MARKED BY THE MOON

CHAPTER 9

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden streaks through the palace windows. Sihyun walked with measured steps, a delicate porcelain wine bottle in his hands, his expression carefully crafted into something that resembled sincerity. He entered the prince's quarters, the guards stationed by the doors shifting slightly but making no move to stop him. Their watchful gazes, however, were more intense than before.

Muwon sat at his table, flipping through a scroll, though his mind had been occupied with something else entirely—Sihyun. When he looked up, his dark eyes immediately locked onto the sorcerer's approaching figure. The first thing he noticed was how unusually… pleasant Sihyun seemed. That, in itself, was suspicious.

Sihyun set the bottle down, pouring the deep crimson liquid into two cups.

"A peace offering,"

he said with a faint smile.

"Since my previous actions might have… unsettled you."

Muwon didn't respond immediately. His fingers traced the rim of his cup, his stare unwavering.

"How thoughtful of you,"

he finally said. Then, with a small tilt of his head, he gestured toward the second cup.

"Drink with me."

Sihyun stiffened for half a second before masking it with a scoff.

"I brought this for you."

"And yet, I insist."

Muwon leaned back slightly, studying him.

"If you truly want peace between us, what harm is there in drinking together?"

Sihyun clenched his jaw. Of course Muwon wouldn't trust him so easily—he wasn't an idiot. But Sihyun wasn't reckless either. Drinking the poisoned wine himself would be outright foolish, even if he knew how to counteract it.

"I don't feel like drinking,"

he said flatly, pushing his cup aside.

Muwon hummed.

"That's strange. You went through the trouble of bringing wine, but you suddenly don't feel like drinking?"

His fingers lightly tapped the wooden table.

"How unfortunate."

Sihyun's fake smile cracked. His fingers twitched at his side.

"Think whatever you want,"

he muttered, before grabbing the bottle and striding toward the door. As soon as he stepped outside, he flung it into the garden with a forceful throw. The porcelain shattered, the wine spilling onto the ground like blood.

A few stray cats, drawn by the scent, lapped at the liquid. Within seconds, they collapsed, their tiny bodies twitching before going still.

A heavy silence followed.

The guards, who had merely been standing at a distance before, exchanged glances before looking at Sihyun with newfound wariness.

Inside, Muwon slowly exhaled, his suspicions confirmed. A mirthless smile tugged at his lips.

"So eager to kill me, aren't you?"

he murmured to himself.

But Sihyun didn't care.

He walked off, hands tucked into his sleeves, lips curling into a quiet smirk.

There would be more opportunities.

Plenty of them.

The air outside Muwon's quarters was crisp, the night settling in with a quiet stillness. A pair of guards stood rigid at the entrance, their gazes sharp, but they hesitated only briefly before stepping aside.

Yuhyun walked in, his shoulders squared but his expression uncertain. The glow of the lanterns cast warm light over the room, illuminating Muwon as he stood near the low table, a half-finished document in his hands. He looked up, his dark eyes unreadable.

Yuhyun bowed deeply.

"Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you at this hour."

Muwon set down the scroll and regarded Yuhyun with measured calm.

"You're here because of your brother."

It wasn't a question.

Yuhyun straightened, hands clasped in front of him.

"Yes. I know what he did today was reckless… unforgivable, even. But I came to ask for your understanding. My brother—he isn't like others. He's stubborn, short-tempered, but…"

Yuhyun hesitated, searching for the right words.

"He's also someone who has only ever known how to fight for himself."

Muwon exhaled slowly.

"And yet, he's done nothing but try to kill me since the moment he arrived."

There was no bitterness in his voice, only quiet amusement, as if the situation had become an inevitability rather than an offense.

Yuhyun frowned.

"Sihyun doesn't regret what he did. If anything, he's already thinking of the next opportunity."

Muwon chuckled under his breath, shaking his head.

"I figured as much."

"But that doesn't mean he's incapable of change,"

Yuhyun pressed.

"I don't expect you to trust him, but I ask you to be patient. He's not someone who surrenders easily, not even to his own feelings."

At that, Muwon's expression flickered, something unspoken passing through his gaze.

"His feelings?"

Yuhyun pursed his lips.

"You know what I mean, Your Highness. If he truly hated you, he would have done more than these failed attempts."

Muwon studied him for a long moment before sighing, running a hand through his hair.

"And what do you suggest I do?"

Yuhyun smiled faintly.

"Nothing. Just keep surviving."

A knock sounded at the door. One of the guards stepped in and bowed.

"Your Highness, it is time."

Yuhyun stepped back, bowing once more.

"I've said what I needed to say. I'll take my leave now."

Yuhyun exited the room

"Not even capable of surrendering to his own feelings, huh?"

With a deep breath, he turned and walked toward the door, ready for another night of the ritual.

The chamber was dimly lit, the golden glow of lanterns flickering against the stone walls. The scent of burning incense lingered in the air, mixing with the faint, earthy scent of Sihyun's skin as he stood near the bed, watching Muwon with that same defiant gaze.

Muwon exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as he approached. The tension between them was thicker tonight, charged with something heavier than before. Sihyun had tried to kill him again today. And yet, here they were.

"You don't look happy to see me, Your Highness,"

Sihyun mocked, his voice dripping with amusement.

Muwon scoffed.

"Should I be?"

"You should be honored,"

Sihyun murmured, tilting his head.

"How many people get to share a bed with a demon sorcerer?"

His lips curled into something dangerous, but Muwon didn't rise to the bait. Not now.