll show him we're not to be trifled with."

As they pressed forward, the terrain became rougher, the road winding through dense forests and rocky hills. The further they rode, the more Hyunjin felt the weight of what had transpired. He couldn't shake the feeling of Hongjoong's gaze lingering on him, a predator watching its prey.

"Are you okay?" Seonghwa asked, riding up beside Hyunjin, concern etched on his face. "You seem distracted."

"I just—" Hyunjin hesitated, searching for the right words. "I can't stop thinking about what Hongjoong did. It's not just about the drink. It's everything. He... he thinks he can control us."

Seonghwa nodded, his expression grave. "He won't succeed. We'll make sure of that. You're not alone in this."

Hyunjin appreciated the reassurance but felt the knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. They rode on in silence, the only sounds being the rhythmic hoofbeats and the rustle of leaves in the wind.

As they reached a clearing, Minho called for a halt. "Let's take a break here. We need to regroup and discuss our next steps," he said, dismounting with a grace that belied his serious demeanor.

The group settled in a circle, tension still palpable. Yongbok pulled Hyunjin aside, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you're alright? I don't want you to push yourself."

Hyunjin took a deep breath, meeting Yongbok's gaze with determination. "I'm fine. I just want to make sure we get back safely. We need to prepare for whatever Hongjoong might try next."

Yongbok's expression softened, and he brushed a thumb across Hyunjin's cheek. "You're more than just a guard to me, Hyunjin. You're my partner, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

Hyunjin felt warmth spread through him at Yongbok's words. "I know, and I want to protect you too. We're in this together."

Their moment was interrupted as Taehyun spoke up, his tone serious. "We need to come up with a plan for how to approach the kingdom when we return. Hongjoong's actions might escalate things between us."

"Agreed," Minho said, glancing around the group. "We need to gather our forces and prepare for anything. We can't afford to underestimate him."

Seungmin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And we should inform the king about what happened. He needs to know the threat is real."

As they discussed their plans, Hyunjin's thoughts drifted back to Hongjoong and his unsettling interest. He couldn't shake the feeling that the prince wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. But with Yongbok and the others by his side, he felt a flicker of hope. They were a team, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After a brief respite, they remounted their horses, a renewed sense of purpose coursing through them. As they set off again, Hyunjin glanced back toward the path they had taken, determined to leave the memories of the enemy kingdom behind but ready to face whatever awaited them.