* * *
With one strong movement, my body was lifted like I weighed nothing.
To be precise, Joo Minhyuk had picked me up.
I might’ve made a weird noise in surprise, but that wasn’t the issue.
What was important was that I was now in an incredibly embarrassing position, cradled in Minhyuk’s arms.
The classic “princess carry.”
Why? Why is he carrying me like this?
Just throw me over your shoulder! I can handle that!
I’m a man, I can be slung across a shoulder with dignity!
Why embarrass me like this?!
“Grand Concubine. Don’t hide your face—put your arms around my neck. Do you think covering your face means people won’t know who you are?”
No thanks.
Let me at least keep this shred of pride.
“Your Highness! Why did you come outside when you were running a fever all night?!”
…Hyung?
I heard hyung’s frantic voice and quickly lifted my head to look for him.
There he was, rushing over from a distance.
Behind him were several military officers—probably from today’s meeting.
Wait a minute.
That means—
Joo Minhyuk picked me up like this in front of those people?
I need to get down. Now.
I wriggled in his arms, trying to escape, but his grip only tightened.
“Y-Your Majesty, I’ll let my brother support me. I can’t let Your Majesty’s royal body be burdened…”
“What are you saying? You’re seriously telling me, right to my face, that you’d rather lean on another Alpha?”
“Huh? No, it’s not like that! He’s just my brother…”
“Is your brother an Omega? And besides, it’s not like this is the first time you’ve ended up in my arms. You act like this is some big deal. Your face is pale—we’re going back. Now.”
Minhyuk scoffed like he couldn’t believe I was even arguing and started walking off with me still in his arms.
He called my brother another Alpha—what kind of logic is that?
“Your Majesty, are you just leaving those men behind?”
“I told them to wait in the audience hall. You don’t need to worry about them.”
Because he was moving, I had no choice but to put my arms around his neck for balance.
And without meaning to, I ended up clinging to him tightly, like I was afraid for my life.
Ugh, this looks so pitiful.
Come to think of it… this is the third time I’ve been carried like this.
Once when I collapsed because of Grandfather, once when my pheromones went out of control, and now this.
Counting it like that really makes me seem like a frail Omega.
Maybe that’s why Minhyuk fusses over me so much.
Still, being carried unconscious is one thing—but being fully alert like now?
The mental damage is way worse.
And considering my height and weight, even if Minhyuk is strong, I can’t be that easy to carry.
It’s a long way to my residence.
I’m starting to worry.
“Your Majesty, I must be really heavy. It’s a bit of a walk back to my quarters—if it’s too much, you can put me down.”
“What do you take me for? You sure know how to wound a man’s pride, Daebin Palace.”
“I’d never! I swear I wasn’t trying to hurt Your Majesty’s pride—I was just worried you might get sore muscles later…”
“Muscle pain? From this? Grand Concubine, I entered the military academy at seventeen.”
Why is he bringing that up now?
Like anyone doesn’t know.
Because he was a royal and the Crown Prince, he got in much earlier than most.
I even remember the day he enrolled.
In the novel, he dropped out after becoming emperor, but in this world, he stuck it out and earned his diploma.
“Do you think I just coasted through? That they went easy on me because I was young or because I was Crown Prince? No way. They figured a Crown Prince ought to be stronger, ought to work harder—for the nation. So they pushed me to my limit. And even after becoming Emperor, I still fulfilled all my remaining training requirements.”
No, who said I was slacking off…?
I know I worked hard too.
Even though there was a ton to do at the start of his reign, Joo Minhyuk managed to take care of everything with what I could only call madness. I genuinely thought he was insane.
“Do you know how much a full combat load weighs during summer military training?”
I have no idea. Why is he suddenly bragging about the military…?
“I carried that weight and walked 30 kilometers. You can ask the brigadier general. He went through the same. So carrying you and walking a few steps in the palace is nothing.”
I couldn’t say a word and just kept my mouth shut.
I’ve never been in the military, so I couldn’t really understand his hardships.
I was just worried because I was heavy.
If the Empress Dowager saw this, she’d twist my neck.
Since coming here, I’ve gotten so much better at reading the room.
I rolled my eyes around—just in case the Empress Dowager was watching from somewhere.
“Grand Concubine, I’m curious about something.”
“You are?”
“I came to see you last night. Do you remember?”
“…Huh? No? You came? You should’ve woken me up.”
But when Joo Minhyuk asked if I remembered, a chill ran down my spine.
Don’t tell me I said something stupid from the fever again?
I had a sinking feeling—like I’d messed up big time.
“Who is Seojoo?”
…What?
“Pardon?”
Oh god.
“Who is Seojoo that you cried asking me to find them? Are they someone close?”
I’m doomed.
Completely screwed, Cha Haejoo.
What’s wrong with this mouth of mine?
Most people spout nonsense when they’re drunk, but me?
I lose it every time I get a fever.
I probably saw my brother just before I fell asleep and must’ve confused Joo Minhyuk for him.
Like Joo Minhyuk said, I’d better stay in the pavilion and rest.
If the fever comes back, I might start talking about memories from my past life next.
“You’re hesitating. Is it a secret affair? A hidden Alpha lover? Did they dump you?”
“…Of course not.”
‘A hidden Alpha?’
Seriously.
Every time, I realize Joo Minhyuk has a filthy mouth—but somehow, it kind of suits him.
“It was a cat I lived with when I was young. He left me.”
I’m sorry, Seojoo.
When the Empress Dowager called me a fox or a bear, I got so offended—saying I’m no animal.
And yet I’ve now turned you into a cat.
Please understand.
Your brother can’t die here.
“A cat?”
The disbelief in Joo Minhyuk’s voice was obvious.
But even if he’s confused, I can’t tell the truth.
I can’t say it was my dead brother.
“Yes, a cat. A cat.”
“Who names a cat something that sounds so human?”
“He was like a little brother to me…”
Ugh, I should’ve just said it was a dream or that I didn’t remember. I forgot how quick he is.
But it’s too late now.
I’ve said it, and it’s “a cat,” so I’ll just stick to that story.
I can’t confess everything, after all.
Please just let it go.
“So when you said he left, do you mean he ran away? Since you were crying and asking me to find him, I figured he’s not dead. But if he left when you were young, based on cat lifespans… chances are he’s not alive now.”
Exactly.
No one knows better than me.
I saw Seojoo’s final moments, and we definitely said goodbye.
But there’s a chance we might meet again—so I asked him to look.
“I know. I do. I guess I just can’t let go.”
Regret for not loving him more.
Attachment to a brother I lost too soon.
Maybe I’m foolishly waiting for a brother who might now be living a completely different life, in a different place. I know it’s hopeless.
“Sometimes letting go of regret is what’s best for Grand Concubine.”
I can’t do that.
Even if I have to live each day just waiting, I can’t forget my brother.
When I didn’t respond, I felt Joo Minhyuk’s eyes settle on me.
“Should I send you a cat?”
“What? No, Your Majesty! It’s not that I want to raise a cat. I just miss Seojoo, that’s all. I’ve been having dreams when my fever spikes, so maybe that’s why I brought it up. Besides, raising a living being takes responsibility…”
Honestly, I’ve never raised a cat in my life.
So I quickly stopped him before he really sent one over.
I wouldn’t even know what to feed it or how to care for it.
That would be a disaster.
“You just looked lonely. If you ever need one, just let me know.”
When he said I looked lonely, I lifted my gaze and met his eyes.
No, I like being lonely. I wish Joo Minhyuk wouldn’t come any closer.
When he’s this kind… it’s hard to deal with.
* * *
