“I’ve heard rumors circulating in the palace that a line of gift boxes filled with precious items has been arriving at Yeon.”

“They are gifts far beyond what I deserve. I’ve decided to return most of them, except for a few.”

“Why is that? They probably didn’t expect much in return when sending them. Accepting them would likely make them feel more at ease.”

After all, what’s the point of keeping things that will just end up in someone else’s hands? Yeocheong sipped his tea and lowered his gaze. In the past, he might have seen these gifts as a gesture of goodwill, but now, just looking at them made him feel disgusted.

“I’m not used to receiving such gifts, and it makes me uncomfortable.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. There are so many things you’ll need to get used to, and I failed to pay attention to this one.”

Jihyuk spoke with a troubled expression. He naturally reached out and took Yeocheong’s hand, gently running his fingers over the pale, slender hand as he gazed at it.

“The whiteness and slenderness of your fingers would make several rings look beautiful on you. But if you wear one with a large stone, it might cover up your delicate fingers… It would be better to choose something a little more slender and smooth, rather than one with a gemstone.”

“There’s no need to worry. I really don’t mind. I’m just not used to wearing jewelry, and I feel like it would only make me uncomfortable.”

Although Yeocheong refused several times, Jihyuk didn’t back down. In fact, he furrowed his brows slightly, as though displeased with Yeocheong’s insistence.

“You’re not used to it because you haven’t worn jewelry often. Once you get used to wearing rings on your fingers, it will feel strange not to have any at all.”

Jihyuk removed a ring from his own finger and slipped it onto Yeocheong’s index finger. Perhaps because of the size difference, there was a small gap when it settled on the finger.

“This one…”

The ring on Yeocheong’s finger was one Jihyuk was quite familiar with. Whether it held some particular significance or if Jihyuk simply had grown used to wearing it, it was always on his person.

Except for when they were physically intimate, Yeocheong knew that Jihyuk had always worn this ring, even in uncomfortable situations, so he was a little taken aback. He raised his opposite hand to remove the loose ring.

“If you take it off so abruptly, you’ll make me feel embarrassed.”

However, Yeocheong’s hand was quickly stopped by Jihyuk, who gently covered both of Yeocheong’s hands with his larger one. Using his other hand, Jehyuk made a motion as if wiping away tears.

“I understand that since this is a ring I’ve worn, it doesn’t feel like a gift, but…”

“It’s not that. It’s just… I hesitated because it seemed like a ring you wear often, and I wasn’t sure if it was alright for me to accept it.”

“I see.”

Jihyuk removed the ring he had worn for so long and briefly looked at the slightly indented finger where it had been. For a moment, his expression grew serious, but then he chuckled lightly and slid the ring onto Yeocheong’s finger, deepening it.

“It’s simply a familiar object because I’ve had it for so long.”

“I can tell there must be a reason you’ve kept it for so long, but I’m not sure if I should accept such a thing.”

Yeocheong said, looking at the ring that had settled deeply on his finger. Made from black jade, it was clearly expensive, yet somehow gave off a rough, unrefined feel.

“Even if there was a reason, what significance does it hold? It’s just an object, nothing more.”

“But…”

“I simply wanted to give you something to wear, but the only thing I have right now is this. If I had known, I would have brought a few more rings with me.”

With a playful tone, Jihyuk interlocked his fingers with Yeocheong’s. After briefly lifting their joined hands, he lowered them back onto the table.

“But, I’m still a little happy.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m happy because I know you noticed that I wear this ring. It feels like you’ve taken an interest in me, and that makes me very glad.”

Jihyuk grinned widely, his smile so pure and innocent that it was hard to believe it was all an act.

‘I wish I were as skilled at fabricating lies as he is.’

Yeocheong thought to himself, awkwardly lifting the corners of his mouth.

“It’s not hidden, so how could I not know? Besides… you’re always holding my hand like this.”

“Well, that’s true. Still, I’m happy.”

Jihyuk was always kind to Yeocheong. It was hard not to believe him when he said he had fallen in love at first sight, as he paid attention to even the smallest details and genuinely seemed pleased.

“You remembered my hand, so now, where should I help you remember next?”

At first, it had been unbearable to see him like this. Knowing it was a lie, understanding the meaningless words, made every expression feel awkward.

But as the days passed, the awkwardness faded. Even now, it didn’t feel strange.

“Hmm, you always avoid looking me in the eyes, so it feels like you’ve remembered my hand faster than my face… But still, the important thing is that you’ve remembered me, wherever it is.”

The slight flush on his cheeks and the genuine happiness radiating from his smiling face made Yeocheong wonder if such things could be faked, if they could be manufactured as easily as a lie.

But that couldn’t be the case. He knew deep down that it was his own foolishness, his own ignorance, that led to such thoughts, even after everything he had been through.

“Then how about today we practice looking into my eyes, so your gaze doesn’t escape so easily?”

Every time such thoughts crossed his mind, Yeocheong couldn’t help but wonder if he had made some mistake, if his own faults had prevented him from having the kind of relationship he longed for in his past life. If he had been a better person, if he had done better, perhaps things could have been different, perhaps they could have been together.

Every time these thoughts entered his mind, he felt even more miserable. And that was why Yeocheong hated these moments with Jihyuk.

He deliberately tried to avoid his gaze, but Jihyuk didn’t let him off the hook. Jihyuk’s hand gently rested on Yeocheong’s cheek.

“I’m not sure if you know what color my eyes are, considering how difficult you find meeting my gaze.”

“…I know.”

How could he not know? Those eyes were the ones he had loved passionately, and they were the same eyes that had caused him so much pain.

The light brown eyes, which almost seemed golden in bright sunlight, would shine brightly. In contrast, when looking down from a darker place, they would seem deep and black, as if swallowed by the shadows.

Indoors, they appeared as a somewhat lighter shade of dark brown, and up close, they looked more like a rich brown. Depending on where you looked or what expression he wore, those eyes appeared different in subtle ways.

Yeocheong had never forgotten those eyes for a single moment.

He had loved those eyes. He had cherished the time spent looking into them, smiling and talking with each other. It felt natural when they had shared such moments, when meeting each other’s gaze was effortless.

“You’ve got your head down like this.”

“Your eyes are a bright dark brown.”

There was no need for such a long explanation. As Yeocheong said this, he lifted his gaze, which had been lowered, and looked at Jihyuk.

“That’s correct. Oh, I see. It seems you know me better than I expected. I must have underestimated you.”

Jihyuk smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. The light coming in from the window reflected off his eyes, making them glow a slightly brighter hue.

If that gleam could be created intentionally, then anyone would likely be deceived by it.

The beauty of those eyes was enough to make Yeocheong think that.

“It seems you’ve gotten used to some of the contact by now, so how about we try practicing not turning your head this time?”

Just as Yeocheong absentmindedly stared at him, preparing to turn his head, Jihyuk gently cupped both of Yeocheong’s cheeks. The moment his hands tightened slightly, Yeocheong’s face was held still, unable to pull away, and he lightly muttered under his breath.

“If you’re trying so hard to escape, I’ll be disappointed.”

“……”

“Am I still that frightening to you?”

Even though his voice held a hint of disappointment, his gaze, fixed firmly on Yeocheong, was filled with affection. Just as Jehyuk had said, Yeocheong was still afraid of him. But the reason was a bit different from what Jihyuk thought.

It wasn’t his darkened eyes that scared him, but rather his eyes that shone brightly. Looking into those eyes, Yeocheong found himself unconsciously searching for faults within himself.

The fear came from moving forward into the future while constantly being drawn back into the past, and the unsettling urge to trust those bright, shining eyes again. It was terrifying, frustrating, and repulsive.

“I’m not afraid. I suppose I’m just not used to lifting my head yet, unlike holding hands.”

“I see. Then, in ten days, will I be able to see you meet my gaze and smile?”

Jihyuk, unaware of the turmoil within him, held Yeocheong’s face with a touch that was both gentle and, in its own way, cruel.

This was why Yeocheong hated these moments with Jihyuk so much.