Johwa [hoonsuk/sukhoon]

8.FEEL

The dawn broke gently over the land of Johwa, its golden rays spilling across the countryside like liquid hope, touching the rooftops and fields with a promise of new beginnings. It was a day long-awaited, filled with excitement and anticipation, for their beloved Queen Hyunsuk was to make his appearance in the city.

The people of Johwa whispered among themselves, voices laced with wonder and joy, as they prepared to catch a glimpse of the Queen and the future prince, the life growing inside him, a symbol of prosperity for the entire kingdom.

In the heart of the palace, the atmosphere was equally charged with excitement, though tempered by the meticulousness of royal duties.

The maids, bustling with coos, prepared the Queen's bath. The chamber smelled of lavender and roses, the steam rising from the warm water like a veil of delicate mist. They laid out the finest robes, spun from silk the color of dawn, and arranged an assortment of jewels that glittered like stars in the soft morning light.

Hyunsuk's maids, their hands swift and practiced carefully applied makeup to highlight the radiance in his perfect face, despite the exhaustion that lingered beneath his eyes—an exhaustion he hid well from all but those closest to him.

"His Majesty looks radiant," one of the maids whispered, tying the final ribbon into place on Hyunsuk's robe.

Another nodded, her eyes bright with admiration. "The Queen is a beacon of strength, especially now, with the future heir."

Hyunsuk, sitting quietly as they worked, glanced down at his reflection in the polished silver mirror before him. His features, usually so calm and composed, betrayed a flicker of anxiety.

It was the baby, of course—the precious child within him, whose presence was both a comfort and a constant reminder of Jihoon's absence. He placed a hand over his growing belly, feeling the faint, rhythmic flutter of life inside. This child was their future, their hope.
And yet, the ache of Jihoon's absence shadowed every step.

And Jaehyuk, stood nearby, watching over the proceedings with a sharp but quiet gaze. He, too, was dressed in finery, his long, blonde hair falling over his face, adding to his pretty, delicate appearance.

Though his demeanor was calm, Jaehyuk could sense the unease beneath Hyunsuk's royal grace. Their bond, though formal by royal standards, ran deeper than most realized. He saw the subtle tremor in Hyunsuk's hand as he reached for his crown, and how his cousin's eyes lingered on the empty seat where Jihoon should have been.

"Are you prepared for today?" Jaehyuk asked softly, concern.

Hyunsuk nodded, giving a small, almost imperceptible smile. "The people await their Queen. It is my duty to bring them hope."

"Indeed," Jaehyuk agreed, though he knew Hyunsuk's strength masked the deeper pain. He stepped closer, his hand lightly resting on Hyunsuk's shoulder, offering comfort.

In the courtyard outside, the knights and soldiers prepared for the Queen's patrol headed by Jeongwoo. They checked their weapons, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, their expressions solemn and ready.

A royal carriage, adorned with the finest Johwan craftsmanship, waited in the grand courtyard. It was a spectacle of elegance, draped in gold and silver, its wheels painted with intricate designs that symbolized the unity of the kingdom.

The horses, their black coats shining like onyx, pawed the ground impatiently, awaiting the signal to depart.

Among them, the knights prepared themselves for the solemn duty of protecting their Queen. They had heard rumors—whispers in the dark corridors of the palace—that the search for King Jihoon had yielded little fruit. The kingdom was tense, and every step Hyunsuk took was laden with the weight of a ruler keeping a fragile balance.