.o.

Whatever exactly happened in the West, at the end of the holiday he wasn't feeling well. Had actual sickness, kept vomiting and feeling awful.
Even Norihiko got a little panicked there, thinking he got poisoned by someone indeed and nobody really knew what to do, if mentioning that to the Emperor or investigate the matter or nothing.

Bang-sul knew it wasn't poison the problem and liquidated any attempt to get further information.
He even showed some hesitation about returning to the Palace, to which, LianBi was eventually warned. If Bang-sul wanted to prolong his holiday, he first needed Jeonha's permission.

Bang-sul remained inside the water of the sea while the others were teleported back home. Only Norihiko remained there to watch him from the shore.
While staring at the horizon, he felt someone behind him. Didn't even need to turn around to know it was LianBi.
Surprised, Bang-sul slowly turned around. The other was in full Imperial Robe, makeup on, as if he had literally just stood from his throne and teleported there. He even entered the water with those precious clothes on.
He didn't know what to say, bit luckily it was LianBi to speak first. "Are you still feeling unwell?"
He shook his head, a bit stunned. "A-aniyo..."
The Emperor took his hands in his and approached very close, looking deep into his eyes. "Don't you want to come back to me?"
Bang-sul's eyes widened at the question. He never saw the matter on that perspective. "It's not so... I..."
"I came here with something in my mind to propose to you... but now that I am here, I am afraid to ask, even if I should."
"Stay with me..." impulsively said Bang-sul. "Remain here with me..."
Just some moment of silence, then LianBi nodded. "I shall stay here with you, all the time you wish."
His eyes slightly widened at the answer, that he didn't expect to be positive. He nodded and rested his forehead on LianBi's chest, who caressed his head.

As the sun started to set, the two returned to the empty palace. Even Norihiko had been sent away by then.
Hand in hand, LianBi led the way inside, where he stopped and started to take his wet clothes off. He also removed his hairpins and left his hair free and untied. "I shall return soon." Said that, the Emperor headed towards the bathroom to take off the makeup too.
Meanwhile, Bang-sul too went to change clothes and to refresh himself a little. He was strangely fast and quickly returned to the living room, where they parted.
LianBi came back soon enough and took his hand again. "Let's have some food, shall.we?"
Something he didn't think about: just them two meant no servant to do the stuff. And he has never been able to cook anything more than some roasted fish or meat. "I..."
"Let's go." Without waiting to hear what Bang-sul had to say, LianBi headed to the kitchen where he finally let go of his hand.
"I could get some fish to roast..." murmured the concubine, who had never even set a foot inside a kitchen before. In Xhuanghen.
"Ani, no need. There seems to be enough to cook something tasty." The Emperor, in underclothes, started to select some vegetables and placed them on a working table.
Bang-sul remained back, powerless, while LianBi started to prepare something to eat, that also seemed a pretty complex dish. He stared at him in some sort of anguish, due to be unable to take his place and be the one to cook...

After LianBi finished to cut vegetables and meat, he put everything inside a big pot that he left on the fire, finally returning to focus on Bang-sul.
He approached him and put his hands on his shoulders. "You look in so much distress... are you expecting to get poisoned by the bad taste of my cooking?" he said with a soft, amused smile.
Bang-sul looked up at him with wide eyes. "Aniyo...! It's not... I just..." And glanced at the kitchen furniture.
LianBi turned more serious. "It's only you and me. There is no reason to keep playing Emperor and Concubine. It's just LianBi and Bang-sul." He approached his forehead to the other's. "I never forgot who I am, where I come from. Neither should you." The ex IA servant and the ex Crown Prince.

After a delicious dinner, the two returned outside for a walk, to enjoy the beautiful starry sky of Alamahor.
They fell asleep on the sand of the beach, where they got awakened by the light sunbeams.
Bang-sul opened his eyes and noticed he was still on LianBi's arms, where he fell asleep the previous night. The Emperor was caressing his hair.
"Shall we return home, now...?" murmured Bang-sul, not because in hurry to go back, but because he knew that LianBi had his obligations, his family to take care of... even if he agreed to stay there for another day, just for him, he knew he'd have some troubles and that probably they wouldn't be left alone by servants and guards.
"Already? Are you sure?"
Bang-sul nodded. "I want to come home with you..."