"I guess my job is done?"
Min Jun was struck by Uk's words as he watched the man busy packing his belongings. Min Jun had come to visit his quarters.
"You're still my bodyguard, hyung-nim..."
"Bodyguard... Yes... I forgot who I am. Just your bodyguard..."
Min Jun quickly halted Uk by grabbing his shoulder, turning him to face him.
"Hyung-nim, you're mine. Not just a bodyguard..."
"Then why did you do nothing when you heard jeonha mama's orders just now?" Uk asked.
"Are you asking me to go against jeonha?"
"You once told me I must listen to you and only you. You forced me to accept that I belong to you, and I did. But now, you push me aside as if I'm not important to you, daegum," Uk let out a frustrated breath, his eyes full of disappointment as he stared at Min Jun.
"It's just for a moment. The convoy won't last forever!"
"But you know we're leaving for China next month! How am I supposed to feel when I'm suddenly not in your convoy, but with gongju instead?" Uk's eyes filled with unshed tears. "I feel like you're pushing me out of your life..."
"Jeonha entrusted gongju to you. He wouldn't choose just anyone for this. You have all the intel about the North," Min Jun tried to justify Wang Ki's decision, but Uk turned away.
"So you let me follow your dongsaeng instead of being by your side at the most critical moment of your life? What if something happens? Have you thought about whether we'll ever see each other again? The mission to the North is just politics, but our journey to China is a matter of life and death!"
Uk slapped away Min Jun's hand as he tried to calm him. He struggled to hold back his tears, and Min Jun couldn't contain his own. His tears streamed down his cheeks, accompanied by small, pitiful sobs.
"Believe me, hyung-nim... Everything I do is because I love you. You once told me that love isn't just between two people, and letting go doesn't mean we stop loving each other," Min Jun slowly leaned closer to Uk, resting his head against the man's back, wrapping his arms around Uk's waist.
"I'm doing what I can to protect this relationship, to keep you safe. I know Myung Yu can take care of you. She has everything I don't. She's well-protected by the kingdom," Min Jun hugged Uk even tighter. "If you stay with me, hyung-nim, you're only inviting danger."
"You said you'd fight for your love..."
"I am. I'm fighting with all I have," Min Jun wept, still trying to convey his true intentions to Uk. "Everything I do is because I love you," he buried his face against Uk's back.
Uk gritted his teeth, holding back his tears as he turned around and pulled Min Jun into an embrace. Both men cried, knowing that this might be the last time they would see each other.
"Hyung-nim, you once told me I was too young to understand the true meaning of love. Now, I think I understand it," Min Jun said through his sobs. Uk gulped and gently stroked the prince's silky hair with love and care.
"I'm not mad at you, my wangjanim. It's just... the fear of leaving you behind when you need me most... I'm scared something will happen, and I won't be there to see you again," Uk lifted Min Jun's face, forcing him to look at him, no matter how tear-streaked it was.
"Sobangnim..."
"Why are you letting me go? Do you know how much I love you? I'd rather lose my life than lose you!"
"That's why I'm letting you go. Because I know you'd sacrifice yourself for me. I can't bear to see that. I want you to stay alive so you can keep loving me..." Min Jun touched Uk's cheek with his cold palm. "Believe me, if I had another choice, I'd choose for you to stay. But right now, I can't!"
"I just want to know one thing..." Uk looked at Min Jun, tears slowly falling from his eyes. "Will we see each other again?"
Hearing this, Min Jun pulled Uk into a tight embrace, sobbing so hard that others might hear it from afar. But he didn't care. All he wanted was to let out his emotions.
"I promise you... I'll wait for you. Even for decades, even for centuries..." Min Jun pulled away slightly, stroking Uk's cheek lovingly. "I'll wait for you my whole life. No one can take away the love I have for you. Not even Heaven can stop me from loving you. I love you, now and forever."
Uk's tears flowed nonstop as he pulled Min Jun closer for a kiss. They locked lips for a long time, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that this might be the last time they'd see each other.
Who knew when they'd meet again? Only time could tell.
***
Dan watched the quarters from afar, a somber expression on his face. He knew what was happening inside the room. His head hung low, sharing the sadness of losing a good friend and someone important to his close friend.
"It's sad, but it's inevitable..."
Dan turned around to see Soo Young standing behind him, her eyes weary. Her lips were tightly closed as she watched the quarters from where she stood. She could already feel the emptiness in the Red Ruby, even before Uk's departure.
"I knew this would hurt daegum. I wish I could convince him! He doesn't have to let Uk ssi go just because he's worried about his safety. We can protect him from here, to be honest..."
Soo Young's words trailed off as she fell silent in shock. Dan had suddenly pulled her into a tight hug, silently crying on her shoulder. His actions left Soo Young frozen in place.
"Dan..."
"I told you, daegum and I are practically twins. We grew up together, so close that whatever he feels, I feel it too," Dan said through his sobs. "It hurts, Soo Young. It hurts so much!"
Soo Young sighed softly, slowly moving her hands to gently pat Dan's back, letting him cry. It was all she could do at this moment, especially after trying her best to convince Min Jun. But the prince's refusal was final.
And who could deny the king's orders?
"Cry your heart out for now, Dan," Soo Young said in a calm voice. She gently pushed him back a little, staring into his eyes. "Once you're done, we have to get back on track. Daegum is our priority now. We have to protect him and make sure he's okay until the trip to China. We can't give up yet. We have to fight for his sake!"
Watching Soo Young, full of determination, Dan slowly regained his composure. He wiped his tears and looked at Soo Young, his spirit lifted.
"Yes. Right now, daegum is our priority. He needs to stay alive so we can prove to those who wish him harm that we won't back down!"
Soo Young smiled proudly, admiring Dan's quick recovery. Silently, she started to respect him even more for his unwavering spirit and loyalty.
"Thank you, Soo Young. Thank you for giving me hope..."
"I didn't give you anything. Your love for daegum is what drives you. It's all on you," Soo Young replied with a chuckle.
"Not at all. I might be a man, but I have my weaknesses too. If it weren't for you lending me your shoulder, I wouldn't be feeling any better," Dan slowly leaned closer to Soo Young, making her blush.
"Thank you, Soo Young..."