TM | Chapter 1

The mountain was embroidered with all kinds of flowers carrying the full scent of spring. Even the chirping of birds felt fresh on this mountain path.

Dressed in light blue silk robes, Yoon Sung walked up the trail, brushing his fingers over the vibrantly blooming flowers. As he climbed the uneven dirt path, he fiddled with the silk pouch hanging at his waist. The moment his fingers grasped something round inside, a grin spread across his face, and an excitement he couldn’t hide sparkled in his eyes.

With his leather shoes on, his steps felt light as he ascended the rough mountain path. Even as he panted from the steep climb, Yoon Sung kept smiling. After climbing and climbing, he finally reached the old pavilion at the mountaintop, where he wiped the sweat from his brow and caught his breath.

A gentle spring breeze rustled by, making the ends of his light blue silk robe flutter like a dance, whispering a melody to the fresh green leaves sprouting anew. Leaning against the railing of the pavilion, Yoon Sung let out a quiet sound of admiration as he gazed at the vast lake spread out in the distance. The shimmering water under the midday sun reflected exactly how he felt inside.

He sat on the railing, letting the cool mountain air wash over him, and took a moment to scan the pavilion.

Perched atop a cliff, this old pavilion had a charm that made it a cherished spot in his childhood, where he and his fellow students would sometimes visit. Since it was up in the mountains, it was too hot to come here in the summer, so he only visited in the spring or autumn.

Once his breathing calmed, he straightened his back. Watching the sparkling waves of the lake, Yoon Sung initially seemed relaxed, but as time passed, he grew restless, continuously fiddling with the silk pouch in his hand. He stretched his neck out to check that no one was around before carefully pulling out the item inside—a thick gold ring, intricately designed with a silver white tiger engraving. Just like the person it was meant for, the ring was both fierce and dazzling.

“He’ll like it, right?”

His lips kept curving into a grin. He had spent every bit of his money to have this ring specially made. He even traveled to a neighboring village to find the best craftsman for the job. Clutching the ring in both hands, he pressed it against his chest, as if trying to pour all his feelings into it, before carefully tucking it back into the silk pouch.

At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed through the air. The owner of the ring—the one he had been waiting for—finally appeared in the distance. Even his stride was precise, exuding an air of unwavering discipline befitting a warrior.

A towering figure with broad shoulders. A strong jawline and intense eyes. A striking face that could make passersby stop in their tracks, glowing under the spring sunlight. The moment he spotted Yoon Sung, his well-shaped lips curled into a smirk.

Kang Taegwon moved like a shadow, leaping into the pavilion in an instant. Without hesitation, he wrapped one arm around Yoon Sung’s waist and pulled him close, lowering his head. Yoon Sung, who had been waiting for this, parted his lips, winding his arms around Kang Taegwon’s thick neck.

Hot breaths mingled as their lips pressed together, tongues intertwining. Kang Taegwon’s rough kiss left Yoon Sung’s lips tingling.

As Kang Taegwon’s hand slowly trailed down his back with a lingering touch, Yoon Sung held him even tighter. His body grew hot, and before he realized it, he instinctively pressed his lower half against him. With a low chuckle, Kang Taegwon slid his hand inside Yoon Sung’s robe, loosening the waistband of his pants.

“W-Wait.”

Yoon Sung barely managed to stop him, making Kang Taegwon flash a deep smile before leaning in to whisper against his ear.

“I checked the way here—there’s no one around. But if you’re worried, we can move deeper into the forest.”

“No, just… wait. Let me talk first.”

As Yoon Sung reached down to tighten his waistband, Kang Taegwon caught his hand, lowering his head to place a kiss on the back of it. His other hand, however, was already slipping deeper inside Yoon Sung’s robe, tracing over his bare waist.

“Just… hold on for a moment.”

Yoon Sung, his face flushed red, pushed Kang Taegwon’s hand away. But instead of letting go, Kang Taegwon pulled Yoon Sung’s hands toward his own waist. Then, pressing a kiss to his ear, he flicked out his tongue to tease the skin.

“It’ll only take a moment. So just—”

“Why are you teasing me so much today?”

Kang Taegwon grinned, planting a firm kiss on Yoon Sung’s cheek before pulling him into another embrace. Yoon Sung wriggled in his arms as he adjusted his waistband, and Kang Taegwon, watching him with dissatisfaction, finally stepped back, waiting for him to speak.

The moment Yoon Sung looked up at him, he couldn’t help but smile. He was the one who had tamed Kang Taegwon, infamous for his womanizing ways in the Capital City.

Ever since they had become lovers, there were even rumors that Kang Taegwon had turned into a celibate monk. Satisfying his desires wasn’t an easy task, but the way he burned with lust the moment he saw Yoon Sung only proved how deeply he had fallen.

Now that Kang Taegwon, who had pounced on him so desperately, was standing back with a leisurely smile, Yoon Sung straightened his clothes and took a deep breath. His voice trembled slightly from nervousness.

“Lee Seol gave me a heads-up. A marriage ban is about to be issued soon.”

“…That means the Crown Princess Consort selection is happening.”

Kang Taegwon gave a slight nod. Seeing that, Yoon Sung looked at him with sparkling eyes and continued.

“It’s already been nearly a year since we ended up like this.”

Kang Taegwon, curious about what he was getting at, met his gaze with a faint smile.

The moment Yoon Sung looked into his deep, dark eyes, his lips pressed together tightly. All the carefully prepared words he had planned to say vanished from his mind. His usually slow-thinking brain refused to work properly at this crucial moment. He needed to speak, but his mouth wouldn’t open, and his chest felt so tight that his vision blurred. His nervous hands clenched into fists, and sweat began to pool in his palms.

Kang Taegwon, who had been waiting patiently, began to arch his brow slightly. When he tilted his head with a hint of concern, Yoon Sung finally forced himself to speak.

“I—I want to spend my whole life with you. Marry me.”

Lacking the eloquence for flowery words, Yoon Sung just blurted it out.

Kang Taegwon’s brow twitched at the sudden proposal.

Yet, Yoon Sung seemed utterly certain of the answer. His face was flushed, his expression brimming with confidence, and his eyes sparkled with liveliness.

But Kang Taegwon, the one receiving the proposal, slowly stiffened. His lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out. His rare hesitation caused Yoon Sung’s face to slowly harden as well. The only sound between them was the chirping of birds. Feeling the weight of the silence, Yoon Sung fidgeted with his fingers and glanced at him nervously before breaking the awkward atmosphere.

“I-I must have been too sudden. B-But… once the marriage ban is issued, we won’t be able to marry for a long time…”

As he fumbled over his words, Yoon Sung caught sight of Kang Taegwon’s troubled expression. It was strange to see him, usually so bold and straightforward, carefully choosing his words like this. Eventually, Kang Taegwon composed himself and spoke in a calm voice.

“Sung-ah. You and I are… friends, aren’t we?”

Yoon Sung, who had just been reaching into his robes for the silk pouch, dropped it.

“F-Friends…?”

“I always thought of you as my closest friend, someone with whom I could share our… private indulgences.”

At Kang Taegwon’s words, it felt like a hammer had struck Yoon Sung square in the chest.

“P-Private indulgences? Are you saying… our relationship was just that?”

“I like how direct and honest you are. And I especially appreciate how tight-lipped you can be.”

Pausing briefly, Kang Taegwon took a step back, turning to gaze at the lake. Then, with a quiet sigh, he looked back at Yoon Sung.

“Marriage should be between families of equal standing.”

Though they were both of noble status, Yoon Sung’s family had never produced anyone who advanced in government ranks. Their wealth came from land and farms inherited over generations—an empty title of nobility. In contrast, Kang Taegwon’s family was a prestigious lineage of military officials who had served in government for generations.

Yoon Sung wasn’t the brightest and had failed the civil exams multiple times. And now, hearing Kang Taegwon use his family as an excuse not to marry him, it felt like a blade had been driven into his heart.

Yes, their families were different. But hadn’t Kang Taegwon cared for him? Hadn’t their feelings been the same? They had spent the past year wrapped up in each other, keeping their relationship private, testing the boundaries between friendship and something more. And now, he was saying they couldn’t marry because of their families? Did that mean his parents would never approve of someone like Yoon Sung?

A month ago, Yoon Sung had even rejected a favorable marriage proposal for this. He had declared that he would only marry a man, sending his oldest brother into such a fit of rage that he collapsed, clutching the back of his neck.

Family… family, huh.

Yoon Sung’s head drooped lower and lower. He knew that for families that valued status, opposition was inevitable. The reality of his own insignificance pressed down on him, making his shoulders curl inward.

But still… he was a noble too. His great-grandfather had served in government.

His lips pressed together in a firm line, and his eyes grew red-rimmed. His once sweat-dampened hands turned cold. His flushed face, once pink with excitement, now burned with humiliation.

Kang Taegwon, watching him in silence, bent down and picked up the silk pouch Yoon Sung had dropped. Brushing off the dirt as if nothing had happened, he held it out to him.

“And… I have long harbored feelings for Lee Seol.”

It felt like he had been struck over the head.

If Kang Taegwon was white, then Lee Seol was black. If Kang Taegwon was fire, then Lee Seol was water. They couldn’t be more different. They weren’t even particularly close—they hardly even spoke to each other.

And now, he was saying he had feelings for him? While sharing his bed with Yoon Sung all this time?

Yoon Sung’s flushed face was drained of all color. His lips, now pale, trembled, and his clenched fists dug his nails into his palms.

Seeing his look of shock, Kang Taegwon let out a deep sigh, his expression one of mild annoyance.

“You’re really putting me in a difficult position.”