xxix. ✓

                                    

                                          
𝒙𝒙𝒊𝒙.
Gasps broke the heavy silence within the sick bay, as all eyes turned sharply towards Jihoon. Gripping his bed sheets tightly, his gaze met Seungcheol's in the corner of the room, both filled with a mixture of pain and disbelief.
Seungcheol's heart ached, his entire body feeling like it was engulfed in searing heat. He struggled to find words, his mind swirling with a storm of emotions.
"You did not..." Seungcheol managed to utter, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and despair.
"I did," Jihoon replied, his voice devoid of any defense or apology.
Seungcheol took decisive strides towards Jihoon, his face a mask of raw emotion. Without hesitation, he grabbed Jihoon by the collars, lifting him slightly so they were eye to eye, their gazes locked in a battle of pain and betrayal.
"I get it, Jihoon! You don't have to rub it in my face, but be truthful with me. I know there's something else you're not telling us!" Seungcheol's voice wavered with a mix of anger and vulnerability.
Jihoon swallowed hard, his gaze shifting towards me at the side. Frozen under his intense stare, I felt a chill run down my spine.
"Rose... she misunderstood," Jihoon began, his voice tinged with a hint of remorse as he pulled himself free from Seungcheol's grip, which Seungcheol willingly released.
"What do you mean she misunderstood?" Seungcheol's voice held a note of confusion, his brows furrowed in search of answers.
Jihoon looked up at Seungcheol, his eyes filled with regret. "She thought I was the High King instead of you. Remember how she used to pursue me?"
The figures in the room exchanged bewildered glances, trying to piece together this unexpected revelation.
Jihoon pressed on, his voice carrying the weight of his guilt. "I knew there was something suspicious about her, but I couldn't help but be drawn to her. She was skilled at playing games, presenting herself as innocent and pure, but we were all deceived. She was cunning, and by the time I realized it, it was too late."
"How is it possible that she didn't know who the High King was?" I interjected, my voice filled with curiosity, causing Jihoon's gaze to shift towards me.
Wonwoo, standing in the background, spoke thoughtfully. "Back then, the High King's identity was not revealed until they turned eighteen officially. Seungcheol hadn't reached that age at the time. Additionally, Seungcheol worked behind the scenes, and Jihoon was often seen as the one with more authority within the Clan."
Mingyu nodded in agreement. "It's understandable that Rose might have misunderstood Jihoon as the High King."
"But that still doesn't explain why you slept together," I insisted, wanting to unravel the full truth. Jihoon pulled a face, his expression a mix of frustration and regret.
"Slow down. I haven't gotten to that part yet," he grumbled before clearing his throat.
"Anyway, it was an accident. It happened so quickly, I can barely remember the events leading up to it," Jihoon continued. "But it was that night when we brought Rose to the Grand Mansion. That's when it happened."
"That night?" Seungcheol's face displayed a blend of anger and pain, but he took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.
Jihoon gazed at Seungcheol, his eyes filled with a mix of turmoil and determination. He didn't want Seungcheol to suffer any further. He knew he had to share the full truth, no matter how painful it might be.