The Garden of Joy

“Why would I get married? When I already have you.”

Lee Hwan — the bright, troublemaking third prince of the Korean Empire — is known for his untainted and sunny disposition. He’s also famous as the ardent “fanboy” of his childhood friend, Jung Heeseo, who seems indifferent to everyone but him.
However, when a wealthy social climber uses the powerless royal family’s name as pretense to approach Heeseo, Hwan’s temper explodes.

Can the powerless third prince protect the one he cherishes?

[Preview]

“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“……”
“Sweetheart? Darling? My love?”
“……”
“Heeseo-yah. Baby.”

With his back turned, Hwan couldn’t see what expression Heeseo was wearing.

All he could make out were the familiar signs — the tips of Heeseo’s ears, flushed as always, and the faint trembling of his fingertips. From those little clues, Hwan could only guess at his friend’s emotions.

What are you feeling right now?

“Honey, baby…” — those playful endearments carried fragments of Hwan’s true feelings, slipping out despite his efforts to disguise them. His heart thudded violently. Though he tried to act composed, the heat flooding his face was impossible to hide. The longer Heeseo remained silent, the tighter Hwan’s nerves coiled, until he found himself unconsciously clenching his fists.

Then—

He saw Heeseo’s trembling hands ball into fists as well.

The only difference — and one that startled him — was the sound of paper crumpling in Heeseo’s grip. The harsh, tearing noise shattered the quiet of the room. Hwan froze, unable to mask his bewilderment.

Crumpled? Paper?
Heeseo, who used to frown and slap his hand away just for doodling on a page—?

“…Heeseo?”

Sensing that something was seriously off, Hwan called to him again, this time his voice laced with fear.

When Heeseo finally turned around, his eyes were rimmed red. The look he gave Hwan — wounded, accusing — made Hwan’s heart sink like a stone. He scrambled upright, abandoning his playful posture, as Heeseo spoke with a trembling voice, half scolding, half breaking.

“Don’t joke like that.”
“…Why not?”
“…Because it feels strange.”