Chapter 2: A King's Burden

The palace halls echoed with silence as Kim Jaeha strode through them, his mind racing. The confrontation with Seojin had left him restless, his emotions in turmoil. He had tried to control his feelings for so long, tried to suppress the desire that had been growing within him since they were children. But now, it was impossible to ignore.

Jaeha paused at the window, looking out at the moonlit courtyard. The garden where they had spoken earlier was now bathed in silver light, a stark contrast to the darkness that weighed on his heart. He ran a hand through his long hair, frustration simmering beneath the surface. How could Seojin not see it? How could he not understand that they were meant to be together?

“Your Highness.”

Jaeha turned at the sound of the familiar voice. His most trusted servant, Han Jiyul (한지율), stood at the entrance to the hall, bowing deeply.

“What is it?” Jaeha asked, his tone sharp.

Jiyul hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. “The council awaits your presence. They are discussing matters of your coronation.”

Jaeha’s jaw tightened. The coronation—the moment he had been preparing for his entire life—now seemed insignificant compared to what he truly desired. Being king meant power, and with power came control. Control over everything, including Seojin.

“I’ll attend shortly,” Jaeha said, waving Jiyul away.

As the servant bowed and left, Jaeha’s thoughts returned to Seojin. His brother had always been the obedient one, the one who followed the rules, who cared deeply for the kingdom’s traditions. But Jaeha had never cared for such constraints. As the crown prince, he had always lived with the knowledge that he could bend the world to his will, and now, as he stood on the brink of becoming king, he intended to do just that.

He needed to make Seojin see that this was their destiny.

Turning from the window, Jaeha made his way toward Seojin’s chambers. The palace guards bowed as he passed, but he paid them little attention. His mind was fixed on one thing—his brother. If words alone would not convince Seojin, then actions would.

Arriving at the door to Seojin’s room, Jaeha paused, his hand resting on the ornate wood. He could hear the faint sounds of movement inside—Seojin, no doubt preparing for bed. Jaeha’s heart raced as he imagined Seojin’s delicate features bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, his hair spilling over his shoulders like black silk.

Without knocking, Jaeha pushed open the door.

Seojin looked up, startled. He was seated by the window, a book resting in his lap. The moment their eyes met, Seojin’s expression hardened.

“What are you doing here, Jaeha?” Seojin asked, his voice tense.

Jaeha stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I needed to see you.”

“There’s nothing more to say,” Seojin replied, standing up. “I told you—”

“You told me nothing I haven’t heard before,” Jaeha interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. “You think I care about what others think? About what’s ‘right’ in their eyes?”

Seojin’s hands clenched into fists. “We are brothers, Jaeha. This… this thing between us… it can never be.”

Jaeha moved closer, his presence commanding, suffocating. “It already is.”

Seojin took a step back, his eyes wide with uncertainty. “You’re going to be king. You have responsibilities, duties—”

“My only duty is to you,” Jaeha said, his voice soft but firm. “You are all that matters to me, Seojin.”

Seojin’s breath hitched as Jaeha reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. The gesture was tender, but there was a possessiveness in Jaeha’s touch that sent a shiver down Seojin’s spine.

“I won’t let anyone take you from me,” Jaeha whispered. “Not the council, not the kingdom, not even you.”

Seojin’s heart pounded in his chest. He had always known that Jaeha was protective, but this… this was different. This was obsession. And no matter how hard he tried to resist, he could feel the weight of it pressing down on him, slowly pulling him under.

Jaeha’s fingers trailed down Seojin’s cheek, leaving a burning sensation in their wake. “You belong to me,” he repeated, his voice filled with dark certainty. “And I will make you see that.”

Seojin’s resolve wavered for a moment, but then he shook his head, stepping back. “No, Jaeha. I can’t. I won’t.”

Jaeha’s eyes darkened, his expression hardening. “Then I’ll make you.”

Before Seojin could react, Jaeha’s arms encircled him, pulling him close. Seojin struggled against his brother’s grip, but Jaeha’s strength was unyielding.

“You can fight me all you want,” Jaeha murmured against Seojin’s ear. “But in the end, you’ll see. You’ll see that there’s no escaping this.”

Seojin’s heart raced as Jaeha held him tighter, the air between them heavy with tension. His brother’s words echoed in his mind, a promise that both terrified and thrilled him.

To be continued...