Chapter 33: Whispers in the Dark

Night had fallen over the palace, but neither Jaeha nor Seojin could find peace. The news of Hojin’s disappearance weighed heavily on both of them, as the threat now loomed even larger. The guards patrolled the palace grounds more frequently, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Jaeha stood by the window, staring out into the moonlit courtyard. His mind raced with thoughts of betrayal, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. How had Hojin escaped? Who could have aided him? The more Jaeha thought about it, the clearer it became that this conspiracy ran deep within the palace walls. Trust had become a rare commodity, and Jaeha knew he had to be cautious moving forward.

Behind him, Seojin sat quietly, watching his brother from across the room. The atmosphere between them had shifted, the earlier sense of triumph from the duel now replaced with unease. Seojin’s heart was heavy, his thoughts troubled by the danger that surrounded them.

“You should rest,” Jaeha said without turning, his voice low but firm. “You’ve been through enough today.”

Seojin shook his head, though Jaeha couldn’t see him. “I can’t. Not when I know Hojin is still out there, plotting against us.”

Jaeha turned then, his eyes softening as he looked at Seojin. “I won’t let him hurt you. You know that, right?”

Seojin smiled faintly, appreciating Jaeha’s words, but he couldn’t shake the fear gnawing at him. “It’s not just Hojin, Jaeha. There are others—people in the palace who want to see us fall. You can’t fight all of them alone.”

Jaeha walked over to him, his hand resting gently on Seojin’s shoulder. “You’re not alone in this, and neither am I. We’ll find out who’s behind this, and we’ll stop them.”

Seojin’s gaze met Jaeha’s, a mixture of worry and admiration in his eyes. Jaeha’s strength was both his greatest asset and his greatest burden. He bore the weight of the kingdom, and now, the weight of their forbidden love as well.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door. Jaeha immediately tensed, his instincts kicking in. He motioned for Seojin to stay back as he approached the door.

“Who is it?” Jaeha called out, his hand hovering near his sword.

“It’s me, Your Highness,” came the voice of Jaeha’s most trusted adviser, Lord Han. Jaeha relaxed slightly and opened the door to reveal the older man, his face lined with concern.

“Lord Han,” Jaeha greeted him. “What news do you bring?”

Lord Han stepped inside, his eyes darting around the room as if ensuring they were alone. “I’ve been hearing troubling things, Your Highness,” he said in a hushed tone. “The court is filled with whispers—rumors of Hojin’s escape, and of allies within the palace who conspired to free him.”

Jaeha’s expression darkened. “Do you know who?”

Lord Han shook his head. “Not yet. But I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground. There are factions within the court who believe your... relationship with Seojin threatens the kingdom. They fear the implications, and some are willing to go to extreme lengths to separate you two.”

Seojin, who had been listening quietly, felt a chill run down his spine. He had always known that their love would be seen as dangerous, but hearing it confirmed like this made the danger feel even more real.

“They’ll have to go through me first,” Jaeha said, his voice hard and unwavering. “I won’t let anyone tear us apart.”

Lord Han sighed, his expression weary. “Your Highness, I don’t doubt your resolve. But this is not a battle you can win with strength alone. The court is full of cunning and deceit. You must be careful.”

Jaeha’s jaw clenched. “Then we’ll find these traitors and deal with them before they can act.”

Lord Han hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “There’s something else. I’ve heard rumors that Hojin is gathering support from nobles outside the capital. If he gains enough power, he could rally an army against you.”

Seojin’s heart sank. An army? The thought of a full-scale conflict over their love was terrifying. He looked at Jaeha, but his brother’s expression was unreadable.

“Then we must act quickly,” Jaeha said after a moment of silence. “I want every noble watched, every ally of Hojin brought to me for questioning. We will root out this conspiracy before it has a chance to grow.”

Lord Han nodded. “I will do what I can, Your Highness. But be vigilant. The enemy is closer than you think.”

With that, the adviser bowed and left the room, leaving Jaeha and Seojin alone once more. The tension in the air was thick, and Seojin felt the weight of their situation pressing down on him.

“An army, Jaeha?” Seojin said softly, his voice trembling slightly. “Is it really going to come to that?”

Jaeha walked over to him, pulling Seojin into a protective embrace. “If it does, then I’ll be ready. I’ll fight for us, Seojin. No one will take you from me.”

Seojin closed his eyes, resting his head against Jaeha’s chest. He could hear the steady beat of Jaeha’s heart, strong and unyielding. But no matter how strong Jaeha was, Seojin couldn’t shake the feeling that they were standing on the edge of a precipice.

As they stood together, wrapped in each other’s arms, the shadows of the night seemed to grow longer, as if the darkness itself was closing in around them.

To be continued...