The room fell silent after their conversation.
The moonlight streamed through the paper windows, painting pale silver across the floor.
King Hwan Seong sat infront of Seo yul while Seo Yul remained near the window. Neither spoke for a long time. The king had asked his questions. Seo Yul had answered only a few.
The rest remained buried inside him. His eyes stayed fixed on the moon outside. "You should rest," Hwan Seong finally said. Seo Yul lowered his gaze. "Yes, Your Majesty." His voice was soft, tired. The king expected him to move toward the bed. He didn't. Minutes passed. Then Hwan Seong noticed Seo Yul's head slowly drooping forward. His eyelids fluttered. The boy was fighting sleep. A moment later, he lost.
His body swayed slightly as sleep finally claimed him. For the first time that night, a faint smile touched the king's lips. "Stubborn boy." Carefully, Hwan Seong stood. Seo Yul didn't wake when strong arms slid beneath him. One arm supported his back. The other slipped beneath his knees. Seo Yul felt impossibly light. Fragile. The king carried him across the room and laid him gently on the bedding. He pulled the blanket over him. Then he froze. Seo Yul was shivering. Even beneath the blanket, his body trembled. His face was pale. His fingertips looked almost blue in the moonlight. The blood loss. The days without eating. The lingering illness. The king frowned. He reached down and touched Seo Yul's hand. Cold. Far too cold.
"Seo Yul..."
The sleeping boy made no response. Hwan Seong sat beside the bedding. For a long moment, he simply watched him. Then he made a decision. One he would probably regret in the morning. Slowly, he lay down beside him. Carefully. As though afraid the boy might break.
He pulled Seo Yul closer. At first, it was only to warm his freezing hands. But Seo Yul immediately reacted to the heat. A small sigh escaped him. His tense body relaxed.
Almost unconsciously, he shifted closer. Seeking warmth. Seeking comfort.
The movement caught Hwan Seong off guard.
Seo Yul's forehead rested against his chest.
His fingers curled weakly into the fabric of the king's robe. Like a child afraid of being left alone.
The king's heartbeat stumbled. For a moment, he considered moving away. He should. Every sensible thought in his mind told him to. Yet his arms tightened around Seo Yul instead. Just slightly.
The room was quiet except for the crackling candle and the steady sound of breathing.
Seo Yul slept peacefully for the first time in days. And Hwan Seong found himself staring at the ceiling long after midnight. Unable to sleep.
Unable to stop thinking. The boy in his arms felt too precious. Too important.
And that realization frightened him more than any battlefield ever had.