Flower Dream Chapter 121

“As you commanded, I have thoroughly explained things to the tribal chief’s side so that there will be no misunderstandings. Since there were many people in the square, word will likely leak out… but for now, I’ve made sure everyone keeps their mouths shut.”

Mun Sewon, who was unaware of the internal situation, reported to Shin Ryuwon that he had completed his orders.

“It seems like staying here will only cause more trouble, so we should move quickly… Your Highness?”

Mun Sewon called out to him in puzzlement when Shin Ryuwon did not respond. Only then did a low, hushed voice escape from between his lips as he let out a warm breath.

“Understood, let’s depart.”

At the voice, which was thick with excitement that could not be hidden, Dan Yuha’s body flinched. Shin Ryuwon watched as the pale pink eyes, which had been clouded with heat, gradually regained their focus, and clicked his tongue inwardly.

He was annoyed that his time with Yuha had been interrupted, but on the other hand, he also thought it was for the best. If Sewon had not come, he would likely have taken him right there and then.

Having foolishly lost his reason and taken Dan Yuha, only to lose him, and here he was, about to make the same mistake again. Shin Ryuwon cursed himself as he caught his breath. But reining in his desires was not easy.

“Yes. And everyone is exhausted right now, so it seems we’ll have to move without using spiritual power…”

Mun Sewon, who had hesitated for a moment as if sensing something peculiar, cautiously spoke up. Their group had departed from the capital the previous night and arrived at the Cheongsong Clan’s small stronghold around noon today. They had covered a distance that would have taken several days on horseback in just a few hours by using spiritual power, so it was only natural that they were fatigued.

In particular, in order to keep up with Shin Ryuwon’s pace, which was far faster than anyone else’s, Sewon and everyone else had pushed themselves to the limit, using spiritual power throughout the night as if squeezing out their last drop of strength.

It was fortunate that they were royal guards who regularly trained without neglect; had it been anyone else, they would surely have collapsed from exhaustion already. Using spiritual power again in this state would be too much.

“There’s no hurry, so we can go slowly. Where is the nearest palace near here?”

After taking a short, deep breath, Shin Ryuwon said while looking at Dan Yuha, who was fidgeting restlessly on his thigh. If he hadn’t found him, it would be one thing, but having obtained what he desired, his mind had grown more at ease.

“It’s in the adjacent city, which is also the provincial capital of this region, Cheongun. Shall we head there?”

Mun Sewon answered as if he had been waiting for the question. The imperial family members were mainly tasked with touring and inspecting the provinces. For this reason, palaces had been established throughout the country for their use.

“Yes. We’ll stay there tonight. We’ll rest and reorganize there before returning to the imperial capital.”

Having finished speaking, Shin Ryuwon tapped the door once to signal that the conversation was over. Even as he did so, his gaze remained fixed on Dan Yuha. Soon after, Mun Sewon’s presence faded away.

Gulp.

Yuha swallowed dryly as he listened to the faint murmurs coming from outside. It was beyond anything he could have dreamed of—not only being caught by Ryuwon, who had suddenly appeared at the Cheongsong Clan’s small stronghold, but also kissing him and being caressed by him.

Amidst all this, one thing was certain: contrary to his earlier worries, Shin Ryuwon was not hostile toward him. No, it was not just that…

Dan Yuha, his lips sealed shut, rolled his eyes in bewilderment. All his nerves were focused on the heavy, solid mass pressing beneath his thigh.

Becoming aware of the heated arousal, the inside of his bottom unconsciously tensed. As if it wanted to take that very thing inside itself.

Startled by his body’s involuntary reaction, he instinctively pulled his waist back. But he was blocked by the arm that was tightly wrapped around his waist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Excuse me? No… ngh.”

“Stay like this.”

Shin Ryuwon bound Dan Yuha with both arms so that he could not escape his embrace. As if he was afraid that Yuha might disappear from before him at any moment.

“Your Highness…?”

Yuha paused at the action that seemed to carry a hint of desperation. Was it his imagination? It almost sounded as if Ryuwon was clinging to him.

“Stay here, alright?”

Shin Ryuwon leaned his forehead against the thin shoulder and whispered with pleading in his voice. He, too, was feeling a lack of reality. That was why he was desperately holding Dan Yuha close.

Seeing Yuha with his eyes and hearing his voice with his ears was not enough. He could only feel at ease when he could feel Dan Yuha’s existence with his entire body, just as he was doing now.

“I-I’ll stay. So please, calm down.”

Sensing Shin Ryuwon’s unease, Dan Yuha, unsure of what to do, finally mustered his courage and wrapped his arms around him in return. At that, Ryuwon’s body went rigid. But only for a moment; soon, he let out a long sigh and rubbed his lips against the nape of Yuha’s neck, where clear bite marks were visible.

“Huff, w-wait, j-just my clothes…”

Dan Yuha, who had hunched his shoulders at the breath tickling his still-heated skin, finally became aware of his own state. Embarrassed that he was exposing his chest so openly in front of Shin Ryuwon, he hurriedly pulled up his jacket, which had slipped down below his shoulders.

Seeing the mottled skin where Ryuwon had been sucking and biting just moments ago made the tips of his ears burn. He was still so dazed that he couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality, but with marks left on his body like this, he could no longer deny that this was real.

Fortunately, Shin Ryuwon did not stop Dan Yuha from straightening his clothes. Though his heart desired to explore him until his thirst was quenched, now was not the time for that.

Suppressing the lust that churned within him, Ryuwon opened his mouth when he saw the marks he had left peeking out from above Yuha’s collar.

“I’m sorry.”

“Excuse me?”

Dan Yuha blinked at the unexpected apology. His expression showed that he had no idea why Ryuwon was apologizing to him.

“I made a mistake because I was so happy to see you again. I was impatient… Did it hurt?”

Shin Ryuwon gently stroked the neck marked with vivid red love bites with his hand. The joy of meeting Dan Yuha had overtaken him, and he had indulged his own desires without even asking for Yuha’s consent.

“A-ah, no! Uh, um, I was surprised, but…”

Startled, Dan Yuha denied it, then trailed off. Until now, he had only ever imagined that Shin Ryuwon would be angry when they met again. He had never dared to imagine that Ryuwon would want him like this.

More than anything, Yuha had not disliked the kiss Ryuwon had given him. In fact, he had liked it. Aside from being flustered by his actions, his heart had fluttered with excitement.

The Crown Prince, feeling desire for him. Dan Yuha desperately suppressed the hope and expectation that bloomed within him. And he spoke the words he had most wanted to say upon meeting Shin Ryuwon.

“I should be the one apologizing, for causing all of this…”

“No, it’s fine. You were alive, and that’s all that matters.”

“Excuse me?”

“Because no matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find you… I even considered the worst-case scenario…”

Shin Ryuwon’s voice gradually faded. The events leading up to his reunion with Dan Yuha flashed through his mind like scenes from a magic lantern.

He had issued a wanted notice and scoured the entire country, but for over a month, he had not been able to find so much as a single strand of Yuha’s hair. There were occasional tips, but none of them contained any substantial information.

Still, just in case, he did not overlook any information that had even a shred of credibility, sending people out or, as he did today, personally going to verify it himself. But each time, he came up empty-handed. After this happened several times, darker thoughts began to creep in.

What if he hadn’t run away, but there was a reason he couldn’t come back? What if… he was no longer of this world?

Though he never voiced it aloud in front of others for fear of bringing bad luck, Ryuwon had secretly been agonizing over the possibility that Yuha had met with some misfortune. The anxiety, which grew worse with each passing day, aggravated his already severe insomnia, and he had several nightmares as well.

That was why he was now overwhelmed with a joy as if a dead person had come back to life right before his eyes.

“Because you’ve returned to me like this, it’s alright. No matter what wrong you may have committed, I can forgive you.”

Shin Ryuwon murmured, savoring the floral scent that seeped into the tip of his nose and the warmth transmitted through their touching skin. He hadn’t believed Hong Haehwa’s accusation from the start, but at this moment, Ryuwon was certain.

Even if it were true that Dan Yuha had conspired with Ju Cheongwoo and betrayed him, he would probably have forgiven him.

With a soft, deflated laugh, Shin Ryuwon applied gentle pressure to the arms embracing Dan Yuha. They say you only realize the value of something after you’ve lost it; he was exactly that kind of fool.

“Ah…”

The deep-seated anguish he had endured was evident in the muttered words, causing those soft, pale pink eyes to tremble violently. Feeling his vision blur, Dan Yuha bit his lips. Then, he blinked in surprise at the words that followed.

“And I trust you. There must have been a reason you left me that day, right?”

Shin Ryuwon lifted his head and met Dan Yuha’s gaze. What was reflected in those dark, wavy, black eyes was a firm trust directed at him. Ryuwon gently stroked Dan Yuha’s face, which was thinner and paler than before, as if testifying to a harsh life on the run. A touch that handled something precious and cherished.

“So tell me. What happened to you, and why you had to leave me.”