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Chapter 72
“Didn’t you just part ways an hour ago? Already missing him?”
“It’s not that… I just feel bad leaving someone who’s hurt alone.”
Yeon shook her head, her earlobes flushed pink.
“So, what’s Kang Seo-jun up to?”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
Sil-an pointed to Yeon’s phone.
She desperately wanted to, but the argument she’d had with Seo-jun before departure still lingered in her mind.
“I’ll go too.”
“No! Kang Seo-jun, you’re a patient right now!”
“Are you really going to leave me here alone? While I’m hurt?”
Seo-jun even tried the sympathy tactic, but Yeon didn’t budge.
A long-distance flight was far too much for a man who had just regained consciousness after being stabbed.
Their stubbornness meant they hadn’t even said a proper goodbye.
“Just try it. I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from you.”
“Really?”
Hesitant, Yeon made the call.
The phone rang.
From the airplane?
Why was Arirang ringing… here?
It was Seo-jun’s ringtone that Yeon had mischievously set—it couldn’t be mistaken for anyone else’s.
Clutching her phone tightly, Yeon jumped to her feet.
“Kang Seo-jun?”
As Yeon muttered, the call connected.
“This is Kang Seo-jun.”
She was startled and annoyed, but also happy, and could only part her lips slightly.
Seo-jun strode across the plane.
Long, lean legs stretched as he approached, turning the cabin into his personal runway.
Though he wore a light T-shirt and comfortable pants, conscious of his patient status, Seo-jun was still Seo-jun.
Closing the distance between them in an instant, he stopped in front of her.
“Hello.”
“…How did you come here?”
“You probably don’t want to hear that I came by car. I couldn’t stand not seeing my wife. Mind if I sit? I felt a bit tense thinking I might get caught, and it made my stomach tighten.”
Yeon opened her mouth to reply just as…
“—We’re preparing for takeoff. Please be seated and fasten your seatbelts…”
The captain’s announcement made her close her mouth.
Seo-jun raised an eyebrow.
With a brazen look asking what she was going to do now that the plane was about to depart, Yeon sighed deeply.
“Sit first.”
Even though other seats were available, Seo-jun deliberately sat right next to Yeon. It was different from how he had acted at the start of their honeymoon.
“You saw a doctor, right?”
Yeon brought up the most pressing concern first. There was no way she could have him get off the plane.
“Yes. The doctor said that since it’s a seated flight, there won’t be any problems.”
In fact, Seo-jun had persuaded the doctor himself. He emphasized multiple times that, with medical personnel on board in case of emergencies, allowing him to return home would not endanger him.
“Isn’t your doctor a quack? How can they permit a long-distance flight just a few days after surgery? This is a lawsuit waiting to happen!”
“Have some respect and trust for the expert. If this were the Korean Empire, your comment could have caused trouble.”
“Kang Seo-jun!”
Yeon glared at him.
“Your Highness, I’m simply fulfilling my duty as your official.”
Seo-jun suddenly leaned closer, speaking quietly into her ear.
“I’m your shield and your sword. If we have a contract, use it.”
Seo-jun couldn’t allow Yeon to enter the country alone.
If she went alone, the media would inevitably spin stories of discord between them, questioning his loyalty and devotion.
‘The Crown Prince would be upset by the public opinion,’ he thought.
Her safety was also a concern.
‘The person who sent the hitmen to the Czech Republic could do the same anywhere, even in Gyeongbokgung.’
While Korea was safer than the Czech Republic, he preferred to keep her within sight.
Yeon’s eyes shimmered.
“I got stabbed because of you, and now I’m returning home hurt… and that’s what they’ll say?”
“It’s not just for you. This is something I need to do. I don’t want the Crown Prince’s power to grow unchecked. But I do have one request.”
To ease Yeon’s guilt, Seo-jun framed what he intended to do after returning as a request.
“Please hire our clinic staff as royal appointees.”
“Sure.”
Yeon agreed readily. She had already been planning to do this quietly after their honeymoon.
“You’ll be working independently too, so you’ll need reliable people… so that once we return, you can meet them immediately.”
“Can we hire them now? There’s something urgent they need to do.”
They needed accurate information on political movements and to create circumstances preventing the Crown Prince from making decisions on behalf of the Emperor.
Seo-jun’s aides, experienced in politics, were the perfect fit.
“We’ll hire them immediately. I can do it, even if Seo-jun can’t yet.”
Yeon had the authority to hire staff instantly. Though she had never used this power in such a rush.
She contacted the royal personnel office immediately.
“They’ll get the hire notice in five minutes. If they accept, work can start immediately.”
The employment contracts would be electronic, making the process simple.
Even if negotiations were requested, it wouldn’t be a problem—Yeon had already offered exceptionally favorable terms, including double the salary of a normal aide.
“Thanks. I’ll get some sleep now.”
“Alright, sleep well…”
Yeon paused mid-greeting.
Right! She and Kang Seo-jun had been fighting!
She had to warn him not to startle anyone and question who had helped him—but…
Seo-jun had already fallen asleep, breathing softly.
She couldn’t wake a hurt person…
Yeon glared at him.
Completely at Seo-jun’s mercy.
“You sly fox. Just try being sick—I won’t let it slide!”
Even in sleep, the corner of Seo-jun’s mouth curved upward.
“So scary,” he murmured lightly, which infuriated Yeon further.
‘Why am I the only one worrying?’
Yeon tapped his shoulder, using only a soft, barely clenched fist.
Contrary to Yeon’s worries, Seo-jun was able to rest well on the plane.
He chose to sleep after taking painkillers, and by the time they landed, he felt considerably better.
“Are you okay?”
Yeon checked on him as they prepared to disembark.
“As you can see.”
His skin was smooth, eyes bright, lips rosy.
Yeon looked at him unsatisfied before turning away.
As the plane door opened, her expression changed.
The cute, lovable, protective side of Yeon was gone. She now exuded confidence, dignity, and a strong, warrior-like presence.
Seo-jun followed a step behind her.
On the way to the arrivals hall, the eunuch hurried up and reported.
“His Majesty the Emperor has regained consciousness.”
Yeon didn’t stop walking, only closing and opening her eyes deeply.
“However, the Emperor’s medical records have leaked. We’ve placed an embargo on the press, but holding it indefinitely seems difficult…”
The Emperor had pancreatic cancer—a difficult-to-treat illness with poor prognosis.
If the news of his terminal condition spread, it would cause a frenzy.
“Block it as much as you can.”
“Political circles are already aware.”
Tapping on his phone, Seo-jun clicked his tongue.
“Some lawmakers have already entered the Crown Prince’s palace.”
Politicians were already cozying up to the future heir.
“They’ll use those lawmakers to push for regency and abdication. What do you think, Seo-jun?”
Yeon could see the Crown Prince’s plan clearly.
Seo-jun nodded in agreement, and Sil-an added,
“If things continue this way, it will go according to the Crown Prince’s plan.”
They needed to put a brake on the Crown Prince—one that even the royal family and relatives could accept.
As Yeon pondered, a brilliant idea suddenly struck her.
