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

Chapter - 57

The royal garden was peaceful that afternoon, the gentle breeze rustling through the trees and carrying the delicate scent of flowers. Hyunjin and Yongbok strolled through the garden, hand in hand, taking comfort in the secluded space, away from the watchful eyes of the palace.

They paused beneath a large oak tree, hidden by the dense foliage. Yongbok pulled Hyunjin close, brushing a soft kiss across his forehead before letting their lips meet in a slow, tender kiss. Hyunjin's fingers slipped into Yongbok's hair, his heart pounding at the intimate moment.

Unbeknownst to them, a young servant named Mira had wandered into the garden, her basket filled with herbs. She hummed quietly to herself as she moved from plant to plant, picking the freshest leaves for the palace kitchen. Her path led her closer to the hidden couple, but she remained unaware—until she glanced up and spotted them.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Hyunjin and Yongbok, locked in an embrace, their faces so close together. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized she had stumbled upon something private.

Panicked, she ducked behind a nearby hedge, hoping neither of them had seen her. Her heart raced as she quickly turned and hurried out of the garden, her mind reeling with what she had just witnessed.

As Mira rushed out of the garden, she nearly collided with a royal courtier, Lord Hyun, who was passing by. He looked at her, noticing her flushed face and wide eyes.

"Careful there, young one," Lord Hyun said gently. "What has you in such a rush?"

Mira, still flustered, hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "I—I saw something in the garden, My Lord. Prince Yongbok and Hyunjin... they were... together. Kissing."

Lord Hyun blinked, taken aback by her words. He had always known the prince and his guard shared a close bond, but this was unexpected.

"Are you certain of what you saw?" he asked, his tone calm, though his curiosity was piqued.

Mira nodded quickly. "Yes, My Lord. I saw them just now. They didn't notice me, but they seemed... very close."

Lord Hyun looked thoughtful, but rather than reacting with shock or intrigue, he merely nodded. "Thank you for telling me. But be mindful of what you say, and to whom you say it."

The servant nodded, her nerves still rattled, and hurried off, leaving Lord Hyun to consider the information. Unlike a more opportunistic courtier, he had no intention of causing trouble based on hearsay. However, as a man loyal to the crown, he felt the need to ensure that nothing was amiss.

Over the next few days, Lord Hyun discreetly kept an eye on Prince Yongbok and Hyunjin, observing them during their interactions at court and in public. He noticed how they exchanged subtle glances, how their conversations were filled with warmth and quiet laughter—nothing overt, but enough to hint at something deeper between them.

He saw no malice in their bond, only affection. Still, he knew that if this relationship was as the servant had described, the royal family and the kingdom would need to be informed. His duty was clear, but he also understood that this was a delicate matter that needed to be handled with care.

Lord Hyun made no rash moves. He would wait for the right moment to address the situation with the king and queen, ensuring that it would be done with discretion and respect for the princes involved.

Mira had tried her best to keep the secret, she really had. After her encounter with Lord Hyun in the garden, she told herself over and over not to say a word. But by the end of her shift, the weight of what she had seen gnawed at her.

As she sat down with the other palace servants in the kitchen later that evening, her lips couldn't stay sealed. It began as harmless gossip.

"Did anything interesting happen today, Mira?" one of her fellow servants, Eunbi, asked, plucking at a loaf of bread.

Mira hesitated for a brief second, glancing around the room before leaning in. "You wouldn't believe what I saw earlier..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper.

The others leaned closer, intrigued.

"What is it? Tell us!" they pressed.

"I saw Prince Yongbok... and Hyunjin... in the garden together," Mira blurted out, her eyes wide. "They were kissing."

A collective gasp echoed around the room. Eunbi's eyes widened in shock, and another servant nearly dropped a tray of dishes.

"What? No way!" someone else said, their voice hushed but filled with excitement. "The prince and Hyunjin? Kissing?"

Mira nodded quickly, unable to contain herself. "Yes! Right under the big oak tree. They didn't see me, but I saw them."

The gossip spread like wildfire among the servants. From the kitchen to the laundry rooms, from the stables to the royal guard's quarters, Mira's revelation became the hot topic of conversation. No one knew whether to be shocked or thrilled, but the secret was impossible to keep.

The next day, Eunbi had shared it with her friend, who in turn told her family. Servants exchanged knowing glances in the hallways, whispers followed Hyunjin and Yongbok wherever they went, and soon the news wasn't confined to the palace walls.

At the market...

"What's that about the prince?" a merchant asked his neighbor as they unloaded crates of fruit.

"Didn't you hear?" the neighbor whispered back, leaning in closer. "They say Prince Yongbok has been seen in a romantic embrace with captain Hyunjin, the head guard."

The merchant's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're not serious?"

"It's true! The palace servants are all talking about it. Apparently, they were caught in the royal garden together."

The rumor passed from the merchants to their customers, from families to friends, spreading faster than anyone could have anticipated. Before long, the entire kingdom was buzzing with the news of Prince Yongbok and Hyunjin's relationship. People whispered about it in the taverns, gossiped in the streets, and even the nobles started to take notice.

At the palace...

Inside the palace, the tension was growing. By now, many of the courtiers had caught wind of the gossip, and the news had reached the ears of the royal family. Servants were wary of even making eye contact with the two princes, for fear they might inadvertently confirm the scandal.

Hyunjin noticed the hushed whispers that followed him down the corridors, the way people glanced at him, quickly turning away when he met their gaze. It was unnerving.

Yongbok, however, was harder to faze. He sensed the change in the air but remained calm, his royal composure intact. When the whispers grew louder, he kept his head high, determined to protect Hyunjin no matter what.