Petals Where Secrets Rest
The palace stretched quietly beneath the afternoon sky, its tiled roofs layered in dignified symmetry. Stone walkways curved through manicured gardens, and a narrow stream flowed gently past a secluded tea house—one of the few corners untouched by court whispers. The air there was calm, shielded from the sharp eyes of the ministers.
Beneath a towering cherry blossom tree near the riverbank, pale petals drifted lazily with the breeze, falling like soft snow upon the grass and water alike.
"Hyun Min!"
Soo Hyuk called out, sprinting toward the Crown Prince, his excitement impossible to hide. Prince Seo Woo followed behind him at a measured pace.
Lee Hyun Min, first son of Noble Consort Yeonhwa and the Crown Prince, turned as he heard his name.
"Soo Hyuk! A prince should act with dignity," Seo Woo reprimanded, then bowed briefly before his elder brother.
"I apologize," Soo Hyuk said, pouting lightly.
"Seo Woo, do not chastise Soo Hyuk," Crown Prince Hyun Min said gently. "He simply couldn't conceal his excitement."
Soo Hyuk nodded eagerly, his eyes glowing once more.
"Still," Seo Woo added in a low voice, "there are eyes within the palace."
"Alright," the Crown Prince replied, laughing softly in agreement.
"It has been a while, Seo Woo," Hyun Min said, his gaze resting on his brother.
"My apologies. I've been busy lately," Seo Woo answered curtly.
"I heard you've returned from the military," Hyun Min continued. "I hope you will also take time to check on your older brother."
Seo Woo nodded.
The Crown Prince smiled and shifted his attention to the playful Soo Hyuk.
"Elder brother, are you alright? The ministers keep making a fuss about your health and asking Father to—"
"Soo Hyuk!"
Seo Woo snapped, glancing around to remind him they were not alone.
Hyun Min let out a slow breath, concealing his emotions. He knew it was only a matter of time before the ministers uncovered the truth of his illness and used it as leverage against the royal family.
Still, he wished to remain strong—for them.
Unable to hold back, Hyun Min suddenly laughed at Soo Hyuk's expression.
"Seo Woo, do not scold him," he said, patting Soo Hyuk's shoulder gently. "He means no harm."
Soo Hyuk had always been carefree, unburdened.
Hyun Min envied that freedom.
"Of course, I'm fine," the Crown Prince said warmly. "I've merely been feeling under the weather."
"But there are rumors you've been struggling to sleep," Soo Hyuk pressed.
Seo Woo clicked his tongue, barely restraining himself.
Hyun Min stared at Soo Hyuk for a moment, amused, then finally nodded.
"Well," Soo Hyuk said brightly, "there's an amazing singer in the village. People say her music soothes the soul. May I invite her to perform at Seo Woo's welcome banquet?"
The Crown Prince smiled.
"Alright. I look forward to your little present."
×××
"Who are you?" a gentle voice asked.
Eun turned slowly.
The sunlight bathed his handsome features in warm gold as cherry blossom petals drifted down around him. He smiled softly.
The sight stole the lady's breath away.
Yoon Yi—Haesoo's cousin—froze, her heart pounding as she watched him approach. She was so mesmerized she failed to notice Jiwoon standing behind him.
She shook herself awake.
"Excuse me…" Eun called from a short distance.
"Yes—sorry. Who are you?" she asked, pinching herself to stop her wandering thoughts.
"I just arrived in the capital and was told this was an inn," he explained.
"Hey! Do you think this is a guest house, you crazy jerk!"
Yoon Yi's mother shouted, startling them all.
"Goodness!" Yoon Yi gasped, clutching her chest.
Eun calmly pointed toward the sign outside.
Mortified, Yoon Yi dragged her mother inside before things worsened.
"Darn it, Mother!" she cried.
"What?" her mother snapped.
"You've been asking me to find a suitor, and when one appears, you chase him away?"
"Are you mad?" her mother yelled, smacking her head.
"Mother!" Yoon Yi whined, rubbing the spot. "He's handsome—and clearly noble!"
Her mother hesitated.
"…Alright," she finally said. "But we have no spare rooms."
"What about Haesoo's mother's room?" Yoon Yi suggested carefully.
Her mother sighed.
"Fine."
Yoon Yi beamed.
Moments later, she returned and extended her hand.
"Excuse me?" Eun asked, confused.
"Your identity," her mother said sharply. "We must be sure we're not inviting a criminal into our home."
"Criminal?" Eun echoed in disbelief.
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