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Chapter 28
Rowen smiled awkwardly and told her to take care of herself until they met again next time, then left the herbal shop.
After that, he headed to the inn where the knights were staying.
Coincidentally, he didn’t even need to go inside—the knights were already outside.
“Your Highness… no, Lord Rowengrin, you’re here?”
“We will leave tomorrow. Prepare accordingly.”
“Yes, understood.”
Despite the sudden announcement, the knights did not panic and bowed their heads.
Rowen no longer had any desire to stay here, so he left the village.
While Rowen went to the village, Joohee headed into the forest with Mel.
She felt like she should say goodbye to the forest as well.
As they entered, a breeze blew through the trees, making the leaves rustle softly.
“…I’m leaving this place tomorrow.”
At that, a leaf fell from the tree beside Joohee.
It almost looked like it was crying.
“Please take care of Mel until I come back later.”
—Waaahhh!
Mel suddenly burst into loud tears again.
Joohee awkwardly tried to soothe him.
“Mel, I told you already, I’ll definitely come back later.”
—But… but…!
Sniffling loudly, Mel shouted that it was all because of the villagers.
“Stop crying and calm down.”
—Hic…
Finally calming down, Mel sniffled and perched on Joohee’s shoulder.
—You won’t forget me when you follow Rowen, right?
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
After wandering through the forest as if saying farewell, Joohee returned home late—and Rowen was waiting.
“Joohee!”
“You’re back early.”
Behind his bright smile, she almost thought she saw a wagging puppy tail.
But she kept her mouth shut, knowing it would be rude to say that.
Since Joohee had decided to follow him, Rowen seemed especially excited lately.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Before you came here… was there any sign from the temple?”
“…The temple?”
Joohee nodded.
Rowen frowned and shook his head.
“No. Rather, I should be the one asking you…”
“…?”
“Why do you keep bringing up the temple? Earlier you asked if someone appeared, and now you’re asking if there were signs.”
“…”
Joohee’s eyes shifted slightly.
But she couldn’t say that a saint would soon appear at the temple—and that the saint would become Rowen’s lover.
So she improvised.
“I’ve just been dreaming about the temple a lot…”
“Hmm…”
“So I just wanted to ask. If nothing’s happening, then it’s fine.”
Joohee stood up.
For some reason, things were already starting to go off-track.
Rowen, who she expected to question her further, said nothing.
“Is that all you’re packing?”
“Yes. I don’t really have anything to bring.”
She shrugged.
Rowen told her to pack more just in case, but she truly had nothing.
Tomorrow they would leave early, so they decided to sleep sooner than usual.
—Joohee… take care of yourself there. Okay? Don’t get hurt or sick!
“Okay.”
She sounded like a mother worrying about her daughter leaving for work far away.
—When you come back later, tell me what temple life is like. I’ve never left this forest, so I’m really curious.
“Alright. I’ll tell you everything.”
After chatting a bit more, Mel eventually went quiet—apparently falling asleep mid-conversation.
Joohee also closed her eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily.
She turned over and glanced downward.
Rowen was sleeping on the floor, seemingly comfortable.
She stared at his face for a moment, then closed her eyes again.
As soon as her eyes shut, Rowen slowly opened his.
He stared at her silently.
His hand twitched as he looked at her hair spilling over the bed edge.
He wanted to hold it in his hands.
But Joohee was sensitive—she would wake instantly if he moved even slightly.
So he stayed still.
‘Yes. She’s mine anyway.’
He had been born a prince and became emperor.
There had been nothing he couldn’t have his entire life.
It wasn’t that Joohee was an object—but he was not generous enough to watch her go to someone else with open eyes.
Once they returned to the palace, he would keep her by his side and only look at her.
Rowen smiled faintly and closed his eyes again.
Early the next morning, Joohee and Rowen prepared to head to the capital.
After washing up and dressing warmly, they packed their bags.
—Joohee…
“Take care, Mel.”
—Ugh…
Mel was clearly holding back tears.
Joohee gave a faint smile and kissed Mel lightly on the forehead.
That only triggered him—Mel burst into tears.
—You promised… promised you’d come back!
“Yes, I promise.”
Lu and Ro had already arrived.
After saying goodbye to Mel, Joohee climbed onto Ro’s back.
Rowen mounted Lu as well, and they headed toward the village entrance.
At the gate, the knights from before were waiting with their horses.
They flinched at the sight of the giant wolves but did not draw their swords.
Instead, they looked at Joohee with intense curiosity.
“Um, Lord Rowengrin. Who is this person?”
One knight cautiously raised a hand.
Rowen glanced at him coldly without answering.
The knight flinched and quickly bowed.
“Sorry!”
Rowen gave a short nod and mounted his horse.
The knights looked at Joohee riding a wolf as if witnessing something unbelievable.
Rowen shot them a sharp look again, and they quickly turned away.
“Ro, please tell Mel I left safely.”
Joohee said this just before leaving.
Ro barked once in understanding, licked her cheek, then ran off.
She watched him disappear, then patted Lu’s head.
“Take care of me on the way to the capital, Lu.”
And so, Joohee left the forest behind.
The journey to the capital was not particularly difficult.
However, as the weather grew colder, they could not sleep outdoors and had to stop at villages when night fell.
“Joohee, there’s a village a little ahead.”
“Yes.”
She nodded and pulled her hood tighter.
Riding Lu in the cold wind was freezing.
Rowen looked constantly worried that she might catch a cold.
“It’s quite cold, right? It’ll be warmer as we get closer to the capital, so don’t worry.”
“It’s chilly, but manageable.”
Joohee said firmly.
Rowen looked momentarily disappointed, then quickly hid it and smiled.
“But the palace isn’t cold at all, so you won’t get sick there.”
“That’s good.”
She answered casually.
Lights from a village soon came into view.
They stopped at the entrance and dismounted.
Since Lu couldn’t stay inside the inn, he was taken to the stable with the other horses.
Joohee entered the inn, took off her heavy cloak, and prepared to bathe.
She wanted to warm her frozen body quickly.
She filled a wooden tub with warm water, placed her clothes neatly aside, and stepped in.
“…So warm.”
Her body relaxed instantly.
Soon she would reach the capital.
She had never been there before, so she was excited—but also a little uneasy.
Still, it was her choice, so she had no regrets.
She closed her eyes and went to sleep early.
After passing through several more villages, they finally reached the capital.
And the palace was thrown into chaos.
The cause was the mysterious woman Rowen had brought with him.
The Empress Dowager, Laviole, who had been troubled by Rowen suddenly leaving the palace, smiled upon hearing his return—then frowned.
“Who did you say he brought?”
“A lady of unknown identity. Someone we have never seen before.”
At those words, Laviole stood up abruptly.
“I will go see her myself immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The head maid stepped back.
Rowen had suddenly left the palace and returned with an unknown woman.
Laviole began to suspect that his sudden departure had been to fetch her.
She needed to see for herself whether the maid’s words were true.
When Laviole suddenly arrived at the emperor’s palace, the chief attendant was startled and rushed to inform Rowen.
“Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager has arrived!”
“…Mother?”
Rowen frowned and handed his coat to a maid.
Then he sighed lightly.
“I will change my clothes. Escort Her Majesty to the reception room.”
“Yes, understood.”
Rowen clicked his tongue quietly while changing.
It was obvious—she had come because she heard he brought Joohee.
After changing, he did not head to the reception room where Laviole was waiting.
Instead, he went to the room next to it.
He knocked on the door.
“Joohee, may I come in?”
The maid standing nearby held her breath.
The emperor… speaking so politely to a woman?
She glanced at Rowen.
A faint smile was on his lips.
Startled, she quickly looked down again.
She swore she had never once seen that gentle expression since being assigned to the emperor’s palace.
A moment later, the door clicked open.
