Villainous Concubine Has Run Away chapter 26

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Even if Hyunwook hadn’t told me, I would’ve known right away which one was Seojoo among all those people.

The Alpha Hyunwook mentioned really was Seojoo.

There’s no way it wasn’t him.

I think I understand why Hyunwook is so sure.

The moment I saw him, I felt like I couldn’t breathe—my mind went blank.

I instinctively hid behind Hyunwook, clinging to his arm as I cautiously observed Seojoo.

So he’s an Alpha.

He was slightly shorter than Joo Minhyuk, but just as well-built.

The face that had always been pale and sickly now glowed like it was under a spotlight—healthy and full of life.

I was overwhelmed.

To think that color would return to Seojoo’s face.

My small, frail, and sickly Seojoo had reappeared before me—strong and beautiful.

He no longer looked like the boy always shadowed by illness. I stared, mesmerized, smiling without even realizing it.

I couldn’t stop.

But it was strange… I was smiling, yet the tears wouldn’t stop.

What is this feeling? It’s overwhelming and full, yet achingly tender.

I couldn’t believe that Seojoo, who once couldn’t take a single step out of bed, was now running, rolling, and enjoying sports before my very eyes.

He moved so lightly, it felt like he was defying gravity.

Incredible.

Who knew he was so athletic?

He once said it was his dream to kick a soccer ball just once. Looking at him now, he could’ve been a pro.

The sweat glistening in his hair and the bright smile on his face were blindingly beautiful.

It felt like the whole world around him was sparkling.

‘Seojoo… you’ve been doing well.’

You can do the things you want.

You’re healthy.

You’re in a wealthy environment where you can go to the hospital whenever you need.

You’ve been living well.

That’s enough.

As long as you’re not sick, not being mistreated, and living with peace of mind—that’s all I ever wanted.

Even if you don’t remember me, it doesn’t matter anymore.

Just keep living like this.

I felt relieved.

That was enough.

I stood there for a long time, watching Seojoo.

I wanted to get closer, but maybe this was enough.

“…Cha Haejoo, stop crying. You’re gonna dehydrate.”

“…You noticed?”

“Notice? You’re sobbing so hard I can feel it in my bones. You can’t even see Seojoo through all those tears.”

But I couldn’t help it.

The moment I saw Seojoo’s face, the tears just burst out. I couldn’t stop them.

“Can I just keep coming until His Majesty returns? I’ll only watch from afar like this. He said he’d be back the day after tomorrow.”

“As long as you can sneak out of the palace, I don’t care. Let’s do that. Come with me.”

As we exchanged a few quiet words, I wondered if my desperate feelings had somehow reached him.

Had someone heard my wish and moved Seojoo’s feet?

Just then, Seojoo, who had been focused on training, suddenly turned his head in our direction.

Unless he was seeing something invisible, he was definitely looking at us.

My heart jumped, and I instinctively buried myself deeper behind Hyunwook.

Seojoo’s eyes narrowed slightly when he saw that.

Then his steps quickened, strides growing longer as he walked toward us.

“Looks like he’s coming to say hi to me. Even if he doesn’t remember the other Kang Hyunwook, he’s gotten pretty close with this one.”

“R-Really? Then… maybe I can get close to him too? But why does he look kind of irritated?”

Watching him approach, I hurried to wipe my tears.

My heart was pounding harder than if I’d just run a marathon.

“Hyunwook, when did you get here?”

Seojoo—Seojoo spoke.

I was hearing his voice again.

I couldn’t believe it.

That once weak and soft voice had grown deeper, more masculine.

The childlike tone was gone, yet it still felt strangely familiar, as if I’d been hearing it every day.

My heart raced, and I couldn’t look him in the eye.

But… Hyunwook?

That name on his lips—somehow, it didn’t sit right.

“Oh, I just got here. What about you, hyung?”

“…Hyung?”

“You’re older than me now, aren’t you? Just go with it.”

I had to stand next to them and watch Hyunwook call Seojoo hyung.

Seriously, how ridiculous could this get?

The moment Hyunwook addressed Seojoo like that, I unconsciously tightened my grip on his arm.

Noticing my reaction, Hyunwook gently patted the back of my hand with his own and stifled a laugh.

But I could feel Seojoo’s gaze sharpening as he looked at the two of us, clearly picking up on the tension.

Wait—no way… is he misunderstanding something?

“You could’ve said something when you got here. I wanted to spar with you… but I see you’ve got a guest? Friend of yours? Or… someone you’re seeing? Looks like an Omega.”

“He’s just a friend. Not really someone I’m seeing…”

Seojoo’s voice was sharp and probing as he stared at me, practically demanding to know who I was. Seojoo!

It’s me—your hyung!

The one who carried you on his back, hugged you, raised you with so much care and love!

Then, as if on cue, our eyes met.

We both locked gazes, frozen in that moment.

The confusion in Seojoo’s eyes slowly melted away, and the sharpness gave way to something softer.

It was a look full of wariness and discomfort at first, but now… there was warmth returning to his eyes.

“Have we met before? You look really familiar.”

“…No, I don’t think so…”

He stepped in closer, tilting his head slightly, eyes fixed on mine.

Then—he smiled.

That faint, crooked lift of his lips… it looked exactly the same as before.

My heart, which had been tight with worry, finally relaxed a little.

Wait, if I look familiar… does that mean he remembers something?

I watched him carefully, hope bubbling up inside me.

But instead of saying anything more, Seojoo simply nodded once and turned away, completely indifferent.

“Well then, Hyunwook, I’ll finish up my training. Let’s spar another time.”

With a casual wave, Seojoo walked off.

We barely exchanged a few words, and he’s already gone.

He’s walking away again.

I’m right here, your hyung is right here… so why do you keep going somewhere else?

I understand the situation, but… damn, it still hurts.

It’s a weird, heavy feeling.

But—it’s fine. It’s not like today’s my only chance.

There’s always tomorrow, and the day after.

I don’t have to search for him anymore or live with this anxious feeling in my chest.

That alone is enough.

I tried my best not to show how disappointed I was.

“Haejoo, Seojoo’s coming in during the day tomorrow. Want to come by again? That okay with you?”

Of course it’s okay.

More than okay.

Just being able to see him again like this… what more could I ask for?

So tomorrow, I’ll take another step closer.

I’ll try talking to him again.

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“So? You’ve made your decision? You sure about it?”

“I already told you—I made up my mind. I never had the slightest intention of accepting it.”

“Alright. I’ll believe you. Because if you’re lying… I’ll have to kill you. Even if you’re family.”

Sitting with one leg crossed, watching the man before him tremble like a cornered rat, Joo Minhyuk simply smiled.

The man was smarter than he looked—he’d made the right choice.

He never even met with the Chancellor properly, let alone listened to his proposal.

The Chancellor had only met with some of the man’s servants, and left.

After the effort it took to get here, he left with nothing.

Once the Chancellor was gone, Minhyuk secretly summoned this man to reveal the real plan.

“So… you’re telling me I should accept the offer?”

“Not quite. Just pretend to accept it. Act like you’re aiming for the throne. Act like you’re dancing to the Chancellor’s tune. That’s all.”

Minhyuk explained the strategy again to the confused man, and finally, a flicker of understanding passed over his face.

They talked for a long while.

This wasn’t something they could afford to mess up—every detail needed to be planned meticulously.

This involved Minhyuk and the lives of countless royal family members.

Failure wasn’t an option.

Once he felt satisfied with how things had gone, Minhyuk finally turned on his phone, which he’d had off for two days, and called Haejoo.

Reports had already come in that Haejoo was visiting Daeho’s gym—the father of Hyunwook—right after arriving in Seoul.

Talk about unexpected.

Why that gym of all places? It was a private, members-only facility.

You couldn’t just waltz in.

They had scrambled to get someone in as a member, but there hadn’t been any updates yet.

So all they could do was wait.

Was Korea four hours behind?

Then it should be lunchtime.

A few rings later, Haejoo’s voice came through the line.

— Hello, Your Majesty!

He sounded like he’d answered in a rush.

There was background noise—car sounds?

Was he outside again?

Seriously?

I’ve been patient about a lot of things lately, but this boy… always doing as he pleases.

“Concubine. Have you had lunch?”

— Yes, I ate early. I’m having coffee right n—huh?

“Why’d you stop mid-sentence? You’re outside, aren’t you? I explicitly told you not to go out! Concubine?”

Minhyuk was just getting into a full scolding when—silence.

Something was wrong.

“…Concubine Haejoo? What’s going on?”

— Ow! That hurts!

“What?! What is it? What’s happening?!”

— I said it hurts! Who are you?! Get away from me! Hey, who the hell are you?!

“Cha Haejoo?! What’s going on?! Where are you?!”

Haejoo’s sudden scream rang out through the phone, making Minhyuk shoot up from his seat, eyes wide.

His aide looked just as alarmed and quickly started dialing.

Minhyuk kept shouting Haejoo’s name, but all he could hear were more screams and Hyunwook’s panicked voice on the other end.

“Goddammit! What the hell’s happening?! Cha Haejoo!!”

He didn’t know what was happening.

He could hear Haejoo screaming, but couldn’t do a damn thing.

Minhyuk shouted for his secretary, practically in a frenzy.

This wasn’t happening inside the palace—it sounded too chaotic.

Was it a kidnapping?

His head was about to explode when suddenly, he heard a different voice through the phone.

— Concubine Haejoo! Jackpot! I finally found you! I even broke a window to get out! I’ve been looking all over for you!

That voice…

“…Isn’t that that bastard? That insane son of a—”

Han Heeseong.

He’s completely lost his mind.

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