Uk stared at Min Jun, still bundled up in the thick blanket on the bed. His long hair was scattered across the pillow like a tangle of wires. Uk smiled softly, brushing the strands away from Min Jun's face.
Even in that messy state, Min Jun looked ethereal to Uk. He was deeply in love with the prince, a love that weighed heavily on his mind.
"Are you still thinking about what my dongsaeng said earlier?" Min Jun spoke up, his eyes still closed. Uk quickly adjusted his stance, realizing the prince was awake.
"Perhaps Myung Yu is right. We're doing something that people don't really consider..."
"Why didn't you think about this when you first started flirting with me?"
"You should rephrase that. There's no way I made the first move!" Uk shot back, his eyes narrowing. Min Jun sneered slightly, rolling onto his side to face his boyfriend.
"I'd rather spend the whole night being close than arguing over who made the first move," Min Jun murmured, snaking his arms around Uk's waist and nudging their noses together.
"Come on, wangjanim... We're talking about something serious here..." Uk wiggled in Min Jun's embrace, his forehead creasing in frustration.
Min Jun held Uk tighter, looking deep into his eyes while gently running his fingers through his hair.
"What's on your mind, huh? You think I want to break up just because of what people say?" Min Jun asked softly. Uk sighed deeply, gazing at Min Jun with love in his eyes.
"You know you're a wangja. Being in this... unusual situation... your path will be rocky and hard," Uk spoke gently. "By now, you must understand—love isn't just between two people. It intertwines with others—family, friends. And for a wangja like you, that circle is even larger," Uk continued, his voice full of care as he stroked Min Jun's cheek, trying to soothe him.
Min Jun nodded slowly. He knew the reality of their situation, even before meeting Uk. He'd been in this position for a long time, but what made it different now was meeting the right man at the right time.
"Are you worried?" he whispered. Uk closed his eyes tightly, exhaling slowly.
"I don't mind taking all the blame. As your bodyguard, I'll do anything to protect you. But as your boyfriend, I can't stand seeing you in pain," Uk mumbled.
"I promise, no one will pressure me. So don't worry about that," Min Jun reassured him, pinching Uk's cheek with a smile. "Besides, what are you afraid of? The throne isn't mine anyway. I can live my life however I want. Soon, I'll get better treatment in China. Maybe we can start a new life there. What do you think?" Min Jun's eyes sparkled with happiness as he looked at Uk, who couldn't help but smile back.
"You'd give up your royal status?" Uk asked, surprised.
Min Jun nodded. "It's not for me. Being a prince with no real role, just kept at the kingdom's border... I feel useless. I might as well use my talents and knowledge for something meaningful!" Min Jun said, pulling Uk into a deep embrace, letting the older man rest his head on his chest.
"You have a talent?" Uk teased playfully.
"Are you underestimating me, sobangnim?"
"No, it's just... Now I feel like I hardly know you," Uk buried his face in Min Jun's chest, feeling a bit disappointed.
"One step at a time, sobangnim. We'll gradually learn more about each other," Min Jun said with a small smile.
"So, tell me now."
"Tell you what?"
"About your talent..."
Min Jun sighed, closing his eyes and cuddling Uk close.
"I have a trading business in the West. Dan is my partner. We trade in fabrics—leather, silk, cotton, and more. Sometimes, we deal with clothing factories, even shoes. If we can move to China together, I might as well expanding the business there..." Min Jun explained, smiling proudly to himself.
To be honest, no one knew about his business with Dan. It seemed no one ever cared enough to ask what he did for a living. He'd been in the business for three years, but no one questioned him. The stewards at his house were paid by the kingdom, but Min Jun used his own money to improve their living conditions at the Red Ruby.
"So, my boyfriend is a trader?" Uk looked up at Min Jun with puppy eyes.
"Kind of. Sort of..." Min Jun smiled. "And with your talent in pottery, maybe we could open another market?" the prince suggested. Uk laughed and nodded slowly.
They remained wrapped in each other's arms after that, sharing warmth in Uk's room until the sun rose. Then, they continued their physical affection with renewed vigor before parting to start the day as usual.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes watched from afar.
***
Soo Young silently slipped into Min Jun's room. She knew the prince would be having breakfast with his boyfriend at this time, so she took the opportunity to prepare for today's treatment.
As she entered the room, a sense of unease crept over her. Usually, Min Jun would have all the windows open, letting the air circulate freely. But today, the room was shrouded in darkness.
Soo Young stood in the middle of the room, torn between leaving things as they were or opening the window.
"For the sake of your health, daegum…" she whispered to herself.
She moved closer to the window, unlocked it, and pushed it open. As soon as the fresh air seeped into the room, a loud grunt echoed from the bed.
"Daegum!" Soo Young rushed to the bed, her heart pounding. If Min Jun was sick again, it would be a serious problem. His heart couldn't handle the cold, and a fever could be disastrous.
Her worry quickly dissipated as she flipped back the blanket, only to find herself frowning in annoyance. The man occupying the prince's bed wasn't Min Jun.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, Dan ssi…"
Dan lay there, his face flushed with fever. His eyes were half-closed, and his lips were chapped like a dry desert. He must have caught a cold and developed a fever during the night.
Soo Young turned to leave, but Dan weakly grabbed her hand. Even his grip felt feeble. The heat from his fevered body radiated through his touch, sending a wave of concern through her.
"Stay still. Let me check your temperature," Soo Young murmured, placing the back of her hand against his forehead. Her frown deepened as she quickly checked his pulse.
"Your fever is high…" Panic flickered in her eyes as she grabbed a towel, soaking it in the basin of water. Leaning closer, she gently dabbed his forehead before placing the cool towel behind his neck.
"I should call the steward…"
"No… Don't leave… Please…" Dan's voice was raspy as he slowly opened his eyes, pleading with her. Soo Young gazed at him, feeling an unexpected tug of responsibility to care for him in his vulnerable state.
"I'll be back soon. I need to ask the steward to bring you some breakfast, and you must take your medicine right away..." Soo Young said softly, carefully placing Dan's hand over his chest. "Don't worry. I won't be long…" She gave him a reassuring smile before slipping out of the room, leaving behind Dan, who prayed so hard that Soo Young will be back as faster as she can.