LOVED BY YOUR MEMORY

CHAPTER 2

“Do you love them?”

Seo Jun asked, referring to Hye-in's eyes as he blinked slowly.

Hye-in stared at him for a moment before pushing his hand away.

“You—”

She stopped herself.

“You dragged me into the water!”

Her voice was annoyed.

“What were you thinking? You could have hurt my wrist.”

Seo Jun frowned.

“You're the one who ran into my bath.”

Hye-in looked at him.

“And you didn't have to grab me like that.”

She folded her arms.

For a moment, they stared at each other.

Then Seo Jun scoffed.

“Uncultured rascal.”

Hye-in's eyes widened.

“What did you just call me?”

“You heard me.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but then remembered what had happened.

She had accidentally barged into a stranger's bath.

Perhaps she had been a little too quick to blame him.

She sighed.

“Fine. Maybe I shouldn't have barged in.”

Seo Jun raised an eyebrow.

“At least you admit it.”

“But you still shouldn't have dragged me.”

He almost smiled.

“You're troublesome.”

“And you're arrogant.”

They stared at each other again.

Neither of them noticed the guards approaching outside.

Hye-in quickly gathered her things.

“I should leave before this becomes an even bigger problem.”

She hurried out of the quarters.

---

OUTSIDE THE CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS

“Gosh…”

Hye-in walked quickly down the corridor, still trying to process what had happened.

“That man is unbelievable.”

She looked down at her damp clothes.

“And now I'm soaked.”

She sighed.

“Hopefully nobody saw me.”

Just then—

“Hye-in!”

Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

She slowly turned around.

So-Hee was marching toward her.

“I'm screwed.”

“Yes?”

Hye-in answered innocently.

“You darn freak!”

So-Hee reached her and lightly smacked her shoulder.

“How dare you put that much pepper in the Crown Prince's meal? You ruined my life yesterday! The royal chef was furious!”

Hye-in clasped her hands together.

“I'm deeply sorry.”

“It was a mistake. I didn't mean to.”

“But why did you run away when the guards came looking for you?”

“Were you expecting me to stay and wait for them?”

So-Hee sighed.

“Anyway, you need to meet the royal chef and explain everything to him.”

She suddenly noticed Hye-in's wet clothes.

“Wait. What happened to you? You're drenched!”

“I fell into water.”

“You fell into water?”

“Yes.”

Hye-in quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, I have a question.”

So-Hee narrowed her eyes.

“Did you get into trouble again?”

“No.”

Hye-in looked around before lowering her voice.

“Does the king have a consort?”

So-Hee thought for a moment.

“I've never heard anyone mention the king having a consort or concubine, so I don't think he does.”

She looked at Hye-in suspiciously.

“Why? Where did you hear that?”

“Nowhere.”

Hye-in shrugged.

“If he isn't the consort's son, then who is he?”

She suddenly covered her mouth.

“Geez, Hye-in. Your mouth is going to get you into trouble one day.”

“Who is who?”

So-Hee grabbed her arm.

“Did you get into trouble?”

“No way.”

Hye-in pulled herself free.

“Anyway, bye. Take care.”

She hurried away, leaving So-Hee standing there in confusion.

---

THE NEXT DAY — ROYAL KITCHEN

Hye-in walked into the royal kitchen.

The moment So-Hee spotted her, she rushed over.

“What are you doing here?”

She lowered her voice.

“The royal chef mustn't see you. You've already gotten on his bad side!”

Hye-in rolled her eyes.

“What does it look like? I'm here to make up for yesterday's mistake.”

She picked up an apron.

“Besides, I'm assigned to work in the kitchen today.”

So-Hee smirked.

“Darn substitute maid.”

She shook her head.

“Anyway, I heard from the royal chef that the substitute maid examination results will be announced tomorrow. I know you've been preparing for it, so you'd better prepare even harder.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

So-Hee returned to her duties.

Hye-in turned toward the other maids.

“Greetings, everyone. I'm Hye-in, and I'll be working as a substitute maid in the royal kitchen today.”

The maids welcomed her, though a few exchanged knowing looks.

Hye-in scanned the kitchen.

Thankfully, the royal chef wasn't around.

Otherwise, she would have been thrown out immediately.

“Welcome back with your troubles.”

“Did you hear what she did to the Crown Prince's meal?”

“Yes.”

“Geez, she always finds trouble.”

The maids whispered among themselves.

Hye-in sighed.

Without saying anything, she picked up an apron and put it on.

---

THE NEXT DAY — RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION HALL

Nearly twenty substitute maids sat on the floor, each with a small wooden table in front of them.

Their examination papers lay neatly on the tables.

For two long hours, they answered every question they could.

Finally—

“Time's up!”

The papers were collected.

The examination was over.

---

LATER

“Hye-in, is the examination over?”

One of the kitchen maids approached her.

“Yes.”

Hye-in looked exhausted.

“By the way, is So-Hee at the kitchen?”

“No. She went with the royal chef to serve His Majesty's meal.”

“Oh.”

Hye-in nodded and slowly walked toward the maids' quarters.

---

THE NEXT MORNING — MAIDS' QUARTERS

Hye-in was enjoying her sleep since she was off duty.

Suddenly—

BANG!

The door flew open.

“Lazy Hye-in! Wake up!”

So-Hee rushed inside and began shaking her awake.

“What's wrong?” Hye-in groaned.

“The personal maid examination results are out!”

So-Hee waited for a dramatic reaction.

Instead, Hye-in pulled the blanket over her head.

“Come up with another excuse to get me out of this bed.”

She yawned.

“How could the results from yesterday already be out? That's way too fast. Don't interrupt my sleep, So-Hee.”

“I'm being serious!”

So-Hee's expression was unusually stern.

That finally got Hye-in's attention.

“Wait…”

She sat up.

“Are you serious?”

“Very.”

“Where did they post it?”

Hye-in jumped out of bed.

“Let's go!”

So-Hee grabbed her hand, and they rushed out of the quarters.

---

THE RESULT BOARD

A crowd of maids surrounded the result board.

Hye-in squeezed through the crowd.

Her eyes scanned the names.

Then—

“So-Hee!”

She screamed.

“I ranked first!”

She jumped excitedly.

So-Hee ran toward her.

“Really?”

She looked at the board.

“Oh my goodness! I'm so proud of you!”

Hye-in began dancing without any music.

“From a substitute maid to a personal maid!”

She spun around happily.

The other maids stared at her.

“Is she the one?”

“Yes.”

“She ranked first.”

“She looks way too excited.”

“Who does she think she is?”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

“Don't get too excited. I also ranked first.”

Hye-in froze.

“Huh?”

She slowly turned around.

A substitute maid stood behind her with a smug smile.

“Yes. Huh.”

The girl walked toward the result board.

“Kang Hye-in—54 points. Go Ha-jin—54 points.”

She smiled.

“I'm Go Ha-jin.”

Hye-in blinked repeatedly.

“What?”

So-Hee stepped forward.

“Actually, you forgot to read the decimal.”

She pointed at the board.

“Kang Hye-in scored 54.5. Go Ha-jin scored 54.”

Hye-in's face immediately lit up.

She smiled triumphantly.

The other maids checked the result themselves.

So-Hee was right.

Hye-in had won.

“Darn you, b***h!”

Ha-jin stormed away in frustration.

“I won!”

Hye-in screamed happily.

So-Hee grabbed her arm.

“Come on.”

They walked away together.

“It's over.”

“I can't believe I didn't win.”

“She’s so lucky.”

“She’s now the Crown Prince's personal maid.”

“Thinking about it makes me sick.”

---

THE CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS

Seo Jun sat quietly, studying the palace map.

He had spent much of his free time learning about the palace since waking up.

A maid announced the arrival of the head eunuch.

“Let him in,” Seo Jun ordered.

The head eunuch entered and bowed.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness.”

“What brings you here?”

“A personal maid has been appointed to you under Her Majesty's orders.”

Seo Jun looked up.

“Why?”

“For your safety. Her Majesty wants everyone around you changed.”

“Alright.”

Seo Jun returned his attention to the map.

“Where is this personal maid?”

“Her Majesty is speaking with her at the moment. She will be here shortly.”

Seo Jun nodded.

“Sit.”

The head eunuch obeyed.

“Now explain more about this palace to me.”

The head eunuch sighed and began explaining the palace's layout, rules, important quarters, and other things the Crown Prince needed to know.

A few moments later, a maid announced from outside.

“Your Highness, your new personal maid has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

The doors opened.

Hye-in walked inside.

Unlike the day before, there was no confusion in her expression.

She knew exactly who was sitting before her.

She approached carefully, knelt, and bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness. I'm Hye-in, your new personal maid.”

Seo Jun looked up.

His lips twitched slightly.

“Raise your head.”

Hye-in slowly lifted her head.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Hye-in immediately recognized him as the man from the bath incident.

Her expression remained composed.

She lowered her gaze respectfully.

Seo Jun seemed to notice.

“You look rather different today.”

Hye-in hesitated.

“Your Highness?”

“Yesterday, you had quite a lot to say.”

Hye-in's cheeks warmed slightly.

“I apologize for my behavior yesterday, Your Highness.”

The head eunuch looked between them.

“Yesterday?”

Hye-in lowered her head.

“I didn't know who His Royal Highness was at the time.”

Seo Jun studied her.

“And now?”

“Now I know.”

She bowed again.

“I will be more careful with my words and actions from now on.”

Seo Jun's expression remained unreadable.

“You're surprisingly obedient.”

Hye-in gave a small, polite smile.

“As your personal maid, it is my duty to serve you properly.”

The head eunuch nodded approvingly.

Seo Jun looked at her for another moment.

Then he returned his attention to the map.

“Very well.”

Hye-in remained kneeling until he gestured for her to rise.

“Stand.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She stood quietly.

The head eunuch smiled.

“Your Highness, she ranked first in the examination.”

Seo Jun glanced at Hye-in.

“First?”

“Yes.”

Hye-in lowered her gaze modestly.

“I was fortunate, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun looked at her for a moment before returning to the map.

“Fortune alone doesn't earn the highest score.”

Hye-in looked up.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun nodded.

“Head Eunuch, you may leave.”

The eunuch bowed.

“As you command.”

He turned toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced at Hye-in.

“Take good care of His Royal Highness.”

Hye-in bowed.

“Yes, Head Eunuch.”

The doors closed.

Silence filled the room.

Hye-in stood quietly at the side of the room.

Seo Jun continued studying the map.

After a while, he spoke.

“You can relax.”

Hye-in blinked.

“Your Highness?”

“You've been standing there as though you're afraid to breathe.”

“I apologize.”

Seo Jun glanced at her.

“You apologize quite often.”

Hye-in lowered her gaze.

“I'll try to do better.”

He said nothing.

Instead, he returned to the map.

Hye-in quietly moved to her position and began arranging the room.

Although she remained respectful, she couldn't help remembering the previous day's incident.

Of all the people I could have accidentally run into…

Why did it have to be the Crown Prince?

She quietly sighed.

Seo Jun looked up.

“Did you say something?”

Hye-in immediately straightened.

“No, Your Highness.”

He stared at her for a moment.

Then he returned to his map.

---

LATER THAT NIGHT

It was already late.

Hye-in had finished most of her duties, but Seo Jun had instructed her not to leave until he permitted her to.

She sat quietly on the floor, hugging her knees while trying to stay awake.

Eventually, her eyes grew heavy.

She fell asleep.

---

HOURS LATER

“Get up.”

Hye-in slowly opened her eyes.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“Let's go.”

“Where?”

“I'm going for a walk.”

He turned toward the door.

“As my personal maid, you should accompany me.”

Hye-in stood.

“Your Highness, it's already late. Are you certain you want to go outside?”

Seo Jun looked back at her.

“Yes.”

Hye-in sighed quietly.

“As you wish.”

She followed him.

---

THE MIDNIGHT WALK

Hye-in followed closely behind Seo Jun, carrying a wooden lantern.

She stared at his back.

He's certainly difficult.

She raised her hand slightly, intending to adjust his gat.

Seo Jun suddenly turned around.

Hye-in immediately lowered her hand.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Your gat looked slightly loose, Your Highness.”

Seo Jun stared at her.

Then he adjusted it himself.

“I can manage.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

They continued walking.

Hye-in remained a few steps behind him.

---

THREE DAYS LATER

The past three days had been exhausting.

Hye-in could barely remember the last time she'd gotten a proper night's sleep.

Every night, Seo Jun insisted on going for a midnight walk.

Then, one evening—

“Your Royal Highness, your dinner is here.”

A maid announced from outside.

“Let it in.”

The door opened.

Hye-in entered carrying the meal on a small wooden table.

“Here it is, Your Royal Highness.”

She placed the food before him and bowed.

Seo Jun stared at the meal.

Something smelled unusual.

“What's in that jar?”

“It's a sweet rice drink.”

“What is it for?”

“It's just a drink. It tastes good after eating.”

Seo Jun nodded.

He poured some into a small cup.

Hye-in smiled.

“Drink up.”

Seo Jun looked at her suspiciously.

Then he took a sip.

“How does it taste?”

“Good.”

He poured some into another cup and held it toward her.

“Have some.”

Hye-in immediately shook her head.

“Oh, no, Your Royal Highness. It's inappropriate for me to share your meal.”

“Who is giving orders to whom?”

Hye-in sighed.

She had no choice.

She accepted the cup.

Seo Jun nodded.

“Drink.”

Hye-in smiled awkwardly before taking a sip.

“It tastes good.”

She stared at the cup.

It's sweet.

Seo Jun poured another cup for her.

“Take another.”

Hye-in accepted it.

At least my plan worked.

We'll both get sleepy.

Let's see who is following who tonight.

---

LATER THAT NIGHT

Hye-in eventually became sleepy and dozed off.

A few minutes later, she was fast asleep on the floor.

Seo Jun looked down at her.

“Hey, dummy. Wake up.”

Hye-in slowly opened her eyes.

“What is it, Your Royal Highness?”

“I'm going for a midnight walk.”

He smiled faintly.

“So you have to perform your duty as my personal maid, right?”

Hye-in stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you not sleepy?”

“Obviously not.”

Seo Jun turned toward the door.

“Let's go.”

Hye-in's eyes immediately became teary.

She slowly stood up.

I'm screwed.

I shouldn't have done this.

Now I'm the one suffering.

I can't even feel my legs anymore.

---

THE NEXT DAY — ROYAL KITCHEN

“So-Hee!”

Hye-in entered the kitchen looking exhausted.

“Your Crown Prince is a frustrating man!”

So-Hee sighed.

“What happened this time?”

“Was it the midnight walk again?”

“Yes!”

Hye-in dropped onto a stool.

“And no!”

She began talking rapidly.

“Everything about him is annoying, strange, and frustrating! We both drank that sweet rice drink yesterday. I thought it would make him sleepy.”

She pointed angrily.

“But guess what?”

So-Hee waited.

“Your Crown Prince wasn't even tired!”

She rubbed her eyes.

“I had to follow him on another midnight walk. I could barely keep my eyes open!”

So-Hee sighed.

“Gosh…”

“I've never heard anyone mention the Crown Prince going on midnight walks.”

She thought for a moment.

“Maybe that's his way of punishing you for your mistake.”

Hye-in groaned.

“Screw the mistake!”

She jumped up.

“What I did wasn't even that serious!”

She pointed at So-Hee.

“And I never wanted to become his personal maid. You witch, you forced me into it!”

“How?”

“You told me to try my best and get the highest score!”

So-Hee stared at her.

“I told you to try your best.”

She paused.

“But why did you actually put so much effort into your best?”

Hye-in's mouth fell open.

“Geez! Screw you, screw everyone!”

She stormed toward the door.

“You're all as frustrating as your Crown Prince!”

“Get out!”

So-Hee yelled.

“You should be the one getting out. I work here!”

“Damn it!”

Hye-in pointed toward the kitchen.

“I'm leaving!”

She stormed away.

So-Hee watched her leave.

“Why does she always vent her anger at me like I'm the Crown Prince?”

---

LATER

“Damn it! Who does everyone in this palace think they are?”

Hye-in muttered as she walked.

Suddenly—

“Hye-in!”

She turned.

So-Hee was running after her.

“What does she want now?”

When So-Hee finally reached her, she was completely out of breath.

“I… I'm sorry I yelled at you.”

She took a deep breath.

“I accept that it's my fault.”

Hye-in folded her arms.

“Well, it's fine.”

She paused.

“But we're not friends anymore.”

So-Hee stared at her.

“You told me to get out, so I'm leaving.”

She turned dramatically.

So-Hee burst into laughter.

Hye-in looked back.

“I'm serious!”

So-Hee walked over and tickled her.

Hye-in immediately burst out laughing.

“You know that's my weakness!”

“Exactly.”

So-Hee smiled.

“Come on. I'm off duty too.”

They walked together toward the quarters.

Then they noticed a palanquin approaching.

“Who's that?” Hye-in asked curiously.

So-Hee examined the symbol.

“That's the Park family's crest.”

She lowered her voice.

“The Park family belongs to the Executive Minister. That palanquin is usually used by Lady Park Ju Young.”

“Who's she?”

So-Hee looked at Hye-in.

“The Crown Prince's betrothed.”

Hye-in's steps slowed.

“The Crown Prince has a betrothed?”

So-Hee nodded.

“Their marriage was arranged long ago. But when the Crown Prince became sick, the wedding was cancelled.”

She glanced toward the approaching palanquin.

“Lady Ju Young hasn't stepped foot in the palace since then.”

Hye-in watched the approaching palanquin quietly.

“And now that he's awake, she's back.”

The palanquin drew closer.

So-Hee immediately bowed.

“Hye-in,” she whispered. “Bow.”

Hye-in quickly followed and lowered her head respectfully.

The palanquin stopped.

A delicate hand lifted the curtain.

Lady Ju Young slowly looked outside.

Her eyes settled on Hye-in.

Hye-in kept her head lowered.

“Who is she?” Lady Ju Young asked.

So-Hee immediately bowed deeper.

“She is Hye-in, My Lady. She recently became the Crown Prince's personal maid.”

“The Crown Prince's personal maid?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Lady Ju Young's eyes returned to Hye-in.

Hye-in raised her head slightly.

“Yes, My Lady.”

Her voice was calm and respectful.

Lady Ju Young studied her carefully.

“Does she serve His Royal Highness well?”

So-Hee hesitated.

Hye-in answered quietly.

“I do my best, My Lady.”

Lady Ju Young remained silent for a moment.

“Your best?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Hye-in lowered her gaze.

“I still have much to learn, but I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties.”

Something flickered in Lady Ju Young's eyes.

It was impossible to tell whether it was approval or suspicion.

“Very well.”

She lowered the curtain.

“Let's go.”

The palanquin continued toward the Crown Prince's quarters.

Hye-in watched it disappear.

Then she quietly exhaled.

“So-Hee…”

“Yes?”

“Was she always that intimidating?”

So-Hee glanced at her.

“You were surprisingly calm.”

Hye-in looked confused.

“Shouldn't I be?”

So-Hee smiled.

“I thought you might accidentally say something you shouldn't.”

Hye-in shook her head.

“She is the Crown Prince's betrothed. I know better than to be disrespectful.”

So-Hee raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Hye-in looked toward the direction the palanquin had gone.

“Besides, she didn't do anything to me.”

So-Hee nodded.

“But you should still be careful around her.”

Hye-in frowned slightly.

“Why?”

“Because she is returning to the palace after a long absence, and you're now the Crown Prince's personal maid.”

Hye-in considered her words.

“I'll be careful.”

She looked away.

For some reason, she couldn't forget the way Lady Ju Young had looked at her.

It wasn't anger.

It was something else.

Something Hye-in couldn't quite understand.

---

THE CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS

“Brother! Brother!”

Grand Princess Su Jin rushed inside without waiting for an announcement.

Seo Jun looked up.

“What brings you here, Su Jin?”

“Lady Ju Young is on her way to your quarters.”

Seo Jun frowned.

“And who is Lady Ju Young?”

Su Jin nearly lost her patience.

“Your betrothed!”

She took a breath.

“She is the Executive Minister's daughter.”

Seo Jun stared at her.

“I have a betrothed?”

Su Jin sighed.

“Yes, you do.”

She stepped closer.

“But that's not the problem.”

Seo Jun waited.

“Before you became sick, you were completely against marrying her.”

“Why?”

“No one knows.”

Su Jin shook her head.

“You suddenly became strongly opposed to the marriage. And during the entire time you were unconscious, Lady Ju Young never visited.”

Seo Jun's expression became thoughtful.

“And now that I've lost my memory…”

“She may try to take advantage of it.”

Su Jin nodded.

“Exactly.”

She turned toward the door, then stopped.

“Until you recover your memories, don't make any decisions about the marriage.”

Seo Jun remained silent.

Su Jin bowed slightly before leaving.

The doors closed behind her.

Seo Jun looked toward the palace map.

Lady Ju Young.

His betrothal.

His unexplained refusal to marry her.

His lost memories.

Then another thought entered his mind.

Hye-in.

The maid who had accidentally wandered into his bath before she knew who he was.

The same maid who had become surprisingly quiet and respectful after discovering his identity.

His eyes fell on the palace map.

For some reason, the thought of Lady Ju Young approaching him didn't bother him nearly as much as one particular person did.

The troublesome maid who had called him an uncultured rascal.

Seo Jun frowned.

Why was he thinking about her?