By Zephyria “……Who, who is that?”
Korea, the person in charge.
Just hearing those two words sent an indescribable, ominous premonition through me, making my heart pound violently. It felt as if the sound of my blood pulsing through every vein echoed in my ears, as if I had been running at full speed.
—Who? Your ex-husband.
Liam pursed his lips, let out a puff of air, and lightly chided me in a playful voice.
—Seo, what was it? Ugh, the pronunciation is too difficult… Anyway, that person.
It was Seo Baek-han, as expected.
Perhaps it was because I hadn’t thought of him for three months. A tingling sensation crept up from my toes to my torso.
Up until now, the people around me had never mentioned Seo Baek-han, as if he had never existed in this world, and Joo Tae-hyun had also intentionally avoided news related to Korea.
Even before familiar initials caught my eye, I would hastily close the news window. I had foolishly thought that I was finally okay, covering my eyes and blocking my ears.
—I’m not an idiot. Would I have contacted you just because someone from your homeland was coming? I thought I should let you know quickly since he’s your ex-husband. Tae-hyun, you don’t understand my feelings.
The descriptor “ex-husband” felt strangely unfamiliar. Although the divorce proceedings weren’t finalized, by the standards here, Seo Baek-han was no longer my spouse.
—By the way, seeing a high-ranking public official like your ex-husband suddenly dispatched overseas suggests that the internal political situation within the Great Empire is quite complex.
Liam continued his explanation haltingly. Just by catching a few words, I could clearly read the circumstances I had been trying so hard to ignore.
—In any case, it seems the goal is to solidify unity externally before Prince Lee ascends the throne. Other Asian countries have also quickly expressed their intention to participate in this project.
“Hmm, yes. I understand what you mean. Then I’ll withdraw from this project. Would it cause you trouble if I told Professor this?”
Liam drew out his words with a drawn-out “Umm.”
—It’s not me who’s the problem… but if that happened, I don’t think Aiden would just stand by? Nor Emma. They’re still grinding their teeth, saying their degrees were delayed because of you.
Sigh… Joo Tae-hyun swallowed a silent scream and pressed his forehead. His skin felt hot, as if he had a fever.
—Both of them are troublesome people to mess with.
“……I know.”
I’m acting this way because I know, I added weakly. Liam chuckled. He babbled nonsense about how happy he was to finally see my human side.
—Professor is also a strange person. Even so, it was a bit much to keep it a secret from you until the day of.
“……I suppose they thought I might run away.”
—Oh! Really? If you’re going to run, let’s go together. Want to go to the western region before it gets any hotter?
Liam casually uttered words that could turn someone’s insides out. In moments like these, he was strikingly similar to Cheon Seung-pil, yet amusingly, the two disliked each other immensely. Is this what they call species-specific hatred?
“Anyway, I understand. Thank you for letting me know.”
—Oh, you’re giving up on running away? I was a little hopeful, you know, a delinquent act from a model student, something like that?
“I need to get my degree quickly. I can’t live as an unemployed person lacking both education and experience forever.”
—Haha, you’re sometimes diligent to the point of being a pervert. You know that?
“Yeah, I know.”
—Now you’re back to being the Tae-hyun I know. Don’t worry about other people.
Liam offered words of comfort, not quite comfort, saying that even if there were people gossiping behind your back, no one would mention your private life to your face.
—And these days, what’s the big deal about being divorced? My sister even goes shopping and camping with her ex-husband, no, her ex-ex-husband.
Although it offered no solace, I thanked Liam again and quickly ended the call.
Afterward, I flipped through my thesis as if nothing had happened, but the pages turned meaninglessly, and not a single word registered.
Joo Tae-hyun, who had been skimming through the half-read novel, finally picked up his phone.
S-e-o, B-a-e-k-h-a-n.
His fingers were incredibly slow as he typed his name into the portal site. Seo Baek-han’s name felt awkward, like the first letters I ever learned.
“There’s nothing yet.”
So, do his family members not know yet either? It seemed like a sudden decision… It was clear that Doctor Woo didn’t know. If he had known, he wouldn’t have said we’d see each other the day after tomorrow. He would have sternly warned me never to leave, regardless of the internal situation of the research lab.
“This is driving me crazy, really.”
I thought I was okay now. I thought I couldn’t even remember his scent anymore. It wasn’t true. It was still a long way off from becoming as if it never happened.
Even when I deliberately squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, the afterimage stuck to my retina wouldn’t disappear. It felt like Seo Baek-han’s name was floating around inside my eyelids.
Joo Tae-hyun sighed and tilted his head back. It seemed like it would be a night where I wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly for the first time in a long while.
\ \ *
[Breaking News] Chunchugwan: “Announcing the Crown Prince’s Deposition to the Public”
Around 2 PM today, Chunchugwan officially announced the Crown Prince’s deposition. However, it is expected that considerable time will be required for the procedures to be completed.
[Breaking News] Tomorrow at 11 AM, His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled for a public apology
Following the announcement of the Crown Prince’s deposition, Chunchugwan announced that His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled for a public apology tomorrow at 11 AM. This will be an opportunity to present the Imperial family’s stance on the Crown Prince’s recent various scandals and allegations, as well as to detail the future direction of the Great Empire, and it will be broadcast live nationwide.
[Exclusive] PJ Gate: Will the investigation gain momentum with the Crown Prince’s deposition confirmed?
There is a theory that the flutter of a butterfly’s wings can cause a massive typhoon on the other side of the world. This phenomenon, where small, everyday actions later return as unexpected, enormous repercussions, is called the ‘butterfly effect.’ Is there any other case that explains the ‘butterfly effect’ theory as easily as the ‘PJ Gate’? To briefly summarize the current situation, which began with the casual remarks of Mr. Kim (hereinafter ‘K’), the eldest son of the CEO of PJ Group (formerly Poongjin Trading Co.), in chronological order, is as follows.
Crown Prince Scholarship Foundation Launch Ceremony
K criticizes DH Group’s Joo Tae-hyun for his shifter abilities, argues with Seo Baek-han, Director of the Royal Hospital, who was present.
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K, harboring resentment, contacts members of the Lee Hwangja Faction.
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After arriving in the US, K begins stalking Joo Tae-hyun’s activities during his study abroad.
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K begins uploading rumors about Joo Tae-hyun on the internet.
*At this time, the Crown Prince’s side actively cooperated (introducing media outlets, hosting receptions, etc.): Clicking the link leads to the relevant article.
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Consults with a group aiming to acquire DH Group shares, further actively spreading rumors about Joo Tae-hyun.
*The Crown Prince’s side had no reason to miss the crisis of DH Group, known to be pro-Lee Hwangja Faction, so they also actively cooperated (evidence of illegal lobbying and bribery): Clicking the link leads to the relevant article.
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Joo Tae-hyun’s press conference.
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Seo Baek-han, Director of the Royal Hospital, declares a lawsuit against the Crown Prince.
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Kwanghye Institute and Royal Hospital expose the Crown Prince’s side for obstructing shifter support projects for a long time.
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Evidence reveals the Crown Prince’s side intended to award major national industry bids to anti-Lee Hwangja Faction companies, including PJ Group.
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The Crown Prince’s side is revealed to be manufacturing restraint devices for shifters with PJ Group, drawing international condemnation.
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L Media’s Editor-in-Chief reveals the Crown Prince’s side had orchestrated the attempted assassination of the Second Prince Consort in the past.
*Refer to the Jo Dong Pharmaceutical Gate case: Clicking the link leads to the relevant article.
“Secretary Nam.”
“Yes, Director.”
Secretary Nam, who had been dozing off, unable to overcome his fatigue, jolted awake and straightened his posture.
“Sorry, um, I’m sorry. What is it?”
“I sent you a news link, and it seems there are more mentions related to Tae-hyun than I expected.”
Secretary Nam pushed up his glasses and replied that he would check it immediately. Unmistakable fatigue was plastered across his eyelids as he continued the grueling schedule with Seo Baek-han.
Seo Baek-han pulled the partition between seats all the way up and gazed out the window at the clear blue sky.
He hadn’t eaten or slept properly for three months. Even though he could collapse at any moment, he felt energized just thinking that he would be able to see Joo Tae-hyun, even from afar, in a few hours.
Will he be surprised? Or will he be angry? He might just ignore me. I just hope he doesn’t cry, no matter what.
Seo Baek-han gazed at the cuff of Joo Tae-hyun’s shirt, which had become shiny from being handled so much, and buried his face in the fabric.
The days had felt like not living at all.