SMHER 01

Chapter 1 – Prologue: Why Must It Be You?

On a dark night lit only by a thin crescent moon—barely enough to distinguish shapes—Jaein ran desperately along the mountain path, her breath nearly suffocating as she forced herself onward again and again.

Damn it! Damn it all! At this rate I’ll be caught any moment.

Without even thinking to wipe the sweat dripping down her forehead, Jaein clenched her lips and quickened her pace.

Behind her, Crown Prince Lee Wan was pursuing closely.

I must not be discovered. If he sees me… he’ll be disappointed.

Her anxious heart pounded wildly, as though it might burst out of her chest.

It had already been five years since she began living as the great thief Hong Maehwa. She had faced countless dangers and strange situations during that time, yet she had always managed to keep her identity hidden and protect herself.

At least… until he personally stepped in.

“Ah!”

Startled by the sudden appearance of a cliff, Jaein stopped abruptly. A stone struck by the tip of her foot tumbled loudly down the precipice, revealing just how terrifyingly high it was.

If she fell, not even her bones would remain intact.

Looking down at the dizzying drop, Jaein let out a long sigh.

What should she do now?

A gust of wind from below the cliff swept up and scattered her hair in every direction.

At that moment, Wan appeared—as if he had caught up without her noticing.

“Today, I will uncover your identity no matter what.”

His sharply curved eyes, straight nose, and resolute lips were illuminated by the moonlight, making his handsome features even more striking.

Jaein squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before opening them again.

Lee Wan—the Crown Prince she loved.

The warmth that once filled his voice and gaze had vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness. Every word he spoke pierced her heart like icy needles.

How desperately she had wished for this day to never come.

What will become of us now…?

Standing motionless, unsure where to go, Jaein looked at Wan with trembling eyes.

If I had known it would end like this, I should have revealed my identity long ago and left you.

But regrets were useless.

A person’s heart was never something that could be controlled by sheer will.

Even if she had tried not to love him, it would have been impossible.

Another gust of wind struck, making her body sway slightly.

Breaking the tense silence where only their gazes clashed, Wan slowly drew his sword.

The great thief Hong Maehwa—the criminal he had been chasing under royal command for six months—stood before him.

Yet strangely, her figure did not feel unfamiliar.

Even though the long-pursued thief was finally within reach, he felt no joy.

“Surrender, and I will spare your life.”

As if sensing something, Wan urged surrender instead of immediately using force.

Shing—

Instead of answering, Jaein drew her own sword.

If there was even the slightest chance she could escape without revealing her identity, she was willing to gamble on that reckless hope.

“Your Highness, allow us to handle this.”

Jeong Hyeonseok of the Royal Guard stepped forward.

“Stand back. I will do it.”

“B-But, Your Highness…”

Joo Do-uk of the Left Guard tried to protest, but Wan silently raised his hand to stop him.

Do-uk could only swallow the rest of his words with a troubled sigh.

With the two guards watching anxiously, Wan and Jaein’s swords clashed.

Wan’s blade—powerful and sharp—met Jaein’s—swift and flexible. Their swords slid past each other in perfect precision as they exchanged several moves.

The battle dragged on longer than expected.

Before they realized it, stars had begun appearing across the night sky. The humid summer air carried the fresh scent of grass.

“You’re quite skilled. But I will stop holding back.”

Determination filled Wan’s eyes.

In the brief moment Jaein hesitated, his full-force attack began.

“Hah!”

Jaein quickly leaned back to evade his strike.

She thought she had avoided it—but his blade had reached deeper than she expected.

“Ah!”

With her short cry, the hair band securing her topknot was sliced cleanly by his sword.

Her hair spilled freely over her shoulders.

Damn it! Is my identity truly going to be exposed like this?

Feeling as though her blood were running backward, Jaein focused desperately on defense.

Wan could attack with all his strength because he still did not know who she was.

But Jaein was different.

She knew exactly who stood before her.

And so the only thing she could do… was defend.

Clenching her teeth, Jaein blocked Wan’s remarkable swordsmanship.

Then suddenly—

A powerful gust of wind blew through, making her face veil flutter violently.

So the headband wasn’t the only thing cut earlier!

Already weakened, the veil could not withstand the wind.

It tore apart and flew away.

The moment her bare face was revealed, Jaein trembled in despair.

As expected, Wan saw her face—and dropped his sword in shock.

“Y-You…?”

His voice broke before he could finish the sentence.

What could she possibly say?

Yes, I am the great thief Hong Maehwa?

Or perhaps—

I never meant to deceive you?

Unable to admit the truth or offer an excuse, Jaein simply stared at Wan.

She wanted to pretend she did not see the deep despair and betrayal in his eyes.

She did not want him to be hurt any further.

She wanted to raise her chin proudly and say something cruel instead.

But foolishly, tears welled up.

Foolishly, she could not utter a single word.

Her throat felt blocked, her chest suffocating as if she could not breathe.

Ah… how had they come to such a situation?

“Answer me! Are you truly Lady Min? Are you Min Jaein?!”

Wan shouted, his voice shaking with emotion.

She had been the first woman he ever loved.

A somewhat troublesome but special woman—so he once thought.

But gradually, the pure heart that seemed untouched by the world broke open the locked gates of his own heart.

Like rain falling upon parched land, she had quietly seeped into his life.

And now he was told she was Hong Maehwa?

That she had stood before him many times while pretending not to know him?

A hollow laugh escaped him.

Was this all a dream?

Had he fallen ill from heatstroke and was now trapped in some terrible hallucination?

Countless thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind.

“Say something!”

His desperate cry echoed through the dark mountains.

“Your Highness… I am sorry.”

Jaein forced the words out with great difficulty, clenching her fists to keep from crying.

“That is not what I wish to hear! Why? Why… why must it be you? Why you of all people?!”

Overcome with emotion, Wan strode forward and seized Jaein by the shoulders, shaking her.

Even as she was shaken by his grip, Jaein could think only of his wellbeing.

“Your Highness… please do not let personal feelings cloud your judgment. I ask that you act according to what you believe is right.”

Her voice sank into quiet despair.

At those words, the strength suddenly drained from Wan’s hands.

Just then—

Noise erupted nearby, and several flickering torches appeared in the distance.

“Damn it! Why now of all times!”

Wan’s face turned pale.

Hyeonseok quickly added,

“It seems soldiers from the Royal Investigation Bureau have followed us from the palace.”

The barking of hunting dogs and the glow of numerous torches were rapidly drawing closer.

“They must never learn this from the Left State Councillor. Do you understand?”

Wan spoke urgently.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Is there anywhere nearby to hide?”

“There is Sujong Temple just beside us.”

“We will go there. Handle the rest.”

Do-uk hesitated briefly before answering firmly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the guards began moving, Wan grabbed Jaein’s wrist.

“There’s no time. Hurry!”

“B-But, Your Highness…”

Ignoring her protest, Wan pulled her along toward Sujong Temple.

Upon entering the temple grounds, a wide view opened before them, and a cool river breeze swept through.

Aside from the main hall, the temple was dark and quiet, making it easy to hide.

After her identity had been exposed, Jaein felt completely drained.

Without resistance, she simply followed where Wan led.

Between two buildings was a narrow passage—an isolated corner hidden behind a stone pagoda.

Wan pulled her there.

Standing face-to-face in the cramped space, their bodies nearly touching, they silently stared into each other’s eyes.

Wan could not take his eyes off Jaein.

With her hair loosened, she appeared even more captivating.

“Even an excuse would do. Say something.”

His low, heavy voice rumbled through his throat.

The reason the thief Hong Maehwa was famous—

was because she was an upright thief.

She stole from corrupt officials and distributed grain and valuables to the suffering people.

That was why people called her the Great Thief.

But no matter how righteous her intentions were—

a thief was still a thief.

Wan had received a royal command to capture her.

Ignoring that would be impossible.

Yet…

He secretly hoped she would beg him.

If she did, perhaps his heart would weaken enough to look the other way.

Please… say something.

Under Wan’s pleading gaze, Jaein slowly spoke.

“You must have been shocked… Though perhaps ‘shocked’ is not enough to describe it. Still… I did not deceive you intentionally. I simply never found the chance to tell you.”

Seeing her shoulders trembling, Wan bit his lip.

What am I supposed to do with you…?

Seeing worry cloud her clear face made his chest ache.

Damn it.

Had he truly given her his heart already?

So deeply that he could no longer think rationally?

Moonlight emerged from behind the clouds.

As if drawn by it, Wan stepped closer.

In a single motion, he pulled Jaein into his arms.

An overwhelming tenderness surged within him.

“I wish this moment were a dream that would disappear when I wake.”

His voice was heavy with sorrow.