There was a calm silence above the palace, lit only by the moon's glittering rays. In search of the cool embrace of the night air, Ryan stealthily left the opulent main hall. He was drawn to the elaborate fountain in the middle, its soft waters glistening like liquid stars, as he strolled through the exquisitely kept gardens.
There, under the moonlight, Jihoon stood, exuding an almost ethereal beauty that seemed to melt into the silvery glow surrounding him. The way the light danced across his features made him appear not just majestic, but almost otherworldly, his presence radiating an effortless elegance that Ryan found both captivating and intimidating. Jihoon's confident posture cast an alluring shadow against the soft darkness of the night, and for a moment, Ryan felt frozen in place, unable to tear his gaze away.
A mix of emotions surged through him—anxiety, fascination, and a spark of something that felt dangerously close to longing. His heart raced, each beat pounding louder as he took tentative steps closer, remembering the way Jihoon had looked at him earlier, the boldness in his eyes. He could still feel the faintest memory of that touch, and it made his skin tingle, a shiver running down his spine despite the warm night air.
What is he doing to me? Ryan wondered, feeling a blush creep into his cheeks. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be closer to Jihoon or if he should turn and leave before his emotions completely unraveled. He decided to leave.
As Ryan crept along the garden path, the quiet crunch of leaves beneath his feet betrayed his presence. He paused, glancing over his shoulder, but it was too late—Jihoon had already noticed him.
"Fancy meeting you here," Jihoon's voice broke through the silence, a playful grin lighting up his face as he took in Ryan's startled expression. Ryan attempted to sound casual, though his voice wavered slightly. "Yeah… I was just… getting some air."
Jihoon chuckled, taking a slow step closer. "Getting some air?" His eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly enjoying Ryan's discomfort.
Jihoon raised an eyebrow, leaning in with that infuriatingly confident smile of his. "You know," he murmured, "I can't help but wonder… what's a guy like you really doing out here, alone, in the middle of the night?"
Ryan's heart quickened as he tried to hold Jihoon's gaze, unsure whether the teasing warmth in Jihoon's eyes made him feel more exposed.... or alive than he'd like to admit.
Ryan shifted, feeling the intensity of Jihoon's gaze like a challenge he wasn't sure he was ready for. "I could ask you the same thing," he shot back, crossing his arms to mask his nerves. "Doesn't seem like your kind of scene either."
Jihoon just shrugged, his grin widening as he brushed a stray leaf from Ryan's shoulder with a casual flick. "Maybe I just have a knack for finding people who look like they could use a little company."
Ryan's heartbeat quickened, the subtle touch sending a small shock through him. "Company… right," he muttered, feigning nonchalance, though he could feel his face warming under Jihoon's steady gaze. The way Jihoon looked at him—so open, so fearless—made his pulse flutter with a blend of nervousness and excitement that he couldn't quite hide.
After a beat, Ryan met Jihoon's eyes, his voice quiet but sincere. "But why, Jihoon? Why are you so interested in me?"
Jihoon's expression softened, his playful demeanor fading for just a moment. "Maybe," he said, almost cryptically, "I just think you're… meant for something more than you think. Maybe we both are."
Ryan furrowed his brow, Jihoon's answer only adding to his confusion. "Something more? What's that supposed to mean?"
Jihoon smirked, stepping closer until they were nearly shoulder to shoulder, his voice low. "Guess you'll have to stick around to find out."
Ryan swallowed, fighting the urge to back away as the space between them seemed to vanish. But as he shifted his weight, he felt his foot slip against the edge of the fountain. A splash echoed through the quiet garden as he fell backward into the shallow pool, the cold water shocking him fully awake.
Jihoon burst into laughter, the sound ringing out like a melody in the night air. "Smooth move, Ryan," he said, holding out a hand to help him up.
Dripping wet and grumbling, Ryan ran a hand through his hair, slicking it back from his face. The water dripped down his forehead, revealing his eyes, sharper and more vivid than ever. Jihoon's laughter faded, and he just stared, his gaze softening as he took in the striking green of Ryan's eyes.
"You… have amazing eyes," Jihoon murmured, as if the words had slipped out without his permission.
Ryan froze, his cheeks warming as he looked away. No one had ever complimented his eyes before; they'd only ever filled people with fear. The small spark in his heart fluttered.
The air between them shifted, the playfulness easing into something almost solemn. Jihoon glanced down for a moment, then looked back up, his gaze intent. "Ryan, why don't you ever defend yourself? Against the things people say about you?"
Ryan's breath caught, Jihoon's question landing with an impact he hadn't expected. He hesitated, his voice wavering. "How… how am I supposed to fight something like that? They already think I'm some kind of… monster."
Jihoon's expression softened further, and he reached out, placing a steadying hand on Ryan's shoulder. "But I don't believe those rumors," he said firmly, his sincerity palpable. "You deserve better than the way they treat you."
Ryan's breath hitched, surprise flooding through him. It was the first time anyone had shown him such trust, and it almost brought tears to his eyes.
"Why are you doing this to me? I'm already tired of living like this." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Please, stop whatever you are trying to do."
Jihoon remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Ryan, the depths of his blue ocean eyes shimmering in the moonlight. They felt like an ocean under the gaze of the moon, reflecting a myriad of emotions that left Ryan momentarily breathless. As their eyes locked, Ryan gulped, anxiety swelling within him.
The warmth of Jihoon's curiosity was both thrilling and terrifying. He couldn't allow himself to feel the joy of someone genuinely interested in him—someone who believed in him—because that would only open the door to disappointment. The weight of apprehension pressed down on him, a nagging feeling that he should guard his heart against whatever Jihoon was attempting to initiate. It was as if a quiet voice within him warned that he couldn't let this connection blossom, even though part of him longed for it to.
Jihoon exhaled heavily, closing his eyes for a moment as he collected his thoughts. He understood the difficulty of getting close to Ryan, yet he knew he had to try if he wanted to prevent the ominous prophecy from becoming a reality. However, revealing to Ryan that he believed he was the one foretold in the prophecy was not an option. There was only one course of action left for him—one he had planned from the very beginning.
"Maybe I see potential. Or perhaps I just enjoy playing the role of the world's savior," Jihoon said, leaning back with his arms crossed, a blend of charm and enigma gracing his features.
Ryan's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" he replied, utterly bewildered. In fact, he was starting to think Jihoon might have a few screws loose.
"Forget it. It's just…" Jihoon hesitated, grappling with the turmoil in his mind. He was acutely aware that he might embarrass both himself and Ryan. Never had he imagined a day would come when he'd find himself in such a vulnerable position. He wanted to avoid it, but it seemed fate was conspiring against him.
"You are my type," Jihoon blurted out, the words spilling from his lips before he could stop them.
"Huh?!" Ryan's eyes widened, and Jihoon felt his cheeks flush, his ears burning with embarrassment at the sight of Ryan's dumfounded expression.
"I said you are my type," Jihoon repeated, wishing he could disappear into the shadows.
Ryan was no better off, flustered and stammering, "W-what ar-e—" But he couldn't finish his sentence; before he knew it, Jihoon was sprinting away, leaving Ryan standing there, stunned and bewildered.
Ryan's head was spinning as he processed Jihoon's unexpected confession. His heart raced, pounding loudly in his chest as if it were trying to escape. Flustered and bewildered, he struggled to find the words, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. Every thought felt jumbled, a mix of disbelief and a flutter of excitement. Did Jihoon really just say that? The shock left him momentarily speechless, and he could hardly comprehend the warmth spreading through his cheeks. All he could manage was a soft, bewildered exhale, standing there in the moonlit garden, grappling with the weight of Jihoon's words.
But from the window of the palace, a dark figure watched their interaction with a calculating smirk. Ryan's mother, the queen, stood with her cold gaze fixed on the pair by the fountain. Her aura pulsed with an ominous, dark energy, her lips curling in satisfaction.
A man stepped forward from the shadows, bowing his head slightly. She turned to him, her smile icy and foreboding. "Everything is going according to plan," she murmured, her voice as chilling as her expression.
The man returned her smirk, closing the heavy curtains with a quiet rustle before leaning in to press a kiss to her hand.
To be continued....