Updates will have to be postponed until the month of October. Schedules have been piling up, and I cannot entirely focus on anything right now. I even forgot to update this week. To ensure all work is done, I will shift my focus to more pressing matters. Thus, updates will have to be postponed. Do not worry. I will come back on October 1st.
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Kang felt a surge of pride that such a magnificent man was his father and that this man loved him[1]. The emperor spent a long time savoring the veins and soft flesh on the back of Kang’s hand with his lips before looking up. His golden eyes, which seemed to steal one's soul, enveloped Kang. The emperor drew Kang closer, kissed his forehead, and whispered.
“I smell blood. Is it yours?”
“No… hyung is badly injured.”
“I see.”
The emperor was remarkably indifferent, showing no sign of sorrow. Kang, enjoying the repeated kisses, turned his head slightly. The emperor openly displayed his displeasure by frowning, but for once, Kang did not obediently submit. He knelt on the bed and raised himself to eye level with the emperor, who leaned back slightly, watching with a cool smile. Kang, with his smaller hands, grasped the emperor's shoulders, leaned in, and kissed his cheek. He continued to kiss both cheeks repeatedly, blushing furiously until his lower lip turned white from biting it so hard. The emperor, stunned by this unexpected display of affection, held his breath, his heart pounding. He wanted to hide it, afraid Kang might notice and run away, but he couldn’t.
The emperor felt so happy he could die. He held his breath until his face turned pale, then pulled Kang into a tight embrace.
“Kang, Kang. Your father truly loves you. More than anything in this world, your father loves you….”
The emperor couldn’t finish his sentence and instead held his son tightly. His body trembled uncontrollably. The once mighty and imposing emperor now shivered with fear. Kang looked at him with gentle eyes.
“Abamama, I love you too,” Kang confessed in a shy, barely audible voice, hugging him tightly. The emperor groaned softly, burying his face in Kang’s neck. It was a familiar action, so Kang didn’t mind. He blinked slowly, patting his father’s back.
“Abamama… shouldn’t you go to my brother? He’s in pain….”
I think he misunderstands. Maybe if you go and hold him, he’ll let go of his anger.
On the way to the imperial palace, Kang had rehearsed his words, but he was caught off guard by the emperor's unexpected statement.
“Kang-ah, you like having brothers, don't you?”
“Brothers? Are you referring to King Sohyeon?”
“No. I mean real brothers.”
The emperor asked, his trembling calmed by Kang’s grip as he tenderly caressed Kang’s face. Kang frowned at the mention of 'real brothers.' He already had plenty of brothers, though they had different mothers, they shared the same father, and were thus real brothers.
“I already have brothers.”
“I will give you real brothers.”
The emperor’s voice and eyes were filled with hope, causing Kang to tilt his head in confusion. The emperor couldn’t help but laugh at the endearing gesture.
“Has mother conceived?”
The emperor laughed aloud, wrapping his arms around Kang’s waist. His breath was hot against Kang’s skin.
“You will find out soon.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to understand now. Your father will explain everything. Just wait.”
The emperor spoke kindly, seating Kang on his thigh and smiling with his eyes. The emperor, having barely contained his excitement, let out a sigh of ecstasy as he gazed into Kang’s dark eyes. Those eyes looked only at him, and in his world, there was only Kang. Bound by blood and soon by love, they would be united.
My perfect lover.
The emperor, smiling inwardly, took Kang’s hand and kissed the back of it. Kang felt the change in temperature and the intensified gaze, making him want to avert his eyes. For the first time, the emperor's golden eyes seemed frightening. They pierced his skin and delved into his heart. Instinctively, Kang felt fear but didn’t run. Instead, he burrowed into the emperor’s embrace, resting his face against his chest.
The emperor removed Kang’s hairpin, letting his black hair cascade down. Stroking Kang’s hair, he spoke in a voice laced with amusement from above.
“Abamama will give you medicine from today. You must take it.”
“What kind of medicine?”
Kang asked, and the Emperor called in a eunuch who had been waiting outside. The eunuch approached cautiously, carrying a bowl of medicine. The Emperor took the bowl himself and brought it to Kang's plump lips. Kang, although curious, obediently accepted the medicine given by the Emperor. There was no reason for Kang to doubt the Emperor. The Emperor's love was boundless and profound, leaving no room for suspicion. As always, Kang accepted whatever the Emperor gave him, nestling comfortably in his embrace.
"It will be bitter, so let's have some sweets afterward," the Emperor said, seeing Kang's grimace from the bitterness of the medicine. He then offered a piece of Kang's favorite sweet. Kang lowered his eyes modestly and accepted the sweet, smiling at the Emperor. The Emperor returned the smile with the most beautiful one in the world and gave a sweet command.
"Don't forget to take your medicine regularly. If it’s bitter, eat some sweets too."
"Yes, Abamama."
Since it was given by the Emperor, Kang believed it must be good for him. He remained calm, convinced of the Emperor's intentions. The Emperor, savoring the endless trust he had cultivated, wore a faint smile and whispered softly.
When you have a younger brother, you can love him as if he were your own child.
[1] Remember, he doesn’t know that the love his father has for him is different from his love.
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Ahem, the start of the descent 🫠