CHAPTER 18
"And why didn't you tell anyone?"
Sihyun let out an irritated huff.
"Would you have let me? I just wanted to breathe for a moment."
The king studied him for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Enough. Release Yuhyun."
The guards hesitated before letting Yuhyun go.
Muwon, however, was not done. As Sihyun turned to leave, he caught his wrist.
"We'll talk later,"
he said quietly, his tone carrying a clear warning.
Sihyun didn't react, only pulling his wrist free before walking off, feeling Muwon's stare burning into his back.
Inside their dimly lit chamber, the tension hung thick in the air. Yuhyun sat on the edge of the bed, wincing as he dipped a towel into a bowl of warm water, carefully pressing it against his bruised wrist. His fingers trembled slightly from the lingering pain, but his frustration burned hotter than the soreness.
Sihyun lingered near him, guilt tightening his chest. He stepped closer, reaching out.
"Let me help—"
Yuhyun pulled his hand away sharply, his jaw clenching.
"Don't."
His voice was low, but the hurt in it cut deep.
Sihyun flinched but didn't move away. He swallowed.
"Yuhyun, I—"
"Where did you go?"
Yuhyun's voice cracked as he finally looked up, his eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Do you have any idea what they were going to do to me because of you?"
His grip on the towel tightened.
"I could've died, Sihyun."
Sihyun exhaled shakily.
"I know. I'm sorry."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't—"
"You didn't think,"
Yuhyun snapped, his tears finally spilling over. He rubbed at them furiously, as if angry at himself for crying.
"You just do whatever you want without thinking about what it means for me! Do you know what it was like, waiting in that dungeon, knowing I could be executed if you didn't come back?"
Sihyun clenched his fists, his own eyes stinging. The weight of Yuhyun's words crushed into him, heavier than any chains. He hated this—hated seeing his brother like this.
Without another word, he moved forward and pulled Yuhyun into a hug.
Yuhyun stiffened, his breath hitching.
"Let go."
Sihyun held on tighter.
"No."
His voice wavered.
"I'm sorry, Yuhyun. I'm so sorry."
Yuhyun trembled against him, his shoulders shaking. He wanted to stay angry, to push Sihyun away—but the warmth of his brother's embrace, the way his hands clung to him as if afraid he would disappear again, broke him completely.
So he cried into Sihyun's shoulder, his fingers weakly gripping the fabric of his robes.
Sihyun stroked the back of his head gently, guilt eating at him. He had put Yuhyun through hell, and no amount of words could undo it. But for now, all he could do was hold him close.
Muwon stood at the palace courtyard, his expression unreadable as he stared into the distance. The noon sun cast sharp shadows across the stone path, but his mind was elsewhere—still replaying the moment Sihyun had returned, just in time to save Yuhyun.
Beside him, Lee Dohyun scoffed, crossing his arms.
"You can't seriously still trust him after this, Muwon."
His usual easygoing demeanor was absent, his voice edged with irritation.
"He disappeared without a word and nearly got his own twin killed."
Jang Taejin leaned against a pillar, arms folded, watching Muwon carefully.
"You know why he's here,"
he said flatly.
"The only reason he's in this palace is because his blood is the cure keeping you alive. That's it."
Muwon's jaw tightened.
Dohyun exhaled sharply.
"He's dangerous. He's a Demon Sorcerer, and he clearly has his own agenda."
He glanced at Taejin before looking back at Muwon.
"A person like that doesn't stay in chains forever."
Muwon didn't reply, but his grip on the hilt of his sword tightened.
Taejin studied him.
"You're hesitating."
Muwon finally turned to face them, his dark eyes unreadable.
"He saved Yuhyun."
Dohyun scoffed again.
"Maybe out of guilt, or maybe because he knew he had no choice. But that doesn't mean he's on your side."
Taejin nodded.
"We're not saying to kill him. But you need to remember—Sihyun is not here for you. He's here because of your curse. And when the time comes…"
Taejin's voice lowered slightly.
"You better be ready."
Silence stretched between them.
Muwon exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
"I know."
But even as he said it, something unsettled him. Because despite everything, despite all logic—he wasn't sure if he could see Sihyun as just a tool for his survival anymore.
The dim glow of the lantern cast flickering shadows across the walls, filling the room with a quiet warmth. Sihyun lay beside Yuhyun on the bed, both staring up at the ceiling in silence. The weight of the day still lingered between them—Yuhyun's wrists still ached from the dungeon, and Sihyun could feel the remnants of tension in the way his twin's breaths came slower than usual.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then, Sihyun exhaled.
"I met someone."
Yuhyun turned his head slightly, brow furrowing.
"What?"
Sihyun's fingers traced the fabric of his sleeve.
"Where I went today… I met another Demon Sorcerer."
Yuhyun stiffened instantly, his breath catching in his throat. His eyes widened as he turned fully to face Sihyun.
"You… what?"
Sihyun turned his head, watching his twin's expression carefully.
Yuhyun's lips parted, but no words came out at first. Shock flickered in his dark eyes before he quickly masked it.
"Vanyul…"
he murmured, almost to himself.
Sihyun narrowed his gaze.
"You know him."
Yuhyun quickly shook his head.
"I—I don't—"
"You're lying."
"I'm not,"
Yuhyun said, voice rising slightly. He forced a small laugh.
"I just… I just can't believe you actually met another Demon Sorcerer. All this time, you thought you were the only one."
Sihyun didn't take his eyes off him. Something about Yuhyun's reaction—it wasn't just surprise. There was something else. Something deeper.
"Yuhyun,"
he said slowly,
"how do you know that name?"