The silence that settled between them was almost suffocating. Dan-Bi didn't dare to look at the Prince as they made their way back to the palace grounds. His heart raced, his thoughts a mess of confusion and emotion. He had kissed the Prince, or rather, the Prince had kissed him.
He could feel the weight of that kiss, pressing on his chest like a stone.
The Prince walked beside him, his strides confident as always, but there was something different in the air between them—a shift. It wasn't just the kiss. It was the intensity behind it, the way the Prince had looked at him, the unspoken tension that had been building up since their first encounter.
Dan-Bi had expected anger, shame, or even dismissal—but none of that had come. Instead, there was a quiet understanding between them, something unspoken, but undeniable.
But now, the silence stretched, and neither of them spoke.
The Prince hadn't expected the kiss either. It had been impulsive, driven by the surge of emotions that had been bottled up inside him. Desire, confusion, and a deep sense of protectiveness that he couldn't ignore.
Now, as they walked back to the palace, he couldn't push the images from his mind—the feel of Dan-Bi's lips against his, the way his heart had raced in those moments. The Prince had kissed women before, but this? This was different.
Why did it feel so natural? Why did it feel like he was finally doing something right, even though it was so wrong?
The kiss had been a slip—a moment of weakness. But now, as the images replayed in his mind, the Prince couldn't deny the questions that were growing louder with each step he took.
Was this what it meant to fall in love with a man?
He had always kept his emotions tightly in check. He couldn't afford to let anyone see his vulnerabilities, let alone admit something like this. And yet, here he was, struggling with feelings he couldn't comprehend.
"Do you regret it?"
The voice in his head sounded like his own, but the question was painful to ask.
The Prince could hardly admit it to himself, let alone anyone else, but deep down, the truth was slowly creeping in. He didn't regret it.
They arrived at the palace grounds, and the immediate task at hand was the aftermath of the battle. Rebels were still trying to push through the city gates, and tension was running high throughout the kingdom. But now, the Prince found it harder to focus, his thoughts fractured by the kiss.
"We can't afford distractions," Dan-Bi said, his voice hard with determination. "The rebels are still a threat."
The Prince nodded, but his mind wasn't on the rebellion at that moment. His thoughts were on the man beside him.
Dan-Bi's sharp eyes scanned the area, already planning their next move. As if sensing the Prince's distraction, Dan-Bi briefly looked over at him, his gaze sharp.
"You're not yourself," he said quietly. "Focus, Your Highness."
The Prince forced himself to snap out of his daze, turning his attention back to the battle ahead.
Together, they charged forward, taking on the rebels with precise, calculated moves. The Prince's sword flashed in the moonlight, cutting through their ranks with deadly force. Dan-Bi, too, was a force to be reckoned with. His style was efficient and ruthless, and there was no hesitation in his strikes.
But amidst the chaos, the Prince couldn't ignore the electric tension between them. The way they moved together—their synchronization—felt like a partnership. And it felt... right.
When the dust finally settled, and the palace was calm once more, the Prince found himself alone in his chambers, his thoughts overwhelming him. What had just happened?
He couldn't deny that something had shifted. That kiss wasn't just some fleeting moment of heat—it had unsettled him in a way he hadn't expected. It wasn't supposed to feel like this.
A knock on his door broke his reverie.
"Your Highness," a familiar voice called out.
It was one of his most trusted servants, who had been with him since he was young.
"What is it?" the Prince asked, not bothering to mask the weariness in his voice.
"I have troubling news, Your Highness," the servant continued. "There are rumors circulating in the palace about the battle and... about your interactions with Scholar Dan-Bi."
The Prince stiffened. Rumors?
"What kind of rumors?" he demanded, suddenly alert.
"There's talk... that you are closer to Scholar Dan-Bi than just a prince and a subordinate. Some are even saying... that you share more than just a master servant relationship," the servant said cautiously, glancing around nervously.
The Prince's heart skipped a beat. How much did they know?
"I see," the Prince replied coolly, though his mind was whirling. "Who exactly is spreading these rumors?"
"There are whispers among the council," the servant answered. "They're worried that your loyalty to the crown might be compromised, that your relationship with Scholar Dan-Bi is clouding your judgment."
The Prince's eyes narrowed. He had expected many things—but not this.
"This is not your concern," the Prince said sharply, his voice colder than before. "I'll handle this myself."
The Prince was left alone once again, the weight of the rumors pressing heavily on his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.
What did it mean for him to feel this way about another man? To have kissed him in a moment of weakness?
Was it love? Or was he just confused by the overwhelming emotions and pressure of the moment?
The Prince couldn't decide. He didn't want to believe it. He couldn't.
And yet, when he thought of Dan-Bi—the way he moved, the way he fought, the intensity in his eyes—he couldn't help but feel something deep inside him stir.
Something he couldn't ignore any longer.
He sighed deeply, walking toward the window, staring out at the distant horizon.
What was he supposed to do now?
The morning after, Dan-Bi was summoned to the Prince's chambers. His heart raced as he approached the door, unsure of what was to come. Would the Prince bring up the kiss? Or would they pretend it never happened?
When he entered, he was greeted with the Prince's usual icy exterior, but there was something beneath that facade—something darker, something more conflicted.
"Sit down, Scholar," the Prince said, his voice strained but steady.
Dan-Bi complied, taking a seat across from him. There was a heavy silence between them before the Prince spoke again.
"We need to address the rumors circulating in the palace."
Dan-Bi met the Prince's gaze, feeling the tension building between them. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words didn't come.
Was he ready to face whatever came next?
The Prince's gaze softened for a fleeting moment. "This is more than just politics," he said quietly. "Isn't it?"
Dan-Bi swallowed, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. The truth was, he didn't know.
But he was about to find out.