IBPC | Chapter 12.4

Every instinct in Seoyul’s body was screaming at him to run away from Heegon. Yet, he mustered the last of his courage to ask Heegon. But Heegon reached out silently, his hand aiming for Seoyul’s neck.

“……!!”

Realizing this, Seoyul recoiled, stepping back in fear. But in his haste, his legs tangled, and he fell to the floor. As Heegon’s shadow loomed over him, Seoyul’s entire body began to tremble as he pressed his hands against the floor.

He’s going to imprint…

This wasn’t just a suspicion. Heegon’s gaze left no room for doubt.

I have to run.

Seoyul scrambled to his feet and turned to dash out of the room before Heegon could close the distance.

He’s lost it—Tae Heegon is completely out of his mind.

Seoyul’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst through his chest. Each step was unsteady, and he struggled to maintain his balance.

Despite this, Seoyul gritted his teeth and ran out of the room, down the familiar long corridor.

What do I do, what do I do, what do I do—

His mind was blank except for that thought.

If Heegon intended to imprint on him, what could he do in this world where Heegon was a prince? Running away seemed futile, yet he couldn’t just stay put.

No matter what, I can’t imprint with Tae Heegon.

“Someone…”

Seoyul ran to the end of the empty corridor. He burst through the door leading outside, but there was still no one around.

He didn’t have time to look around for help. Seoyul instinctively kept running forward, shouting desperately.

“Someone, please…!”

His breath hitched, and fear and panic constricted his chest.

“Someone, please help…!”

It felt like an invisible rope was pulling him back to Heegon. Even as he ran away, the distance between them didn’t seem to grow, as if he were trapped in a nightmare.

“……?!”

As Seoyul neared the exit, he saw a group of eunuchs and court ladies gathered, looking confused. Relief washed over him, and he noticed someone standing among them.

It was Kangmu, speaking with one of the eunuchs.

He didn’t know Kangmu well. He was just a historical figure he had studied, and they hadn’t exchanged many words. But at this moment, Kangmu seemed like the only lifeline available to him. Seoyul used the last of his strength to run toward Kangmu.

“Your Highness!!”

Seoyul reached out with both arms, unable to slow his momentum, and crashed into Kangmu’s embrace.

“……?!”

Kangmu, who had turned his head at Seoyul’s cry, was startled as Seoyul threw himself into his arms. The force was so strong that Kangmu was pushed back.

But even in his surprise, Kangmu quickly wrapped his arms around Seoyul, steadying them both. He held Seoyul’s trembling shoulders with a bewildered expression.

“What is…?”

The eunuchs stood frozen, unsure of what to do, while Seoyul clung to Kangmu’s clothes, shaking.

“Please… please help me!”

“……? What’s going on, why is your face…?”

Kangmu frowned at Seoyul’s pale, bloodless face. He had been worried about Heegon, who had abruptly left the meeting, and had followed him to the quarters, where he found the court ladies and eunuchs outside. But seeing Seoyul run to him in such a state was baffling.

Kangmu couldn’t understand. Seoyul began to plead with him.

“Prince Heegon is trying to imprint on me…!”

“Imprint?”

“I don’t want to imprint! Please, stop him!”

Seoyul’s desperate words left Kangmu even more confused.

“If you don’t want to imprint, then just don’t…”

But his confusion didn’t last long. As Kangmu looked up, he saw Heegon approaching slowly.

“……”

Heegon’s steps weren’t hurried or fast. But the emotion on his face as he approached made Kangmu swallow hard.

It was clear why Seoyul was clinging to him, trembling like a leaf. Heegon exuded an aura that seemed ready to devour Seoyul whole.

What on earth…

Kangmu didn’t know the full situation, but he instinctively moved Seoyul behind him, shielding him as best he could.

Meanwhile, Heegon closed the distance, stopping in front of Kangmu, who was blocking Seoyul.

Heegon looked down at Kangmu, who raised his hands, trying to speak calmly.

“Hyung-nim, I don’t know what’s going on, but please calm down.”

“……”

“Why don’t we talk first?”

“—Step aside.”

Heegon’s gaze shifted to Seoyul’s light brown hair peeking from behind Kangmu. Sensing this, Kangmu hurriedly tried to divert Heegon’s attention.

“Don’t act on emotion, just for a moment—”

“Do you—really want to die?”

The chilling aura surrounding Heegon suddenly focused on Kangmu.

“How dare you hide my person in my quarters and think you can do anything?”

“…Hyung-nim!”

“Move aside, now.”

Heegon grabbed Kangmu’s shoulder. His grip was filled with a force he had never shown Kangmu before.

Kangmu found this side of Heegon unfamiliar and unsettling, but that only made him more determined not to move. If he stepped aside, it was obvious where that force would be directed.

Kangmu glanced back at Seoyul, then braced himself against Heegon’s strength. He infused his voice with more resolve.

“Hyung-nim, you’re being too emotional. Acting like this will only lead to regret. Please, calm down and reconsider…”

“—Kangmu.”

Ha, Heegon let out a long breath. It was clear he was trying to hold back.

Heegon finally shoved Kangmu aside roughly.

“……?!”

The force was so strong that Kangmu couldn’t hold his ground and stumbled to the side.

Though generally mild-mannered, Kangmu was still a Yangin. Yet he couldn’t resist Heegon and was pushed aside.

“……”

Behind the displaced Kangmu stood Seoyul, trembling and hunched over. Seeing Heegon towering over him again, Seoyul exuded a sense of despair.

No one could help or protect him.

Realizing this anew, an overwhelming tremor cascaded over him like a waterfall.

Still, Seoyul took a futile step back. And with a faint hope…

Heerang—

He thought of clinging to even the weakest straw, someone younger and weaker than himself. But as Seoyul tried to flee again, Heegon mercilessly reached out and pulled him into his arms.

“Ugh…!”

Heegon’s arm wrapped tightly around Seoyul’s waist, lifting him off the ground. Seoyul struggled in mid-air, but Heegon’s grip was unyielding.

“No…! Let me go!”

Seoyul thrashed, trying to escape Heegon’s hold. But Heegon didn’t budge.

“Please… let me go!”

Seoyul continued to struggle desperately. Seeing this, Kangmu hurriedly grabbed Seoyul’s hand.

“Hyung-nim, what are you doing? Can’t you see he’s scared?”

But as Kangmu held Seoyul’s arm, Heegon’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“You really—”

Heegon gritted his teeth, and an overwhelming scent emanated from him. The oppressive aura subdued Kangmu.

“Hyung…nim?”

The force made Kangmu wince, releasing Seoyul’s hand. He staggered back, nearly collapsing, as eunuchs rushed to support him. Kangmu clutched his throat, struggling to breathe.

“If you cross the line any further, you’ll end up crippled.”

Heegon didn’t take his eyes off Kangmu until he turned away. He carried Seoyul, half-draped over his shoulder, back to his quarters.

“Prince…”

The pheromones Heegon released made Seoyul stop resisting and tremble. The overwhelming pressure left him powerless. Seoyul was carried back to the quarters, feeling a deep sense of helplessness.

No, not like this…

“Please… let me go.”

“……”

“I don’t… want this…”

Seoyul’s voice barely came out as he clawed weakly at Heegon’s shoulder. But Heegon silently carried him back to the quarters, down the corridor Seoyul had desperately fled.

Soon, Heegon returned to Seoyul’s room. Without closing the door, he stopped by the bed and placed Seoyul on it.

“Ugh…”

But Seoyul’s body lay limp on the bed. The overwhelming pheromones left him unable to move.

“Your Highness, please…”

Seoyul curled up, sobbing. There was nothing else he could do.

“Please, not the imprint…”

When Seoyul lifted his head, his face was soaked with tears. Seeing this, Heegon’s eyes faintly furrowed, but that was all.

“……”

Heegon lowered himself over Seoyul. Seoyul, lacking the strength to retreat, turned his head away.

But Heegon didn’t care. He turned Seoyul onto his stomach beneath him. The body, subdued by his scent, trembled without resistance.

“Ugh…”

Seoyul’s body lay completely under Heegon. Heegon pressed down on Seoyul’s back.

“Ugh… hng…”

Seoyul’s back flinched and curled up. His sobs grew more sorrowful.

Heegon pinned Seoyul’s arms and legs with his body. He took a slow, deep breath, focusing on Seoyul’s neck.

“Please… not the imprint.”

To make it so only he could sense this boy’s scent. So he couldn’t leave, couldn’t bear anyone else’s child.

Yes, for that, nothing else mattered. What he wanted to possess, others’ feelings didn’t matter. Even if it was you.

Heegon lowered his head. He breathed deeply against Seoyul’s neck. Seoyul’s last-ditch struggle was palpable. But it was meaningless.

Heegon lifted the hair covering Seoyul’s neck with his nose. The exposed white, slender neck, he brushed it lightly with his lips, closing his eyes. Then he opened his mouth, setting his teeth.

“…Ha—”

As his teeth touched Seoyul’s neck, a short, broken moan escaped Seoyul. But it was soon drowned out.

When Heegon bit into Seoyul’s neck, the sound of skin tearing and crushing filled the air.

Crunch—

Heegon’s teeth pierced Seoyul’s soft, smooth skin. The mark was left with torn flesh and blood.

“Hoo… ugh…”

The vivid sensation made Seoyul’s eyes widen, then tremble violently. Tears flowed with his cries.

“Hng…”

Seoyul’s body trembled painfully, unlike before.

“Hng… ah…”

Each breath was a sob, flowing endlessly with disappointment and despair. Seoyul covered his face with trembling hands.

Living in a world without alphas, he never thought about imprinting with anyone. But he never imagined it would happen so painfully, against his will.

How could it be like this…

Facing Heegon’s oppressive violence for the first time, Seoyul bit his lip hard. Resentment toward himself began to grow.

“I just… wanted to return safely after a while.”

That short-lived, futile wish. Now it seemed unbelievable that he had wished for it.

I shouldn’t have wished for that…

“Hng… ugh…”

Even biting down hard, the sadness wouldn’t stop flowing between his lips.

I shouldn’t have let my heart flutter for Tae Heegon. I shouldn’t have given my heart to this man. If it was going to end so tragically.

It’s all over—

Seoyul’s imprint was marked that way.