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

Chapter - 61

Days passed in agonizing silence for Hyunjin. Locked away in his small, dimly lit room, he barely moved from his bed. His meals, left untouched, sat on the floor, growing cold by the hour. He couldn't bring himself to eat, to care, to do anything but wallow in the weight of his despair. His father's harsh words echoed endlessly in his mind, the sting of the slap still fresh on his cheek. Most of all, the aching absence of Yongbok gnawed at him—his love, his warmth, the one person who made everything in his world right, now felt impossibly far away.

Every day, In-Yeop knocked softly on the door, trying to coax Hyunjin out.

"Hyunjin, please eat something," he would say gently, his voice filled with worry. "You need your strength. We're all worried about you."

But Hyunjin never responded. In-Yeop knew his brother was listening, but there was no breaking through the wall Hyunjin had built around himself. Even their mother, Yeji, who had tried more than once to plead with Hyunjin, returned to the living room in tears after each attempt. Riki, their younger brother, sat by her side, his face full of concern but helpless to do anything.

While Hyunjin suffered in silence, Yongbok wasn't faring much better in the palace. Trapped in his chamber, he paced back and forth, his frustration mounting with each passing day. He had tried every way he could think of to escape, including a daring attempt to climb down from the balcony, but it was too high, and the guards were watching closely. He felt like a prisoner in his own home, powerless to do anything but wait.

Worse, his parents had delivered devastating news: they had arranged a marriage for him with the princess of the neighboring kingdom, Shin Ryujin. The very thought made Yongbok's stomach churn. He didn't want to marry anyone, let alone someone he had no feelings for. His heart already belonged to Hyunjin.

"I won't marry her," he had protested when his parents first told him of their plan. His voice had been firm, defiant.

But they had quickly shut him down. "You don't have a choice," his father had said coldly. "This marriage is for the good of the kingdom."

Yongbok had tried to argue, to explain that he couldn't love anyone but Hyunjin, but they threatened him, their words sharp and cruel. They had the power to make his life even worse, and for now, he had no choice but to remain silent. His heart burned with anger and helplessness.

Back at Hyunjin's family home, the air felt thick with tension. In-Yeop and Riki tried their best to hold things together, supporting their mother, who cried frequently over her son's fate. The harsh words their father had spoken still lingered painfully in the house, a reminder of the fracture in their once close-knit family.

Late one evening, after another failed attempt to coax Hyunjin out of his room, Riki stood outside, staring at the closed door with a heavy heart. He knew his brother was suffering, and every time he saw their father, his resentment grew stronger. How could their father be so cruel, so unforgiving?

Riki turned to In-Yeop, who sat nearby, deep in thought. "Hyung," Riki began quietly, "Hyunjin can't keep living like this. We need to do something."

In-Yeop sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Riki. Believe me, I want to help him. But what can we do? Father won't listen to reason, and even if he did, the king's decision is final."

Riki frowned, determination brewing inside him. "There has to be a way. We just need more time." He clenched his fists. "We can't let Hyunjin suffer like this. I'll think of something. I don't know how yet, but we'll help him. I promise."

In-Yeop glanced at his younger brother, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "If anyone can come up with something, it's you, Riki."

At the same time, Minho, Seungmin, Jisung, Jeongin, Wooyoung, Taehyun, and Seonghwa continued meeting in secret. They shared their frustration and worry for both Hyunjin and Yongbok, but so far, they hadn't taken any steps forward. Every attempt to brainstorm a solution felt futile, as if an invisible barrier was keeping them from finding the right course of action.

Jisung, impatient and passionate, tapped his foot anxiously. "We can't keep waiting like this! Hyunjin's locked away, and Yongbok is being forced into a marriage he doesn't want. How long are we supposed to sit here doing nothing?"

Minho, always calm on the outside, but internally conflicted, took a deep breath. He knew Jisung was right. The more time passed, the worse things would get for both of them. But they needed to act smartly, carefully. The stakes were too high.

"I get it, Jisung. But if we act too soon without a solid plan, we could make everything worse. We need to find a way that won't backfire on us or them," Minho said, his voice steady, though a storm brewed inside him.

The others nodded, though frustration hung heavily in the air. They were all desperate to help but were uncertain of the best way to do it.

Back in Hyunjin's home, Riki was quietly working on an idea of his own, and soon, he would put his idea to work, for the sake of everyone.