Your Highness | Jakehoon

이번이 아니라 지금 놓을 수 없습니다 (8)

Jungwon & Jay

Jungwon is waiting outside.

He sees the moment Jake steps out of the inn, sees the way his shoulders are shaking, the way his hands curl into fists like he's trying to hold himself together.

Jungwon knows better.

Jake doesn't look at him. "Let's go."

Jungwon doesn't move. "Are you sure?"

Jake exhales shakily. "Yes."

The lie tastes bitter on his tongue.

Jungwon hesitates, but he doesn't push. Not yet. He just nods.

Jay is leaning against the side of a carriage when they arrive, arms crossed, expression unreadable. "Took you long enough."

Jake doesn't answer.

Jay studies him for a long moment. Then his gaze shifts to Jungwon, eyes sharp. "So?"

Jungwon hesitates. Then, finally, he shakes his head.

Jay exhales through his nose, something like frustration flashing in his eyes. "Figures."

Jake looks away. "Can we just leave?"

Jay watches him. "Is that what you want?"

Jake swallows. "It's what needs to happen."

Jay doesn't look convinced. "Fine." He nods toward the carriage. "Get in."

Jake doesn't hesitate.

Jungwon hesitates.

Jay notices.

He waits until Jake is inside before turning to him. "What?"

Jungwon shifts on his feet. "I don't think we should go."

Jay raises an eyebrow. "And why's that?"

Jungwon hesitates. "Because Sunghoon is coming."

Jay stiffens.

Jungwon looks toward the palace, toward the city, toward the storm that is about to collide. "He won't let Jake go. Not again."

Jay exhales, rubbing a hand over his face. "Then I hope he's ready to fight for him."

Because if he isn't-

Jake might never come back.

---

At the Palace

Sunghoon stands in the empty room.

The silence is suffocating.

Jake is gone.

The realization hits him like a blade to the chest, sharp and unforgiving.