himself, he had always felt a certain disgust from the lavish events and social gatherings that characterized their world. Unlike many of his peers, Sunghoon had declined numerous invitations to such occasions, preferring the simplicity and familiarity of his own upbringing.

Raised within the confines of the America-Korea colony, Sunghoon had been shielded from the complexities of court politics and the burdens of noble obligations. It was only out of caring for to Heeseung, his childhood friend, that he had agreed to attend tonight's event. 

As he gritted his teeth in frustration, Sunghoon couldn't ignore the pang of guilt that gnawed at him. He felt a sense of responsibility towards Riki, a fellow colony prince who deserved better than to be subjected to the unwelcome advances of someone like Watanabe Haruto.

With a determined glint in his eyes, Sunghoon made a silent vow to himself.  No matter the consequences, Sunghoon couldn't stand by and watch as Riki suffered in silence.

Sunghoon's smile was strained as he approached Haruto and Riki, his heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and determination. He knew he had to act quickly to disrupt the uncomfortable situation unfolding before him.

"Haruto," Sunghoon called out, his voice carefully modulated to hide the underlying tension. As he drew closer, he met Haruto's gaze with a polite nod, masking the anger and concern simmering beneath the surface.

Beside Haruto, Riki looked up at Sunghoon with a flicker of surprise in his eyes, his forced smile faltering for a moment before he regained his composure. Sunghoon couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight of Riki's discomfort, fueling his resolve to intervene on his behalf.

Ignoring the curious glances of onlookers, Sunghoon focused his attention on Riki, his voice soft but firm as he addressed him directly. "Riki, could I have a word with you?" he asked, offering a small, reassuring smile in an attempt to convey his genuine concern.

With a subtle nod, Riki glanced briefly at Haruto before turning his attention back to Sunghoon, a glimmer of gratitude shining in his eyes. As they moved away from the crowd, Sunghoon felt a sense of relief wash over him.

"Riki! What were you doing in such a place?" Sunghoon's voice carried a mixture of frustration and concern as he confronted Riki.

Riki's response was barely audible, his voice tinged with sadness. "My mother hosts the event," he mumbled, avoiding Sunghoon's gaze and fighting back tears.

Sunghoon's brows furrowed in disbelief. "What?" he muttered, struggling to comprehend the gravity of Riki's words. But as Riki nodded in confirmation.

His heart sank as Riki revealed the truth behind his presence at the event, his frustration giving way to a deep sense of sadness and concern. He couldn't fathom the thought of Riki being subjected to such a cruel and dangerous environment, forced to participate in a tradition that endangered his life and well-being.

Wrapping his arms around Riki in a protective embrace, Sunghoon felt a surge of determination coursing through him. He couldn't bear to see Riki suffer any longer, and he vowed to do whatever it took to keep him safe – even if it meant leaving the colony behind.

As he held Riki close, Sunghoon's mind raced with thoughts of their future together. He couldn't shake the fear that lingered in the back of his mind – did Riki feel the same way about him? Did he love Sunghoon as much as Sunghoon loved him?

Determined to prove his love, Sunghoon made a silent vow to himself. He would do whatever it took to win Riki's heart, to show him the unwavering devotion that burned within his own. No matter the challenges they faced, Sunghoon was ready to fight for their love – and for Riki's freedom.

Sunghoon understood that gaining Riki's trust would be paramount in helping him navigate the dangerous world they lived in. With Riki's lack of memories of their past encounters, Sunghoon knew he had to approach the situation delicately.

So, he decided to take a route that he knew would catch Riki's attention – he flirted with him. Sunghoon's charm and subtle advances had a noticeable effect on Riki, causing the younger boy to become flustered and blush a bright shade of red, even without wearing any rouge.

As Sunghoon and Riki found themselves alone in a quiet corner of the market, Sunghoon flashed a charming smile and leaned in closer to Riki, his voice soft and enticing.

"You know, Riki, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you look today," Sunghoon remarked, his eyes twinkling with warmth as he watched Riki's cheeks flush with a rosy hue.

Riki's gaze darted away, a shy smile playing on his lips as he fidgeted nervously. "O-Oh?.. um, thank y-you," he stammered, his heart racing at Sunghoon's unexpected compliment.

Sunghoon chuckled softly, enjoying the way Riki's bashfulness only seemed to enhance his natural charm. "You really are quite captivating, you know," he continued, his tone genuine as he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from Riki's face.

Caught off guard by Sunghoon's gentle touch, Riki's breath caught in his throat as he met Sunghoon's gaze. "I-I... um, thank you, Sunghoon," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

As Sunghoon held onto Riki's hand, drawing him near to a secluded corner of the house, a rush of conflicting emotions flooded through him. With their faces mere inches apart, Sunghoon couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration coursing through his veins.

"You know, Riki..." Sunghoon's voice trailed off, his gaze locked with Riki's as he struggled to find the right words to express the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.

In that fleeting moment, as their hands intertwined and their breaths mingled, Sunghoon couldn't help but wonder: why did it feel so good, even when he knew it was so wrong?

"What do you think about running away?" Sunghoon's voice was soft, filled with a longing to escape the confines of their current reality. Riki's heart fluttered with a mixture of disbelief and hope. The notion of running away seemed like a distant dream, an escape from the suffocating confines of their current reality.

"W-What...?" Riki's voice trembled with uncertainty, his mind struggling to process the fearless proposal. The idea of leaving everything behind, of forsaking the life they knew for the promise of freedom, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Sunghoon's hands found their way to Riki's waist, drawing him closer as if to anchor him in their shared desire for liberation. "Do you want to live in the palace of England?..." Sunghoon's words hung in the air.

Riki's breath caught in his throat as he leaned into Sunghoon's embrace, his head resting against the older boy's broad chest. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of Sunghoon's embrace, Riki felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him.

"Please... I want to be far gone from here," Riki whispered softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he surrendered to the overwhelming urge to escape.

Sunghoon's smile was like a beacon of light in the darkness, a promise of a brighter future beyond the horizon. As he pressed a gentle kiss to Riki's head, his words echoed with determination. "Anything for you..."

As Riki stood there, surrounded by the unfamiliar sights and sounds of England, he couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation wash over him. Gone were the constraints of traditional Korean or Japanese attire, replaced instead by the freedom to be himself, to love openly and without fear.

Beside him stood Park Sunghoon, his childhood best friend and now beloved boyfriend. Together, they had embarked on a journey to a new beginning, leaving behind the expectations and prejudices of their past lives.

Heeseung's reaction to their relationship was unexpected yet surprisingly accepting. Despite his initial shock, he had readily embraced their love, offering his unwavering support and assistance in keeping their relationship a secret.

As Riki tiptoed closer, his heart overflowing with love and tenderness, he whispered those three cherished words that held the power to move Sunghoon at anytime: "I love you so much..."

Sunghoon's smile was radiant as he gazed into Riki's eyes, his own affection shining brightly. With a gentle yet firm grasp, he pulled Riki close, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.

"I love you just as much, my darling," Sunghoon murmured against Riki's lips, his words a promise of unwavering devotion and adoration.

♡

As they stood in the kitchen, surrounded by flour and sugar, Riki and Sunghoon exchanged a glance filled with both determination and uncertainty. Baking was something they had never attempted before, but with Jay's patient guidance, they felt a newfound sense of confidence.

Heeseung's confession to Jay had been a turning point, a moment of courage that had led to unexpected revelations and newfound love. As Jay revealed his feelings for Heeseung, their bond grew stronger, cementing their place in each other's hearts.

Riki couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the way his life had unfolded. Despite the challenges and obstacles they had faced, he was grateful for the love and protection Sunghoon had bestowed upon him, shielding him from the harsh realities of Korean politics.

In Sunghoon's embrace, Riki found comfort and strength, their love a beacon of light in the darkness. As they shared a tender moment amidst the chaos of the kitchen, Riki knew that he was truly fortunate to have Sunghoon by his side.

  Riki knew that he was exactly where he belonged—with Sunghoon, his beloved protector and soulmate.

Muah! Hope you enjoyed this Hoonki fic!

I'm not even close to know politics at all >< 

I'm not aware of 1600s history.

So I hope this was somewhat accurate >-< 

Hope this was good <3 

Don't forget to Vote & Comment !! 

♡