IBPC | Chapter 17.2

“Show me more inside.”

Seoyul urged Heegon to move, pulling him along. Heegon shook off his lingering thoughts and followed Seoyul inside.

“Aren’t you hungry? We haven’t eaten anything on the way.”

“Let’s look around a bit more. I want to see the arboretum by the lake first. Is it this way?”

Seoyul confidently led Heegon by the hand but soon hesitated, seeing the surrounding walls and several side gates.

Where was the arboretum again? Originally, you just bought a ticket and followed the path straight in. But I can’t see it here. Well, it must be different from when I came.

As Seoyul hesitated, unable to take another step, Heegon quietly laughed and took the lead, holding Seoyul’s hand.

“Come, it’s this way.”

Heegon, without hesitation, led Seoyul to the left. Passing through a small side gate and between buildings, they came to another gate. After walking a bit further, the scent of water brushed their noses, hinting that the lake wasn’t far.

Finally, when Heegon turned the last corner and emerged into an open area, the first thing they saw was the bright light filling the space.

“…Wow.”

And the first thing that caught their eyes was the sparkling lakeside, bathed in sunlight. Around it, trees and flowers in full bloom created a breathtaking scene, proudly displaying their beauty.

Seoyul, overwhelmed by the sight, stopped in his tracks, eyes wide open. He began to gaze endlessly at the scenery.

The original appearance of the arboretum at the Namhaeng Palace of the Jinha Kingdom was slightly different from what he knew. The overall look was similar, but it was more vibrant and subtly shimmering. The lake’s water was much clearer, and the presence of the trees was overwhelming.

Well, maintaining the form of a national heritage or anything for over a thousand years isn’t easy. Still, it’s amazing that it was preserved to some extent and passed down to the era I lived in.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Seoyul continued his halted steps and approached the lakeside. He held Heegon’s hand tighter.

It felt much stranger than he had imagined. Standing here with Heegon, looking at a place he knew, was unbelievable.

Seoyul, overwhelmed by indescribable emotions, said nothing more, and Heegon remained silently by his side. But between them, a warm feeling blossomed more than ever. If it were visible, it could fill this entire arboretum.

Such moments continued.

After a light tour of the summer palace, the two had a late lunch. The table was filled with various seafood dishes, which suited Seoyul’s taste quite well.

Although seafood was served at the palace, it couldn’t compare to dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. And perhaps because it was seafood, the seasoning was just right without needing extra salt, making it a satisfying meal for Seoyul after a long time.

After the meal, they soaked in a bath to relieve the fatigue accumulated during the journey. Though smaller than the bath in Heegon’s quarters, the bathroom had a wide-open window that offered a full view of the arboretum when opened.

Initially embarrassed by the view outside, Seoyul hesitated to open the window, but Heegon insisted, saying the sunset was beautiful. Since there was no one to peek into their quarters, Seoyul eventually enjoyed the bath while watching the sunset through the open window.

Watching Seoyul leaning against the edge of the tub, looking outside, Heegon let out a relaxed sigh.

“I’m glad you like this place. It’s a nice place, but I was worried because it’s old.”

At Heegon’s words, Seoyul turned to look at him. Through the steam rising above the tub, he could see Heegon’s shoulders, his wet hair roughly tied up. Seoyul smiled silently, and Heegon smiled back.

“It seems you liked the food here too.”

“Yes. The fish and everything were delicious. I really like it here.”

“It might be difficult in winter, but I’ll bring you here often. There are other summer palaces we can visit too.”

With those words, Heegon half-rose and moved through the water to Seoyul’s side. Sitting by the window with Seoyul, Heegon draped one arm over the edge of the tub and wrapped the other around Seoyul’s body.

Heegon gently caressed Seoyul’s warm shoulder, watching the sun almost set beyond the mountains.

“The weather looks good for tomorrow, so let’s visit the beach. If we’re lucky, we might see freshly caught fish.”

“This really feels like a trip.”

“A trip?”

“Ah… um… It’s when you leave home to go far away for fun. You see interesting things, eat delicious food, and sleep in nice places.”

As Seoyul spoke, he suddenly squinted his eyes as if realizing something.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve traveled like this with anyone other than my grandmother.”

Haha, Seoyul let out an awkward laugh.

“There are a lot of firsts with Your Highness. It’s my first time riding a horse. It’s my first time seeing an alpha, and that—”

Seoyul, speaking without much thought, suddenly paused. After a moment, he awkwardly turned his gaze aside, hastily retracting the words that were about to come out.

Heegon, watching Seoyul, lowered his arm from the tub. He wrapped both arms around Seoyul from behind, pulling him into his embrace.

“What was your first with me?”

Heegon lowered his head, rubbing his nose through Seoyul’s wet hair.

“I know this was your first.”

He lowered his hand, brushing it against the inside of Seoyul’s thighs. Seoyul couldn’t help but blush.

“No, that…”

“Hmm?”

“I…”

Heegon suppressed a laugh as he watched Seoyul’s face turn red as if it would burst. He then raised his other hand, brushing his thumb over Seoyul’s lower lip.

Seoyul’s lips, soaked with moisture, appeared redder and fuller than usual. Pressing them gently, Heegon fixed his gaze on Seoyul’s lips.

“Was I your first kiss too?”

“……”

Seoyul answered with silence. Heegon raised his thumb, slipping it into Seoyul’s mouth. He then turned Seoyul’s face to look at him.

Seeing Seoyul’s somewhat frustrated expression, Heegon couldn’t help but burst into laughter. As Seoyul was about to tell him to stop teasing, Heegon leaned in and kissed him first. Seoyul flinched, trembling in Heegon’s embrace.

“Mm…”

It was because Heegon’s hand, which had been brushing against his thighs, had gently wrapped around his manhood.

“Mm…”

Seoyul tried to push it away, but Heegon held him firmly with his strong arms. Yet, he continued the gentle kiss, and before long, Seoyul was fully aroused in Heegon’s hand.

Seoyul, trembling in his shoulders, clung to Heegon’s arm holding his manhood.

“Haa…”

A moan he couldn’t suppress escaped his lips. Even so, Heegon didn’t release Seoyul’s lips. He firmly held Seoyul’s chin, keeping him in place, leaving no room for escape. Moreover…

Ah… It’s been so long…

He couldn’t remember how long it had been. Since losing the child, Heegon hadn’t touched him at all. Not even a little.

So, when he heard about going to the summer palace, he hadn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of this happening, but it was so sudden…

Haa, Seoyul let out a quickening breath, raising one arm. He reached back, wrapping it around Heegon’s neck.

By now, the sunset had faded from the window, and the twilight darkness was settling in.

“J-Just a moment…”

Seoyul finally mustered the strength to push away Heegon’s hand that was holding his chin up. With his breathing becoming more labored and the heat of the bath adding to it, it was hard to breathe.

Seoyul turned his head forward, biting his lips that were wet with saliva. His lips, swollen from Heegon’s sucking and biting, were mercilessly crushed.

“Ah… ugh…”

Seoyul tilted his head back against Heegon’s shoulder, gripping the wrist that was shaking his manhood with both hands. As he bucked his hips, the water in the tub splashed and rippled.

Heegon lowered the hand that had been holding Seoyul’s chin. With that hand, he pressed down on Seoyul’s chest, gripping it with one hand. Seoyul felt even more desperate.

“Ha… ugh…”

Seoyul looked up at the darkening sky, tapping Heegon’s arm.

“Your… Highness, stop…”

“Stop?”

“Haa… Stop…”

Unconsciously, Seoyul curled his legs and let his head fall forward weakly.

“I’m about to… about to…”

But despite Seoyul’s plea, Heegon had no intention of stopping. Instead, he rubbed Seoyul’s manhood faster and harder, gently squeezing his chest. As he pinched Seoyul’s hardened nipple with his fingers, Seoyul’s shoulders trembled.

“Ahng…!”

Unable to resist those touches, Seoyul soon climaxed in Heegon’s hand. As Seoyul’s hips twisted, the water in the tub sloshed, and his semen spilled into it.

“Ha… heuh…”

After twitching several more times, Seoyul collapsed weakly into Heegon’s arms. At the same time, Heegon’s hand stopped. Heegon stroked Seoyul’s manhood a few more times before withdrawing his hand. He then embraced Seoyul again, kissing his ear.

“…Haa.”

Seoyul let out a series of languid breaths. Once his breathing returned to normal, Heegon lifted Seoyul’s shoulder to face him, continuing to kiss his ear and cheek.

“Shall we get out now?”

“…?”

“You might catch a cold.”

With a much calmer voice, Heegon tried to get up. Seoyul looked up at him with a slightly bewildered gaze.

Uh…?

Seoyul stared at Heegon, who was casually getting up first. He saw Heegon turn his body, covering his lower half with a dry cloth nearby.

Why—

He had felt Heegon’s manhood, swollen and hard, from earlier. But seeing Heegon not intending to do anything more, Seoyul unconsciously reached out.

Is he really going to stop here? After coming this far, is he really not going to do anything?

“Um…!”

Seoyul grabbed one of Heegon’s legs. Heegon paused, looking down at Seoyul. Seoyul hesitated, then spoke.

“Your… Highness?”

Understanding the intent behind the question, Heegon gave a wry smile.

“Don’t worry about me—”

“But…”

It seemed Heegon had no intention of doing more. Seeing this, Seoyul blushed again. After a brief moment of contemplation, he grabbed Heegon’s leg with both arms and pulled him down.

“Then, I’ll do it for you.”

“…?”

Seoyul positioned Heegon to sit on the edge of the tub and knelt between his legs. Heegon hesitated, but Seoyul didn’t care and removed the cloth covering Heegon’s lower half.

“…”

Heegon’s manhood, taut and erect, was revealed. Seeing its size up close, Seoyul swallowed dryly.