Chapter 22
Seojun and Yeon headed toward the parking lot.
Up until they were in front of Gyotaejeon, Yeon had been the one pulling Seojun along, but at some point, he started leading her instead.
Though she had many questions, Seojun didn’t pry. Yeon knew that was his way of being considerate.
Thinking about what Seojun had endured these past few days, she felt embarrassed.
The Emperor’s baseless opposition to the marriage, the Empress Dowager Oh’s unreasonable nitpicking, and even the Crown Prince’s disgraceful behavior.
The royal family’s sense of entitlement, their superiority complex, and the Crown Prince’s abnormal conduct…
She had inadvertently exposed the ugly side of the imperial household to Seojun.
He was bound to find out eventually, but the timing was much too early.
What if Seojun suddenly decided he didn’t want to marry her and ran away?
Should I just abduct him if it comes to that?
Having been born and raised within the palace, Yeon’s thoughts sometimes drifted toward the archaic and absurd.
Just then, Seojun’s voice broke through her wandering thoughts.
“Do you have time?”
“Yes.”
“Weren’t you supposed to have some business at Gyeongbokgung?”
“Oh, I was actually on my way to meet you.”
Surprised by the answer, Seojun stopped in his tracks and glanced at her, tilting his head slightly to the left.
“I heard His Majesty called you in. I thought you might be walking away with an envelope of cash or something.”
“Do you think I’m acting in a soap opera? Unfortunately, no envelope of money for me. As you can see, I didn’t even get water thrown in my face.”
“Judging by how neat your clothes are, it seems His Majesty managed to keep his composure.”
“You really don’t have much faith in His Majesty, do you?”
Seojun’s joking words pierced Yeon’s conscience.
Her expression, which had softened, stiffened again. Seojun quickly added:
“I got His Majesty’s approval for our marriage.”
“Really?”
Yeon’s eyes widened, sparkling with joy and excitement.
It felt as if the first shovel had finally broken ground on a major construction project.
“Yes. He told me to prepare the paperwork properly.”
(Seojun conveniently erased from his memory the fact that the Emperor’s eye had twitched uncontrollably as he said it.)
“How did you do it? His Majesty is famously stubborn! How on earth did you persuade him? Tell me!”
Yeon bombarded him with questions.
Moments ago she had looked utterly lifeless, but now she was brimming with energy.
Brightness suited her far better, Seojun thought.
“That’s a secret.”
“I’m dying of curiosity. I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Which means you won’t either.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’ll have to stay up all night on the phone with me. We’re lovers, remember?”
She grabbed his hand and shook it playfully.
“So tell me, okay? Please? Seojun, Kang Seojun!”
With an expression that said no way, Seojun intertwined his fingers with hers and led her toward a parked car.
It was a luxury domestic-brand SUV.
“Enough talk. Get in. Since you said you have time, let’s go somewhere.”
He let go of her hand and opened the passenger door for her.
The moment his firm grip disappeared, she felt oddly empty—like taking off a glove.
She clenched and unclenched her fist repeatedly.
“Where are we going?”
“Would you refuse to get in if I didn’t tell you?”
“No. I’ll get in. We’ve got a lot to do. Since we’ve got the Emperor’s permission, we should start preparing the next step.”
Seojun nodded, and Yeon quickly climbed in.
“You know, I expected you to drive a foreign car. This is domestic.”
Starting the engine, Seojun replied,
“Politicians shouldn’t drive imported cars.”
“Afraid you’ll lose political donations?”
“Money isn’t that important.”
Seojun had inherited a considerable fortune from his late grandfather.
With it, he invested in foreign startups and made a massive profit.
Thanks to that, he’d had the confidence to quit the police force, and when he entered politics, he could take his own independent path rather than follow in Kang Baesim’s footsteps.
He didn’t even need political donations to pursue his vision.
“For a politician, image is what really matters. I mostly use Korean products.”
“Wow, so you’re already a man prepared to be the head of state.”
His car smoothly exited Gyeongbokgung.
As he drove, he listened attentively to Yeon’s chatter.
“The royal family is banned from using imported goods, too. Patriotism is basically our main selling point. Though it’s relaxed a bit these days. When I was a kid, even foreign fruit was banned. Not anymore. Things are looser now. You should consider it heaven’s blessing that you’re entering the royal family in this era.”
Yeon went on and on about palace life, while Seojun occasionally chimed in with questions or agreement, encouraging her to talk freely.
“So… where exactly are we going?”
Just as they were about to arrive, Yeon finally asked the right question.
“Here.”
The car glided into a popular park—a favorite dating spot for young couples.
Watching him park, Yeon clicked her tongue.
“You brought me here just to take a walk?”
They had mountains of things to do, and he wanted to waste time here?
Thinking back to the tantrum she’d seen earlier at Gyotaejeon, Yeon felt an even stronger urge to secure her position quickly by marrying Seojun.
“We don’t have time for leisurely strolls.”
“I know. We’ve got His Majesty’s approval, so now we just need to push forward and make it happen. That’s why we’re here. But… aren’t you going to unbuckle your seatbelt?”
Already out of the driver’s seat, Seojun was looking back at her.
His confident expression reassured her—but also made her uneasy.
What on earth is he planning?
“If you don’t want to, fine.”
“Should we go back then?”
With a soft, melting smile, he leaned in suddenly.
“No. I’ll do it for you.”
Startled, Yeon turned toward him. But his upper body moved faster than her words.
“I’m fine—mmph!”
Her flustered movement resulted in their lips colliding.
Soft. Smooth.
Both Seojun and Yeon inhaled sharply.
Her big eyes doubled in size, while his normally calm gaze shook like a storm.
At such close distance, they could clearly see each other’s turmoil.
Seojun recovered first, feigning nonchalance as he pressed the seatbelt release.
Click. The sound seemed to signal the end as he slowly leaned back.
He rubbed his lips with his thumb, still shaken by the accidental kiss.
A desire to linger in that sweet dizziness welled up inside him.
“Uh…”
But an odd little groan interrupted.
Yeon had slapped her back against the window, hand over her lips, her large eyes darting in panic.
“An… accident.”
Before Seojun could respond, she had already given their brief kiss a label.
His gaze grew crooked.
It hadn’t been intentional, but considering their contract and their inevitable relationship, it was something to be welcomed.
Yet Yeon was acting as if she’d committed some terrible mistake.
Her cheeks were flushed like spring cherry blossoms.
“W-we should… take that walk now.”
When Seojun just stared, she swallowed hard and hurried out of the car.
Watching her flee like that made him want to chase her down.
He quickly got out and caught up to her.
Walking beside her, who marched ahead like she was on a mission, he said:
“I’m not going to apologize.”
“Ap-apologize? For w-what?”
Stammering, Yeon frowned and turned her head.
Why on earth am I so rattled over a kiss?
Back when she worked abroad as a journalist, men would casually kiss her on the cheek in greeting.
She had accepted it easily—even while reading or editing articles.
That kind of skinship had meant nothing.
But kissing Seojun was different.
His lips were soft and fluffy, like whipped cream, or frothy milk.
Warm, sweet, and somehow… sugary.
Wait, what am I thinking? I haven’t even tasted it, so how can I say it’s sugary?
She shook her head vigorously.
Watching her, Seojun chuckled quietly.
She glanced at him. His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.
So he’s totally fine, huh?
That stung. It felt unfair. But she had no chance to voice her grievance.
“Let’s sit over there.”
Seojun casually pulled her arm and guided her to a bench.
Then he pointed toward another bench across the way.
“Do you recognize that person?”
