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Chapter 67
When she asked for a photo, the girl had been shy, but when it came to posing requests, she was very enthusiastic.
“Big heart, small heart?”
When Seo-jun asked, the girl stomped her feet. She seemed unable to choose.
“Let’s do both. That’s okay, right, Your Highness?”
The girl was thrilled.
A heart pose, huh.
It felt a little embarrassing, but when Seo-jun raised his hand, Yeon couldn’t refuse.
Seo-jun and Yeon formed a big heart over their heads. To make the shape pretty, Seo-jun even bent his knees.
Their fingertips brushed together. Yeon flinched, curling her fingers at the sudden jolt.
“The heart shape is breaking.”
Seo-jun tapped her fingertips lightly.
But what he touched wasn’t just her fingers—it was her heart.
Her heart thumped wildly, so loud it rang in her ears.
From then on, Yeon followed his lead with each pose.
And yet, she kept sneaking glances at him.
The closeness between them felt strangely special.
The girl, snapping away with endless clicks, exclaimed,
“You look like celebrities! Should I send the photos to you?”
“Just send them to me.”
Standing nearby, Sil-an gave her the official email.
The photos were then forwarded to Yeon’s phone through Sil-an.
Strictly speaking, this wasn’t an official portrait but their first “couple photo,” just as the girl had said.
He really is handsome.
And standing beside him, she didn’t look bad either.
On screen, the two of them looked so affectionate it was hard to believe they were in a contract marriage.
Yeon’s lips twitched upward in quiet satisfaction.
As she stared at the screen for a long while, a shadow fell over her head.
“Is it thanks to the photographer, or because the subjects look good?”
Yeon jolted, like a schoolgirl caught secretly staring at the photo of a crush.
“Are you bragging about being handsome, Kang Seo-jun?”
“No. I was saying you look beautiful, Lady Yeon.”
Her cheeks flushed pink.
She wanted to fire back with something sharp, but maybe because his scent was too strong, or maybe because he was too close—her mind went blank.
Looking down at her, Seo-jun murmured,
“We suit each other well. I’d believe it if someone said we were really married.”
How could his thoughts mirror her own so perfectly?
Her eyes dropped back to the phone screen.
He was right.
With her smiling genuinely and him gazing at her so tenderly, they looked nothing like a fake couple.
The banquet ended.
“You’ve worked hard, Your Highness.”
Sil-an consoled Yeon, who must have been exhausted from smiling so much.
“Our team worked harder than me.”
Yeon turned to encourage her entourage.
“We’re flying back the morning after tomorrow. Did you all get to see Prague?”
Their awkward smiles made it clear—they’d only trailed after Yeon or holed up in their rooms.
“Since Seo-jun and I will stay quietly at the hotel, you all should enjoy Prague tomorrow.”
“That won’t do.”
Sil-an and Oh, the eunuch, immediately objected.
The attendants nodded in agreement.
Clearly, Sil-an had chosen only the most loyal people.
Rejecting vacation time, even.
“So, you’re all just asking for a tourism bonus, huh?”
When Yeon teased them, Sil-an frowned.
“If you’re really worried, then only Chief Sung and Mr. Oh should stay. The rest of you get the day off. You all know my orders outrank Chief Sung’s, don’t you?”
Who could defy a princess telling them to rest?
“Chief Sung, prepare the bonus envelopes.”
“Your Highness, that’s…”
“I told you, I’ll stay in the hotel. Isn’t that right, Seo-jun?”
To him, it wasn’t exactly a welcome suggestion.
Since their first night, Yeon had been weighing heavily on his mind.
Her lips, her soft skin—everything about her stirred his desire.
That’s why, all through this honeymoon, he had avoided being alone with her whenever possible.
Except in dire moments, like when they met Jang-mi.
But tomorrow, she wanted to hole up in the hotel, just the two of them?
All day?
A test of patience.
He expected hardship but understood her reasoning—caring for the attendants.
Had he brought staff from his parliamentary office, he would’ve done the same.
“Yes.”
His short reply made Yeon beam.
“In that case, I’d like to take a walk tonight, just the two of us.”
“Not without guards.”
Oh cut her off firmly.
He was usually soft on Yeon, but never when it came to safety.
Her cheeks puffed slightly—only Seo-jun noticed.
“If that’s too much, what about just inside the hotel, Mr. Oh?”
Oh glanced at Sil-an. A silent exchange, then both agreed to compromise.
They considered how stifling it must be for a honeymoon couple shadowed everywhere by guards.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not allowed, but inside the secured hotel grounds, fine.”
“What do you think, Seo-jun? Sounds good, right?”
She looked up at him, clear eyes pressing for a quick answer.
It was as if bunny ears and a tail might pop out at any moment.
Who could resist that look?
“All right. But you must never leave my side.”
“Of course.”
She answered brightly, climbing into the car.
As soon as they arrived in the hotel lobby, Yeon clasped his hand tightly.
“As I said, we’ll walk in on our own, so everyone, please rest.”
Sil-an dismissed the guards and attendants to their rooms.
She and Oh stayed behind.
“Aren’t you going up, Chief Sung?”
Yeon asked, but Sil-an pointed to the café overlooking the garden.
“I’ll have a coffee.”
“At night?”
Normally, Sil-an avoided caffeine after two in the afternoon.
Clearly, she was only making an excuse to stay nearby out of worry.
Yeon pulled out a card.
“Not a royal card, mine. Order whatever you want, both of you.”
“Thank you.”
Sil-an accepted the card, and Yeon turned away light-heartedly.
She practically skipped out the hotel doors, dancing as if she had wings.
Amused, Seo-jun asked,
“Were you that stifled?”
“A little.”
Because they were abroad, security was even tighter than back home. Except inside her room, guards always shadowed her.
Even then, they stood right outside her door, which was stifling enough.
And with Seo-jun near…
Even breathing made her self-conscious.
Whenever she had a moment of stillness, her mind returned to that first night—
The heat through her thin robe, his eyes clouded with desire…
Trapped in that memory, she cleared her throat and walked ahead quickly.
“Lady Yeon, wait. You promised not to let go.”
His large hand caught hers again.
She relented, walking at his side.
The day’s heat had faded with the sun, the night air cool.
Every time his shoulder brushed hers, a shiver ran through her.
“Are you cold?”
Before she could answer, Seo-jun draped his jacket over her shoulders. His warmth wrapped around her.
“…This is nice.”
“Yes. The hotel must have invested a lot in the garden landscaping.”
Idiot, she scolded him inwardly.
What she meant was this moment, walking with him, and his gentle care.
He was usually so perceptive, yet sometimes clueless like this.
Well, the garden is beautiful, though.
Antique lamps, like old gaslights, cast a glow over the hedges.
Leaves glittered like stars in the light.
The breeze stirred blossoms, late roses perfuming the night air.
The mingling of fragrance and damp earth was perfect.
The two were drawn into the serene atmosphere.
No awkward silences, no prying eyes—just peaceful walking together.
Yeon’s lips carried a constant smile.
Then suddenly—
“Ahhh!”
An elderly woman walking ahead cried out and collapsed.
It happened in an instant.
Before anyone could stop her, Yeon dropped Seo-jun’s hand and ran forward.
“Are you all right, ma’am?”
She crouched, holding the old woman’s shoulders.
The white-haired woman trembled violently.
“Can you stand?”
As Yeon tried to help her up, Seo-jun seized her wrist.
“I’ll do it.”
He pulled Yeon back firmly.
In that very instant, the old woman leapt up, a blade flashing in her hand as she lunged.
“Yeon!”
