Jihoon stepped out of the Queen's chamber, the air feeling colder the moment the doors shut behind him. His pulse was still uneven, his mind replaying every word she had spoken. There was something deeply unsettling about her—like a serpent coiled beneath silk, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
He exhaled slowly, trying to shake the weight of their conversation, but the feeling of unease clung to him like a second skin.
The corridor stretched ahead, dimly lit by torches mounted on the grand stone walls. His footsteps echoed faintly, swallowed by the vast silence of the palace at night. He barely rounded a corner when a figure appeared at the other end of the hall.
Jihoon halted.
Ryan.
The prince walked toward him, his pale silver hair slightly tousled, as if he had just come in from the wind. He was still dressed in his usual black, but there was a softness to him—something different from the guarded, cold presence he usually carried.
Jihoon arched a brow. "Out for a midnight stroll, Ryan?"
Ryan narrowed his eyes, lips pressing into a thin line. "I should be asking you that."
Jihoon shrugged. "I was called."
Ryan's frown deepened. "By who?"
There was something unreadable in his tone.
Jihoon hesitated for a brief moment before answering. "Your mother."
As soon as the words left his lips, the change in Ryan was immediate. His body stiffened, his shoulders tensing. The cool indifference he usually wore like armor cracked, revealing something darker beneath.
He looked away, his jaw tightening. "…I see."
Jihoon didn't miss the way Ryan's fingers curled slightly, as if suppressing something. The sudden drop in his mood was noticeable—palpable, even.
The silence stretched between them.
Jihoon tilted his head, observing him carefully. So their relationship isn't good, huh?
He could already tell from the way the Queen had spoken about Ryan, but seeing his reaction only confirmed it.
Not my business, Jihoon told himself. I have enough problems as it is.
Deciding to shift the topic, he shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned in slightly. "Since we're both wandering around at this hour, why don't you show me your room?"
Ryan's head snapped toward him, eyes widening slightly. "…What?"
Jihoon smirked at his reaction. "What, is that too much to ask? I've been here for a while now, but I've never seen the great Prince Ryan's private chambers."
Ryan's ears turned a faint shade of red. "Why would you want to see that?"
Jihoon shrugged. "Why not?"
Ryan exhaled through his nose, looking away as if considering it. For a moment, Jihoon thought he would refuse, but then, with a soft sigh, Ryan muttered, "Fine. Follow me."
Jihoon grinned. That was easier than expected.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ryan's room was large but surprisingly simple. Dark tones dominated the space—black and silver furnishings, deep crimson drapes covering the tall windows. A grand four-poster bed sat in the middle, its sheets perfectly smooth, as if it had never been slept in.
The bookshelves lining the walls were filled, but everything was too neat. Not a single thing was out of place.
It was controlled. Restrained. Empty.
Jihoon stepped further inside, glancing around. "This is it?"
Ryan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with that same unreadable gaze. "What were you expecting?"
Jihoon tilted his head. "I don't know. Something less… lifeless."
Ryan's expression didn't change, but his fingers tightened slightly against his arm.
Jihoon walked toward the bookshelves, running his fingers along the spines of the books. All organized perfectly. He pulled one out at random, flipping through the pages.
Ryan's voice immediately sharpened. "Don't touch that."
Jihoon smirked but put the book back without protest. "Relax, Your Highness."
Jihoon Joked. Ryan scowled but didn't say anything.
Jihoon took another glance around. No personal decorations. No sentimental trinkets. Nothing that told him anything about Ryan beyond what he already knew.
"This place doesn't feel like it belongs to a person," Jihoon commented, leaning against the bookshelf.
Ryan narrowed his eyes. "It's a room. It serves its purpose."
Jihoon scoffed. "That's depressing."
Ryan exhaled through his nose, clearly growing annoyed. "Are you done yet?"
Jihoon ignored him, stepping toward the balcony. He pulled the curtains aside and walked out, feeling the cool night air against his skin. The view overlooked the vast palace gardens, stretching into the dark horizon.
A moment later, he heard Ryan step onto the balcony beside him.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Jihoon leaned against the railing, glancing at Ryan from the corner of his eye. "You don't like this place, do you?"
Ryan stiffened slightly. "It doesn't matter."
Jihoon hummed. "That's not a no."
Ryan's gaze remained fixed on the distant lights of the city. His expression was unreadable, but Jihoon could feel the tension in his silence.
"…You should go," Ryan finally muttered.
Jihoon turned to him, raising a brow. "Throwing me out already?"
Ryan shot him a glare, but there was something less sharp about it. More tired than anything else. "You've seen enough. Now leave."
Jihoon smirked but didn't argue.
As he turned to leave, he paused for just a second, glancing back at Ryan. The prince was still standing there, still staring at the city, his expression unreadable.
And for the first time, Jihoon saw something different in him.
Not just the cold, untouchable prince.
Not just the distant, unreadable alpha.
But someone who was trapped—someone carrying something heavier than Jihoon could begin to understand.
Jihoon shook the thought away and left, closing the door behind him.
Even as he walked back to his own room, the image of Ryan standing alone on that balcony stayed with him.
To be continued...…..