CHAPTER 13
1469 Words
THE FOLLOWING MORNING — CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS
The following morning, Hye-in woke before sunrise.
She dressed quickly and made her way to the Crown Prince's quarters.
Yesterday's punishment was still fresh in her mind.
She had no intention of making the same mistake twice.
When she entered the courtyard, the palace was still quiet.
The morning air was cool, and a thin mist covered the stone pathway.
Hye-in immediately went to the table where the royal records had been left.
She carefully arranged them in the order Seo Jun had instructed.
One by one, she began checking them.
She had barely finished the first section when footsteps approached.
Hye-in immediately straightened.
Seo Jun entered the courtyard.
She bowed.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
Seo Jun glanced at her.
“Have you completed the assignment?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He walked toward the table.
Hye-in stepped aside as he examined the royal records.
He picked up the first one and looked through it.
Then another.
His expression remained unreadable.
Finally, he placed the record back on the table.
“Acceptable.”
Hye-in blinked.
That was the closest thing to praise she had received from him.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Seo Jun turned toward her.
“From today onward, you will assist with these records every morning.”
Hye-in nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Before she could continue, a palace attendant hurried into the courtyard.
He immediately bowed.
“Your Highness.”
Seo Jun turned.
“What is it?”
“The Queen requests your presence.”
Seo Jun's expression changed slightly.
“Did she say why?”
“No, Your Highness.”
The attendant lowered his head.
“She only instructed me to bring you immediately.”
Seo Jun nodded.
“I will go.”
The attendant bowed and left.
Hye-in continued arranging the records.
Seo Jun glanced at her.
“Remain here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He turned and walked away.
Hye-in watched him disappear through the corridor.
For a moment, she wondered what the Queen wanted with him so early in the morning.
Then she returned her attention to the royal records.
She had barely picked up another scroll when she heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard.
A young palace maid appeared at the entrance.
“Hye-in!”
Hye-in looked up.
“What happened?”
The maid glanced around before approaching.
“I heard something.”
Hye-in frowned.
“What?”
The maid lowered her voice.
“About Lady Ju Young.”
Hye-in immediately remembered yesterday's conversation with So-Hee.
“What about her?”
The maid looked nervous.
“They say she was seen leaving Shadow's quarters early yesterday morning.”
Hye-in's eyes widened.
“Who said that?”
“I don't know. The rumor has already spread through several departments.”
Hye-in became silent.
The maid leaned closer.
“And apparently, someone saw them arguing.”
Hye-in frowned.
“Arguing?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head.
“I don't believe it.”
The maid looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because people keep turning everything into a scandal.”
“But what if there's something between them?”
Hye-in shook her head.
“There isn't.”
She remembered Shadow's expression when Ju Young had entered his courtyard.
He hadn't looked affectionate.
He had looked suspicious.
Guarded.
Almost irritated.
“No,” Hye-in said firmly.
“I don't believe Shadow would betray the Crown Prince.”
The maid stared at her.
“You're defending him too?”
Hye-in frowned.
“Why wouldn't I?”
The maid smiled mischievously.
“Perhaps you know him better than you admit.”
Hye-in's face immediately changed.
“That's not what I mean.”
Before the maid could respond, footsteps sounded from the corridor.
Both girls immediately fell silent.
A palace attendant entered.
“Hye-in.”
She straightened.
“Yes?”
“The Crown Prince has instructed me to bring the royal records to his study.”
Hye-in bowed.
“Yes.”
She gathered the records into her arms and handed it over to the maid
---LATER---
Hye-in waited inside the Crown Prince's quarters.
The royal records were arranged neatly on the table, but her attention kept drifting toward the entrance.
Her mind was still occupied by the rumors spreading through the palace.
Shadow.
Lady Ju Young.
The whispers about the two of them.
Could the Queen have heard about it too?
Before she could think any further, footsteps sounded outside.
Hye-in immediately straightened.
The doors opened.
Seo Jun stepped inside.
His expression was stern and unreadable.
Hye-in quickly bowed.
“Your Highness.”
Seo Jun walked past her.
“How did the meeting with Her Majesty go?”
He didn't answer.
Hye-in hesitated before asking again.
“Your Highness?”
Seo Jun finally looked at her.
“Why are you asking?”
Hye-in lowered her gaze.
“I was only curious.”
“Curiosity is not part of your duties.”
His tone was cold.
Hye-in immediately bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Seo Jun picked up one of the royal records.
Hye-in hesitated.
Then she quietly asked,
“Did Her Majesty mention anything about the rumors?”
Seo Jun paused.
“Rumors?”
Hye-in looked up.
She realized from his expression that he genuinely didn't seem to know what she meant.
“Nothing, Your Highness.”
Seo Jun studied her for another moment.
Then he simply returned to the royal records.
“You may leave.”
Hye-in bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She left the quarters, still wondering what the Queen's meeting had actually been about.
---
SHADOW'S QUARTERS
Hye-in walked through the palace courtyard.
She had intended to return to the kitchen department.
But her thoughts kept returning to Shadow.
I wonder if he's alright.
She changed direction.
Soon, she arrived at Shadow's quarters.
She knocked.
“Shadow?”
“Come in.”
Hye-in entered.
Shadow was standing beside the window.
He turned toward her.
“You came.”
“I wanted to check on you.”
Shadow raised an eyebrow.
“Check on me?”
Hye-in nodded.
“There have been rumors going around the palace…”
Shadow's expression changed slightly.
“Rumors?”
Hye-in didn't notice the tiny flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
“Yes.”
“What kind of rumors?”
She hesitated.
Then she lowered her voice.
“About you and Lady Ju Young.”
Shadow stared at her for a moment.
Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Ah.”
Hye-in frowned.
“Ah?”
“So that's what they're saying.”
There was something almost amused in his voice.
Hye-in narrowed her eyes.
“You didn't know?”
Shadow shrugged.
“Should I?”
“I thought you would have heard.”
“Perhaps I was too busy to listen to palace gossip.”
Hye-in studied him.
“You don't seem surprised.”
Shadow turned back toward the window.
“Should I be?”
Hye-in folded her arms.
“People are saying you and Lady Ju Young are involved.”
Shadow slowly looked back at her.
“And you came here because of that?”
Hye-in's expression faltered.
“I came to make sure you were alright.”
A faint smile appeared on Shadow's face.
“Were you worried about me?”
Hye-in immediately looked away.
“No.”
Shadow raised an eyebrow.
“No?”
“I was simply checking.”
“Of course.”
His tone made it obvious he didn't believe her.
Hye-in frowned.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
Shadow turned away to hide his smile.
Hye-in stared at him suspiciously.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Perhaps a little.”
“Shadow!”
He finally laughed quietly.
“Relax. I don't believe every rumor that travels through the palace.”
Hye-in's expression softened.
“Neither do I.”
Shadow looked at her.
“Good.”
A brief silence followed.
Then he asked,
“So… you were worried about me?”
Hye-in's cheeks warmed.
“I already answered that.”
“You said you weren't.”
“Exactly.”
Shadow nodded slowly.
“Then I'll pretend to believe you.”
Hye-in rolled her eyes.
“You're impossible.”
She turned toward the door.
Shadow watched her.
“Hye-in.”
She stopped.
“You came all the way here just to make sure I was alright.”
She looked back.
“Yes.”
His teasing expression faded for a moment.
“Thank you.”
Hye-in smiled faintly.
Then she left.
The moment the door closed, Shadow's expression changed.
He had only learned about the rumor because of Hye-in.
And although he found the whole thing amusing, one question stayed in his mind.
Why was she so concerned about me?
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