CHAPTER 44
Dohyun knelt down to Taeyang's level, the little boy's pleading eyes fixed on him, wide and shimmering with hope. Dohyun felt his heart twist. He gave a helpless shrug and a lopsided chuckle.
"Sure, why not?"
Taeyang's face lit up.
"Really?!"
"Yes, really."
Dohyun forced a grin, though his chest was tight. As he straightened, he avoided Taejin's glare.
Taejin stood at the door, arms crossed, his mouth pressed into a hard line. He didn't say a word, but his eyes followed Dohyun with burning disapproval as he strode over to the bedside.
Dohyun crouched beside Sihyun, fingers brushing over the iron lock of the chain. His thoughts screamed louder than the clink of metal.
Sihyun… please. Don't do anything stupid. I'm trusting you here.
The lock clicked.
The moment the chain fell away, Sihyun inhaled sharply, like a man breaking the surface of water after being drowned. His eyes flashed gold-red, tattoos burning faintly across his skin as the surge of suppressed power rippled through him. For an instant, the chamber pulsed with that dangerous glow—then, just as quickly, it dimmed as Sihyun steadied himself.
Taeyang squealed, bouncing in delight.
"Yaaay! Dada!"
Sihyun's smile returned, softer now, and he swept his son into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"My sunshine…"
He buried his face in Taeyang's hair, breathing him in as though this moment could mend every ache of his isolation.
Dohyun exhaled in relief, stepping back, watching father and son with a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
At the door, Taejin finally let out a long, tired sigh. His gaze flicked to Dohyun, disappointment written plain across his face.
"…You'll regret this,"
he muttered under his breath.
Sihyun held Taeyang close, savoring every second, when Taejin's voice cut through the warmth like a blade.
"That's enough. Time's up."
All three turned sharply toward him.
Taeyang's bright eyes blinked, confused.
"But… uncle Taejin—"
"Remember,"
Taejin interrupted firmly,
"your Papa doesn't know about this."
The boy's lips trembled, the joy draining from his little face. He lowered his head, his small hands clinging tighter to Sihyun's robes.
Dohyun's jaw tightened, his tongue heavy with words he couldn't form. He only stared at Taejin, frustration simmering but unspoken.
Sihyun finally broke the silence. His voice was low, almost pleading.
"Please, Taejin. Just a little longer. I haven't had Taeyang in my arms for as long as I can remember…"
Taeyang immediately chimed in, turning his teary gaze toward Taejin.
"Please, uncle Taejin… just a little more time with Dada…"
Taejin froze, his chest tightening. He hated this. Hated how the boy's innocence made the decision heavier than it should be. With a deep sigh, he turned his head away and muttered,
"…Fine. A little longer."
Relief swept over the room like a soft breeze. Sihyun kissed the top of Taeyang's head, whispering,
"Thank you…"
under his breath.
Taejin stepped out, leaning against the doorframe with folded arms, his eyes scanning the corridor. Dohyun followed, glancing once at the reunited pair before joining him outside.
Neither man spoke. The silence between them was thick—Taejin's disapproval clashing with Dohyun's stubborn relief—yet neither dared disturb the fragile peace inside that chamber.
It was already deep into the night when Muwon slipped into Taeyang's chamber. The boy's bed was empty, blankets folded back.
"Taeyang?"
Muwon's voice was calm at first, then sharper when no reply came. He searched the corners, the balcony, even under the bed, but the room was silent. Panic clawed faintly at his chest. He turned on his heel and strode out.
The palace corridors were quiet, torches flickering. As he made his way toward the restricted wing, his eyes caught sight of Dohyun standing alone in front of the chamber where Sihyun was chained. Taejin was nowhere in sight.
Muwon's steps quickened.
"Dohyun… what are you doing here at this hour?"
Dohyun straightened, meeting his gaze evenly.
"Just walking by."
Muwon frowned, studying him for a moment before brushing it off.
"Have you seen Taeyang? He's not in his chamber. I can't find him anywhere."
There was a pause. Dohyun's throat bobbed as he cleared it, but his expression didn't waver. He lifted his chin slightly and said with quiet boldness,
"I took him to see Sihyun."
Muwon froze. His eyes widened, the words cutting into him like a blade.
"…You what?"
The weight of the silence after was crushing. Muwon's voice was low but edged with danger, as if it were taking every ounce of restraint to keep from exploding.
Dohyun didn't flinch. He had already prepared himself for this moment. His calm stare met Muwon's burning one, unshaken.
Dohyun stood his ground, shoulders squared.
"You don't have the right to keep Taeyang from his Dada. If Sihyun lashed out, it's because you've been pushing him into a corner. I don't blame him for what he did."
Muwon's patience snapped.
"You dare—!"
His voice rose, thundering through the corridor.
"You went against my direct order, Dohyun!"
Without another word, Muwon stormed toward the chamber door. But Dohyun's arm shot out, blocking him.
"Don't do this,"
he said firmly, his tone almost pleading.
Muwon's eyes blazed, his jaw tightening as he stared at Dohyun. The air between them felt like it could ignite. Then, with a sharp move, Muwon shoved Dohyun aside. The younger man stumbled back as Muwon gripped the door and flung it open.
Inside, the moonlight spilling through the window revealed a sight that stopped him in his tracks.
On the bed, Taeyang curled against Sihyun's chest, both of them fast asleep, breathing in rhythm, peace written on their faces. For a moment, Muwon's heart faltered. His anger dimmed under the weight of that fragile image—his son, finally smiling in sleep, Sihyun holding him as if he would never let go.
But then his eyes fell to Sihyun's bare wrist. His chest tightened, the calm snapping back into fury.
The chain was gone.
He turned sharply, his voice a low growl cutting through the silence.
"…You took the chain off."
Dohyun stood in the doorway, silent. His lips pressed into a line, no excuse leaving him. His silence was answer enough.
Muwon's fist clenched at his side as his voice rose again, edged with bitter betrayal.
"Dohyun…!"
Muwon stepped closer to the bed, his anger buried beneath a heavy silence. He lowered himself carefully, sliding one arm beneath Taeyang's small body and the other behind his back. Taeyang stirred faintly but didn't wake, his little hand resting against his Papa's chest as he instinctively snuggled closer.
Muwon froze for a moment, his gaze flickering to Sihyun. The Demon Sorcerer lay unmoving, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths, his face calm in sleep—so different from the monster Muwon had seen only hours ago.
Without a sound, Muwon lifted his son fully into his arms. He straightened slowly, every movement deliberate so as not to wake either of them. Taeyang sighed softly against his Papa's shoulder, blissfully unaware of the storm between the adults.
Muwon turned and began walking out, his steps heavy with determination.
Behind him, Dohyun finally broke the silence, his voice sharp with restrained emotion.
"You're making a very big mistake, Your Majesty."
Muwon paused at the doorway, his back still to Dohyun. His voice came out quiet, calm—but firm like stone.
"I'm doing what I know is best for everyone. Sihyun is dangerous. And you'd do well to remember that… and keep it that way."
Dohyun's fists clenched at his sides, his heart sinking.
Muwon glanced over his shoulder, his eyes hard.
"I'll send the guards to put the chain back on him."
With that, he walked away, carrying Taeyang back to his chamber. He laid his son gently onto the bed, pulling the covers over him, brushing a hand softly across the boy's hair. His face softened only for Taeyang before he straightened, his resolve hardening again.
Meanwhile, Dohyun remained rooted in place outside Sihyun's chamber door, his chest tight. He looked back once at the closed door, where Sihyun still slept in lonely silence, and whispered under his breath, voice heavy with ache—
"…I'm sorry, Sihyun."