I had a long dream. Doha opened his eyes in a field full of canola flowers. It was dazzling as everything was shining in bright yellow. Through it, Hyunseo could be seen. Though he wasn’t wearing royal robes but shabby clothes, his face was more beautiful than ever, perhaps because of his bright and clear expression. Perhaps even more beautiful than the canola flowers.
Hyunseo, who discovered Doha, ran to his side in one breath. Without a moment’s hesitation, he embraced Doha.
<Doha.>
Doha’s small body fit perfectly into Hyunseo’s large embrace. Doha buried his nose in his chest. His embrace smelled like sunshine. A warm and tender scent.
<Did you do well while I was gone?>
<No. I missed you.>
Instead of the formal speech he usually used, casual language that only commoners would use naturally came out. Like people who had been conversing this way for a long time, neither Doha nor Hyunseo felt any strangeness. Hyunseo let out a small laugh at Doha’s answer. His large body shook every time he laughed. Doha liked it so much that he rubbed his face against his body.
<I really missed you.>
Why does my heart hurt like this, why do I miss you even when I’m looking at you—I don’t know. He tried to control his surging emotions but soon failed. Noticing Doha’s unusual response, Hyunseo grasped Doha’s shoulders and pulled him away.
<Tell me honestly. Are you sick somewhere?>
Doha weakly shook his head. Hyunseo’s worried gaze scanned Doha’s body all over. Both his concerned face and tender embrace were things that couldn’t be seen in the palace.
I want to take in a little more with my eyes.
I wish I wouldn’t wake up.
Whether he knew Doha’s thoughts or not, Hyunseo, having finished his inspection, stroked Doha’s hair. Hyunseo’s hand flowed from his hair, across his forehead, down to his cheek. It was a tender touch.
<If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to go to the market tomorrow.>
<No.>
Doha answered Hyunseo, who was still watching his expressions carefully. Doha rubbed his cheek against the large hand.
<It’s just that I had a bad dream.>
<What kind of dream?>
<A dream where you didn’t love me.>
At Doha’s words, Hyunseo, after pondering for a moment, picked the most beautiful flower among the canola blossoms. When he held the flower, a sweet fragrance wafted. Even so, it probably couldn’t match even a bit of Doha’s scent. Hyunseo, recalling Doha’s scent, gently tucked the flower behind Doha’s ear.
<This will prevent you from having nightmares anymore.>
<Really?>
<Yes. Dreams are the opposite, you know.>
Doha smiled weakly at his words. Gradually, the canola field and Hyunseo’s figure became blurry. You said I wouldn’t have it anymore. He wanted to say that, but his lips wouldn’t part.
But what scene was this again?
Why is Hyunseo’s face different from Eunsung’s?
Along with the dream, the questions melted away like snow. When he opened his eyes, he saw Hyunseo draped in royal robes.
Hyunseo, discovering Doha, called his name.
“Have you regained consciousness?”
“…Your Majesty?”
His dry lips parted. A weak voice leaked between them.
At this voice that seemed like it could scatter at any moment, anger rose to the top of Hyunseo’s head. With a rough touch, Hyunseo grabbed Doha’s shoulders.
“Why do you treat your body so recklessly, why!”
“…Your Majesty.”
“My heart drops because of you several times a day. Every time you lie like this, I want to kill both you and myself.”
Though he spoke of death, Hyunseo’s face twisted terribly as if he didn’t want to think about it. Doha murmured at the rough, shaking touch.
“Your Majesty, please stabilize it.”
“How much more must you manipulate me to be satisfied!”
His voice was so agitated that veins stood out on his neck. Flushed with excitement, he looked at Doha.
If neither confining you nor living together works, what exactly should I do with you?
“Your Majesty.”
“Shut up. I don’t think I can say anything nice to you right now.”
Warning in a low voice like a growl, Hyunseo pressed his own head. Watching him with his face distorted as if hurt, Doha moved his lips.
“Hyunseo.”
He called him in a tender voice, just like in the dream. At Doha’s call, Hyunseo slowly lifted his bowed head.
Perhaps something that happened outside the scenario. The memory of ‘Doha’ in the scenario mixed in Doha’s mind. Without intending to, Doha’s lips moved of their own accord.
“You told me I wouldn’t have nightmares. But I had one.”
Hyunseo, whose jawline had become sharper than in the dream, looked back at Doha. Though his impression had changed to a colder one, Hyunseo’s face remained the same. Doha smiled faintly.
“You still remember that?”
“Of course. It’s what you told me.”
His heart ached. Whether because of the dream or for some other reason, he couldn’t tell. He wanted to raise his hand to touch Hyunseo’s face, bury his nose in his chest, and feel his scent that resembled sunshine. Doha extended his hand to Hyunseo.
“I think it’s because I don’t have the flower you gave me.”
“What flower?”
“You know. The flower you tucked behind my ear before.”
“How long ago was that flower?”
“I don’t know how long ago, but it must have bloomed every year.”
Though his tone was gruff, contrary to his words, Hyunseo’s hand was holding Doha’s in return. Their warmth was exchanged. As if regaining stability, Doha slowly closed his eyes.
“My wrist hurts, and my ankle hurts. I’m in pain, aching all over as if I’m bruised everywhere.”
“…I’ll call the royal physician.”
“Not the royal physician. I think just one flower from you would do.”
When he pulled their clasped hands, Hyunseo’s body was drawn closer. Doha, capturing both hands against his chest, looked at Hyunseo with the most peaceful face ever. Their eyes met.
Like lovers after a fight, it was an awkward yet irresistible eye contact. Even without their flesh touching, hearts raced and blood boiled. Feeling his breath roughen, Hyunseo tried to withdraw his hand, but Doha wouldn’t easily let go.
“I think if we eat breakfast together, and you pick a flower for me on your way to the royal council, and then think of me while smelling the flower’s scent on your way back, I’ll get better.”
“…”
“If you come to Siyeong Palace like that and tuck it behind my ear, I think I’ll be all better.”
“…”
Doha smiled like a fox. Hyunseo couldn’t take his eyes off his clear smiling face. It was the same smile as when they were outside the palace. If he could just protect Doha’s smile, perhaps he could endure living inside the palace.
The flattened hope began to swell. In sync with it, Hyunseo’s heart started beating gradually. It thumped at such a fast pace that he worried Doha might hear it. As if enchanted, Hyunseo nodded.
“Alright. Let’s do that. Wherever I go, I will definitely return to Siyeong Palace.”
“Really? Will you come to see me every day?”
Doha’s face flushed at the permission that was given more easily than expected. Whether it was due to the rising fever or his racing heart, he couldn’t tell. As Doha spoke in an excited voice, the corners of Hyunseo’s mouth turned up.
“In return, you must promise too.”
“Hmm?”
“That you will never hurt yourself again.”
Doha nodded slightly. Court Official Park’s scream brushed past his ear, but to the current Hyunseo, that wasn’t important. As if enchanted, Hyunseo looked down at Doha.
“That’s all I need.”
That had been his only goal for a long time. That Doha be safe. That he sleep deeply without worry in his embrace. A daily life where even if he wakes from a nightmare, he can smile and go back to sleep. With that, he could endure anything.
Even if it tested the limits of his patience.
“I’m so happy. I think I’m already all better.”
Doha smiled beautifully, like a painting. Afterwards, until Doha fell asleep, Hyunseo quietly gazed at his face. Doha’s words about having nightmares lingered long in Hyunseo’s heart.
But there was something Doha overlooked.
“Your Majesty, let me touch a bit.”
This scenario was a K company-exclusive, all-ages version.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
