"I said he is on the sea," Yeong replied flatly.

"Then he must have a base somewhere!" Seong's voice rose, but Yeong remained unfazed. He was surprised by his own outburst. Yeong's impassive expression seemed to mock his impatience, his desperation. He averted his gaze, unable to bear the pity in her eyes.

"You are not planning to confront him, are you?" Yeong asked. "Or perhaps lead an army against him?"

"I told you, he is not my enemy."

Yeong scoffed. "You do not know him at all."

"He's my brother. I know him better than you do."

"No, you don’t," Yeong countered. "I have seen things you haven't. I have seen him grow stronger, more ruthless. I have seen him kill those Emissaries. He has no mercy, no hesitation. He would not hesitate to kill you either."

Seong's eyes narrowed. "You said you couldn't interfere because Sahngjon hadn't made his choice," he accused. "But you helped Hwan. Is he the chosen one? Is that why you helped him?"

"I told you, Sahngjon has not made his choice," Yeong insisted. "I was merely an observer."

"Why did he kill those Emissaries?" Seong demanded, his voice shaking with anger.

"He said they were punished for serving a false Guardian," Yeong replied. "And he wanted to remain hidden."

"Did he believe you would help him here?"

Yeong's eyes narrowed. "Choose your words carefully," she warned. "I serve none of you."

"And yet you repeated his words to us," Seong spat. "About the false Guardian? What else are you hiding from us?"

Yeong met his gaze. Seong's eyes darted around the room, his anger and confusion growing. He knew he wouldn't get any answers from her now. He sighed, a bitter smile twisting his lips.

"I don't understand you at all," he said.

He rose and walked towards the door. He paused, his hand on the latch, and turned to face her. Yeong stood motionless.

"Are you even human?" he asked coldly.

He stepped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. He hurried down the tunnel, his heart pounding in his chest.

Back in his chambers, Seong slammed his head against the bedpost repeatedly, his frustration and despair growing with each impact. He regretted his harsh words to Yeong, the bitter accusations that had escaped his lips. Have I been too harsh? Too quick to judge? He felt lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. With every twist and turn, his faith in Sahngjon's plan wavered. If I am truly the chosen one, why do I face so many obstacles? From Yeong's few cryptic answers, it was clear that Hwan was a threat to Wicheong Palace. Perhaps it was Hwan who had informed the princess about House Myeonghyeon. Though he didn't know where Hwan was or what he was planning, he knew his brother was capable of anything.

But there was more. Yeong had accused him of not knowing his brother, but Seong believed he knew Hwan better than anyone. He knew his secrets, his fears, the things they shared that no one else could understand.

The last Seong had heard, Hwan had acquired a small merchant vessel and left Birahng. After his uncle's death, Seong had searched tirelessly for any sign of his brother, but he had found nothing. He didn't know where Hwan had gone, or if he had even survived the journey. The uncertainty was unbearable, worse than facing his death.

Seong's hand reached for his chest, his fingers tracing the hollow space where his heart ached. Does Hwan feel the same emptiness? Is he afraid, alone on the vast sea? Though others might not understand his concern, his lingering attachment, Seong's memories were filled with Hwan's vulnerability.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Hwan's childhood was a stark contrast to the man he had become. Few remembered the frail, sickly boy he once was. He had been born small and weak, plagued by illness throughout his early years. Seong's childhood was filled with sleepless nights, his arms wrapped tightly around his brother, his heart filled with fear that Hwan wouldn't wake up. Young Hwan, his body burning with fever, was so light, so fragile. He was afraid of everything.

"Am I going to die tonight?"

"No, you're not," Seong would reassure him firmly. "I'm here. You'll be with me in the morning."

Whenever Hwan, his body wracked with chills, would ask that question, Seong would hold him closer. He cherished those memories - the feel of Hwan's feverish forehead against his cheek, the scent of sweat clinging to his skin, the long nights filled with worry and whispered reassurances. Though the past ten years had been filled with moments of shock and anger, of Hwan's casual cruelty and mocking laughter, the years before that had been filled with joy, a joy that stemmed solely from his brother's presence. He had always been close to his cousin, Myeonghyeon Ryang, but their bond couldn't compare to the one he shared with his twin brother. He remembered the times Ryang would scold Hwan for harming the insects he had collected, and Seong would always defend his brother. Despite Yeong's words, despite the pain Hwan had caused, Seong couldn't erase the love he felt for his brother.

The sword Ryang had left on the table caught his eye. Dried blood, the blood of the Emissaries, stained the blade. He pictured it in Hwan's hand, slicing through the air, cutting down those unarmed men and women. It would have been easy for him. He had known, from the moment Ryang voiced his suspicions, that they were true. Perhaps that was why he had been so quick to dismiss them, his denial a desperate attempt to cling to the hope that his brother was not a murderer. But now, faced with the undeniable truth, fear consumed him. If he revealed what he knew, the people of Wicheong Palace, especially Ryang and Seon, would demand Hwan's death. Can I do it? Can I kill my own brother? He wasn't sure he could defeat him, let alone face him as an enemy. The weight of it all was too much to bear. He curled up on his bed and fell into a restless sleep.

Dawn broke, and Seong sought out Yeong. He found her in her room, her expression troubled as he entered.

"Come with me," he said.

"Why?" Yeong asked.

"You need some fresh air and sunlight," Seong insisted. "You've been cooped up inside since you arrived. It's not healthy to stay in the cave for too long."

Yeong scoffed. "You don't need to make excuses. You want to finish our conversation from yesterday."

"That's true," Seong admitted. "But I'm also serious about your health. Come on."

Yeong rose and followed him, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Seong led the way, his heart pounding. As they neared the exit, two guards fell in step behind them. Seong dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

"Stay here," he instructed. "I need to speak with her in private."

"But Your Luminance," one of the guards protested, "it's not safe. The animals are nursing their young. A few of our men encountered a mother bear with cubs just the other day."

"What?" Seong exclaimed. "Are they alright?"

"They weren't harmed. But it's still dangerous for you to go out there alone."

"We won't be gone long," Seong assured him. "We're just going for a short walk."

"OK. But please be careful."

They left the guards behind and stepped out into the forest. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome change from the stale, incense-filled air of the cave. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the forest floor. Squirrels scampered up the trees, and rabbits darted through the undergrowth. Yeong's gaze swept across the landscape, taking in the sights and sounds. Seong couldn't tell if she was simply curious or if she was trying to avoid him. It didn't matter. Their situation was already complicated enough.

Seong stopped at a clearing, the trees thinning to reveal a breathtaking view of the distant mountain peak. Yeong stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the summit.

"That's Shinsuk Mountain(神宿山)," Seong explained. "You can see it from almost anywhere on the island, except for the areas closest to the coast. If you ever get lost, just look for the mountain. Sahngjon's..."

"I know," Yeong interrupted. "The Lake is there."

Seong felt a pang of embarrassment. Why am I explaining such trivial matters to someone who has witnessed my entire life, even my infancy? He cleared his throat and asked, "Is it true, what they say?"

"What do they say?" Yeong asked back flatly.

"That Sahngjon's temple is submerged in the Lake."

Yeong didn't reply. Seong regretted his question, the silence amplifying its childishness. He bit his lip, then Yeong spoke, her voice a quiet murmur.

"I want to go closer to the mountain," she said.

"We can't," Seong replied immediately.

"Why not?"

"It's dangerous. We didn't bring any guards. Remember what they said about the wild animals..."

"You're the Scion," Yeong interrupted. "Are you afraid of wild animals?"

Seong didn't reply. Though the Azure Scripture described the Two Guardian as equals, he felt strangely inferior in this moment. He rose and led the way, guiding Yeong deeper into the forest.