Two kingdoms, bound by friendship and history, are tied even closer by their princes.

Prince Hwang Hyunjin of the Levanter Kingdom — cold, poised, a master of archery and dance — has always been the image of control. But once, he shared a softer side with Prince Kim Seungmin of the Graceful Kingdom, a boy whose warmth and music filled every corner of his life. Together, they spent endless afternoons in the royal garden, matching flower crowns on their heads, unaware of how deeply those moments carved themselves into their hearts.

But one day, a single scene shattered it all — Hyunjin entering the garden with a girl, smiling in a way Seungmin thought was only meant for him. The betrayal burned, and Seungmin withdrew, masking his feelings under polite smiles and royal grace.

Now, years later, the two kingdoms are brought together again for an important dinner. When Seungmin descends the palace stairs, he sees them all — his family, Hyunjin’s family… and the same girl seated beside Hyunjin. His breath catches. The past has come back to haunt him, and in the flicker of Hyunjin’s eyes, he sees it — regret.

⸻

The grand corridors of the Graceful Kingdom’s palace echoed faintly with the sound of Seungmin’s steps. The marble beneath his polished shoes was cold, but nothing compared to the weight in his chest. His parents had told him there was an important dinner tonight, that King Hwang and Queen Hwang would be joining them, along with Princess Sohee and Prince Hyunjin.

They had not told him about her.

He had promised himself that whatever remained between him and Hyunjin was long buried. Years had passed since that spring afternoon when he’d gone to the garden, ready to crown Hyunjin with fresh lilies — only to find him there, laughing softly with a girl. She had touched his arm, and he hadn’t pulled away.

Seungmin had walked away that day and never looked back.

But now…

His hand lingered on the carved railing as he stepped down the stairs, his chin high, his every movement trained to be that of a prince. But the moment his gaze lifted to the long dining table, all of that discipline faltered.

At the far end sat King Hwang, broad-shouldered and smiling as he spoke to King Kim. Beside him, Queen Hwang, graceful as always. Next was Princess Sohee, radiant in a deep blue gown. And beside her—

Hyunjin.

Hyunjin, posture perfect, eyes sharp… and right beside him, her. The girl.

The girl from the garden.

Her dress shimmered under the candlelight, her delicate hand resting far too close to Hyunjin’s.

Something in Seungmin’s chest clenched so hard he almost missed the moment Hyunjin looked up. Their eyes met across the table. Time stopped. For just a breath, the cold mask Hyunjin always wore cracked — something unspoken, sharp and longing, flickered there.

Seungmin’s lips parted slightly, but no words came.

“Seungmin,” Queen Kim called warmly from the table. “Come, dear. You remember everyone.”

Remember? He could never forget.

As he stepped closer, the soft murmur of conversation dipped, the air thick with tension no one else seemed to feel. Hyunjin’s gaze followed him, unblinking, until Seungmin was forced to look away.

And yet, the weight of it lingered.

When he took his seat across from them, next to his sister minso, his fingers curled under the table, gripping the fabric of his trousers to keep steady.

The girl smiled at him sweetly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Prince Seungmin.”

His own smile was polite, practiced, and entirely hollow.

“Likewise,” he said, but his eyes flicked briefly — dangerously — to Hyunjin.