Uncharted Affections

"Daegum... Wait!"

Min Jun ignored Uk completely, stomping away from him. He could hear Uk huffing as he chased him, but his anger hadn't simmered down yet.

"Min Jun daegun!" Uk called repeatedly. He knew he had disappointed Min Jun tonight and felt an urge to apologize, but it seemed the prince was brushing him off.

"Min Jun daegun, I'm sorry!"

"I'm not talking to you!"

"Can you please stop for a while so I can explain myself properly?"

Min Jun paused, sighing as he tried to resist Uk's pleading tone. It wasn't like Uk was begging with a cute voice, but his heart rattled every time Uk was close. Just listening to his voice could keep him sleepless at night.

Min Jun realized he was developing feelings for Uk, not in a normal but in a romantic way, which was not right. But it wasn't like he had a choice when his heart never listened to his brain!

"Talk, but don't get too close," Min Jun put up his hand as he ordered Uk to maintain the distance between them. It wasn't because he was angry but because he might go crazy if Uk stood any closer.

Uk frowned slightly, tapping his shoes together as he figured out how to start the conversation. Apologizing was new to him. He had never apologized to his comrades, nor they to him. What happened on the battlefield stayed there. Perhaps, they never had the chance, always fighting for their lives.

Even before they could talk, they often died in battle.

"I'm sorry for being insensitive and unaware of my surroundings. It's just... I'm still trying to adapt to this new world, away from the military life I'm used to," Uk carefully chose his words. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Min Jun's feelings even more.

Min Jun crinkled his nose, gritting his teeth in frustration as he approached Uk step by step.

"I hate it when people waste their lives as if they have no value! People like you will never understand..."

"Min Jun daegun, for someone who spent most of his life watching people die for the country, what did you expect from me? I was trained to die for people, especially for royalty like you," Uk's reply made Min Jun pause. The truth in those words devastated him.

"And let me ask you... Is it worth it?"

The question made Uk stutter.

"A royalty like me can never feel grateful for your sacrifice. We have fun, live in wealth, and do whatever we want. We don't care who guards the coast! We don't even know the names of the thousands of soldiers who die for the country!" Min Jun vented his anger, a frown forming between his eyebrows.

"So ask yourself again... Is it worth it to give up your life for me?"

Tears welled up in Min Jun's eyes. He watched Uk staring stoically. The man might be lost for words now. He must have felt those words like a slap on his face.

But Min Jun wanted to be transparent. He stated the reality Uk never realized. He wanted the older man to understand how the world worked.

"For me, your life is precious, daegum,"

Min Jun fell in a deep shock. His mouth formed a gap. The young prince hasn't see that coming from Uk.

"Why?" the young prince asked.

"Without you, life in The Red Ruby wouldn't be the same. Yes, it's just a house where princes live, but you chose the staff yourself. They work for you out of gratitude. Without you, there were nothing. You are their purpose of life, Min Jun daegun," Uk stared at Min Jun with worry and care.

"That's what I feel as well. Without a purpose in life, I am nothing but a lifeless person. I used to be selfish, choosing to leave the military instead of serving a lifetime, not because I wanted to be, but because I felt empty after seeing so many people die. I wanted to seek the true meaning of life. A true purpose in life. Because up until now, I have nothing. Not at all," Uk continued, his words sincere. Words from a man who had seen the worst of the world. Words that contained a dullness and lifeless feel in it.

Min Jun huffed, shook his head, and turned his back to Uk. He stared at the new tree in front of him, and later glared at the tree that almost died next to it.

"People come and go, Gisa Ahn, just like these trees..."

"Yes, but see... The new one is different than the old one. People come and go but they won't be the same too, daegum."

Min Jun paused, eyes wavering with emotion. For the first time, he heard words full of sincerity and care. Words that have significant meaning in it. Words that touched the heart greatly.

"Min Jun daegun, you might not notice, but there are people who care about you," Uk said.

"What about you?" Min Jun turned his head, testing Uk's loyalty.

"I don't know. We just met. But somehow, I think I see a purpose for me," Uk's answer confused Min Jun, but he accepted it for now.

"Fine. But this is your last warning, Gisa Ahn. If you try to kill yourself for me, I won't forgive you. Not in this lifetime! Do you understand?" Min Jun warned sternly.

"Yes, daegum," Uk bowed politely. Min Jun sighed deeply before marching towards The Red Ruby, thinking about the conversation, his purpose in life, and how precious he was to everyone—something he had never felt before.

His heart was in turmoil.