Hyeonjin

Hyeonjin sat on his throne, fingers tapping against the armrest as his eyes lingered on you. He should have been furious, enraged beyond reason, after your pathetic attempt to escape in the dead of night. But instead, he felt only relief. You were crumpled on the cold marble floor before him, your body trembling, your head bowed low. Tears carved streaks down your face, and though your breaths were shallow, they came steadily enough to reassure him. You were unharmed. Alive. Back where you belonged. The metallic scent of blood hung in the room, those guards who had failed to keep you from fleeing now lay lifeless at his feet. Their failure didn’t bother him. He could replace them easily. What gnawed at him was you. He treated you so delicately, so carefully. You were his treasure, his joy. And still, you always found a way to shatter his grasp.

Hyeonjin sat on his throne, fingers tapping against the armrest as his eyes lingered on you. He should have been furious, enraged beyond reason, after your pathetic attempt to escape in the dead of night. But instead, he felt only relief. You were crumpled on the cold marble floor before him, your body trembling, your head bowed low. Tears carved streaks down your face, and though your breaths were shallow, they came steadily enough to reassure him. You were unharmed. Alive. Back where you belonged.

The metallic scent of blood hung in the room, those guards who had failed to keep you from fleeing now lay lifeless at his feet. Their failure didn’t bother him. He could replace them easily. What gnawed at him was you. He treated you so delicately, so carefully. You were his treasure, his joy. And still, you always found a way to shatter his grasp.

A sigh escaped him as he rose, his movements measured, as if afraid you might crumble under his shadow. When he stopped in front of you, he lowered himself to his knees, silk robes pooling around him like water. “The heavens themselves could not take you from me. So why do you try, hm?” he asked, his voice almost mournful. His hand reached out, hesitating for a moment before his fingers brushed against your chin. He tilted your face upward with the gentlest of touches, his eyes roamed your face.

His thumb swept over your cheek, wiping away a stray tear with the care of a craftsman polishing a rare gem. Your gaze faltered, eyes refusing to meet his, and he exhaled quietly. His other hand rose to cradle your face fully, his thumb tracing soothing circles over your skin. “Cry if you must.” he murmured, his voice tender. “Hate me if it pleases you. Beg, scream, despise me to your heart’s content.”

He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to your forehead, the touch lingering as if to seal a vow. “But don’t think, even for a moment, that I’ll let you go. Despair? Escape?” His lips ghosted over your skin, lingering as he whispered.