MARKED BY THE MOON:THE HEIR AND THE MARKED
CHAPTER 7
Just then, the doors to the royal pavilion burst open.
Elder Minister Hwan Baekjin—stern, tall, with sharp creases across his face from years of frowning—stormed in, robe flowing like thunderclouds trailing behind him.
"Your Majesty!"
he boomed, voice like a blade.
"You won't believe what's happening—!"
He halted mid-sentence, seeing the king already facing the window calmly, watching the entire affair unfold.
"…You already knew."
The king gave a slow nod.
"Of course I knew. Do you think anything escapes my eyes in this palace?"
Baekjin's expression darkened. He stepped forward, tone dropping lower, more urgent:
"This cannot be allowed to continue. A demon sorcerer as a consort? The palace is losing face. The nobles—"
"Will whine,"
the king interrupted sharply.
"As they always do."
Baekjin pressed further, frustration leaking through his control.
"It's a mistake, Your Majesty. This… This creature will only bring chaos. Have you forgotten the prophecy? The 20th mark—"
"Enough."
The king's voice, low and cold, silenced the room instantly.
He turned slowly to face Baekjin fully, his presence towering without needing to raise his tone.
"Muwon has chosen. And now that the demon sorcerer has accepted, there is nothing left to stop."
Baekjin clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing.
"You mean to say you approve?"
The king stared at him.
Long. Cold. Sharp.
"I mean to say… it's already done."
He walked back to the window.
"If this is the path Muwon takes, then let him walk it. He has until his coronation to prove that this choice will not doom him."
A beat passed. The garden below was still roaring with joy.
"And if it does?"
Baekjin asked.
The king's voice came out quiet, but heavy with warning.
"Then let the heavens judge him. Not you."
Baekjin bowed stiffly, his face unreadable.
But inside, something cold and ancient shifted.
And quietly, without the king knowing, it began—the elders' final plan to erase the demon from history.
The palace buzzed like a hive awakened too early.
Maids fluttered past with baskets of linen and trays of tea, whispering just under their breath.
"Did you hear? The demon sorcerer finally said yes."
"The prince really did it... They're going to be betrothed."
"They say it might bring ruin. A curse disguised as a love story."
Servants carrying scrolls and armor exchanged looks; some with worry, some with curiosity. It wasn't just idle talk now—it was tension brewing just beneath a peaceful surface.
In one corner of the courtyard, a younger servant muttered to another,
"They say his tattoos glow even when he's calm. And now he'll be the prince's consort?"
"I wonder if the gods will punish the whole palace for this,"
the other whispered, glancing up at the sky.
Inside Yuhyun's Chamber – Quiet Before the Ceremony
Soft sunlight filtered in through the thin paper windows, casting a gentle warmth over the room. The palace outside hummed with movement, distant footsteps and hushed voices preparing for what was to come.
Inside the room, Sihyun paced back and forth, his brows furrowed deeply, lips pressed in a thin line.
Yuhyun leaned against the wall, arms crossed but eyes gentle, watching his twin spiral.
"Yuhyun…"
Sihyun finally spoke, voice low and restless.
"Do you think I made the right decision?"
Yuhyun raised an eyebrow.
"You mean saying yes to the prince?"
Sihyun nodded slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I mean... what if this is a mistake? What if he's just... I don't know, acting on pity or pressure? What if—what if this whole thing collapses the moment something goes wrong again?"
He turned sharply to Yuhyun.
"I'm not like him, Yuhyun. I can't smile at nobles and charm people. I'm not meant to stand in front of a crowd and pretend I belong there."
Yuhyun chuckled softly.
"You don't have to charm anyone, Sihyun. Just show up. That's enough."
Sihyun scoffed.
"No, it's not. There'll be nobles. Ministers. Important people. They already think I'm dangerous or cursed. What if I mess up? What if someone—"
"Sihyun,"
Yuhyun interrupted gently, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You're nervous. That's okay. You're about to do something huge. But Muwon—he's not forcing you. He's fighting for you. And if you look in his eyes, even for a second, you'll see... he's nervous too."
Sihyun blinked, a brief silence falling between them.
"You think he's scared too?"
Sihyun asked.
"I know he is,"
Yuhyun smiled.
"He may be a prince, but when it comes to you... he's just a man trying not to lose the one person he cares about."
Sihyun looked down at the floor for a moment. Then suddenly—
"Urgh, I'm thinking too much,"
he muttered and flopped face-first onto the bed, arms spread like a lifeless doll.
"Yuhyun, I think I'm gonna pass out before the ceremony even starts."
Yuhyun laughed, ruffling his hair.
"At least wait until you're dressed before passing out, drama king."
"I regret everything,"
Sihyun mumbled into the blankets.
"You'll be fine,"
Yuhyun reassured again,
"You're stronger than you think. And you're not alone in this."
Royal Audience Hall
The grand hall was quiet, heavy with the weight of tradition and expectation. Golden lanterns glowed softly against the crimson pillars as Muwon and Sihyun stepped forward together, walking side-by-side toward the dais.
The King sat high on his throne, his gaze unreadable. Despite his age, his posture remained proud, his eyes sharp.
"You summoned us, Father,"
Muwon bowed deeply.
Sihyun followed, respectful, silent.
The king nodded slowly, then gestured for them to rise.
"I did,"
he said calmly, voice echoing slightly.
"The palace is stirring with news of your decision."
Sihyun felt Muwon's hand twitch slightly beside him.
"It is not an easy path you walk,"
the king continued,
"but if your hearts are decided, then it is not my duty to stand in your way."
The king looked between the two young men.
"This betrothal will mark a shift in history. The people may whisper, the elders may protest... but history has always begun with the bold."
"Do you understand the weight of what you both are choosing?"
Muwon nodded firmly.
"We do."
The king's expression softened slightly.
"Then I offer you my blessing. From this day forward, your bond will carry the name of the royal family. Let no one forget it."
Sihyun's eyes widened slightly. Muwon bowed again, respectfully.
"Thank you, Father."
The king stepped down, something rare. He walked toward them and placed a hand on Muwon's shoulder, then turned to Sihyun. A brief pause—and then he placed a hand on Sihyun's shoulder as well.
"You are now part of this family. Carry yourself with pride—and caution."