Ha-Neul stood outside the grand, intricately carved doors of the king's study, hesitating for a moment before raising his hand to knock gently. "It's Ha-Neul, Your Majesty," he announced, his voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a tall, imposing figure—a man Ha-Neul had never seen before, unfamiliar among the palace staff and royal guards he had previously been introduced to. The man gestured for Ha-Neul to enter, closing the door with a soft thud behind him.
Inside, the king sat regal and contemplative in his elegant chair, his gaze fixed on the expansive glass window that framed a tapestry of twinkling stars. The room was lit warmly by only the chandelier above them, and the dwindling flames of the historical fireplace.
"I was always eager to see my children wed early," the king began, his voice rich with unspoken memories. He rose from his chair and walked toward a modest bookshelf, retrieving a small picture album carefully concealed behind an array of dusty tomes. "I wanted to spare them the same sin I committed—the sin of falling in love."
With a gentle sigh, he returned to his chair and opened the album, motioning for Ha-Neul to come closer. Drawn in by curiosity, Ha-Neul approached the desk and peered down at the album. Inside were vibrant photographs of a younger king, his face alight with joy beside a woman Ha-Neul could not identify.
"The queen was always a remarkably patient woman," he reminisced, selecting a photograph of the woman—a radiant beauty in a flowing gown—alongside an image from his wedding day, the bride's features strikingly different. He handed these to Ha-Neul, eyes glistening as he spoke. "She often had insecurities, worried that I held my heart for another. Yet, she never voiced these fears, treating both her rival and me with unwavering grace."
As the king delicately placed the photographs back in their rightful place, Ha-Neul's heart sank. "So you're telling me you cheated on your wife while trying to convince me to marry your son?" he scoffed, the tension in the room thickening as he searched for the king's true intentions behind this revelation. The king merely smirked, an enigmatic glint in his eyes.
"Oh, you poor thing," the king replied, unexpectedly pulling Ha-Neul into an awkward embrace, his hand stroking his back in a gesture that felt both patronizing and comforting. "Let me spare you the heartache. The prince will never love you. Before you find yourself heartbroken, understand this: you're destined for a life of solitude."
Ha-Neul recoiled from the embrace, confusion wrinkling his brow as he processed the king's words. Suddenly, the absurdity of the situation struck him, and he burst into peals of hysterical laughter, doubling over as he clutched his stomach. "Unbelievable..." He straightened, locking eyes with the king, his expression turning resolute. "If you believe that throwing these meaningless stories around will make me marry into this hypocritical family, then you are sorely mistaken."
"Ah, there lies your error, dear boy," the king interjected, his tone now unyielding. "I'm not throwing around anything; I'm merely stating facts—facts that you'll come to realize after your performance at the award show." Anxiety knotted in Ha-Neul's chest, the implication lingering heavily in the air. Despite the simmering fears about what the royal family might do to jeopardize LUMINA's future, he remained steadfast in his belief that their hard work would shine through, no matter the circumstances.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Ha-Neul shot back, determination igniting in his voice. "The fact you'll come to know after that award show performance is that while you may try to control me, you can't do anything to my team. They're way stronger than me and smart enough not to succumb to people. If they do something wrong, they'll take responsibility. If they didn't do anythingw wrong, then I'll stand by them." The king's smile was condescending as he realized he had little power beyond his empty threats.
"Very well then," Ha-Neul said, bowing slightly before turning toward the door. He was eager to escape the king's presence, yet just before he could step outside, the king's voice pierced the air once more.
"The man outside is your new bodyguard, Park Seok-Hwan. He will be watching over you, so I suggest you behave. He has been assigned his first task: he'll escort you home today, but first, he will take you to meet your fiance. Enjoy."
Frustration bubbled within Ha-Neul as he pushed open the door, eager to escape the king's manipulative grasp.
As he stepped into the corridor, the bodyguard bowed respectfully and gestured for Ha-Neul to follow. "The king has excused the people who accompanied you; I'll ensure you get home safely." Ha-Neul rolled his eyes, glancing back at the door with an impulse to kick it down in indignation. Reluctantly surrendering to the reality of his situation, he trailed after Seok-Hwan, only to realize with a growing sense of dread that the decision to comply was about to lead him into deeper troubles than he had anticipated.
"Where are we?" Ha-Neul inquired as Seok-Hwan brought the car to a stop in front of an opulent club, its facade shimmering under the neon lights. A throng of well-dressed individuals stood in a winding line, eager to gain entry. As he read the illuminated sign above the entrance, Ha-Neul felt a jolt of recognition. This was the exclusive establishment Haruto had once raved about—a hot spot for celebrities seeking refuge from the public eye, where access was strictly limited to affluent youth willing to splurge and where each staff member signed airtight nondisclosure agreements.
"We're at the Prince's regular spot," Seok-Hwan replied, unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out of the car, then courteously opening the door for Ha-Neul. Before he could emerge, Seok-Hwan handed him a black mask and a pair of glasses. Ha-Neul accepted them, quickly adjusting the accessories to shield his identity before stepping out into the bustling crowd. Seok-Hwan grasped his hand firmly, guiding him through the crowd and up the grand staircase that led to a secluded VIP area.
"Every time the Prince had a fallout with His Majesty, his so-called 'friends' would bring him here, where he'll spent the night drowning himself in drinks," Ha-Neul gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Lately, we uncovered the disturbing truth: he was being drugged and exploited, with the staff secretly filming him to use as leverage against him," Seok-Hwan explained, his voice low as he scanned their surroundings. Ha-Neul came to a sudden halt, horror etched across his face as the full weight of Seok-Hwan's words sank in
"And you all did nothing?" he asked incredulously, and the look on Seok-Hwan's face revealed all too clearly that they had stood idly by. "We thought it was just the Prince enjoying his time. At first, the King thought he would stop frequenting this place after his engagement, dismissing it as youthful revelry. But after the engagement, he began coming here even more often, especially when he spent time with you." Ha-Neul struggled to process the revelation, rolling his eyes in disbelief. "The King intended to take action. He threatened a staff member who confessed that the Prince believed he was merely here to drink, unaware that his 'friends' were drugging him and orchestrating encounters with random women, filming everything to blackmail him later." A knot twisted in Ha-Neul's stomach as distant gunfire erupted, the chaotic scene drowned out his senses as multiple rangers stormed into the club, swiftly subduing patrons.
"The King has already dealt with this situation decisively," Seok-Hwan said, urgency lacing his tone as armed rangers rushed past them. "However, he requested that you personally retrieve the Prince. He said that it is important for you to develop some empathy for him."
"That's…" Ha-Neul caught himself before he could curse further, his back pressed against the cool wall as he leaned into it, struggling to catch his breath. Seok-Hwan moved to assist him, but he instinctively recoiled, needing space. "Empathy...? He wanted empathy by revealing he had an affair, that his wife felt neglected, and that his child was being exploited...? He wanted me to feel sorry for him while he actively ruined his own family?" Just as he felt the urge to pound his head against the wall, a ranger's voice echoed from the far end of the corridor. "He's here!" Instantly, Ha-Neul sprang to his feet, racing toward the source of the voice, with Seok-Hwan trailing closely behind.
Arriving at the door of a private room, Ha-Neul observed several rangers ushering out insignificant individuals, their faces blurred in his mounting anxiety. His gaze fell upon Jae-Yul, sprawled on the floor, his shirt ripped, eyes closed, and mouth agape, foam pooling at the corners. A night of excess was evident, with bottles strewn about and shards of glass glinting dangerously nearby. Ha-Neul's heart raced as he moved closer, his stomach churning at the sight of Jae-Yul lying among the wreckage, blood trickling down his back from the jagged edges of broken glass.
"Everyone out!" Ha-Neul shouted urgently, his voice sharp as Seok-Hwan rushed in with a blanket, the paramedics closely following. "Get out! Now!" he reiterated, snatching the blanket from Seok-Hwan's grasp. "The Prince and I need some privacy." With a fierce glare, he conveyed the gravity of the situation to Seok-Hwan, who quickly understood and urged the others to vacate. He handed Ha-Neul a spare set of clothes and a first aid kit before retreating. Once the door clicked shut, Seok-Hwan stood resolutely beside it as the club was evacuated, the chaos gradually subduing outside. In that stillness, his watch vibrated.
"Did it work?" the king's voice crackled through, rife with apprehension.
"It did. But he's furious," Seok-Hwan replied, and a light chuckle from the king cut through the tension.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, why bring up the topic of falling in love? Why did you bring up the fact that you had fallen in love with someone else when you were married to the Queen? Wouldn't that give Mr. Lee some leverage against you?" Seok-Hwan ventured, momentarily breaking the solemnity of the moment. The king fell into a contemplative silence, drawing a steady breath before responding. "I wanted him to understand. Even at the cost of revealing my secret, I wanted him to know that his marriage would be painful for him if Jae-Yul fell for someone else..." Seok-Hwan nodded thoughtfully, mulling over the implications.
"But wasn't it His Highness who requested this engagement?" he questioned, puzzled. The king's laughter broke the still air once more. "Wasn't I the one to seek the Queen's hand in marriage?" Seok-Hwan was slightly confused by the king's approach to the situation.
"What if he still refuses to marry him?" The king again laughed at Seok-Hwan's naiveness. "This is why I chose you for this job. Tell me. What would he do if I made his whole life depend on this marriage?"
"How can someone treat their own family like this...?" A slow mumble escaped Ha-Neul's lips, his heart heavy with confusion and anger as he bent down, gently helping Jae-Yul regain his footing. Jae-Yul was partially conscious, but the haze of trauma still lingered in his eyes. Avoiding the fresh wounds that marred his back, Ha-Neul steadied him, allowing Jae-Yul to lean against his shoulder while he tore the remnants of the shirt he had been wearing.
The sight was harrowing: in addition to the jagged glass lacerations, there were deep, angry scratch marks etched into Jae-Yul's skin, evidence of an unimaginable struggle. As Jae-Yul rested against him, Ha-Neul reached into the first aid box, retrieving a sterilizing pad. With one arm supporting Jae-Yul's neck, he carefully wiped the blood and grime from his back with the other hand.
"No..." Jae-Yul's voice was weak but firm as he tried to recoil from Ha-Neul's touch, panic evident in his eyes. "Please don't..." The protest ignited a fierce anger within Ha-Neul; he realized that Jae-Yul, in his disoriented state, mistook his assistance for another attack. "Seok-Hwan!" he shouted, boiling with urgency. Seok-Hwan's muffled response came quickly from outside. "Hold the person who was recording him. I need to speak with them." Without hesitation, Seok-Hwan complied.
Once Jae-Yul's wounds were bandaged, Ha-Neul poured water and soaked a cloth to clean the dust and dirt from his face, as the smell of the wet wipes may be too much. He gently leaned Jae-Yul back against the booth, cradling his head as he meticulously wiped his lips, cheeks, and neck. Just as Ha-Neul began to think Jae-Yul was out of danger, he felt a weak grip around his wrist. "Stop..." Jae-Yul rasped, the distress evident in his eyes as he tried to push Ha-Neul away. With a pang of desperation, Ha-Neul held back tears, whispering, "It's me..." He cupped Jae-Yul's face, drawing him closer.
Slowly, Jae-Yul's eyes flickered open, meeting Ha-Neul's gaze. A flicker of recognition and hope shone within those weary eyes. "Ha-Neul..." he breathed, struggling to stabilize himself. Without a moment's hesitation, Ha-Neul supported his head, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath his trembling fingers. "Ididn't want...you to see me like this..." Jae-Yul's voice was barely a whisper, but Ha-Neul sensed the weight of unspoken truths. Deep down, he knew that Jae-Yul was aware of the situation he was going through yet felt it was too burdensome to voice them.
"I didn't want to either..." Ha-Neul replied, tears finally spilling down his cheeks, glistening like tiny beads of anguish. "So promise me, you'll do everything you can to make sure this never happens to you again..." A faint smile broke through the desolation on Jae-Yul's lips as he nodded, his strength failing him as he slumped against Ha-Neul, succumbing to unconsciousness. Swiftly, Ha-Neul dressed him in a new shirt and wrapped a warm blanket around his frail form before calling for Seok-Hwan, who promptly arranged for Jae-Yul's transport to the nearest hospital.
"Where is the guy?" Ha-Neul inquired, a chilling smile etched on his lips, a stark contrast to the worry that clouded his heart. Seok-Hwan hesitated, sensing the dangerous path they were treading, but ultimately led him to the assailant—a decision he would soon regret.
"What do you mean he beat the guy?" The king's incredulous tone was unmistakable as he processed the report. "Yes, your Majesty. He beat the man senseless. Three ribs are broken, his left foot is detached, his arm's broken, fingers crushed, and nearly all of his teeth are gone." Seok-Hwan could feel the king's shock through the phone. "What did he even do to cause so many injuries?" Seok-Hwan sighed as he bit his lips before answering. "He smashed his face into the metal fence, breaking his teeth; threw him to the floor and twisted his foot till it snapped; stepped on his hand, breaking his fingers; and then threw him off the fence into a pile of wine bottles on the first floor, breaking his ribs and arm." He took a pause before continuing. "And he's on his way to the palace."