JD 92

Even in the dressing room, it took longer than expected for them to head out—mostly because they couldn’t stop teasing each other, sticking close and playing with each other’s hands.

The staff waiting outside smiled to themselves as laughter spilled from behind the door.

“Grooms, congratulations on your wedding! Especially the song—it was so beautiful!”

“Thank you. It was such a happy day, all thanks to your perfect preparations.”

Endless compliments followed, especially about Hakyung’s singing. His face flushed red as he bowed in gratitude, completely unaware that Muheon, standing beside him, was shooting an unimpressed look at the staff.

The moment Muheon’s sharp glare landed, the chatty staff—like fangirls fawning over an idol—began quietly backing away.

They quickly wrapped up their goodbyes and disappeared. Hakyung, who kept thanking them until the end, turned and poked Muheon in the side.

“Were you jealous?”

“No.”

“Really? You were totally glaring at them.”

“…You noticed?”

Muheon’s eyes widened, as if asking how he knew without having eyes in the back of his head. Hakyung giggled at his transparent reaction.

He hadn’t needed eyes in the back of his head—he could tell from how the staff’s demeanor changed instantly. And this wasn’t Muheon’s first jealous moment, either.

If the roles had been reversed and Muheon had been chatting kindly with others, Hakyung was sure he would have been the one shooting daggers.

“I’m not going to get distracted when I’ve got my husband right next to me. You worry too much.”

“Not you. But humans tend to get greedy when they see something shiny or precious—even if it’s already taken.”

Muheon lowered his head and pressed a kiss to Hakyung’s forehead. With his hair covered by a hat again, Muheon’s hands had nowhere to go, so they wandered aimlessly.

Hakyung caught one of them and brought it to his lips, placing tiny kisses on each of Muheon’s fingers.

“You’re right. Humans, beastmen… everyone’s greedy. Poor me, with such a handsome imugi husband—I have to worry all the time.”

He let out an exaggerated sigh. Muheon chuckled at the over-the-top agreement.

“So wherever you go, show off that ring first. And don’t follow anyone just because they offer you something tasty, got it?”

“Look who’s talking.”

Just as the newlyweds were basking in each other, clearly reluctant to let go even for a second, a loud throat-clearing sound came from behind.

Startled, Hakyung turned around to see Gisang-oh standing there, his face a mix of stone and secondhand embarrassment. He had been waiting nearby to escort them to the sea, but now he’d clearly reached his limit.

Tapping his wristwatch, he said, “Sir Muheon, it’s about time we headed out.”

“Right.”

“Let’s go quickly! We’ll get stuck in traffic!”

Linking his arm through Muheon’s, Hakyung hurried ahead. Even if Gisang-oh was Muheon’s closest aide, it was still embarrassing to be overheard during such a cheesy exchange.

Beneath his hat, the tips of Hakyung’s ears turned red. It was adorable enough that Muheon couldn’t resist reaching for him.

As whispers came from behind, Gisang-oh shook his head without realizing it. Who would’ve thought the great Muheon would turn into such a lovesick fool?

By the time they arrived at the sea connected to Muheon’s family home, the sun was already dipping below the horizon. Still, having done it once before, Hakyung was able to step into the water without hesitation.

Of course, he clung to Muheon’s sleeve so tightly that it stretched—but that part hadn’t changed.

And just like last time, with the blink of an eye, they were underwater. Even though he knew he didn’t need to hold his breath, Hakyung couldn’t help puffing out his cheeks instinctively.

Muheon poked them gently.

With each little poke, hot air escaped from Hakyung’s lips in soft puffs.

“You can breathe, you know.”

Hakyung exhaled with a frustrated puhh and looked at him with a pout.

“I know that. But it still makes me hold my breath by reflex.”

“Hmmm… Is it really uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that—it’s just… Anyway, I’m fine now!”

Trauma from the incident he’d experienced as a child wasn’t something that disappeared easily. But if he could at least feel okay after a few moments of adjustment, that alone was a big relief. The fear hadn’t won.

Before they knew it, all the playfulness had faded from Muheon’s face—replaced now with pure concern for Hakyung. Looking at him like this, it almost seemed like Hakyung’s once-pink lips had turned pale, and the skin beneath his eyes had darkened.

Trying to break the serious mood, Hakyung stomped his feet on the spot.

“I told you, I’m really fine! I could run a lap around the West Sea right now!”

“Okay, okay.”

Muheon hurried to calm him down—honestly, it looked like Hakyung might actually attempt it. Only once his lip color began to return and he could see Hakyung really was okay did Muheon start guiding him toward his family home.

As the large gates opened and they stepped inside, the first thing to greet them was a floor covered in scattered flower petals.

“Whoa… wow!”

In the middle of the sea, to find a path of flowers—it left Hakyung gaping in awe. Even Muheon looked a little surprised, despite it being his own home.

The attendants, having succeeded in surprising the newlyweds, popped out from all sides with bright smiles.

“Sir Muheon, Sir Hakyung, congratulations on your marriage!”

“Congratulations!”

They threw handfuls of petals into the water, blessing the couple’s future.

Hakyung beamed with joy, touched by their warm welcome. Even Muheon, rarely one to smile so openly, couldn’t help but join in. Their reactions made all the hard work worthwhile—for days, the attendants had scoured the sea gathering petals from every corner of the world.

But the celebration prepared by Muheon’s household didn’t stop there. They brought Hakyung and Muheon into separate rooms and dressed them from head to toe in meticulously prepared attire.

Less than a day after their previous wedding, the two found themselves having another ceremony.

Muheon’s robe was more elaborately embroidered than his usual black garments, while Hakyung wore a pristine white robe embroidered with silver thread.

The outfit suited his pale, adorable features so well that the attendants who prepared it were visibly pleased. Hakyung, who had once envied Muheon’s robe, was now overjoyed to wear his own perfectly tailored version.

He’d been worried the traditional outfit would look like he was playing dress-up in his dad’s clothes, but the perfect fit made him look less like a child—and more like a prince from some distant land.

He swapped his hat for a ceremonial samo, completing the look of a proper groom.

Watching Hakyung wriggle and bounce with excitement, the attendants were just as delighted. They gushed over how they’d watched the live-streamed wedding and praised his singing.

Blushing at the unexpected attention, Hakyung’s cheeks turned pink. He’d known the wedding was being streamed, but he hadn’t imagined people under the sea were watching too.

He fidgeted with his fingers shyly, making the attendants giggle again.

They had spent who knows how long like that, when a dark silhouette slid across the paper door. Just from the size of the shadow, Hakyung knew instantly it was Muheon—and like a puppy hearing his owner return, he dashed to the door.

“Ah, wait! Hold on!”

The attendants reached out too late. Hakyung had already opened the door. All efforts to keep the couple from seeing each other before the ceremony were gone in a blink.

Leaving the disappointed attendants behind, Hakyung flung open the door—and just as he thought, Muheon was standing there.

Clad in a jet-black robe with his hands clasped behind his back, Muheon looked like a portrait come to life. Hakyung, falling for him for what felt like the 4,255th time, immediately flung his arms around him and launched into a nonstop stream of compliments.

“Whoa! You look amazing! The suit was great, but now? I’m speechless! Seriously, who even has a husband this handsome?”

Usually it was Muheon who did the praising, with Hakyung playing along and dancing around—but now the roles were reversed. Still, knowing Muheon wouldn’t budge no matter how much he was complimented, Hakyung danced and praised all on his own.

His enthusiasm made Muheon laugh. He’d thought the ceremonial robes were too stuffy and formal, but if his husband liked them this much, he wouldn’t mind wearing them again and again.

Eventually, Hakyung stepped back from where he’d been clinging to Muheon—and for the first time, his entire figure came into view.

The sight of him in his beautiful white robes made Muheon’s expression suddenly twist.