In the Palace
The grand hall of the palace was silent except for the heavy sound of footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The King sat upon his throne, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Dik, who stood before him with folded arms and defiance burning in his gaze. Beside him stood his elder brother, tall and calm, his presence carrying quiet authority.
"Rascal," the King said, voice sharp with both anger and disappointment. "How dare you run away from your room. Do you not fear me anymore? Do you not respect the walls of your own palace?"
Dik lowered his gaze for a moment, then lifted it with stubborn pride. "Father, I am not afraid. But living behind closed doors, as though I am imprisoned… I could not bear it any longer. I had to see the world outside, even if just for a moment."
The King's expression hardened, ready to scold him further. Before he could speak, the elder brother stepped forward. "Father," he said calmly, "he must be tired of living behind closed doors. Perhaps this was his only escape. And most of all… you must punish me because I was behind all this plan."
Dik's eyes widened in shock. "What? Shut up! You are just trying to save me from punishment." He turned to the King, desperation in his voice. "Father, I ran away on my own. Please punish me, not my big brother."
The elder brother placed a hand gently on Dik's shoulder, smiling faintly. "Dik, I have always protected you. Since you were small, I have stood in the storms for you. Today is no different. Let me bear this for you."
Dik's voice cracked with emotion. "Yaaa!! What are you trying to say? You want to take the punishment for me?"
The elder brother nodded, his expression filled with quiet warmth. "Yes. Because you are my brother. I will protect you even from the king's wrath."
The King's voice boomed, cutting through the moment. "Both of you, keep quiet! The one who made the mistake must be punished. Dik, you are to be grounded for four days. And don't you dare run away again."
Dik bowed his head, accepting the punishment, but his elder brother stepped closer. "Father," he said softly, "Dik may be grounded, but he needs not suffer alone. I will spend these days with him, in his chamber, so he does not feel isolated. Let me be by his side."
The King glanced at him, then nodded slowly. "Very well. But know this—this is not leniency, but discipline. He must learn respect for his home and his family."
The elder brother placed a reassuring hand on Dik's shoulder, and Dik looked up at him, a faint smile breaking through his frustration. They left the hall together, their steps slow, walking side by side toward Dik's chambers.
In Another House
Far from the palace, in the military compound, the General paced in the dimly lit hall. His son, Sen Ruyon, stood before him, leaning casually against a carved wooden pillar. His expression was playful but tinged with irritation.
"Sen Ruyon," the General said sharply, "you are grounded."
Sen Ruyon raised an eyebrow. "What? Why? I did not do anything wrong."
The General stopped pacing and looked at his son intently. "I think the King is pulling strings on us. Today he sent assassins to kill you. Tomorrow… he may try to kill me. So it's better if you are grounded. At least you won't be a burden to me."
Sen Ruyon studied his father's face. Deep down, he knew this was not just about discipline—it was about protection. His father had always been both his guide and shield. Still, the pride of a prince stung at the idea of being told what to do.
"Fine," Sen Ruyon said finally, bowing his head with a small smirk. "I shall follow your order."
The General's stern face softened. "Good. But remember, Ruyon, grounding is not a punishment—it is for your own safety. And one day, you will thank me for it."
Sen Ruyon chuckled softly. "I will remember that, Father."
The Brothers' Bond
Meanwhile, Dik and his elder brother spent the night together. Despite the punishment, the elder brother never left Dik alone. In those long hours, he told Dik stories of their childhood—of how they had fought together as children, of how Dik's laughter once filled the palace gardens.
They spoke of their dreams, their fears, and their shared memories. Dik learned that his elder brother had always looked out for him quietly, without making it a matter of pride.
On the third night of his grounding, Dik turned to his brother. "You've never told me… why you always protected me."
The elder brother smiled faintly. "Because you are my brother. Blood binds us, but love keeps us together. No matter what mistakes you make, Dik, I will stand beside you."
Dik's eyes glistened. "Then I promise… I won't make you regret it."
And so, in the quiet chambers of the palace, a deeper bond was forged—not just of blood, but of trust and sacrifice, a bond that would stand against storms.
At the Cold Palace
The night wind howled through the empty courtyard, carrying snowflakes that shimmered like silver dust beneath the moonlight. The cold palace was as silent as a tomb once home to queens and nobles, now nothing but a place of exile and punishment. The air inside was so frigid that even the candles trembled before flickering out.
Dik rubbed his arms and shivered violently. "Shhhhhhh! It's so cold I feel like I'm freezing!" he muttered through chattering teeth, wrapping his blanket tighter around himself. His breath turned white in the air. "I can't believe I have to spend three whole days here. What kind of punishment is this? My toes might just fall off before morning."
His elder brother chuckled softly, placing a small box on the dusty table. "Don't worry," he said warmly. "I'll come to visit you every day and bring delicious food. You've survived worse things, little brother. Just keep yourself warm, and don't catch a cold."
Dik pouted, rubbing his nose. "Easy for you to say you get to sleep in a warm bed while I turn into an ice sculpture!"
His brother laughed and brushed the snow off Dik's shoulder. "Stop complaining. I'll see you tomorrow. Remember, no sneaking out again, or Father will double your punishment."
Dik sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Byeee!"
The elder brother smiled fondly and turned to leave, his cloak fluttering in the cold breeze. The heavy door creaked shut behind him, leaving Dik alone with the soft whisper of wind and the faint crackle of a dying fire.
Dik pulled the blanket over his head and tried to sleep, but a strange sound made him freeze. Footsteps. Quiet, deliberate, echoing from the corner of the room.
He sat up, heart thudding. "Wait… who's there?" he called out nervously. "Hello, Mr.—what are you doing here?"
The shadow moved closer. Dik squinted through the dim light and gasped. The figure stepped into the flickering glow of the last candle and there he was.
The same sharp eyes. The same proud smirk. The same aura that screamed trouble.
Sen Ruyon.
Dik's mouth fell open in disbelief. "You???" he exclaimed, pointing at him dramatically.
Ruyon blinked, equally startled, his expression twisting between confusion and amusement. "You???" he repeated, pointing right back. "What in the world are you doing here? Don't tell me this freezing room is your palace?"
Dik frowned, clutching his blanket like a shield. "For your information, this is my palace well, temporarily. I was just… taking a break from my royal duties!"
Ruyon crossed his arms, smirking. "Taking a break? In a dungeon that smells like ice and dust? You really are a strange man."
Dik huffed, turning away. "You're the strange one! Why are you here? Did you sneak in to mock me again?"
Ruyon tilted his head, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Mock you? No. I came here to deliver a message to the King, but apparently I've found something far more entertaining."
Dik glared at him. "You're impossible!"
Ruyon grinned, leaning closer. "And you're still as weak and dramatic as before. Looks like fate just can't keep us apart, hmm?"
Dik's face flushed with both cold and annoyance. "I don't believe this…"
And there, in the middle of the icy cold palace, two men who should never have met again found themselves face to face once more bound by coincidence, or perhaps, by something deeper written in the stars.