❝ 장: 둘 ❞

Yeseo stood frozen, the minister's words echoing in her mind like a deafening drum.

"Marry Prince Kai?" The idea felt as foreign as the concept of freedom she so often dreamed about. Her fingers instinctively curled around the edge of her dress, gripping it tightly, as her mind raced with the implications of this so-called "offer."

"Surely, there must be some mistake," she said, her voice calm yet trembling with unease. "Why would the prince- no, why would the Huenings choose someone like me for such a role?"

Minister Sunghoon adjusted his glasses, heaving a sigh.

"There is no mistake, Lady Kang. As the last surviving relative of the late Duke, you are the only legitimate choice to cement this union. It is a matter of politics and stability for the North."

Politics. Stability. Words Yeseo had grown to despise. They were the same excuses her father had used to justify her confinement, to strip her of her identity, and to silence her existence. Was this supposed to be her redemption? A reward for surviving years of humiliation and solitude?

Rhyse, standing nervously by her side, broke the heavy silence. "My lady... this could be your chance. Perhaps this union will bring you the freedom you deserve."

Yeseo turned her sharp gaze toward her maid. "Freedom? To be chained to another nobleman's whims? How is that any different from this prison?"

"My lady-"

"I will not-" Yeseo began, but Minister Sunghoon interrupted, his tone firm.

"Lady Kang, this is not a request. His Majesty has decreed it. Refusal would not only jeopardize your future but also the delicate balance of power in the North. Think carefully before you decide to defy the crown."

Yeseo's breath hitched. Not a request. Of course it wasn't. It was never a request. Her fate was never hers to control.

The room felt stifling. The walls of the castle seemed to close in on her as memories of her father's cold, unyielding gaze resurfaced. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to suppress the wave of anger and helplessness rising within her.

"Fine," she said, her voice low but steady. "I will agree to this marriage. But only on one condition."

Sunghoon's eyebrow arched, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his stoic demeanor. "And what might that be, my lady?"

Yeseo's eyes burned with defiance as she straightened her posture, her voice resolute. "I will not be treated as a pawn. If I am to marry Prince Kai, I will claim my rightful place as Duchess-not a shadow, not a servant, and certainly not a prisoner. You will relay this to His Majesty."

The minister regarded her for a moment, as if weighing her words. Then, with a slight bow, he replied, "I will deliver your message, Lady Kang. But do not forget, the crown's mercy has limits."

With that, Sunghoon turned on his heel, walking out of the hall. The door shut behind them, leaving Yeseo and Rhyse in tense silence.

"My lady... was that wise?" Rhyse asked hesitantly.

Yeseo let out a bitter laugh, her voice tinged with both determination and despair. "Wise or not, Rhyse, I refuse to let my life be dictated by men any longer. If they want me to play their game, I'll do so on my own terms."

Her words hung in the air, a vow to herself more than anyone else. Yeseo didn't know what awaited her in the royal court or in the arms of Prince Kai, but one thing was certain.

She would no longer be a silent, forgotten shadow.

❝ ✉️ ❞

Far from the cold, stony walls of Wisteria's northern castle, the royal gardens of the Imperial Palace basked in the warm glow of the setting sun. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming roses and lavender, but Prince Huening Kai hardly noticed as he paced near the edge of the fountain, his brow furrowed in thought.

Taehyun watched him silently from a shaded bench nearby, his sharp, calculating eyes following Kai's every movement. The prince's usual calm and composed demeanor had been replaced with an uncharacteristic agitation since last evening after the meeting with his Majesty.

Taehyun couldn't blame him, hearing the notice almost gave him a cardiac arrest, his voice disappearing from his throat, so ofcourse Kai was feeling ten times more worse than he was.

"I take it the news didn't sit well with you," Taehyun finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was smooth, soft, and laced with a hint of concern.

Kai stopped abruptly, turning to face Taehyun. His dark eyes glinted with frustration, though they softened slightly at the sight of the warlock. "You heard?"

"Of course." Taehyun rose gracefully to his feet, his robes rustling faintly as he moved. "It's not every day the court announces the prince's engagement to a stranger. You can imagine the gossip it's stirred. Sir Beomgyu informed me."

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't care about the gossip, Taehyun. It's the idea of it. Marrying someone I've never met, someone I have no feelings for... it's-" He hesitated, his voice faltering.

"It's wrong," Taehyun finished, his tone quiet but firm.

Kai met his gaze, and for a moment, the weight of the situation seemed to hang between them, unspoken but palpable. Taehyun's piercing eyes held a mixture of empathy and something deeper, something he dared not name aloud.

"I don't have a choice," Kai admitted, his shoulders slumping. "Father made it clear. This marriage isn't about me; it's about the kingdom, about politics and alliances. My desires-" He clenched his fists, his voice bitter. "...they don't matter. They never did Taehyun."

Taehyun stepped closer, his heart clenching painfully from the Prince's words.
"And what about your heart, Kai? Will you lock it away for the sake of duty?"

Kai blinked, caught off guard by the question. His heart ached at the thought of giving it up, of giving Taehyun up. Yet he knew the answer his father and the council expected of him.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to defy them."

Taehyun's jaw tightened. He reached out, hesitating for only a moment before placing a hand on Kai's shoulder. The touch was light, yet it sent a surge of warmth through Kai's entire being.

"You are stronger than you think," Taehyun said softly. "But strength doesn't mean facing this alone. Whatever you choose, I'll stand by you."

Kai's breath caught in his throat. For a brief, fleeting moment, the world seemed to fade away, the weight of his impending marriage, the expectations of the crown, the chaos brewing in the kingdom. All that remained was the quiet certainty in Taehyun's eyes and the steady comfort of his touch.

But the moment was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. A servant appeared at the edge of the garden, bowing deeply.

"Your Highness," the servant said, "the council is convening. They request your presence immediately."

Kai straightened, the mask of royal duty slipping back into place. "I'll be there shortly," he said, his tone clipped.

The servant bowed again and retreated, leaving Kai and Taehyun alone once more.

Kai turned back to Taehyun, his expression conflicted. "I should go."

Taehyun nodded, though his eyes lingered on Kai's face. "Do what you must, but don't forget who you are, Kai. You're more than just a prince."

Kai managed a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Sometimes, I wish I could just be... me."

The ache in Taehyun's chest didn't lessen at all, wishing he could do something. Anything, to see the Prince smile freely again. His heart ached for him, yet he was powerless against politics.

"Yeah..." He sighed in agreement, pulling Kai closer for a moment, placing his hand on the other's cheek, caressing it gently.

"Whatever it is, know I love you in every decision on yours, Kai." Taehyun whispered, making Kai's lips turn upwards. That's what he wished for, to make the younger smile that pretty smile of his.

"Mhm. Thankyou Taehyun. I love you as well, so much." Kai whispered back, pressing his lips against the warlock's soft ones, the touch chaste but sweet, a moment of intimacy which kept both of them grounded and strong, a reminder that they can get through this, together.

"I'll be back.." Kai mumbled, smiling at the shorter and with that, he turned and strode toward the palace, his cape trailing behind him.

Taehyun watched him go, a storm of emotions swirling within him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the garden in shades of gold and shadow, Taehyun clenched his fists. He had promised to stand by Kai's side, no matter what-but with every step the prince took toward a future not of his choosing, Taehyun couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

A time which was supposed to be theirs.

❝ 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ❞ ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ

˖ 𓍢ִִ ⋆ ❝ ✉️ ❞ ୭ ˚.

Hello Luvs!! Finally I managed to whip out this chapter, special thanks to Chat GPT which helped me have an idea as per how to start because BRO I WAS STUCK!!

And as soon as it gave me a start point, BOY I COULDN'T STOP WRITING!! I finished writing this in 40 minutes lmaooo.

Anyways, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Seeyou in the next one!

-Rin💗