CHAPTER 7
2268 Words
I've to make it out Ali...." But before she could say anything else, Whisper suddenly shifted beneath Hye-in.
The horse stamped its hoof.
Hye-in's grip tightened around the reins.
“Easy…”
Whisper tossed its head.
Seo Jun's expression changed.
“Hye-in. Pull the reins gently.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
She did exactly as he said.
For a moment, Whisper settled.
Then a loud crack came from somewhere beyond the training field.
Whisper startled violently.
The horse reared.
Hye-in's eyes widened.
“Your Royal Highness!”
Seo Jun stepped forward.
“Hold the reins!”
Hye-in tried.
But the reins slipped through her fingers.
The world seemed to slow.
She felt herself losing her balance.
Her foot slipped from the stirrup.
She reached forward desperately, trying to grab the saddle.
Nothing.
Then she was falling.
“Hye-in!”
Seo Jun lunged forward.
For one terrifying instant, he was too far away.
Hye-in saw nothing but the bright morning sky above her.
Her breath caught.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Then—
Seo Jun caught her.
He hit the ground hard as he twisted his body to shield her from the fall.
“Hye-in!”
He immediately looked down at her.
She didn't respond.
Her eyes remained closed.
“Hye-in.”
Nothing.
Seo Jun's expression tightened.
He carefully placed a hand near her shoulder.
“Hye-in, open your eyes.”
Still nothing.
Lady Ju Young rushed toward them.
“Your Royal Highness!” Two guards rushed towards them
Seo Jun barely acknowledged her.
“Call the physician.”
His voice was sharp.
“Now.”
one of the guards immediately ran
Seo Jun looked back at Hye-in.
Her face had gone frighteningly still.
“Hye-in.”
He checked her breathing.
It was steady.
But she remained unconscious.
Lady Ju Young knelt nearby.
“Is she breathing?”
“Yes.”
Seo Jun's answer came immediately.
“She is.”
Ju Young looked at Seo Jun.
He rarely allowed his emotions to show.
But now, the tension in his face was unmistakable.
“You should let me help you up,” she said. “You were injured protecting her.”
Seo Jun shook his head.
“Not yet.”
He carefully lifted Hye-in into his arms.
Her head rested against his shoulder.
“Your Royal Highness…”
Ju Young hesitated.
Seo Jun looked toward the guards.
“Bring a physician immediately.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
One guard stepped forward.
“Shall we carry her?”
Seo Jun looked down at Hye-in.
Then shook his head.
“No.”
He stood carefully, keeping one arm firmly around her.
“I will take her.”
“Your Royal Highness, you should not—”
“That is an order.”
The guard immediately bowed.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
Seo Jun began walking toward the palace.
Ju Young followed.
“She may have only fainted from fright,” she said carefully.
Seo Jun's expression remained hard.
“Perhaps.”
“But the physician should examine you as well.”
“I said I am fine.”
His voice was controlled, but there was no room for further discussion.
His attention remained on Hye-in.
She still hadn't moved.
THE CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS
The royal physician arrived quickly.
Hye-in was placed carefully on the bed.
The physician examined her while Seo Jun stood beside the mattress.
“How is she?”
The physician continued his examination.
“She has lost consciousness from the shock of the fall.”
Seo Jun's jaw tightened.
“Is she seriously injured?”
“No, Your Royal Highness.”
The physician checked her pulse.
“Her breathing is normal, and I can find no serious injury. She needs rest.”
“When will she wake?”
“It is difficult to say exactly. It may be within a few hours.”
Seo Jun's eyes remained on Hye-in.
“And if she does not?”
The physician looked at him.
“She should regain consciousness by tomorrow morning at the latest. If she does not, send for me again immediately.”
Seo Jun nodded.
“Make certain someone remains nearby.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
The physician bowed and left.
The doors closed.
Silence filled the room.
Seo Jun remained beside the bed.
He looked at Hye-in for a long moment.
“You frightened everyone.”
There was no response.
His gaze lowered.
“You frightened me.”
The words escaped before he could stop them.
He immediately looked away.
After a moment, he pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down.
“You should have listened to me.”
His voice was quieter now.
“I told you to hold on.”
A faint, almost helpless smile crossed his face.
“And somehow, you still managed to fall.”
He leaned back slightly.
“Wake up, Hye-in.”
His expression became serious again.
“You have caused enough trouble for one day.”
ROYAL GUEST QUARTERS
Lady Ju Young sat silently beside the window.
A guard stood before her.
“I want you to keep watch over Hye-in.”
The guard bowed.
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Do not approach her. Do not let her know she is being watched.”
“Yes.”
“I want to know where she goes, who she speaks to, and whether anyone has been meeting her secretly.”
The guard nodded.
“I understand.”
Lady Ju Young's expression remained composed.
Then she remembered Seo Jun carrying Hye-in through the palace.
His face had been different.
He had looked genuinely frightened.
Her fingers tightened around her sleeve.
“There is something about that girl.”
She looked toward the palace.
“Find out what it is.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
The guard bowed and left.
Lady Ju Young remained alone.
Her polite smile slowly disappeared.
“Why her?”
THE NEXT MORNING — CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS
Hye-in's fingers moved slightly.
Her brows furrowed.
Then her eyes slowly opened.
For several seconds, she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Her head throbbed.
She slowly pushed herself upright.
“Where…”
Her eyes moved around the room.
The luxurious furnishings came into focus.
Her expression changed.
“The Crown Prince's quarters?”
Then the memory returned.
Whisper.
The sudden movement.
The fall.
Seo Jun.
Her eyes widened.
“I…”
She touched her forehead.
“Ouch.”
She carefully lowered her feet to the floor.
Her legs felt weak.
She steadied herself against the bed.
Then she looked around the empty room
“Where is His Royal Highness?”
No answer.
Hye-in straightened her clothes and quietly left the room.
---
MAID'S QUARTERS
When Hye-in entered, she found one of the substitute maids sitting near the window with a poetry book.
The maid looked up immediately.
“Hye-in!”
She stood.
“I heard about what happened yesterday. Are you feeling better?”
Hye-in smiled.
“Yes. Much better. Thank you.”
The maid looked her over.
“You frightened everyone.”
“I seem to have a talent for that lately.”
The maid laughed.
She noticed Hye-in touching her head.
“Does it still hurt?”
“A little.”
“Then you should rest.”
Hye-in nodded.
“I will.”
The maid closed her poetry book.
“Oh, So-hee asked me to tell you something.”
Hye-in raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“She was extremely worried about you yesterday.”
Hye-in sighed.
“That sounds like So-hee.”
“She apparently refused to sleep until she knew you were safe.”
Hye-in smiled.
She worries too much.”
The maid gave her a teasing look.
“Perhaps because you are more than just a friend to her.”
Hye-in shook her head.
“She has always been like that.”
She adjusted her sleeve.
“I should go and see her.”
The maid smiled.
“Then go before she comes looking for you herself.”
Hye-in nodded.
“Yes.”
AFTER LEAVING THE MAID'S QUARTERS
Hye-in left the maid's quarters and stepped into the palace courtyard.
She had intended to go straight to the royal kitchen to see So-hee, but one thought kept bothering her.
Where was Seo Jun?
She had expected him to be there when she woke.
Instead, his quarters had been empty.
She glanced around the courtyard.
Hye-In wandered through the palace grounds in search of Seo Jun.
“Where could he have gone?”
She turned down an unfamiliar path and soon found herself standing in a quiet courtyard she had never seen before.
She looked around curiously.
Then—
THWACK!
An arrow suddenly flew through the air and landed directly in front of her.
Hye-In gasped and jumped backward.
A young man immediately lowered his bow and hurried toward her.
“Are you alright?”
Hye-In stared at him.
He had slightly slanted eyes, a cute round face, a sharp pointed nose, and small pink lips. His black hair was pulled neatly upward, held firmly in place with a long hairpin, while a manggeon was tied around his head.
“Are you really alright?” he asked again.
His worried voice brought Hye-In out of her daze.
“Yes, I'm fine.”
She looked down at the arrow before glaring at him.
“Geez! You can't just shoot arrows anywhere you want!”
The young man immediately bowed.
“I'm sorry. I didn't see you.”
“You could have injured me!”
“I sincerely apologize.”
Hye-In sighed.
“Fine. Just be more careful next time.”
The young man smiled faintly.
“Of course.”
Hye-In picked up the arrow and examined it.
“Anyway, who are you?”
“Shadow.”
Hye-In raised an eyebrow.
“Shadow?”
“Yes.”
“Your name sounds ridiculous.”
Shadow blinked.
“Ridiculous?”
“Very.”
A small laugh escaped him.
“You really don't know who I am?”
Hye-In shrugged.
“Obviously not.”
Shadow stared at her for a moment.
Most people in the palace would have recognized him immediately.
But this maid clearly had no idea.
Hye-In looked at the bow in his hand.
“Can I try?”
Shadow looked surprised.
“You know how to shoot?”
“Of course.”
She confidently reached for the bow.
“Don't underestimate me.”
Shadow handed it to her.
Hye-In stood in front of the target and carefully pulled the string back.
She aimed.
Released.
THUD!
The arrow landed nowhere near the center.
It struck the wooden edge of the target and dropped to the ground.
Hye-In froze.
Shadow stared at the arrow.
Then he covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
“Don't you dare laugh!”
“I wasn't.”
“You were!”
Shadow finally laughed.
Hye-In folded her arms.
“It's been a while since I practiced.”
“Clearly.”
She glared at him.
“You're annoying.”
Shadow picked up the arrow.
“Your stance is wrong.”
“My stance?”
“Yes.”
He demonstrated the correct position.
“Keep your shoulders steady. Don't pull the string too quickly.”
Hye-In watched carefully.
“Like this?”
“Almost.”
She tried again.
This time, the arrow struck the target.
Not the center.
But at least it stayed on the board.
Hye-In's face lit up.
“Did you see that?”
Shadow smiled.
“I saw.”
“I told you I could do it.”
“I never said you couldn't.”
Hye-In handed the bow back.
“Can I practice here?”
Shadow crossed his arms.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“You're only allowed to practice here once you know who I am.”
Hye-In rolled her eyes.
“What's with this mysterious identity of yours?”
Shadow smiled.
“You'll find out.”
Hye-In sighed before extending her little finger.
“Fine. But you made a promise.”
Shadow looked at her finger.
“Pinky promise?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled before hooking his little finger around hers.
“Pinky promise.”
Hye-In smiled.
“Good. Don't break it.”
Shadow released her finger.
“Then we're indebted to each other.”
“Exactly.”
Hye-In smiled.
“No one is losing out.”
Shadow chuckled.
Then he studied her curiously.
“You're a maid, aren't you?”
“Yes. I'm the Crown Prince's personal maid, so I have a little free time.”
Shadow's expression changed subtly at the mention of Seo Jun.
“And what's your name?”
Hye-In shook her head.
“I'll tell you after you fulfill your promise.”
Shadow smiled.
“Then I'll have to make sure I keep it.”
A maid suddenly entered the courtyard and bowed.
“Your Young Master.”
Shadow turned.
“You are expected elsewhere.”
“I'll come.”
The maid stepped back.
Shadow looked at Hye-In one last time.
“Until next time.”
Hye-In smiled.
“Don't forget our promise.”
“I won't.”
Shadow turned and walked away.
After a few steps, he glanced back.
Hye-In was still standing beside the target, staring at the arrow that had fallen short of the center as she poked it out from the wooden shaft and smiled
For some reason, Shadow found himself smiling too.
He quickly turned away.
She's strange.
He continued walking.
But after a few steps, one thought slipped into his mind.
I'd like to see her again.
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