* * *
His cryptic comment even made Hyunwook flinch slightly.
Was he implying that he knew who I was?
Or was he just saying he’d seen me often enough to figure it out?
Either way, it felt intentional.
But the guy himself just stayed calm.
“It’s only natural you don’t know me. I’ve only seen you from afar.”
Lately, with so many threats coming from everywhere, I’d grown more guarded, and with Hyunwook always on edge, I was tense too.
But what was the point of being hostile to someone I didn’t even know?
I just quietly continued eating my ice cream.
“Are you waiting for someone?”
That really came out of nowhere.
I frowned slightly and looked him over.
Why would he ask something like that?
Most people wouldn’t say that to someone they just pass by.
“Why do you ask?”
“You’re always out here at the same time, looking around like you’re expecting someone. I was just curious if you ever met them or not. I don’t see the whole thing because I have academy classes, but… If they’re someone who breaks promises, maybe you shouldn’t wait. No need to.”
Waiting for someone…
So that’s what I looked like to him.
And he wasn’t wrong.
I was waiting.
I didn’t realize my feelings and longing had been visible to others.
“You’ve got a sharp eye.”
“Just happened to notice. At first, I thought you just liked sitting outside the store eating snacks, but after a while, it looked like you were waiting for someone. Sorry if I’m being nosy. But whoever they are, don’t wait too long. It’ll become a habit.”
I laughed. I didn’t mind if it became a habit.
I could wait forever, if I just had the assurance I’d get to see them again.
That’s all that mattered.
“I don’t mind them being late. And I don’t mind if waiting becomes a habit. As long as they show up… that’s enough.”
“Huh? Who are you even waiting for? Why are you so nice about it? Who are they that you’d wait this long?”
His voice had a mix of disbelief and amusement, like he was asking if I was a pushover.
I gave a short laugh.
Who was I waiting for?
The sky was painted red again.
I guess it was that sunset making me so sentimental.
It reminded me of the sunsets I used to watch with Seojoo.
“My younger brother.”
“Your brother? You have a brother?”
Even without looking, I could tell Hyunwook was startled.
His hand moved in front of me as if to stop me—like he was silently saying I shouldn’t have said that.
He must’ve been flustered too.
Since the first day I met Hyunwook, we had a silent agreement not to bring up Seojoo.
Like some unspoken rule.
“Where’d he go, that you’re waiting like this? Wouldn’t it be faster to try contacting him some other way? Like the police or a public agency—”
“I want to. But I don’t even know how.”
Maybe he realized how heavy the conversation had become, because he went quiet.
He studied me, his face still hidden under his hoodie.
Yeah… this wasn’t normal talk for two people who’d just met.
Strangely, I started to open up.
Once I started saying things I hadn’t dared to tell anyone, the words just wouldn’t stop.
“You don’t even know when he’s coming?”
His voice had shifted—it was much softer now, not bold and curious like before.
He asked carefully.
“I really don’t know. When… or even if he’ll come. I don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again. So all I can do… is wait.”
“And what if he doesn’t come? After all this time you’ve been waiting… wouldn’t that be too painful?”
“No, it’s not hard. Then I’ll just wait forever. Maybe I won’t meet them again in this life, but still, every day I wait will be filled with anticipation. Because I’m waiting for someone I miss.”
“How can that be exciting? It just hurts because you miss them.”
It might have sounded like he was rambling to a stranger, but maybe that’s exactly why he could speak so freely—because it was a stranger.
Someone he’d never see again.
Things he couldn’t say to people he knew, he wanted to say them all now.
This person must have a strong sense of empathy.
Most would brush it off as a pointless monologue, but here he was, trying to understand each and every feeling.
“No, if I don’t meet them today, then maybe tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then next year. And if I close my eyes waiting, then maybe in the next life. That kind of hope carries me through a lifetime. So how could it not be exciting?”
And if I do close my eyes, then in the next life, surely…
Why does the sunset look so blurry?
Ah, of course—tears again.
No doubt about it, ever since coming here, I’ve cried so much more. Is this just how all omegas are?
Well, just thinking about Seojoo brings tears to my eyes—so now that I’ve spoken about him out loud, not crying would’ve been stranger.
Still, breaking down like this in front of a stranger?
It was embarrassing.
But the man didn’t look at him oddly.
“I shouldn’t have asked. I really hope you get to meet your brother.”
“Hearing you say that… makes me feel like I really will.”
I smiled, eyes brimming with tears, looking at him.
I couldn’t see his face clearly, so I didn’t know what expression he wore, but the way his lips parted—he looked like he wanted to say something.
Then he stood up, gripping the stick of his finished ice cream and gave it a shake.
“This—thanks for the ice cream. I’ll definitely repay you next time we meet. I’m usually not allowed to have it. My mom doesn’t let me. And what we talked about today… I’ll keep it secret.”
“Thanks. As long as you enjoyed the ice cream, that’s enough. Take care.”
He hesitated several times, turning back to glance at me before walking away.
I felt a little bad, wondering if I’d burdened him.
But letting out something I couldn’t tell anyone else—that was a relief. L
ike shouting into a bamboo forest.
“I… Haejoo.”
“Yeah, I know. I deserve a scolding. I shouldn’t have said that kind of thing to a stranger.”
“…Shall we return to the palace now? It’s time to go back.”
Since Seojoo died and I came here, I’d never spoken those words aloud.
I’d just kept them buried deep in my chest.
I never imagined I’d let them out like this.
I should really change the time I go outside—sunsets are making me too emotional.
That night, I had a dream.
A small, simple dream—back at our old house, eating pollack stew with Dad and Seojoo.
In the dream, I was thrilled and asked:
“Did we all come back to life? Then what do we say to everyone who came to our funeral?”
“Just tell them we came back. What’s the big deal?”
“Really? Then Dad, are we going to live in this house again?”
“Yeah, Haejoo. You, me, and Seojoo—just the three of us now. We’ve got so much to do. But it’s nice, right? None of us are sick anymore.”
It was nonsense, really.
Ridiculous words all around.
But I smiled the whole time.
I was so happy, I knew it was a dream, but I didn’t want to wake up.
Because when I did, when I opened my eyes…
I’d be surrounded again by people who don’t love me.
And I’d have to survive through that, again.
Maybe because of the dream, I spent the whole night feverish again and couldn’t sleep.
It wasn’t anything serious, but being an omega, my body was definitely sensitive and fragile.
I drifted in and out of sleep, not even sure how much I’d rested.
As I lay there, waiting for the fever to break, hooked up to an IV and medicated, I suddenly heard urgent footsteps.
The sharp clack of dress shoes—wide, fast steps.
Someone was running.
Who could it be?
Hyunwook should be in the living room, and no one else was expected this late at night.
“Haejoo! Haejoo, are you okay?!”
That voice…
Even with my fever-clouded vision, my eyes trembled and barely managed to open.
My focus was off, so I had to blink several times before I could see clearly.
The one person who’d always been on my side—he was finally here.
“Hyung? Is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me! I’m here. His Majesty allowed me to come see you as soon as I arrived. Why’s your fever so high again?”
His large hands ran over my forehead and cheeks.
Only then did I see him clearly.
He was wearing a stunning military uniform, his expression tight with worry.
He must’ve come straight here in a rush.
The concern on his face made my smile feel almost inappropriate.
Then, with frantic eyes, he began checking my arms, legs, and body one by one.
He must’ve heard something.
No doubt, he already knew I’d been beaten by our grandfather.
“It’s okay now. His Majesty helped me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? You should’ve said something! Do you know how I’ve been looking out for you? I’ve always—”
“Because it would’ve been harder for you. But it’s okay now. His Majesty promised to help from now on.”
I gripped his hand with my raspy voice, trying to emphasize that everything was fine now.
After meeting Hyunwook, and now my brother too, all the pain seemed to fade.
I felt light.
If only Seojoo were here too… it would be perfect.
“Hyung… Can you find Seojoo? Please, can you find our Seojoo?”
He stroked my hair over and over and nodded.
My cheeks flushed from the fever, I watched his reaction and forced a weak smile.
“I will. I’ll find him. So don’t worry. Just rest now, okay?”
As expected, being near someone who gives you peace helps you recover.
I really thought I was going to die—but now that my brother’s here, I feel sleepy and like the fever’s breaking.
I hope he stays by my side from now on.
Before sunrise, in the darkest hour, Minhyuk quietly entered the Great Guest Palace.
He’d heard Haejoo had another bad fever, and couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
Hanbin had told him Haejoo had finally fallen asleep in the adjacent room.
But he didn’t expect to see Kang Hyunwook in Haejoo’s reception room.
He’d told him to guard—not move in.
With a cool glance, Minhyuk passed Hyunwook and entered Haejoo’s bedroom.
Inside, the faint scent of Haejoo’s pheromones lingered.
It must’ve seeped out because of the fever.
The gentle acacia scent prickled at Minhyuk’s nerves like a whisper.
He walked slowly to the bed and examined Haejoo’s face, anxiety clouding his own.
His lips were cracked and slightly bleeding, cheeks and forehead flushed.
Why did he keep getting these fevers?
He cooled the towel and placed it on Haejoo’s forehead again.
Checked the IV line.
Then wet a handkerchief and gently pressed it to his lips.
Haejoo flinched slightly at the unexpected chill, brows furrowing.
“Damn…”
He didn’t seem fully awake, but his weak hand reached out—just like before—and found Minhyuk’s.
So Minhyuk held it tightly, like he had that time.
And then, Haejoo murmured softly:
“Find Seojoo… Hyung, you promised… please find our Seojoo…”
‘Seojoo?’
A name Minhyuk had never heard before—softly spoken from Haejoo’s fevered lips.
* * *
