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

Chapter - 69

Minho stood tall, his posture reflecting the weight of his royal lineage as he listened to Ryujin's parents speak. But even amidst the gravity of the moment, he couldn't help but steal glances at Jisung. The way Jisung stood with his friends—Wooyoung, Taehyun, and Seonghwa—was casual, but the second their eyes met, it was as if the whole world faded away.

Jisung's shy smile, his cheeks flushing pink, sent Minho's heart racing. He wanted to be there with him, to comfort him amidst the swirling tension of the day. Minho subtly smiled back, a promise in his eyes that once this was over, they would have their moment.

Behind him, Seungmin and Jeongin stood quietly, both taking in the speech with somber expressions. They understood the importance of this moment, knowing it would affect the future of not just the kingdom but also their friends and loved ones.

In-Yeop, Riki, and Yeji were gathered with their family, their eyes wide with shock as Ryujin's parents laid out the truth. The siblings exchanged glances, their thoughts racing. Riki clenched his fists, anger and guilt battling within him. He'd known how wrong it was, what their father had done to Hyunjin, but he had felt powerless at the time. Now, hearing it all out in the open, it was impossible to ignore the gravity of their father's actions.

Their father stood beside them, his face pale and his shoulders slumped. He looked down in shame, his earlier pride replaced by a deep regret. The realization of what he had done to Hyunjin weighed heavily on him now, crashing down with the force of truth he could no longer deny. Every harsh word, every punishment he had imposed, flashed before him, and now, in the light of Ryujin's speech, it seemed all the more cruel and senseless.

Yeji, however, was fixated on something entirely different. The moment her eyes landed on Ryujin, standing tall and poised, her heart stopped. She recognized her immediately—the girl she had treated, the one she had taken in and cared for. The one she had grown fond of, developed feelings for even. She blinked, trying to process it all.

The princess?

Her breath caught in her throat, memories flooding back to her: the quiet moments they had shared, the soft words exchanged in the stillness of Yeji's home. Ryujin had been kind, mysterious, and there had always been something about her that felt out of place, as though she belonged to a world far different than Yeji's. But now, it made sense. She was royalty.

Yeji's mind raced, torn between the revelation and her feelings. Did Ryujin know who she really was when they first met? And if she had, why hadn't she said anything? But more than anything, Yeji's heart ached. Despite the difference in their statuses, her feelings for Ryujin were real. Seeing her now, standing so far out of reach, made it all the more painful.

As the speech came to an end, the crowd stirred, murmurs spreading among the people. The response was mixed—some were clearly shocked and unsure, others seemed contemplative, while a few clapped in tentative approval. Change was in the air, but it would not be easy.

Minho, still standing behind his parents, felt the tension rise. His father, the king, turned toward Ryujin's parents, nodding in understanding but also worry. The kingdom had never faced something like this before. What would come next?

Ryujin, standing on the platform, glanced out at the crowd, and her eyes fell on Yeji. For a moment, her expression softened, a flicker of recognition passing between them. But then, duty called, and she turned back toward her parents, her regal demeanor slipping back into place.

As the crowd began to disperse, Minho made his way toward Jisung, weaving through the people with a single goal in mind. He needed to be with him, even if just for a moment.

Meanwhile, Yeji stayed rooted in place, her gaze still locked on Ryujin, wondering how she was supposed to feel now that she knew the truth. And in the shadows, Riki looked up at the sky, wondering if his family would ever be able to repair the damage they had done to Hyunjin, or if it was too late to make amends.

[Finally Minsung]

 smile widened at that, and without hesitation, he pulled Jisung into a gentle embrace. He could feel the tension in Jisung's body slowly easing as he melted into his arms. "I'm always here for you, Jisung," Minho whispered, his voice soft and full of affection.

Jisung's arms circled Minho's waist, holding him tightly, as if grounding himself in the comfort of Minho's presence. His head rested against Minho's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was moments like these, away from the prying eyes of the kingdom, where Jisung felt safe—where it was just the two of them and everything else faded away.

"I was so nervous back there, watching everything unfold," Jisung admitted quietly, not pulling away from Minho. "I kept thinking about what would happen if things didn't go well."

Minho rested his chin on top of Jisung's head, rubbing slow circles on his back. "But it did go well, didn't it?" he said gently. "The wedding is off, and Ryujin's parents are going to help smooth things over with the people."

Jisung nodded, letting out a small sigh of relief. "I know. It's just... I couldn't stop thinking about us. How hard it's going to be, no matter what happens."

Minho pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Jisung's eyes. "Hey, we're going to figure this out, alright? I don't care what anyone else thinks. I'm not letting go of you."

Jisung bit his lip, the sincerity in Minho's voice making his heart skip a beat. "Promise?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, his insecurities bubbling up in the face of everything happening around them.

Minho's gaze softened, and he cupped Jisung's face in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly against his cheeks. "I promise," he said, his voice firm yet full of affection. "You're mine, Jisung. I'm not going anywhere."

Jisung's eyes glistened as he smiled shyly, overwhelmed by Minho's words. Before he could say anything, Minho leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. It was slow, gentle, and full of reassurance, a promise in every touch.

When they finally pulled apart, Jisung's face was flushed, but there was a peacefulness in his expression now. "I don't deserve you," he muttered with a playful smile.

Minho chuckled, shaking his head. "You're wrong. You deserve everything, and I'll make sure you get it."

Jisung laughed softly, feeling a warmth spread through him. For the first time that day, he felt a sense of calm. With Minho by his side, he knew they could face anything that came their way.

They stayed like that for a few moments longer, wrapped in each other's arms, before reluctantly pulling away as the crowd around them began to stir again.

"Come on," Minho said, taking Jisung's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Let's get out of here for a while."

Jisung smiled, nodding as they slipped away from the crowd, their hands still entwined. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they had each other—and that was all they needed.

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