"Have you been with her?"
Hak chokes and spits the alcohol out of his mouth. This is not where he saw this night going. He's sitting across from Mundok, a bottle between them in a private room, and with Tae-Woo left to keep watch at the Princess' door while Gramps sorts how much trouble Hak is about to be in.
Hak regains his composure and stares in shock.
"You know what I'm getting at, Boy."
"I wouldn't." Though maybe he would. At least, he hadn't lost all his willpower against it yet.
"I know you wouldn't. Any good man wouldn't when the time isn't right. But all men know sometimes that's a battle lost."
"It hasn't. ... Been lost?"
Mundok sighs relief, "It can't happen with her." Then at Hak's fallen look, "She's the princess."
Well, duh. Hak takes another drink. This is awkward. She's still back in her room, they haven't spoken about a thing, she was a party to the whole embarrassing situation. And she was kissing him back? And touching… OK his mind can't go there right now. Right now he's still trying to escape this conversation with Gramps.
Hak stands, "Well then, I guess we're finished here."
"Sit, Boy."
"Let's talk about Kai when Tae-Woo is here. I'm not general anymore."
"It's about that."
Hak sits, "You know I can't come back."
"She said she's in love with you," the words soften Hak's expression, "You're still a wanted fugitive," which then hardens again.
"... it's inconvenient."
"Her safety is what I'm concerned about. There's no one I'd trust more at her side. Until tonight."
Here we go again, Hak reaches for another drink.
"If you love her, protect her. And keep your damn hands off her, Boy. And if you can't do that..."
"I care more about the Princess' well-being-"
"-then marry her."
Hak's eyes go wide.
"A fugitive or not, if you're the man she wants at her side, then do this properly."
A lifetime of hesitation-inducing insecurities rise in Hak. He realizes the next time he and the princess speak will be the single conversation he's most looked forward to and dreaded in his entire life. A conversation he never thought would ever actually happen...
Yona is curled up in a little ball in her bed, thoughts racing through her mind. WHAT did she just do?! Was it the alcohol? No, even if she was completely sober, she wouldn't have been able to not touch him. And once she touches him… NO, she cannot let her mind go there right now. Even though he kissed back. And touched her… oh that look in his eyes. Wow, it's awe-inspiring how wholly she belongs to him now. Her heart is in his hands.
But the way Mundok had dragged him away? And he mentioned marriage?! AH. So embarrassing. She and Hak haven't even talked about the kiss yet, not to mention any subsequent kissing and touching. Is Mundok going to tell anyone? Or bring up marriage again?
Yona covers her face with her hands, cringing. What must Hak think of her right now? She's certain the next time she talks to him is going to be the most awkward conversation of her life...