By Zephyria 
Seo Baek-han maintained silence for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. The camera flashed incessantly, trying to capture his resolute expression. Kang Bu-nam, who had undoubtedly struggled to gather so many reporters, had long been forgotten.
“If my actions today cause any controversy, I will, of course, take responsibility and step down from my position as Director of the Royal Hospital. However, I don’t believe that will happen. Joo Tae-hyun is a perfect victim, and I have all the evidence to prove it.”
“Director Seo Baek-han, that statement sounds rather irresponsible. You mentioned the Second Prince, even though you knew from the start that filing a lawsuit was impossible, and you’re saying you’ll only step down from your position as Director of the Royal Hospital if problems arise later?”
“That’s right! Is it acceptable for a public official to use the Second Prince’s name in this way?”
Just as expected. The reporters, raising their voices in protest, were from news outlets known for their friendly relationship with the Second Prince. Seo Baek-han, who had barely managed to keep the corners of his lips raised, lowered them into a straight line and stared at them with a cold gaze.
“I have been diligently performing my duties as Director of the Royal Hospital. The Royal Hospital is the only institution that passes the annual audit without any issues. I believe Shin Dong-oh, a reporter from Hwangjin Daily, is well aware of this.”
“You know that’s not what I’m asking!”
“No, I answered Shin Dong-oh’s question accurately. Why should I step down when I’m fulfilling my duties so faithfully? I’m even the victim here.”
“Of course-!”
“Of course? I don’t understand what you’re implying. Are you scolding me for daring to challenge the Second Prince and trying to hold onto my position?”
The reporter’s face twisted in an unsightly manner at Seo Baek-han’s sharp retort, questioning why he should have to quit his job at the Royal Hospital, a public institution, just because he was trying to resolve an unfair situation.
Now that he had mentioned the newspaper and reporter’s name so precisely, those watching this situation would quickly search them up. It was a well-known fact that Hwangjin Daily was pro-Second Prince. If they pressed further, the Second Prince might really get caught in the crossfire, so they would try to restrain themselves from now on. Though who knows how long that would last.
“That, that’s all a show!”
Of course, there were always exceptions.
Kang Bu-nam, who had been waiting for an opportunity to jump in, hurriedly dashed into the frame. He didn’t seem to realize why the reporters had fallen silent, and he happily spouted things in front of the camera that would only put him at a disadvantage.
“Whatever Kim Seung-jun did, he didn’t make up everything about Joo Tae-hyun, did he? It’s true that he took that dirty, whatchamacallit, ‘sweetener’? Isn’t it?”
“Ah. I didn’t even mention A’s real name. I see CEO Kang Bu-nam already knows who that person is?”
Realizing his mistake, Kang Bu-nam pursed his lips tightly, but there were already quite a few cameras broadcasting the scene live.
“R-Reporters! Don’t be fooled by Seo Baek-han’s nonsense. He was waiting for me to appear, and the fact that he, not a lawyer, came forward with the lawsuit himself shows that he had an ulterior motive! It’s all for show-.”
“Joo Tae-hyun is my spouse, is there a reason why I shouldn’t step forward? Tae-hyun suffered that humiliation just because he loves me.”
“What? What’s he so proud of!”
It was then. Unable to bear the growing commotion, police officers from another building pushed through the reporters and approached Seo Baek-han.
“It seems the disturbance is getting out of hand, so we’ll take a moment to sort things out.”
“Everyone, step back! Let’s keep order!”
The foolish Kang Bu-nam kept yelling, wondering if they were trying to arrest him, but no one was listening.
“Director Seo Baek-han, I heard you have some business at the station.”
“Yes. I only intend to submit the complaint and return.”
The police officers had only come out for safety reasons, so they cleared the way for him to finish his business.
It seemed they hadn’t received separate instructions from above, but had belatedly rushed over after watching the live news.
“Then I’ll be going now. I apologize for meeting you so suddenly without preparation, and I seem to have rambled on a bit. Thank you for listening.”
He gestured to Choi Yeon-jun, who was standing at a distance, to go inside.
Kang Bu-nam raged and began to denigrate Seo Baek-han and Joo Tae-hyun once again, but he had long been pushed out of people’s attention.
“Seo Baek-han, what are you really trying to do…”
As soon as they entered the building, Choi Yeon-jun grabbed his hair and groaned.
“Why did the Second Prince have to come up here, huh? How are you going to fix this!”
“I wonder. Should we beg Second Prince Lee?”
“Looking at the way you’re flapping your gums, you’re not nearly screwed enough yet.”
Choi Yeon-jun, who had been grumbling while avoiding the curious gazes of the people, suddenly raised his head as if he was about to explode.
“Hey. If you ever say you don’t like Joo Tae-hyun again, I swear I’ll kill you, seriously.”
“Haha.”
“Laughing? Is this funny?”
I guess not. It doesn’t seem like a laughing matter.
The first act of rebellion he had ever committed was more enjoyable than he had expected, and he couldn’t stop the giggles from escaping.
* * *
As soon as he got off the elevator, Joo Tae-hyun’s pheromone hit him hard. Was he not feeling well? Seo Baek-han wondered, but he realized the reason only after opening the hospital room door.
“Tae-hyun.”
Joo Tae-hyun, with a slightly flushed face, was pacing around the hospital room. A woody scent was spreading widely, following his wandering figure as if he had sprayed perfume.
“Are you feeling stuffy? Should we take a walk-.”
Before Seo Baek-han could finish speaking, Joo Tae-hyun rushed at him. He probably wanted to push him hard, but his physical condition wasn’t good, so it didn’t hurt at all.
“Now that I see it, you even took off your IV.”
Instead, he wrapped his arms around Joo Tae-hyun’s shoulders, who was staggering from his own force, and carefully led him towards the bed.
“Are you doing this because of the news?”
Joo Tae-hyun, who seemed to be catching his breath for a moment, seemed to lose his reason again, picking up a cup from the bedside table and throwing it at Seo Baek-han.
“Hyung, what the hell!”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a glass cup, so it didn’t break, but instead, he was soaked in water.
It was strange to see Joo Tae-hyun looking so out of control, but if he thought it was a relief that he was expressing his emotions in this way… then his head must really be messed up.
“What, what are you trying to do right now.”
Joo Tae-hyun couldn’t even continue his words properly, as if he was out of breath. His face was flushed red, and he couldn’t control his rising anger, so every syllable he uttered was cut off.
“Kang Bu-nam was trying to do something ridiculous again, so I had no choice.”
“It’s not like that insignificant person’s nonsense is anything new, why are you bothering to deal with it one by one? Even mentioning the Second Prince?”
Wasn’t it better for him to be annoyed like this than to remain indifferent or unresponsive? Seo Baek-han, who had been somewhat complacent and self-satisfied, finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
Joo Tae-hyun wasn’t just trying to vent his anger, he was genuinely furious with him. More intensely than ever before.
Before coming to see Joo Tae-hyun, he had spoken with Joo Kyung-han first. It wasn’t without risks, but Joo Kyung-han had even looked satisfied, saying that the benefits would outweigh the losses.
He had no doubt that Joo Tae-hyun would also be surprised. Even if he wasn’t as pleased as Joo Kyung-han, he thought he might see him in a new light, wondering if he had done this much for him.
Because Joo Tae-hyun knew him better than any of his secretaries or close friends. He thought he would be shocked in a good way, saying that he never expected Hyung to do something like this.
And if Joo Tae-hyun reacted that way, then Seo Baek-han was planning to confess honestly.
He still didn’t know. Maybe he just didn’t want to admit that he couldn’t control his emotions. But the reason he was acting so unlike himself wasn’t just because of imprinting, as Tae-hyun had said. He would admit it now.
If that still wasn’t enough, he would ask for more time, to talk again slowly. He was going to honestly reveal his thoughts and his future resolutions.
He had imagined that Joo Tae-hyun would eventually understand, and maybe even be a little touched.
“I thought things were finally calming down, but now I have to go out and prove it again…”
But far from being touched, Joo Tae-hyun was as agitated as he had been when he collapsed in the bedroom crying. It was a wonder he wasn’t fainting right away.
“Following the pregnancy, now even the fact that I lost the child, I have to talk about it in front of people… Kim Seung-jun or the Second Prince, ha, they’ll obviously try to attack this issue first-.”
“I’ll take care of everything. You just stay still, Tae-hyun.”
Ah, that’s what he was worried about.
But Seo Baek-han wouldn’t let Joo Tae-hyun go through such difficulties. He was really going to take care of everything.
“I’ve already contacted the international academic conference. There are more than enough people who can prove what you went through, so don’t worry-.”
“…Seo Baek-han.”
Joo Tae-hyun slowly ran a hand over his face. Tears fell in the wake of his touch.
“I’m not doing this because I want to assert my innocence or because I’m worried about my reputation.”
“……”
“I… I don’t want that child, who was only inside me for maybe a month, to be talked about by people again.”
“Joo… Tae-hyun, I-.”
“I knew I would have to reveal it someday. But did it have to be now? That child, who hasn’t even been buried for a few days, what sin did that baby commit to be constantly butchered by people’s gossip!”