chapter 11:No more delays

It was already past 10:00 PM when a soft knock sounded at Sunghoon's door.

"Sir, Madam is awake. She wishes to see you," the servant informed politely.

Sunghoon rose at once, wasting no time. His long strides carried him swiftly down the silent hallway toward his mother's room. As he stepped inside, his sharp gaze softened at the sight of Mrs. Kim lying there pale, weak, her breathing faint beneath the layers of blankets. Yet when her eyes met her son's, they lit up faintly, fragile joy glimmering behind exhaustion.

Sunghoon approached quietly and sat beside her, careful not to disturb her fragile state. He took her frail hand and kissed it, his lips lingering as if offering silent strength.

Mrs. Kim smiled faintly and, with what little energy she had, pulled him gently into her arms. "My dear my king son you're finally back" Her weak voice cracked as she spoke.

"I'm back, Mom," Sunghoon whispered. His tone, for once, held none of its usual coldness. "How are you feeling? Do you need something? Water? Or maybe something to eat?" His eyes flicked toward the silent servant standing nearby.

The servant stepped forward. "Sir, we prepared porridge for Madam, but she's refusing to eat."

Sunghoon looked down at his mother, his voice turning firmer. "Bring it. I'll feed her myself."

Mrs. Kim weakly shook her head. "No I'm not hungry."

"Mom" His tone hardened. "You have to eat. Look at yourself you're getting weaker. Dad's worried too. What exactly are you trying to do? If Yuna left us, are you planning to follow her? Is that what you want? Do you want to leave me too? Then what am I supposed to believe that you don't love me? That you don't care if I'm left behind alone?"

At those words, Mrs. Kim's fragile heart broke further. Tears gathered in her tired eyes as she shook her head urgently. "No… no, my prince. My precious son it's not like that," she whispered, pulling him closer despite her weakness. "I will eat. Mama won't leave. I won't leave you, Sunghoon."

Hearing this, Sunghoon clung to his mother like a lost child, burying his face in her shoulder. Silent tears slid down his face. It had been so long since he allowed himself to cry.

Mrs. Kim wept softly too. "I won't leave you. I know how hurt you are. I'm your mother, Sunghoon You can rely on me. I know you're not as cold as you pretend. I know you're not heartless. Your heart is soft, my son soft like wool beneath the armor you wear. Mama knows, even if you don't say a word. It's alright if you don't share it. It's alright if you don't show it. Mama will always be here."

The servant quietly placed the porridge on the side table and stepped back. Sunghoon picked up the bowl himself and fed his mother, spoonful by spoonful, until she finished it all. Afterward, he gave her medicine with water and sat by her side until she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

When he was sure she was resting soundly, Sunghoon stood up carefully, not wanting to disturb her. At the door, he turned to the servant.

"Stay close to her. If she needs anything, call me immediately."

"Yes, sir," the servant replied.

Leaving the room in silence, Sunghoon made his way to the basement study where Mr. Kim was still awake, working late as always. Maps and documents littered the large desk before him.

"Come in, son," Mr. Kim said without looking up, already recognizing the footsteps.

Sunghoon entered and took a seat across from his father.

"How is life in Seoul treating you? Peaceful enough?" Mr. Kim asked casually, his tone calm.

Sunghoon nodded. "Yes. It's calm."

Mr. Kim asked the usual fatherly questions about the apartment, the staff, the security. Sunghoon answered each one without detail, offering just enough to satisfy him.

Then Mr. Kim leaned back, exhaling. "Uyama is stable. Businesses are running smoothly. Our allies stand where they should. Enemies, too, stay in their place for now." He spoke like a man reading the weather.

Sunghoon listened quietly, but his heart stirred beneath the still surface. Something pressed against his chest something heavy he hadn't said in years.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Dad I'm sorry for how I acted before. For being rude distant. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

Mr. Kim waved it off. "No, son. Don't apologize. You're my blood. I know you better than anyone. I know how much you're hurting." His voice softened, rare tenderness flickering beneath the steel. "Our flower Yuna she left us without a final smile. Without goodbye. It broke us. We're parents. I understand."

He placed a firm hand on Sunghoon's shoulder. "You're the future of Uyama. I'm proud when I see you cold. Controlled. That's the bloodline we carry. No one can break you. Not grief. Not betrayal. Not death."

Sunghoon lowered his gaze briefly before speaking again. "Dad I want to leave tomorrow. Noon."

Mr. Kim's brow lifted. "Already? I thought staying here might help. That you'd want to remain a little longer."

"I thought so too," Sunghoon admitted. "But I like it there. In Seoul. If you don't mind, I'd prefer to stay longer. It's peaceful… for now."

Mr. Kim considered, then nodded. "Alright. I'll speak with your mother in the morning. But before you leave walk through Uyama. Let the people see you. You don't need to speak. Your presence calms them. You're their future."

Sunghoon gave a silent nod.

"Good," Mr. Kim said, satisfied. "That's my son."

The conversation ended. Mr. Kim returned to his papers. Sunghoon stood after a moment.

"I'll go now, Dad. I need rest."

"Sleep well, son."

Back in his room, Sunghoon stood by the large window, watching the peaceful Uyama streets glow beneath the soft streetlights. His reflection looked tired in the glass a man shouldering too much, saying too little.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," he said.

It was Daejun. He stepped inside, bowed slightly. "How are you feeling, sir?"

"I'm fine," Sunghoon replied. "Any updates?"

Daejun hesitated, then spoke. "Sir there's something I need to tell you. When we arrived after Mr. Kim told you to rest, he told me to rest too. But then he ordered Minjun to follow me."

Sunghoon arched a brow. "And?"

"I didn't mean to overhear but I followed them. Mr. Kim is using Minjun to watch you through me. Minjun reports everything to him."

Sunghoon leaned back calmly. "I know."

"You knew, sir?"

"That's why I told you never to share anything with Minjun. I knew Father wouldn't let me move freely without eyes on me."

Daejun nodded. "Yes, sir but there's a misunderstanding."

"What misunderstanding?"

"Minjun that fool thinks you're involved with a girl. He's reported this to Mr. Kim already. They believe you're chasing after someone."

A faint smirk touched Sunghoon's lips. "Let them think that. Better they believe it's about a woman than revenge."

"Sir there's something more."

Sunghoon's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"

"Sir when we left for Uyama I was coming from the library."

"So? What happened?"

Daejun hesitated. "After Hana's classes, I followed her. It was raining heavily. I entered the library and saw her sitting in her usual seat. But she wasn't alone."

"With who?" Sunghoon asked, voice dangerously calm.

"A man. I think he might be from the Dragon Clan."

Sunghoon's gaze sharpened further. "Are you sure?"

"I can't say for certain but it felt wrong. They might know you're in Seoul. They could have sent someone to warn her. To keep her alert."

"Did he see you?"

"No, sir. I left immediately."

Sunghoon leaned back, thinking. "We need to move faster. If they're watching her too we have less time than I thought."

"Yes, sir. Understood."

Sunghoon stood up, his decision final. "We leave tomorrow at noon."

"Tomorrow?" Daejun echoed.

"Yes. No more delays. It's time."