"What... What is wrong with you? Just spill it out. Tell me what you're thinking!" Diana demanded, her voice tinged with frustration.
Sung's response was measured, his voice soft and contemplative. "...Are you sure you want to know?" he asked, his expression hidden behind the mask.
Diana hesitated for a moment, grappling with her emotions before finally responding. "...Yes. I want you to tell me," she replied, her voice determined despite her trepidation.
But before Sung could respond, Diana's attention was drawn to the dimly lit surroundings of the room. With bookshelves lining both sides, the figure of the Fool's Mask loomed before her, adding an eerie atmosphere to the tense exchange.
Sung's voice broke through the silence, his tone gentle yet insistent. "You can go if you're afraid," he offered, his hand sweeping down her arm in a gesture of reassurance.
Diana's resolve wavered for a moment, uncertainty clouding her thoughts. "So... Is this what I think... It's all about...? W-What... Are you trying to do?" she stammered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
Sung's response was cryptic yet filled with longing. "I don't think you're asking without knowing," he remarked, his hand gently intertwining with hers, their fingertips touching in the dim light of the lantern.
Diana felt her heart flutter at his touch, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. "Please... Please don't stay away from me," Sung pleaded softly, his voice filled with an intensity that sent shivers down Diana's spine. "Please don't let anyone near you as much as you do to me. Please don't look at others as much as you do to me."
With his words hanging in the air, Diana found herself at a crossroads, torn between the allure of Sung's plea and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
The air between us crackled with tension as Lord Sung's words hung heavy in the air, his plea echoing in the dimly lit room.
"Please stay with me as long as you can. That's... How I feel," he murmured, his voice tinged with vulnerability.
Diana's heart swelled with emotion as she watched Lord Sung, his normally composed demeanor giving way to raw honesty.
"He's nervous...?" Diana mused silently, her gaze locked with Lord Sung's. "Lord Sung is nervous...?"
Despite the uncertainty swirling within her, Diana found herself drawn to him, her resolve solidifying with each passing moment.
"Yeah, maybe..." she whispered softly, her voice barely above a breath.
With trembling hands, they reached out to each other, their fingertips touching in a silent pledge of solidarity.
"I'm not afraid," Diana declared, her voice steady with determination. "There's no time to be afraid, and no time to stay away."
With each step forward, the distance between them melted away until they stood face to face, their breaths mingling in the stillness of the room.
"In other words..." Diana began, her voice barely a whisper as she reached for Lord Sung's mask. "...It means it's okay."
With a gentle touch, she removed the mask, revealing Lord Sung's tear-filled eyes beneath.
"It's okay to show me your everything," she reassured him, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.
As their lips met in a tender embrace, the world around them faded away, leaving only the echo of their love lingering in the air.
"...Diana,Eventually, you'll forget about me..." Lord Sung murmured against her lips, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"No. It's not gonna happen," Diana replied firmly, her words a promise of eternal devotion. "So don't be afraid."
With that, they surrendered to the pull of their hearts, losing themselves in each other as their love ignited like a flame in the darkness.
The tension in the room was palpable as Young, Taesoo, and Sung discussed the looming threat.
"They are planning something," Young stated gravely, his voice weighted with concern.
Taesoo nodded in agreement. "Not only soldiers but also assassins... It's hard to guess the scale."
Sung listened intently, his gaze focused on the door as if expecting trouble to burst through at any moment.
"It wouldn't be weird if they walk in right now," Sung remarked, his tone resigned yet determined.
Then, with a thoughtful expression, he continued, "Do you know... Why I haven't entered the royal residence yet? Just because I'm in mourning? No, I'm just waiting until I can nip the bud. I won't allow one single poison bud to grow in my yard. Until that day, I won't be able to sit on the throne at ease."
His words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with determination.
Resting his chin on his hand, Sung gave a slight tap on his lips and smiled, his resolve unwavering. The three men turned their attention to the door, their senses on high alert.
Just then, Kooju's voice broke the silence. "Nobody will lay a finger on Lady Diana."
In the days that followed, heavy rain fell relentlessly, casting a cold and melancholic atmosphere over the palace. Diana watched the downpour from her window, her thoughts consumed by the significance of the rainfall.
"It means the tears of the king," she murmured softly to herself, her heart heavy with the weight of loss and longing. For even in the midst of turmoil, the king's grief remained ever-present, a poignant reminder of his enduring love and sorrow.
Diana's words cut through the sound of the rain as she struggled to keep the clothes dry under the relentless downpour. Her thoughts lingered on the king, wishing for an end to his longing and sorrow.
"I wish his longing would end with this rain... He must be having a hard time," she murmured softly to herself, her heart heavy with empathy for the king's grief.
Suddenly, she lost her grip on the umbrella, and it slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground with a soft thud. Before she could react, a hand reached out and caught it, lifting it from the ground.
"Oh...!" Diana's surprise was evident as she turned to see Lord Bonhak standing before her.
"What... What brings you here?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Bonhak smiled softly. "I'm here to see you."
Diana's expression remained guarded. "Me? For what? Were we close enough to have a conversation?"
Bonhak chuckled, a lightness in his tone. "Haha... I guess I've got on the wrong side of you a lot."
He extended the umbrella towards her, his gesture polite and respectful. Diana eyed him warily, unsure of his intentions.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
Bonhak's words hung heavy in the air, his expression earnest as he sought to convey his sincerity.
"I've thought I really owe you an apology," he began, his tone softened with regret. "To be honest... I've been misunderstanding you. The same goes for everywhere, but the palace is more alert against strangers. Of course, no one is showing that on the outside. I hope you can understand my heart with a broad generosity."
Diana regarded him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "You think that's gonna lessen my hostility...?"
Bonhak met her gaze steadily, his features composed yet inscrutable. Despite his undeniable attractiveness, there was an underlying sense of danger about him.
"Don't you want to know why I'm against with the people around His Highness?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue.
Diana nodded, her interest piqued. "I... I do want to know....Tell me."
With a faint smile, Bonhak began to unravel a tale of tragedy and betrayal.
"There was a crown prince who killed himself in the cold back room," he revealed, his words laden with sorrow.
"What...?" Diana's shock was palpable as she listened intently.
"It was because he had to drink dirt in front of ministers every day at the meeting," Bonhak continued, his voice tinged with sadness. "He was deprived of authority and completely isolated. It was a very sad tragedy."
Diana's mind raced as she pieced together the implications of his words. "So... He's talking about Lord Sung's father... Right?"
Bonhak nodded solemnly. "But if the crown prince of a country experienced something so shameful, shouldn't we think about how great a high treason has been committed by him?"
Diana's mind reeled at Bonhak's revelation, her voice barely a whisper as she sought clarification.
"...What do you mean 'high treason'?" she asked, her words laden with disbelief.
Bonhak's gaze remained unwavering as he continued to unravel the grim truth. "Violence, rape, and murder," he replied solemnly.
Diana's eyes widened in horror, her heart pounding in her chest. "...What?"
"He committed unacceptable sins for someone who should seek virtues to become the king of the country in the future," Bonhak explained, his voice heavy with condemnation. "Therefore... Kooju and I only accused him. What would you have done if it were you, Lady Diana? Are you going to stand by and watch... Those who commit evil and ruin the palace?"
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, causing Diana to instinctively take a step back, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Evil. It was a word that sent shivers down her spine, threatening to engulf her in its darkness.
As she retreated, Bonhak reached out a hand towards her, bridging the distance between them. His gaze softened, his expression gentle as he brushed the water off her head with a small smile.
But their moment was interrupted by the arrival of two figures approaching from the distance. Diana's eyes narrowed as she recognized the first of them.
"...Officer Young," she murmured, noting the cold, piercing gaze that emanated from beneath the shelter of his black umbrella.
As the rain continued to cascade down, punctuating the tense atmosphere with its steady rhythm, Bonhak's departure left behind a void filled with swirling emotions. Diana felt a sense of urgency, knowing that misunderstandings could only deepen in his absence.
"I think I've become an uninvited guest, so if you're interested in talking to me at any time, please visit me," Bonhak's words echoed in Diana's mind, urging her to act swiftly to dispel the growing tension.
Approaching the two men who stood before her, Diana spoke, her voice cutting through the silence that hung heavy in the air.
"Wait a minute," she implored, her tone filled with urgency. "By any chance, do you want to talk to him?"
But her words were met with skepticism and disdain from Young Lord Taesoo, whose scoff echoed in the rain-soaked courtyard.
"Talk...? Did you say talk just now?" Taesoo's tone was laced with incredulity, his expression betraying his distrust.
Undeterred, Diana pressed on, her voice firm despite the turmoil raging within her. "I know what you're thinking. But Bonhak said he wanted to talk to you. Can't you think about it at least once?"
However, her plea fell on deaf ears as Taesoo's resentment simmered beneath the surface, his next words dripping with disdain.
"You don't even know why we're looking for you," he accused, his tone accusatory.
Diana felt a pang of confusion and hurt at his words, her heart sinking at the realization that their trust in her had faltered.
"Young Lord, what I'm saying is that..." she began, but Taesoo's interruption cut her off, his words laden with disappointment.
"I think I've been mistaken about you," he confessed, his gaze heavy with regret. "I'd rather... I'd rather want you to go back to Seoul as soon as possible."
As the weight of Young Lord Taesoo's words settled heavily upon her shoulders, Diana reached out, grasping his arm firmly to halt his departure into the unforgiving rain.
"Are you done talking?" she demanded, her voice a mixture of frustration and defiance.
Taesoo's expression softened, but his resolve remained steadfast. "That's what I want to say...!" he replied, his tone firm and resolute.
Officer Young intervened, his authoritative presence commanding their attention. "Get inside first. I'll visit you again soon," he instructed, offering Diana an umbrella to shield herself from the relentless downpour.
Taking the umbrella gratefully, Diana realized for the first time that she had been standing in the rain, drenched and vulnerable.
Seeking refuge from the storm, she retreated to the shelter of the old mansion. Alone with her thoughts, she contemplated the weight of her decision to remain in the palace despite the mounting challenges she faced.
But her solitude was short-lived as Lord Kooju, a figure of both authority and concern, approached her with urgency in his step.
"Lady Diana," he called out, his voice cutting through the quiet surroundings.
As the rain continued to fall relentlessly, shrouding the old mansion in a cloak of mist, Diana's thoughts were interrupted by the approach of Lord Kooju.
"Lord Kooju?" she called out, her voice laced with surprise as she watched him draw nearer.
With a sense of urgency in his stride, Lord Kooju addressed her. "I heard Bonhak visited you. May... May I speak to you for a moment?" he requested, his tone laden with concern.
A wave of emotion washed over Diana, clouding her vision momentarily as she struggled to find her voice. "I'm sorry... But I'm a little..." she began, her words trailing off.
But Lord Kooju's urgency persisted, his voice cutting through the silence. "Lady Diana," he addressed her firmly, his tone more urgent than usual.
Caught off guard by his insistence, Diana met his gaze, her resolve wavering. "...Are you really leaving?" Lord Kooju pressed, his tone laced with concern.
Exhausted by the weight of her secrets, Diana's admission was hesitant yet resolute. "That's right. I'm leaving soon," she confirmed, her voice tinged with resignation.
A flush of embarrassment colored Lord Kooju's cheeks as he wiped away a tear, his vulnerability laid bare. "Where... Where are you going?" he inquired, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
Diana's response was cryptic yet final. "It's a place you can never, ever follow," she replied, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Undeterred, Lord Kooju pressed for more information, his desperation palpable. "But His Highness knows that place, doesn't he?" he queried, his voice tinged with desperation.
Diana's admission revealed the depth of her connection to Lord Sung. "His Highness... Yes, he knows. Lord Sung was the first to know about the place," she confessed, her tone tinged with sadness.
As she grappled with her conflicting emotions, Diana realized the futility of keeping secrets. "Could you please let me know, too?" Lord Kooju implored, his voice pleading.
But Diana's resolve remained firm. "It's no use knowing," she stated plainly, her tone final.
Frustrated and bewildered, Lord Kooju was left with more questions than answers. "Where on earth is that place..." he began, but Diana's silence spoke volumes, leaving the question hanging in the air, unanswered.