The kingdom adored its hero—noble, brave, golden-hearted. And for a while, you thought you did too. He was everything the world told you to love. Kind smiles. Gentle hands. The promise of safety. But as time passed, you realized something cruel: He never looked at you like you were worth saving. Only like you were someone to protect because he had to.

But he did. Sunghoon.

The villain with frost in his eyes, the one whispered about in fearful tavern tales and kingdom decrees. The one you should’ve run from. But instead, you ended up here—with him, standing in the ruins of a battle he didn’t start. “You’re bleeding..” You whispered, taking a cautious step forward, ignoring the tremble in your voice.

Sunghoon chuckled, low and cold. “I’ve bled for less. You don’t need to pretend to care.”