The golden light of the dying sun stretched across marble fountains, brushing the rose petals in hues of fire and wine. The garden—normally a sanctuary of calm—felt heavy tonight. The air carried whispers, a perfume of tension.
Felix: (walking slowly through the roses, fingers brushing the petals)
"It's strange… how beauty can feel like a warning sometimes."
Hyunjin: (following quietly, voice low)
"You've been distant all day. Did something happen in the council room?"
Felix: (hesitates, turns)
"They're saying things again. About me. About us."
Hyunjin: (steps closer, sharp tone)
"What kind of things?"
Felix: (lets out a bitter laugh)
"That I'm distracted. That I've lost my sense of duty. That the prince has fallen too easily under a foreigner's spell."
Hyunjin: (jaw tightens, his voice softens)
"Who started it?"
Felix: (meets his eyes)
"Lady Soprano."
The name hung between them like smoke. Somewhere, a crow cried from a rooftop.
Hyunjin:
"Of course it's her. She's been circling like a vulture since the night of the banquet."
Felix: (nods, bitter)
"She's clever. She never accuses directly. Just smiles... and plants a seed."
Hyunjin:
"And people are starting to believe her?"
Felix: (quietly)
"In a place like this? Belief isn't required. Only doubt."
A silence followed. The fountain behind them murmured softly, like it pitied them.
Hyunjin: (softly)
"Then we prove her wrong."
Felix: (turns sharply, eyes fierce)
"And how do I do that? Pretend you mean nothing? Walk past you in the corridors as if you don't exist?"
Hyunjin: (steps closer, voice deep)
"If it keeps you safe, yes."
Felix looked at him — really looked at him. The fading light carved Hyunjin's face in shadow and flame. That calm expression… that quiet self-control… it infuriated him.
Felix: (low, almost trembling)
"Don't you dare tell me to pretend again. I've spent my whole life pretending."
Hyunjin: (voice steady)
"Felix—"
Felix: (interrupts, louder)
"You think I don't know what's at stake? You think I don't feel it every time I look at you? The risk, the fear, the need to keep you hidden like a crime—"
He stopped, breath short.
Hyunjin reached out, fingers barely touching Felix's sleeve. The prince flinched but didn't pull away.
Hyunjin:
"I'm not asking you to hide what you feel. I'm asking you to survive it."
Felix: (voice cracking slightly)
"Then what am I supposed to do when she's already tearing my name apart?"
---
[Scene Shift — Lady Soprano enters the garden from the opposite path]
Her heels clicked against the marble walkway. Dressed in violet silk, her hair gleamed like ink. A fan fluttered lazily in her hand.
Lady Soprano: (smiling)
"My, what a charming evening. I didn't expect to find both of you here."
Felix straightened immediately, every trace of vulnerability erased from his face. Hyunjin's hand dropped to his side.
Felix: (cold politeness)
"My lady. The gardens belong to the court. You may find anyone here."
Lady Soprano:
"Oh, of course. Still, it's rare to see His Highness enjoying the company of a… guest."
Her words were dipped in honey but carried the burn of venom.
Hyunjin: (bowing slightly)
"Then I should leave, Your Highness. My presence causes… discussion."
Lady Soprano: (fanning herself slowly)
"Don't be so modest, Sir Hyunjin. The palace thrives on discussion. It keeps our dull lives entertaining."
Felix's jaw tightened.
Felix: (firmly)
"That's enough, Lady Soprano."
Lady Soprano: (feigning innocence)
"Oh? Have I offended? I only meant—"
Felix: (cutting in)
"I know what you meant."
Her fan stopped mid-motion. The garden fell silent. Even the fountain seemed to hush.
Lady Soprano studied Felix for a long moment, her smile faltering just enough to show the steel underneath.
Lady Soprano: (softly, almost kind)
"Your Highness… people will believe what they see. Be careful what you let them see."
Felix:
"And what about you, my lady? Should I believe what I see when I look at you?"
Her gaze sharpened — admiration, perhaps, for his sudden boldness.
Lady Soprano: (smiling again)
"Touché, Your Highness. I see you're learning how to survive the court after all."
She turned gracefully and left the garden, her perfume lingering like poison in the air.
---
[Scene Shift — After she leaves]
Felix sank onto the marble bench near the fountain. His hands were shaking.
Felix: (hoarse)
"She's going to ruin everything."
Hyunjin: (quietly, standing close behind him)
"She can only ruin what we let her see."
Felix: (looks up)
"Then what do you suggest? That I never look at you again? Never speak? Pretend none of this exists?"
Hyunjin: (softly)
"I'd burn this garden to ashes before I let her take you down."
Felix's breath caught. That calm voice—so steady, so dangerous when pushed—sent a chill through him.
Felix: (smiling weakly)
"You'd set fire to everything, wouldn't you?"
Hyunjin: (a faint smile)
"Only for you."
The words hung there, raw and unguarded.
Felix reached out, fingers brushing Hyunjin's wrist. It was brief, a stolen second, but enough. The contact burned like truth.
Felix:
"I can't afford this, Hyunjin."
Hyunjin:
"Then stop calling it this. Call it what it is."
Felix's voice dropped to a whisper.
Felix: "What is it, then?"
Hyunjin: (leans closer, his breath against Felix's ear)
"A reason."
The sound of it made Felix's pulse stumble.
---
[Scene Shift — Later, as night deepens]
They walked along the edge of the garden, moonlight spilling across the stone paths.
Felix: (thoughtfully)
"Do you think she'll go to my father?"
Hyunjin:
"If she hasn't already."
Felix: (sighs)
"Then everything we've built ends here."
Hyunjin:
"Or begins."
Felix looked at him, caught by the quiet defiance in his tone.
Felix: (half-smiling)
"You sound so sure."
Hyunjin:
"I've lived through wars, Felix. Rumors are nothing compared to fear. You only lose when you start believing them."
They stopped beside a pond of white lilies. The reflection of the moon shimmered between them.
Felix reached down, plucked a lily, and turned it slowly between his fingers.
Felix: (softly)
"Then promise me one thing."
Hyunjin:
"Anything."
Felix:
"When they come for me—and they will—don't defend me. Just… survive."
Hyunjin: (steps closer, voice like iron)
"I'm not built for surviving without you."
Felix's breath faltered. The words struck too close.
Felix:
"You shouldn't say things like that."
Hyunjin: (quietly)
"Then stop making me mean them."
For a moment, neither spoke. The garden felt too alive — the rustling leaves, the smell of damp earth, the sound of their uneven breathing.
Felix set the lily down on the water's surface. It floated gently away.
Felix:
"She's going to win if we're not careful."
Hyunjin:
"Then we be careful. We play her game, but better."
Felix: (half-skeptical)
"Do you know how to play a court lady's game?"
Hyunjin: (a rare smirk)
"No. But I know how to hunt."
Felix's lips parted slightly—half startled, half impressed.
Felix: (softly)
"Then let's begin the hunt."
---
[Scene ends — Distant thunder rumbles beyond the horizon]
Lady Soprano stood on the balcony above, half-hidden by silk curtains, watching them. Her fan was still, her expression unreadable.
Lady Soprano (to herself):
"Let them love. The more they hide it, the louder it will destroy them."
The wind caught her words and carried them into the garden below, where two figures stood beneath the moon—unaware that the game had already begun.