* * *
I don’t know why I’m so tired lately. I just want to lie down, and the moment I do, I fall asleep without realizing it.
The problem is that it’s not exactly because I feel sleepy.
Hyunwook has been scarce, and Han Heeseong has been quiet.
I tried calling Heeseong, but his phone was constantly turned off.
I wasn’t in a position to ask around, either.
I wanted to know how Seojoo was doing and why my grandfather was being so quiet, but my social circle was thinner than I thought, and there was no one to look into things for me.
My brother, Hanbin, had recently started Korea-US military drills and was so busy that I couldn’t reach him.
“How can a person have so few people by their side? I really haven’t lived my life well.”
Before getting close to Joo Minhyuk, I stayed hidden in my pavilion, barely breathing, just trying to survive.
And this is the result.
I don’t know anyone… but lately, it’s also been difficult to go outside.
Because of what happened back then, I am constantly the talk of the town among the people in the palace.
Joo Minhyuk’s midnight rampage had been filtered through a romantic lens and spread as a rumor about his pure, devoted love for the missing Great Consort.
What?
The workaholic Emperor had such a romantic side?
In a way, it was the perfect material for such a rumor.
But anyone who saw Joo Minhyuk breaking down the house wouldn’t be able to say that.
Or maybe not? Seeing as the kids who saw it firsthand were also making a fuss.
I wonder since when an Alpha’s pure heart became so violent.
Well, anyway, we made up afterward, so it’s fine, but that’s the reason I haven’t left the pavilion lately.
It’s noisy because they’re repairing the rooms Joo Minhyuk destroyed, so I want to go out, but if I do, everyone’s eyes sparkle when they see me.
It’s suffocating.
I was stretched out on the sofa, my eyes beginning to drift shut again, when I felt a warm touch along with a pleasant voice above my head.
“Are you going to sleep again? I don’t know why you’re sleeping so much lately.”
Joo Minhyuk, who had entered quietly at some point, was crouching in front of me, stroking my hair.
What’s this? Seeing him like that with his huge frame, he actually looks a bit cute.
Ahem. I opened my half-closed eyes and gave him a smile.
“Did you come because it’s your break time?”
“Yes. I came to see your face and because I have something to tell you. You’re not sick anywhere, are you?”
“Of course not. I was just lounging around and being a bit lazy.”
“Good job. You’re tired, so there’s no need to get up.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I gave a small chuckle and got up from my seat with Joo Minhyuk’s help.
I leaned on his shoulder for a moment to wake myself up, and a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Since when did these actions become so natural?
Is it okay for a person to be this simple?
Not too long ago, I was trying to connect Joo Minhyuk with Yeonghwa Palace and escape, but now I don’t even have those thoughts.
I wonder if it’s okay for my life plan to change so much.
Well, I’ll have to plan again, right? Or should I just live as my heart leads?
While I was lost in thought, Joo Minhyuk’s large hand gripped mine tightly.
I was curious about what he wanted to say.
“I think I’ll be in the United States for a few days. But this isn’t an official schedule.”
The Emperor is leaving his post for a few days for something unofficial?
Surprised by his words, I quickly lifted my head from his shoulder.
“Why? Why are you going to America if it’s not an official schedule? Then what happens here?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll settle everything before I go. In my heart, I want to go together… but actually, the Queen Mother is not feeling very well. So, I’m going because of that.”
“The Queen Mother?”
I couldn’t help but be shocked by the news.
Since she was so young and beautiful, I never even thought about health issues.
I hadn’t paid any attention to it at all.
“What’s wrong with her? Is it serious enough that she has to go all the way to America?”
When it comes to the medical field, our country isn’t bad either.
What could be so wrong that she has to go to the US?
If the Emperor is personally escorting her, it must be quite serious.
“It’s not a major problem, but if she gets treated here, there are many eyes watching and rumors might spread. The Queen Mother said she wants to do it this way.”
That made sense.
If people knew the Queen Mother was ill, it was obvious the media wouldn’t stay quiet.
They would exaggerate the news and stir people up with sensational words.
Since she isn’t a commoner, the news wouldn’t get out if they set their minds to it, but they probably made this decision after considering various issues.
“Then when? When are you going?”
“The sooner, the better, so we’ll leave early next week. So even if I’m not here, stay well and don’t show any signs of worry. Understood?”
“…I’m fine.”
“It’s not an official schedule, but it’s not something to keep secret either, so I won’t give details but will announce that I’m taking time off for a personal schedule. That’s much better than leaving without a word and letting people make things up.”
True. If he hid it for no reason, there would be talk later about what was going on, and the Imperial Family would be criticized for spending a lot of money on overseas treatment.
Also, announcing the Emperor’s absence prevents other problems from arising.
“What I’m worried about is you being alone in the palace. Just in case, I’ll add more security personnel and send Kang Hyunwook back to this side. Or maybe I should call the Brigadier for a few days…”
It’s very common for Joo Minhyuk to go on overseas tours for official schedules.
The duration wasn’t usually long, but since it wasn’t his first or second time leaving his post, it wasn’t really something to make such a fuss about.
He was probably acting this way because he felt anxious about it being an unofficial movement… but that kind of excessive behavior could actually draw more attention.
People wouldn’t be interested if everything stayed the same as usual.
And anyway, since he said he’d be away, the security in the palace would be strengthened.
“Don’t do that. It’s not right for a soldier to leave his unit because of personal matters. Since Your Majesty won’t be here, the security will naturally become tighter. It’s okay.”
“Still, I don’t feel at ease. I’ll contact you often. So you contact me too.”
“Don’t worry about me and take good care of the Queen Mother’s health.”
Nothing was going to happen just because Joo Minhyuk was away from the palace for a few days.
I even had to soothe Joo Minhyuk, who was unusually anxious.
Hmm, so Joo Minhyuk is leaving his post?
If even the Queen Mother isn’t here, I’ll be the highest-ranking person in the palace, so I need to stay sharp.
In fact, if the Emperor is gone, authority usually goes to the Prime Minister, who is at the level of a Premier, but Joo Minhyuk won’t let that happen.
He’ll have set up the system himself, and I just need to make sure nothing goes wrong inside the palace, right?
Joo Minhyuk told me a few things to be careful about and stayed with me for a while longer before leaving only after receiving word that his acquaintances had arrived.
I felt it once again—Joo Minhyuk was different from others his age, even though he was young.
Although his education and position were different from a commoner’s, even taking that into account, I felt he was quite amazing for being so mature at the age of twenty-two.
It’s the same when looking at other countries.
Compared to the emperors or kings of other nations, Joo Minhyuk is definitely very young.
Nevertheless, the way he discusses state affairs and takes care of the country is flawlessly skillful and reliable.
I could see the effort he put in, studying with almost no sleep.
“Palace Master. The Queen Mother has sent a message asking you to come to her quarters now.”
“Wh—What? The Queen Mother?”
What is it this time?
It’s been a really long time since she contacted me personally.
She hadn’t called me since that relative gathering, so I jumped up from my seat, not knowing why she suddenly called.
Is she going to repeat what Joo Minhyuk just told me?
Anyway, since she called, I have to go, but I felt intimidated again when I remembered her cold attitude.
As soon as I arrived at the Queen Mother’s quarters, feeling extremely nervous, I was greeted by a very unexpected person.
“Great Consort! Welcome. How have you been?”
This familiar voice…
The person who tried to run to me but was caught by his father was none other than Han Heeseong.
The Queen Mother was so horrified by him preparing to jump at me again that she even spilled the tea she was drinking.
Han Heeseong struggled to come toward me, but he couldn’t move because his father held him tightly by the scruff of his neck.
He gave me an awkward smile and showed his respects.
This whole sudden situation was a bit absurd.
How did this happen?
Why did the Queen Mother call me?
I watched their reactions and sat in the seat the Queen Mother pointed to, observing the situation.
Then I made eye contact with Han Heeseong, who was trying to come to my side, and I called him over without realizing it. He looked fine as he beamed and smiled brightly at my call.
Actually, I had been strangely worried.
The image of him with dried blood on his hands and face wouldn’t leave my mind.
We had parted without me even being able to ask how he got hurt, but no wounds were visible now, and his complexion was quite good.
It seemed he had been doing well.
“I missed you, Your Highness.”
It was an expression of emotion that felt so pure.
Han Heeseong told me his sincere feelings without caring who was around or where we were, his face showing that he truly missed me.
* * *
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