LOVED BY YOUR MEMORY

CHAPTER 18

LATER THAT DAY

The rest of the day passed almost without Hye-in realizing it.

After their encounter with Queen Kim, she returned to the Crown Prince's quarters and resumed her duties.

Seo Jun had several matters to attend to.

First, there were royal documents that needed to be reviewed. Hye-in stood beside his desk, sorting them according to their seals and dates while Seo Jun went through each report.

"These records belong in the eastern archive," he said.

Hye-in accepted them with both hands.

"Yes, Your Highness."

She carried them away and returned a short while later.

Then came another task.

Several books had been requested from the royal library, and Hye-in accompanied Seo Jun there to retrieve them.

By the time they returned, the sun had already begun to descend.

Hye-in glanced outside the window.

How has the day gone by so quickly?

She had completely forgotten about her archery practice with Shadow.

There had simply been too much to do.

As evening approached, Seo Jun continued working.

Hye-in remained nearby, assisting whenever necessary.

She brought the records he requested, arranged the papers on his desk, and helped organize the documents that had accumulated throughout the day.

At one point, she rubbed her tired wrist unconsciously.

Seo Jun noticed.

"You've been working since morning."

Hye-in immediately straightened.

"I am fine, Your Highness."

"You should rest when your duties are finished."

"Yes, Your Highness."

She bowed.

The palace outside had grown quiet by the time they finished.

The last traces of daylight had disappeared, leaving the courtyards illuminated by rows of lanterns.

Seo Jun placed the final document aside.

"That will be all for tonight."

Hye-in bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Good night."

"Good night."

She turned and left.

---

THE PALACE CORRIDOR

Hye-in walked toward the maid quarters alone.

Her steps echoed softly against the stone floor.

The night air had become noticeably cooler, and the palace that had been busy throughout the day now seemed almost deserted.

She pulled her hanbok closer around herself.

She was exhausted.

All she wanted was to return to her quarters, wash up, and sleep.

Then she heard something.

A faint rustle.

Hye-in stopped.

She looked over her shoulder.

Nothing.

The corridor behind her was empty.

She frowned.

Perhaps it had only been the wind.

She continued walking.

Another sound came from somewhere ahead.

This time, she stopped immediately.

Someone was standing beneath the shadows of the trees.

Hye-in's heart skipped.

She couldn't make out the person's face.

Only the outline of a figure.

She took a cautious step backward.

"Who's there?"

The figure didn't answer.

Hye-in's fingers tightened around the edge of her shawl.

"Show yourself."

The figure finally stepped forward.

Moonlight fell across his face.

Hye-in's eyes widened.

"Shadow?"

He stopped a few feet away.

"Good evening, Hye-in."

She stared at him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?"

Shadow nodded.

Hye-in looked around the deserted courtyard.

"You've been standing here this whole time?"

"For a while."

"At this hour?"

"I wasn't sure when you'd finish."

Hye-in frowned.

"You could have asked one of the servants to tell me."

"I considered it."

"Then why didn't you?"

Shadow's gaze remained on her.

"I wanted to speak to you myself."

His answer made Hye-in pause.

There was something unusual about the way he had said it.

Not threatening.

Not quite casual either.

Just... deliberate.

She studied him.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why were you waiting in the dark?"

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Perhaps I wanted to make sure you would notice me."

Hye-in gave him an unimpressed look.

"You certainly succeeded."

Shadow let out a quiet laugh.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come."

Hye-in shook her head.

"I have been busy all day."

"I noticed."

Her brows furrowed.

"You noticed?"

"I went to the training grounds."

She suddenly remembered.

Her eyes widened.

"The archery practice."

Shadow nodded.

"You didn't come."

Hye-in's expression changed.

"I'm sorry."

"You forgot?"

"I didn't forget."

She paused.

"Well... I did."

Shadow raised an eyebrow.

Hye-in sighed.

"I've been with His Highness since morning. There were several duties to attend to, and I couldn't leave."

"I understand."

"I really am sorry. I should have told you."

"You didn't have a chance."

Hye-in looked at him.

"You aren't angry?"

"No."

Shadow looked toward the palace buildings.

"You were doing your duty."

Hye-in relaxed slightly.

"Thank you for understanding."

A quiet moment passed between them.

Then Shadow said,

"Since you missed your practice, I thought perhaps you could spare a little time now."

Hye-in looked at him in disbelief.

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Shadow, it's nighttime."

"I know."

"Then when exactly were you planning to practice?"

"I wasn't."

She frowned.

"Then what did you mean?"

Shadow gestured toward the garden.

"I thought we could take a walk."

Hye-in looked toward the darkened garden.

The lanterns along the pathway cast soft pools of light between the trees.

"A walk?"

"Just a walk."

She hesitated.

She was tired, but she didn't particularly want to return to her quarters yet.

After a moment, she nodded.

"All right."

Shadow turned and began walking beside her.

Hye-in followed.

They passed beneath the stone archway leading into the palace garden.

The atmosphere immediately changed.

The sounds of the palace became distant.

Only the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of night insects could be heard.

Hye-in looked around.

"I've never seen the garden this quiet."

"It's different at night."

She glanced at him.

"You come here often?"

"Sometimes."

"Alone?"

"Usually."

Hye-in smiled faintly.

"That sounds lonely."

Shadow looked ahead.

"Not always."

She didn't ask what he meant.

They continued along the winding path.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then Hye-in remembered something.

"You waited for me just because I missed one practice?"

Shadow looked at her.

"I told you I was concerned."

"Concerned?"

"You usually keep your word."

Hye-in was quiet.

She hadn't expected him to notice something so small.

"I'm sorry," she said again.

Shadow shook his head.

"Stop apologizing."

Hye-in smiled.

"Then I'll try."

They continued walking.

Neither of them noticed the figure that had briefly appeared at the entrance of the Crown Prince's quarters.

Seo Jun had stepped outside.

His gaze fell upon the two figures walking through the garden.

Hye-in.

And Shadow.

They were talking quietly, completely unaware that he was there.

Seo Jun remained still for a moment.

His expression was unreadable.

He did not call out to them.

He simply watched as they disappeared farther into the garden.

Then he turned away and walked back toward his quarters.

Meanwhile, Hye-in and Shadow continued their night walk beneath the lanterns.

They walked slowly through the quiet palace garden, the cool night air passing between the trees.

Shadow glanced at Hye-in.

“You seemed busy today.”

“I was,” Hye-in replied with a tired sigh. “His Highness kept me busy from morning until evening.”

“With what?”

“Documents, records, books… and horse riding practice with him.”

“You rode with the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

Shadow gave her a knowing look. “Then you must have spent quite a lot of time together.”

“Don't remind me.”

He looked amused. “Was it that bad?”

Hye-in sighed dramatically.

“He complains about everything.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

She began counting on her fingers and Shadow laughed

“Don't even start. He kept telling me to relax my hands, sit properly, hold the reins properly…” She paused. “At one point, I was beginning to wonder if he wanted me to ride or simply criticize the way I was riding.”

Shadow laughed again.

“So you spent the entire day being scolded?”

“Exactly.”

“And yet you're still alive.”

Hye-in looked at him.

“Barely.”

Shadow smiled.

“For someone who complains about him so much, you seem to have survived the day quite well.”

“I deserve a reward for it.

"He is too difficult.”

Shadow smiled. “Difficult?”

“He's just…” She paused, searching for the right word. “Too cold. Sometimes I don't even know what he's thinking.”

“Perhaps that's how a Crown Prince is supposed to be.”

“Maybe,” Hye-in muttered. “But does he have to complain about everything?”Hye-in continued, “Oh, and we met Her Majesty while we were riding.”

“The Queen?”

Hye-in nodded. “Yes. She was actually very nice.”

“Was she?”

“She asked me a few questions and even wished us a good practice.”

Shadow nodded casually. “That's good.”

Hye-in looked at him.

“That's all you have to say?”

“What else should I say?”

She sighed. “Nothing. Forget it.”

Shadow smiled faintly.

After a moment, Hye-in added, “Honestly, today wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Because of the Queen?”

“Perhaps.”

They continued walking until they reached the path leading toward the servants' quarters.

“I should go,” Hye-in said.

Shadow nodded. “Get some rest.”

“You too.”

“Good night, Hye-in.”

“Good night, Shadow.”

They parted ways, each disappearing down a different path beneath the quiet moonlight.