By Zephyria 
It wasn’t for simple reasons like my imprinting partner disappearing before my eyes, or lacking his pheromones… I knew that well now.
Joo Tae-hyun’s pheromones, which once filled the entire house, had faded to the point where it was difficult to find any trace.
We had spent quite some time together, and naturally, there were many traces of him… but as soon as Joo Tae-hyun left for America, people sent by DH took all his belongings. It was a meticulous touch, as if they wouldn’t leave even a single piece of trash Joo Tae-hyun had discarded.
If it weren’t for Joo Tae-hyun’s shirt and a few towels he used, found in the guest room. If even those weren’t there, I might have rushed to America before even finishing all of Kim Seung-jun’s affairs. I might have repeated the madness of watching him from afar and returning, only to be photographed and become the subject of gossip again.
‘…It’s my last request.’
A vast, empty space where even the sound of breathing echoed like a reverberation.
In such an empty space, Seo Baek-han would fall asleep while picturing Joo Tae-hyun’s room in his memory. I didn’t want to be this pathetic, but… can the heart move as it pleases? If it could, Joo Tae-hyun would have given up his unrequited love for me long ago.
I shouldn’t have done that then. What if I had said it a little differently? I would just end up having futile thoughts that couldn’t be undone, and then laugh bitterly at my unfamiliar, absurd self…
On the other hand, I was also glad that there was still something I could do for the person I loved.
To ensure Joo Tae-hyun would no longer be the subject of people’s gossip. To allow him to be judged solely as ‘Joo Tae-hyun’ himself, to free him from the indiscriminate pitying gazes cast his way.
That task, weighing on my shoulders like a burden, was the only thing that kept Seo Baek-han barely alive.
And then, before I knew it, the sun would rise, a new day would dawn… and three months would pass in the blink of an eye.
“I’ve contacted the reporter who wrote the article, and the content will be revised immediately.”
“That’s a relief. You’ve worked hard.”
I wanted to ask exactly when ‘immediately’ was, but I didn’t want to push the exhausted Secretary Nam any further. Should I just keep refreshing the page? As I reached for my phone again to check for revisions to the article, Secretary Nam kept clearing his throat with an ‘Umm.’
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Uh, umm… Sir, Director, are you really going to stay where you said you would?”
“Is that matter still not settled? Tell the landlord to feel free to state any amount they desire.”
“No, it’s not that. The rental contract has already been smoothly completed…”
Secretary Nam hesitated, looking for an opening.
“I’m concerned because neither Young Master Joo Tae-hyun nor the DH side seems to be particularly pleased…”
Seo Baek-han smiled faintly, pretending not to notice his predicament. How much would they ‘not be pleased’? Messages were flooding in even now. If it weren’t for Prince Lee’s instructions, I wouldn’t even be able to board this plane.
‘Just because his dethronement has been decided doesn’t mean Hyung will be immediately kicked out of Gyeongbok Palace.’
‘That’s right. It doesn’t mean his hands and feet will be cut off.’
‘Yes, exactly.’
‘So, at times like this, you must be even more careful,’ said Lee Rok, who would soon be crowned Crown Prince, while chewing on sweet bean jelly. I respected his resolve to never touch yeonjuk, even in this situation.
‘If you want to live loved by your husband, you have to do this much. Cigarettes are harmful to the body anyway.’
‘I don’t smoke.’
‘Then why is your temper like that?’
Sensing where Seo Baek-han’s gaze was directed, Prince Lee made a light joke.
‘That’s why Tae-hyun-gun ran away too.’
‘…Your Highness.’
‘Alright, alright. Now, returning to work… domestic public opinion has shifted to a certain extent, so we need to secure international opinion. I happen to be a shifter, and I have extensive experience with shifter-related policies, so I want to use that as a weapon…’
He said it was quite awkward to bring this up himself, and Prince Lee, with a crooked expression, asked Seo Baek-han if he had any plans to visit America.
‘…In America, laws regarding shifters vary by state, and perceptions differ greatly, so it would be good to use that as a pretext to attract people.’
‘And Director Seo, you’ll naturally want to go to Washington.’
‘Yes, thank you.’
Prince Lee scowled, asking why I was thanking him when this wasn’t for my benefit.
‘You’re reaching your limit, aren’t you?’
‘…Yes. But it’s not because of shifters or imprinting.’
Prince Lee, scanning Seo Baek-han’s face, which had become sharper with weight loss, nodded indifferently.
‘Yes. That’s why I decided it would be okay to let Director Seo go.’
‘…’
‘Of course, that’s not all. I’m giving you time because I’m afraid you might quit everything you’re in charge of and disappear soon. I’m about to take on the role of the next Emperor, and I absolutely cannot stand to see Director Seo leisurely enjoying himself alone.’
While planning a schedule to travel between Pyongyang and Seoul frequently while staying in Washington, Prince Lee surprisingly granted me a few months’ grace period.
‘Go and do your job properly, don’t just chase after Tae-hyun-gun. Understood?’
The place where Joo Tae-hyun is.
The school Joo Tae-hyun attends.
I was able to stay by his side, even if only under the pretense of Prince Lee’s orders.
‘Wait a minute. What? You said you’d be staying where?’
And Seo Baek-han had no intention of wasting this precious opportunity, which might be his last.
‘I’ve secured a private residence. I’ve paid for it with my own funds, and the source of the funds can be proven at any time—’
‘No, that’s not the problem! Are you really going to live next door to Tae-hyun-gun?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why are you telling me this crucial detail an hour before departure, you crazy bastard!’
Perhaps not expecting Seo Baek-han to be so bulldozer-like, Prince Lee wrung his hands in frustration, saying he had no face to meet the Chairman of DH Group.
‘I will take full responsibility, so please do not worry.’
‘You talk a good game, you talk a good game!’
It was genuine when I said I would find a way to persuade you, in a way that suits you. Joo Tae-hyun probably thinks our relationship ended completely then, but Seo Baek-han had no intention of giving up on Joo Tae-hyun then, nor does he now.
“Director, I received a message from President Joo Yoon-woo… asking if you’re available for a call right now.”
I was grateful for Secretary Nam’s effort to phrase it kindly, but Seo Baek-han shook his head firmly.
“Tell her the in-flight Wi-Fi is poor, so it will be difficult. No, Secretary Nam, you don’t have to reply either.”
Secretary Nam sighed habitually again, and Seo Baek-han closed his eyes. Unfiltered sunlight fell directly onto his face.
I planned to head straight to the laboratory as soon as I left the airport. Even though I knew I needed to get some sleep, I couldn’t seem to fall asleep.
In fact, I still hadn’t found a way to change Joo Tae-hyun’s mind. Yet, to think I’m boarding this plane in such a rush, intending to stay by his side somehow…
Joo Kyung-han
This crazy bastard says the official residence is completely empty
Joo Kyung-han
You’re still a long way from coming to your senses, you bastard
There was nothing false in Joo Kyung-han’s message, which I had only skimmed through as a preview.
I was indeed a crazy bastard, and still a long way from coming to my senses.
* * *
“Thank you for traveling such a long way. My name is Olivia.”
“Hello, Professor. I am Seo Baek-han. I am the Director of the Royal Hospital in Korea.”
“Yes… Uh, umm. Will you be participating right away from today?”
The supervising professor welcomed Seo Baek-han and his party warmly but couldn’t hide her awkwardness. It was likely due to Joo Tae-hyun’s presence.
“The researchers from other universities haven’t arrived yet.”
“I am aware. Even if they all arrive, they will need time to adjust to the time difference. I also need time to prepare, so I will just take a brief tour today.”
It was sincere. I just wanted to see Joo Tae-hyun’s living space with my own eyes. I wasn’t without hope of seeing Joo Tae-hyun from afar, but…
The professor, who knew nothing, had been delighted by the scale of the project and the generous funding, and had heard that she lamented to the board that she never imagined things would get so complicated.
I felt sorry for Olivia, but this was not a coincidence. I also knew well that she could not arbitrarily exclude Joo Tae-hyun from the project using me as an excuse.
Even if I had been apart from Joo Tae-hyun for a while, or hadn’t contacted him, I hadn’t completely let go.
Seo Baek-han had personally realized that his power became weaker than he thought once he left Pyongyang, so after sending Joo Tae-hyun away, he had tried to place his people in various places, both domestically and internationally. Although not yet satisfactory, he had reached a level where he could obtain information faster than before.
…Although it was packaged nicely, it meant I was secretly tracking Joo Tae-hyun’s whereabouts through the people I employed.
I had already grasped that Joo Tae-hyun’s situation in the laboratory was slightly difficult, and I had also taken into account that he could not refuse the project he had decided to participate in now if he wanted to smoothly obtain his degree.
Joo Tae-hyun’s supervising professor was indecisive and lacked the courage to mediate internal conflicts within the lab.
This was an opportunity I had worked hard to obtain. The trip to America was decided after thoroughly calculating all possible variables.
“I believe everyone is out right now. They are giving lectures at an academic conference. And as you know, Director, our lab is looking for research students to participate in this project… Ah. Liam!”
The professor, who had been awkwardly smiling while rubbing his hands together, suddenly brightened and called out to someone. Seo Baek-han, who had maintained a mask-like smile, showing no interest in anyone other than Joo Tae-hyun, gradually stiffened.
“You called, Professor?”
“Why are you so late? We have a guest!”
“Hehe, I’m sorry.”
From the stranger walking towards us, who even appeared to be an Omega, I felt a faint scent similar to Joo Tae-hyun’s pheromones.
No, this scent of a slightly damp, blue forest, the smell of a large, orderly tree, was unmistakably Joo Tae-hyun’s.