CHAPTER 33
Sihyun's fingers curled into the fabric of his robe.
He wasn't sure what held him back more: the fear of falling… or the fear that he already had.
"You're quiet,"
Vanyul said softly, breaking the silence.
"That usually means your heart's louder than your thoughts."
Sihyun exhaled sharply through his nose, turning his face just slightly away.
"You talk too much."
"Only when I'm close to the one I've missed."
Sihyun winced, guilt creeping in like ivy wrapping around his ribs.
"I didn't ask to forget you."
"I know,"
Vanyul replied, straightening just enough to meet his eyes.
"But now that you're remembering, even in pieces… you feel something, don't you? Something familiar?"
Sihyun looked at him, mouth parting, but the words wouldn't come.
Then they heard a faint rustle of leaves. Vanyul's two allies stiffened.
Vanyul slowly pulled away, though his hand remained on Sihyun's arm.
"We're not alone."
Sihyun's instincts flared.
"I think it's your prince"
Vanyul said with a lopsided smirk, though his voice was cautious.
Sihyun stood slowly, eyes narrowing at the dark trees ahead.
Vanyul's gaze darkened slightly.
"He's here."
Vanyul immediately vanished without a trace—just like smoke swallowed by the night and his two allies were instantly gone.Sihyun stood still in the clearing where Vanyul had just vanished, his fingers still tingling with the residue of magic and tension. His thoughts were a mess—until he heard footsteps.Only to find Muwon emerging from the trees, his expression unreadable.
Muwon paused a few paces away, lantern casting a warm glow across his pale face. His dark eyes scanned the area, then rested on Sihyun.
"You're out here alone,"
Muwon said, tone low and flat.
Sihyun smirked, lips curling mockingly.
"And you followed me out here. That's bold, Your Highness."
Muwon ignored the jab, stepping slightly closer.
"The forest isn't safe, even for a sorcerer."
Sihyun tilted his head, eyes glinting under the moonlight.
"What are you doing here alone, then? Do you have any idea what I could do to you right now?"
His voice dropped to a whisper, almost cruel in its amusement.
"I could kill you, and no one would notice until morning. Maybe not even then."
Muwon didn't flinch, though his jaw clenched slightly.
"But you won't."
"Don't be so sure,"
Sihyun replied coldly, turning his back to him.
Silence stretched between them like a blade.
"I'm not here to fight you,"
Muwon said after a moment, voice quieter now, almost strained.
"I was... worried."
Sihyun scoffed.
"Worried? You really think I need your concern?"
"No,"
Muwon said honestly, eyes still on him.
"I don't. But that doesn't stop me from feeling it."
That made Sihyun pause.
The wind shifted. He didn't turn back to face the prince.
"You should leave."
"You're coming back with me,"
Muwon replied, his voice firmer now, less about command and more… something else.
After a beat, Sihyun finally moved, walking past him without another word, his expression unreadable.
Muwon followed in silence.
Each step back to camp was quiet—but tension swirled between them like magic waiting to spark.
The soft light of morning filtered through the canopy, bathing the camp in hues of pale gold. The forest seemed peaceful again, almost pretending the night before hadn't happened.
Muwon stood tall, his expression composed but distant as he addressed both Yuhyun and Sihyun.
"The guards arrived at dawn,"
he said.
"We'll return to the palace within the hour. Gather your things."
Yuhyun gave a quiet nod, rubbing sleep from his eyes, but Sihyun didn't move. He remained seated on a moss-covered rock, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Muwon glanced at him once, as if waiting for a reaction, then turned away to speak to the returning guards.
Sihyun's fingers dug into the fabric of his sleeve.
So that's it, huh?
Of course Muwon would end the journey now. It made sense. The ambush, the separation from the guards, the tension—Sihyun had sensed something off all along.
And now it was clear.
Muwon had brought him out here to test him. To watch what he would do, to see how far he'd go when separated from palace walls and rules. And it worked.
Sihyun gritted his teeth, standing.
How much did he see? How much did he figure out?
Yuhyun approached him cautiously.
"You okay?"
Sihyun didn't answer right away. His eyes flicked to Muwon, who stood near his horse, quietly speaking with the captain of the guard.
"I'm fine,"
he said at last, cold and clipped.
"Let's just get this over with."
He didn't wait for Yuhyun to follow, walking ahead to prepare for departure.
The palace room was dimly lit by the golden glow of lanterns. Heavy silence lay between the two brothers—until Sihyun stirred, blinking his tired eyes open and letting out a soft groan.
He stretched, yawning like a lazy cat, and for once, there was no weight around his wrist.
No chain.
He sat up, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Still no chain? Guess the prince is slipping."
Yuhyun, seated quietly at the side of the bed, didn't say anything at first. He'd been watching Sihyun sleep the entire time—watching the soft rise and fall of his chest, the peacefulness that was so rare in him. But now that he was awake, the usual trouble was back.
Sihyun raised his fingers and, with a flick, conjured a tiny flame that licked the edge of the mattress.
"Let's see how fast it spreads,"
he mused, smirking.
The flame barely grew before Yuhyun slapped it out with a cloth, his voice sharp,
"Are you crazy?! You're going to burn down the entire palace!"
Sihyun laughed lazily, tilting his head.
"That's what i want, You're no fun, hyung."
Before Yuhyun could retort, a firm knock came from the door.
"Sorcerer Sihyun,"
a guard called from outside,
"His Highness has summoned you."
Sihyun's smirk vanished instantly. He flopped back on the bed with a groan, covering his eyes with one arm.
"What does he want this time?"