Chapter 27
When Yeon and Seojun appeared in front of the Gyeongbokgung archives, the gatekeeper approached.
“Your Highness the Princess, you’ve come.”
“You’ve worked hard. There’s some material I’d like to see. May I go in?”
“If you tell me what you’re looking for, I’ll have an attendant bring it to you from Changdeokgung.”
“There’s no need for that. Why trouble others because of me? Just pretend you didn’t see me coming here.”
Yeon wrinkled her nose playfully, and the gatekeeper’s cheeks flushed red.
Watching from the side, Seojun’s eyes sharpened.
This woman even wastes her talent just to open an archive.
That talent being her beauty.
Should she really be throwing around such a secret weapon so carelessly?
Seojun pulled his disapproving gaze away from her.
At that moment, he happened to lock eyes with the gatekeeper who was sneaking glances at him.
“And who might you be?”
“He’s an acquaintance of mine.”
Seojun briefly wondered if he should’ve worn something like a lawmaker’s badge to look more official, but before he could dwell on it, Yeon stepped in.
“An acquaintance?”
Seojun tilted his head slightly.
Covering her mouth with her hand, Yeon whispered quickly,
“Nothing good will come from explaining in detail.”
Before Seojun could argue further, she addressed the gatekeeper.
“He’s here to help me look for records, and I’ll vouch for his identity. Open the door.”
The gatekeeper’s eyes darted anxiously.
Normally, outsiders needed official passes issued by the administration to enter the archives.
But with the princess herself giving her word, he had no choice but to comply.
Deciding he would leave a record of the entry and report it afterward, the gatekeeper stepped aside.
“If any problem arises, I’ll take responsibility. Don’t worry.”
Yeon smiled brightly and walked ahead.
Seojun gave the gatekeeper a curt nod and followed.
“What year’s records do you want to see?”
Since they were tracing back to the year Ji-young had disappeared, they intended to start exactly twelve years ago.
“20XX.”
“I figured as much. Follow me.”
Yeon moved as though she’d been here many times before.
She bypassed the traditional sliding paper doors secured with advanced locks and entered the maze of shelves within the archive.
Everything was neatly organized, but the faint smell of dust and the mustiness of old paper lingered in the air.
Clearly, this was a place rarely visited.
“The records are organized well by year.”
Seojun glanced at the signs sticking out from the shelves.
“This way.”
Yeon seemed perfectly familiar with the place.
Without even checking the signs, she led him straight to the shelves holding documents from twelve years ago.
“Here.”
Seojun frowned.
The shelves were crammed full of records, making him feel stifled.
They were arranged by department: the advisory body Jungchuwon had the most, followed by the Finance Ministry (Takjibu).
But what Seojun wanted were the records of the Internal Bureau, which managed the appointments of palace women.
“You’re after the Internal Bureau’s records, right? Here.”
Yeon pulled out a file from between Jungchuwon’s stacks. On its cover were the words “Court Ladies’ Personnel Records.” Definitely the Internal Bureau’s documents.
Receiving the file almost by reflex, Seojun asked,
“Why would Internal Bureau records be here?”
“They’re usually up there, at the top.”
Yeon pointed to shelves that nearly touched the ceiling.
“But since I figured I’d need them often, I moved them down here.”
That meant she, too, had reason to look through these records.
And likely the same reason as him.
‘Our princess really adores me. Last time she even asked if she could call me “unnie”!’
The voice of Ji-young, speaking excitedly, echoed in his memory.
So… we’ve both been missing the same person.
Realizing that made his chest tingle strangely.
And imagining Yeon straining to pull documents down from those high shelves made him chuckle.
“Let’s take a look, then put it back in its place.”
“But that’ll just make it inconvenient to take out again.”
As Yeon turned to search for more documents, Seojun suddenly stepped closer.
“Then I’ll do it.”
His shadow and warmth fell over her.
Standing right behind, Seojun stretched his long arm above her head and gripped the shelf holding the Internal Bureau’s records.
Yeon swallowed hard.
Whether it was his low voice or the silence of the archives, she felt nervous.
Lately, Seojun had been making physical contact more often.
And each time, her face grew hot and her heart raced.
Was he doing this on purpose, to tease her?
Seojun noticed her tension.
So close together, in the silence of the archive, there was no way he could miss it.
His gaze lingered on the pale line of her neck.
Moments like this really made him want to touch her…
But if she bolted, that would be troublesome.
There was still a mountain of records to sift through.
With a small grin, he said,
“I’ll get it down for you.”
“…Sorry?”
“I’m taller, so I’ll get it. Our princess is shorter than I thought.”
The tension instantly evaporated.
Yeon blinked rapidly.
“I am not short.”
She turned and shoved him lightly.
Seojun scanned her up and down, then compared the top of her head to his collarbone with his hand, muttering,
“Did you spend your growth years playing around?”
It was loud enough for her to hear. Yeon’s eyes widened.
“Oh, so that’s how you’re going to tease me? I am tall, you know!”
She glared at him, but Seojun burst out laughing.
“Of course. You’re tall, Your Highness. I’m just a little taller.”
She wanted to argue—different genders grow differently, and besides, she was taller than the national average!—but she held her tongue.
He wouldn’t be the type to feel attacked by such words anyway.
So instead, Yeon decided to take advantage of him.
“Then from now on, tall Mr. Kang Seojun will get all the things on high shelves for this small princess, right?”
“Fine.”
Leaning against another shelf, Seojun flipped through documents.
Yeon grinned slyly where he couldn’t see.
“Just wait. I’ll work you to the bone until your back aches.”
Resolute, she sat down beside him.
Seojun glanced at her lowered head and let out a soft sigh.
Then he caught her arm, pulled her up, and took off his jacket, spreading it over the spot she’d been about to sit on.
“The floor’s cold and dirty. Sit here.”
His gentle tone made her heart flutter.
A moment ago, he’d teased her mercilessly, and now he was being kind.
His rollercoaster of behavior was dizzying.
And yet, she didn’t dislike his kindness.
“I’ll have it washed and returned clean.”
“Good. I’ll get to see you again that way.”
Even in the dark, musty archive, the surroundings seemed to sparkle.
Her earlier resolution to work him hard was slowly weakening.
“I’m such an easy woman.”
If Seojun kept treating her this way, the thought of spending a lifetime with him didn’t seem so bad.
“I’m insane.”
Her thoughts had gotten ahead of her again. Yeon quickly shook her head.
“What is it? Something bothering you?” Seojun asked.
“What?”
“You shook your head.”
“How many eyes do you have? Weren’t you supposed to be reading the files?”
“I am. But don’t change the subject. If you’re really uncomfortable, go rest somewhere else. It’s not like I’m going to steal anything.”
In other words, she didn’t need to hover over him in fear of documents going missing.
“I’m not worried about you stealing, Mr. Kang Seojun, the man who knows the criminal code inside and out. I just have things I want to see too. So ignore me and keep working.”
“I already skimmed through it.”
“Already?”
“There’s not much here.”
Ji-young’s record was only two pages.
The first had her personal details, the second her appointment history.
Since her time in the palace had been so brief, the file was thin.
Nothing special—except for one thing that bothered him.
“She listed me as her emergency contact… So why wasn’t I notified immediately when she disappeared?”
