117 – VCR

Several days had passed since I received that absurd text from Joo Min-hyeok, the kind that made me scoff. What did I even reply? Did I send, ‘I know. I heard from the Chief Eunuch’? And then, ‘I’m not worried.’ Yes, I think I sent those two. Joo Min-hyeok didn't particularly react to my response. I have no way of knowing if he was just busy or if his feelings were hurt by my curt reply.

Since there had been no further contact after that, I didn't know how much his health had improved. I saw an article saying the Emperor's health had recovered and he had safely returned to the palace, but that was it. There was no reason for him to contact me personally regarding his health, but I was curious.

I was able to guess that he was doing better yesterday evening when I saw him on the news, looking no different than usual. His neat, composed face and his impeccable posture... He attended the event without a single flaw, making it impossible to believe he had been bedridden.