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are any of my followers perhaps…. love and deepspace players….
and if you are ive been thinking of writing for the lads guys recently so lmk if that something anyone would even be interested in or if i should make a separate account 😭
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: might add a chapter or two im feeling like these are too short…
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
The palace had never felt this cold before.
Not during winter. Not during your first night here. Not even during those awful early weeks when Heeseung barely looked at you unless duty required it.
But this felt worse somehow.
Because now you knew what warmth from him felt like. And losing it after finally touching it made the emptiness unbearable.
For three days, Heeseung avoided you completely.
No shared dinners. No late-night conversations. No lingering glances across council meetings. Nothing.
It was almost impressive how thoroughly he disappeared while technically still being everywhere.
You saw him in court standing beside the king with that same unreadable expression carved into his face. You saw him in meetings speaking calmly about military reports and trade routes like he hadn’t kissed you hard enough to leave your heart aching for days afterward. Like he hadn’t looked terrified by his own feelings.
Like he hadn’t looked at you afterward like losing control scared him more than losing you.
And maybe that was the worst part.
You understood him enough now to know exactly what happened.
Arin’s words had forced him to confront the one thing he spent months trying desperately not to admit.
Love.
Not attraction. Not curiosity. Not obligation.
Love.
And instead of facing it—
He ran.
Again.
You stood near the eastern garden balcony watching rain fall softly across the palace grounds, fingers tightening around the cold stone railing. Spring storms had started arriving more frequently now. The sky remained gray nearly every afternoon, heavy clouds hanging over the kingdom like unspoken grief.
Fitting.
A servant approached quietly behind you. “Your Highness?”
You turned slightly.
“The queen requests your presence.”
Your stomach tightened immediately.
Wonderful.
The queen sat alone in her private sitting room when you arrived, candlelight flickering softly against gold-trimmed walls while rain tapped gently against the windows. The second she saw your expression, something sad crossed her face.
“You haven’t been sleeping.”
The observation nearly made you laugh.
Apparently everyone could read you now.
“I’m fine.”
The queen gave you a look that clearly said she did not believe that for a second. Still, she gestured for you to sit beside her.
You obeyed quietly.
For a few moments, neither of you spoke.
Then softly, the queen said, “He’s shutting down again.”
Your chest tightened instantly.
She sighed quietly, setting aside the letter she’d been reading. “He did this as a child too.”
You looked toward her carefully.
“When Heeseung was upset, he would disappear emotionally before physically. It was easier for him to become unreachable than vulnerable.”
The ache in your chest deepened.
“That doesn’t make this hurt less.”
“I know.”
The gentleness in her voice nearly cracked something inside you.
You stared down at your hands quietly. “Why is he so afraid of loving someone?”
The queen was silent for a long moment before finally answering.
“Because everyone Heeseung has ever loved has belonged to the crown first.”
You looked up slowly.
The queen’s expression softened sadly. “He was raised knowing duty would always matter more than emotion. His father taught him attachment makes rulers weak. Eventually, Heeseung started believing it.”
Your chest physically hurt now.
Because suddenly his fear made too much sense.
Still—
Understanding him didn’t stop the pain.
“He kissed me,” you whispered quietly.
The queen’s eyes shifted back toward yours.
“And afterward he looked terrified.”
Something painfully knowing crossed her expression.
“That means it mattered.”
A bitter laugh escaped you before you could stop it. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“No,” she admitted softly. “But it means his distance isn’t because he feels nothing.”
You swallowed hard.
Because deep down, you already knew that.
That was the problem.
If Heeseung didn’t care, moving on would be easier.
But he did care.
Enough to destroy himself over it.
The rain worsened by evening. Thunder echoed faintly through the palace halls while servants hurried through corridors carrying candles and closing windows against the storm.
You sat in the library pretending to read while your mind spiraled endlessly through the same thoughts.
He kissed you.
He wanted you.
He cared about you.
So why did it still feel like losing him?
Footsteps echoed softly nearby.
Your pulse reacted instantly before your brain could catch up.
Heeseung.
Of course.
You hated that you always knew.
He stopped near the opposite side of the library, clearly not expecting you there. For one brief moment, neither of you moved.
The air shifted immediately.
Heavy. Awkward. Painfully familiar.
Heeseung looked exhausted again. His dark hair slightly damp from the rain outside, shadows resting beneath his eyes.
Your chest tightened instinctively.
Then his expression closed off.
There it was again.
That awful wall.
You looked back down at your book before he could see how much that hurt.
Silence stretched heavily between both of you.
Then quietly, he said, “You should be asleep.”
Your fingers tightened slightly around the page. “I could say the same thing to you.”
Another silence followed.
God.
Everything between you felt broken now.
Heeseung stepped farther into the library slowly. You could feel his presence even without looking at him directly.
“You’ve been avoiding meals.”
The concern hidden beneath the sentence irritated you immediately.
“Oh, now you’re speaking to me again?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “That’s not fair.”
You laughed quietly under your breath. “Fair?”
Finally you looked up at him.
“You disappear for days after kissing me and suddenly fairness matters to you?”
Pain flickered sharply across his expression.
Good.
Maybe that was cruel.
You didn’t care right now.
Heeseung stared at you silently before speaking again.
“I needed time.”
“To do what?” you asked bitterly. “Convince yourself you don’t care about me?”
Silence.
The answer hit instantly.
Your chest cracked painfully.
“Wow.”
The storm outside rumbled softly through the windows.
Heeseung stepped closer slowly, expression tightening. “You think this is easy for me?”
You stood abruptly. “No, Heeseung, I think it’s easy for you to leave me standing there feeling stupid for believing you actually wanted this.”
“I do want this.”
“Then why do you keep acting like I’m something to regret?”
The words echoed sharply through the quiet library.
Heeseung went completely still.
Immediately, guilt twisted through your chest.
Because the look on his face—
God.
Like you’d physically hurt him.
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Your voice cracked slightly near the end.
You hated that. Hated how emotional you sounded around him now.
Because Heeseung affected you too much.
Everything he did affected you too much.
His expression shifted.
Softened.
And somehow that only made things worse.
“You deserve someone better at this than me,” he said quietly.
The sentence stunned you into silence.
You stared at him.
Heeseung looked away first.
“Someone who knows how to love you correctly.”
Your chest tightened painfully.
Because beneath the distance and coldness and fear—
There it was.
The truth.
He really did care.
Enough to believe he would ruin you.
You swallowed hard. “That’s not your decision to make.”
His eyes lifted toward yours again. Something raw flickered there briefly before vanishing.
“You don’t understand what loving someone costs in this palace.”
Anger flared hotly through your chest again.
“Then explain it to me.”
Silence.
“Heeseung.”
“You become a weakness.”
The words came out flat. Automatic. Like something taught instead of believed.
You stared at him in disbelief. “To who?”
“To everyone.”
The answer arrived immediately this time.
Like he’d carried it his entire life.
You stepped closer despite yourself. “And you think pushing me away protects me?”
His jaw tightened. “Yes.”
A sharp, disbelieving laugh escaped you. “You’re hurting me more than anyone else in this palace ever could.”
That finally shattered something in his expression.
You saw it happen instantly.
Pain.
Real pain.
Your chest ached.
Because you knew he never intended to hurt you.
But he did anyway.
Heeseung looked at you like he wanted to say something.
Instead, he whispered, “I know.”
And somehow that hurt worst of all.
You stopped attending evening meals after that.
Partly because palace gossip still followed you everywhere.
Mostly because sitting across from Heeseung pretending everything was normal became unbearable.
The whispers hadn’t stopped either.
If anything, they worsened.
You heard servants talking in corridors. Nobles lowering voices when you entered rooms. The rumors had shifted now.
From scandal to pity.
Apparently everyone noticed the prince suddenly avoiding his wife.
Humiliating.
One afternoon while walking through the western hall, you overheard two noblewomen speaking quietly nearby.
“I heard he regrets marrying her.”
“They were never suited for each other.”
“He’ll eventually return to Lady Arin.”
Your chest tightened violently.
Before you could stop yourself, you turned sharply toward them. The women immediately paled.
Neither had expected you to hear.
“Continue,” you said coldly.
Silence.
One woman swallowed nervously. “Your Highness, we meant no disrespect—”
“Then perhaps stop speaking about things you clearly know nothing about.”
Your voice came out sharper than intended.
Still, neither woman dared respond.
You walked away before they could see how badly your hands were shaking.
Later that evening, Minho found you alone in the gardens.
Rainwater still clung to flower petals while cold wind moved softly through the trees overhead. You sat beneath the covered stone pavilion staring blankly across the pond.
Minho approached carefully.
“You look miserable.”
A humorless laugh escaped you immediately. “Thanks.”
He sat across from you quietly.
For a while, neither of you spoke.
Then softly, he said, “Heeseung’s worse.”
Your chest tightened despite yourself.
“He should try harder to hide it then.”
Minho sighed. “He’s barely sleeping.”
You looked away immediately.
Because hearing that still affected you.
Annoyingly. Painfully.
“He made his choice.”
“No,” Minho said quietly. “He made his fear louder than his feelings.”
The sentence settled heavily into the air between you.
You stared down at your hands.
“He kissed me.”
Minho blinked once in surprise before slowly saying, “Well. That explains a lot.”
A quiet laugh escaped you despite yourself. “Apparently he thinks caring about me is catastrophic.”
Minho’s expression softened sadly. “Heeseung’s spent his whole life believing emotions are liabilities.” He hesitated briefly. “But I’ve never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you.”
Your pulse stumbled slightly.
You hated how even now hope still flickered alive inside your chest.
Minho leaned back against the stone bench with a sigh. “He’s terrified.”
“He keeps saying that like it excuses everything.”
“It doesn’t,” Minho admitted. “But it explains it.”
Silence followed.
Then quietly, you asked, “What if he never gets past it?”
Minho looked toward the darkening sky thoughtfully. “Then he’ll lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
The words settled painfully inside your chest.
Because part of you feared he already was.
Three nights later, the king hosted a formal banquet for visiting nobles from the southern territories.
Which meant you had no choice but to attend.
Wonderful.
The grand ballroom glittered beneath enormous chandeliers while musicians played softly near the marble staircase. Nobles filled the room dressed in expensive silks and jewels, laughter echoing sharply through the crowded hall.
You felt sick the second you entered.
And it worsened immediately when your eyes found Heeseung standing beside the throne platform.
He looked devastating.
Dark royal attire fitted perfectly against broad shoulders, black hair pushed back neatly from his face.
Cold. Beautiful. Untouchable.
Your chest ached instantly.
Unfortunately, Heeseung noticed you at the exact same moment.
The entire room seemed to disappear for one awful second.
His expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
Then the wall returned again.
You looked away first.
Coward.
The evening dragged painfully.
Every interaction felt forced. Every smile fake.
And worst of all—
You could feel Heeseung watching you from across the ballroom all night.
Not openly. Subtly.
But enough.
Enough that your pulse never settled once.
At some point during dinner, Lady Arin approached your side quietly.
You stiffened immediately.
She noticed.
Something guilty flickered briefly across her expression.
“May I sit?”
You hesitated before nodding once.
Arin lowered herself gracefully into the chair beside yours.
For a moment, neither of you spoke.
Then softly, she said, “I owe you an apology.”
Your brows furrowed slightly.
Arin stared down at her untouched wineglass. “I didn’t think the rumors would become this cruel.”
A bitter laugh nearly escaped you.
“But you still started them.”
Pain crossed her face immediately.
“Yes.”
At least she admitted it.
You looked toward the ballroom dancers quietly. “Why?”
Silence stretched painfully before finally—
“Because I loved him first.”
The honesty caught you off guard.
Arin laughed softly under her breath, though it sounded close to breaking. “I know how pathetic that sounds.”
You stayed silent.
Because honestly—
You didn’t know what to say.
Arin’s eyes shifted toward Heeseung across the ballroom.
“He used to trust me,” she whispered. “I thought eventually… maybe…”
Your chest tightened unexpectedly.
Not with jealousy.
With sadness.
Because she looked heartbroken.
And suddenly you understood something terrible:
Loving Heeseung hurt everyone eventually.
Arin swallowed hard before looking back toward you.
“But he never looked at me the way he looks at you.”
Your breath caught slightly.
“I notice it every time you enter a room,” she admitted quietly. “It’s like he forgets himself for a second.”
The confession sent painful warmth through your chest.
Arin smiled sadly.
“That’s why I hated you.”
The honesty stunned you again.
Then she sighed softly.
“But I don’t think I can anymore.”
You stared at her carefully. “Why?”
“Because you look just as miserable as he does.”
Silence settled between both of you afterward.
Heavy. Honest.
Then quietly, Arin added, “If it helps… I think he’s already in too deep to walk away from you now.”
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: oof….
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
The palace was quiet in the early hours of the morning. Too quiet. The kind of silence that made every thought louder.
You sat near the window in your chambers unable to sleep again, thin moonlight spilling across the floor while the rest of the palace remained dark and still around you. Your mind kept replaying the almost-kiss from three nights ago. The way Heeseung touched your face like he was afraid of wanting you too much. The way he looked at you afterward. Like you were becoming dangerous to him.
And maybe that should have scared you more than it did.
Instead, it only made you want him closer.
Which was exactly the problem.
A soft knock sounded at your chamber door. Your pulse jumped immediately. You hated that your body already knew it was him.
“Come in.”
The door opened slowly. Heeseung stepped inside dressed in dark training clothes, damp hair pushed back carelessly like he had just returned from the palace grounds. Your chest tightened instantly.
He looked exhausted. Again.
You stood slowly. “It’s late.”
“So are you.”
The quiet response settled between you softly. Neither of you moved for a moment.
Then Heeseung’s eyes shifted toward the untouched tea sitting beside you. “You haven’t slept.”
“You haven’t either.”
Silence stretched between both of you.
The tension had changed recently. Still sharp. Still dangerous. But softer around the edges now. Like both of you were standing near something inevitable and trying desperately not to move any closer to it.
Unfortunately, neither of you seemed very good at staying away anymore.
Heeseung stepped farther into the room. Your pulse quickened immediately.
“You skipped dinner again.”
You crossed your arms lightly. “Are you keeping track now?”
“Yes.”
The answer came too fast. Too honest.
Something warm twisted painfully in your chest.
Heeseung seemed to realize what he admitted only afterward because his expression hardened slightly again. “You should eat.”
A quiet laugh escaped you. “You came all the way here to scold me about food?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
The question lingered heavily between you. Heeseung looked at you silently for several long seconds before quietly admitting, “I couldn’t stay away tonight.”
Your heartbeat stopped completely.
The room suddenly felt too warm.
Heeseung looked almost frustrated with himself after saying it, like the confession physically hurt him.
You stared at him carefully. “You keep saying things like that and then pretending you didn’t.”
His jaw tightened slightly. “I know.”
“Why?”
Silence.
Then softly, “Because I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this.”
Your chest physically ached at the honesty in his voice. This. Whatever this thing between you had become. The tension. The almosts. The way he looked at you when he forgot to hide it.
You stepped closer before you could stop yourself.
Heeseung’s breathing changed instantly. Just slightly. But enough.
“You could start by not running every time something feels real,” you whispered.
The words hit him hard. You saw it immediately. Something flickered across his expression. Conflict. Fear. Want.
“You think this doesn’t feel real to me?” he asked quietly.
Your breath caught.
He stepped closer too now until barely any space remained between you. The tension became unbearable immediately.
“You make me feel things I don’t know how to survive,” he admitted softly.
The confession shattered every coherent thought in your head.
Your pulse raced violently beneath your skin. “Heeseung…”
His eyes dropped briefly toward your mouth before lifting back to your eyes.
“You should stop saying my name like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you care about me.”
The vulnerability hidden beneath the sentence nearly broke your heart.
You looked at him carefully before quietly admitting, “I do care about you.”
Silence crashed between both of you instantly.
Real silence. Dangerous silence.
Because for the first time, you said it out loud.
Heeseung stared at you like the words physically wounded him.
Your chest tightened painfully. “You don’t have to say it back,” you whispered quickly.
“That’s not why I’m quiet.”
Your breath caught.
He looked at you with something raw in his expression now. Something stripped completely bare.
Then slowly—painfully slowly—his hand lifted toward your face again.
This time, when his fingers brushed your cheek, you leaned into the touch instinctively.
Heeseung inhaled sharply like the movement affected him more than it should have.
“You really trust me,” he whispered.
“I’m trying to.”
Something inside him seemed to snap at that.
His hand slid gently into your hair. Your pulse exploded instantly.
Then he kissed you.
Softly at first. Almost hesitant. Like he still wasn’t sure this was real.
Your entire body froze in shock for half a second before you kissed him back.
And suddenly all the tension between you over the past months crashed together at once.
His other hand gripped your waist carefully like he was holding himself back from pulling you closer too quickly. Your fingers tightened against the front of his shirt instinctively. His heartbeat slammed violently beneath your hands.
The kiss deepened slowly. Dangerously.
Every restrained emotion between you poured into it at once. Loneliness. Frustration. Want. Relief.
Heeseung kissed like someone starved. Like someone who spent too long convincing himself he didn’t need affection until the second he finally touched it.
Your chest hurt from how much emotion lived inside the kiss.
When he finally pulled back slightly, both of you were breathing unevenly. His forehead rested lightly against yours, eyes still half closed.
The room spun softly around you.
And for one terrifying second, you thought maybe everything was finally changing.
Then Heeseung whispered, “This is a mistake.”
The words hit like ice water.
Your body went completely still.
Heeseung realized it instantly. You saw regret flash sharply across his face.
“That’s not what I meant—”
“You said it pretty clearly.”
You stepped backward immediately. Out of his arms. Out of the warmth.
The loss of contact hurt embarrassingly fast.
Heeseung reached toward you instinctively. “Y/N—”
“Don’t.”
Your voice cracked slightly. You hated that he heard it.
Silence filled the room heavily.
Heeseung looked furious with himself now. Not cold. Not detached. Actually upset.
“I didn’t mean you,” he said quietly. “I meant—”
“The situation?” you laughed bitterly. “The marriage? Me wanting you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “This.”
You stared at him silently.
“The way I feel about you,” he admitted harshly. “It changes things.”
The sentence hurt worse somehow.
Because part of you understood exactly what he meant. Love meant vulnerability. Weakness. Loss of control.
Everything Heeseung feared most.
Your chest tightened painfully. “So you regret it.”
“No.”
The answer came immediately. Firm. Intense.
Then softer, “That’s the problem.”
Silence settled heavily between you again.
Your heart still raced painfully from the kiss. From him. From all of this.
You looked away first because suddenly you felt too exposed standing in front of him.
“I think you should leave.”
Heeseung froze instantly.
“Y/N.”
“You’re scared of caring about me,” you whispered. “I get it.”
“That’s not—”
“But I can’t keep standing here hoping you’ll eventually stop running.”
The honesty cracked painfully near the end.
Heeseung stared at you like he wanted to say something. Something real. Something important.
But after several seconds, he said nothing.
And somehow that hurt most of all.
You nodded slowly. “There it is.”
Something sharp crossed his expression instantly. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Look at me like I’m disappointing you.”
A humorless laugh escaped you. “You are disappointing me.”
Silence.
Then quietly, “I know.”
The anger drained out of you immediately afterward, leaving only exhaustion behind.
God. You were so tired.
Heeseung noticed the shift instantly. His expression softened slightly. “Y/N…”
“I said leave.”
This time, after a long moment, he listened.
The door closed softly behind him.
And the second he disappeared, you sank down onto the edge of the bed trying desperately to steady your breathing.
Because kissing him only made things worse.
Now you knew exactly what it felt like to be wanted by him.
And worse—
You knew he wanted you enough to be afraid of it
The next morning, the palace exploded with gossip.
You heard whispers before you even left your chambers. Servants speaking too quietly. Footsteps hurrying away when you approached.
Your stomach twisted immediately.
Something was wrong.
By the time you reached the east corridor, you finally caught enough conversation to understand why.
“—seen leaving her chambers late last night—”
“—after midnight—”
“—he never visited Lady Arin like that—”
Ice flooded your chest instantly.
Your steps slowed.
Lady Arin.
Humiliation burned hotly through your body.
Someone saw him.
Of course they did.
But the last comment settled wrong in your chest.
Too specific.
Too personal.
You turned sharply toward the nearest servant. “Who started these rumors?”
The servant looked horrified. “I-I don’t know, Your Highness.”
But she did know.
You could see it in her face.
Fear.
Hesitation.
Like she was afraid to say the name out loud.
And suddenly, something cold slid down your spine.
No.
Surely not.
You immediately turned toward the council wing.
You needed to see Heeseung.
Now.
The council chamber doors opened before you could knock. Heeseung stepped out mid-conversation with several ministers before stopping abruptly at the sight of you.
Something in your expression must’ve alarmed him immediately because his face hardened at once.
“What happened?”
You ignored the ministers nearby. “We need to talk.”
His eyes sharpened slightly.
Without another word, he dismissed the advisors instantly and pulled you into the nearest empty corridor.
The second the doors shut behind you, anger exploded out of your chest.
“People saw you leaving my chambers.”
Silence.
Heeseung went completely still.
Your breathing turned uneven. “The entire palace is talking about it.”
Something dark flashed across his expression immediately. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter who.”
“Yes, it does.”
His voice turned dangerously calm.
You stared at him in disbelief. “You’re worried about who started it?”
“I’m worried about someone watching your chambers.”
The protectiveness hidden beneath the sentence caught you off guard.
Still, you were too upset to care right now.
“They’re saying I trapped you there intentionally.”
His expression hardened instantly. “What?”
“They think I’m desperate for your attention.”
The humiliation in your voice made something shift sharply across his face.
You looked away quickly. “Maybe they’re right.”
“Don’t.”
The single word cracked through the corridor immediately.
You looked back toward him in surprise.
For the first time all morning, Heeseung looked genuinely angry.
Not at you.
At the situation.
“At least now everyone knows you’re finally acting like husband and wife.”
Both of you froze.
Lady Arin stood near the end of the hallway.
Your stomach dropped instantly.
Wonderful.
Arin approached carefully, expression unreadable. But there was tension in her eyes now. Real tension.
“People are already making assumptions,” she continued quietly. “You need to be careful.”
Heeseung’s jaw tightened sharply. “I don’t need advice on palace gossip.”
“No,” Arin replied calmly. “But Y/N does.”
The words hit harder than intended.
Because unfortunately, she was right.
You still weren’t built for this place.
The realization sat painfully in your chest.
Arin looked toward you softly. “Some of the nobles are already questioning your behavior.”
Humiliation crashed violently through you again.
Then Arin’s eyes shifted toward Heeseung.
And for the first time since meeting her—
You saw it.
Not politeness.
Not composure.
Jealousy.
Sharp and ugly and impossible to miss.
“You’ve become careless lately,” she said quietly to him.
Heeseung’s expression darkened immediately.
“Arin.”
“You never used to let emotions interfere with judgment.”
The hallway went completely silent.
Your pulse stumbled painfully.
Arin’s gaze flicked briefly toward you before returning to Heeseung again.
And suddenly everything clicked into place.
The rumors.
The whispers.
The constant comparisons.
She wanted you to hear them.
Your chest tightened sharply.
“Heeseung,” you whispered slowly, “did she…”
Arin’s composure cracked first.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“You think this is easy for me?” she asked suddenly.
The emotion in her voice stunned you into silence.
Even Heeseung looked caught off guard.
Arin laughed softly under her breath, though it sounded painfully close to breaking.
“I spent years beside you,” she said quietly to him. “Years.”
Heeseung froze.
“And suddenly she appears and you look at her like she matters more than anything else in the room.”
Your breath caught sharply.
The confession echoed through the corridor.
Heeseung stared at Arin in disbelief.
“You started the rumors.”
It wasn’t a question.
Arin’s expression hardened instantly. “I didn’t force people to talk.”
“But you encouraged it.”
Silence.
That was answer enough.
Your chest physically hurt now.
Not because of Arin.
Because of him.
Because she looked heartbroken standing in front of him.
Because part of you suddenly wondered if maybe you had stolen something that was supposed to belong to someone else.
Heeseung’s voice turned dangerously cold. “You had no right.”
Arin flinched slightly.
The reaction shocked you.
Because apparently even after all these years, his opinion still mattered enough to hurt her.
“You think I enjoyed watching this happen?” she whispered. “Watching you fall in love with someone else?” she walks away.
The words shattered the entire hallway into silence.
Your pulse stopped completely.
Heeseung froze.
Actually froze.
And suddenly the world tilted violently beneath your feet.
Because Arin said it so easily.
Like it was obvious.
Like everyone already knew except him.
Your eyes snapped toward Heeseung.
And slowly—
Horribly—
You watched realization cross his face.
Pure panic followed immediately after.
The walls slammed up instantly.
Harder than ever before.
His expression closed off with terrifying speed.
Cold.
Controlled.
Distant.
Your chest dropped painfully.
No.
No, not again.
“I have a council meeting,” he said flatly.
You stared at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“That’s it?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “This conversation is over.”
The coldness in his voice felt unbearable after last night.
After the kiss.
After everything.
“You’re running again.”
Heeseung looked away first.
And that told you everything.
Something inside your chest cracked painfully.
“Wow.”
Silence.
Then quietly, “I can’t do this right now.”
The rejection landed like a physical blow.
You stared at him in disbelief. “Right now?”
His expression hardened further. “Don’t start.”
A bitter laugh escaped you immediately. “Don’t start?”
The hurt inside your chest finally exploded into anger.
“You kissed me.”
The words echoed sharply through the empty corridor.
Heeseung went completely still.
“You came to my room,” you continued shakily. “You told me you couldn’t stay away from me.”
“Y/N—”
“And now suddenly you can’t even look at me?”
The frustration cracking through your voice made something flicker across his face. Pain maybe. Regret.
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Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: taglist is still open!
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
The palace felt different after the balcony. Not warmer. Not easier. Just dangerous.
Because now there was something living between you and Heeseung that neither of you could pretend not to feel anymore.
And somehow, that made everything worse. You noticed it in the silence first.
The pauses lingering too long during conversations.
The way his eyes found yours instinctively across crowded rooms before he looked away again.
The strange tension that appeared every time your hands brushed accidentally during council meetings.
Everything felt too aware now.
Especially you.
Which was unfortunate, because the palace noticed too.
“You look happier lately.” You nearly choked on your tea.
The queen sat across from you in the eastern sunroom while servants quietly arranged fresh flowers nearby.
You stared at her carefully. “I do?”
“A little.” Your stomach tightened immediately.
That was dangerous.
The last thing you needed was people noticing emotional changes tied directly to your husband.
You forced your expression neutral again. “Maybe I’m adjusting to palace life.”
The Queen hummed softly like she didn’t believe you at all.
Outside the tall windows, snow melted slowly across the gardens beneath pale morning sunlight. For the first time in weeks, the weather had softened.
Spring was coming. You almost envied the certainty of that.
The queen set down her teacup carefully before speaking again.
“Heeseung has also been quieter than usual.” Your pulse stumbled slightly.
“He’s always quiet.”
“Yes,” she agreed calmly. “But recently he’s distracted.”
The observation sent nervous warmth through your chest.
You hated how much tiny things affected you now.
You looked down at your tea quickly. “Maybe the western negotiations are stressing him.”
“Maybe.” The queen studied you quietly over the rim of her cup.
Then softly—
“You care for him.” Your breath caught immediately.
The words settled heavily into the room. You stared at her in horror.
“I—”
“You don’t need to deny it.” Heat flooded your face instantly.
Because the worst part was—
You couldn’t. Not honestly. Not anymore.
The queen’s expression softened slightly. “It happens easier than people expect.”
You laughed quietly under your breath. “Does it?”
“Yes.”
Something sad flickered briefly across her face before disappearing again.
You noticed.
But before you could ask about it, footsteps echoed from the hallway outside.
A servant appeared moments later. “Your Majesty, the king requests your presence.”
The queen sighed softly before standing.
Duty. Always duty.
She paused beside you before leaving.
Then quietly—
“Be careful with Heeseung.”
Your chest tightened. “In what way?”
The queen looked toward the palace windows thoughtfully.
“My son was raised believing love makes people vulnerable.” The words landed painfully.
Because you already knew that.
And worse—
You were beginning to think he might be wrong.
Three nights later, the palace hosted another formal gathering.
You hated formal gatherings. Tonight especially.
Because every noble in the kingdom seemed determined to speak to you at once.
“Heard you’ve been assisting with northern trade discussions.”
“You handled Minister Choi well last week.”
“The prince seems to value your opinion highly.” That last one nearly made you laugh.
If only they knew.
Across the ballroom, Heeseung stood trapped in conversation with several advisors while Lord Minho spoke animatedly beside him.
You tried not to look too long. Failed instantly. Heeseung noticed almost immediately.
Your eyes met across the crowded ballroom.
And suddenly you forgot what the noblewoman in front of you was saying.
Something shifted briefly in his expression. Small. Barely there.
Still, your pulse quickened embarrassingly fast. Then Lord Minho followed Heeseung’s gaze toward you.
A knowing smile crossed his face. Your stomach dropped instantly. Oh no.
Minho said something quietly to Heeseung. Heeseung’s expression hardened immediately afterward.
And just like that, the moment disappeared.
Wonderful.
Later that evening, you escaped onto one of the palace terraces for air.
Music drifted faintly through the ballroom doors behind you while cold spring air moved softly through the dark gardens below.
Finally. Silence. You leaned against the stone railing with a quiet sigh.
“You disappear often.”
Your entire body reacted before your brain did. Heeseung. You turned quickly.
He stood near the terrace entrance, dark coat hanging loosely over his shoulders while candlelight flickered softly behind him.
Your pulse betrayed you instantly again.
“I could say the same thing about you.” He stepped farther onto the terrace slowly.
“People ask fewer questions when I disappear.” A soft laugh escaped you before you could stop it. His eyes lingered on you for a second too long afterward.
The tension returned immediately. God. Everything with him felt dangerous now.
You looked away first. “Minho was talking to you earlier.”
His jaw tightened slightly. “You noticed.”
“You looked annoyed.”
“I was.” The honesty surprised you enough to glance back toward him.
“Why?” Silence.
Then—
“He talks about you too much.”
Your heartbeat stumbled violently. “He was being polite.”
“That’s not all he was doing.” The possessiveness hidden beneath the words sent nervous warmth through your chest despite yourself.
You crossed your arms carefully. “You sound jealous.”Heeseung looked at you calmly.
“I sound observant.” You laughed quietly under your breath.
“There he is.” His brows furrowed slightly. “What?”
“The emotionally unavailable prince.” Something dangerously close to amusement flickered across his face. Gone immediately.
“You enjoy provoking me.”
“Only because you react every time.” The silence between you shifted again. Softer now. Still tense.
But lighter somehow. Heeseung stepped closer to the railing beside you. Not touching.
Close enough that your breathing became uneven anyway.
The gardens below stretched dark and quiet beneath moonlight while ballroom music drifted faintly through open doors behind you.
For a while, neither of you spoke.
Then quietly—
“You looked beautiful tonight.”
Your breath caught violently. You turned toward him immediately.
Heeseung looked almost annoyed with himself after saying it. Like the compliment escaped accidentally.
Still—
Your chest ached.
“What?” His gaze stayed fixed on the gardens below now.
“I said you looked beautiful.”
Heat rushed painfully through you. Because somehow compliments from him felt catastrophic. Rare enough to matter too much.
“You’re terrible at giving compliments,” you whispered breathlessly. Something almost softened in his expression.
“I know.” The honesty nearly destroyed you. You stared at him carefully beneath silver moonlight. And suddenly he didn’t seem untouchable anymore.
Just awkward. Guarded. Trying. The realization made your chest ache even worse.
“You really don’t know how to do this,” you said softly. His eyes shifted toward yours again.
“No.” The single word held no pride. No defensiveness. Just truth.
You swallowed hard. Neither of you looked away this time.
The tension built slowly. Quietly.
Until it became difficult to breathe around. Your pulse raced painfully beneath your skin.
Heeseung’s gaze dropped briefly toward your mouth again.
You noticed immediately. So did he. Something in the air changed.
Your voice barely worked anymore. “Heeseung…” He stepped closer. One step. That was all.
But suddenly the distance between you disappeared almost completely.
Your heart slammed violently against your ribs.
You should move. You knew you should. Instead, you stayed perfectly still.
Moonlight caught sharply across his face while cold air moved softly between both of you.
His expression looked conflicted again.
Like he wanted something he didn’t trust himself enough to reach for.
“You should go back inside,” he said quietly. The words hurt instantly. You tried to hide it. “Right.”
You moved to step past him—
Then his hand closed gently around your wrist.
Your breath caught sharply. Everything stopped. Heeseung froze too.
Like he hadn’t meant to touch you. But he didn’t let go. Your pulse raced violently beneath his fingers.
The tension became unbearable instantly. Slowly, your eyes lifted toward his. Something dangerous flickered there.
Not coldness. Not distance. Want. The realization nearly stole the air from your lungs.
“Heeseung…”
Your voice came out barely above a whisper. His jaw tightened.
Like hearing his name like that affected him more than it should have.
Then quietly—
“You make this difficult.”
Your chest tightened painfully. “You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.” The honesty in his voice wrecked you. His fingers loosened slightly around your wrist.
But still didn’t let go. Your breathing turned uneven.
And for the first time— You thought maybe he felt it too.
Not just attraction. Not just tension. Something deeper. Something terrifying.
A sound from inside the ballroom shattered the moment abruptly.
Laughter.
Footsteps approaching nearby. Heeseung released you immediately.
The loss of contact felt embarrassingly devastating. His expression closed off again with frightening speed.
The walls returning instantly. You hated how much that hurt now.
“I should return before people notice I’m gone,” he said flatly.
There it was again. Duty. Appearances. Always. Your chest tightened.
“Of course.” Something flickered briefly across his face at your tone.
Regret maybe. Then it disappeared.
Without another word, he turned and walked back toward the ballroom.
Leaving you alone on the terrace shaking slightly from a single touch.
The next morning, you avoided him entirely.
Which proved difficult considering he apparently existed everywhere now.
Council meetings, Hallways, Library corridors. Everywhere you looked, he was there.
And worse, now you noticed when he noticed you too. Like during court that afternoon.
Minister Choi argued loudly about northern tariffs while nobles spoke over one another across the council table.
You tried focusing on documents spread before you.
Failed completely the second you felt eyes on you. You looked up instinctively.
Heeseung watched you from his seat next to you. Not openly. Subtly. But enough.
Your stomach tightened instantly.Then Minister Choi interrupted sharply. “Princess Y/N?”
You blinked quickly. “Yes?”
“I asked whether you agreed with the eastern proposal.”Heat rushed to your face. Wonderful. You hadn’t heard a single word.
Before you could answer—
“She disagrees.”
Silence settled instantly across the table. You looked toward Heeseung in shock.
He remained focused calmly on the documents in front of him. Minister Choi frowned. “And how would His Highness know that?”
“Because she already explained her concerns to me yesterday.” Your pulse stumbled violently.
That was a lie. You hadn’t spoken privately since the terrace.
But somehow, Heeseung already knew exactly which proposal you disliked. The realization unsettled you deeply.
Minister Choi looked irritated. “Then perhaps Her Highness should explain them herself.”
All eyes turned toward you. Normally panic would’ve hit instantly. Instead, your gaze found Heeseung’s briefly.
And for the first time since arriving at the palace—You didn’t feel alone at the table. You straightened slightly.
“The eastern proposal weakens southern trade protection,” you said calmly. “If northern imports fail again next winter, the capital will struggle to recover.”
Silence followed.
Then several ministers nodded slowly. Minister Choi sighed heavily. “Fair point.”
Beside you, Heeseung stayed expressionless. But beneath the table, his fingers brushed yours briefly.
Accidentally.
Probably accidentally.
Still, electricity shot violently through your chest anyway. You jerked slightly in surprise.
His hand immediately withdrew. Neither of you looked at each other afterward.
But for the rest of the meeting, your heartbeat refused to calm down.
That night, sleep became impossible again.
You paced your chambers restlessly while moonlight spilled softly across the floor.
Everything felt too intense lately. The almost-confessions. The lingering touches. The tension.
And worst of all—Hope.
Hope was becoming dangerous.Because part of you started believing maybe Heeseung could actually let someone love him.
Then another part remembered how quickly he always pulled away afterward. A soft knock interrupted your thoughts suddenly. Your pulse quickened immediately.“Come in.” The door opened. Heeseung stepped inside.
And suddenly breathing became difficult again.He looked tired. More than usual. Dark circles faint beneath his eyes while tension sat visibly in his shoulders. Your chest tightened instinctively.
“What happened?” The concern slipped out before you could stop it. His expression shifted slightly at your tone. “Nothing.” You stared at him flatly. “You look exhausted.”
“Council meetings.” The answer sounded vague intentionally. You crossed your arms. “That’s not all.” Something unreadable flickered across his face.
“You notice things now too?” The quiet observation sent warmth through your chest despite yourself.
You looked away quickly. “You make it hard not to.” Silence settled softly between you afterward. Different from before. Less sharp.
Heeseung glanced around your chambers briefly before speaking again. “You weren’t at dinner.”
“I wasn’t hungry.” A pause.
“You should eat.” The concern hidden beneath the words hurt unexpectedly. Because this was how he cared. Quietly. Indirectly. Like affection embarrassed him.
Your chest ached. “You came here to tell me to eat?” Something almost resembling embarrassment flickered briefly across his face. Gone immediately. “No.”
You waited. Heeseung stayed silent for several seconds. “I wanted to see you.” The confession shattered every coherent thought in your head. You stared at him in shock.
Heeseung looked equally startled by his own honesty. Like the sentence escaped before he could stop it. The tension in the room shifted violently. Your pulse pounded painfully.
“Heeseung…” His gaze locked onto yours instantly. And suddenly the space between you felt unbearably charged. You stepped closer before thinking. Just one step. Still enough to change everything. His breathing changed immediately. Subtle.
But noticeable. “You’re staring at me again,” you whispered softly.
His jaw tightened. “I know.”
“Why?” Silence.
“Because I keep forgetting not to.” The answer nearly destroyed you.
You stopped breathing entirely for a second. Heeseung looked at you like he was trying to solve something impossible.
Something dangerous. Then his hand lifted slowly. Carefully. Like he expected you to move away.
Your heartbeat slammed violently against your ribs. His fingers brushed lightly against your jaw.Barely touching.
Still—Electricity shot through your entire body instantly. You inhaled sharply.
Heeseung’s expression changed immediately at the sound. Something dark and conflicted flickering behind his eyes.
“You should stop looking at me like that,” he whispered. Your voice barely worked anymore. “Like what?”
“Like you trust me.” The words shattered your chest open. Because beneath all his walls and coldness and distance
There it was. Fear.
Real fear. You looked at him carefully.
“I’m trying to.” His hand stilled against your face.
For one terrifying second, something vulnerable crossed his expression completely unguarded.
Then he leaned closer. Your breath caught violently. The world narrowed instantly.
Just him.
Just this.
His forehead nearly brushed yours now. Close enough that you could feel his breathing. Your pulse raced painfully fast.
“Heeseung…” The way you said his name nearly broke him.
You saw it happen. His eyes closed briefly like he was losing a battle internally.
Then suddenly—The door handle moved. Both of you jerked apart instantly.
A servant stepped halfway inside before freezing completely. Your face burned with humiliation.
The servant looked horrified. “My apologies, Your Highnesses—”
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: hope yall like :p
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
Rainstorms swallowed the palace for three straight days.
The skies darkened before noon, thunder rolling across the mountains surrounding the capital while servants rushed through the halls carrying lanterns long before evening arrived. Every corridor smelled faintly of wet stone and extinguished candles.
The weather made the palace feel smaller. Closer.
Like there was no escaping it. No escaping him.
After the argument in your chambers, something between you and Heeseung shifted again.
Not softer. Not better. Worse.
Because now there was awareness where distance used to be.
Before, his coldness felt untouchable—like a wall you kept bruising yourself against.
Now you knew there was something underneath it.
Something that almost surfaced before he shoved it back down again.
And somehow, that hurt more. You kept replaying the moment in your head anyway.
The way he stepped closer. The way his eyes dropped to your lips.
The way your heart betrayed you instantly. You hated it.
You hated that one almost-moment was enough to unravel days of anger.
Especially because afterward, Heeseung became even more distant than before.
By the fourth morning of rain, the palace felt unbearably tense.
You noticed it during breakfast first.
The king sat unusually quiet at the long dining table while ministers whispered among themselves near the windows.
Heeseung arrived late.
Dark coat damp from rain, expression unreadable as always.
He sat beside you without speaking. Not unusual.
But today, something about the silence felt sharper.
More deliberate. The queen noticed too.
Her eyes moved briefly between both of you before returning calmly to her tea.
One of the ministers cleared his throat awkwardly.
“The western negotiations continue to delay trade routes.”
No one responded immediately.
Finally, the king sighed heavily. “And?”
“The nobles overseeing the southern ports are threatening withdrawal unless new agreements are reached before winter ends.”
Across from you, Minister Choi looked irritated already.
“They’re overestimating their importance.”
“They control half the kingdom’s imports,” another advisor argued.
“They’re still replaceable.”
You stared down at your untouched breakfast while the discussion continued around you.
Beside you, Heeseung remained silent.
Then suddenly—
“Lord Minho’s family won’t withdraw.”
The calm certainty in his voice made several ministers stop speaking immediately.
Minister Choi frowned. “And how exactly can Your Highness be sure?”
Heeseung’s gaze stayed fixed on the table.
“Because they benefit too much from remaining loyal.”
The answer sounded detached. Cold.
Still, something uncomfortable twisted in your chest at the mention of Minho.
Because immediately afterward, several nobles exchanged glances.
You noticed. And unfortunately—
So did Heeseung.
His eyes flicked toward you briefly. Your stomach tightened instantly.
The tension from the ballroom still hadn’t disappeared.
You hated that.
You hated that a single interaction with another man somehow became another thing sitting painfully between you.
The king finally broke the silence again.
“Y/N.” You looked up quickly.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I heard Lord Minho spoke highly of your trade proposals.”
Your pulse stumbled slightly. Across the table, several ministers looked toward you.
Including Heeseung.
“He was being polite,” you answered carefully.
The king smiled faintly. “Still, it’s good the court is recognizing your efforts.”
You nodded quietly. But beside you, Heeseung’s posture had gone rigid again.
You could feel it without even looking.
And suddenly the breakfast table felt suffocating.
Later that afternoon, Lady Arin visited your chambers.
You almost laughed when the servant announced her arrival.
Of course she did.
Because apparently the universe enjoyed tormenting you lately.
“Send her in,” you said carefully.
Arin entered moments later dressed elegantly in deep blue silk, silver jewelry glinting softly against candlelight.
She smiled politely. “Princess.”
“Lady Arin.” You motioned toward the seating area near the fireplace. “Please.”
She sat gracefully across from you while servants poured tea.
For a moment, silence settled between both of you.
Not awkward exactly. Just careful.
Then Arin spoke. “You’ve been avoiding court gatherings.”
Your fingers tightened slightly around your teacup. “I didn’t realize people noticed.”
“People notice everything here.”
A humorless smile tugged at your mouth briefly. You already knew that.
Arin studied you quietly for a second longer before continuing.
“The rumors are getting worse.” There it was. Direct.
Your chest tightened painfully. “I’m aware.”
“You shouldn’t let them affect you.”
You looked up sharply. The irony almost made you laugh.
“Easy for you to say.”
Something flickered briefly across Arin’s expression.
Guilt maybe. Then disappeared. “I know this situation is uncomfortable.”
“Do you?” The sharpness in your voice slipped out before you could stop it.
Arin didn’t react immediately. Which somehow only irritated you more.
“You and Heeseung grew up together,” you continued quietly. “Everyone in this palace acts like you belong beside him.”
Silence.
The fire crackled softly nearby. Then Arin sighed.
“They’ve been saying things like that since we were sixteen.”
Your stomach twisted painfully. “Were they wrong?”
Arin looked directly at you then. And for the first time since meeting her—
She looked tired. “No.”
The answer knocked the air from your lungs. Your heartbeat stumbled violently.
Arin noticed immediately. But before you could say anything—
“We were never in love,” she said softly.
You froze. She looked down at her tea quietly.
“Our families pushed the idea because politically it made sense. That’s all.” The tension in your chest loosened slightly.
Only slightly. “But you cared about each other.”
“Of course.” The honesty hurt anyway.
Arin smiled faintly after a moment. “Heeseung doesn’t let people close easily.”
You laughed quietly under your breath. “That’s the understatement of the century.”
A real smile flickered briefly across her face then. Small.
Gone quickly. “You’re the first person he’s argued with this much.”
Your brows furrowed immediately. “That’s supposed to comfort me?”
“Honestly?” Arin tilted her head slightly. “Yes.”
You stared at her. Completely confused.
Arin leaned back carefully against the chair. “When Heeseung truly feels nothing, he becomes polite.”
The words settled heavily into your chest.
Polite. Detached. Controlled. You thought back through every moment with him lately.
The arguments. The tension. The frustration. Your pulse quickened slightly.
“He’s never polite with you,” Arin finished quietly.
Before you could respond, another knock interrupted the room. A servant stepped inside nervously.
“Your Highness,” she said quickly. “The crown prince requests Lady Arin’s presence immediately.”
Something ugly twisted inside your chest again despite everything. Arin stood smoothly. “Duty calls.”
You forced yourself to smile politely. “Of course.”
She hesitated slightly before leaving.
Then softly—
“For what it’s worth… I don’t envy you.”
And with that, she disappeared from your chambers.
Leaving you alone with words you couldn’t stop thinking about.
That night, the rain finally stopped. The silence afterward felt eerie.
Almost unnatural.
You wandered the palace halls unable to sleep again, thoughts too loud inside your head.
Arin’s words replayed endlessly. When Heeseung truly feels nothing, he becomes polite.
The realization unsettled you more than it should have. Because she was right.
Heeseung wasn’t polite with you. He was impatient. Sharp. Frustratingly reactive.
Emotionally closed off, yes—but never indifferent. And somehow that terrified you more.
Because it meant this thing between you was becoming real. Complicated. Dangerous.
Your footsteps slowed near the west wing balcony overlooking the gardens below.
Cold night air drifted through open archways while moonlight reflected faintly against rain-soaked stone.
And there he was. Heeseung stood alone near the balcony railing.
Of course. Your heart betrayed you instantly at the sight of him.
Dark hair slightly damp from the weather. Hands resting against cold marble while city lights flickered faintly below the mountain cliffs surrounding the palace.
For a second, you considered leaving before he noticed you. Then his voice broke the silence.
“You’re awake.” Not a question.
You stepped farther onto the balcony slowly. “So are you.”
He didn’t look at you immediately. “I couldn’t sleep.”
The honesty surprised you slightly.
You moved beside the railing carefully, keeping distance between you. Neither of you spoke for a while.
The silence felt different tonight.
Not hostile. Just heavy.
Finally, Heeseung glanced toward you briefly. “You spoke to Arin today.”
Your stomach tightened. “You already know everything that happens in this palace apparently.”
“She told me.” Of course she did.
You looked away toward the dark gardens below.
“She said people always expected the two of you to marry.” Silence.
Then quietly—
“They expected many things.” The answer irritated you immediately.
“You always do that.” His brows furrowed slightly. “Do what?”
“Answer questions without actually answering them.” He exhaled quietly through his nose.
“You already know the answer.”
“Then say it.” The tension shifted instantly.
Heeseung looked at you properly now.
Moonlight caught sharply against his expression, making him seem colder somehow.
“What exactly do you want me to say?” Your chest tightened painfully.
“I don’t know,” you admitted quietly. “Something honest.”
Silence stretched heavily between both of you. Then finally—
“I didn’t want to marry her.”
Your breath caught slightly.
Heeseung’s gaze stayed fixed on yours now. Steady. Unwavering.
“But you cared about her.”
“Yes.” The honesty stung anyway.
You swallowed hard. “Do you still?”
A dangerous question. You knew it immediately.
Heeseung noticed too. Something unreadable flickered across his face.
Then—
“She matters to me.”
The answer landed like a blade. Not because of what he said.
Because of what he didn’t. You looked away quickly before he noticed the hurt crossing your expression.
“Right.” Silence crashed down immediately afterward.
Then suddenly—
“Why does that upset you so much?”
The question startled you. You looked back toward him sharply.
“What?” Heeseung stepped slightly closer now.
Not enough to touch. Enough to make your pulse quicken anyway.
“You become angry every time she’s mentioned.” Your throat tightened.
“Because everyone compares us.”
“That’s not the only reason.” The calm certainty in his voice made panic flicker sharply through your chest.
You crossed your arms tightly. “You’re imagining things.”
“No,” he said quietly. “I’m noticing things.” Your heartbeat pounded painfully now.
The balcony suddenly felt too small. “You notice things now?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “You think I don’t?”
The frustration in his voice caught you off guard. You stared at him silently. Then something reckless inside you snapped.
“Fine,” you whispered. “You want honesty?” Heeseung went still.
“Yes.” The single word sent chills down your spine.
Your pulse raced violently. “You treat me like I’m temporary.”
Silence. The confession hung painfully between you. You forced yourself to continue anyway.
“Like this marriage is something you’re surviving instead of living in.” His expression hardened slightly.
“That’s not true.”
“Then why does it feel like I’m the only one affected by any of this?” The words cracked near the end despite your efforts.
Heeseung stared at you silently. Then finally—
“You think this has been easy for me?” The quiet anger in his voice shocked you.
“You don’t act like it’s difficult.”
“Because acting emotional in this palace gets people destroyed.” The sharpness in his tone echoed across the balcony.
Your chest tightened painfully. “There it is again,” you whispered. “You act like caring about people is weakness.”
“You think caring has ever protected anyone here?” The bitterness in his voice stunned you into silence.
For the first time, Heeseung looked genuinely angry. Not cold. Not detached. Angry.
And somehow that felt more vulnerable than anything else.
“You don’t understand what this place does to people,” he continued quietly. “Everything becomes political eventually. Every relationship. Every weakness.”
“You think I’m a weakness?” The question slipped out before you could stop it.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: also working on a few little oneshots that have been in my drafts hehe so get ready for those soonnn
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
The rumors started three days later. At first, they came quietly.
Whispers slipping through palace hallways the second you walked past.
Servants lowering their voices too late.
Nobles exchanging glances during dinners whenever Lady Arin entered the room.
You tried ignoring it. You really did.
But the palace had a way of making even the smallest things feel unavoidable.
Especially when loneliness already sharpened every insecurity living inside you.
And unfortunately, Lady Arin seemed to be everywhere.
“She’s been attending council meetings for years.”
The servant brushing your hair spoke casually, unaware of the way your chest tightened instantly.
You stared at your reflection in silence. “Lady Arin?” you asked carefully.
“Yes, Your Highness.” The servant smiled faintly. “Her father is one of the king’s closest advisors. She grew up alongside many members of the royal court.”
Your stomach twisted unpleasantly. Alongside Heeseung too.
The servant continued pinning silver jewelry into your hair while speaking absentmindedly. “Most people assumed she and the crown prince would eventually marry.”
The room went still. Your pulse stumbled painfully.
“What?” The servant froze instantly.
Realizing too late what she’d said.
“I-I apologize, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.” You turned slowly toward her.
“People expected them to marry?” The servant looked horrified now.
“Yes, Your Highness, but only because they were close growing up and—”
“And what?” She swallowed nervously. “They spent a great deal of time together before your engagement was announced.”
Something cold settled heavily in your chest. The servant quickly lowered her eyes again. “Please forgive me.”
You looked away before she could see your expression change.
Suddenly, the memory of the wedding banquet replayed painfully in your head.
“You never mentioned the arrangement was finalized.”
“There was nothing worth discussing.”
You hated how differently those words sounded now.
That evening, the palace hosted another formal gathering. Smaller this time.
Only close nobles and court officials. Still exhausting.
You stood near the ballroom entrance while servants adjusted the sleeves of your gown one final time.
Your stomach already hurt.
The thought of spending another night pretending your marriage wasn’t painfully awkward sounded unbearable.
Especially now. “His Highness is waiting.”
You nodded stiffly before stepping through the ballroom doors. Music filled the room instantly.
Soft violin melodies drifting beneath glittering chandeliers while nobles moved across marble floors in expensive silks and jewels.
And there he was.
Heeseung stood near the far side of the ballroom speaking quietly with several advisors.
Lady Arin stood beside him.
Your chest tightened immediately. The three of them looked natural together somehow.
Comfortable.
Arin laughed softly at something one of the advisors said while Heeseung remained expressionless beside her, dark clothing making him stand out sharply against the candlelight.
Then his eyes lifted. Meeting yours across the room. For a second, everything else blurred. You waited for something.
A smile. A greeting. Anything. Instead, he simply gave a small nod before returning his attention toward the conversation.
Like you were another court obligation to acknowledge briefly.
Heat crawled up your throat painfully. You looked away first.
“Princess Y/N.”
You turned quickly.
A young nobleman bowed politely before you. “It’s an honor to finally meet you properly.”
You forced a smile. “Likewise.”
“Lord Minho,” he introduced warmly. “My family oversees the southern ports.”
You recognized the name vaguely from council discussions.
He smiled again, noticeably kinder than most nobles here. “I heard your trade proposal during court last week. It impressed quite a few people.”
Surprise flickered through you. “Oh.”
“You looked shocked.”
“I just wasn’t expecting anyone to remember it.”
“Trust me,” he said lightly. “Minister Choi certainly remembers.”
A soft laugh escaped you before you could stop it. The sound surprised even yourself.
Because you realized suddenly—
You hadn’t laughed properly since arriving here. Lord Minho smiled slightly wider at the reaction.
Across the ballroom, Heeseung looked up. His eyes landed directly on you. Then on Minho beside you.
Something unreadable crossed his expression immediately.
Your chest tightened instinctively. But before you could analyze it, Lady Arin said something to him quietly and his attention shifted away again.
The strange feeling vanished as quickly as it came.
The evening only became worse from there. Everywhere you looked, rumors seemed to follow.
Two noblewomen whispering behind fans while glancing between you and Arin.
Older court members watching Heeseung interact with her too carefully. Even servants moved strangely around you tonight.
Like they were waiting for something.
By the time dinner began, your appetite was completely gone.
You sat beside Heeseung at the royal table while conversations flowed loudly around you.
He hadn’t spoken more than five words to you all evening. Not that you were counting.
“You seem quiet tonight.”
You blinked slightly before looking toward the king across the table.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“No need.” He smiled faintly. “The court can become exhausting.”
“That’s one way to describe it,” you admitted quietly. Several nobles laughed softly.
Beside you, Heeseung remained focused on the wine glass in his hand. Completely detached.
As always. Then Lady Arin entered the conversation.
“The princess handled herself well during court this week,” she said smoothly. “The ministers were impressed.” You looked toward her in surprise.
Arin smiled politely across the table. The kindness almost felt genuine.
Almost.
One older nobleman chuckled softly. “The prince finally has someone capable of arguing with him.”
More laughter followed. Heeseung didn’t react.
Lord Minho, seated farther down the table, smiled lightly toward you. “I’d say Her Highness is far more patient than the prince.” Your face warmed slightly.
Across the table, Arin noticed immediately. And beside you—
Heeseung’s fingers tightened once around his wine glass. Small. Barely noticeable.
Still, you saw it.
His eyes lifted toward Minho slowly. The warmth around the dinner table cooled almost instantly.
“You seem very interested in my wife tonight,” Heeseung said calmly.
Silence crashed down across the room. Your stomach dropped.
Minho blinked quickly. “I meant no disrespect, Your Highness.”
“I didn’t say you did.”
The detached politeness in Heeseung’s voice somehow made the tension worse.
Minho shifted awkwardly in his seat. “I was only complimenting her.”
“I heard you.”
The table went painfully silent. You stared down at your plate, pulse racing.
What was this? Jealousy? No. Impossible.
Heeseung barely tolerated emotional attachment at all. Then why did he suddenly sound irritated?
The king cleared his throat smoothly, breaking the tension before it worsened.
“Lord Minho’s family has been loyal to the crown for years,” he said casually.
Heeseung leaned back slightly afterward, expression unreadable once more.
The conversation slowly resumed. But your heartbeat didn’t.
Because for the rest of dinner, you could physically feel the tension sitting beside you.
And every time Lord Minho spoke afterward, Heeseung’s mood visibly darkened.
The second dinner ended, you escaped the ballroom. Your head ached.
Everything about tonight felt overwhelming.
The rumors. The staring. The strange tension between Heeseung and Minho.
You walked quickly through the palace corridors toward the quieter west wing, desperate for silence.
“Y/N.” You stopped immediately. Footsteps approached behind you.
Heeseung. Of course. You turned slowly.
He looked irritated. Actually irritated.
Dark eyes sharp beneath dim candlelight while his coat hung loosely around his shoulders.
“What?”
“You disappeared.” The accusation caught you off guard. “I left dinner.”
“I noticed.” Something about his tone rubbed painfully against your already frayed nerves.
You crossed your arms tightly. “Was I supposed to ask permission first?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “Don’t start.”
A bitter laugh escaped you. “You came after me.”
Silence.
The palace hallway stretched empty around both of you.
Finally, Heeseung exhaled quietly through his nose. “You shouldn’t encourage people like Minho.”
Your brows furrowed immediately. “Excuse me?”
“He talks too much.”
“And?”
“And people notice things.” Realization hit instantly.
Your chest tightened sharply. “You’re worried about rumors.”
“I’m worried about appearances.” Of course. Always appearances.
The disappointment settled heavily in your stomach anyway. “He was just being nice.”
“That’s exactly the problem.” Frustration flared hotly through your chest.
“You know what? Maybe I enjoyed speaking to someone who actually acts like they want me around.”
The second the words left your mouth, silence slammed between you. Heeseung’s expression hardened immediately. Dangerously.
“You think I care whether you flirt with bored nobles?” You stared at him in disbelief. “I wasn’t flirting.”
“Then you’re naive.” The coldness in his voice cut sharply.
Something inside you snapped. “You don’t get to act possessive now.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Possessive?”
“Yes.” You stepped closer before you could stop yourself. “You ignore me for weeks, barely speak to me unless necessary, then suddenly care because another man was polite to me?”
“I said nothing about caring.”
“You implied enough.” The tension between you tightened painfully.
For a second, neither of you moved. Then Heeseung laughed quietly under his breath.
Not amused. Cold. “You’re reading emotions into things that don’t exist again.”
The words landed exactly where he knew they would hurt.
Your throat tightened instantly. “Right,” you whispered.
Because of course. Of course he’d say that.
You looked away quickly before he noticed the expression on your face.
“I forgot. You don’t feel anything, apparently.” Silence.
Then— “That’s not what I said.”
You laughed bitterly. “No, you just spend all your time proving it.”
Heeseung stared at you for a long moment. Something unreadable flickered across his face briefly.
Then disappeared again. “You’re upset.”
The detached observation only made your chest ache more.
“You think?”
His gaze sharpened slightly. “Why?”
The question stunned you into silence. Why?
Because hearing rumors about him and Arin hurt more than expected?
Because watching him act colder toward you than everyone else was humiliating?
Because part of you hated how naturally he fit beside another woman? You swallowed hard.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
His jaw tightened instantly. “You don’t know what I understand.”
“Then explain it to me.” Your voice cracked slightly despite your efforts. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you only remember I exist when someone else pays attention to me.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Something shifted in Heeseung’s expression then. Not anger. Something more complicated.
Your pulse quickened painfully. For one dangerous second, you thought he might actually say something honest.
Instead—
“You’re tired,” he said flatly.
The walls slammed back into place again. Your chest hurt. God, you were so tired of this.
Tired of almost reaching him before he disappeared emotionally. Tired of caring more than he ever would.
Without another word, you stepped around him toward your chambers.
This time, he didn’t follow.
The rumors worsened after that. You started noticing them everywhere. During court meetings. At dinners.
Even during quiet palace gatherings. People watched Heeseung and Arin too carefully.
And worse— Now they watched you too.
Like they were comparing. Judging. Waiting.
“She certainly isn’t what everyone expected.”
“She’s pretty, but Lady Arin knows the court better.”
“At least the princess seems intelligent.”
You heard pieces constantly. Never directly. Always just loud enough.
By the fifth day, you wanted to scream. Instead, you buried yourself in palace duties. Reading reports. Attending council.
Learning trade routes and noble alliances until your head hurt.
Anything to stop thinking about Heeseung. Unfortunately, he made that impossible too.
Because lately— He kept noticing things.
Small things. Subtle things.
And every single one confused you more.
Like the way he quietly moved your untouched tea closer during long meetings because he noticed you forgot it existed.
Or how he corrected ministers whenever they interrupted you during discussions.
Or the fact that servants suddenly stopped overworking you after one exhausting banquet left you visibly exhausted.
You never saw him give those orders. But somehow, things changed anyway.
Tiny acts of care hidden beneath layers of emotional distance.
Cracks in the ice. Just enough to keep you hoping.
And maybe that was the cruelest thing about him.
It happened again during another late-night council meeting.
Snowstorms had delayed several northern supply routes, leaving ministers arguing endlessly over solutions.
You sat beside Heeseung trying not to fall asleep. The meeting had lasted nearly four hours already.
Your head throbbed painfully.
Across the table, Minister Choi continued speaking loudly about grain shortages while several others argued over military funding.
Everything blurred together eventually. Until—
A warm cup touched your hand lightly. You blinked in surprise.
Heeseung had slid fresh tea toward you without looking away from the ongoing discussion.
Your chest tightened immediately. The gesture was so casual.
So quiet.
Like he hadn’t even thought about it.
You stared at the tea for several seconds before finally whispering, “Thank you.”
Heeseung didn’t look at you. But after a moment—
“You looked exhausted.”
The quiet concern in his voice hit harder than it should have.
Your pulse stumbled painfully. Because this was how he always did it.
Never openly affectionate. Never enough to fully close the distance.
Just small moments that made you question everything.
You wrapped your fingers around the warm cup slowly.
And beside you, Heeseung continued discussing politics like he hadn’t just made your heart ache over tea.
Later that night, you found him in the piano room again. The melody stopped immediately when you entered.
Heeseung looked up from the piano, expression unreadable beneath dim candlelight.
For a second, neither of you spoke. Then he sighed quietly. “You should be sleeping.”
“You say that every time.”
“And every time you ignore me.” You stepped farther into the room carefully.
Snow fell softly beyond the tall windows while candlelight flickered across the piano keys. “You disappeared after the meeting.”
“I had work.”
“You always have work.” Something unreadable flickered across his face.
Then he looked away again. The familiar ache returned to your chest instantly.
“You know,” you said quietly, “everyone thinks you and Lady Arin were supposed to marry.”
Silence. The room suddenly felt smaller.
Heeseung’s fingers stilled against the piano keys. “Who told you that?”
“So it’s true.” His jaw tightened slightly.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“That’s not an answer.” He looked toward you slowly then.
Dark eyes unreadable. “There were discussions years ago.”
The confirmation hurt more than expected. Your chest tightened painfully. “You loved her?”
The question slipped out before you could stop it. Heeseung’s expression changed instantly.
Not softer. Almost offended somehow. “No.”
The answer came immediate. Firm. Your pulse stumbled.
“Then why does everyone act like she belongs beside you?” Silence stretched heavily between you.
Then finally—
“Because she understands this life.”
The words cut sharper than they probably should have. You looked away quickly. “Right.”
Heeseung noticed immediately. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it?”
“You twist everything I say.” Frustration cracked through his voice suddenly.
Real frustration. You looked back toward him in surprise.
“You think I enjoy this?” he asked quietly.
“This?”
“Constantly trying to explain things to you only for you to hear something completely different.”
Your chest tightened painfully. “Maybe because you never actually say what you mean.”
The silence afterward felt dangerous. Then Heeseung stood abruptly from the piano bench.
“You want honesty?” he asked coldly.
Your pulse quickened.
“Fine.” He stepped closer slowly.
Too close. The tension instantly became unbearable.
“I never wanted to marry Arin.” His voice stayed low and controlled.
“People assumed things because it was politically convenient.” You stared at him silently.
“Then why does she still look at you like—”
“Like what?” The question came sharper this time.
You swallowed hard. You couldn’t say it.
Couldn’t admit the jealousy sitting ugly inside your chest. Heeseung watched you carefully.
Then suddenly—
“Are you jealous?”
The words stole the air from your lungs.
Your face heated instantly. “No.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve spent an entire week angry every time her name comes up.”
Your pulse pounded violently now. “Because everyone keeps comparing us.”
“And you care?” The question sounded genuinely confusing to him.
Like he couldn’t understand why it bothered you.
Something about that hurt worse than the rumors themselves.
You laughed quietly under your breath. “Of course you don’t understand.”
Heeseung’s expression hardened slightly. “Then explain it.” The frustration inside your chest finally boiled over.
“Because she already has everything I don’t!” you snapped. Silence crashed violently through the room.
Your breathing turned uneven instantly. You hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Heeseung stared at you. Actually stared.
His expression unreadable now. You looked away first, embarrassed.
“She knows this palace. She knows your court. She knows you.” Your voice cracked slightly near the end despite your efforts.
“And meanwhile I still feel like a stranger standing beside my own husband.” The words hung heavily between you.
You hated how honest they sounded. For a long moment, Heeseung said nothing.
Then quietly— “You’re not a stranger.”
Your breath caught slightly. You looked toward him again.
His gaze remained fixed on you now. Steady.
Intense enough to make your chest tighten painfully.
“You think I don’t notice things,” he continued quietly. “But I do.” The room felt too warm suddenly.
Your heartbeat stumbled violently against your ribs. “Heeseung…”
He looked away first. Of course he did.
The moment cracked apart instantly. “I should take you back before people start talking again.”
Reality crashed down hard. You stepped backward immediately.
Right. Always back to that. Rumors. Appearances. Duty.
Your chest ached painfully. Without another word, you turned toward the door.
Then his voice stopped you again. “Y/N.”
You froze. Slowly, you looked back.
Heeseung stood near the piano beneath flickering candlelight, expression unreadable once more.
But this time—
This time he looked almost conflicted. Like he wanted to say something else.
Instead, after several long seconds, he quietly said—
“Don’t listen to court gossip.”
And somehow, that hurt worst of all.
Because part of you desperately wished he’d deny it mattered entirely.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: sorry for the delay! i was at the ampers&one concert hehe 🤍
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
The palace felt colder after the garden conversation. Not physically.
The fires still burned through every hallway. Servants still rushed around with armfuls of blankets and silver trays of tea while snowstorms battered the kingdom outside.
But something between you and Heeseung had shifted again.
Or maybe you were finally allowing yourself to stop romanticizing him.
Because every time you thought you understood him, he pulled away so sharply it left bruises you couldn’t explain.
And somehow, despite all of it, you still kept looking for him.
It was humiliating.
Dinner that night was unbearable.
The king hosted several noble families from neighboring territories, which meant hours of forced smiles and endless conversation beneath glittering chandeliers.
You sat beside Heeseung at the royal table while nobles laughed too loudly around you.
He barely spoke.
Every answer he gave was short. Polite enough to avoid offense but distant enough to kill conversation immediately after.
At some point during the meal, one of the older noblewomen smiled toward you warmly.
“You and the prince must be settling into married life well.”
Your fingers tightened around your wine glass. Beside you, Heeseung remained expressionless. The silence stretched just slightly too long.
You forced a smile before anyone noticed. “We’re adjusting.” The woman nodded happily. “A royal marriage takes time.”
Something bitter twisted inside your chest. Time required effort from both people.
You glanced sideways toward Heeseung.
His attention remained fixed on the discussion happening across the table, completely detached from the conversation involving your marriage.
Like it had nothing to do with him.
The noblewoman laughed softly. “His Highness was always difficult to read even as a child.”
That finally got a reaction. Small. But noticeable.
Heeseung’s jaw tightened slightly before he set down his wine glass.
“You knew me as a child for less than three summers,” he said calmly. “I’m not sure that qualifies as familiarity.”
The table immediately went quiet.
The woman flushed with embarrassment. “I only meant—”
“I know.” His tone wasn’t cruel. Honestly, that almost made it worse.
The woman smiled awkwardly after that and quickly redirected the conversation elsewhere.
You stared down at your plate. Something about the interaction unsettled you.
Because Heeseung always sounded controlled. Even when irritated.
Even when angry.
Like every emotion passed through layers of restraint before reaching the surface.
You wondered what would happen if he ever stopped controlling himself entirely.
The thought lingered with you for the rest of dinner.
Later that night, you couldn’t sleep again. The palace had become too loud inside your head.
You kept replaying conversations over and over until exhaustion settled painfully behind your eyes.
Eventually, you gave up trying.
Wrapping a thick robe around yourself, you slipped quietly from your chambers into the dark palace halls.
Snow fell heavily beyond the tall windows. The entire palace looked ghostly at night.
Empty corridors stretched endlessly beneath flickering candlelight while distant guards patrolled quietly near staircases and archways.
You wandered without purpose for a while. Until you heard voices.
You slowed immediately near the west wing corridor.
Two servants stood near one of the side hallways speaking in hushed whispers.
“…saw her leaving his chambers.” Your chest tightened instantly.
The second servant gasped softly. “Tonight?”
“Yes.”
You froze. The first servant glanced around carefully before continuing. “Lady Arin left before midnight. The prince’s guards were outside the entire time.”
Something cold settled painfully in your stomach.
The second servant lowered her voice further. “Do you think the princess knows?”
“I doubt it.” You stepped backward before they noticed you standing there.
Your pulse pounded violently now. No.
No, you were overthinking.
Arin and Heeseung had known each other for years. Palace politics probably required private meetings constantly. Still—
The memory of them together in the garden rose sharply in your chest.
“She’s important to you.”
“She isn’t.”
The lie felt obvious now. You hated how much this hurt.
You shouldn’t care. You barely knew him.
And he’d made it painfully clear from the beginning that your marriage existed for duty, not affection.
So why did your chest ache like betrayal anyway?
You turned quickly and walked back toward your chambers before you could hear anything else.
The next morning was worse. Because now every interaction with Heeseung felt different.
You kept noticing things you hadn’t before.
The way servants exchanged glances whenever Lady Arin’s name appeared in conversation.
How easily she moved through the palace.
How naturally she spoke to him compared to everyone else.
Compared to you.
You hated yourself for noticing. You hated yourself more for caring.
By afternoon, the frustration sitting inside your chest had become unbearable.
So when a servant informed you that Heeseung was currently in the training courtyard, you made a reckless decision.
You went looking for him.
The winter air hit sharply against your skin the second you stepped outside.
Snow covered most of the palace grounds, though servants had cleared pathways through the main courtyards.
You heard swords clashing before you reached the training grounds.
The sound echoed sharply through the cold air. Your footsteps slowed.
Several royal guards stood nearby watching while Heeseung sparred against another knight in the center of the courtyard.
Your breath caught slightly. You’d never seen him like this before.
Without the heavy royal coat and endless layers of ceremony, he looked different somehow.
More dangerous.
Dark hair falling messily across his forehead while his sword moved with sharp precision through the winter air.
Every movement looked effortless. Controlled.
The other knight lunged forward suddenly—
Heeseung disarmed him almost immediately. The sword clattered loudly across stone.
Silence followed.
The guards nearby straightened instantly. Heeseung stepped back calmly, barely breathing hard.
“Again,” he said flatly. The knight hesitated before retrieving his weapon.
Then Heeseung noticed you standing there. His expression changed immediately.
Not softer.
Just colder somehow. Like he was already preparing for something unpleasant.
You almost turned around right then.
Almost. Instead, you stepped closer.
The guards quickly bowed toward you before moving away discreetly. Leaving the two of you alone near the courtyard edge.
Heeseung grabbed a cloth from the nearby table and wiped blood from his knuckles.
You frowned slightly. “You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.” Of course that was his answer.
The silence stretched awkwardly. Snow drifted softly around both of you.
Finally, he looked toward you properly. “Did you need something?”
The formal tone irritated you instantly.
“I heard Lady Arin visited your chambers last night.” The second the words left your mouth, regret hit you.
Because you sounded jealous.
And worse— He noticed.
His expression sharpened slightly. “Who told you that?”
“So it’s true.” He stared at you silently.
Your chest tightened painfully.
“You really brought me outside in freezing weather to discuss gossip?”
“I just asked a question.”
“No.” His voice stayed calm. “You asked a personal question.”
The distance in his tone made humiliation crawl hotly up your neck.
You crossed your arms tightly against the cold. “Fine. Forget it.”
Heeseung studied you carefully for a long moment.
Then— “She came to discuss council matters.”
You blinked. The explanation surprised you enough that you forgot your embarrassment briefly.
“She’s involved in court politics?”
“Her father oversees western trade.” Right. Of course.
You suddenly felt stupid.
Again. “You could’ve just said that.”
“I don’t owe you explanations for every conversation I have.” The warmth disappeared instantly.
Frustration flared sharply through your chest.
“See? That.” You gestured toward him angrily. “Why do you talk to me like everything is a fight?”
“Because you keep approaching me emotionally.” The answer stunned you into silence.
Heeseung tossed the bloodied cloth aside before finally looking at you directly.
“You hear rumors, then immediately assume betrayal or dishonesty instead of simply asking rationally.”
“You barely give me anything else to go off of!”
His jaw tightened slightly. The guards nearby pretended not to listen.
You suddenly wished they would all disappear.
“You shut me out constantly,” you continued quietly. “You refuse to tell me anything about yourself. Half the time I can’t even tell what you’re thinking.”
“That’s intentional.” The words hit like ice water.
You stared at him. Something in your expression must’ve shifted because his own hardened immediately afterward. But it was too late.
The damage was done. “You really don’t trust me at all,” you whispered.
“This isn’t about trust.”
“Then what is it about?” Silence.
Heeseung looked away first.
The winter wind moved sharply through the courtyard between you. Finally, he spoke.
“You think closeness makes people honest.” His voice sounded strangely distant now. “Here, it just makes them dangerous.”
The words settled heavily into your chest. You looked at him carefully.
And suddenly you understood something awful. He genuinely believed that.
Every wall. Every cold response. Every time he pushed you away before you could reach him emotionally—
He thought he was protecting himself. Maybe protecting you too.
But mostly himself.
“You can’t live your entire life treating people like enemies,” you said softly.
Something flickered across his expression then. Pain.
Gone almost immediately. “You’d be surprised.”
The answer made your chest ache.
Before you could say anything else, one of the guards approached carefully.
“Your Highness,” he interrupted. “The king requested your presence.”
Heeseung nodded once.
Then his eyes shifted briefly toward you. “You should go inside before you freeze.”
Not warmth. Not concern.
Just another carefully detached statement pretending to be nothing.
You hated that you could hear the difference now. Without another word, he walked away.
And somehow that hurt more than the argument itself.
That evening, you received a letter from home.
The second you recognized your mother’s handwriting, your chest tightened painfully.
You sat near the bedroom fireplace and opened it carefully.
Y/N,
The palace feels emptier without you. Your brother still complains every morning because you are no longer here to wake him for lessons. Your father remains busy as always, though I think even he misses hearing you argue with him at dinner.
I hope the kingdom is treating you kindly.
I know this transition cannot be easy.
But you were raised stronger than you realize.
Please remember that loneliness does not mean failure.
Some places simply take longer to feel like home.
I miss you every day.
Love,
Mother
By the time you finished reading, tears blurred the ink completely.
You covered your mouth quickly to stop the sound threatening to escape your throat.
God. You missed them so much.
The palace suddenly felt suffocating again. Too large. Too cold. Too unfamiliar.
And worst of all—
You had no one here who actually belonged to you. Not really.
A knock interrupted your thoughts suddenly.
You wiped your face quickly before answering.
“Come in.” The door opened.
And your heart immediately stumbled.
Heeseung. You stared at him in shock.
He looked equally surprised to find you crying.
For a second, neither of you moved.
Then his gaze dropped toward the letter still clutched in your hands.
Something unreadable crossed his face.
You looked away immediately, embarrassed. “What do you want?”
The question came harsher than intended. Heeseung stayed near the doorway instead of entering fully.
“The king requested our attendance tomorrow morning.”
Of course. Always duty first.
You nodded stiffly. “Okay.” Silence settled heavily afterward.
You could feel him still standing there. Still watching.
Humiliation crawled hotly through your chest.
You hated crying in front of people.
Especially him. Especially after everything.
“I’ll be ready,” you said quietly. “You can go now.”
Another long silence. Then—
“Are you alright?”
Your breath caught slightly.
The question sounded awkward coming from him.
Like he wasn’t used to asking it.
You almost laughed at how much those three words affected you.
Instead, you folded the letter carefully in your lap.
“I miss home.”
The honesty slipped out before you could stop it.
Heeseung stayed quiet. You glanced up briefly.
His expression had changed slightly.
Less guarded. Not soft exactly.
Just… quieter. “I know.”
The answer startled you.
“You do?” His gaze drifted briefly toward the fire instead of you.
“My mother was sent here from another kingdom after marrying my father.”
Something inside your chest tightened immediately. “She hated the palace at first.”
You stared at him carefully. This was the most personal thing he’d ever voluntarily told you.
Heeseung noticed your expression instantly and shut down again almost immediately.
The walls returning. “She adjusted eventually.”
The distance in his voice returned too.
You hated how quickly he disappeared emotionally after showing even the smallest piece of himself. “What was she like?”
Silence.
Too much silence. You immediately realized your mistake.
Heeseung’s expression closed completely. “That’s not important.”
The answer felt sharp enough to cut. You looked down quickly. “Sorry.”
Another heavy silence passed. Then finally—
“You don’t need to apologize for asking questions.”
You blinked slowly. Because that sounded dangerously close to kindness.
Heeseung looked uncomfortable immediately after saying it. Like he regretted letting the sentence exist at all.
“I should go,” he said flatly. And just like that, the moment ended.
You watched him turn toward the door. Then suddenly—
“Wait.” He paused.
Your pulse quickened nervously. You didn’t even know why you stopped him.
Maybe because you were tired of watching him leave every time things became remotely real.
Maybe because despite everything, you still wanted him to stay.
Heeseung glanced back toward you quietly. The firelight flickered softly across his face.
“What?”
Your throat tightened. Then, before you could stop yourself, you asked softly—
“Did you ever love someone?” The room went completely still.
You immediately regretted it. Heeseung’s expression changed instantly. Not anger.
Something worse. Shock maybe.
Or hurt. You couldn’t tell.
Several seconds passed before he answered. “That’s none of your business.” Cold again.
The walls slamming back harder than before.
You looked away quickly, embarrassment flooding through you.
“Right.” You should’ve known better. The silence afterward felt unbearable.
Then Heeseung spoke again. Quietly this time.
“Don’t ask me things you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to.” Something about the sentence made your stomach twist painfully.
Because suddenly you wondered if there had been someone once. Someone before this marriage.
Someone he actually wanted. Your chest ached at the thought.
Heeseung must’ve seen something shift in your expression because his own hardened immediately afterward. “That’s not what I meant.”
You laughed quietly under your breath.
“You don’t even realize how confusing you are, do you?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “You think too emotionally.”
“And you don’t think emotionally at all.” The words hung heavily between you.
Then finally, Heeseung looked away first.
“Get some sleep.” Without another word, he left your chambers.
This time, you stared at the closed door long after he disappeared behind it.
Because for the first time since arriving at the palace…
You thought maybe he was just as lonely as you were.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: omg chapter 2! tysm for all the support on the first chapter! i hope you like this one just as much!!
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , previous chapter
Snow fell quietly beyond the palace windows the next morning.
Everything in this kingdom felt quiet.
Not peaceful quiet. Not comforting quiet.
The kind that made you feel alone even in crowded rooms.
You stood near the tall bedroom window wrapped in a heavy robe, watching servants move through the palace courtyard below like shadows against the white stone. Guards lined the gates with spears in hand while carriages rolled slowly through fresh snow.
Life continued normally here.
As though nothing had changed.
As though you hadn’t been ripped from your home and married to a man who looked at you like you were another responsibility added to his already unbearable life.
A soft knock sounded behind you.
“Your Highness?” You turned slowly.
One of the younger maids stood near the door with lowered eyes. “The queen requested your presence for morning tea.”
Your stomach tightened instantly. “Now?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Of course.
You nodded once. “Tell her I’ll be there shortly.” The maid bowed before disappearing again. The second the doors shut, your shoulders sagged.
You barely slept last night.
Every time you closed your eyes, you heard the faint sound of piano music echoing through empty palace halls. You kept thinking about the way Heeseung hadn’t even come to your chambers after the wedding banquet.
Not even out of obligation.
You wondered if he spent the night in that piano room instead.
Or maybe with Lady Arin.
The thought made something ugly twist in your chest. You hated that it bothered you. This marriage wasn’t real. Not emotionally. You knew that from the beginning.
Still, it was humiliating how obvious his disinterest felt.
Even servants noticed.
The Queen’s private sitting room smelled like roses and expensive perfume.
The room itself was beautiful. Warm golden walls, velvet furniture, tall windows overlooking the snowy gardens below.
But none of it felt welcoming.
The queen sat gracefully near the fireplace, dressed in deep emerald silk while several ladies stood nearby speaking quietly amongst themselves.
The moment you entered, the conversations stopped.
Every eye turned toward you.
You suddenly became painfully aware of every step you took.
“Y/N,” the queen said smoothly. “Come sit.”
You lowered into the chair across from her carefully. “Your Majesty.”
A servant poured tea silently.
The queen watched you over the rim of her cup with a look you couldn’t quite understand.
Not cruel. Just calculating.
“You’re adjusting to the palace well, I hope?”
“I’m trying to.”
“Trying isn’t enough here.” The answer came lightly, almost pleasantly.
Still, it made your stomach tighten.
One of the women beside the queen laughed softly. “Her Majesty means the court can be difficult.”
“I’m aware,” you replied quietly.
The queen tilted her head slightly. “Are you?”
You looked at her carefully. She smiled.
Again, it never reached her eyes.
“Heeseung was raised here,” she continued. “He understands how this palace works. You do not.”
There was no kindness in the statement. Only fact. You lowered your gaze toward your untouched tea.
“I assume he informed you about tonight’s banquet?” Your brows furrowed. “Tonight?”
The queen paused. Then she sighed softly. “He didn’t tell you.”
Of course he didn’t.
Embarrassment crawled up your throat.
The queen set her cup down carefully. “Foreign nobles arrived this morning from the western territories. The king expects both of you to attend dinner tonight.”
You nodded slowly. “I understand.”
One of the women nearby exchanged a look with another lady. You noticed.
“Heeseung has always preferred to keep to himself,” she said after a moment. “Don’t mistake that for personal rejection.”
The words should’ve comforted you. Instead they made your chest ache.
Because if this was simply how he treated everyone, why did it still feel personal?
“He barely speaks to me,” you admitted quietly before you could stop yourself.
Silence flickered briefly across the room. The queen’s expression softened slightly.
Not enough.
“Affection was never going to be part of this arrangement, Y/N.”
Arrangement.
Not marriage.
You hated how everyone avoided calling it what it actually was.
The queen leaned back against her chair gracefully. “You were chosen because your kingdom strengthens ours politically. That is your role here.”
The words settled heavily in your chest. You knew this already.
Still, hearing it spoken so plainly hurt more than expected.
“You’re young,” the queen continued. “So let me give you advice.”
You looked up slowly.
“The worst thing you could do is fall in love with my son.” The room suddenly felt too warm.
One of the ladies shifted awkwardly nearby.
You forced your expression to remain calm even as your pulse stumbled painfully against your ribs.
“I barely know him.”
“Good.” The queen smiled faintly. “Keep it that way.”
The rest of the afternoon passed painfully slowly.
You spent hours trapped with palace seamstresses adjusting gowns you hated while servants discussed banquet preparations around you.
Everything about royal life felt exhausting. Every movement mattered. Every expression mattered. Even silence seemed dangerous here.
By evening, snow had begun falling harder outside.
Servants finished pinning jewels into your hair while you stared blankly at your reflection.
You hardly recognized yourself anymore.
The gowns. The diamonds. The heavy crown resting against your head. You looked like a queen already.
You felt nothing like one.
“His Highness requested you meet him outside the ballroom before dinner,” one servant informed you quietly. Your stomach twisted immediately.
Requested. Not summoned.
Somehow that felt worse.
The palace hallways buzzed with noise as nobles arrived for the banquet.
Music drifted faintly through the open ballroom doors while servants hurried back and forth carrying trays of wine. You spotted Heeseung immediately.
Of course you did.
He stood near one of the massive marble pillars dressed entirely in black again, speaking quietly with a palace advisor. His posture remained perfectly straight, expression unreadable beneath warm candlelight.
Even surrounded by dozens of people, he somehow looked alone.
The advisor bowed quickly before leaving. Then Heeseung’s eyes landed on you.
Your breath caught stupidly.
He looked away almost immediately. “You’re late,” he said. You blinked. “I’m exactly on time.”
“You should’ve been earlier.” No greeting.
No compliment. Nothing.
You swallowed your irritation carefully. “I didn’t realize this was military training.”
His gaze shifted toward you then. Cold. Sharp.
“You’ll survive much longer here if you stop treating everything like a joke.”
The words stung more than they should have. You stared at him. “I’m trying.”
“And I’m telling you trying isn’t enough.” Something inside your chest tightened painfully. “You don’t have to speak to me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m stupid.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“No,” you replied quietly. “You just make me feel that way.” For the first time, silence fell between you.
Real silence.
Something unreadable flickered across his face briefly before disappearing.
Then the ballroom doors opened wider as nobles began entering.
Heeseung straightened immediately. The moment was gone.
“Stay beside me tonight,” he said flatly. You hated how formal he sounded even now. “Why?”
“Because if you wander off alone, people will notice.”
Not because he wanted you near him. Because appearances mattered. Of course.
You nodded once. “Understood.” He offered you his arm.
You hesitated before taking it. Even through layers of fabric, he felt distant.
The ballroom exploded with noise the second the two of you entered together.
You could practically feel nobles analyzing every movement between you and Heeseung.
Looking for cracks. There were plenty to find.
Dinner dragged endlessly.
Foreign nobles spoke loudly about trade and hunting while servants poured wine throughout the massive hall. Heeseung answered questions when necessary, otherwise remaining quiet beside you.
At some point, one of the western lords laughed loudly. “Your wife is beautiful, Your Highness.”
You felt the attention shift immediately. Heeseung didn’t even glance toward you.
“I’m aware.” That was all.
Heat crawled up your neck. The lord chuckled awkwardly. “A man should sound happier about that.”
A dangerous silence followed. You felt Heeseung’s posture stiffen slightly beside you.
Then he looked toward the lord with an expression so cold it made even you uncomfortable.
“A man in your position shouldn’t concern himself with my marriage.” The entire table fell silent.
The lord paled instantly. “Of course. My apologies.” No one spoke after that.
You stared down at your plate while your chest tightened painfully.
Because somehow, even when he defended your marriage, it still felt empty. Like duty.
Nothing more.
Hours later, the banquet finally ended.
You couldn’t breathe properly by the time you escaped the ballroom.
The second you stepped into the quieter palace corridor, exhaustion hit you all at once.
You slowed near one of the windows overlooking the snowy gardens. Behind you, footsteps stopped too.
Heeseung.
You didn’t turn around immediately. “You embarrassed him,” you said quietly. “That was the point.”
“He was just making conversation.”
“He was disrespectful.” You finally looked at him. “You cared?”
His expression stayed unreadable. “He insulted the crown.”
Not you. Of course not you. The realization hurt more than it should have.
You looked away quickly before he noticed. Snow drifted softly outside.
Everything suddenly felt too heavy. The palace. The marriage. Him. “You really don’t like me at all, do you?”
The words slipped out quietly before you could stop them.
Silence.
When you finally glanced back toward him, his gaze was already on you. Not soft.
Not warm. Just still. “This has nothing to do with liking you.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“You want honesty?” His jaw tightened slightly. “Fine. I don’t know you.” The words landed harder than expected.
“You didn’t give me much of a chance.”
“I didn’t ask for one.” You swallowed hard.
There it was. Finally. The truth. For a second, neither of you spoke.
Then Heeseung exhaled quietly through his nose and looked away first.
“This marriage exists because our kingdoms needed it. Nothing else.” You stared at him.
Something painful pressed sharply against your ribs. “I know that.”
“Do you?” His eyes met yours again.
Cold walls. Locked doors. Distance carved into every word.
“You keep expecting me to behave like a husband,” he continued. “But I never agreed to be anything more than what was necessary.” Your throat tightened painfully.
“I never asked you to love me.”
“No,” he said quietly. “But you keep looking at me like you want to.” The words stole the air from your lungs.
You stepped back immediately like he’d physically struck you. His expression didn’t change.
But something in his eyes flickered briefly. Regret maybe. Too late.
“You think too highly of yourself,” you whispered.
Then you turned and walked away before he could see the tears burning behind your eyes.
You didn’t realize he followed you until you heard footsteps behind you again. “Y/N.” You ignored him.
“Y/N.” His voice sounded sharper this time.
You kept walking faster down the corridor. Humiliation burned through your chest violently now.
How stupid. How unbelievably stupid of you. You barely knew him. He barely tolerated you.
And somehow he’d still managed to make you feel rejected. Your vision blurred slightly.
You hated crying. Especially here. Especially because of him. A hand caught your wrist suddenly.
You froze. Heeseung’s grip wasn’t rough.
But it stopped you instantly. “Let go.”
“You’re overreacting.” You laughed bitterly before you could stop yourself.
“That’s funny coming from you.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m trying to prevent misunderstanding.”
“No,” you replied shakily. “You’re trying to prevent responsibility.”
For the first time since meeting him, genuine irritation flashed across his face.
“You think this situation is easy for me?”
“I think you act like I forced you into it personally.” Silence cracked sharply between you.
You yanked your wrist from his grip. He let go immediately.
Good.
Because your heart was already beating too fast from him touching you at all.
“I left my home for this marriage,” you continued quietly. “Everyone I know is gone. Every room in this palace feels unfamiliar. Every person here watches me waiting for me to fail.”
Your voice wavered slightly despite your best efforts. “And you won’t even look at me half the time.”
Heeseung stared at you silently. Something unreadable flickered across his face again.
Then vanished.
“You think I don’t understand isolation?” he asked quietly.
His voice sounded different now. Lower. More tired. “You have an entire kingdom who loves you.”
A hollow laugh escaped him. “You really know nothing about this palace.”
The bitterness in his voice startled you. He looked away toward the dark hallway windows.
“When you’re born to inherit a throne,” he said quietly, “people stop seeing you as a person very quickly.”
The candlelight flickered softly across his expression.
For the first time, he looked exhausted instead of cold.
“My father raised me to rule,” he continued. “Not to trust people. Not to need them.”
Something tightened painfully in your chest.
Because suddenly the distance around him felt less cruel and more… deliberate. Like armor worn too long.
“You could still try,” you whispered. His eyes met yours instantly.
And whatever softness almost existed there disappeared again.
“No,” he said flatly. “I can’t.”
The answer felt final. Absolute.
You stared at him for a long moment before nodding slowly.
“I understand.” You didn’t. Not really.
But you were tired of feeling unwanted.
Heeseung watched you carefully like he wanted to say something else. Instead he stepped aside. Creating distance again.
“Get some sleep,” he said quietly. Then he walked away.
And this time, he didn’t look back.
You cried that night. Not dramatically. Not loudly.
Just silently beneath heavy blankets in a room that still didn’t feel like yours.
You hated yourself for it.
Hated that someone so emotionally unavailable still affected you this deeply already.
But more than anything, you hated the tiny part of yourself that still thought there had been sadness in his eyes when he walked away.
Three days passed before you saw him properly again.
Three days of silence. He never visited your chambers.
Never requested your presence. You only heard about him through servants and gossip.
“The prince stayed in his office until dawn again.”
“His Highness argued with the king this morning.”
“The council meeting lasted six hours.” He existed like a shadow moving through the palace while you remained trapped inside it.
Loneliness settled into your bones slowly. You began spending more time in the library simply because it was quiet there.
No nobles whispering. No servants watching.
Just rows of books and silence.
You sat curled near one of the tall windows late one evening with a history book resting in your lap when the doors suddenly opened.
You looked up instinctively. Heeseung froze slightly upon seeing you.
Your chest tightened stupidly. He looked exhausted.
Dark circles shadowed beneath his eyes while his black coat hung loosely from his shoulders.
For a second neither of you spoke.
Then he walked toward the bookshelf across the room without acknowledging you at all.
Something inside your chest sank. You looked back down at your book.
Fine. If he wanted distance that badly, you’d stop trying.
Several minutes passed in silence. You tried reading. You couldn’t focus.
You could hear him moving quietly through the library nearby. Then—
“You’re avoiding dinner.”
You looked up sharply.
Heeseung still faced the bookshelf instead of you. “I wasn’t hungry.”
“You haven’t attended in two nights.” So he noticed.
The realization irritated you more than it should have. “I didn’t realize you cared.”
“I care because people are talking.” Of course.
Always appearances. You closed your book carefully. “Then tell them I was ill.”
“That excuse only works temporarily.” Frustration flared hotly in your chest.
“You know, not everything has to be about politics.” His gaze finally shifted toward you.
“In this palace it does.” You stood abruptly from the chair.
“I’m tired of this.”
“Tired of what?”
“You acting like I’m some inconvenience you were forced to drag around.” His expression hardened slightly. “I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to.” Silence.
Your chest rose unevenly now. “I’m trying here, Heeseung.” It was the first time you’d said his name directly. Something flickered across his face instantly.
Small. Barely noticeable. But there.
“You don’t talk to me unless necessary. You barely look at me. Every conversation feels like I’m bothering you somehow.” Your voice cracked slightly near the end despite your efforts.
Embarrassing. You looked away immediately.
“I know this marriage wasn’t your choice,” you whispered. “But it wasn’t mine either.”
The library fell painfully quiet. Heeseung stared at you for a long moment. Then finally—
“I don’t know how to do this.” The confession caught you completely off guard. You looked at him slowly.
His expression remained guarded, but there was something strained beneath it now. Something honest.
“This,” he said quietly. “Marriage. Attachment. Whatever it is you expect from me.”
“I don’t expect anything anymore.” The words slipped out before you could stop them. Something in his expression tightened. You immediately regretted saying it.
Silence stretched between you again. Then Heeseung looked away first. “That’s probably for the best.”
The pain that hit your chest then felt sharp enough to steal your breath. Because part of you had still hoped.
Even after everything. And hearing him confirm it so plainly shattered whatever fragile hope remained.
You nodded once. Slowly. Carefully.
Then you picked up your book and walked past him toward the library doors.
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Hello guys!! tysm for all the support on a crown of silence hehe i just finished writing the last chapter … oof … anyways,, i’ll be posting a new chapter everyday since theyre all in my drafts there are 10 total with a word count of around 80.5k! im so excited to finally have released this after working on it for so long and it my first ever series! i hope yall enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it!!
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: chapter one muhahaha i hope you guys enjoy reading! comment or dm to be added to taglist!
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , teaser
The first thing you notice about Prince Heeseung is that he never smiles.
Not at the royal banquet held in your honor.
Not during the endless introductions from nobles desperate for his attention.
And definitely not when your father announces your engagement to the entire court like it’s something worth celebrating.
Heeseung just sits beside the king with one arm resting against the carved throne, dressed in black and silver while the entire ballroom watches him carefully, like one wrong word from him could shift the entire mood of the room.
Maybe it could.
You’ve heard enough stories. Cold-hearted. Ruthless. Impossible to read.
The kind of prince people obey more than admire.
Still, none of the rumors prepared you for how empty he feels in person.
His expression doesn’t change once during the announcement. Not when the nobles applaud. Not when your father beams proudly from across the room. Not even when everyone turns to look at you.
You can barely breathe beneath the weight of your corset.
“Go stand beside him,” your mother murmurs under her breath, fingers tightening painfully around your wrist. “People are watching.”
Of course they are.
They always are.
You force yourself forward through the crowd, trying not to trip over the heavy layers of your gown. The ballroom suddenly feels too warm, candlelight blurring against gold walls and crystal chandeliers.
Heeseung watches you approach. Not with interest.
More like acknowledgment. Like someone noticing rain against a window.
Up close, he’s even more intimidating. Sharp features. Dark eyes. A straight posture that makes him look untouchable somehow, like he was carved from stone instead of flesh.
The king smiles as you stop beside the throne. “Look at that,” he says loudly. “A beautiful pair already.”
More applause. You feel sick.
Heeseung finally stands, mostly because etiquette demands it. He’s taller than you expected. Broad shoulders hidden beneath his embroidered coat. There’s a faint scar near his jawline that disappears beneath the low ballroom lighting.
You lower into a proper curtsy.
“Your Highness.”
“Princess.”
His voice is calm. Flat. Formal.
Nothing more.
The silence after makes your chest tighten.
The king laughs awkwardly. “Well then. You two should dance.”
Your stomach drops.
Around you, nobles immediately begin whispering again.
Heeseung doesn’t react at all.
He simply offers his hand because refusing would create unnecessary attention.
You hesitate before taking it.
His gloves are cold.
The orchestra begins playing softly as he leads you toward the center of the ballroom. Hundreds of eyes follow immediately.
You suddenly understand what it feels like to be displayed.
Heeseung places one hand lightly against your waist. Barely touching you at all. Like even this much contact is obligation.
“You can relax,” he says after a moment.
You glance up at him.
“You look uncomfortable.”
“I think anyone would be.”
“That’s probably true.”
His tone stays emotionless.
The dance continues in stiff silence. Your steps echo against marble floors while nobles stare from every corner of the room.
You glance up at him once.
Big mistake.
His expression is unreadable, but distant enough that it almost embarrasses you for trying to read him in the first place.
“You don’t want this marriage,” you say quietly before you can stop yourself.
His gaze lowers toward you.
“No.”
The answer comes too easily.
You swallow hard. “I appreciate the honesty.”
“It changes nothing.”
There’s no cruelty in the words.
Which somehow makes them worse.
The song ends soon after.
Heeseung lets go of you immediately.
“Excuse me,” he says.
And then he walks away.
Just like that.
Leaving you standing alone in the middle of the ballroom while the whispers grow louder.
The wedding is planned three weeks later. You spend every single day being fitted for gowns, lectured by advisors, and reminded of your duty.
“A good queen knows how to obey.”
“Your marriage will strengthen the kingdom.”
“You should feel honored Prince Heeseung accepted this union.”
Accepted. As though he had much choice.
As though you did.
You only see him twice before the wedding.
The first time is during a formal dinner with both royal families.
The second is by accident. You can’t sleep that night.
The palace is unfamiliar, too quiet compared to your home kingdom. Even the walls feel colder here. Massive portraits stare down at you from every hallway, all painted with the same stern expressions.
You wander aimlessly through the corridors in your nightgown, unable to calm your thoughts.
Then you hear music.
Soft piano notes drift through the hall ahead. You stop walking.
The melody is slow and controlled, echoing faintly through the empty palace.
Without thinking, you follow it.
The sound leads you to a partially open door near the west wing.
Light spills through the crack.
You step closer carefully and glance inside.
Heeseung sits alone at the grand piano.
Your breath catches.
His jacket is gone, sleeves rolled slightly past his wrists while his fingers move across the keys effortlessly. The room around him is dim except for a single candle beside the piano.
He doesn’t look softer like this.
If anything, he looks lonelier.
You’ve never heard anyone mention that the prince plays piano.
You should leave. Instead, you keep watching.
The floor creaks beneath your foot. The music stops immediately.
Heeseung looks up. Your stomach drops.
For a second neither of you says anything.
Then his expression hardens so quickly it feels like watching a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he says. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“That isn’t my problem.” The words sting instantly.
You grip the doorway tighter. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“But you did.”
Silence settles heavily between you.
You glance toward the piano. “You’re good.”
“I know.”
There’s no arrogance in it. Just disinterest.
You nod slowly. “Right.” You turn to leave before you embarrass yourself further.
“Princess.” You pause.
Heeseung doesn’t look at you when he speaks again.
“You shouldn’t walk the halls alone at night.” You wait for an explanation.
None comes. “Why?”
“Because this palace isn’t safe.” His tone remains detached. Matter-of-fact. Like he’s discussing weather.
Not your safety.
You study him carefully. “You almost sound concerned.”
That finally makes him look at you. Cold dark eyes meeting yours across the room.
“You’re mistaking responsibility for concern.”
The words settle heavily in your chest.
You leave immediately after that.
He doesn’t stop you. The piano never starts playing again either.
The wedding day arrives too quickly.
Snow falls lightly outside the cathedral, coating the palace gardens in white.
Everything hurts.
Your head from the heavy crown pinned into your hair. Your ribs from the corset pulled too tightly around your waist. Your chest from knowing this will be the rest of your life.
The cathedral doors open. Music floods the room instantly.
Every noble in the kingdom rises to their feet as you begin walking down the aisle.
And there he is. Waiting at the altar.
Prince Heeseung stands perfectly still beneath the stained glass windows, dressed entirely in black while candlelight flickers across his expression.
He doesn’t look nervous. He doesn’t look anything at all.
You hate how much that hurts.
The ceremony blurs together after that.
Vows. Prayers.
The priest speaking endlessly while your hands tremble beneath your sleeves.
Then finally—
“You may kiss your bride.” The room falls silent.
Heeseung looks at you.
Not lovingly.
Not tenderly.
Like someone preparing to complete another duty.
His hand lifts to your chin.
Even through the gloves, the touch feels distant.
His lips brush yours softly. Briefly. Nothing lingers.
The cathedral erupts into applause anyway.
You feel hollow.
The royal banquet afterward is unbearable.
Nobles crowd around constantly offering congratulations neither of you care about. Music echoes through the ballroom while servants refill wine glasses endlessly.
Heeseung barely speaks the entire night.
Every conversation directed at him gets short answers. Sharp ones if the noble speaking annoys him enough.
You sit beside him silently, trying not to look as miserable as you feel.
At some point, a young noblewoman approaches your table.
Lady Arin.
Beautiful. Elegant. Clearly comfortable around Heeseung in a way that immediately makes your stomach twist.
“Your Highness,” she says softly to him.
For the first time all evening, his attention shifts fully toward someone.
“You’re late,” he says.
His tone isn’t warm.
But it’s less empty than before.
She smiles slightly. “Blame my father.” Your chest tightens.
He knows her. Of course he does.
She finally turns toward you politely. “Princess Y/N. Congratulations on the wedding.”
“Thank you.”
The conversation between them continues naturally after that, like you’re barely there at all.
You hate how invisible you suddenly feel.
Then Lady Arin says something that makes your heart sink completely.
“I was surprised by the announcement,” she tells him quietly. “You never mentioned the arrangement was finalized.”
Arrangement. Not marriage.
Heeseung takes a slow sip from his wine before answering.
“There was nothing worth discussing.”
The words hit harder than they should.
You look down at your untouched drink before either of them can see the hurt on your face.
Because suddenly you understand. This wasn’t just a political inconvenience for him.
It was something he never wanted at all.
And you were simply part of the agreement.
The rest of the banquet drags painfully.
By the time it finally ends, your head aches from pretending not to care.
A servant escorts you toward your new chambers while the palace quiets around you.
You stand outside the doors for a long moment before entering. This room doesn’t feel like yours.
Nothing here does.
A soft knock interrupts your thoughts. You turn hopefully before you can stop yourself.
But it’s only a servant.
“His Highness asked me to inform you,” she says carefully, “that he will not be joining you tonight.”
The wording feels practiced. Like this conversation was rehearsed beforehand.
You stare at her. The servant avoids your eyes.
Understanding settles heavily in your chest. He never planned on coming.
You nod once. “Thank you.”
The servant leaves quietly.
And for the first time since arriving at the palace, the silence truly feels unbearable.
You walk slowly toward the balcony overlooking the snow-covered gardens below.
Somewhere in the distance, music plays faintly through the palace halls.
Piano.
Your throat tightens instantly.
Because somehow that hurts more than if he hated you openly.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: angst, smut (mdni), royal au, heeseung is lowk mean, eventually fluff, arranged marriage. (warnings will be added as the series continues..)
AN : Teaser is out!!!!! full chapter coming tomorrow!
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist
The first thing you notice about Prince Heeseung is that he never smiles.
Not at the royal banquet held in your honor.
Not during the endless introductions from nobles desperate for his attention.
And definitely not when your father announces your engagement to the entire court like it’s something worth celebrating.
Heeseung just sits beside the king with one arm resting against the carved throne, dressed in black and silver while the entire ballroom watches him carefully, like one wrong word from him could shift the entire mood of the room.
Maybe it could.
You’ve heard enough stories.
Cold-hearted. Ruthless. Impossible to read.
The kind of prince people obey more than admire.
Still, none of the rumors prepared you for how empty he feels in person.
His expression doesn’t change once during the announcement. Not when the nobles applaud. Not when your father beams proudly from across the room. Not even when everyone turns to look at you.
You can barely breathe beneath the weight of your corset.
“Go stand beside him,” your mother murmurs under her breath, fingers tightening painfully around your wrist. “People are watching.”
Of course they are.
They always are.
You force yourself forward through the crowd, trying not to trip over the heavy layers of your gown. The ballroom suddenly feels too warm, candlelight blurring against gold walls and crystal chandeliers.
Heeseung watches you approach.
Not with interest.
More like acknowledgment.
Like someone noticing rain against a window.
Up close, he’s even more intimidating. Sharp features. Dark eyes. A straight posture that makes him look untouchable somehow, like he was carved from stone instead of flesh.
The king smiles as you stop beside the throne. “Look at that,” he says loudly. “A beautiful pair already.”
More applause.
You feel sick.
Heeseung finally stands, mostly because etiquette demands it. He’s taller than you expected. Broad shoulders hidden beneath his embroidered coat. There’s a faint scar near his jawline that disappears beneath the low ballroom lighting.
You lower into a proper curtsy.
“Your Highness.”
“Princess.”
His voice is calm. Flat. Formal.
Nothing more.
The silence after makes your chest tighten.
The king laughs awkwardly. “Well then. You two should dance.”
Your stomach drops.
Around you, nobles immediately begin whispering again.
Heeseung doesn’t react at all.
He simply offers his hand because refusing would create unnecessary attention.
You hesitate before taking it.
His gloves are cold.
The orchestra begins playing softly as he leads you toward the center of the ballroom. Hundreds of eyes follow immediately.
You suddenly understand what it feels like to be displayed.
Heeseung places one hand lightly against your waist. Barely touching you at all. Like even this much contact is obligation.
“You can relax,” he says after a moment.
You glance up at him.
“You look uncomfortable.”
“I think anyone would be.”
“That’s probably true.”
His tone stays emotionless.
The dance continues in stiff silence. Your steps echo against marble floors while nobles stare from every corner of the room.
You glance up at him once.
Big mistake.
His expression is unreadable, but distant enough that it almost embarrasses you for trying to read him in the first place.
“You don’t want this marriage,” you say quietly before you can stop yourself.
His gaze lowers toward you.
“No.”
The answer comes too easily.
You swallow hard. “I appreciate the honesty.”
“It changes nothing.”
There’s no cruelty in the words.
Which somehow makes them worse.
The song ends soon after.
Heeseung lets go of you immediately.
“Excuse me,” he says.
And then he walks away.
Just like that.
Leaving you standing alone in the middle of the ballroom while the whispers grow louder.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN : Teaser is out!!!!! full chapter coming tomorrow!
series masterlist , enhypen masterlist , first chapter
The first thing you notice about Prince Heeseung is that he never smiles.
Not at the royal banquet held in your honor.
Not during the endless introductions from nobles desperate for his attention.
And definitely not when your father announces your engagement to the entire court like it’s something worth celebrating.
Heeseung just sits beside the king with one arm resting against the carved throne, dressed in black and silver while the entire ballroom watches him carefully, like one wrong word from him could shift the entire mood of the room.
Maybe it could.
You’ve heard enough stories.
Cold-hearted. Ruthless. Impossible to read.
The kind of prince people obey more than admire.
Still, none of the rumors prepared you for how empty he feels in person.
His expression doesn’t change once during the announcement. Not when the nobles applaud. Not when your father beams proudly from across the room. Not even when everyone turns to look at you.
You can barely breathe beneath the weight of your corset.
“Go stand beside him,” your mother murmurs under her breath, fingers tightening painfully around your wrist. “People are watching.”
Of course they are.
They always are.
You force yourself forward through the crowd, trying not to trip over the heavy layers of your gown. The ballroom suddenly feels too warm, candlelight blurring against gold walls and crystal chandeliers.
Heeseung watches you approach.
Not with interest.
More like acknowledgment.
Like someone noticing rain against a window.
Up close, he’s even more intimidating. Sharp features. Dark eyes. A straight posture that makes him look untouchable somehow, like he was carved from stone instead of flesh.
The king smiles as you stop beside the throne. “Look at that,” he says loudly. “A beautiful pair already.”
More applause.
You feel sick.
Heeseung finally stands, mostly because etiquette demands it. He’s taller than you expected. Broad shoulders hidden beneath his embroidered coat. There’s a faint scar near his jawline that disappears beneath the low ballroom lighting.
You lower into a proper curtsy.
“Your Highness.”
“Princess.”
His voice is calm. Flat. Formal.
Nothing more.
The silence after makes your chest tighten.
The king laughs awkwardly. “Well then. You two should dance.”
Your stomach drops.
Around you, nobles immediately begin whispering again.
Heeseung doesn’t react at all.
He simply offers his hand because refusing would create unnecessary attention.
You hesitate before taking it.
His gloves are cold.
The orchestra begins playing softly as he leads you toward the center of the ballroom. Hundreds of eyes follow immediately.
You suddenly understand what it feels like to be displayed.
Heeseung places one hand lightly against your waist. Barely touching you at all. Like even this much contact is obligation.
“You can relax,” he says after a moment.
You glance up at him.
“You look uncomfortable.”
“I think anyone would be.”
“That’s probably true.”
His tone stays emotionless.
The dance continues in stiff silence. Your steps echo against marble floors while nobles stare from every corner of the room.
You glance up at him once.
Big mistake.
His expression is unreadable, but distant enough that it almost embarrasses you for trying to read him in the first place.
“You don’t want this marriage,” you say quietly before you can stop yourself.
His gaze lowers toward you.
“No.”
The answer comes too easily.
You swallow hard. “I appreciate the honesty.”
“It changes nothing.”
There’s no cruelty in the words.
Which somehow makes them worse.
The song ends soon after.
Heeseung lets go of you immediately.
“Excuse me,” he says.
And then he walks away.
Just like that.
Leaving you standing alone in the middle of the ballroom while the whispers grow louder.
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
series warnings: Arranged marriage, emotional angst, emotional neglect, loneliness/isolation, toxic family dynamics, cold/avoidant love interest, unhealthy communication, royal court politics, power imbalance, abandonment issues, jealousy, emotional repression, anxiety, verbal arguments, themes of duty over love, grief, manipulation, social pressure, and slow-burn romance. eventually smut and fluff.
AN: woah… its been so long hello all… ive been writing this one for quite some time it might be a long one so stay tuned! this is also my first time writing such a long fic so i really hope you guys enjoy it and feel free to dm/cmt with any tips or suggestions for this series! tysm for reading!
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authors note: as for right now i only write for enhypen! (might do a drabble for txt/ateez every once in a while tho)
OT7 ⚰️
Coming soon…
LEE HEESEUNG 🦌
series…
🦇 A CROWN OF SILENCE — a, m, f, mdni!
Synopsis: Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and distant Crown Prince, you struggle to survive palace life while trapped in a loveless union built on duty instead of choice. But beneath Heeseung’s icy exterior lies something far more complicated than you expected—and getting too close to him may destroy you.
The alley smelled like rain and old cigarettes; time felt sticky, like the world was holding its breath. Jin sat on the curb, shoulders folding in on themselves, eyes empty where laughter used to live. You crouched down beside him without a word — because words were messy and not enough.
“Hey,” you said, voice small but steady. You slid your hoodie off and wrapped it around his shoulders like it was the easiest thing in the world. “You don’t have to carry it all tonight.”
He blinked, the ghost of a smile wobbling. “I keep… messing up. I don’t know how to stop it.” His hands trembled around nothing.
You took one of his hands and squeezed. “We’re a group. The story isn’t yours alone.” You tapped the band on his wrist — a silly, scuffed friendship bracelet you’d made that afternoon — and watched his eyes refocus, like sunlight through rain. “You saved us before. Let us save you now.”
Somewhere nearby a clock chimed like it had decided to be honest. The loop hummed, patient and cruel, but you stayed. You traced the scar on his knuckle with your thumb and promised, soft and dangerous as a vow, “We don’t leave people in the dark.”
He laughed — small, raw. For the first time in a while, the present felt bigger than the past. And when the time-shift tried to pull him back, you didn’t let go.
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