"Deception is something I cannot tolerate," Youngjae's words echoed relentlessly in Daehan's mind as he sat perched upon his bed, gazing pensively out of the window. The vibrant sunlight poured through the curtains, casting golden hues across his room, yet within him brewed a storm of conflicted emotions.

Suddenly, a melodious sound floated through the air, seeping into his soul like a balm. It was the zither, its gentle strings resonating with a haunting beauty from Youngjae's chambers. Daehan's heart, heavy with the weight of his thoughts, found solace in the mesmerising melody.

At that moment, a profound longing stirred within him, a desire to break free from the shackles of his worries and dance amidst the ethereal notes. With a surge of determination, he rose from his bed, his movements fluid and graceful as he surrendered himself to the rhythm of the zither.

Each step he took was infused with emotion, every twirl a testament to the turmoil within his heart. Yet, as he danced, a sense of tranquillity washed over him, washing away the doubts and fears that had plagued him moments before. In that fleeting instant, Daehan found himself lost in the beauty of the music, a fleeting respite from the complexities of his reality.

In that fleeting moment of solace, as Daehan's graceful movements danced to the rhythm of Youngjae's zither, little did he realise that he was not alone in his admiration.

Minwoo, passing by Daehan's chambers by chance, found himself captivated by the sight before him. His steps slowed to a halt as he stood entranced, his eyes drinking in the beauty and elegance of Daehan's dance. For a while, he simply observed, silently appreciating the effortless grace with which Daehan moved.

A sly smirk played on Minwoo's lips as he finally tore his gaze away and with purposeful steps, he made his way towards Youngjae's chambers.

"Prince Lee is here, Your Imperial Highness!" the eunuch announced upon Minwoo's arrival, breaking the serene atmosphere that had enveloped the room.

The gentle strains of the zither came to an abrupt halt, replaced by the sound of Youngjae's voice as he responded, "Send him in!"

Minwoo's smirk widened as he entered the chamber, executing a deep bow before the seated figure of Youngjae. "Greetings, crown prince," he uttered, his tone laced with a subtle hint of mockery.

Youngjae's gaze remained cool and collected, his fingers caressing the strings of his zither with practised ease. "Fancy seeing you here," he remarked dryly, his words carrying a weight of scepticism. "I thought you were away quelling the riots."

The corners of Minwoo's lips curled upwards in amusement. "Ah yes, the riots," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Thanks to your gracious assignment, I had the privilege of handling such a delightful task."

A faint roll of Youngjae's eyes conveyed his exasperation. "According to my sources, quelling such unrest typically requires at least a few days of effort," he stated, his tone tinged with a hint of scepticism. "Yet here you are, returning within a mere day."

Minwoo's smirk deepened at Youngjae's retort. "Your Highness, I've always believed in the efficiency of smart work over hard work," he countered smoothly, his confidence unwavering. "And it seems the emperor shares that sentiment, given his appreciation of my efforts."

Youngjae's scoff echoed in the chamber, a clear indication of his disdain for Minwoo's words. "Good for you," he remarked dismissively, his patience wearing thin. "But what exactly brings you to my chambers?"

A mischievous glint danced in Minwoo's eyes as he leaned in, his grin widening. "Well, since my recent accomplishment owes much to your indirect influence, I thought it only fitting to offer you a token of my gratitude..."

Youngjae's expression darkened at the mention of a gift. "I have no interest in your offerings," he interjected sharply, his tone laced with hostility. "You may take your gifts and revel in your achievements elsewhere, perhaps with your wife."

Minwoo's attempt to charm Youngjae met with a hint of resistance, but he persisted nonetheless. "Oh, come now," he urged, his tone attempting to coax compliance. "Surely, you wouldn't turn down a gift from your own uncle."

"Half-uncle, to be precise," Youngjae corrected, his voice firm and unwavering.

With an exaggerated roll of his eyes, Minwoo waved off the technicality. "Details, details," he dismissed, his tone bordering on exasperation. "Regardless, I've arranged a dance ceremony to mark my recent success....a celebration worthy of your esteemed presence, I assure you."

Despite Minwoo's attempts to pique his interest, Youngjae remained unmoved, his expression unyielding as he regarded Minwoo with a mixture of annoyance and indifference.

Minwoo persisted and his smirk widened. "I assure you, nephew, you won't be disappointed," he insisted, his tone brimming with confidence.

Youngjae's patience wore thin at the continued use of the familial term. "Stop calling me that," he commanded, his frown deepening as he redirected his attention to his zither.

As Minwoo turned to leave the chamber, a cunning gleam danced in his eyes. With swift and practised sleight of hand, he pocketed Youngjae's royal seal from the nearby table, taking advantage of Youngjae's distraction with the zither.

With a final, knowing smirk, Minwoo straightened, taking his leave from Youngjae's chambers without another word.

In the privacy of his chambers, Minwoo meticulously penned a letter, his hand moving with practised ease as he carefully crafted each word to mimic Youngjae's distinct style.

"My dear consort,

It has come to my attention that you were dancing to the melodies of my zither earlier today. Reports from my attendants speak of your graceful and elegant performance. Consequently, I extend to you an invitation to showcase your talent before the assembled nobility this evening.

Crown Prince,

Lee Youngjae."

With precision, Minwoo affixed the letter with Youngjae's official seal, ensuring its authenticity. He then entrusted the sealed letter to his maid with explicit instructions.

"Deliver this to the crown princess," he instructed his tone firm yet composed. Handing her Youngjae's royal seal, he added, "Ensure it's placed discreetly on the crown prince's table in his chambers, without drawing any undue attention."

The maid nodded obediently, acknowledging his orders before bowing respectfully and exiting the room to carry out Minwoo's directives.

As Daehan's gaze fell upon the letter delivered to him, a flicker of suspicion danced in his mind. Despite his reservations, the unmistakable tone of Youngjae's writing and the presence of the royal seal lent an air of authenticity to the missive. A spark of excitement ignited within him at the prospect of showcasing his dance skills before the nobility in honour of Youngjae.

Though cautious, Daehan couldn't deny the thrill that surged through him at the opportunity to fulfil Youngjae's apparent request. With a determined gleam in his eyes, he resolved to embrace the chance to demonstrate his talents, eager to seize the moment and leave a lasting impression on his husband.

As twilight descended upon the Lotus Pavilion by the royal lake, an air of anticipation hung thick in the atmosphere. Noblemen and courtiers alike mingled amidst the elegant setting, indulging in sumptuous delicacies and fine wines presented by diligent maids.

Among the guests, Minwoo stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon the entrance, his anticipation palpable. With each passing moment, his eyes darted eagerly, searching for any sign of Youngjae's arrival, his impatience thinly veiled beneath a mask of casual indifference.

"The esteemed Crown Prince Lee Youngjae approaches," the guard declared, prompting a smirk from Minwoo. Rising in unison, everyone, including Minwoo, bowed respectfully as Youngjae made his entrance into the Pavilion.

"Your Highness, we are honoured by your presence," Minwoo greeted with a warm smile. "Thank you for gracing us with your esteemed presence."

Youngjae's gaze bore into him. "I'm merely fulfilling formal obligations," he stated coldly, taking his place on the throne.

"Of course, Your Highness, and I assure you, you'll find the proceedings most satisfactory," Minwoo replied smoothly. He then turned to the maids, issuing a command, "Please, serve His Highness his preferred wine, the Phoenix Blossom."

The maids deftly poured a glass of Phoenix Blossom for Youngjae, who observed them with a measured gaze.

Glancing at his eunuch, Youngjae nodded in silent approval. The eunuch promptly approached the wine, assessing it with a practised sniff and taste. After a brief pause, he confirmed, "Your Highness, it is indeed safe."

Satisfied, Youngjae nodded in acknowledgement and accepted the drink, taking a sip with measured composure.

Minwoo's smirk widened as he turned his attention to Youngjae, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "If it pleases Your Highness, shall we commence with the dance ceremony?" he inquired, his tone deferential yet tinged with an underlying eagerness.

Youngjae nodded in acquiescence, his demeanour composed as he granted his consent. "Go ahead," he replied simply, his voice carrying a sense of regal authority amidst the gathered assembly.

With a sharp clap of his hands, Minwoo signalled the commencement of the dance ceremony, and with practised grace, a troupe of performers entered the Pavilion, their movements fluid and elegant as they captivated the assembled nobles with their mesmerizing choreography.

Amidst the swirl of music and motion, the atmosphere was alive with energy as the guests indulged in the spectacle, occasionally rewarding the dancers with tossed gold coins as tokens of their admiration. Yet, amidst the fervour of the festivities, Youngjae remained aloof, his attention fixed solely on his wine as he observed the proceedings with an air of detached disinterest.

As the group of dancers gracefully exited the stage, a solitary figure emerged, draped in a veil that obscured the dancer's features. Unbeknownst to Youngjae, this mysterious dancer was none other than Daehan, his movements imbued with a silent determination as he scanned the room through the veil.

With fluid movements, Daehan glided across the floor, his gaze veiled yet intense as he surveyed the room, seeking out Youngjae amidst the sea of onlookers. Finally locking eyes with his husband, a surge of determination fueled his steps as he danced around Youngjae, each movement an elegant expression of his devotion.

Silence fell over the crowd as Daehan's mesmerizing performance unfolded, his every motion drawing gasps of awe from the gathered nobles. Even Youngjae, typically impassive, found himself entranced by the beauty and grace of the dancer before him, a rare display of admiration flickering in his gaze.

Meanwhile, Minwoo watched on with a knowing smirk, his amusement evident as he savoured the unfolding spectacle while taking a leisurely sip of his wine.

Youngjae's surprise was palpable as Daehan's dance unfolded, the realization dawning upon him that the enigmatic dancer's movements were exclusively directed towards him. With each graceful step, Daehan's performance elicited a shower of gold from the noble guests, their mistaken perception of him as a courtesan fueling their generous offerings.

As the final notes of the dance echoed through the Pavilion, thunderous applause erupted from the assembled nobility, their appreciation evident in the resounding claps that filled the air. Youngjae, though typically reserved, offered a subtle nod of acknowledgement, a silent gesture of appreciation for the captivating display of talent that had unfolded before him.

Minwoo's voice cut through the applause, his smirk widening as he addressed the mysterious dancer with a hint of challenge. "Indeed, you possess remarkable talent," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement. "Why not grace us with the sight of your face?"

Echoing Minwoo's sentiment, the other nobles chimed in eagerly, their curiosity piqued. "Yes, reveal yourself!" they urged in unison, their collective voices echoing through the Pavilion as they joined in the request to unmask the enigmatic performer.

Daehan observed Youngjae from behind his veil, sensing the Crown Prince's intrigued gaze upon him. Without a word exchanged, tension lingered between them.

With a slow, deliberate movement, he reached up and gently lifted the veil from his face, revealing his features to the assembled crowd.

A collective gasp rippled through the noble audience as Daehan's identity was unveiled, the shock evident in their wide-eyed expressions.

Youngjae's reaction was palpable, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and suppressed emotion as he observed Daehan's unmasked visage, his jaw tightening imperceptibly in response.

Meanwhile, Minwoo's smirk deepened, his amusement evident as he observed the unfolding drama with keen interest, his eyes alight with satisfaction at the success of his calculated manipulation.

The nobleman's gasp of admiration echoed softly, "Incredible... such beauty!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Youngjae's reaction was swift and startling. With a fierce motion, he flung the glass of wine to the ground, its shatter resounding through the room, instilling a sudden hush of fear among the onlookers. Rising from his throne, he seized Daehan's arm with a grip of steel, forcibly escorting him out, his actions commanding obedience and silence from all.

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