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

Chapter - 76

It was a beautiful sunny day at the palace. Wooyoung clung to Hyunjin like a koala, his arms wrapped tightly around him, refusing to let go. "Hyun, you're so comfy!" Wooyoung declared, resting his head on Hyunjin's shoulder with a satisfied grin. Hyunjin laughed, trying to wriggle a little, but Wooyoung only tightened his hold.

Just then, Yongbok appeared, quickly swatting Wooyoung's hands away with playful determination. He grabbed Hyunjin and yanked him into his own arms, pulling him close like a protective shield. Wrapping his arms around Hyunjin from behind, Yongbok playfully glared at Wooyoung, puffing out his chest like a possessive child.

"Don't touch my baby! He's mine!" Yongbok declared dramatically, holding Hyunjin like a prized teddy bear. Hyunjin's cheeks flushed, but he couldn't stop laughing, caught between amusement and embarrassment.

"Bok, he's just hugging me," Hyunjin said through his giggles, turning his head slightly to look at his husband.

"Yeah, I'm just hugging my bestie!" Wooyoung added with a mock-annoyed tone, crossing his arms in exaggerated indignation. "Why do you always have to be so possessive?"

"Oh yeah? Well, before he's your bestie, he's my wife!" Yongbok shot back triumphantly, giving Hyunjin a quick kiss on the cheek, as if to stake his claim once and for all.

"WIFE?!" came two identical gasps from behind them. Jisung and Minho had arrived just in time to hear Yongbok's declaration, and they both stared at him in disbelief. Jisung and Wooyoung exchanged looks before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over at the word.

Hyunjin's face turned bright red, and he buried his face into Yongbok's chest, too embarrassed to look at anyone. "Bok, you're so embarrassing!" he mumbled into his husband's shirt, his ears burning from the attention.

Yongbok only grinned wider, clearly proud of himself as he hugged Hyunjin even tighter. "I meant what I said!" he proclaimed, his voice full of teasing pride. "My beautiful wife."

"Man, you're really spoiling him," Minho said with a shake of his head, though there was an affectionate smile tugging at his lips as he watched the scene unfold.

Yongbok looked over at Minho with a smirk. "And I'll spoil him even more if I want to! Right, Hyun?" he asked, squeezing Hyunjin gently and leaning down to press another kiss to the top of his head.

Hyunjin peeked out from Yongbok's chest, his face still red but now smiling as he looked up at his husband. "I guess I don't mind being spoiled," he said softly, earning an affectionate coo from Wooyoung and another laugh from Jisung.

"You've definitely created a monster," Minho teased his brother, shaking his head again but unable to hide the warmth in his eyes as he watched Yongbok and Hyunjin's adorable moment.

Yongbok just grinned, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "He's my monster now," he said, pulling Hyunjin even closer.

The group shared in the lighthearted laughter, the air filled with warmth, love, and the easy bond of friends and family. Hyunjin, still blushing but now smiling, felt his heart swell with happiness, knowing that no matter what, he had people who loved him—whether he was a "bestie," a "wife," or simply Hyunjin.

A beautiful and magical moment...

The sun was filtering through the thick canopy of trees, casting a dappled, golden glow on the forest floor. Laughter echoed in the distance as the group enjoyed their playful game of hide and seek amidst the towering trees and soft, grassy clearings. The forest itself seemed alive, the air humming with life and an almost magical energy that made the entire setting feel like a scene from a fairy tale.

Hyunjin peeked around the trunk of a tree, a playful smile on his lips as he listened for the others who were still searching. But before he could make another move, Yongbok suddenly appeared beside him, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Come with me," Yongbok whispered, grabbing Hyunjin's hand. "I know a place where no one will find us."

Hyunjin raised a curious brow but let himself be pulled along, his heart fluttering at Yongbok's touch. Together, they slipped away quietly, leaving the others behind in their game. Yongbok led him deeper into the forest, weaving through trees and bushes until they reached a secluded clearing that looked like it was pulled from a dream.

A towering, ancient tree stood at the center of the clearing, its branches spreading wide like a protective canopy. Twinkling lights that seemed like tiny fireflies floated through the air, and soft beams of sunlight filtered down, making the scene almost surreal. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers, and the leaves around them rustled as if whispering ancient secrets.

Yongbok guided Hyunjin to the base of the tree, where they sat together in the soft grass. With a gentle tug, Yongbok pulled Hyunjin into his lap, wrapping his arms around him as if to shield him from the rest of the world.

"See?" Yongbok whispered in his ear, his breath warm against Hyunjin's skin. "No one will find us here."

Hyunjin laughed softly, leaning into Yongbok's embrace. "It feels like something out of a fairy tale," he murmured, tilting his head back to look up at the shimmering light filtering through the leaves.

"Maybe it is," Yongbok replied, his voice soft and full of affection. He reached up to brush a stray lock of hair from Hyunjin's face before pressing a tender kiss to his temple. "And you're the most beautiful part of it."

Hyunjin's cheeks flushed as he smiled, turning his face slightly so their eyes met. "You always know how to make me blush," he whispered, before leaning in and closing the space between them with a soft, lingering kiss.

The kiss deepened slowly, their lips moving together in a gentle, loving rhythm as if they had all the time in the world. The magical atmosphere around them seemed to intensify, the air humming with the soft energy of the forest as they lost themselves in each other.

As they pulled apart, Yongbok rested his forehead against Hyunjin's. "I promise to always make you feel like this," he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Safe, loved, and cherished. Forever."

Hyunjin's heart swelled, his fingers gently trailing along Yongbok's jawline as he whispered, "And I promise to always be by your side. Wherever you go, I'll be there, loving you with everything I have."

They shared another kiss, this one sweeter, filled with the weight of their promises. The world around them felt far away, as if time had stopped just for them, allowing them this perfect, intimate moment under the magical tree.

Unbeknownst to them, Taehyun and Seonghwa were passing nearby, searching for the couple. Taehyun's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of movement and he stopped, smiling to himself as he realized what he'd found. "Seonghwa, come check this out," he whispered with a grin.

Seonghwa approached quietly, and when he saw Hyunjin and Yongbok wrapped up in each other, sitting under the tree with the sunlight streaming down on them, he chuckled softly. "Look at those two," he said, shaking his head. "Completely lost in their own world."

Taehyun laughed softly, admiring the serene moment between their friends. "They look happy," he said, his voice low and filled with warmth. "We should leave them alone."

Seonghwa nodded. "Yeah, let's go back and tell the others they've found their own hiding spot."

The two of them quietly backed away, leaving Hyunjin and Yongbok to their magical, private moment. As they disappeared into the trees, Yongbok and Hyunjin remained blissfully unaware, lost in each other's arms, their love the only thing that mattered in that enchanted forest.