Chương 38: 38 - Into The Deepest Abyss In My Heart

Uk took a slowly pacing, walking towards the main door to the main hall of the Emerald Dragon. He was on his way to pick up Min Jun. The prince was having a meeting with Wang Ki since the morning, and it's time for him to go home now.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Gisa Ahn..."

Uk turned around. His eyes waver as he saw Miju with his entourage from the Sapphire. They all wear in dark blue, making them pop out in the snowy white background at the yard of the palace.

"How are you, seja jeoha?" Uk quickly bowed down as the Crown Prince is moving closer to him.

"I'm fine," the Crown Prince replied. "At least, much better than daegum jaga," the corner of his lips crook up as he stared at the bodyguard of his brother.

"Daegum is on a state of recovery, seja. He slowly getting healthy," said Uk. His words were polite and clean.

"That's good. But, I'm not talking about his health..." Miju tilted his head a bit, looking at Uk with his sharp glare.

"I'm sorry for my low witty, but I don't get it, seja jeoha..."

"There's a talk about a bandit attacked at the Red Ruby. And, for what I heard..." Miju slowly leaning closer to Uk. "It's not just a random robber attack."

Uk's expression changed in seconds. From the calm composure into anger. His eyes stare at Miju, judging the Crown Prince with every feelings that he had right now.

"Seja jeoha..."

A voice from behind ended the thoughts and the conversation between the two men. Min Jun descended the stairs with elegance, calmly walked towards them.

"How are you, daegun jaga?" Miju greeted his price brother with a smile. Min Jun bowed a bit, but his eyes remain locked to Uk. He could see the man's eyes waver a bit. There's a strain of worry in his eyes.

"Still alive, I guess.." Min Jun replied in his sarcastic tone. His palm brushed Uk's hand a bit.

"Ah... I heard about the bandit attack. Is it bad?" Miju asked. The Crown Prince flashed his smile, acting like he cared about Min Jun.

"It's just a random attack by a group of maskmen. Perhaps, they were looking for some valuable items. Nothing is serious. But, thanks for your care, seja. Your generosity will always bestow upon the grace," Min Jun politely thanked Miju, although he felt heavy hearted.

"A matter of security will always a bit issue in the Red Ruby. I guess, your lax attitude towards your guard pampered them too much, daegun jaga," Miju pointed out some holes in the problem. "Or... Maybe your bodyguard was too occupied with something else until he forgot about his true post..."

"Gisa Ahn had done his best to overcome the problem. He did killed half of them, although he didn't want to. He took care of the house more than his life. So, his hard work is unquestionable," Min Jun quickly backing Uk.

"That's good, then. I mean, at least you're fine. I just worry about your lack of strict approachment and too emphatic to others. You'll end up making the same mistake, daegun jaga..." Miju discreetly smirked at Min Jun.

"I appreciate your concern, Orabeonim," Min Jun replied, trying to sound sincere. "But I assure you, there's nothing to worry about. Everything is under control."

Miju's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I certainly hope so, Min Jun. For your sake, and for the sake of those around you. It would be a shame if someone were to get caught up in something...unfortunate."

Uk slowly grasped the look from Miju towards him. It felt like a soft warning to him. Even if he was clueless and still in daze, but those words seemed like a hidden message to him.

"Don't worry, seja. I have Gisa Ahn. No one can harm me."

Hearing that from Min Jun made Uk felt at ease again. The trust that the prince put on him made him feeling appreciated.

Miju gazed at Min Jun, before leaned closer to him. "Sometimes, that very trusted people is the one who hurt you the most. Ah, who am I to say this anyway? You certainly understand the feeling right?"

Min Jun's reaction changed. He looked bleak as he glared at Miju. The man flashed his smile again, leaving both Uk and Min Jun alone at that spot.

"Sobangnim, would you like to go for a walk?" Min Jun's sudden invitation made Uk taken aback.

"Where to?" Uk asked.

Min Jun slowly slipped his hand, gripping his palm with Uk's palm behind his hanbok sleeves. He flashed a smile before dragging Uk slowly towards the main gate of the Emerald Dragon.

***

The journey was quiet, perhaps due to the chill in the air or the calm of the road itself. There were no people around; most were likely at home, bundled up in warm blankets or staying close to the fireplace with a bowl of corn soup in hand.

For Min Jun, it was the perfect day to take a walk with his boyfriend. He guided his horse carefully, occasionally glancing at Uk, who was riding ahead of him. The prince sighed softly, watching Uk with a growing sense of burden weighing on his shoulders.

"Sobangnim, can we take a break?" Min Jun suddenly halted his horse. Uk looked back at him, then stopped as well.

"There's a place to sit up ahead. Would you like to go there?" Uk asked. Min Jun nodded, dismounted his horse, and led it to an open space where it could rest.

Uk soon joined Min Jun, escorting him to a spot under a tree that seemed safe and quiet.

They sat next to each other in silence. The journey home had been tiring, but even in this quiet moment, they still enjoyed each other's company in their own way.

"Sobangnim..."

"Yes?" Uk looked at Min Jun attentively. The prince stared back at him before slowly resting his head on Uk's shoulder.

"Are you scared?" Min Jun asked softly.

"Scared of what?" Uk responded, meeting his gaze. Instead of answering right away, Min Jun lifted his head, gently caressing Uk's cheek with care.

"I keep thinking that I might lose you, Sobangnim. The thought haunts me—I can hardly breathe just imagining it. I fear that one day, all of this might end," Min Jun whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of his words.

Uk remained silent, his eyes locked on Min Jun's. He didn't have the words to ease the prince's fears, as they were thoughts he, too, had been grappling with.

"I don't want to think about that," Uk finally said, his voice full of love. "I just want to be happy with you, Wangjanim. If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up, even if it costs me my life."

Min Jun smiled, trying to hide the deeper emotions stirring within him. He wanted to push those fears aside, at least for now. This moment with Uk was too precious to let go.

Silently, he prayed to God for just one more day. One more chance to be with Uk.

As Min Jun soaked in his emotions, he felt a cold drop land on his nose.

"Wangjanim, it's snowing..." Uk smiled, brushing away the tiny snowflake from Min Jun's nose. The prince gave him a mischievous grin before suddenly slamming a ball of snow on Uk's head.

"Snow fight!"

Min Jun leaped up and ran, trying to escape. Uk shook his head, quickly giving chase with a snowball in hand.

"Oh, you want to fight, huh?" Uk called out, throwing the snowball at Min Jun. The prince, already rolling another snowball, prepared for a counterattack. They kept throwing snowballs at each other, laughing and running, their playful shouts echoing through the quiet landscape.

When Min Jun's legs finally gave out, he collapsed into the snow, laughing. Uk smirked and slowly laid himself on top of Min Jun. The prince placed his hand on Uk's chest, giving them both a moment to catch their breath.

"Wangjanim..." Uk murmured, his voice full of affection. The prince hummed in response, and Uk continued, "I think I prefer this position."

Min Jun chuckled at Uk's words.

"So, you do know your place now," he teased.

"But if you want to switch, I wouldn't mind..."

"There's a reason why I call you Sobangnim. I hope you understand that by now," Min Jun replied with a smirk. Uk giggled softly before leaning in to plant a deep kiss on the prince's lips. They indulged in the kiss, lost in each other's embrace as the snow fell around them, an innocent witness to their love.

Unbeknownst to Uk, tears welled up in the corners of Min Jun's eyes. He did his best to ensure Uk didn't notice.

Forgive me, Sobangnim, for I'm doing this because I love you, and I can't bear the thought of losing you!

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