Jae Hyuk moved closer without fear toward the stage, his expression unwavering, while his gaze grew deeper and sharper, never once shifting away from Jae Jin. The general's earlier ultimatum had no effect on him and did nothing to make him yield. Jae Hyuk stood firm in his resolve.
The wolf would not bite. It would kill.
Even as Jae Hyuk could feel the spears already being raised, ready to be thrust forward, aimed straight at him, waiting only for the command to strike.
"I WARN YOU ONE MORE TIME, STAY WHERE YOU ARE, PRINCE JAE HYUK!" the general barked, his jaw tightening, both fists clenched as he restrained his surging anger. His tone rose under pressure, sounding as though he were commanding an attack on a battlefield.
Jae Hyuk did not care. He continued stepping forward without even glancing at the source of the voice. However, his steps gradually slowed. Not because he considered the general's words, but because the palace guards began to move, surrounding the stage to protect the Crown Prince, forming a living shield.
A cynical smile curved on his lips. Pathetic.
Jae Jin had always been like that.
Half-brother—nothing more.
Jae Hyuk's mother had been the rightful queen. A woman who chose to end her own life when Jae Hyuk was still too young to understand palace politics. And after her death, the chief consort—Lee Sang Ah, Jae Jin's mother—rose to take her place, seizing the crown and everything that came with it.
In a swift motion, Jae Hyuk reached for a sword from the sash at his waist, lifting it into the air as if to throw it at Jae Jin. But instead of attacking, he simply dropped it to the ground near him—right at his feet.
Then, one after another, he discarded the other swords hidden in his sash, throwing them away without hesitation. The clanging of metal echoed, leaving everyone confused by his actions.
Why was he discarding his weapons?
Hadn't he come here to kill Jae Jin?
Had Jae Hyuk changed his mind?
"Take these swords if you fear I will be a threat to your Crown Prince," Jae Hyuk said coldly, kicking the blades forward.
The general did not move immediately.
His gaze traced the swords scattered across the stone floor before lifting again to Jae Hyuk, who stood unarmed, trying to read the hidden intent within those cold eyes.
"Your Highness…" one of the guards whispered hesitantly.
But the general raised his hand, signaling that no one should move first.
Jae Hyuk remained still. His gaze did not change. Sharp, cold, and… somehow even more dangerous than when he had been holding a sword.
"Besides the swords, I want you to surrender yourself, Prince Jae Hyuk," the general said firmly, leaving no room for tolerance. It was no longer a warning—it was an absolute command. "I am not joking with my warning."
"Then let's see," Jae Hyuk replied, the corner of his lips lifting into a mocking smile. He looked completely calm, as if all the threats directed at him were nothing more than passing wind.
The general clenched his jaw even tighter, clearly displeased by Jae Hyuk's response. "I will say this again—step back before I order my men to strike you with these spears."
Jae Hyuk let out a soft laugh. Very soft, yet enough to make the air grow colder.
"If you truly intended to do that…" Jae Hyuk spoke, his voice low and flat, "you wouldn't keep repeating the same warning."
His gaze shifted—slowly from the spears, to the guards, and finally stopping at the general. Sharp. Piercing.
"So just do it."
At that very moment, Jae Hyuk stepped forward again.
One step.
Two steps.
Firm and certain.
He continued walking without hesitation, ignoring the spears raised higher around him—
Until—
SRET!
A spear was released. Its tip sliced through Jae Hyuk's black robe, tearing the fabric at his sleeve and grazing his skin. A slight sting. Blood followed.
Only one spear had been thrown.
But it was enough to prove the general was not merely bluffing.
The guard who threw it held his breath. Meanwhile, the general searched Jae Hyuk's face for any reaction.
But to his frustration, Jae Hyuk did not even glance at his bleeding arm.
As if pain—or the threat of death—no longer mattered to him.
His gaze remained fixed on Jae Jin.
He saw the Crown Prince finally rise from his throne, his ceremonial robe falling with the movement. Jae Jin's face appeared proud, his jaw stiff, yet still trying to maintain what dignity remained.
"Everyone, step back!"
"Your Highness, that is too dangerous—" the general immediately looked up, shocked and panicked, cutting him off in protest.
"I said, everyone step back!" Jae Jin commanded without room for argument.
"Your Highness—"
"I am the one in command here, General." Jae Jin shot him a sharp look.
Slowly, the guards surrounding the stage exchanged uneasy glances before retreating step by step. Their spears, once raised, were lowered, moving away from their target. Their formation parted, opening a straight path from the foot of the stage to where Jae Hyuk stood alone at its center.
Jae Jin stepped down the stairs. Each step echoed heavily, while the tassels of his hat swayed gently with his movement.
Jae Hyuk stood in the middle, ignoring the blood slowly dripping from his arm. He remained still, challenging—neither advancing nor retreating.
He would not approach.
Jae Jin had to come to him.
And Jae Hyuk… waited.
As the distance between the two brothers narrowed, tension gripped everyone present. Bodies stiffened, breaths were held—especially the general. His eyes never left Jae Hyuk, observing every movement, no matter how small, trying to read the hidden intent behind his calm demeanor. Searching for even the smallest opening that could endanger the Crown Prince.
A few steps before Jae Hyuk, Jae Jin stopped.
The two brothers exchanged cold, fierce stares. The air felt thinner, the atmosphere suddenly heavy and suffocating.
Yet beneath his ceremonial robe, Jae Jin clenched his fists tightly, gathering all the anger he had suppressed.
"What do you want?" Jae Jin asked directly, without pretense.
Silence followed.
Jae Hyuk did not answer immediately. His lips remained sealed, while his light brown eyes continued to stare at Jae Jin—bold, sharp, and slowly… unreadable.
His breathing was calm.
Too calm.
It made Jae Jin's brows furrow slightly in confusion.
Slowly, Jae Hyuk leaned closer, bringing his lips near Jae Jin's ear, whispering in a low, cold voice—almost inaudible, yet enough to send chills down Jae Jin's spine.
"Do you know why I threw away my sword?"
The whisper made the hairs on the back of Jae Jin's neck stand on end. A cold sensation crept through his body.
"Because I don't need it to kill you."
At that moment, Jae Jin felt his strength drain away. His posture faltered, his gaze shook, and his clenched fists loosened without him realizing.
He froze.
For the first time, Jae Jin truly felt fear.
Jae Hyuk's words lingered in the air like an invisible blade.
And while Jae Jin was still stunned, Jae Hyuk moved.
In one swift step, he closed the distance. His arm lifted as if to embrace Jae Jin's shoulder, pulling him in tightly.
But at the same time, his other hand slipped beneath his robe.
Jae Hyuk drew a small hidden dagger—
And in a flash, without warning—
He stabbed it into Jae Jin's abdomen.
A deep thrust—but not fatal.
Jae Jin blinked at him, his breath catching. The blade pierced deeply, the sudden movement leaving him stunned. Pain surged through his stomach, sharp and suffocating.
He nearly collapsed—
But Jae Hyuk held him, making it appear as though they were merely embracing.
From a distance, no one noticed.
It looked as if the two brothers were sharing a secret.
Jae Hyuk's gaze turned colder. Heartless.
He pulled the dagger out swiftly.
"I'll do it properly next time. Remember this, Jae Jin— I will wipe out you and your entire clan."
In an instant, Jae Jin collapsed to the ground as Jae Hyuk released him.
Jae Hyuk stood tall—blood-stained dagger in hand.
Gasps erupted. Some screamed in shock as Jae Jin suddenly fell, covered in blood.
The movement had been completely unexpected.
The general rushed forward immediately, grabbing a spear from a nearby guard and pointing it straight at Jae Hyuk's neck.
But just as the tip touched his skin—
He stopped.
His hands trembled, his face flushed with rage.
Jae Hyuk showed no fear. Not even a flicker.
He stood still.
"Why don't you continue?" he asked calmly.
The general's jaw tightened further. Their gazes locked in a long, intense stare.
But in the end—
The general stepped back.
For a brief moment, he had seen something in Jae Hyuk's eyes.
"What future did you see?" Jae Hyuk asked sharply, noticing the shift.
The general shook his head and retreated, approaching Jae Jin, who was now surrounded by panicked palace attendants attempting first aid.
From a distance, he looked back at Jae Hyuk.
"I will make sure you are executed, Prince Jae Hyuk."
"Gwimun Prison. You will rot and die there," the general declared firmly.
Hearing that, Jae Hyuk dropped the dagger.
He raised both hands into the air—as if surrendering.
"Arrest me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Barely visible.
His eyes gleamed coldly.
The first plan… had begun.