"Are you feeling nervous?" Ha-Neul inquired gently as Wuhao let out a deep sigh while standing before the grand doors of the palace. The weight of the moment settled upon him, the anticipation mingling with a tinge of dread. "The king invited you here to apologize and clear up the misunderstanding. You don't have to feel scared," he reassured Wuhao, but therein lay the very crux of Wuhao's anxiety. He was not just meeting a person who did him wrong; he was meeting a monarch, and that thought alone sent his heart racing. Unlike Ha-Neul, who had grown accustomed to the company of royalty, Wuhao felt out of place in this opulent environment. The fact that King Wang wanted to apologize was beyond his comprehension; in his experience, such acts from those in power were virtually unheard of. Yet, deep inside, Wuhao sensed that the meeting bore consequences beyond mere apologies, and that uncertainty gnawed at him.
"Mr. Wuhao and Mr. Lee have arrived," announced the attendant, interrupting Wuhao's spiraling thoughts as they stepped into the west courtyard of the castle, a serene haven favored by King Wang for afternoon tea and where the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
After exchanging polite greetings with King Wang, Wuhao found himself seated at a table adorned with an elaborate display of intricately designed pastries, delicate biscuits, and rich cakes—an indulgent feast that seemed almost extravagant for a simple tea gathering.
"I understand you're upset with me for overstepping my bounds," King Wang began bluntly, bypassing small talk and diving straight into the heart of the matter. He wore a warm smile, wide and genuine, as he extended his hand to pick up an eclair, placing it delicately on Wuhao's plate. "But I couldn't resist asking Ha-Neul for a list of your favorite desserts." His smile was meant to ease Wuhao's nerves, yet it only amplified Wuhao's discomfort, leaving him feeling more awkward as he attempted to return the gesture while stifling his apprehensions.
"You were hurt and resorted to such measures, it's hard not to feel partially responsible for this situation," King Wang continued, choosing another eclair as he spoke. "I've heard you used to enjoy making these at your uncle's cafe. I would love to taste them myself one day," he added, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. Wuhao caught Ha-Neul's supportive glance, a silent prompt on how to respond. He nodded subtly, a wide smile on his face.
"If I have the chance to make them again, I'll be sure to set the best ones aside just for Your Majesty," Wuhao replied, not entirely confident but hoping it was a suitable response. After all, he had come with different intentions; the purpose of this meeting was to receive an apology, to express the pain caused not only to him but also to many others.
"I sincerely apologize for my inability to separate my emotions from my actions," King Wang said, his tone growing solemn as he shifted into the core of his apology. "What I thought was a minor decision spiraled out of control and ultimately caused you significant harm. It was never my intention to hurt you, and as king, it is my responsibility to acknowledge my failures, especially to those directly affected by them. As the representative of my people, I recognize that I might not have adequately conveyed the respect and values of my kingdom to you, someone whom I hold a responsibility towards as someone visiting my kingdom. I apologize from the depths of my heart."
While Wuhao knew not to expect a formal bow or extravagant gestures, the sincerity in the king's words was enough for him. It created a flicker of hope that perhaps they could find a path forward.
"I heard a rumor this morning," King Wang said, glancing over at Ha-Neul, catching him off guard. "It seems LUMINA is having quite a tough time with all these recent scandals—first the allegations…" He turned his gaze to Wuhao before shifting back to Ha-Neul. "And now there are whispers of a dating scandal between two members during what should be a PR crisis. I must admit, I never expected such media play."
"They're just rumors, Your Majesty. Not everything needs to be taken at face value, especially given our history with public perception," Ha-Neul countered calmly as he sipped delicately from his tea cup. "And dating? It's simply a part of life; you're a person who should understand that perfectly." Ha-Neul's brows lifted pointedly as he locked eyes with King Wang, clearly addressing the underlying tension between them. "And what truly is the scandal here? Ah, yes—being human, just like our Wuhao."
As the atmosphere shifted slightly, King Wang stood up, his body language suggesting he had grown weary from the weight of the discussion. "It appears the evening air has grown a bit too brisk for my old bones," he declared. Wuhao immediately stood as well, but Ha-Neul remained comfortably seated. "I will take a leave to my study for a while. Stay here a bit longer; the sunset is truly something to behold. I also have a few matters to discuss with Seok-Hwan. It won't take too long. Please inform me before you leave. I would like to confer with both of you afterward." With that, the king exited the garden, flanked by his attendants.
"You're still not telling me what you want from His Majesty, are you?" Ha-Neul asked, his voice laced with curiosity. Wuhao had indicated earlier that he had a favor to ask from the king, but had said little about the nature of his request.
"No," Wuhao replied, shaking his head slowly. "But I'll give you a hint. My father moved us here willingly so I could have a closer connection with my mother's culture, but after they died, my uncle couldn't bring himself to take me back. Every day, he loathed staying here, bearing the burden of my father's business, but he endured it. In the short time I lived with him, I felt more like a responsibility than family. When Jay Hyung approached me, I told him about my longing for a family, and he promised me that…"
His voice became rough, the corners of his mouth twisting into an estranged semblance of a smile. "But alas, you all treated me more like a criminal than anything else. All I want now is someone to return to, someone I can lean on in times like these."
"So you'll ask him for a family?" Ha-Neul inquired, his face etched with confusion. The concern in his eyes conveyed a mix of pity for Wuhao and guilt for the circumstances surrounding them, but that wasn't what Wuhao sought. He longed for someone who would accept him for who he truly is, rather than defining him by his misfortunes. "Yes, I'll ask him for a family," Wuhao affirmed resolutely.
"I heard Ha-Neul went out last night," King Wang remarked, as he lounged in his desk chair, playfully tossing a decorative crystal orb from hand to hand. "Do you know where he went?" The king's gaze locked onto Seok-Hwan, who hesitated, unsure how to respond since his focus had been entirely on caring for Wuhao. "Tell me again who I tasked you with keeping an eye on. Tell me!" King Wang's voice elevated, animated by disappointment and frustration as he abruptly stood and hurled the crystal orb at Seok-Hwan's face, causing a wound on his forehead. "Do you remember what I had to do last time? Do you!?" he bellowed, his hand slamming down on the table as he lunged forward, clutching Seok-Hwan by the collar. "I had to give my own son to wolves just to teach him a lesson. Do you have any idea what that felt like? Knowing my son was taken advantage of time and time again simply because—"
"—Just so you could prove a point?" Seok-Hwan interjected firmly. "It's not my fault His Highness thought that exploiting Mr. Lee was the best way to 'entrap him.' Your Majesty is the one who implanted those ideas. That he had to capture Mr. Lee." Seok-Hwan's sharp words resonated deeply, prompting King Wang to strike him across the face, sending him sprawling to the floor, still grasping his collar.
"I had to watch my son endure unnecessary suffering because of you. Just because you insisted that putting him through the same ordeal would change his mind!" The king's voice grew hoarse, a raspy cough escaping his lips, his age beginning to catch up with him. He steadied himself against the wall, struggling to regain composure amidst the coughs.
"I do not wish to be disrespectful, but that plan would have succeeded if Your Majesty hadn't prompted him to entrap Mr. Lee once more," Seok-Hwan rebutted assertively. "Your Majesty should have let them figure this out on their own. It was clear that their differences were substantial enough to help them discover a middle ground. If Your Majesty hadn't provoked Prince Jae-Yul, he wouldn't have felt compelled to distribute Mr. Xeng's footage with that absurd tagline!"
"Park Seok-Hwan!" King Wang shouted, his voice filled with authority. "Don't forget who you're addressing! I have raised you with care and affection, but that does not mean you can forget who I am to you and to this kingdom!"
"Your Majesty!" Seok-Hwan responded by bending low, prostrating himself fully on the floor. "I acknowledge and appreciate the leniency and patience you have shown me. But I implore you to consider this critically, Your Majesty. Nothing beneficial will come from provoking His Highness against Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee has never displayed hostility toward His Highness. You should never have allowed this situation to escalate to such dangerous heights. An innocent life could have been lost. The only reason I cared for Mr. Xeng was out of guilt—for feeling helpless in stopping what had happened. Your Majesty, of all people, should understand how I feel right now."
King Wang opened his mouth to retort, but was interrupted by the swift entrance of an attendant, announcing the arrival of Ha-Neul and Wuhao. Both men immediately straightened their posture. King Wang caught his breath while Seok-Hwan quickly composed himself, trying to conceal his distress behind his hands.
"Are you all ready to leave?" King Wang asked, his tone unexpectedly casual as Ha-Neul and Wuhao entered, catching them off guard. Ha-Neul, with an acute sense of perception, immediately noticed the tension but chose to ignore it, offering his polite greetings. However, when he spotted Seok-Hwan attempting to evade the room, an unsettling suspicion began to brew within him.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ha-Neul confirmed. "But before we leave, Wuhao has something he wishes to discuss with you." Gently, Ha-Neul nudged Wuhao forward, falling back into the shadows beside Seok-Hwan, who had nearly escaped the room before being caught by Ha-Neul. "I would like to have a private conversation with you later," he whispered to Seok-Hwan, flashing a reassuring smile back at King Wang.
"Go ahead," King Wang encouraged, settling back into his chair. Wuhao swallowed hard, nervously pinching his wrist, desperately searching for the right words but faltering with every attempt. "You don't have to be anxious," King Wang observed, picking up on Wuhao's visibly tense demeanor. "If anything, I owe you at least this much. Don't hesitate to ask for anything; there's nothing I would deny you, as long as it's not illegal." King Wang lightened the atmosphere with the last remark, managing to coax a faint chuckle out of Wuhao.
"I—I-uh—" Wuhao stumbled over his words, taking deep breaths to steady himself. Finally, summoning all his courage, he blurted out in one breath, "I want to marry Park Seok-Hwan!" He squeamishly blurted out. An unsettling silence enveloped the room. Ha-Neul's expression turned incredulous as he looked between Wuhao and the equally astonished faces of King Wang and Seok-Hwan.
"You want to do what now?" Ha-Neul exclaimed, stepping forward to grab Wuhao by the arm and spin him back around to face him. "Is this what you meant when you said you would ask for a family?" Ha-Neul searched Wuhao's eyes for confirmation, and when Wuhao "My dear, why would you wish to marry a stoic guard?" King Wang began, his voice laced with concern as he gestured dismissively towards Seok-Hwan, a figure trained to maintain an impenetrable facade, devoted solely to the safety of his charges without any hint of personal connection. "If it's a marriage or a family you want, I have an abundance of proposals at your disposal. Nobles, chaebols—people of stature and wealth. Surely, you do not need to settle for Seok-Hwan."
At that moment, Ha-Neul's ears pricked up, sensing an undercurrent of urgency in the king's words. It wasn't merely the fact that Wuhao had set his sights on marrying a guard; it was the unmistakable commitment he felt toward Seok-Hwan that compelled a deeper concern.
"I do not want those people," Wuhao asserted with steely determination. "I refuse to live a life of extravagance, believing I am superior to others and that I have the right to dictate their lives, with all due respect," he declared firmly. "My only desire is to marry Mr. Park, and that is the end of the discussion. Either Your Majesty grant me this favor, or take back your apology, and we'll see what follows next." His words carried a veiled threat, echoing within the grandeur of the palace. It was clear that Wuhao had been shaped by lessons steeped in assertiveness, and King Wang recognized the futility of opposing such fierce convictions—he had failed to do so in the past.
"Very well," King Wang conceded reluctantly. "I shall announce your engagement to the public. It seems the time has come to acknowledge Seok-Hwan's rightful place." A flicker of triumph lit up Wuhao's features, while Ha-Neul's expression darkened as he cast a glance at Seok-Hwan, who continued to avert his gaze, lost in contemplation.
The king summoned an attendant, instructing him to draft a formal decree.
"To all within the kingdom: Park Seok-Hwan, as the son of the late Prince Royal, I hereby declare you third in line to the throne and bestow upon you the esteemed title of Prince Seok-Hwan. Furthermore, I announce Xeng Wuhao as your betrothed. May Prince Seok-Hwan embrace his new title and fulfill the responsibilities that accompany it, and may he and his betrothed cultivate a life of harmony together."
Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense and the smile faded off Wuhao's face. It was indeed a grand declaration, delivered with an elaborate flourish—yet it felt more like an explosion than anything, especially to Ha-Neul who couldn't help but feel pity for Wuhao all over again, now that he and Ha-Neul were all the same. "What did you get yourself into?"