By Zephyria 
Did I hear that wrong? A divorce cooling-off period? Ah, of course, I knew such a procedure existed before a mutual divorce. But I didn’t know that procedure applied to me as well. Staring blankly at him after the unexpected remark, I pulled myself together and asked what I was curious about.
“Why… No, why are you suddenly saying we should have a cooling-off period?”
“Suddenly? This is a procedure that everyone going through a mutual divorce goes through. Did you think we were any different?”
Joo Min-hyeok shrugged, pretending to be surprised.
“You didn’t mention anything like that before. So I naturally thought….”
I naturally thought the divorce would happen immediately. At the time, the representatives said they would handle all the procedures, and there was no specific mention of a cooling-off period. Because of that, I honestly admit I didn’t expect it. Joo Min-hyeok sighed as he looked at me, my pupils shaking in confusion.
“Was there time to mention that? I intended to talk calmly after filing the papers with the court, but things exploded before the documents even reached my hands. You left the palace without a single word; how was I supposed to explain it then?”
“I didn’t just leave; I ran away to survive! Ah, forget it. So you’re saying you intended to spend a cooling-off period back then too?”
“Of course. It’s a period set by law; does being the Emperor make me an exception? Why do you think that period exists? It’s time given to handle various remaining issues after a divorce.”
The biggest reasons for a cooling-off period were to resolve issues regarding children and property division, and to give time for one’s heart to change. However, there were no children between us, and there was even less chance of my heart changing. The same went for property division. Everything used in the Imperial family belonged to the Imperial family or the state.
I had no interest in the astronomical imperial assets that didn’t even feel real. I didn’t want them; even if he offered, I would have refused. This matter had been dragged out for five years. Wanting to get divorced as quickly as possible, I was willing to grant all of Joo Min-hyeok’s demands. But because I hadn’t expected the cooling-off period, my head began to throb.
Still, I couldn’t insist that I hated this. I knew better than anyone that once Joo Min-hyeok demanded something, there was no taking it back. Given his personality, insisting would be useless. He was going to do it anyway. In that case, it was better for my mental health to accept it quickly and get it over with so we wouldn’t both be exhausted.
“Fine, fine. Fine. Let’s say we’ll have a cooling-off period as Your Majesty says. Then the duration….”
“We must follow the law. The three months set by law.”
“…What?”
Ha, I’m so speechless I can’t even talk. Three months? Three months? So, about 90 days? Does Joo Min-hyeok take me for a fool? No matter how much I didn’t expect a cooling-off period, I know what it is.
“Why three months? I understood it to be three months if there are children, and one month if there aren’t?”
“…One to two months.”
Look at this. Seeing him stutter, it means he knows. And why does he keep trying to extend the period? Stop insisting. It was absurd to see Joo Min-hyeok playing innocent even while his pupils were shaking. I trembled my tightly clenched fists to hold back my anger and compose myself. If this bickering dragged on, it would only be tiring. I wanted to skip the useless situation and wrap up the conversation quickly.
“Fine. Let’s say it’s two months. Then what do Your Majesty want to do during that time? What are we supposed to do in this state?”
“It’s not a period I’m having because there’s something I want to do. It’s just time to spend according to procedure, and there’s nothing in particular we need to do. I’m not trying to torment you.”
No other intention was visible in his concise answer. But do you think I’d believe those words? That he truly has no other thoughts? I believe that is absolutely not the case. I know he isn’t an honest enough human being to spend a cooling-off period purely. Nor am I naive enough to take those words at face value anymore.
How many times have I been fooled by that look? But even if Joo Min-hyeok has plotted something, nothing changes. I have no intention of being dragged along as Joo Min-hyeok wants. Because I know that if the same thing happened even once more, I truly wouldn’t be able to bear it. Therefore, I must block it at the source so that nothing happens at all.
Above all, I cannot forget the words he said while holding me on the day Joo Min-hyeok broke the door and came to find me. I remember everything—his expression, his tone, even the look in his eyes. At that time, Joo Min-hyeok said he had finally found me. But to my ears, it didn’t sound like ‘found,’ but ‘caught.’ It was a moment so chilling that I interpreted it that way. ‘I’ve finally caught you.’ It felt as if he were saying he had finally caught Cha Hae-joo.
That is why I cannot trust that look of his, like a puppy that fell into the water. I must not be shaken by that pitiful appearance. It’s strange. Does it make sense that the imposing presence he had disappeared in just a few days and he became so cowed? Don’t be fooled, Cha Hae-joo. I need to observe his actions coldly.
“Whether through a representative or by meeting me directly, there will certainly be many things to settle, so we will have to meet. I’ll contact you after the papers are filed.”
“…I understand.”
“Ah, and one more thing. If you happen to see me passing by, just let it be. I’ll be coming for reasons unrelated to you, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“There will be such occasions. It’s late, so I’ll be going since I’m busy. Get home safely.”
“What did you just say? Why would we see each other passing by? Will you be coming here often?”
“I told you not to worry because I’m not coming to see you. Go about your business comfortably. I’ll contact you again. It looks like my party has arrived over there, so I won’t see you off. Go on in.”
“What?”
Joo Min-hyeok pointed behind me with his chin and soon climbed into the car. I don’t know what any of this means, but he is intending to divorce, right? More than that, there is something I absolutely must ask today. It was something that couldn’t be postponed by parting in such a vague manner. The moment the car door was about to close, I rushed forward and grabbed the door.
“Your Majesty! Wait a moment! How is Hyun-wook doing? You can’t leave like this. So please tell me today. Just his current status, how he’s doing now….”
Joo Min-hyeok, who looked at me with bewildered eyes as I clung to the car door, finally opened his mouth.
“Don’t hold the door like that, you’ll hurt your hand. And if you mean that Kang Hyun-wook, he’s doing well. He’s working well by my side, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Hyun-wook is working by Your Majesty’s side? Are you saying he’s been with you this whole time?”
Joo Min-hyeok, who forcibly pried my hand off the door, gently lowered my hand and wore an inscrutable expression. Then, as I leaned halfway out to peer inside, he grabbed my neck and whispered in my ear.
“Yes. I’ve been using him and taking my anger out on him. You obviously wouldn’t have seen it in the press. I had him do the dirty work. Why, are you angry? Are you angry that the friend who loved you so much he almost died following you shortly after Cha Hae-joo died is being hidden away and used by me?”
“…What?”
Caught by him in an awkward posture, I heard something that made me doubt my own ears. What is this? Did he just say that Cha Hae-joo died and he followed him in death? I wanted to deny it and say I heard wrong, but the sentence was delivered too accurately for me to even do that.
It was a low whisper that echoed only in my ear, for me alone to hear. Joo Min-hyeok’s finger rubbed my neck, stimulating me. It was a deliberate movement intended to provoke me, but I was so shocked by the thunderbolt of a revelation that I didn’t even feel the sensation.
“He must have been happy to meet you again, so it’s understandable that he’d be upset living apart.”
“Uh… Ah, no, Your Majesty….”
Joo Min-hyeok pulled his lips away from my ear and stared into my eyes. Still without letting go of my neck. Without even realizing my posture was uncomfortable, I rested my hand on Joo Min-hyeok’s shoulder, unable to stop my helplessly shaking eyes. I don’t know what he’s guessing or trying to fish for, but it was certainly a baffling statement.
“Still, he’s meeting and staying with your father and Seo-joo, who died first. Isn’t that a relief? So, leave Kang Hyun-wook to me for the time being.”
Joo Min-hyeok’s hand dropped from my neck, and his voice stopped echoing in my ear. But I remained frozen, my hand still on Joo Min-hyeok’s shoulder. My body wouldn’t move, as if I had been hit by a surprise attack. Joo Min-hyeok, who had been making eye contact with me, turned his head and raised his voice toward the outside.
“What are you just staring at, Cha Han-bin. Hurry up and take the Grand Imperial Concubine home. He seems very shocked, so take good care of him.”
As soon as Joo Min-hyeok finished speaking, a large hand urgently wrapped around my shoulder from behind. I was pulled away from the car as if being hugged from behind, and Joo Min-hyeok glanced at me briefly before closing the car door. As soon as the door closed, the car moved, followed by several other cars.
I stared blankly at him as he disappeared forward, held by my brother. It was such a shock that I forgot the reason why Joo Min-hyeok had come to see me today. If I hadn’t asked about Hyun-wook’s status, would Joo Min-hyeok have had no intention of mentioning this? When was he planning to say it? In what way?
Goosebumps rose on my arms and back. Then, since when did Joo Min-hyeok know this? I thought the way he treated Seo-joo was strange. With that personality, he didn’t show the slightest wariness toward the Alpha by my side, nor did he ask what our relationship was.
He had simply looked at Seo-joo with strange, interested eyes and even showed an unexpected generosity. But this was it. There was a reason for all of Joo Min-hyeok’s behavior.
“Hae-joo, what happened? Why were you like that with His Majesty? Huh? What did you hear?”
“…Brother. I think Joo Min-hyeok knows everything.”
“I don’t know what you mean. What else?”
“That I, Hyun-wook, Dad, and even Seo-joo died and then met again.”
Perhaps taken aback for a moment, my brother couldn’t find the words. He must be frustrated since there was no detailed explanation, but I didn’t have the mental capacity to explain anything right now. Joo Min-hyeok didn’t reveal what he knew clearly, but left it ambiguous and departed. He certainly was born with the ability to drive a person crazy.