Seong-Jin didn't hesitate.
The moment he heard about the attack, he was already moving.
His attendants tried to stop him—reminding him of royal protocol, of court politics, of the fact that he had no business personally checking on a scholar.
But he ignored them.
His feet carried him to Dan-Bi's quarters without thought, without hesitation.
When he pushed open the doors, the scent of blood hit him first.
The room was a mess—broken furniture, shattered ceramics, and at the center of it all—
Dan-Bi.
Sitting on the floor, shirt half undone, gripping a bloodied cloth to his shoulder.
Seong-Jin's breath caught.
The sight—of Dan-Bi, injured and vulnerable—sent something hot and unfamiliar coursing through his veins.
But Dan-Bi barely spared him a glance.
"You shouldn't be here," he muttered, wincing as he tied the cloth tighter.
Seong-Jin stepped forward. "And yet, here I am."
Dan-Bi sighed, looking exhausted.
"You act as if you care."
Seong-Jin narrowed his eyes. "You almost died tonight."
"And yet, I am still alive."
The prince clenched his fists.
Dan-Bi was stubborn. Too proud. Too reckless.
"Who sent them?" Seong-Jin asked.
Dan-Bi chuckled humorlessly. "You ask that as if you don't already know."
The Queen.
Of course, it was the Queen.
Seong-Jin exhaled sharply. "Then you can't stay here tonight. It's too dangerous."
Dan-Bi scoffed. "And where would you suggest I go? Perhaps the palace? Maybe your chambers?"
Seong-Jin didn't blink. "Yes."
Dan-Bi's smirk vanished.
"...What?"
"You'll stay with me tonight."
Dan-Bi stared at him, searching for a hint of mockery. A sign that he was joking.
But Seong-Jin's expression was serious.
Unmoving.
Dan-Bi huffed, shaking his head. "You're being ridiculous."
"You were almost assassinated."
"And I survived."
"Tonight." Seong-Jin's voice was quiet but firm. "Will you survive tomorrow?"
Dan-Bi fell silent.
Seong-Jin didn't need an answer.
He already knew.
"Sleep here if you must," Dan-Bi muttered, "but I am not leaving."
Seong-Jin exhaled, shaking his head.
Fine.
If Dan-Bi refused to leave, then Seong-Jin would stay.
The night was uneasy.
Seong-Jin sat in the corner, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Dan-Bi as he finished tending to his wound.
It should have been awkward—two grown men in a small room, neither willing to speak.
But neither cared for pleasantries tonight.
And then—
A knock.
Both of them turned sharply.
Dan-Bi moved first, opening the door just a crack.
A hooded figure slipped inside, bowing low before whispering, "Scholar Dan-Bi… I bring urgent news."
Seong-Jin stood immediately, stepping closer.
Dan-Bi shot him a glare but allowed the messenger to continue.
"The Queen has ordered another attempt on your life."
Dan-Bi's fists clenched.
"She will not fail twice," the messenger continued, voice urgent. "You must leave before dawn."
Seong-Jin's entire body tensed.
Dan-Bi tried to act unaffected, but Seong-Jin could see it.
The slight tremor in his fingers. The way his jaw locked.
Dan-Bi was afraid.
And that made Seong-Jin furious.
His eyes darkened. "She dares to act so openly?"
The messenger hesitated before nodding.
Dan-Bi took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I see."
Seong-Jin's gaze hardened.
He would not let this stand.
Dan-Bi would not die.
Not while he was still breathing.
The messenger left.
Dan-Bi sighed, exhaustion settling into his bones.
He moved toward his wardrobe, grabbing a fresh robe.
Seong-Jin did not move.
Dan-Bi hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Turn around."
Seong-Jin raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because I'm changing?"
Seong-Jin smirked. "Are you shy, Scholar Dan-Bi?"
Dan-Bi rolled his eyes. "Just turn around."
Seong-Jin sighed but obeyed, turning his back.
Dan-Bi exhaled and quickly began changing.
But the moment he removed his bloodied robes—
Seong-Jin froze.
A glimpse.
Just a glimpse.
Smooth skin.
Too smooth.
Dan-Bi moved quickly, wrapping himself in the fresh robe, but Seong-Jin's mind raced.
His frame.
His collarbone.
The way he moved.
A realization slammed into him like lightning.
Dan-Bi was hiding something.
And for the first time in his life, Seong-Jin felt fear.
Because if Dan-Bi was who he was beginning to suspect…
Then everything would change
The next morning, the palace was buzzing.
The prince had spent the night in another man's quarters.
And not just any man.
Scholar Dan-Bi.
By midday, the whispers had already begun.
"Did you hear? The Crown Prince spent the night with that scholar!"
"Could it be…? No, impossible!"
"But they say he insisted on staying!"
"Could the Crown Prince… actually prefer men?"
The rumors spread like wildfire.
By evening, even the Queen had heard.
And she was furious.
If the Crown Prince's reputation was tainted, it could ruin everything.
And as for Dan-Bi?
If the court suspected anything, his life would be even more in danger.
Seong-Jin stood on the palace balcony, staring at the horizon.
He had spent years untouched by scandal.
But now?
All it took was one night.
One moment.
One person.
Dan-Bi had changed everything.
And now, he would have to decide.
Would he fight back?
Or would he let the rumors become the truth?