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Chapter 64
“Who said you could carry me? You said you’d carry me, Kang Seo-jun.”
“Yes, I said I’d carry you. So I am carrying you. So just be quiet.”
Even experienced police officers would struggle to lose a trained bodyguard. And Yeon’s bodyguards were elite.
Seo-jun had chosen a method that was less taxing for Yeon, even if it took longer to evade the guards, considering her well-being. Yet, for Yeon, it was physically exhausting to the point that her neck could have made metallic sounds from the strain.
She hadn’t collapsed midway—what a relief.
“You’ve surprised me several times today.”
He admired her determination to keep up despite how tiring it was. And seeing her flushed and breathing heavily from sweat made her even more endearing.
And those eyes that shone even in exhaustion—how could he not be captivated?
With each passing moment, Yeon looked more beautiful, and it was becoming overwhelming.
“Let’s stop near the pub, and I’ll put you down.”
Yeon rested her head on Seo-jun’s shoulder.
Honestly, she didn’t even have the strength to stand, so being carried was purely enjoyable for her.
But then she felt a twinge of frustration.
They had been running together, yet Seo-jun seemed so energetic while she flopped around like soaked seaweed, which annoyed her.
And not just that—why is his body so perfect?
Yeon jabbed Seo-jun’s shoulder with her finger. Her finger bounced off his solid muscle.
“Strong body, good stamina… must be nice being a man.”
“Why envy that? The man with a strong body and good stamina is also His Highness’s husband.”
Yeon froze. Sometimes, Seo-jun’s offhand remarks would shake her heart.
This wasn’t a good thing…
Yeon opened her mouth to say something.
“Use it as much as you want.”
Once again, he struck deep into her heart. Blushing, Yeon turned away, hidden from Seo-jun’s sight.
“He speaks too well.”
They say a word can pay off a debt of a thousand nyang, but Seo-jun could repay ten thousand nyang with just a word.
Gradually, her previously defensive heart softened.
Yeon rested her cheek against Seo-jun’s shoulder.
As promised, Seo-jun put Yeon down near the pub, with exactly three minutes left until their scheduled time.
“Did you reveal the princess’s identity to Jang-mi?”
“No.”
“Then the conversation won’t be easy.”
Yeon had anticipated this.
With his straight gaze, Seo-jun opened the pub door.
Inside, Jang-mi sat alone. Yeon had reserved the entire pub for today.
Her eyes narrowed when she saw Yeon, then widened instantly.
“P-Princess? Get away! Don’t come near me!”
Jang-mi’s reaction was far more intense than expected.
Recognizing Yeon, Jang-mi grabbed any decoration she could reach and threw it.
Seo-jun clicked his tongue and shielded Yeon behind him.
“Stay still.”
He whispered to Yeon, then approached Jang-mi.
“Don’t come! I said don’t come! Move! Aah!”
Seo-jun easily deflected the flying decorations and subdued Jang-mi.
He moved her away from Yeon and warned,
“Let’s not do anything dangerous. If the princess gets hurt, it won’t be good for you either.”
His voice, lowered to a whisper, sounded more like a threat than a warning.
Don’t touch Yeon.
Somewhat calmer, Jang-mi nodded while tears streamed down her face.
Seo-jun finally stepped back and stood beside Yeon.
“Why are you acting like this toward me? Ugh… I survived quietly, and you…”
Jang-mi slumped to the floor.
“I’m sorry, Jang-mi. I had to hide my identity, even knowing it would surprise you. If you knew I was the princess, I thought you’d avoid me.”
Yeon cautiously comforted her.
“Why… why did you contact me? Did Crown Prince send you?”
Jang-mi, pale as a sheet, shivered.
“No, Jang-mi. It’s not that. Just give me ten minutes. After that, I’ll let you go however you want. So can you spend just ten minutes talking seriously with me?”
Her eyes were full of distrust.
“I know it’s hard to trust me. You were probably monitored after leaving the palace, right? You came to Prague to escape that. I’ll make sure it never happens again.”
Despite Yeon’s persuasion, Jang-mi’s cautious gaze didn’t waver.
“I can give you everything you need, Jang-mi.”
“Money?”
Jang-mi scoffed.
“No. Money isn’t what you need most. Safety. I’ll guarantee your safety.”
“Don’t lie!”
Jang-mi was furious.
“The royal family made me like this. And now the princess says she’ll protect me? How can I believe that!”
Yeon waited patiently for Jang-mi to vent her anger.
Then she made a decisive move.
“You know Yoo Seo-yeon, right?”
Jang-mi’s pupils trembled.
“I’m protecting Yoo Seo-yeon.”
“That’s… a lie, right?”
“Try to believe me.”
“If I can’t?”
“Then it can’t be helped. I’ll let you go, and wait for you to contact me again.”
“You’re just letting me go?”
Jang-mi looked at Seo-jun, who had positioned himself at the door.
“Seo-jun, step aside.”
He frowned but eventually moved to the side.
Jang-mi, staring at the door, gradually lost her tension.
“Just ten minutes.”
“Let’s sit and talk.”
Yeon set the chair back for her. Hesitant, Jang-mi sat, and the conversation officially began.
“Jang-mi, why did you quit your work at the royal palace?”
“Didn’t you already know?”
Jang-mi’s eyes widened as they scanned Yeon’s face.
Yeon gave her the gentlest smile she could.
“No. I just found it strange that you suddenly quit. I don’t know the details.”
Seo-jun crossed his arms, frowning slightly.
Normally, pressure tactics are used to force a confession, but Yeon was taking the exact opposite approach.
Yeon held Jang-mi’s hand, warming her thin, cold hand with her own.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll never know. The world won’t either. What I do know is that you were wronged, and if you stay silent… it’ll be dangerous for life.”
“Even if I tell what happened, it’s still dangerous.”
“No. If you speak, things will be different. I’ll help you.”
“How can I trust the princess? The royal family… the royal family I know…!”
Frustrated, Jang-mi pulled her hand away. Tears quickly filled her previously dry eyes.
“…The royal family lies.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Yeon, contemplating how to earn her trust, spoke.
“Do you want to talk to Yoo Seo-yeon? You seemed close back then, right?”
She mentioned Yoo Seo-yeon because both had entered the palace at the same time.
“The princess… really doesn’t know anything?”
Jang-mi’s gaze trembled violently, probing Yeon.
The conflict of doubt and trust was evident in her eyes.
After a moment, Jang-mi bowed her head.
“…Please tell me about Seo-yeon.”
Jang-mi decided to trust Yeon.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
“Can I talk to Seo-yeon?”
Her voice rose a tone.
Yeon glanced at Seo-jun.
“Seo-jun, can we call her?”
“Are you talking about Yoo Seo-yeon?”
“Yes.”
Seo-jun raised his phone.
“I’ll check.”
A short while later, Jang-mi called Seo-yeon and cried uncontrollably.
“Hoo… Seo-yeon… You’re alive. Live well. Fight to survive. I… I’m… sorry. When I go to Korea, I’ll definitely visit you.”
Yeon handed Jang-mi tissues after the call.
“I’m sorry for losing control like that.”
Jang-mi wiped her tears and nose.
Yeon checked the time. The promised ten minutes had already passed while Jang-mi was on the phone.
“Do you feel like trusting me?”
Jang-mi swallowed and nodded.
“Seo-yeon and I were assigned to the East Wing as soon as we entered the palace. At first, it was great. We weren’t doing menial tasks; in Joseon terms, we were like palace maids with higher status. But… that was the start of the tragedy.”
