The inn had become a private place where no ordinary people could enter anymore. Guards stood everywhere, at each corner, and with just one glance, anyone could tell that the place hosted influential people.
"Greetings."
The guards at the inn's entrance flinched at the sudden voice. They both bowed to the man, his white robes trailing lightly behind him in the wind. His long black hair was neatly tied back. He carried himself with such authority that the guards instinctively showed him respect.
"My apologies, sir," one of the guards said politely. "This place is reserved. But if you ride further ahead, you'll find a much better inn with excellent services."
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience," the man replied calmly, his voice steady. "But I believe I'm right where I want to be." He paused, his gaze sharp as it swept over the two men. "I'm here to meet the Emperor."
The guards looked at each other in shock.
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? The Emperor? Why would the Emperor be in such a place?" one of them laughed nervously.
Since the Emperor had left the Palace, no one was supposed to know his whereabouts. After all, he was the Emperor and enemies were everywhere.
"You can go inside and inform him," the man continued, "that I have information about the murdered shadow."
"How dare you speak of the Emperor as though he's your equal!" a voice cut in sharply. Eunuch Song appeared from behind Nim.
When their eyes met, the Eunuch twitched one of his eyes, studying him. "Have we met before?" he asked.
"I'm not sure if your memory serves you well," Nim replied softly, walking closer, "but we met at the Palace once. My father treated the late Emperor."
Song raised an eyebrow, masking his surprise with a flat, tight-lipped smile. "Ah, I remember. But I also recall you once had the Emperor's sword at your neck. How was that?"
Nim didn't answer immediately. He simply straightened his robe, took a small step back, and finally spoke. "My past with the Emperor isn't good, but..."
"There is no past between you and the Emperor," Eunuch Song interrupted coldly. "You're merely another inconvenience in his way."
The words stung, but Nim didn't argue. He stepped aside to let the old man pass. It wasn't that he was hurt by what was said, it was that he'd lost the will to smile the moment the Eunuch brought up that incident.
"He's never made it clear," Nim murmured, letting out a small, miserable laugh.
---
Seven years ago
"What's going on here?"
Both boys were startled by the voice. Han Ji stood at the doorway, his eyes narrowed. For some reason, Yunxi instantly pushed Nim away from him. Nim stumbled backward, and Yunxi quickly sat upright. His face was filled with terror, the kind that made Nim question who this person really was.
Yunxi had once introduced Han Ji as his big brother, not by name or title, but simply as a brother, maybe even a friend. But seeing how frightened Yunxi looked now, Nim could tell this man wasn't "a brother" as yunxi claimed. Brothers didn't make themselves this uncomfortable.
Han Ji took a few steps inside, and Yunxi instinctively backed away until his back hit the wall. Nim could sense danger in the air. "It's not what it looks like," he said defensively. Han Ji's sharp gaze shifted from Nim to Yunxi, then back again.
"Hey, get yourself together," Nim urged, reaching out and holding Yunxi's face gently in his palms.
Yunxi's eyes widened, and before Nim could even turn to see what had caught his attention, something struck him hard. He hit the floor. The world began to spin. Everything trembled around him, voices became distant echoes.
He shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness. When his vision returned, he saw this so called brother gripping Yunxi by the collar and saying something but the words were muffled, drowned by the ringing in his ears. Blood trickled down Nim's cheek from where he'd been hit.
Gradually, sound returned. He could hear shouting outside, soldiers' voices. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't respond.
"I asked you a question, Yunxi! Answer me!" Han Ji's voice thundered.
Nim could hear the interrogation, but it was as though he were trapped in paralysis. He couldn't move. He hated himself for being so helpless...for not protecting Yunxi. The boy was crying now.
"You can't talk, huh?" Han Ji growled.
Nim didn't know what happened next, but Yunxi suddenly fell hard to the ground. Nim saw the boy's nose bleeding, his lips bruised at the corners. Yunxi tried to crawl away, but Han Ji stopped him, turned him over, and held a dagger close to his throat.
"Please…" Yunxi cried weakly.
"Then speak!" Han Ji roared. "Tell me what I'm thinking is not true. Speak!"
"So this is what you leave your home for?" he demanded.
"No… no… I… I didn't…" Yunxi stammered, trembling. He closed his eyes, opened them again as if forcing himself to do something he didn't want to do.
"Speak!" Han Ji ordered again, his tone sharp and merciless.
"He… he forced me," Yunxi finally said. His voice cracked. "I didn't want to… he forced himself on me." he cried.
Han Ji's grip loosened. He slowly turned toward Nim.
Nim couldn't move. Terror filled his eyes. Through the doorway, he could see his father in the crowd outside, struggling to get past the soldiers who blocked him.
Han Ji's figure loomed closer, the glint of his sword reflecting cold light as it neared Nim's neck.
'This is the end?' Nim thought. His father's warning echoed in his mind: 'Sons of influence can never be in the wrong with the ordinary. That boy is not your level. Keep your distance.'
Back then, Nim hadn't understood the weight of those words. Now, he did.
He caught a glimpse of Yunxi, who was kneeling and holding Han Ji's sleeve. "Please, let's just go. I promise nothing like this will ever happen again. Please, big brother…"
Nim couldn't understand why Yunxi was lying like that. He had only ever been a good friend to him. If only when Yunxi told him to stop, if only he did stop. Maybe this wouldn't have happened at all.
But now… now he was a criminal. A rapist.
At a young age, he wasbaccused of forcing himself on a noble.
Imagine a male.
The word echoed painfully in his mind.
Why… why had it come to this?
He closed his eyes, ready for death.
"Your Highness!" a voice suddenly shouted. Everyone froze.
Your Highness?
It suddenly hit everyone.
So this was no ordinary noble, this was a prince. No wonder the soldiers had been guarding the area so fiercely.
"You can't kill the boy," Eunuch Song said firmly as he stepped forward. "His father is responsible for the Emperor's health. If you kill him, and the Emperor finds out, you'll be in grave trouble, he will be in trouble."
Han Ji turned to Yunxi again, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sheathed his sword and grabbed Yunxi by the wrist, pulling him out of the small house.
As they pushed through the crowd, Yunxi turned back one last time. He couldn't see Nim anymore. Tears streamed down his swollen eyes, tears of guilt.
Nim's voice echoed in his mind.
'Did something happen? Why do you walk like that? Let me see, it won't hurt, I promise, I won't touch you.'
"I don't want to, stop," Yunxi had said, right before the door burst open.
'I'm sorry...' Yunxi thought 'I can't let him know.'
But it was useless now.
He had already lied. He had already branded Nim a rapist.
The damage was already done.