LOVED BY YOUR MEMORY

CHAPTER 16

At least not today.

She quietly stepped outside the Crown Prince's quarters.

The moment she entered the corridor, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Shadow.

Hye-in slowed her steps.

She remembered their conversation from yesterday.

The rumor.

The strange way Shadow had reacted when she told him.

And that irritating smile of his.

Hye-in frowned.

"Why am I thinking about that?"

She shook her head and continued walking.

She had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice came from behind her.

"You seem to be in deep thought."

Hye-in stopped.

She turned around.

Shadow stood several steps away, his expression calm, though a hint of amusement lingered in his eyes.

Hye-in immediately became suspicious.

"Why are you following me?"

"I wasn't."

"Then why are you here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Hye-in stared at him.

"This is a palace corridor."

"I am aware."

She sighed.

Shadow smiled.

"You were thinking about me."

"I was not."

"You answered too quickly."

"Because it's not true."

"Then you were thinking about the rumor."

Hye-in's expression changed.

She stared at him.

"You really enjoy teasing people, don't you?"

"Only when they make it easy."

Hye-in crossed her arms.

"I was merely wondering why you weren't bothered by what people were saying."

Shadow's smile faded slightly.

"And why should I be?"

"Because they're saying things about you and Lady Ju Young."

Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"I am?"

Hye-in blinked.

"You didn't know?"

"Know what?"

"The rumor."

There was a brief silence.

Hye-in realized something.

He genuinely hadn't known.

She sighed.

"I told you yesterday."

"Ah."

Shadow's lips curved into a small smile.

"That rumor."

"Yes, that rumor."

"And you're still thinking about it?"

"I am not thinking about it."

"You brought it up."

"Because I was curious."

"About me?"

Hye-in immediately looked away.

"Not exactly."

Shadow chuckled.

"You're terrible at hiding your thoughts."

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Of course."

Hye-in gave him an annoyed look.

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Acting as though none of this matters."

"Perhaps it doesn't."

"People are talking about you."

"People talk about everyone."

"Not everyone is accused of betraying the Crown Prince."

Shadow became quiet.

The amusement disappeared from his face for a moment.

Hye-in studied him.

"I told you yesterday. I don't believe you would do something like that."

Something shifted in his eyes.

It was brief.

So brief that Hye-in almost missed it.

"Why?"

She frowned.

"Why what?"

"Why are you so certain?"

Hye-in thought for a moment.

"I don't know."

Shadow waited.

She shrugged.

"You simply don't seem like that kind of person."

He looked at her silently.

Then his expression softened.

"So you trust me?"

"I didn't say that."

"You practically did."

"I said I don't believe the rumor."

"That sounds very much like trust."

Hye-in rolled her eyes.

"You twist everything."

"And you worry too much."

"I don't worry about you."

Shadow smiled.

"Of course."

Hye-in groaned.

"I should leave."

She turned away.

"Wait."

She stopped but didn't turn around.

Shadow's voice was quieter this time.

"Thank you."

Hye-in looked back.

"For what?"

"For believing me."

She stared at him for a moment.

Then she looked away.

"Don't make me regret it."

Shadow smiled.

"I'll try."

Hye-in shook her head and walked away.

She didn't notice the way Shadow's expression changed once she was gone.

The smile slowly disappeared.

He remained where he was for a moment, watching the corridor where she had vanished.

Then he quietly turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Neither of them noticed the palace maid standing farther down the corridor.

She had seen them talking.

And she wasn't the kind of person who kept what she saw to herself.

She kept her eyes ahead, refusing to look back.

She had already spent enough time talking to him.

Besides, she had duties waiting for her.

Her steps quickened as she made her way back toward the Crown Prince's quarters.

She had barely reached the next courtyard when a palace maid hurried toward her.

"Hye-in!"

Hye-in stopped.

"Yes?"

"The Crown Prince's attendant is looking for you."

Hye-in's eyes widened slightly.

"Did His Highness send for me?"

The maid nodded.

"He told me to find you and bring you back immediately."

Hye-in sighed quietly.

"I understand. Thank you."

She turned and hurried toward the Crown Prince's quarters.

Hye-in returned to the Crown Prince’s quarters as quickly as she could.

The moment she entered, she bowed.

“Your Highness.”

Seo Jun sat at the writing table, reviewing several royal records.

He did not look up.

“You are late.”

Hye-in lowered her head.

“I came as soon as I was informed, Your Highness.”

“That does not change the fact that I had to send someone to find you.”

“I apologize.”

Seo Jun placed his brush down.

“You were instructed to remain nearby.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And yet you left without informing anyone.”

Hye-in hesitated.

“I only went to check on my friend.”

“That was not part of your duties.”

She immediately knelt.

“I understand, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun looked at her sternly.

“Your personal matters must not interfere with your responsibilities.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Stand.”

Hye-in rose at once.

Seo Jun picked up a small stack of royal records and held them out to her.

“Take these to the royal archive.”

Hye-in accepted them with both hands.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Have the archivist arrange them according to the proper dates and provincial records.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then return with the records concerning the western provinces.”

Hye-in nodded.

“I will.”

Seo Jun’s gaze sharpened.

“And this time, do not lose track of time.”

Hye-in lowered her eyes.

“No, Your Highness.”

“You may leave.”

She bowed deeply before turning toward the door.

As she stepped outside, she released a quiet breath.

At least he didn't give me another punishment.

But she knew better than to relax.

Seo Jun had made it clear that he expected her to return quickly.

---

THE ROYAL ARCHIVE

The royal archive was located in a quieter part of the palace, away from the crowded courtyards and busy servants.

Hye-in entered with the records held carefully against her chest.

The archivist looked up from his desk.

“What do you need?”

“I was sent by His Highness,” Hye-in replied. “He requested that these records be arranged according to their dates and provincial divisions.”

The archivist accepted the stack and examined the seals.

After checking them, he nodded.

“I understand. Wait here.”

Hye-in stepped aside while he worked.

She stood quietly, watching him sort through the records.

There was nothing unusual about the task.

It was simply another responsibility given to her by the Crown Prince.

After several minutes, the archivist returned with another bundle.

“These are the records concerning the western provinces.”

Hye-in accepted them carefully.

“Thank you.”

“Make sure they reach His Highness without delay.”

“I will.”

She bowed and left the archive.

The walk back felt longer than it should have.

Her feet were beginning to ache, and she had been standing for most of the day.

Still, she continued at a steady pace.

She had no intention of giving Seo Jun another reason to reprimand her.

---

BACK AT THE CROWN PRINCE’S QUARTERS

Hye-in returned and bowed.

“Your Highness.”

Seo Jun looked up from the table.

“You have returned.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She placed the records before him.

“The archivist arranged them according to the dates and provincial divisions. These are the records concerning the western provinces.”

Seo Jun examined the bundle.

Hye-in stood several steps away, waiting.

After a moment, he nodded.

“Good.”

She bowed.

“Is there anything else, Your Highness?”

Seo Jun looked at her.

“For now, no.”

Hye-in turned to leave.

“Hye-in.”

She stopped immediately.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Tomorrow, arrive before your appointed time.”

Her shoulders stiffened.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do not make me repeat myself.”

“I understand.”

Hye-in bowed and turned toward the door.

She had almost reached it when Seo Jun spoke again.

“Hye-in.”

She stopped.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Tomorrow.”

His voice was calm, but firm.

“Do not be late.”

Hye-in lowered her head.

“I understand.”

“I will not tolerate another mistake.”

Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun looked at her for another moment.

Then he said,

“You may leave.”

Hye-in bowed and stepped outside.

The doors closed quietly behind her.

She stood in the corridor for a moment, letting out a slow breath.

Her entire body felt tired.

She had been late.

She had made a mistake.

She had been sent to the archive and back again.

And somehow, the Crown Prince had managed to make every moment feel like an examination.

Hye-in started walking toward the maid’s quarters.

Tomorrow, I won't be late.

She made the promise firmly to herself.

But just as she turned the corner, she heard footsteps behind her.

She stopped.

The footsteps stopped too.

Hye-in slowly turned around.

The corridor was empty.

She frowned.

For a moment, she simply stood there.

Then she shook her head.

I'm tired. That's all.

She continued walking.

Behind her, somewhere beyond the quiet corridor, a door closed.

And Hye-in never noticed.