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

Chapter - 53

Two months had passed since the incident that had nearly torn their world apart. The palace had returned to its usual calm, and the kingdom thrived in peace once again. Hyunjin had fully recovered, the physical wounds long healed, though the memory of that night still lingered in their hearts.

Hyunjin stood in the royal gardens, the soft breeze playing with his hair. The sun bathed the flowers in a golden light, and he closed his eyes, letting the warmth wash over him. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to everything they had been through.

He had been spending more time in the gardens lately, finding solace in the quiet beauty around him. But today, something felt different—there was an energy in the air, a tension that he couldn't quite place.

"Hyunjin."

Yongbok's voice called to him, soft but commanding in its usual way. Hyunjin opened his eyes, turning to see him walking toward him. His breath caught in his throat for a moment, as it always did whenever Yongbok approached. There was something about the way Yongbok moved, with purpose and grace, that always drew him in.

Yongbok's eyes locked onto Hyunjin's, and in that moment, the world seemed to fade away. There was something in his gaze—intense, smoldering, as if he was holding back something he wanted to say or do.

"You've been spending a lot of time here," Yongbok said as he stopped in front of him, his voice lower than usual. "Are you really okay?"

Hyunjin nodded, but the way Yongbok was looking at him made his heart race. "I am," he said softly. "I guess... I've just been thinking."

"About what?"

"About us," Hyunjin admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yongbok took a step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. The space between them felt charged, like something was about to happen. His hand reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Hyunjin's face. The touch was innocent, but it sent a shiver down Hyunjin's spine.

"And what about us?" Yongbok asked, his voice laced with an edge of something more—desire, perhaps, or the same tension that had been building between them for weeks.

Hyunjin's breath hitched as he looked up into Yongbok's eyes. "Everything. You... mean everything to me."

Yongbok's gaze darkened, his hand lingering against Hyunjin's cheek. "You mean everything to me too, Hyunjin. You always have." His voice was barely above a whisper now, the air between them thick with unspoken emotion.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The only sound was the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the steady rhythm of their breathing.

Then, slowly, almost as if drawn by a force neither of them could resist, Yongbok leaned in. His lips hovered just above Hyunjin's, close enough that Hyunjin could feel his warm breath. The tension was electric, and Hyunjin felt his heart pounding in his chest.

Yongbok's hand moved to Hyunjin's waist, pulling him just a little closer. "I've wanted this for so long," he whispered, his lips brushing against Hyunjin's, teasing but not quite committing to the kiss.

Hyunjin's body responded instinctively, his hands coming up to grip Yongbok's shoulders, his fingers curling into the fabric of his clothes. "Then take it," Hyunjin whispered back, his voice trembling with anticipation.

That was all Yongbok needed. In the next breath, he closed the distance, capturing Hyunjin's lips in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, filled with all the emotions they had been holding back for so long. Hyunjin melted into him, his body pressing closer as the kiss deepened. It wasn't just passion—it was love, reassurance, and the promise of everything they had yet to experience together.

Yongbok's hands moved to Hyunjin's lower back, pulling him even closer, as if he couldn't bear to have any space between them. Hyunjin responded eagerly, his hands threading through Yongbok's hair, pulling him down further into the kiss.

They broke apart only when the need for air became too much, their foreheads resting against each other as they breathed heavily, their lips still inches apart.

"I love you, Hyunjin," Yongbok whispered, his voice raw with emotion.

Hyunjin smiled softly, his eyes half-lidded with contentment. "I love you too, Yongbok. More than anything."

For a moment, they stood there in the garden, wrapped up in each other, the world around them forgotten. The weight of everything they had gone through only seemed to make this moment more precious, more real.

And as they stood there, in each other's arms, they knew that no matter what came next, they would face it together.