황실의 사랑 이야기 (Hwangsil-ui Sarang Iyagi) - The Imperial Love Story

Chapter - 11

The unspoken tension between Hyunjin and Yongbok grew palpable as the days turned into weeks. Their encounters, once filled with fiery disputes, had shifted to an awkward silence that neither dared to breach. During training sessions, they would often find themselves in close proximity, the air thick with unresolved feelings. Hyunjin could feel Yongbok's gaze on him as he trained harder than ever, but he refused to acknowledge it. Instead, he channeled his frustration into every swing of his sword, every grunt of effort.

One afternoon, while practicing in the training yard, Hyunjin found himself paired with another trainee. As they sparred, he caught a glimpse of Yongbok watching from a distance, arms crossed over his chest, brow slightly furrowed in concentration. There was a flicker of something in Yongbok's eyes—perhaps admiration, perhaps something more—that made Hyunjin's heart race, but he quickly dismissed it, refocusing on his opponent.

The sound of clashing swords filled the air, drawing the attention of others in the training yard. As Hyunjin engaged with his partner, he couldn't shake the feeling that Yongbok was measuring him against the other trainees. Each time he felt Yongbok's gaze, his movements became more frantic, more desperate to prove himself.

After a particularly intense exchange, where Hyunjin managed to disarm his opponent, he glanced over to find Yongbok's expression unchanged. It was infuriating. Did he truly not see how hard Hyunjin was fighting?

"Nice work," a voice called from behind him, snapping Hyunjin from his thoughts. He turned to see In-Yeop approaching, a proud smile on his face. "You're getting really good at this."

"Thanks," Hyunjin replied, forcing a smile despite the turmoil brewing inside him. "I just want to be strong enough for—"

"Hyunjin!" Yongbok's voice cut through the noise, sharp and demanding. Hyunjin turned to face him, his heart sinking at the commanding tone. "Come here."

The other trainees watched, their eyes darting between the two. Hyunjin took a deep breath, suppressing the anger bubbling within. He stepped forward, every step feeling like a weight dragging him down.

"Yes, Your Highness?" he replied, the sarcasm slipping through despite his efforts to remain composed.

"Follow me. I need you to organize the training gear," Yongbok said, his tone authoritative but lacking the usual edge of contempt. The simple task felt like an insult, reigniting the flames of defiance inside Hyunjin.

"I won't," Hyunjin retorted, his voice rising slightly, surprising even himself. "I'm not a servant, and I won't take orders from you anymore."

Yongbok's brow furrowed in confusion, and for a moment, they stood there, the air thick with unresolved tension. The other trainees began to murmur, the spectacle unfolding before them more intriguing than the training session itself.

"Don't defy me," Yongbok said, his voice low and steady, but there was an underlying frustration that hinted at something deeper. "You know the position you're in."

"Right, because I'm just a commoner to you," Hyunjin shot back, anger boiling over. "You think you can boss me around just because of your title?"

The silence that followed was deafening. In-Yeop looked between his brother and Yongbok, anxiety creeping into his expression. Minho, observing from the sidelines, felt his chest tighten.

Yongbok stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he fought to maintain control. "This isn't about titles, Hyunjin. It's about respect and knowing your place."

Hyunjin's heart raced, a mix of anger and something else—something he didn't want to acknowledge. "Respect is earned, not given by birthright," he shot back defiantly.