Crafting The Lust

✨20✨

The court enlightened with the news of the soldiers being able to capture the painter—alive. Hyunjin's chest rose with a storm of relief but he kept his emotions unclear, frenzy smile tugged on his lips.

The queen, seated with graceful composure, observed quietly, while prestigious figures and court officials exchanged glances, all sensing the simmering storm beneath Hyunjin's facade. Hwang Hyunjin sat regally upon his throne, one leg casually propped up, his arm draped over his knee in a relaxed yet powerful stance.

The soldiers, emboldened by their success, allowed a hint of pride to show on their faces as they looked at each other with barely suppressed grins. Their leader stepped forward, bowing deeply before the king, his confidence bordering on arrogance.

"Your Majesty, we have successfully brought the painter back—alive"” he announced, his voice thick with self-satisfaction. He met the king's gaze, his confidence perhaps unwarranted, and the pride swelling within him made him bold. He stood tall, basking in the moment, oblivious to the danger of his own audacity.

"This was no small task, Your Majesty. I expect… some reward for our achievement," he continued, his voice almost daring.

A silence fell over the court, the collective breath of anticipation hanging in the air as Hyunjin's gaze darkened. But he kept his composure remain, letting the guard to pour his arrogance as long as he had satisfied his thrumming heart that almost lost the hope to get the painter back.

He didn't utter anything, tilting his head to signal them to bring the painter in front of his eyes. A few of the soldiers bowed to him and were dismissed for a brief. Hyunjin was growing impatient to see that face, his hands almost itching with excitement.

The smile on his face faltered as soon as the painter came into his side in a complete disheveled situation.

The court's murmurs softened to an eerie silence as Felix was dragged into view, his figure battered, clothing torn, and hair matted with dirt and sweat. Hyunjin's breath hitched ever so slightly, a spark of displeasure igniting within him, yet his expression remained calm, controlled. His smile faded, however, as he took in the extent of the painter's disheveled state—a state that somehow struck a discordant note in his chest.

Felix stood there, barely able to hold himself up, his hands bound tightly in front of him. Blood trickled from a fresh cut along his cheek, and his body bore the unmistakable bruises from his attempt to escape. His eyes met Hyunjin's only for a fleeting second before he lowered his gaze, refusing to give the king the satisfaction of seeing fear within them.

Hyunjin's fingers twitched with the desire to approach, to look closer at the defiant painter who had dared to betray him. With every step, he held the entire court's gaze, the tension amplifying as his expression shifted from satisfaction to something darker, a mix of frustration and undeniable intrigue.

"So," he began, his voice dangerously soft, "the painter returns, battered but… alive, as promised." His gaze flicked toward the soldiers, a hint of warning underlying his words. "But I hadn’t asked for him to be brought back in such… a condition."

The soldier's earlier pride faltered, and he stammered out a response, "Y-Your Majesty, he resisted, tried to run. We… we had to ensure he wouldn't escape again."

Hyunjin's eyes narrowed, his gaze ice-cold. "Is that so?” he murmured, his tone sharper now. He leaned closer, addressing Felix directly. "Tell me, painter, what drove you to think that running was an option? Did you truly believe you could escape my reach?"

Felix kept his silence, his heart pounding violently. How could he say that as much as he didn't want to be here, he didn't run away on his own, he would get punished either way. His body trembled in anticipation what was about to go with him, but he knew Hyunjin was displeased with him and won't be going to be easy on him. Hyunjin's fingers twitched again, a flicker of irritation crossing his features at Felix's unyielding demeanor.

The silence between them grew heavy, thick with unspoken words. Finally, Hyunjin straightened, regaining his composure as he addressed the court. "Let it be known," he began, his voice carrying authority, "that betrayal does not go unpunished in my kingdom."

He turned his gaze back to Felix, his voice a low murmur only the painter could hear. "You will be made to understand that your life belongs to me now, as do all of your talents."

He raised a hand, gesturing for the guards to take Felix away. "Bring him to his quarters," he commanded, voice icy yet calm. "See to it that he's tended to. He will need his strength… for what's to come."

As the guards moved to obey, Hyunjin allowed himself a final look at Felix, a storm of conflicting emotions brewing beneath his unreadable gaze. There would be no forgiveness, not now. But this was far from over, and Hyunjin intended to make sure Felix understood just how deeply he had crossed the line.

The king moved forward toward his throne, each step echoing through the deathly silent hall with a weight that seemed to pull the air itself taut. His gaze was dark, his expression unreadable, but a murderous intensity simmered in his eyes, visible to anyone who dared look. Slowly, as though savoring the moment, his hand slipped toward the sword at the belt of the soldier who’d dared to speak so boldly, so arrogantly, in his presence—and more unforgivably, dared to lay a hand on the painter.

Before anyone could process the motion, before the gasp of horror could even escape their throats, the blade flashed through the air. In one swift, brutal stroke, Hyunjin severed the soldier’s head, the heavy thud of it hitting the floor reverberating through the stunned court. Crimson sprayed across Hyunjin’s face, painting his flawless skin in a shocking red that only seemed to amplify the twisted smile slowly spreading across his lips.

The court was plunged into a silence so profound, so absolute, that it felt like even the very walls held their breath. No one dared to move. No one dared to breathe. A sense of paralyzing fear crept into their bones, the hairs on the back of their necks rising as they struggled to hold back gasps, every eye glued to the king whose beauty now seemed overshadowed by an unsettling, raw violence.

Hyunjin's smile widened as he regarded the lifeless body at his feet, the soldier's blood pooling across the stone floor. His voice, when he finally spoke, was low, cold, and carried a lethal promise that sent a shiver down the spine of every soul present.

"If anyone," he spat, his tone dripping with venom, "dares lay a hand on him again… I will grant them eternal rest." His hand tightened on the hilt before he flung the blood-stained sword onto the soldier's fallen body, disdain clear in every movement. "Let this be your lesson."

The court was frozen, horror etched across the faces of the onlookers, the air thick with dread as they took in the king’s fearsome declaration. No one would dare to harm the painter again—not if they valued their lives.