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

Chapter - 42

At dawn, the palace courtyard was bustling with quiet but purposeful activity. Horses were being saddled, supplies loaded into carriages, and the royal guards made final preparations for the journey ahead. The sky was still tinged with the soft hues of the early morning, casting a serene glow over the scene, but there was a palpable tension in the air as everyone prepared for what lay ahead.

Yongbok, dressed in his traveling gear, stood by his horse, tightening the reins. His mind was already racing with the thoughts of the mission, but amidst it all, he couldn't help but glance at Hyunjin, who was fastening his own armor. Hyunjin was, as always, close by his side, ready to protect him no matter the danger. There was a comfort in Hyunjin's presence that Yongbok was grateful for.

"You ready for this?" Yongbok asked quietly, stepping closer to him.

Hyunjin looked up, his face calm but serious. "Always," he replied with a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be right beside you the whole time."

Yongbok nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Nearby, Minho was doing a final check of their supplies, while Taehyun, Seonghwa, Seungmin, and Jeongin prepared themselves for the journey. Taehyun would be Minho's guard for this mission, and the others were there to ensure their safety as well. They were also taking along a healer, who stood quietly by the carriage, ready to step in should anything happen along the way. After all, no one knew what dangers they might face once they reached the southeast kingdom.

The sound of footsteps approached, and the group turned to see Jisung, Wooyoung, and In-Yeop walking toward them. They had come to bid their friends farewell, their expressions a mix of worry and encouragement.

Jisung was the first to speak, his voice light but with a hint of concern. "You guys better come back in one piece. We can't have you running off and getting yourselves killed, you know."

Wooyoung nodded vigorously, his usual playful demeanor tempered by the seriousness of the situation. "Yeah, don't do anything too heroic without us. We'll be really mad if you leave us with all the boring palace duties while you're off having adventures."

In-Yeop smiled softly at their teasing but added, "Stay safe out there. We'll be waiting for you."

Minho, always one to keep his emotions in check, gave a small smirk. "Don't worry. I'm not planning on getting into any trouble. We'll be back before you know it."

Yongbok grinned at the lightheartedness of their friends. It helped ease the tension a bit. "We'll bring back a nice souvenir from the southeast for you, Wooyoung," he joked, causing Wooyoung to roll his eyes.

"Just don't make it something cursed," Wooyoung shot back with a grin.

As the final preparations were made, the king and queen had already bid their goodbyes earlier and returned to the palace, leaving the group to depart in the quiet of the early morning. The atmosphere felt heavy, but they all knew this mission was crucial for the kingdom's future.

Yongbok turned to Hyunjin one last time before mounting his horse. "Let's do this," he said softly.

Hyunjin nodded, his expression resolute. "I'm ready."

With that, they mounted their horses, and the group began their journey, riding out of the palace gates as the sun slowly began to rise behind them. The sound of hooves echoed through the empty streets as they headed toward the unknown, each of them silently preparing for whatever awaited them in the southeast kingdom.

As the group rode through the quiet forest path, the early morning fog swirled gently around them. The sound of the horses' hooves thudded rhythmically against the ground, breaking the silence of the dawn. Yongbok rode near the front, his eyes scanning the trees as they passed, while Minho remained calm and focused, his mind on the mission ahead.

Hyunjin, who rode beside Yongbok, stole a few glances at the prince. Despite the gravity of their journey, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride being at Yongbok's side. It was his duty to protect him, but it was more than that. He wanted to be there for him, not just as a guard but as something more personal.

The rest of the group remained alert, their senses heightened as they ventured deeper into the wilderness. Seonghwa and Taehyun were discussing possible routes in hushed tones, while Jeongin kept his eyes on the rear, watching for any signs of danger. Seungmin, ever the strategist, had already mapped out potential threats in his mind but remained quiet, lost in thought.

The healer rode in the carriage behind them, a quiet and reserved figure who seemed to understand the weight of the journey but said little.

After hours of riding, the sun had fully risen, casting a golden light through the trees. The group came upon a small clearing where they decided to stop and rest for a short while before continuing their journey.

As they dismounted and stretched their legs, Jisung's words from earlier still echoed in Yongbok's mind. He chuckled softly as he imagined Jisung and Wooyoung trying to "help" at the palace while they were away. The thought brought a small smile to his face.

Hyunjin noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking about Jisung and Wooyoung," Yongbok said, shaking his head. "I can only imagine the chaos they'll cause back home while we're gone."

Hyunjin laughed softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow turn the entire palace upside down. Those two always seem to find trouble."

Yongbok smiled at the thought, but his expression soon grew serious again as he looked ahead. "I just hope this negotiation goes well. I don't want to think about what'll happen if it doesn't."

Hyunjin nodded, his face also becoming more solemn. "We'll make sure it does," he said with quiet determination. "And if anything goes wrong, you know I'll protect you. Always."

Yongbok met Hyunjin's gaze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. There was something reassuring in Hyunjin's eyes, something that made him feel stronger, more capable of facing whatever challenges were ahead.

The moment was interrupted by Minho's voice. "We should get moving," he said, walking over to where they stood. "We don't have much time, and I'd rather not spend any more time out in the open than we have to."

The group quickly mounted their horses again, resuming their journey. As they rode on, the path became narrower, and the trees denser. The atmosphere grew heavier, and a sense of unease began to settle over them.

Yongbok couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He glanced over at Minho, who was scanning the surroundings with a sharp eye.

"Do you feel that?" Yongbok asked quietly, just loud enough for Minho and Hyunjin to hear.

Minho's jaw tightened, and he nodded slightly. "We're being watched."

Hyunjin's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowing as he searched the trees for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air, and the forest erupted in chaos. Figures dressed in dark cloaks emerged from the trees, surrounding the group in an instant. The horses neighed in panic as the attackers closed in, weapons drawn.

"Ambush!" Minho shouted, drawing his sword and spurring his horse forward.

Yongbok quickly followed suit, pulling his own blade free as Hyunjin moved to shield him from the nearest attacker. The sound of clashing swords and shouts filled the air as the group fought back against their assailants.

Hyunjin's movements were swift and precise, his sword cutting through the attackers with deadly accuracy. But despite their skill, the ambushers seemed to have the upper hand, their numbers overwhelming.

"We need to break through!" Taehyun called out, fending off two attackers at once. "There's too many of them!"

Minho, fighting fiercely beside him, gritted his teeth. "Stay close to each other. Don't let them separate us!"

Yongbok, focused on the battle, caught a glimpse of Hyunjin, who was locked in a fierce struggle with one of the cloaked figures. His heart pounded as he moved to help, cutting down an attacker that lunged at him from the side.

The battle raged on, but it was clear that this wasn't a random attack. Whoever these ambushers were, they had been waiting for them.