SMHER 05

5. Burst of Laughter

“Ah—? Y-Your Highness?”

Startled, Jae-in blinked in confusion. Wan frowned as he looked down at her. It was suspicious—one moment a woman had fallen from the sky and thrown herself into his arms, and now she even seemed to recognize him.

But the instant he saw her face, he could not help but laugh.

It was the same face that had left such a strong impression earlier—when she had caught the ball with her bare hands. A noble young lady who dared leap from a wall? The whole situation was so absurd that laughter simply rose within him.

“I—I am terribly sorry!”

Jae-in’s cheeks flushed as she squirmed. Only then did Wan realize he was still holding her and hastily set her down.

Flustered, Jae-in bowed repeatedly, apologizing over and over.

“Enough. That is sufficient.”

“Has I… has I harmed Your Highness’s august body in any way?”

Seeing her face drain of color, he almost felt as if something ought to be wrong with him.

“Not at all. There is no problem whatsoever, so you need not worry.”

“Oh… I am relieved.”

With a sigh of relief, an awkward silence fell between them. Both had questions—why a proper young lady would jump from a wall, why the crown prince would be walking outside at such a late hour—but neither dared to ask. Only the stillness remained.

Unable to bear it, Jae-in pressed a finger to her lips and whispered,
“Your Highness, I am truly, truly sorry, but please keep this matter a secret.”

She glanced back toward her home beyond the wall and looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Just what circumstances could she have?

Wan swallowed his questions and simply nodded.

“Then I shall also pretend I never saw you here.”

“Of course. Naturally.”

At last a faint smile appeared on Jae-in’s lips. Wan stared at it for a moment before quickly averting his gaze.

“Then I shall take my leave. Please travel safely.”

She bowed gracefully, then pulled her outer robe over her face and departed. Wan watched her go, somewhat dazed.

It was dangerous for a young woman to wander the streets at this hour. Although the capital’s security had improved because of the thief known as the Crimson Plum Blossom, safety could not be guaranteed. Yet she walked so calmly.

“How can this be…”

His attendant Hyun-seok was startled by the unintentional murmur from his master but quickly composed his expression.

For three years he had served Wan, the crown prince, and had come to think of him as a man devoid of excess emotion. He spoke only when necessary and moved only with intent—driving himself with relentless discipline and allowing no weakness.

Yet now, for the first time, he seemed to act without purpose—moving impulsively, following the dictates of his own heart without realizing it.

“It seems we should follow that young lady for a moment. If she appears safe, we will return.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hoping it was a good sign, Hyun-seok obeyed.

Jae-in quickened her steps, her expression gloomy.

Why of all people…? What an unfortunate coincidence.

She was certain she had stared blankly at his face, as if seeing a hallucination. How foolish.

The strength of the arms that had lifted her had been unmistakable. And the feel of his chest…

What ridiculous thoughts…

Fanning her flushed cheeks, she sighed, wishing she had simply fallen to the ground instead.

The image of his startled gaze returned to her mind—keen yet clear and deep. Looking into those honest eyes made her feel strangely numb, as if her thoughts were bound to him alone and nothing else existed. It had been the same earlier in the palace.

Why do I feel this way?

Chiding herself for thoughts beyond her control, she wore a troubled expression.

Soon she reached a small pavilion on the mountainside where she often came to clear her head. Removing her outer robe, she stood on the pavilion’s railing and faced the star-filled sky.

This place had always been her refuge.

Gazing at the heavens brimming with stars, she swallowed her sorrow. She had not wished to live a life against the times. Nor had she intended to fight to change the world. She simply wanted to pursue what she desired.

But the constraints of womanly duty and propriety bound her. Could such a life truly be happy? She had no answer.

To live in harmony with the times seemed impossible. If the world were cleaner—if corruption were less rampant and the suffering of common people were eased—perhaps bandits would not exist. Then her mother might not have suffered such a tragedy.

As her thoughts tangled further, Jae-in lifted the hem of her skirt and stepped onto the railing. She had long practiced screaming into the wind when overwhelmed—an old habit that brought brief relief.

Wan, watching from a distance, froze in alarm. He had only intended to ensure she returned safely, but her actions now seemed alarming.

Surely she is not thinking of doing something extreme?

Memories of her earlier words and behavior flashed through his mind—the tension in her expression, the way she seemed constrained. A terrible suspicion took hold.

So that was it… She had already resolved herself…

For the first time in a long while, Wan’s usually steady gaze wavered. He wondered if it was right to interfere with a fate she had chosen, but when she climbed the railing of the pavilion, all rational thought vanished.

Below the pavilion lay a steep cliff. A single step forward would end everything.

Anxious, Wan exchanged a glance with Hyun-seok. Understanding his master’s intent, Hyun-seok swallowed and nodded.

As Jae-in moved, Wan and Hyun-seok sprang forward—but when she suddenly shouted, they stopped in their tracks.

“Aaaaah! Nothing ever goes right!”

Standing at the edge of the railing, she cried out:

“Do you think I will lose? I will never give up! I will never surrender! Come at me if you dare!”

The words—directed at no one in particular—rang out fiercely. It was absurd. The woman he had mistaken for a fragile soul on the brink of death was nothing of the sort.

“Hahaha… Let’s return.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Relieved that his fears had been unfounded, Wan ordered them to go back.

And Hyun-seok witnessed, for the first time since serving his master, Wan burst into hearty laughter.

In the depths of the palace, Joo-hyun clenched his fist as he walked the familiar path. Though he traversed it often, he still had to steel himself each time.

“Madam Jeongbin, Lord Yeongan has arrived.”

“Very well. Show him in.”

Joo-hyun entered the chamber where his mother, Jeongbin, greeted him with a warm smile.

“Welcome. It has been so long. Do you intend to avoid seeing your own mother unless I summon you?”

Hearing her reproachful tone, Joo-hyun forced a stiff expression.

“Is silence not better than needless news? Since I have taken residence outside the palace, frequent visits would hardly be appropriate.”

“Oh… I have spoken out of turn. I apologize.”

Her gentle reply only deepened the furrow in his brow. He tightened his clenched fist.

This was why he had avoided the palace—because the sight of his mother’s weakness might ignite anger within him. He feared speaking harsh words to her.

Once, he had wished to protect her—at least before he learned the truth of her circumstances.

“What is the matter? You summoned me at this late hour for a reason.”

Seeing him address the issue so coldly, Jeongbin shivered slightly. Though she had borne him, she could never feel completely at ease around him.

As a child he had clung to her affectionately, but with time he had grown into someone more distant than a stranger.

After a quiet sigh, she opened a lacquered box and retrieved a letter.

“Lord Zuo ordered me to deliver this.”

Joo-hyun’s brow tightened as he accepted the letter.

Zuo’s Chancellor, Gwak Ji-un—his maternal grandfather in name only.

Rumors that he had adopted Joo-hyun’s mother, once a courtesan, and presented her to the king as a concubine were known throughout the land. And now, it seemed he sought to manipulate Joo-hyun as well.

Without even unfolding the letter, Joo-hyun stuffed it into his robe and rose.

Jeongbin’s heart ached. It had been so long since she had seen him—if he left now, he would not return until summoned.

“D-Do you really have to leave so soon?”

“The night is deep. I shall take my leave—please rest.”

Even as Jeongbin’s face paled, he pretended not to notice and bowed. Time had not diminished her beauty; she remained striking. That only complicated his feelings.

He remembered words once spoken by Gwak Ji-un:

“A pretty face and a pleasant figure are enough. Clever women only cause trouble. That is why I chose her. She is the ideal vessel to bear the king’s child. With nothing to offer but her looks, there is no danger of betrayal.”

As much as it pained him, the words were not entirely false. The king himself had taken his mother as a concubine because of her appearance, knowing her humble origins—believing she posed no threat.

Joo-hyun stopped once he was far from Jeongbin’s quarters and exhaled deeply.

Rubbing his weary face, he murmured with resolve:

“I will free you from that game board. You will no longer be a mere piece.”

Blood ties bound him to her—she was his mother. He could not stand by while she was used.

That was why he sought the golden Buddha. Rumor had it that the artifact contained evidence capable of destroying Gwak Ji-un.

I will keep his filthy hands away from you.

Clenching his jaw, Joo-hyun quickened his steps.