Everyone bowed instinctively as the rhythmic echo of boots resounded through the street-the Crown Prince had entered the local district.

Rumors about Seungcheol's diminishing mana had already spread like wildfire. The higher states were abuzz with worry about the sole heir to the Empire.

A Crown Prince without mana? Or worse, a Crown Prince with unstable flame mana? The thought was both bizarre and terrifying.

Seungcheol kept a polite smile plastered on his face as he bowed slightly to his people, his bamboo hat concealing most of his features.

"The healer's house?" he asked, his gaze lingering on a worn, decrepit wooden structure. His attendant nodded quickly.

"Yes, Your Highness. Mrs. Kim provided this address."

Seungcheol nodded in acknowledgement before approaching the door. He knocked twice, each rap firm and deliberate.

No answer.

He tried again, harder this time. Still no response.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he pushed the door gently, only to feel resistance. With a forceful shove.

-CRASH

The door gave way, collapsing with a loud thud onto the wooden floor.

"Jesus-"

"SOONYOUNG! DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO FIX THE DOOR?! Aish-who's barging in now?" A flustered voice called out from deeper inside. Soon after, a figure emerged-a young man in a soft pink hanbok, his long black hair cascading down to his waist. His hands were dusted with what looked like medicinal herbs. He flipped his hair with a dramatic huff, glaring toward the door.

"Ugh! If it's that old hag again, I swear I'll-" The words stopped abruptly when his gaze fell on Seungcheol. "Oh... uh... who are you?"

Seungcheol froze, his breath hitching momentarily. He was captivated.

Beautiful.

That was all he could think. Utterly breathtaking. The man's silky hair framed his delicate features perfectly, and the soft pink hanbok hugged his lithe figure gracefully. He looked as though he had stepped straight out of a painting. Ethereal. Too heavenly to be real.

The young man blinked, confused by Seungcheol's prolonged silence. "Are you going to answer, or are you just going to stand there staring at me?"

Seungcheol cleared his throat abruptly, snapping out of his trance. He doesn't know I'm the Crown Prince?

"Yes!! Punch him!! Kick him too!!" Jeonghan yelled excitedly, his eyes glued to his phone screen as he read his manhwa, The Pearl Boy.

"Oh my god, Dooshik is so hot. Ugh, I need a man like him," he said dramatically, wiping nonexistent tears from his face. His legs kicked in the air as the tension in the story reached its peak.

Joshua, sitting nearby, patted his best friend's back, accustomed to Jeonghan's over-the-top reactions. "Calm down, Hannie."

"I can't, Josh!" Jeonghan exclaimed, thrusting his phone into Joshua's face. "Look at him! He's too hot to exist!" He giggled like a child on Christmas morning.

Joshua sighed in defeat but took a closer look at the screen. His eyes widened slightly. "Wait-show me that character again."

Jeonghan's brows furrowed in confusion, but he complied. "You're never interested. What's the sudden curiosity? Did Dooshik finally change your mind?"

Joshua leaned closer, smirking. "I knew it. He looks like Seungcheol."

Jeonghan froze, his throat going dry. Clearing it nervously, he stammered, "W-What do you mean?"

Joshua raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Thick eyebrows, plump lips, and that brooding vibe. I'm not blind, Jeonghan."

Jeonghan scoffed and snatched his phone back. "It's not like that! Shut up, Joshua!"

Joshua chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Uh-huh. Sure, Hannie. Whatever you say."

"Who's that guy with Seungcheol?" Jeonghan whispered to Seokmin, squinting at the scene down the corridor. Seungcheol was laughing, his arm casually resting on the shoulder of another tall, well-built man.

Seokmin glanced at them and whispered back, "That's Kim Mingyu. His ex."

Jeonghan nearly choked on his own spit. "Ex? What do you mean by ex?"

"Exactly what I said," Seokmin replied nonchalantly. "They dated for about a year but broke up. Hyung said they lost the spark or something."

Jeonghan's chest tightened uncomfortably. Seungcheol had an ex? Why hadn't he mentioned this before? Then again, it wasn't as if Jeonghan had ever opened up about his own past relationships. But still...

Seungcheol suddenly waved at Jeonghan from across the corridor, smiling brightly. For a moment, Jeonghan forgot his irritation-until he noticed Mingyu smiling alongside him.

"Jeonghan, come here!" Seungcheol called.

Forcing a smile, Jeonghan approached them, intentionally ignoring Mingyu's gaze.

"Jeonghan, meet Kim Mingyu. He's my-"

"Ex," Jeonghan interrupted, his tone colder than usual.

Seungcheol blinked in surprise, taken aback. "Uh... yeah, but we're still friends."

Jeonghan smiled sarcastically. "Good for you, Seungcheol." He extended a hand to Mingyu. "Yoon Jeonghan. Seungcheol's... classmate."

Mingyu shook his hand, looking slightly confused. "Nice to meet you, Jeonghan. Hyung's told me a lot about you-"

"I have to get to class," Jeonghan cut him off abruptly, turning on his heel and walking away.

Seungcheol frowned, watching him leave. Classmate? That's all I am to you?

"Hyung!" Mingyu said, grinning mischievously. "He's totally jealous. Didn't you see how he acted just now?"

"Jeonghan? Jealous? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, c'mon, Hyung! You know he's into you. It's written all over his face. Now you just need to use this chance to see his possessive husband's side. You're welcome!" Mingyu winked, clearly amused.

Seungcheol groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why am I even friends with you, Mingyu?"