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Chapter 28
Seojun’s eyes turned cold as he scanned the documents again.
“But here, I see a record of a prescription from the Royal Infirmary. She even took a few days’ leave because of it. Do the court ladies usually go to the Royal Infirmary when they’re sick?”
The Royal Infirmary was a department established for palace staff working in shifts around the clock, a system carried on since the Joseon dynasty.
Doctors were stationed there 24/7, and palace staff could receive consultations and simple treatments.
“That’s right. It’s free, and skilled doctors are always present. Most illnesses are treated there. Ever since His Majesty introduced various examination devices ten years ago, even health checkups have been conducted directly at the Royal Infirmary.”
Seojun’s eyes glinted sharply.
“Can we see those medical records as well?”
“Of course.”
Yeon was just about to lead the way when—
“Wait.”
Seojun suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Pretending to examine the files, he reached out and braced his hand against the bookshelf.
At the suddenly shortened distance, Seojun’s scent enveloped her—a mature, woodsy fragrance that was strangely alluring.
Unconsciously, Yeon leaned slightly toward him, inhaling.
Then she quickly hid her nose behind the papers. If she kept breathing him in, she felt like she might lose her composure.
“What are you doing right now?”
When Seojun showed no intention of moving aside, Yeon nudged him with the edge of the documents.
As expected, he didn’t budge an inch.
“The file I need to see just happens to be here.”
He stepped back casually, papers in hand.
Was it really because of the documents?
It had felt far too deliberate when he blocked her so urgently.
When Yeon glanced at him suspiciously, Seojun tilted his head slightly and leaned against the shelf, looking perfectly absorbed in the file.
As she withdrew her gaze, he lifted his head and glanced toward the sliding door.
The shadowy figure that had been there a moment ago was gone.
Someone had definitely been watching them.
Who could it be?
Rather than fear, Seojun felt intrigued by this mysterious observer.
After all, surveillance was proof that someone feared him. And fear only deepened when the target acted brazenly.
If his opponent believed he might hold the key to their downfall, they would become uneasy, prone to mistakes.
There was no need for him to panic or hide first.
Casting one last icy look down the corridor, Seojun turned back to Yeon.
“Do you have plans afterward?”
“Not really.”
“Then since we’re here, let’s review all the necessary files.”
“There’s no rush. We can just come back another time.”
“That’s true, but if we leave now, the very documents we’re searching for might disappear.”
If the person tailing them had been hired by Seojun’s enemy, then once that person realized what he was digging into, they would undoubtedly scramble to locate and destroy the same records first.
And shred them to pieces, no doubt.
By any means necessary.
Seojun didn’t necessarily think such an opponent was evil.
In any game, it was always the quicker player who won.
After some thought, Yeon nodded.
“You’re right, Mr. Seojun.”
“Let’s start with the court ladies’ medical records.”
“The infirmary records? They probably won’t show anything too serious. If a condition worsens, they’re referred to a secondary hospital. Come on, this way.”
Yeon scanned the shelves and beckoned with a curl of her finger.
She took the lead while Seojun picked up his jacket and followed.
The archive—built by connecting dozens of hanok rooms—smelled of age.
Wordlessly, they walked down the narrow paths between the shelves.
With every step they took, the wooden floor groaned, overlapped by the hum of ventilators and humidity controllers.
Suddenly, Seojun found himself thinking how peaceful it felt.
A strange thought, considering he was here digging up clues about Jiyoung’s disappearance—while being tailed by an unknown watcher.
Why do I feel so at ease? he wondered, slowing his pace.
Yeon turned back to him. Just a few steps ahead, she waved her hand brightly.
“What are you standing there for? Over here.”
Seeing her smile as if she had discovered treasure, Seojun realized why he could stay calm even now, when his palms should be sweating with tension.
It was because of Yeon.
At least for now, he had a steadfast ally—someone who would never betray him.
When she had boldly insisted on joining hands at the start, Seojun hadn’t fully trusted her.
But somehow, being with her now let him lower his guard.
I still don’t know what exactly goes on in her mind, but there’s one thing I can trust…
She, too, was deeply troubled by Jiyoung’s disappearance, and she wanted the truth.
The rare presence of an ally made Seojun’s lips curl into a faint smile.
“Why are you smiling all of a sudden?”
Yeon raised her brows.
Seojun brushed past her, answering,
“Because you’re pretty.”
She had heard those words countless times before, but coming from Seojun’s lips, they felt oddly unfamiliar.
He had never said a word on days she dressed up, yet now, covered in dust, he decided to compliment her.
It didn’t suit the situation at all, and that made it all the more flustering.
“…You’re only realizing that now? The whole Empire already knows I’m pretty. You’re a little slow, Mr. Seojun.”
Flustered, the words tumbled out of her mouth like rapid fire.
That’s not what I meant… Yeon winced inwardly.
Seojun chuckled softly and turned back to the shelves.
“You’re right. I’m a bit late.”
Murmuring, he began scanning through the year-organized files.
He didn’t notice her cheeks flushing pink like cherry blossoms.
Yeon pressed her warm face with the back of her hand and stepped beside him.
Glancing at him, she asked,
“You’re not sick, are you?”
Seojun was already immersed in the infirmary records.
“No. Do I look sick?”
He flicked his eyes toward her briefly.
“Well… you’re saying things you usually wouldn’t.”
“Like calling you pretty?”
“There you go again! It doesn’t suit you.”
“Better get used to it. There are ears here, not just eyes.”
At his low whisper, Yeon suddenly understood.
His compliments and gestures weren’t just idle—they were countermeasures, in case someone was watching or listening.
A flawless act for their contract marriage.
Her mood dropped inexplicably.
Expression stiff, Yeon mechanically pulled out and replaced files.
Meanwhile, Seojun’s face remained grave as he examined the documents. Clearly, what he sought wasn’t easy to find.
“What are you looking at so hard?”
Wanting to help, Yeon rose on tiptoe to peek at the papers he was holding.
Leaning closer, she grabbed his arm for balance.
Seojun glanced at her, but this time she didn’t notice his gaze.
“These aren’t Jiyoung’s records?”
She had assumed he would look for Jiyoung’s files first. But instead, he was reviewing another court lady’s medical record from Donggungjeon.
Seojun tapped the shelf with his finger.
“The records I want aren’t here.”
“What? That can’t be. The duty log clearly listed a ‘Royal Infirmary consultation.’ How can the medical records not exist?”
Pushing him aside with her shoulder, Yeon rifled through the files herself.
But just as Seojun had said—
Though the year’s infirmary records listed many names, Jiyoung’s was nowhere to be found.
“That’s strange. There’s no way this could happen…”
She double-checked, but no matter how many times she searched, missing files didn’t magically appear.
“Could it be an oversight?”
She turned to Seojun. He smirked faintly.
“Do you really think so?”
Her eyes sharpened.
“…They were erased.”
“Someone stole them.”
His firm words made Yeon sigh.
Nothing is ever simple, is it…
“All that work for nothing.”
Just then, Seojun suddenly held a file out to her.
“Not necessarily. Take a look at this.”
Narrowing her eyes, Yeon leaned in to examine the document.
