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

Chapter - 63

Yongbok sat quietly on the stairs that led to the palace gardens, staring blankly ahead. His mind was a storm of thoughts, every one of them circling back to Hyunjin. The weight of the past days—the forced marriage, the confinement, Hyunjin being taken away—hung heavy on his chest. He missed him desperately, the thought of never seeing him again crushing his spirit.

The soft sound of footsteps drew his attention, but he didn't look up. He wasn't in the mood for company. However, Ryujin's calm voice broke the silence.

"You have a beautiful garden here," she said softly, settling down beside him on the steps. Her eyes wandered over the neatly trimmed bushes and vibrant flowers, but her expression carried a similar weight of sadness. "Do you come here often?"

Yongbok finally glanced at her, then turned back toward the garden. "Not anymore."

Ryujin nodded, sensing the distant tone in his voice. She waited a moment before speaking again, her words gentle but direct. "Are you thinking about someone?"

Yongbok stiffened, caught off guard by her question. His heart ached at the mention of Hyunjin, but he shook his head. "You wouldn't understand."

To his surprise, Ryujin smiled sadly, turning her gaze back to the garden. "Actually, I think I would."

Yongbok frowned, finally looking at her fully. "What do you mean?"

She sighed deeply, her voice steady but tinged with quiet frustration. "I know that you're not interested in this marriage. Just like me."

Yongbok's eyes widened in shock. He stared at her, bewildered by her honesty. "You... don't want to marry me?"

Ryujin chuckled softly at his surprised expression, her lips curving into a small smile. "Everyone thinks it's every girl's dream to marry Prince Lee Yongbok," she said teasingly. "Shouldn't I feel lucky to be the one chosen to marry you?"

Yongbok blinked, still trying to process her words. He had never considered that she might be just as unwilling as he was. "But... why?"

Her smile softened, and she lowered her eyes. "Because my heart belongs to someone else."

The air between them grew still as Yongbok listened, intrigued. "Who?" he asked cautiously, curious to know what had brought her the same sorrow he felt.

Ryujin took a deep breath before speaking. "Her name is Yeji. A kind girl I met recently. She helped me when I was hurt and allowed me to stay with her. She doesn't know who I am. But... she showed me kindness that I haven't felt in a long time."

Yongbok's eyes widened even more, his heart pounding at the familiar name. Yeji? Could she be... He turned to Ryujin, his mind racing. "Yeji? What's her family name?"

"Hwang," Ryujin replied casually, not noticing his sudden tension. "She has three brothers. One of them caught my attention because... he looked the most broken. Like he had been hurt before."

Yongbok's heart skipped a beat. The realization hit him like a wave, and he felt a rush of panic and hope all at once. Hwang. Could it be... Hyunjin?

"Did she mention his name?" Yongbok asked quickly, his voice more urgent now.

Ryujin furrowed her brow, trying to recall. "I think she called him... Hyunjin oppa?"

The moment she said the name, Yongbok shot to his feet, startling Ryujin. His eyes were wide with shock, his heart racing uncontrollably. "Hyunjin?" he repeated, breathless. "That's... Hyunjin is..."

Ryujin looked up at him, confused by his sudden reaction. "Do you know him?"

Yongbok's chest tightened, emotions swirling inside him. He looked down at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hyunjin is my lover."

The air between them seemed to freeze, the truth hanging heavy between them.

 Ryujin blinked in surprise, processing Yongbok's revelation. "Your lover?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.

Yongbok nodded, his gaze falling back to the ground as he swallowed hard, the weight of everything pressing on him. "Yes, Hyunjin is my lover," he confessed quietly. He hesitated before continuing, unsure if he could open up about the pain he had been carrying for days. But something in Ryujin's calm and understanding presence made him trust her.

He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he began to speak. "It all started when he started working in the palace. Hyunjin was one of the best guards we had—he's loyal, strong, and the most caring person I've ever met. We grew closer over the months, and before I even realized it, I had fallen in love with him."

Yongbok's eyes glazed over as he remembered the sweet moments they had shared, the stolen glances, the nights spent together, their hearts beating in sync. "Hyunjin... he means everything to me. But then, when my parents found out... they saw our love as something disgraceful. My father had Hyunjin thrown out of the palace and locked me in my chambers. Now, they're forcing me to marry you, and I can't—do this marriage."

Ryujin listened in silence, her expression softening with each word. She could see the pain in Yongbok's eyes, the way his body tensed as he spoke about Hyunjin. It wasn't just love—it was a deep, unbreakable bond. When he finished, Ryujin stayed quiet for a moment, processing everything he had said.

"I'm sorry," she finally whispered, her heart aching for him. "I had no idea you were going through something like this."

Yongbok shook his head, trying to keep his emotions in check. "It's not your fault. You didn't ask to be put in this situation either."

Ryujin nodded in agreement. "No, I didn't," she said softly. "And I have no intention of going through with it either."

Yongbok looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

Ryujin's eyes were determined, her voice strong as she spoke. "I don't want to marry you, Yongbok. Not because there's anything wrong with you, but because I have feelings for someone else too—Yeji."

Yongbok's heart softened at her confession. He had never imagined Ryujin could be feeling the same way he did, stuck in a situation she had no control over.

"We need to stop this wedding," Ryujin continued, her voice full of resolve. "Neither of us wants this, and it's clear that we're both in love with someone else. If we don't act now, both our lives will be ruined."

Yongbok stared at her, a flicker of hope sparking inside him. "But how?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt. "The king and queen have already arranged everything. If we resist, it could end badly for both of us."

Ryujin's eyes gleamed with determination. "We can find a way. There has to be a way to stop this without causing chaos. I don't know how yet, but we'll figure it out."

Yongbok looked at her, feeling a small but growing sense of hope for the first time in days. Maybe, just maybe, with Ryujin's help, they could find a way to stop the marriage and be with the ones they truly loved.