"Sir, you can't just barge in here and start taking things," several palace guards buzzed around Ha-Neul as he strode defiantly into Jae-Yul's room. He began gathering Jae-Yul's belongings, including his finely tailored clothes and important documents meticulously arrayed on the desk. "Those are confidential documents, and those are His Highness's personal belongings. Please understand, even we aren't permitted to touch them." Unfazed, Ha-Neul continued packing the items into a sturdy suitcase, resisting the guards' attempts to pry it away from him.
Just as he was about to make his exit, the head of the palace guard, who also served as the king's personal secretary, entered the room. With a swift motion, he seized the suitcase from Ha-Neul's grasp and hurled it onto the floor, then caught Ha-Neul by the arm, forcefully throwing him down onto the carpet.
"Know where you are, Mr. Lee," the guard warned, his voice dripping with authority. "This isn't your uncle's company; this is the royal palace, a place of an absolute decorum upheld by unbreakable rules since its establishment. Don't foolishly think that a nonroyal can enter here and disrupt that decorum. You will adhere to the same regulations we all follow." His tone was stark and unyielding, but Ha-Neul remained unruffled. He smoothly stood up, brushed some dust from his clothes, and faced the royal guard with unwavering determination.
"The world I live in doesn't follow the same expectations imposed by those who constructed this palace. The palace is defined by the struggles of its people, the ones who sacrificed to keep it afloat. I am one of those people, just as Jae-Yul Wang is, before he's the 'Prince.' I'm here to collect the items that rightfully belong to Jae-Yul, a citizen of this nation, not Prince Jae-Yul, a prisoned royal," Ha-Neul asserted, his voice resonating with newfound clarity and confidence.
The royal guard was poised to strike again, his hand raised in warning, when suddenly, Seok-Hwan burst into the room and latched onto the royal guard's arm, firmly pushing him back. "I suggest you think twice before laying a hand on the Prince's to-be," he declared, his glare drilling into the guard's eyes with fierce intensity.
"The King has declared that Mr. Lee is no longer the Prince's betrothed, as he chose of his own free will," the royal guard retorted, a smirk creeping across his face as he gestured for others to seize Ha-Neul and clear him from the palace premises.
"But I'm not here to take the Prince's belongings," Ha-Neul countered with a sly smile, stepping forward once more. "I seek to retrieve Jae-Yul's belongings. The items that hold meaning to his name, not those that cling to his title." The royal guard scoffed at Ha-Neul's defiance. "That doesn't—"
"You're right," the King announced as he entered the room, prompting everyone to bow deeply, except for Ha-Neul, who merely nodded slightly, maintaining a fierce gaze directed at the king. "The Royal Guard is dismissed," the King stated authoritatively. He shot a small, knowing smile at Ha-Neul. "At least I'm fortunate he's here to collect his things and not to collar me," he chuckled, his casual tone clashing with the deeply serious atmosphere surrounding them. Such levity in the King's demeanor could further jeopardize Ha-Neul's reputation if it were misconstrued.
"You can go now, Ha-Neul. I'll have everything sent with Seok-Hwan," the King added, acknowledging Ha-Neul's intention while silencing the protest that brewed within him. Ha-Neul complied and left quietly along with the Royal guard. Seok-Hwan swiftly began gathering the suitcase, carefully packing Jae-Yul's essentials with a practiced hand.
"You didn't have to treat him so harshly," Seok-Hwan remarked, picking up the well-worn books that Jae-Yul often immersed himself in. "He only came to collect things His Highness might need during his hospital stay. It's not as if Prince Jae-Yul was planning to move in with him."
"I had to," the King replied solemnly, his expression reflective. "I needed to know his true intentions. It's incredibly difficult to discern what he truly wants. He's strikingly similar to Jae-Yul in that regard." The King sighed as he made his way to Jae-Yul's desk, where a framed photograph from the day of Jae-Yul's engagement sat prominently displayed. "Every time I look at him, I understand why Jae-Yul chose him. And every time I glance at Jae-Yul, I understand why I allowed it."
"Every time I look at you, I'm torn between admiration for your determination and concern that you might just be pathetic," Jay teased, wiping the sweat from his brow as they both finished their intense practice session and settled down at a small table with frosty drinks. Ha-Neul shot him a bemused glance, his brow furrowing in confusion, prompting Jay to clarify his remark. "You're really making that face after tossing a guy off a balcony for an ex you just broke up with? That's some intense emotional regulation."
Ha-Neul shrugged, a playful smile spreading across his lips as he took a hearty gulp of his beer. "I'm a simple human, okay? I did it to let off some steam. I realized working out alone wasn't going to cut it, so I opted for a more direct approach," he said nonchalantly, as if throwing someone from the second floor was a casual way to unwind. Jay couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, silently chastising him with an incredulous stare. "Oh, come on! Don't give me that look. I'm already tired. I've skipped so much practice lately, and I have to swing by the hospital to check on Jae-Yul too," he added, brushing off Jay's judgment.
"Jae-Yul?" Jay's voice rose teasingly, poking Ha-Neul gently with his finger. "Just Jae-Yul? The infamous psycho Prince to just Jae-Yul in a single night?" Jay couldn't resist ribbing Ha-Neul about his tendency to label Jae-Yul with outrageous names, but it was amusing to see it all come down to just his name now. Ha-Neul erupted into laughter, dodging Jay's pokes before jumping up and dashing away in a playful retreat.
"Did you really beat him?" Wuhao's voice cut through the stillness as he emerged unexpectedly from the shadowy confines of his bunk bed, startling Ha-Neul just as he was about to change clothes. "Damn, Wuhao! Why are you awake at three in the morning?" Ha-Neul whispered urgently, trying to keep his voice down to avoid waking the others. "I was anxious about my solo performance, so I figured I'd practice on my own before the sun came up," Wuhao explained, stretching before sitting up straight, the blanket falling away to reveal his disheveled hair. "But seriously, did you really beat him up? You?"
"So what if I did?" Ha-Neul shot back, carelessly tossing his clothes over his shoulder while picking up the rest of his gear. "I took some martial arts for a role I did back in the States. Just tapped into it for a bit." Wuhao's eyes widened in astonishment as he scrambled to get ready for practice, curiosity piqued.
Ha-Neul was scheduled for a collaborative stage performance with members from several other groups, necessitating his separate practice after the usual group sessions were over. Wuhao, meanwhile, was gearing up for his own solo special stage and felt the weight of exhaustion settle on him, especially now that his roommate, Ha-Neul—his personal cheerleader, was off doing his own thing. He felt a pang of loneliness as he observed Haruto and Woo-Bin deep in their own world, while Jay busied himself with Eui-Jin, who was preparing to debut a new girl group under his guidance.
"Did I seriously sign up for loneliness?" Wuhao muttered to himself, the age gap between him and the other members weighing heavily on his mind. While Haruto and Woo-Bin were the same age, Jay and Ha-Neul seemed lost in their adult lives, leaving him feeling adrift. "Maybe I should call someone…" He whipped out his phone, scanning the screen for someone—anyone—to spend time with. Unfortunately, apart from his manager and the other members, his contact list was painfully short. His uncle had returned to China after closing his cafe, leaving Wuhao with no immediate friends to hang out with aside from himself.
One of Wuhao's favorite ways to combat loneliness which often spiraled into anxiety was visiting theme parks. However, not wanting the proper supervision, he decided to sneak out instead. "Good thing I kept this!" he thought, recalling his trusty rock climbing gear that helped him build stamina. With nimble fingers, he gathered the equipment and prepared to climb out the window of their dormitory. "Piece of cake," he mused as he donned his mask and cap, carefully making his way down the side of the building. He stepped into the dimly lit alley, signaling a cab as he strolled out onto the main road.
Suddenly, he spotted a small child darting toward the street, completely unaware of the red pedestrian light. Panic surged through him as he sprinted after the child, managing to grab him just in time, but losing his balance in the process. Wuhao tumbled to the ground, scraping his elbow and tearing his shirt in the process.
"Are you okay?" A woman rushed over, worry etched across her features as she comforted her distraught child, whom Wuhao had saved. "It's all right," Wuhao reassured her, gritting his teeth against the pain while trying to keep a brave face. Just then, another figure emerged from the small gathering of pedestrians waiting to cross the street. "I'm going to the hospital, Ma'am." The man bowed to the woman as he gently grabbed Wuhao. "I'll take him with me," he said as he pulled him out of the crowd and took him to his car parked nearby.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it was for you to wander out here on your own?" The man chastised, concern evident in his tone. Wuhao watched in surprised silence, taking in the stern expression and the way the man's eyes sparkled with a fierce protectiveness. It reminded him of his late uncle, who had always been watchful of him when it came to danger. "Who...?" Wuhao finally managed, curiosity creeping in as the man realized he hadn't yet introduced himself.
"Park Seok-Hwan," he said, pulling out his ID and displaying it confidently to Wuhao. "Appointed as Mr. Lee Ha-Neul's personal bodyguard, proudly representing the Royal Guard. It's a pleasure to meet you." Wuhao bowed instinctively, a rush of recognition flooding over him as he recalled Ha-Neul mentioning him before. "Let me take you to the hospital," Seok-Hwan insisted. Wuhao knew that he was going to get scolded if he went, but he decided to go anyway.
"He's been refusing to eat," the nurse informed Ha-Neul. This was a serious issue, especially since Jae-Yul was no longer in the care of his usual staff who prepared meals with meticulous attention to safety. Given that he had been dining outside the palace, the risk of poisoning loomed large. "I'll make sure he does eat, and I'll be taking him home tonight," Ha-Neul replied, determination sharp in his tone. He bowed slightly as the nurse walked away, heading toward the desk to prepare the discharge papers for Jae-Yul.
Entering Jae-Yul's room, Ha-Neul set down the table, carefully arranging the colorful lunchboxes on top. "No one's trying to hurt you here," he said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Jae-Yul, however, turned his back, deliberately ignoring Ha-Neul's words. "Are you angry with me?" Ha-Neul probed, wishing to break the ice. "I kept you here because my frustration with the King made me not want to stay at the palace with you."
Jae-Yul finally turned to face him, his expression clouded with resentment. "Why would you stay with me?" he challenged, fixing Ha-Neul with a stare that felt like a blade. "I don't remember granting you any right to care for me. That's not your duty. You should focus on your career." His voice was sharp, a stark departure from the gentler tone they had shared the night before, emanating an icy detachment that unsettled Ha-Neul.
"You're drawing lines again," Ha-Neul observed, feeling the weight of the invisible line Jae-Yul drew between them. It reminded him of the day they got engaged, yet this felt more pronounced, more painful. Previously, he had sensed he just needed to push slightly further to cross into Jae-Yul's world; now, it seemed that the line was not only firm but also far beyond his reach.
"I've never drawn lines between us, Mr. Lee Ha-Neul," Jae-Yul shot back, his words like arrows aimed directly at Ha-Neul's heart. "I've always maintained that we should prioritize what is essential in our lives instead of wasting our time on relationships devoid of any emotions and meaning." The bluntness of Jae-Yul's declaration stung deeply, but he cared little for Ha-Neul's feelings; to him, these were mere facts, cold truths.
"Then what purpose does a meaningless marriage serve? We're destined for failure anyway. Why not spare ourselves the trouble?" The moment the words escaped his lips, Ha-Neul was flooded with memories of the king's affair, stark reminders of the 'happiness' he had observed in a seemingly void marriage. The king and queen had both accepted their separate lives, each caring for what fulfilled them, unconcerned with the emotional turmoil that might arise. This was the misconception that had taken root in Jae-Yul's mind—that a lack of emotional investment meant freedom. However, Ha-Neul's heart rebelled against such a future. He recalled the love story of his own parents, how their deep affection had infused their marriage with warmth—a contrast to the cold pragmatism Jae-Yul now embraced. There was no way he could resign himself to a life of misery and detachment.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Ha-Neul began, taking hesitant steps backward from Jae-Yul's bed, his heart heavy. "But the only condition under which I would dedicate myself solely to my career and abandon thoughts of a successful marriage would be if I choose to remain unmarried. I spent the entire night thinking this," he confessed, tears shimmering in his eyes, catching the light streaming through the window. Jae-Yul showed no signs of emotion; his expression remained stoic, unyielding.
"I considered the possibility—maybe, just maybe, I could give this marriage a chance. But no. I would rather die than lead a life filled with uncertainty. Mark my words: I will never—never marry you!" The finality of his statement hung in the air as Ha-Neul's resolve broke. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he turned abruptly, marching towards the door. As he swung it open, he was greeted by the sight of Wuhao and Seok-Hwan standing outside. Clutching Wuhao's hand tightly, he strode away, vowing silently to himself that he would do everything in his power to avoid facing Jae-Yul—unless, of course, fate forced their paths to cross again.