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A tall man dressed entirely in black rode his horse with purpose toward the Jeon palace. As he reached the palace gates, he dismounted, his face concealed beneath a dark mask. With steady steps, he approached the guards and, revealing just a glimpse of his face, was granted entry without hesitation.
The palace was vast, a maze to many, but Chanyeol knew every corner, every passage. He walk confidently toward the main hall, where the king resided, the weight of his mission heavy on his shoulders. Upon entering, he saw the king seated on his grand throne, surrounded by advisors. Chanyeol removed his mask and bowed deeply, his expression serious.
"Finally, you're here, Chanyeol. What news do you bring?" the king asked, his voice commanding.
"Your Highness, I have gathered the information you requested about Prince Jeongukk," Chanyeol began, his voice tinged with sadness. "But now, I ask that you fulfill your promise to me."
The king nodded, his gaze sharp. "Do not worry, Chanyeol. I remember my promise. Nothing will happen to him; he will be safe. But you must wait until after Prince Jeongukk's wedding."
Chanyeol's face twisted in confusion. "W-wedding?"
The king's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Yes, my son is to marry Princess Lisa, the richest and most beautiful in the land. With this union, no one will dare challenge my kingdom. I will be the most powerful ruler," the king declared, his laughter dark and triumphant.
Chanyeol hesitated, dread pooling in his stomach. "But, Your Highness, the prince... he is in love with someone else."
The king's triumphant expression faltered, shock rippling through him. "What did you say?"
"Your Highness, this is why the prince refuses to marry. He loves someone else," Chanyeol explained, the words falling heavily between them. "I have seen them together, crying and embracing."
The king's face flushed with anger. "I do not care about his so-called love! He will marry the princess, or he will face my wrath. And if this girl dares to interfere, I will ensure she regrets it."
Chanyeol swallowed hard. "Your Highness... it is not a girl," he whispered, fear gripping him. "It is a boy."
The king's expression turned cold, his eyes devoid of emotion as he gave his next order. "Kill him."
Chanyeol's heart sank with guilt as he realized the consequences of his actions.
-Sometime later-
Prince Jeongukk and Taehyung, the boy he loved more than anything, were enjoying a rare moment of peace together when the king's guards stormed in. Without warning, they began to beat Taehyung mercilessly.
"Stop it! I order you to stop!" Jeongukk cried out, trying desperately to shield Taehyung from the blows.
Taehyung, bloodied and bruised, managed a weak smile through the pain. "My love, don't cry. I'm okay..." he whispered before a guard hit him again, this time across the face, drawing blood from his mouth,
"I said stop!" Jeongukk shouted, his voice breaking with despair.
The guards paused, their duty clear. "We're sorry, Prince Jeongukk, but the king ordered us to beat him until death and to bring you back," one guard stated, his tone devoid of emotion.
Taehyung's body was limp, the life nearly beaten out of him, as Jeongukk collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Please... I'll speak with my father. Just leave him alone, I beg you," he pleaded, his voice shattered.
Moved by the prince's desperation, the guards ceased their assault and dragged Taehyung back to the palace.
-At the palace-
"Father, why are you doing this? Please, stop hurting Tae. I can't bear to see him like this," he cried, his voice trembling.
The king looked down at his son with disgust. "You're crying over that worthless boy?" he sneered.
"Father, please! I'll do anything, just don't hurt him," Jeongukk begged, his tears falling freely.
The king's eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction. "Fine. I'll let him live—if you agree to marry Princess Lisa. Refuse, and I'll have him killed."
Jeongukk's heart shattered as he realized the impossible choice he faced. "I... I'll marry her, Father," he whispered, his voice hollow. "Just leave Tae alone."
The king smirked, pleased with his victory. "Good choice, my son. And until the wedding, you are not to see him again," he declared before turning his back on his son, leaving Jeongukk a broken, crying mess.
As Jeongukk sobbed alone, the weight of his father's cruelty pressing down on him, he knew that while he would do anything to protect Taehyung, his heart was breaking beyond repair. He couldn't imagine a life without Tae, but he couldn't bear the thought of his love being killed because of him _______________ Updated..
