The Crown Prince's teahouse stood within the eastern gardens of the palace—an elegant pavilion of dark cedar pillars and sweeping tiled eaves. Delicate silk curtains swayed lazily in the afternoon breeze, carrying with them the faint scent of lotus blossoms from the nearby pond.
Inside, the atmosphere was serene yet refined. Low lacquered tables gleamed beneath soft sunlight filtering through lattice windows. Porcelain teacups, thin as petals, rested upon embroidered cloth. The quiet trickle of a small stone fountain blended with distant birdsong, creating a calm that felt far removed from the schemes and whispers of the main court.
It was a place where burdens were meant to be set aside—at least for a little while.
Crown Prince Hyun Min burst into hearty laughter, the sound bright and unrestrained as Prince Soo Hyuk animatedly narrated his encounter with Haesoo.
"Hyungnim!" Soo Hyuk whined, puffing out his cheeks as Hyun Min continued laughing at his expense.
"She seems like the perfect woman for you," Hyun Min teased, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
"Perfect? Woman?" Soo Hyuk scoffed loudly. "That lady? Never! She's completely—completely crazy!"
He sucked his teeth dramatically, mimicking Haesoo's expression so poorly that even the palace attendants at a distance had to lower their heads to hide their smiles.
Hyun Min shook his head, laughter still spilling from him. Truly, no one made him feel as at ease as his younger brother did.
"Alright, alright. My apologies," Hyun Min said, patting Soo Hyuk lightly on the back. "But tell me again—she truly laughed at you?"
"She did!" Soo Hyuk exclaimed indignantly. "When I told her I was the Third Prince, she laughed as if I'd declared myself the King of the Heavens!"
Hyun Min pressed his lips together, struggling to maintain composure. "Well… with that ridiculous disguise of yours, no one would believe you're royalty. You looked like a wandering merchant who lost his way."
"Hyungnim!" Soo Hyuk cried in horror. "That disguise was carefully planned!"
"Yes," Hyun Min replied calmly, lifting his teacup. "Carefully planned to be unbelievable."
Soo Hyuk gasped as if struck in the chest.
At the grand gate, Prince Seowoo halted mid-step.
From a distance, he watched his brothers laughing together beneath the soft sunlight. The sight tightened his chest painfully.
Their laughter seemed effortless. Warm.
His thoughts drifted back to his earlier conversation with the ministers—their veiled words, their dangerous promises.
He had always stood slightly apart.
Always watching.
Never quite belonging.
The Crown Prince noticed him and lifted a hand, beckoning gently.
Soo Hyuk immediately ran toward Seowoo. "Hyungnim!" he called brightly, attempting to throw his arms around him.
Seowoo sidestepped smoothly, avoiding the embrace without even glancing down.
Soo Hyuk froze mid-air, nearly losing his balance. "Ah—!"
Hyun Min coughed softly, pretending not to see.
Seowoo approached and bowed slightly. "Your Royal Highness."
Hyun Min chuckled lightly, noticing Soo Hyuk's deeply offended expression.
"Seowoo, you should drop the honorifics when we're together."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Seowoo replied, his face stern and unreadable.
Soo Hyuk dramatically clutched his chest. "Hyungnim, he rejected me twice in a single breath."
Hyun Min ignored him. "Father requested your presence?"
Seowoo nodded. "Yes, Your Royal Highness. Please excuse me—I must go to His Majesty."
"Very well."
Seowoo bowed and turned to leave.
Hyun Min's gaze followed his retreating figure. Beneath that cold composure, he could see the pain Seowoo always tried to conceal.
He only hoped his brother would not be dragged into the palace schemes.
If possible, he wished to shoulder every burden alone.
Soo Hyuk noticed the faint worry in the Crown Prince's eyes and tugged lightly at his robe.
"Hyungnim… should I plead with Father to marry Seowoo off?" he asked seriously.
Hyun Min blinked. "What?"
"If he marries, he might smile more," Soo Hyuk reasoned earnestly.
Hyun Min stared at him for a long moment before sighing. "In that case, perhaps I should ask Father to marry you off to a minister's daughter."
Soo Hyuk's eyes widened in horror. "Pardon?!"
Hyun Min chuckled, finally sipping his tea with elegance.
"Instead, I will have the palace guard summon that bold young lady… to perform at Seowoo's banquet."
Soo Hyuk's eyes sparkled instantly. "Really?"
"Yes."
Soo Hyuk grinned mischievously. "I cannot wait to see her face when she realizes I am truly a prince of this nation."
Hyun Min merely smiled, curiosity flickering in his calm gaze.
He, too, wished to meet the girl who had managed to shake his troublesome younger brother so thoroughly.