CHAPTER 80
"But apparently our brave Yuhyun can't even handle the third cup."
"I can handle it…"
Yuhyun slurred, then looked up at them seriously.
"But… have you seen Sihyun?"
Taejin chuckled.
"He's fine. You don't have to worry about him tonight."
"Yeah,"
Dohyun added with a grin,
"he and the Crown Prince slipped off a while ago. You really think they'd hang around while everyone's watching them like hawks?"
Yuhyun blinked, slow and foggy.
"His highness? …Oh."
"He's with someone who loves him,"
Taejin said, squeezing Yuhyun's shoulder gently.
"You should focus on staying upright."
Yuhyun didn't argue further. His head lolled slightly as he leaned into their support, allowing them to guide him down the quiet hall.
"I think I'll just sleep forever,"
he mumbled.
"That's the wine talking,"
Dohyun teased.
"No,"
Yuhyun sighed dramatically,
"it's the shame."
The two nobles laughed quietly, their voices echoing in the empty corridor as they helped Yuhyun back toward his chamber, the last embers of the celebration flickering gently behind them.
The room was bathed in a soft golden hue, the remnants of magic from their ritual still lingering like warm embers in the air. Muwon and Sihyun lay tangled beneath the silk sheets, their breaths slow, the heaviness of passion and comfort lulling them into deep slumber.
But peace did not last.
Sihyun stirred first—his brows furrowing, breath catching in his throat. A faint, whispering voice echoed in his mind, Vanyul's voice, cold and taunting, calling his name again and again.
"You think it's over, little sorcerer? You think you're safe?"
His body tensed. Whining softly in his sleep, Sihyun's fingers clutched the sheets tightly. His breathing turned shallow, erratic. Then—suddenly—he jolted up with a gasp, his eyes glowing a haunting red, tattoos faintly pulsing beneath his skin.
Across the room, standing in front of the tall mirror, was the same ghostly figure he'd seen at the feast.
Vanyul.
His form was faint, translucent, but that smile—wide and full of twisted delight—was vivid.
Sihyun's pulse raced.
"Get out,"
he whispered under his breath. His hand snapped forward.
CRASH!
The nearby table, heavy with fruit and untouched wine, soared through the air, crashing into the mirror with a deafening explosion of shattering glass.
The illusion vanished the moment the mirror splintered.
Muwon jolted awake, startled. His hand instinctively reached for Sihyun. His eyes widened at the glowing red in Sihyun's gaze, the wreckage on the floor, the chaotic energy pulsing faintly in the room.
"Sihyun!"
he called, voice sharp with concern.
"Look at me."
The red in Sihyun's eyes began to dim. He blinked, breathless, as if waking from a nightmare. His gaze slowly met Muwon's.
Muwon reached for his face, gently cupping his cheek.
"Are you okay? That was just like at the feast…"
Sihyun hesitated. His lips parted, but the words took a moment to come out. Then quietly, like a secret finally slipping free, he said:
"I've been seeing him… Vanyul. Hearing his voice… it's like he's here. Watching me."
Muwon's brows furrowed deeply. He didn't look away.
"Since when?"
Sihyun's throat tightened.
"Since the feast. He was there—I saw him. I thought it was just my mind playing tricks, but now... I don't know."
Muwon gently pulled him into an embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around Sihyun.
"You're not alone in this. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Sihyun closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of Muwon's body, the haunting chill of Vanyul's presence still lingering in the air around them.
Morning sunlight streamed through the palace windows, casting long golden lines across the polished floors. The atmosphere was calmer now, but the echoes of the previous night—both the celebration and Sihyun's sudden outburst—still lingered in the air.
Muwon stood by the bedside, already dressed in dark ceremonial robes with his royal crest pinned to his chest. He looked down at Sihyun, still curled beneath the sheets, breathing softly, finally at peace after the restless night.
A faint smile touched Muwon's lips. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Sihyun's forehead, brushing stray strands of hair away from his face.
"I'll be back soon,"
he whispered before quietly slipping out of the chamber.
The grand hall buzzed faintly with voices—nobles gathered in full attire, seated in rows, some whispering among themselves. At the head of the hall sat the king, firm and regal, his gaze sharp as ever.
The chatter died the moment Muwon entered.
He strode in with confident grace, head bowed slightly in respect as he approached the king.
"Your Majesty,"
he greeted, his voice calm, collected.
The king gave a small nod but didn't bother with pleasantries.
"We noticed both you and Sihyun vanished from the feast last night,"
he said, tone measured but direct.
"Some of the guests were surprised not to see either of you afterward."
Muwon offered a faint smile, his tone smooth.
"Sihyun was tired from everything—especially the attention. I stayed with him to make sure he rested."
The king gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
"No need to explain. It was a long day."
Then, after a pause, his voice softened,
"Is he still not ready to face me?"
Muwon blinked, then straightened.
"It's not that, Your Majesty. Whether he's thanked or not… it doesn't make much difference to him. He didn't help you for recognition."
The king chuckled slightly, sitting back.
"And yet… I still want to thank him properly. It's rare to meet someone who doesn't care for royal favor."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Especially someone with his power."
Muwon didn't react visibly, but his fingers curled slightly at his side.
"He's not a threat,"
Muwon said quietly.
"You know that."
The king didn't reply for a moment, then said,
"If he ever feels ready to stand before me again, let me know. I don't just want to thank him—I want to understand him."
The nobles stirred faintly, clearly intrigued.