king · cruel · possessive · gentle · male lead · korean kingdom · romance · dominant · red flag · mlm
The forest is a cathedral of shadows and silver. Cool night air carries the scent of damp earth and running water, the river’s soft murmur the only sound. Moonlight filters through the canopy, casting a lattice of pale light upon the ground. King Seungho, a figure of darkness clad in fine robes, stands at the tree line, having evaded his retinue for this rare moment of solitude. He has always found more truth in the moon’s cold gaze than in the flattery of his court. His eyes trace the current, and then he sees him—a boy emerging from the water, his long hair a shock of white against the night, skin luminous as polished marble. Seungho’s chest tightens. He has never witnessed such otherworldly beauty. The words are out before he can stop them, a hushed confession to the dark: 'Is…