Chapter Text
Hyunjin sighed softly, gazing at the large canvas in front of him. Hours had passed since he'd stepped into his painting room, meticulously mixing paints and breathing life into the wall-length masterpiece. With a final stroke of blue, he took three small steps back, tilting his head slightly as he admired his work. A satisfied grin spread across his face-he had nearly captured the beauty of their kingdom in this painting.
A loud sound echoed from the palace, reverberating throughout the capital and snapping Hyunjin out of his thoughts.
***"THE KING IS BACK!"***
Without hesitation, Hyunjin hurried out of his room and up the stairs to the rooftop. He flung the door open and turned left, facing away from the castle toward the city's grand gates, which creaked open slowly, revealing the beloved King of Saenia and the royal army returning from their mission to the Phaemore Empire.
As the gates fully opened, the king's delegation advanced-his personal guards at the front, the king himself flanked by two councilors, and the royal army forming a protective perimeter around them.
Like every citizen of the city-no, the entire kingdom-relief washed over Hyunjin, and bright smiles bloomed on every face. Their king had finally returned after nearly five months of absence. The crowd gathered near the palace erupted in cheers before the delegation even reached them. Hyunjin was no exception. Though he lived near the city's entrance, far from the castle, he could still hear the people's joyous chants.
But then, his smile faltered.
Something was wrong.
The king was hunched forward on his horse, his left hand gripping the reins tightly while his right clutched his waist. Even beneath the heavy coat draped over his frame, Hyunjin spotted a white cloth stained red where the king's hand pressed.
A shudder ran down his spine.
The king was hurt.
His beloved was hurt.
No, no, no, no-not you!
As the delegation drew closer, the king straightened his posture, masking his pain. His expression brightened at the sight of his people, cheering for him and his army. Hyunjin's heart shattered further when he realized:
Even in pain, he's happy-just seeing his kingdom safe is enough for him.
Yes, he's hurt. Yes, he's sad. Yes, he feels lonely... But none of it matters to him as long as his people are safe.
And that was why Hyunjin needed to confess.
He had to tell the king they were mates.
Watching the delegation disappear into the crowd, Hyunjin rushed downstairs, already planning his next move. But how could he enter the palace?
Sneaking in at night? Suicide! He'd be dead in under a minute.
Announcing himself to the guards? They'd suspect him of being an impostor. Either way, he'd die before ever seeing his mate again.
Leaning against the closed door of his painting room, his eyes fell on the unfinished canvas-a depiction of Saenia's most beautiful flower, as seen through his beloved's eyes.
But it was missing something.
And now, he knew exactly what. In two days, the palace would hold a celebration for the king's return. Anyone could enter with a gift.
That was his chance.
Hyunjin spent the rest of the day perfecting the painting, ensuring every detail was flawless. This wasn't just a gift-it was a declaration of his love, his devotion.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow through his window, he carefully wrapped the canvas in protective cloth, handling it like the most precious treasure in the world.
After a quick shower, he made himself a simple dinner-just ramen, his appetite nonexistent. While eating, his thoughts drifted to his parents. Were they enjoying their travels? Every year, they journeyed across Saenia to celebrate their anniversary. A small smile tugged at his lips.
Would we do silly, cringeworthy things like that too?
He shook his head, banishing the thought. After washing the dishes, he prepared for bed, his mind racing with everything he wanted to say to the king. Nothing felt good enough. So, for now, he let it go.
Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, he replayed the king's face-how it had lit up at the sight of his people.
Hyunjin closed his eyes, wishing for the day he could be the reason for that smile.
Hold on a little longer, my love... Soon, we'll finally be together.
********
Two days later, Hyunjin woke before dawn, his pulse already racing. Today was the day.
He dressed carefully-choosing deep blue robes, the color of the king's royal sigil-and secured the wrapped painting under his arm. The streets buzzed with excitement as citizens carried gifts toward the palace: baskets of fruit, handwoven silks, even a live pheasant with iridescent feathers. Hyunjin's grip tightened on his canvas.
Mine will stand out. It has to.
The palace gates loomed ahead, guarded by stone-faced sentries in silver armor. One glared as Hyunjin approached. "State your business."
"I bring a gift for His Majesty," Hyunjin said, lifting the cloth-covered painting. "A portrait of the Royal Bloom."
The guard's eyes flickered with recognition-the flower was the king's favorite, a symbol of resilience. With a grunt, he stepped aside.
The throne room glittered. Nobles clustered around wine fountains, diplomats murmured in corners, and musicians played a lively reel. But Hyunjin's gaze locked onto the dais.
There, seated on the obsidian throne, was the king.
Up close, the signs of pain were clearer. His posture was too rigid, his smiles too measured. A bandage peeked from beneath his cuff. Yet when a little girl presented him with a clumsily carved wooden horse, his laugh was warm, real.
Hyunjin's chest ached.
He's still pretending. For them.
" Approach, " says one of the counselors of the king in a gentle yet mild voice with natural authority.
Hyunjin stepped forward, respectfully bowing before dropping the board wrapped at the feet of the throne.
"Your Majesty, I welcome you to home. I offer you this humble painting, in the hope that it can bring you some of the peace you offer to your people."
Intrigued, the king gave a sign to a servant, who gently unpacked the package.
The silence fell down the hall as the canvas was lifted and presented to the king.
And there the sovereign's breath caught.
The painting well represented Saenia's iconic flower, the one he cherished so much—his mother's favorite: the white rose. But Hyunjin had added more than a landscape or a sky; he had captured an emotion. The flower was no longer alone; it was bathed in a warm, soft light, like an inner sunset, and dewdrops gleamed on its petals—not like tears of sadness, but like beads of hope after the rain. One could sense the melancholy, but also a deep resilience, a beauty born of trial. It was his kingdom, yes, but it was his very soul that had been captured on that canvas.
The king's eyes filled with gross emotion. No one had ever seen it so fair. No one had ever penetrated his strong sovereign mask to touch the vulnerable man hiding behind.
He looked up at the young man who stood in front of him, trembling but the intense gaze. Their looks crossed.
Hyunjin dropped to one knee, his voice cutting the quiet. "Your Majesty, this flower only thrives under your care." He lifted his gaze, daring everything. "Just as I do." A collective gasp sucked the air from the room.
A voice, sharp and venomous, sliced through it: "The audacity!"
For a heartbeat, the king's mask slipped. His eyes glistened. Yet before he could respond chaos erupted.
A member of the royal court shouted, "Your Majesty, this is a threat! He's the alpha who infiltrated the palace!"
What?, there's someone threatening his majesty?
Guards surged forward. Hyunjin braced for blades-
"Enough!"
The king's councilor voice cracked like a whip. The room froze.
"This man is the king's guest." He gestured to Hyunjin. "Rise, please."
But as the crowd erupted in outrage, the councilor leaned in close to Hyunjin and whispered, his voice low and urgent:
"Meet me at the fountain. Midnight. Don't be seen."
Then, louder, for the entire court to hear: "Your gift is... unique. His Majesty will keep it."
Hyunjin bowed, his heart hammering, head clouded.
Did I do something wrong by confessing like that?
Who's that alpha threatening the king?
What's happening to you my love?
Before leaving for the back of the throne room, Hyunjin caught the gaze of the guard assigned to the king's protection. The young alpha's expression was one of pure hatred and annoyance—and jealousy? Why would he be jealous?
Walking quietly to a corner, with the earlier interaction playing in his mind, Hyunjin recalled everything that had seemed off since the moment he entered the palace: the guards who were on high alert, inspecting every gift as if it contained a threat; the nobles whispering about an alpha who had threatened the king; the king’s councilor’s reaction to the chaos, as if he wanted it to calm down immediately; and the meeting planned for tonight. Finally, there was the guard’s hateful gaze directed at him. Hyunjin hadn't paid it any attention back then, but now it felt like a combination of suspicious events all connected.