CHAPTER 19
"Yuhyun,"
he said slowly,
"how do you know that name?"
Yuhyun sat up, gripping the sheets.
"I don't. I just—"
A sharp knock interrupted them.
The door creaked open, and a palace guard stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"It's time for the ritual."
Silence hung between the twins.
Sihyun's jaw tightened, but he slowly sat up, glancing at Yuhyun one last time before pushing himself off the bed.
Yuhyun, still gripping the sheets, stared at the floor, eyes shadowed.
As Sihyun followed the guards out, a single thought lingered in his mind.
Yuhyun knew something.
And he was going to find out what.
Sihyun sat on the floor cushion, his posture tense despite the relaxed setting of Muwon's chamber. The faint flicker of candlelight cast shadows along the walls, making the air feel heavier than usual. He had expected Muwon to immediately start the ritual, yet instead, a silver tray with a bottle of wine and two cups was placed between them.
Sihyun sat stiffly in Muwon's chambers, the weight of the sorcerer chain around his wrists a constant reminder of his confinement. The cold metal pressed against his skin, restricting his magic and his freedom. He shifted slightly, but the chain rattled—a small sound, yet loud enough to feel suffocating in the silence between them.
Muwon poured the wine himself, his movements calm, deliberate. He slid one cup toward Sihyun before taking a slow sip of his own. His dark eyes studied Sihyun from across the table, unreadable yet sharp.
"You left the palace last night."
Muwon's voice was quiet but carried weight.
"Where did you go?"
Sihyun's fingers curled slightly around the cup. He had anticipated this, yet under Muwon's piercing gaze, his usual quick-wittedness felt duller.
"I just wanted some fresh air,"
he replied, lifting the cup to his lips to avoid looking directly at Muwon. The taste of the wine was rich, slightly sweet, but it did nothing to ease the tightness in his chest.
Muwon hummed, swirling the wine in his cup.
"Fresh air?"
His tone was laced with doubt.
"Strange, considering you were missing until noon."
Sihyun forced a casual shrug.
"I lost track of time."
Muwon leaned forward slightly, resting his forearm on the table.
"Then tell me, Sihyun, where exactly did you 'lose track of time'?"
Sihyun's grip tightened on the cup. He could feel the weight of Muwon's scrutiny pressing down on him, a silent challenge hanging in the air.
Muwon poured him another cup.
"Drink more."
Sihyun hesitated before downing the second cup. A warmth spread through his chest, and he realized Muwon was watching him too closely, waiting. Testing him.
Sihyun clenched his jaw, feeling the heat of the wine clouding his thoughts just a little.
"Believe what you want."
Muwon refilled his cup again.
"I plan to."
The chain around Sihyun's wrists felt heavier. He knew Muwon wasn't done with him yet.
Muwon poured another cup of wine and slid it across the table toward Sihyun, watching as the sorcerer hesitated before taking it. The dim candlelight flickered, casting long shadows across the room, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Sihyun had already downed several cups, his tolerance questionable at best. His usually sharp eyes had softened, his posture more languid. Muwon leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he watched Sihyun take another sip.
"You still haven't told me where you went,"
Muwon said, voice calm yet probing.
Sihyun blinked slowly, setting his cup down with an unsteady hand.
"I told you…I just needed air."
Muwon hummed, feigning thoughtfulness as he poured more wine.
"Air? That's all? You must've walked quite far then. I was under the impression the palace walls were more than enough space."
Sihyun huffed, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.
"Maybe… I just don't like feeling caged."
Muwon's gaze flickered to the sorcerer's wrist, where the sorcerer's chain gleamed under the candlelight. A caged sorcerer, indeed. He refilled Sihyun's cup without asking, watching as Sihyun stared at the wine before picking it up again.
"You're trying to get me drunk,"
Sihyun muttered, but there was no real bite in his words.
Muwon smirked.
"Am I? If you're honest with me, perhaps I wouldn't have to resort to such tactics."
Sihyun scoffed, his fingers toying with the rim of his cup. His mind felt hazy, thoughts slipping through his grasp like water through his fingers. Still, even in this state, something in him resisted. He knew better than to let his guard down completely.
"Maybe I just wanted to see something,"
Sihyun murmured, words slurred ever so slightly.
"Or…someone."
Muwon's eyes sharpened.
"Someone?"
Sihyun blinked, as if realizing what he had just said. He shook his head quickly, reaching for the cup again.
"No—no, that's not what I meant. I meant—I was just…"
Muwon leaned in, his gaze unwavering.
"Who did you see, Sihyun?"
Sihyun let out a breathy chuckle, rubbing his temple.
"You ask too many questions…"
Muwon studied him for a long moment before finally leaning back, setting his own cup down. Sihyun was slipping, but not enough. He was still holding onto something—still guarding the truth. But Muwon was patient.
For now, he would let it slide. But he wouldn't forget.
"Fine,"
Muwon finally said, standing up.
"Let's not waste more time. The ritual must continue."
Sihyun groaned, tilting his head back.
"You're always so serious."
Muwon chuckled, stepping closer.
"And you're always so difficult. Now, shall we?"
Sihyun opened his mouth but suddenly swayed, his body losing balance as his head lolled forward. Muwon reached out instinctively, catching him before he could slump over completely. The weight of Sihyun against him was unexpected, but what surprised him more was the slow, steady breathing against his chest.
Muwon sighed, glancing down at the unconscious sorcerer in his arms.
"Tch, you're useless like this."
He carefully adjusted Sihyun, his expression unreadable.
"Looks like the ritual will have to wait."
Muwon stare at Sihyun just for some minutes.