Chapter 36: A King's Resolve

The palace grounds were buzzing with activity. Jaeha’s orders had been sent out, and preparations for war were already underway. Soldiers gathered in the courtyards, armor gleaming under the pale sunlight. Weapons were sharpened, and supplies were being loaded into carts destined for the front lines. The scent of iron and sweat filled the air, a constant reminder of the conflict looming over them.

Seojin stood by one of the windows, watching the soldiers move with precision and purpose. Each one of them was preparing to fight for Jaeha, for the kingdom, for a cause they believed in. But Seojin knew that beneath it all, this battle was about him—about the love that had brought them to the edge of ruin.

Jaeha entered the room, his face stern and composed, though Seojin could see the tension in his eyes. The weight of leadership was heavy on him, but his resolve never wavered. He approached Seojin, standing beside him as they both looked out over the palace grounds.

“Are you ready for what’s to come?” Jaeha asked quietly.

Seojin hesitated before answering. “Does anyone ever truly feel ready for war?”

Jaeha let out a breath, his gaze distant. “No. But we don’t have a choice. Hojin is coming, and we need to be prepared.”

Seojin nodded, though a part of him still couldn’t accept the reality of the situation. “All of this… because of us.”

Jaeha’s jaw tightened. “Because of him. He’s the one who can’t let go, who’s threatened by what we have.”

“What we have,” Seojin repeated softly. “But how much longer can we hold on to it, Jaeha? How much more can we endure?”

Jaeha turned to face Seojin, his expression fierce and determined. “As long as it takes. I’ll fight for you, Seojin, for us. No matter what.”

Seojin’s heart ached at his words. He admired Jaeha’s strength, his unwavering resolve, but it also scared him. Jaeha was willing to sacrifice everything—his kingdom, his people, even himself—for a love that the world would never accept.

“I don’t want you to destroy yourself for me,” Seojin whispered, his voice filled with pain. “I don’t want to be the reason you lose everything.”

Jaeha reached out, cupping Seojin’s face with both hands. “You’re the reason I have something worth fighting for. Without you, none of this means anything.”

Seojin closed his eyes, leaning into Jaeha’s touch, but the weight of his words pressed down on him. He wanted to believe that their love could survive this storm, but the doubt was always there, lurking in the back of his mind.

Before Seojin could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. Jaeha released Seojin reluctantly and called for the visitor to enter. It was one of Jaeha’s commanders, his face grim.

“Your Highness,” the commander said with a bow. “Our scouts have returned. Hojin’s forces have reached the outskirts of the kingdom. They’ll be at the palace gates within a few days.”

Jaeha’s expression hardened, but he remained calm. “Prepare the men. I want every soldier ready to defend the palace.”

The commander nodded and left to carry out the orders, leaving Seojin and Jaeha alone once more. Seojin’s heart pounded in his chest, fear rising with every word the commander had spoken.

“They’re almost here,” Seojin said, his voice trembling.

Jaeha wrapped an arm around Seojin, pulling him close. “Let them come. We’ll be ready.”

But Seojin wasn’t so sure. The thought of Hojin’s army marching toward them, the violence and bloodshed that would follow, terrified him. He had never wanted this kind of life—never wanted to be the cause of so much destruction.

“Jaeha…” Seojin began, his voice shaky. “What if we can’t win? What if this ends in disaster?”

Jaeha tightened his grip on Seojin, his voice firm and reassuring. “We will win. I won’t let him take you away from me.”

Seojin’s chest tightened at the certainty in Jaeha’s words. He wished he could share that confidence, but the reality of their situation was far more complex. This wasn’t just about them anymore. It was about the kingdom, the people who would suffer if war broke out.

“You can’t think only of me,” Seojin said softly, looking up at Jaeha with pleading eyes. “The kingdom needs you too. You can’t destroy everything for the sake of this.”

Jaeha’s gaze softened as he looked down at Seojin. “You are my kingdom, Seojin. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Without you, none of this matters.”

Seojin shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. “But I don’t want to be the reason you lose everything.”

Jaeha brushed a tear from Seojin’s cheek, his touch gentle. “You won’t be. You’re the reason I’ll win. As long as you’re by my side, I’ll fight with everything I have.”

Seojin couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, his emotions overwhelming him. He buried his face in Jaeha’s chest, sobbing quietly as the weight of their situation pressed down on him. Jaeha held him close, his hand gently stroking Seojin’s hair as he whispered reassurances.

“We’ll get through this, Seojin,” Jaeha murmured softly. “Together.”

Seojin clung to those words, even as doubt gnawed at his heart. He wanted to believe Jaeha, wanted to believe that they could survive this nightmare. But deep down, he knew that the storm was only just beginning.

To be continued...