A sweetly scorching heat wrapped around them, binding them into one body. The path to climax was plainly felt. There was even a throbbing to be felt at the place where they were joined.

Yunseo's thighs clenched tight and his belly drew taut below his navel. His insides surged as though catching and jolting. The inner walls that were gripping the member tightly contracted and spasmed. Yunseo clutched Hwi's body as though it were a lifeline and cried out.

Hwi bit down on Yunseo's nape and released the backs of his knees — Yunseo's lower half came crashing down and Hwi's member struck deep inside him. For a moment a white flash crossed his vision. Yunseo trembled all over with his limbs hanging limp as though he might lose consciousness.

"Hhnn……"

The unbearable depths of climax were enough to make every hair stand on end. Hwi licked up the saliva that had been pooling and about to spill from Yunseo's parted lips and let out a sound of satisfaction.

He even swept up the thin release Yunseo had spilled with his fingers and put them in his mouth, then rubbed Yunseo's belly in slow circles. At that touch, Yunseo, who had barely come to his senses, hunched his shoulders and whimpered.

"The inside keeps trembling. You seem cold — shall I warm you up more?"

Yunseo snapped his head in a quick refusal, and Hwi gave a mischievous smile and slowly rolled his hips. Yunseo startled as though in a panic and grabbed hold of Hwi's hand.

"Seeing that you cannot speak, it seems your strength has truly run out. A pity, but I cannot torment you any further."

The thought that at least he was aware he was doing something tormenting crossed Yunseo's mind, and he gave Hwi a listless look. Hwi laughed once more and again lifted the backs of Yunseo's knees. He shuddered at the sensation of the member scraping along his inner walls as it withdrew.

"My heart says I'd like to put my hand in and pull it out for you, but since you seem to be struggling — come now, let it go."

Hwi coaxed him, fiddling with the fluttering entrance. In the mirror, the swollen and congested opening could be seen, puffed red. Hwi pressed firmly on Yunseo's lower belly. At that, a brief tension ran through his insides and his hole clenched on its own.

A surge — something spilled through the gap. Yunseo, staring blankly at the sight of Hwi's thin white seed trickling out from inside him, covered his face with both hands and buried his head in Hwi's shoulder.

"You are truly terrible……"

"Indeed."

Hwi acknowledged it readily and pressed ticklish kisses over and over onto Yunseo's fingers. When Yunseo sneaked a peek, the expression visible between his fingers showed an entirely cheerful mood. Meeting that face, his own heart melted helplessly in turn, and Yunseo lowered his hands and kissed him.

* * *

A light drizzle fell. It was an autumn rain that had brought cool air as though to herald the beginning of autumn. Yunseo was listening to the pleasant sound of rain from outside the carriage window when he turned his head. Hwi was skimming his face as though admiring it.

"Your Majesty."

"Yes."

"I have a thought."

"……"

"Why are you smiling?"

"Your thoughts are always clever and catch me off guard, so I cannot help but look forward to them."

"……I was thinking, what if I were to teach the court nobles?"

"Teach them?"

Yunseo reached out his hand and Hwi readily took hold of his fingertips. Yunseo quietly told him about the plan he had newly conceived.

"What do you think of it?"

Yunseo's plan was to teach the court nobles the very method he used to put Hwi to sleep. If the court nobles could learn and absorb it, perhaps the misfortune of having all their guardian star taken from them by a Yongrin during treatment could be prevented.

Of course it might not be easy to calm a Yongrin whose sacred power was rampaging, but it would at least mean having one method of recourse. The mere fact of having that ability in their hands could be a great source of strength for the court nobles, and the Yongrin too could avoid stepping into the misfortune that arose from harming a Yeongchunhwa.

"Some Yongrin will resist."

"……I thought as much?"

"If a guardian star can even incapacitate them — if they can be rendered helpless before they can do anything and have no way of knowing what will happen afterward — that will be a fear to the Yongrin."

Yunseo nodded. Of course the Yongrin would be unwilling, so obtaining their consent would be difficult, and the side effect of this power being overused when it should only be employed in extreme situations could not be overlooked.

"But let us try it."

"Pardon?"

"Is it not the Yongrin's responsibility to manage that fear? When court nobles are undergoing treatment while risking even their lives in the worst case, failing to manage a single emotion would be too much."

"But if there is resistance building internally from such control, would it not create an even greater backlash?"

"A Yongrin dealing with another Yongrin is also difficult. One whose sacred power is rampaging is even more so. If this power can stop a rampaging sacred power in a short time — and thereby prevent even one more death — the Yeongchunhwa's strength will become the Yongrin's strength. If they understand that point, they will accept it."

"Yes. In the end, I hope they will understand that we stand in the same place, on the same side, and that this is for the sake of making this relationship healthier."

Hwi's gaze lingered steadily and Yunseo widened his eyes as if asking why. At that he lowered his lips to the bracelet on Yunseo's wrist.

"I am glad to have you with me."

The place where his lips had touched was the bracelet, yet somehow warmth spread through his wrist. Yunseo fidgeted with his wrist and asked.

"By the way, Your Majesty — do you dislike it when I put you to sleep?"

Hwi curled the corner of his mouth in a gentle smile.

"……Why would I dislike it."

The answer came a beat late. He dislikes it. Yunseo nodded and quietly concluded it in his mind.

The fear of being rendered helpless before one could do anything and not knowing what would happen afterward. Recalling Hwi on a certain day when he had tried to leave the bedchamber barefooted, Yunseo said nothing and squeezed his hand tight.

The carriage slowed. The imperial palace, arrived at before he knew it, welcomed Yunseo with scenery that had grown considerably cooler.

"Let us dine together for the evening meal."

"Yes. Off you go."

Whether he liked the farewell of "off you go," Hwi grinned and pressed his lips to Yunseo's forehead before departing for the main hall. Yunseo followed his retreating figure with his gaze, then stepped inside Jiseo Palace.

"Huije."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The morale of the Yongrin must be…… quite low."

"……It is, inevitably. However, since it is a disturbance that arose from the fact that they had no idea of the circumstances and heart of a colleague with whom they had shared everything side by side, it is something we ourselves must work through. Everyone will be back on their feet quickly — please do not worry."

From Huije, who answered with composure and spirit, a hint of suppressed sadness could be glimpsed. Yunseo swallowed a sigh and calmly looked over Huije's face before changing the subject.

"What did you want to do before your Gakchim?"

As though she had not expected this question to come to her, Huije's expression went blank for a moment. She soon furrowed her brow as though looking back on the past, and then said with some effort.

"Now that Your Majesty asks, I think about it for the first time. I probably…… wanted to teach children."

"Children?"

"Yes. My master, who had been a mercenary, took me in as a complete orphan, and I traveled from place to place with my master, learning martial arts and helping out. Thanks to that I never went hungry, and I harbored the ambition to become someone like my master."

"Is your master well?"

"He passed away not long after I entered the palace."

"Ah……. That must have been hard."

"He was an old man who had been on his last legs, only big with words. I consider it fortunate that he lived to see me make something of myself."

The mere act of reminiscing about her master was enough to put Huije in good spirits, and a bright smile spread across her lips. She always radiated a positive energy, and simply being by her side seemed to transfer it to others. Yunseo's own lips softened in response as he asked.

"After traveling freely everywhere, is it not stifling to be confined to the palace?"

"I wandered until my feet were blistered in my prime, so I have no regrets. I have met many people here and learned many things, so I consider it a precious experience and good fortune."

"You are truly constructive, Huije. I must take a lesson from you."

Huije's already downward-slanting eye corners curved even further down into a crescent moon shape. She let out a soft laugh and lowered herself to match eye level with Yunseo.

"Your Majesty is perfect just as you are."

"Ahem."

At the sound of a throat being cleared from behind, Yunseo and Huije's gazes turned together. Jo Sanggung, who had drawn near, looked at Huije with a displeased expression.

"Commander Jang should maintain proper distance."

"Ah, yes, of course."

Apparently frightened of the strict Jo Sanggung, Huije hurriedly straightened her back and returned to her place. Yunseo smiled and turned to face Jo Sanggung.

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty. The Empress's father has been continuously submitting requests to have an audience with Your Majesty."

"……Ah."

"Before, this one was instructed to refuse all requests, but as the situation has changed from then, I have set aside the order to inform you."

Yunseo's expression clouded in an instant. News of Prince Inchin and Wongyeong would have spread to court, so of course it would have reached his father's ears. With things having come to this with Wongyeong, he could not avoid it forever.

"I understand. I will see him today."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Upon entering the bedchamber, Yeonduk greeted him. Sensing that he had heard about his father's request for an audience, Yunseo could tell he was reading his mood — so Yunseo spoke first.

"I am going to see Father today."

"Will you be alright?"

"I would have had to see him eventually. But it would be better if you waited outside."

"Come now, would he lay hands on you in the palace?"

"Even so. I don't like Father seeing you."

"Yes, understood. Then may I lounge about in the rear garden?"

"Of course. Take along some of your favorite snacks too."

Yeonduk hummed in an audible way as he prepared to go out. The intent to lighten his mood was evident, and his spirits rose considerably.

About an hour after sending Yeonduk out, a court eunuch announced his father's arrival. Yunseo straightened his clothing and had his father shown in.