LOVED BY YOUR MEMORY

CHAPTER 3

Some minutes later...

“Your Highness, Lady Ju Young is here,” a maid announced from outside.

“Let her in,” Seo Jun replied.

The door opened, and a young lady gracefully stepped inside.

She wore an elegant hanbok, her long, straight black hair cascading over her shoulders. One side was neatly tucked behind her ear and secured with a delicate hairpin. Her lips were painted a soft, perfect shade, complementing her flawless appearance.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness,” Lady Ju Young said as she bowed.

“Greetings, Lady Ju Young. You may have your seat,” Seo Jun replied.

Ju Young sat elegantly across from him, a smile resting on her lips.

“I’m so happy to see you hale and healthy again, Your Royal Highness,” she said.

“Thank you for your kind heart, Lady Ju Young,” Seo Jun replied with a faint smile.

“I heard about your condition. How are you coping with it?”

“It’s somewhat bearable, I suppose. Though there are some things... and some people... I would have preferred to forget.”

“Including me, right?”

“Huh?” Seo Jun raised an eyebrow.

“Uhm... it’s fine. All of that is over now.”

Before Seo Jun could respond, the door opened again.

Hye In walked inside carrying a meal placed on a small wooden table.

She approached the table and carefully lowered it.

However, just as she was about to place it down, her foot caught slightly against the edge of the carpet.

“Ah!”

The table tilted.

Hye In quickly grabbed it before it could fall, but one of the dishes slid slightly to the side.

She froze.

Silence filled the room.

Hye In slowly straightened the dish.

“...My apologies, Your Royal Highness.”

Seo Jun glanced at the table.

“It’s fine. Nothing happened.”

Hye In nodded and carefully placed the meal down.

Ju Young, however, was staring at her.

“Is this how you serve the Crown Prince?”

Hye In looked up.

“Pardon?”

Ju Young smiled faintly.

“You nearly spilled his meal.”

“I caught it before anything happened.”

“That doesn't change the fact that you almost dropped it.”

Hye In pressed her lips together.

“I already apologized.”

Ju Young raised an eyebrow.

“You should be more careful. A personal maid should at least know how to carry a meal properly.”

Hye In's eyes narrowed slightly.

She had only just entered the room, yet this woman was already picking on her.

Seo Jun noticed the expression on Hye In's face.

“It's a small mistake, Lady Ju Young.”

Ju Young looked at him.

“I was merely pointing it out.”

“And I said it's fine.”

Hye In glanced at Seo Jun.

Ju Young's smile faded slightly.

She studied Hye In again.

“So this is your personal maid?”

Seo Jun nodded.

“Yes. Hye In.”

Hye In bowed.

“Greetings, Lady Ju Young.”

Ju Young barely returned the gesture.

“She seems rather careless.”

Hye In's eyebrow twitched.

Seo Jun leaned back slightly.

“She made one mistake.”

“One mistake can become many if she isn't corrected.”

Seo Jun's expression remained calm.

“Then I'll decide when she needs correcting.”

Ju Young went silent.

Hye In lowered her head, secretly trying not to smile.

Seo Jun noticed.

“What are you smiling about?”

Hye In immediately wiped the expression from her face.

“Nothing, Your Royal Highness.”

Ju Young's eyes narrowed.

“You seem quite comfortable around him.”

Hye In blinked.

“I am simply doing my duty.”

Ju Young gave a small scoff.

“Then you should remember your position.”

Hye In's expression hardened.

But before she could respond, Seo Jun spoke.

“She knows her position.”

Ju Young looked at him.

“And you seem very certain of that.”

“She is my personal maid.”

Seo Jun's voice remained calm but firm.

“I trust her to do her job.”

For a moment, Ju Young said nothing.

Then she smiled.

“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”

Hye In turned toward the door.

“Anyway, Her Majesty ordered that this meal be served to you. She also said she would visit you before you leave.”

Ju Young's smile returned.

“Well, that will be of little use. I already have His Majesty’s permission to remain in the palace until preparations for the next wedding are complete.”

She turned toward Hye In.

“Let’s see if you'll still be this confident when I become the Crown Princess.”

Hye In's eyebrows twitched.

This woman...

Ju Young smiled sweetly before stepping back.

However, before Hye In could leave, Seo Jun spoke.

“Stay.”

Hye In froze.

She slowly turned around.

“But, Your Royal Highness, why should she stay?” Ju Young asked. “Her presence is unnecessary. We need our privacy.”

Seo Jun remained unmoved.

“She’s my personal maid. She has every right to remain by my side because it is her duty.”

Ju Young gritted her teeth.

“But I have something private to discuss with you. She has to leave, Your Royal Highness.”

“It doesn't matter,” Seo Jun replied calmly. “Just say whatever you came to say. My personal maid isn't a hypocrite.”

Ju Young's face immediately paled.

She stared at him for a moment before forcing a smile.

“Despite losing your memory and forgetting everyone, your personality toward me hasn't changed at all. You’re still cold and mean toward me, Your Royal Highness.”

“I’m not being mean, Lady Ju—”

Before he could finish, Ju Young interrupted him.

“I’ll take my leave now, Your Royal Highness.”

She stood and bowed.

As she passed Hye In, she paused.

“See you later.”

Her smile was sweet, but the glare she gave Hye In was anything but.

Hye In simply smiled back.

She watched as her master's betrothed walked out of the room.

Silence filled the quarters.

Then Seo Jun spoke.

“She is right, though. I suppose I need to teach you some manners.”

Hye In turned toward him.

“What manners?”

“I need to teach you some secret signs. It’ll be between us.”

“Secret signs?” Hye In repeated suspiciously.

“Yes.”

Seo Jun raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

“When I snap my fingers, it means you should stay.”

He snapped again.

“Secondly, when I flick my finger into the air, it means you should leave.”

Hye In stared at him blankly.

Tsk. Even his secret signs are as rude as he is.

“Lastly,” Seo Jun continued, “when I close my palm, it means you should come closer.”

“Is that all, Your Royal Highness?” Hye In asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“Yes.”

Hye In sighed dramatically.

“Your Royal Highness, can’t you just speak with your mouth? At least that's what it's meant for.”

Seo Jun narrowed his eyes.

“Who’s giving the orders between us?”

Hye In immediately lowered her hands.

“Apologies, Your Royal Highness.”

She cleared her throat.

“Anyway, Her Majesty requested that you go to the gazebo after your meeting with Lady Ju Young. You’ll be meeting your teacher there.”

“Teacher?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

Seo Jun stood and walked out of his quarters.

Hye In hurried after him.

At the Courtyard

Crown Prince Seo Jun arrived at the courtyard with Hye In following closely behind.

AT THE COURTYARD

Crown Prince Seo Jun arrived at the courtyard with Hye-in following a short distance behind him.

He climbed the wooden steps toward the gazebo, where Queen Kim and Grand Princess Su Jin were waiting.

The moment Su Jin noticed him, her expression brightened.

“Brother.”

Seo Jun offered her a small smile.

“Grand Princess.”

Su Jin immediately approached him.

“How did it go?”

Seo Jun knew what she was referring to.

“It went well. His Majesty has granted her permission to remain in the palace.”

Queen Kim's expression became thoughtful.

“I still find it surprising that His Majesty made such a decision without consulting me.”

Su Jin frowned.

“I don't understand her persistence. Why does Lady Ju Young insist so strongly on marrying you?”

Seo Jun considered the question for a moment.

“Perhaps she has her reasons.”

Su Jin looked at him.

“You're not bothered by it?”

Seo Jun gave a faint smile.

“I have not decided what I think about it yet.”

Queen Kim studied him quietly.

“Perhaps that is for the best. You have enough to deal with while recovering your memories.”

Her eyes then shifted toward Hye-in.

“And how have you been getting along with your personal maid?”

Seo Jun turned slightly.

Hye-in immediately lowered her head.

“She has been doing her duties well.”

Queen Kim nodded.

“That is good. You will need someone reliable beside you.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Before they could continue, one of the Queen's guards approached the gazebo and bowed.

“Your Majesty. The Crown Prince's swordsmanship instructor has arrived.”

Seo Jun looked toward him.

“My instructor?”

Queen Kim nodded.

“Yes. Since your memories have not returned, we need to determine how much of your training remains.”

Seo Jun's expression changed with interest.

“I used to practice swordsmanship?”

Su Jin gave him a look of disbelief.

“You were exceptionally skilled.”

Seo Jun looked down at his hands.

“Then I hope my body remembers what my mind has forgotten.”

Queen Kim smiled faintly.

“You will soon find out.”

Seo Jun turned toward the stairs.

“Come, Hye-in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She followed him.

---

AT THE TRAINING FIELD

A man in a guard's uniform stood waiting at the training field, two swords secured at his waist.

When Seo Jun approached, the man bowed.

“Your Royal Highness, I am—”

“You may introduce yourself afterward,” Seo Jun said calmly. “Let us begin.”

The instructor nodded.

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

A sword was handed to Seo Jun.

He studied it briefly before drawing it from its sheath.

The weight of the weapon felt strangely familiar in his hand.

He frowned.

For a moment, he had the unsettling feeling that his body knew exactly what to do with it.

Then the feeling disappeared.

The instructor took his position.

“Are you ready, Your Highness?”

Seo Jun tightened his grip.

“Yes.”

The instructor moved first.

The strike came faster than Seo Jun expected.

CLANG!

Seo Jun staggered slightly as their swords met.

The instructor immediately stepped back.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I may have moved too quickly.”

Seo Jun steadied himself.

“No. I was simply unprepared.”

He raised his sword again.

“Again.”

The instructor nodded.

This time, Seo Jun blocked the first strike.

Then the second.

His movements were clumsy at first, but something within him slowly began to respond.

His feet moved before he consciously decided where to place them.

His wrist turned instinctively.

His sword met the instructor's again.

CLANG!

Hye-in watched silently from the side.

She had never seen him like this.

Even though he clearly struggled, there was determination in his expression.

The instructor increased the pace.

Seo Jun blocked another strike.

Then another.

His breathing became heavier.

Finally, the instructor moved forward with a particularly strong attack.

Seo Jun stepped backward.

Then another step.

And suddenly, he turned and hurried away from the training field.

“Your Royal Highness!”

The instructor lowered his sword in confusion.

Seo Jun stopped several steps away and turned around.

“Perhaps that is enough for today.”

Hye-in lowered her face, trying not to smile.

Seo Jun noticed.

“Hye-in.”

She immediately straightened.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Did you find something amusing?”

Her eyes widened.

“No, Your Highness.”

A faint smile appeared on Seo Jun's face.

“You were smiling.”

“I apologize.”

“You don't need to apologize.”

Hye-in looked at him.

Seo Jun turned back toward the instructor.

“I simply need more practice.”

The instructor bowed.

“You will improve, Your Highness.”

“I hope so.”

---

LATER, AT THE GAZEBO

The instructor stood before Queen Kim.

“I believe His Highness should begin again from the fundamentals.”

Queen Kim nodded.

“That is understandable.”

Seo Jun wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“What should I learn first?”

The instructor answered,

“Horse riding, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun looked at him.

“Horse riding?”

Su Jin sighed.

“You have forgotten that as well?”

Seo Jun gave her a helpless look.

“It appears I have forgotten quite a lot.”

Queen Kim smiled.

“You will regain them one at a time.”

Seo Jun nodded respectfully.

“Then I will do my best.”

Hye-in stood quietly nearby.

Queen Kim noticed her.

“Hye-in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Please accompany His Highness to the training field.”

Hye-in bowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

---

AT THE TRAINING FIELD

Seo Jun sat carefully on Whisper while holding the reins.

The horse began walking at a slow pace.

Seo Jun looked around with mild surprise.

“He seems quite calm.”

“He knows you,” Hye-in replied.

Seo Jun looked down at the horse.

“Does he?”

“He was said to be your favorite.”

Seo Jun gently stroked Whisper's neck.

“I wonder if he remembers me.”

Hye-in looked at him.

“Perhaps he does.”

Seo Jun turned toward her.

“You sound certain.”

“I believe some things are remembered even when we cannot remember them ourselves.”

Seo Jun was quiet for a moment.

Her words seemed to stay with him.

Then he looked back at Whisper.

“I hope you're right.”

Hye-in gave him a small smile.

“I hope so too, Your Highness.”

Whisper suddenly neighed.

Seo Jun smiled.

“It seems he agrees with you.”

Hye-in lowered her gaze to hide her smile.

“I suppose he does.”

Seo Jun looked at her for a moment before turning his attention back to the horse.