By Zephyria 
Even without Hyun-wook telling me, I recognized Seo-joo instantly among the crowd. The Alpha Hyun-wook had mentioned was indeed Seo-joo. There was no way that person wasn’t him. I felt I understood why Hyun-wook was so certain. The moment I saw him, my breath hitched and my mind went blank.
I quickly hid behind Hyun-wook’s back, clinging to his arm as I carefully observed Seo-joo. He was an Alpha, and while he was slightly shorter than Joo Min-hyeok, his build was just as impressive. His face, which had always been pale and worn by illness, was now glowing and healthy, as if he were standing under a spotlight.
I was truly moved. To think that Seo-joo’s face could have such a healthy glow.
My Seo-joo, who had been thin, small, and sick, had reappeared before me beautiful and healthy. He no longer looked like the boy consumed by illness. I gazed at him blankly with a smile. Laughter kept escaping me without me even realizing it. But it was strange. I was clearly smiling, yet tears kept streaming from my eyes. This suffocating yet overwhelming emotion—what on earth was this feeling?
I couldn’t believe that Seo-joo, who once couldn’t take a single step from his bed due to his illness, was now running and rolling around, enjoying exercise right before my eyes. His movements were so light that it almost felt as if he were defying gravity. How admirable. He had such great athletic nerves?
He had once said his wish was to try kicking a soccer ball just once; at this level, he could have been a professional soccer player. The sweat beading on his hair and his smiling face were dazzlingly beautiful, and it felt as if everything around him was sparkling and shining.
Seo-joo. You’ve been doing well. You’ve been able to do everything you wanted and stay healthy. You’ve been living well in a wealthy environment where you can go to the hospital whenever you’re sick. That’s enough. As long as you’re not sick, not being mistreated, and living with a peaceful mind, that’s all that matters.
If you’re happy, the fact that you don’t remember me isn’t a very important issue, so just keep living as you are now. I felt relieved. That was enough. I stood there for a long time, watching Seo-joo. I wanted to see him up close, but I decided it would be better to be satisfied with this.
“…Cha Hae-joo, stop crying. You’re going to dehydrate yourself.”
“…You caught me?”
“Caught you? You’re sobbing so hard my whole body is shaking. You can’t see Seo-joo properly if you cry.”
But I couldn’t control it. The moment I saw Seo-joo’s face, the tears poured out, and I couldn’t stop them.
“Can I come back and watch until His Majesty arrives? I’ll just watch from afar like this. He said he’s coming the day after tomorrow.”
“As long as you can get out of the palace, I don’t care. Do that. Come out with me.”
It was while I was exchanging a few words with Hyun-wook. Did my desperate heart reach him? Did someone hear my wish and move Seo-joo’s feet? Seo-joo, who had been focused on his exercise, suddenly turned his head toward us.
Unless he was seeing something invisible, it was certain he was walking toward us. I momentarily panicked and burrowed deeper into Hyun-wook’s back. Seeing this, Seo-joo’s eyes narrowed slightly. His pace quickened and his stride widened as he approached.
“I think he’s coming to greet me. Even if he doesn’t remember the Kang Hyun-wook from his time, he’s become somewhat close with the Kang Hyun-wook here.”
“R-really? Then should I try to get close to him too? But why does he look so displeased?”
Watching the approaching Seo-joo, I hurriedly wiped away my tears. My heart was pounding harder than if I had been running.
“Hyun-wook, when did you get here?”
Seo-joo—Seo-joo is speaking. I can’t believe I’m hearing Seo-joo’s voice again. The thin, powerless voice had become thicker and more masculine. The childish voice of the past was gone. Yet, I had the illusion that I had heard it every single day. My heart raced so much that I couldn’t look him straight in the eye. But calling him ‘Hyun-wook’… I’m really not used to this…
“Ah, I just got here a moment ago. Hyung?”
“…Hyung?”
“He is Hyung now. Be quiet.”
I had to stand beside them and watch Hyun-wook call Seo-joo ‘Hyung.’ This was so absurd. The moment Hyun-wook called Seo-joo ‘Hyung,’ my grip on Hyun-wook’s arm tightened.
At my reaction, Hyun-wook patted the back of my hand with his own and stifled a laugh. However, I could feel Seo-joo’s gaze grow sharper as he watched the meaningful interaction between Hyun-wook and me. Ah, he’s not misunderstanding something, is he?
“You should have told me you were here. I wanted to spar with you… But there’s a guest… here? A friend? Or someone you’re seeing? They look like an Omega.”
“A friend. Seeing… nothing like that.”
The voice asking who I was while staring intently at me was sensitive. Seo-joo! It’s Hyung, Hyung! The Hyung who carried you, held you, and raised you with such care! And then, without either of us initiating, our eyes met and we gazed at each other.
As Seo-joo looked at me, a sense of bewilderment clouded his eyes, and the sharp gaze gradually began to soften. It had clearly been a look mixed with vigilance and discomfort, but I felt Seo-joo’s eyes grow warm.
“But have we met somewhere? Why do you look so familiar?”
“…No. That couldn’t be…”
Coming closer, Seo-joo tilted his head, his eyes never leaving mine. Then, he gave a slight smile. Oh, the way the corners of his mouth curl up is exactly the same as before. Haa, I feel the anxiety in my heart completely dissolve. By the way, does ‘familiar’ mean he remembers something about me?
Hoping so, I observed Seo-joo keenly, secretly anticipating. But contrary to my expectations, Seo-joo gave me a brief greeting and indifferently turned his head away.
“Anyway, Hyun-wook, I’m going back to finish my workout. Let’s spar later.”
With a slight wave of his hand, Seo-joo returned to his spot. He just leaves after only a few words. Seo-joo is leaving again. Hyung is right here, so why do you keep going somewhere else? Hyung is right here… I understand the situation, but I feel somewhat resentful. It’s a truly inexplicable emotion.
Well, it’s fine. Is today the only day? There’s tomorrow, and the day after. I don’t have to wander around searching for him or be anxious anymore. That’s something. I tried my best not to show my disappointment.
“Hae-joo, tomorrow is the day Seo-joo comes during the day. Do you want to come again tomorrow? Is that okay?”
It’s okay. More than okay. Where else could I get the chance to meet and see his face again? So tomorrow, I’ll try to get a bit closer and talk to him.
∗ ∗ ∗
“So. Have you decided? Did you make a wise judgment?”
“I already told you I’ve decided. I had no intention of doing such a thing.”
“Then, I shall believe you. I’ll believe you, because if those words aren’t true, I’d have to kill you. As relatives.”
Sitting with his legs crossed, Joo Min-hyeok simply smiled as he watched the man trembling before him like a rat cornered in a corner. Smarter than expected, the man had made a wise choice. He hadn’t properly met the Prime Minister who had come to see him, nor had he even listened to his proposal.
The Prime Minister had simply met with his servants and left. After the Prime Minister’s party departed without the effort of coming all this way paying off, Min-hyeok called the man secretly and informed him of the future plan.
“So, you’re telling me to accept that proposal?”
“To be precise, I’m telling you to only pretend to. Pretend to aim for the throne as he said, pretend to be played by the Prime Minister. That’s what I want you to do.”
Min-hyeok explained the plan to the man who seemed unable to grasp the situation. Only then did an expression of understanding settle on the man’s face. Their conversation continued for a long time. Thorough preparation and a meticulous plan were crucial for what was to come.
This was a matter involving the lives of Min-hyeok and numerous members of the imperial family; it had to succeed no matter what. Having obtained a reasonably satisfactory result for now, Min-hyeok finally felt some peace of mind. He turned on his phone, which had been off for two days, and called Hae-joo.
Reports were coming in that as soon as he arrived in Seoul, he had been frequenting the gym owned by Dae-ho, Hyun-wook’s father. It was truly unexpected news. Why that gym? It was operated strictly as a membership-only facility, so one couldn’t even enter without permission.
That’s why he had hurriedly deployed people to get him in as a member, but it seemed there was no news yet. So, for now, he had no choice but to wait. By the way, is Korea four hours behind now? Then it must be lunchtime. After a few rings over the phone, Hae-joo’s voice echoed.
-Hello, Your Majesty!
It felt like he had answered the phone in a rush. What is he doing now? Between the sound of cars and other noises, it was certain he was outside again. Ha, seriously. I’m already enduring so much in various ways, and yet he’s being disobedient again.
“Grand Imperial Concubine. Have you had lunch?”
-Yes, I ate early. I’m drinking coffee now… huh?
“Why did you stop talking? You’re outside the palace right now, aren’t you? I told you so clearly! Grand Imperial Concubine?”
Even though Min-hyeok started nagging, the other end remained silent. It sounded like he had been surprised by something a moment ago.
“…Grand Imperial Concubine, what’s wrong?”
-Ack! It hurts!
“What? What’s wrong? What happened!”
-I said it hurts! Who are you? Get away! Hey, who the hell are you!
“Cha Hae-joo? What’s happening? Where are you?”
Hae-joo’s sudden scream rang in his ears. Extremely startled, Min-hyeok bolted upright from his seat and looked at his aide. Startled by Hae-joo’s scream leaking through the phone, the aide also hurriedly made a call somewhere. Min-hyeok continued to call out to Hae-joo, but from the other end, only Hae-joo’s screams telling someone to get off and Hyun-wook’s urgent voice could be heard.
“Damn it, what’s going on? Cha Hae-joo!”
Not knowing what was happening and unable to do anything despite hearing Hae-joo’s screams, Min-hyeok frantically called for his secretary and aide. Where on earth is this happening? It’s too noisy to be the palace. Is he being kidnapped? Just as Min-hyeok, whose head felt like it was exploding, pushed back his chair to call the secretary, a voice other than Hae-joo’s or Hyun-wook’s reached his ears.
-Grand Imperial Concubine user! Daebak, we finally met! I broke through that window to get out! I’ve been wandering around to find you!
This voice…?
“…Isn’t this that crazy brat? This crazy brat really has lost it.”
Han Hee-sung. He’s truly gone insane.