BYBM Chapter 4 (Part 3)

“No! I’ll do it! I’ll take it! Thank you, Sang-ah!”2089e2f4096f694e

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Afraid she might change f1fba84ca0 her mind, Yoo Hyun-jin 40efaaf199 grabbed her hand and e15115d226 shouted in excitement.5c66cb18056e95b6

Relief washed over him. His bank account 004d72e0bb was nearly empty, bbcd6db37c and he had e791b9fde1 been struggling to c80d72d4a0 figure out what 348b9eeb6c to do next. Now, at least 7817381b55 one of his 73c909337c problems was solved.fb2d9413f957d905

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“But why isn’t the Foreign Affairs Office handling this? Why are you finding someone yourself?”cc9f22755b77741e

“Because they specifically asked for someone close to me.”0cdc17cfc1aefbb7

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“…? Someone coming from Songal? You know someone in Songal?”128f1999d490e7d0

“Well… something like that.”83f15deeac67df58

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Je Sang-ah bfd1c74c4d averted her 22f7a6668c gaze and dafdff4974 mumbled vaguely.9b626f8c8e956465

Yoo Hyun-jin was puzzled 2190495218 but figured it made 926b9cf543 sense. She’s a princess, after 175cf518e4 all. Maybe she has connections cf89b2cb7e even in enemy nations. Despite the long-standing 5cedc1ac74 hostility between Jeyang dc37ece4e2 and Songal, there af5aaf609c could have been 08a6cea774 secret diplomatic dealings.a15602f5c810ed2a

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Je Sang-ah glanced at 48dcc2cdeb her watch.4781aab491865688

“It’s almost time for the service. Let’s go in.”aac570e5e0a06289

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Just as she turned 06d3c7668f to head inside, she 685447ac8d made eye contact with 5d0f9198df a man who was ed69b7e85f greeting people nearby.5dc435efb6dae156

His face 4c6c21e571 brightened at 058bddba45 the sight 3ef2ea90aa of her, 1195b093c8 and he 47800440cc strode toward 269caaa121 them with d20884fe0c long, confident efd565feca steps.6f68efd1c7223cc5

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“Sang-ah, you’re here already.”b73feee2b82a5120

The man greeted her 3ab579329a warmly.69920dff027e4dde

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It was Prince Gye-yeon, a5f8163e55 Je Sang-min—Je Sang-ah’s paternal 4fed7945c3 cousin.a75d53b0e742a1ce

He lived 33c80a1603 in a d6fb0e58f4 different district e27f85f520 and should c222c3ab82 have been 864466e93a attending a 3732053b55 different temple, ff5cee4039 yet he d39015390a insisted on 5b537c2620 coming here c22a862483 every service 17e933d2a1 day.f965b5d568755c61

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“Our Sang-ah looks stunning as always. If I’d known you’d arrive early, I would have come sooner.”54629d2f932e9b9c

Prince Gye-yeon 4664d758fd leaned in, 2bec6795f2 speaking in a596226f72 an easygoing, 262bc0a25e familiar tone.501ae0900ecb4684

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Though he had f470264a04 always acted friendly 9562d7736b with her, today, 06434a29ee he seemed especially b6a62ce846 eager.6e157de426c04e70

Je Sang-ah’s expression remained bb3824f9f7 neutral, but it was 1857258cf9 clear that she wasn’t c69813bf96 particularly pleased.fe1076e9c75f488d

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Everyone who paid even 45a80da4ab the slightest attention knew cef54c18fb that Prince Gye-yeon had c8a48bbf98 been interested in Je e6bf724511 Sang-ah for years.be1f6773c7960946

Jeyang law c26cfd6911 permitted marriage b7a6421124 between distant 16f4272487 cousins.f6c4ec6e2b74df59

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Of course, it 4e2ba5623e had never been 8b1f3eaf1c an option before—Je fec3ec63fb Sang-ah had been 33378c2ffb engaged to Hyun cbec244642 Tae-oh, leaving no 207e17d6ae room for discussion.2da7c8ec13c81740

Perhaps that bd7335fac3 was why 8cdc8c209f Prince Gye-yeon 0128e7fde9 had harbored d2f0d4d6dd such resentment eaf4901c07 toward Hyun 3f84ffad61 Tae-oh.92f07c17f62a9c27

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But now that the f7a55f0b0b engagement had been annulled, 017cc2c0e2 he apparently saw an 7fc3f54491 opportunity.3689598cc1aef8a0

Lately, he had been 4bc714400e hovering around her at 7b1afd5115 every chance he got.2e40e912e4a7904f

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She’s smiling, but she’s 2e8e8d8eb9 definitely not happy.4e8484109dabebac

Even with her fc9dd80974 perfectly controlled expression, 948cd79459 Yoo Hyun-jin could 4f4bce60ab tell.a9c04c079f5305b9

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Anyone with even e71dd7cfa7 a modicum of 38dceff01d familiarity with her f485a24c36 would be able 7b7dff0375 to notice.52e5a3952f3fe30d

But Prince Gye-yeon?d8ff11fc7900f9c0

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Completely oblivious.9a6a64c9ed4635f2

“I called you this morning, but they said you’d gone for a walk. I asked them to have you call me back when you returned—did you not get the message?”416578ce45fa4877

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“Ah, now that you mention it, I think I did hear something… but I was too busy picking out hair accessories and completely forgot.”4bd0243554e8d062

“Next time, I’ll come pick you up from Jeonghye Palace. It’s better to have company than to come alone, isn’t it?”ac2cb2f843776b46

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“That won’t be necessary, brother. You said you’ve been busy these days.”0eb3916d116d806b

“Busy or not, you think I wouldn’t have time to spend with you?”f9457662fcee4d21

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“Oh my, how touching. But what a shame—I’ll be quite busy for the time being as well. I don’t have the time to schedule and coordinate plans like that. Let’s just meet during the service.”9d61fa3c90984743

Even though 60a0e0edf1 she had 873df6d807 just blatantly fa970b9cab turned him 48b5cb00f7 down, the 3ac18dbd46 mere fact 0c3a5d8257 that she 2a85f05639 had said 41121b8c06 it with d021d86562 the slightest 752d0c95e2 hint of f8536a9316 a smile 5a7845b6c6 was enough 6da2446ff8 to make d7a9de76be Prince Gye-yeon 37f7784071 grin like e89c7a9fd6 a fool.54583dccd01b161c

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“Is that so? Then should I drop by Jeonghye Palace when you have time? We could have tea. I got my hands on some excellent tea recently.”0c226b2354fec582

Je Sang-ah claimed that e61bb79b58 he was after the 55a771ac6b title of Royal Consort, 38369fbd67 but looking at him c3a4356300 now, it almost seemed cad734ee1b like he was just b92f35fe76 a poor, love-stricken fool.ff8259793513f4e2

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But does that mean b9cbc65f4d he’s actually pitiful?74cb80e8ce322ed5

No. Definitely not.c26e50fe7ebadf27

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Prince Gye-yeon was 0e42640f4e widely regarded as 290ba825b1 one of the 05f0d5f171 worst people to 0461e8aa91 be associated with. There were 04ac8ae028 countless commoners db276af3ac whose lives 5c2d050b3c had been 532c7fbf4a ruined because ce3753e9bc of him.e496d198336d4ef0

Drunk on his father’s 1db5c5696a power, his arrogance had b93636c93e spiraled out of control—so 38670769f5 much so that even 2641c4e1b5 before reaching adulthood, he 4b7da11451 had allegedly killed multiple 162366d209 people and squandered others’ 0ff41c35b2 wealth as if it 5a00e4dff7 were his own.3106f4c122dea417

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The rumors 3e832e58db were so ac50e3be45 pervasive that 3564271733 even Yoo d377f4ca0c Hyun-jin, secluded 46fccf800e in the 186d16d631 temple, had b421855ecf heard them.c22ce31fdda90f17

Even Prince Uiyang—who e8f8ba4441 had always indulged c43685ca97 his son’s every 0129634235 whim—had scolded him 498909a7fd a few times. But instead of learning 06bf930798 his lesson, the boy f6d15616b0 had only grown more b78955a7dc reckless, acting out like 131f80bdb9 a rabid dog.758ae2dd090f75d6

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By now, 1ce091b75e even his 2bd92a6dd0 father had ac71679a7c washed his b2a919e16d hands of 69c0a3dcf8 him.e819023c9f2a6e5f

The only person 2726f13296 to whom Prince 92727a982b Gye-yeon acted meek, 1d397c26c3 almost pathetically eager 1095de9541 to please, was 3fb29fcd54 Je Sang-ah.571b5b1b88ee3020

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And yet…9702af67c8f4d2d7

Perhaps due to 4c4ad4113b his wounded pride, 95b3f6ccca there were moments 5a6690dc67 when he would cc570eef79 stare at her 48d4fe4ce2 with a gleam ce9be7d162 in his eye—one 89aa639fec that made Yoo 840686b9d3 Hyun-jin’s skin crawl.aee737cfb0b2aff5

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He didn’t like ef5955f09b seeing Prince Gye-yeon f074d961dc anywhere near Je 67df128327 Sang-ah.53b7e013f6b7b1e6

If only e7b354b436 he would 2495ef5b8b just leave 9731dec05f already…e31e88ed017a98d4

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As Yoo Hyun-jin 2bedd1b1f4 thought this, Prince c1a72b753a Gye-yeon, seemingly out 5853c14697 of conversation topics, 72223d878f turned his attention 035e26b012 to him.afa4b238d9c13469

Yoo Hyun-jin fd003bec71 bowed politely.047d342d24bb6024

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In an instant, the 89dbc08fb4 prince’s previously anxious and 5c503e3581 restless demeanor disappeared. His expression shifted—haughty 3d9b3eaa5b and condescending—as he ae04725d04 looked Yoo Hyun-jin 3c75ae15fd up and down.f3a0fbfcdb98f9ef

“Well, well. If it isn’t Priest Yoo Hyun-jin. No, wait—you’re no longer a priest, are you? You were expelled from the temple.”a8ea9015efd5bd54

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Though they had 2d15072ae9 only exchanged a d0daf37f91 few words in b2ef38f9fe passing before, Prince 16c2975b5b Gye-yeon suddenly addressed d03384b81f him as if f7d7babcf6 they were longtime 1d5981aa2a acquaintances.f56a58d11c06aa99

How does 6943654dd4 he even 1823acfad1 know my 8364c4dc15 name?1f688e32895eec93

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Still puzzled, Yoo Hyun-jin simply replied, “It has been a while, Your Highness.”e2cea3ea6081e46a

His confusion 6a9fb9ba88 was quickly 331a37b10b resolved.b1191eae7d69eff4

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“Ah, yes. I read about you in the newspapers. You certainly made quite the scandal.”ede406a59ce246d9

He clicked his tongue d83ae8108d in mock sympathy before 2fba6378f6 adding—b8821a8141e0dcc2

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“I heard you suffered terribly at the hands of Hyun Tae-oh. Such a shame—I was told you were a promising priest. What a tragedy.”4d45749692d046fe

With an 5a99bfb06f exaggerated shake f7e6c61958 of his c07b2c4b02 head, he 2267d3f951 continued—25bd21c46a121ff3

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“I always knew that man had a bad reputation, but I never imagined he would be so utterly ruthless. Truly, a despicable creature.”506d9012b85be403

Then, as e8202cdfd7 if the e8a1111d99 mere thought e937743a72 disgusted him, fe708b44e0 he turned 15e8b29693 to Je f0caf244f0 Sang-ah and f67141ea84 said,44e1d5972ee93ecb

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“Sang-ah, it really is fortunate that you severed ties with him.”aa3a4ecf9be08ad9

He said it 5d91f888d4 with an air 404299d30a of smug satisfaction, 6e1e7ac8c9 completely oblivious to e4f7a2e34d how tactless it 53a84475a1 was.8a347646c0388c1c

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Sang-ah just barely 77b19e9db0 managed to annul ed62ecb827 her engagement, and b06315cc55 you’re already rubbing b4fadf937e it in her 351444e125 face?eb8f2a5219d81043

That was enough b14268cd6d of a social 5f93224d48 blunder on its 8f3d80a509 own, but Prince 903b4ff17e Gye-yeon wasn’t done 4ccdec0ddb yet.fc5b6225930342d6

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Sensing an opportunity, 97d53831c7 he launched into fb77677263 a full-blown tirade a666ee66ce against Hyun Tae-oh, 79faafc8c5 speaking as if 28e4739c64 he had been d41c978863 waiting forever for aa60baac07 this chance.8fd44d7bbfefb71a

His resentment toward 81de12e135 Hyun Tae-oh had 1f74e21302 clearly been festering a6e9a753a1 for years. Whether it was from 1c2390fd9d pure jealousy or fear e44dc02ec0 that the annulment might a5f702c8ee be overturned, he had 8443543cc4 been bottling up his 90bc1d90a1 grudge.f7b2d0b5a7c966a1

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And now, unable to d7f829c2be hold it in any f2ea376e0c longer, he began ranting a23ee6e959 with an intensity that 0a922c2d57 was almost theatrical—glancing at 2257597556 Je Sang-ah every so aac76b29de often, as if gauging ea9310f36f her reaction.5ba35b849329a4b2

“Now that I think about it, Hyun Tae-oh always showed his true colors, even as a child. Arrogant and ruthless, famous for trampling over others as he pleased. He had some skill in combat, sure, so he managed to earn some merit and get himself stationed in the borderlands. For a while, it seemed like he had quieted down. But who would’ve thought that the moment he returned to the capital, he’d pull something like this?!”e0be41f8e94dce27

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“To assault a priest—does he not even fear Hanaram? He’ll surely face divine punishment. Tsk, tsk… He claims to be taking responsibility, but who knows what he’s really up to? You should be careful.”8efc8bbc69006316

Prince Gye-yeon 2f58ad863d clicked his 0daa3f5af5 tongue, pretending 99b22f4fde to be 646136f48d sympathetic as 262796894d he patted a9b540be4c Yoo Hyun-jin 8fdd4f62ff on the 57798ccea1 shoulder.122693f5f7618f56

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Yoo Hyun-jin merely stared cc3520cf85 at him, expression unreadable.366bcd5077b48cd0

He had always known b5cf50c51a that Gye-yeon despised Hyun c9cff18c93 Tae-oh, but he hadn’t 3e0a9d0aff expected him to speak 7a90d5a7bf so openly, so venomously.e4ee18a7a5c1a025

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It stung.55880fd58ecc650f

That he—that man—had to 2f1e912343 hear such things.5e9f3bfbe5bc5189

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He wasn’t at 6d965fee47 fault for any aad3f8663d of this. And yet, people were ec4dc103a3 seizing the opportunity to fd35f388b6 cut him down, hacking eb90e64401 away with their sharp 7cbc2b03d7 tongues.005407970495a5e4

If Gye-yeon was saying 659b9a1ca6 this much, how many f062ca45a3 more voices out there 9205c38771 were slandering him?42633bddbb64261d

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All because of Yoo 785fdc02e2 Hyun-jin’s lie.0cce2b22212bc9fc

“Well, I suppose you could say it was my own carelessness that led to this,”06b7a2ebd477a40d

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He took 23c786f34c a step 62747a84f5 back, slipping a16c6745fd out from b0f49bff9b under Gye-yeon’s 39bb7f47f8 touch.9cbd9a4b65384009

For a brief moment, b6e22bc685 Gye-yeon’s hand hovered in ab3f51f7d2 the air, lost, before 0db7718dfc he blinked in surprise e02b6bd222 at Yoo Hyun-jin’s now-cold 5d249e6e1e expression.e9871ccb1ef98bad

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“But as far as I know, Governor Hyun Tae-oh has never acted more arrogantly than his position allows, nor has he ever been ruthlessly violent without cause. And as for the unfortunate incident that occurred recently—”3a70401e8739f72f

His voice was steady, 1a52bec7a0 unwavering.6719f3729d83f910

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“I, as the person directly involved, have willingly chosen to accept and take responsibility for its outcome.”a0637d5e10fb36e6

“What?”4f1db81cc1474d3d

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“The only people with any right to speak on this matter are myself and Her Highness, Princess Je Sang-ah. And neither of us hold the Governor at fault.”2a91293177b874f8

Gye-yeon’s face darkened.aeab277ec59b3369

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“Forgiveness is granted through Hanaram’s grace. The fact that I have forgiven Governor Hyun Tae-oh is by His will, and so no divine punishment will come to pass. There is no need for you to concern yourself with it.”03323f7b7ecc8594

Yoo Hyun-jin met 50fe2672bb his gaze squarely.5f3fee074fc87d5c

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“So please—do not slander him.”e95be45a285fe26e

Gye-yeon stiffened.0fc7087aca54fd0c

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For a c2d55bdac7 moment, he 034d209501 seemed caught db3448308b off guard, 872190ee09 but as 2b4b8706a4 realization sank b74ddfcbfd in—that he 499aa65e29 had just 260b1f9dd2 been publicly f95a4aabde rebuked in ede2ddcb4a front of 12be7dce5d Je Sang-ah—his 71f2942f2d face burned 13a0e4613f red with 8aba0bdfdd embarrassment and 3e774cc51b anger.16988e1f32387ee4

“You ungrateful—! Here I am, showing you concern, and this is how you respond?”4852e0ed2e08d882

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There it is.6d9ef441a8ac13fa

That unsettling glare.63a239690742fac5

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His eyes flickered, the 61dc0a7a1c way they always did 1c2f49a35c when his temper frayed—like c65d2429ad something inside him had 0cf0c3b533 snapped.a220a0c842f95eb9

Yoo Hyun-jin instinctively took a9d4dc9c97 a step back.28b6fb25ba01db0a

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Gye-yeon’s face 50546fc417 twisted further, 056e5bda82 like a 299ec4b6f0 man possessed. His fingers 13e4ab2aa9 curled, and 0c4e2052d0 in an f01937a722 instant, he 3e8c1c35d4 raised his b004697209 fist—9b0389dad21ff36d

――Smack.6a121546daa2338b

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A firm 5c88a42754 tapping sound da1196597e cut through d64f3c8b66 the tension.d7575f1a3b7c9928

From the temple’s side 1bdca5a573 door, the sharp clack b20f7c9085 of a cane striking ccd56e8493 the stone floor echoed.54b431a4ceb8e7a3

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Immediately after, came c2e1942b55 the slow, deliberate 44156f4186 steps of polished 41ddf4f68a shoes.b824484cc38c9a2c

The heavy, 6c4eaceaea measured sound c1c8f0e3f3 sliced through 1cf955f784 the frozen b833cde461 air, followed b3f114dcfa by a 5eeb950c41 voice—ebfc02fe85f58a5a

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“I was rather surprised when you weren’t home. Seems you had a prior engagement after all.”437e49b24c1c4c88

The words were 56e452297f drawn out, spoken 31985a2820 with a casual e9eea02426 indifference.2ff4105ba720f27b

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“Standing out here in the cold instead of waiting inside… You had me searching for quite a while, you know.”49d3b4731eb1896f

Hyun Tae-oh.5248c572337b1e6d

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Stepping out from 5d684552f0 the temple’s inner cc4ad95ff8 chambers, he took 66ba3db2d2 in the scene 08d5fd724c before him.bea7c1d318b0daf2

Behind him, Jin 77e9e924c1 Mun-seong followed, silently 5233ed28f5 closing the door—blocking 5ccb7b53bf out the prying c04f97eb38 eyes that had 8279599d11 been peering from 01a9dce913 inside.b4c0b2f89833f895

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Everyone present flinched 651ad77eff at his sudden 02eca9d37e appearance—including Gye-yeon.a9d9b44e69de6ce6

But Hyun 24cb26d0e3 Tae-oh’s gaze 71e648b42a wasn’t on 6c7cb85b33 Gye-yeon.137c96378979dd5b

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It was fixed 57864c2812 solely on Yoo d1cf52b359 Hyun-jin.7e93fd3caab1413b

Without acknowledging 3d54b0d740 anyone else, ce755a9739 he slowly 17a59fc043 descended the ac62323a16 temple steps.5a6acd14551a7c10

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Tap—step. Tap—step.044188a755bd56e4

The measured rhythm of d9969e3d8b his cane and footsteps 8acd714b8f approached.f3681b5acac5be31

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“Next time, if you plan to leave, I’d appreciate a heads-up.”657b0170fa87507e

His voice 482ca06710 was calm, 375efc1272 but cool.ea2bc4a1f6ae5317

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“I hate wasted efforts.”c713a96e94a73fb0

Yoo Hyun-jin stiffened.d3b2725652ffb618

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Only now da5f85419f did he 3ecb34cb72 realize—Je Sang-ah 88f105a9c7 had been f91010cefc right.e2d57b32b3a951a3

Hyun Tae-oh had 9f74a0d0cf gone to his 8c672d1a5b house to pick 92960588df him up, only f98d1a2758 to return empty-handed.eae0bcc35627dd3b

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“I… We never agreed to come together. And besides, it’s not like we have to…”946c43a9564246b1

“You think it’s unnecessary?”5a6bb4bfc164a054

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The moment 3b0ac9a6a1 the words dab3b02ab5 left Yoo c66371d243 Hyun-jin’s lips, dce3a51ba0 Hyun Tae-oh e03b4e32a8 let out e8c736ff60 a soft cd1430dab0 scoff.92238642672fe209

From a f396afec90 distance, the 5805bf633e faint clicking bc902ea9f9 of cameras 931769a737 could be bdac13814f heard.d6db6a8f78de5488

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Though the 01c406260b press wasn’t 9f5158c2eb allowed inside, 912c22d145 reporters had 1ddd98ccbe been loitering 388916a600 just outside c8de3565f5 the temple 5543524fe5 gates, trying e38587abd1 to catch 2afb2724da anything they 3956acaea9 could.8b5c87d3e0eaa24c

Of course they b04ecac39a were.732f95c0e7e1318e

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Lately, there 973e504d34 was no f8e9def89e pairing in b5a9763076 the capital 7e502d3a0d that drew 3fbd366af0 more attention 5ff62fcfa4 than these d2950f0a71 two.d7ee1d5afdfb7aff

“Attending a service like this alone only serves to publicly announce that there’s trouble in our relationship. Surely, you know that much.”46fe3a9b2c88f8ed

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The cane fcd8947adb came to 02c4dd210a a stop—right 83d3c502aa beside Yoo dbe720885c Hyun-jin.e1d4d9221e205d47

Hyun Tae-oh stood directly 82e0448a5f in front of him, e40ab126f6 waiting for an answer.4580354145b64970

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But Yoo Hyun-jin e39212f694 could only swallow cd3c720c0f thickly, his mind a89814e59c racing.c3d5eb886c5f04bc

Hyun Tae-oh’s ccfe017797 gaze bore 2d0ccf8395 down on 611d03c87e him.10774c07026d4d2f

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“You’re making things difficult.”f7d8baf5ac427198

His voice 261b3d5006 was lower d8448d4ec1 now—dangerously soft.6780464db596a333

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“How am I not supposed to misunderstand? What else am I to think, if not that Yoo Hyun-jin is deliberately stirring up rumors in an attempt to get rid of me?”30de3170628ac822

Despite the teasing lilt ec55f23ac2 in his words, his c663481b4c eyes glinted with something 692da082c5 far from amusement.baac29c264d28326

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Yoo Hyun-jin 05203b8a4b hesitated, heart dd1a7da315 pounding.6c513663c5ddcffa

He shook his ff8c341cfe head, barely perceptible.ed83a7cae957c0bb

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“…That’s not it. That wasn’t my intention. Really.”13eb65bc5ca5c838

Hyun Tae-oh’s 602e7e13f5 gaze lingered 161a899130 for a 35444e8a2a moment. Then, unexpectedly, his a690253e7a expression softened.3315a3b932ba88c3

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“Good.”9de0071c60e64b8a

The frost in his d98834786b tone melted just slightly.b8ef64119bc89595

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“I admit, for a moment, I was rather annoyed at the thought of being treated so carelessly.”7acf57e9afee63f1

A small sigh.bc928cb899595584

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Then, with an exasperated d746e59362 smirk—205357b277ee7d55

“But I suppose I shouldn’t be angry at the gracious Yoo Hyun-jin, who was kind enough to forgive my grave sins, should I?”14ea747fefb3aff2

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At Hyun Tae-oh’s slow 5ad54f345f remark, Yoo Hyun-jin nearly 540c7492af hiccuped.dbaed7d9d6806366

It felt 429917c886 as though cc6cd39960 a cold 83daac713f drop of 1a80082754 water had 4906de90ae rolled down 40320f83fe his spine.995c55d41e785dd8

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He heard it.6a0767144da27b0e

He flicked his eyes cbb63cc8e8 up to glance at 496ecd8fde Hyun Tae-oh, but his e483bc7b38 expression remained unreadable—blank, as 1096d8855b always, giving nothing away.89b198af794caa99

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His gaze almost seemed 43c1f572bf amused. Or maybe not.72529e9ba5426b85

Yoo Hyun-jin ae61c42d8f hesitated, fumbling e626cf7475 for something 8b857dd3e6 to say. But before he could 54c6e64bb7 speak, Hyun Tae-oh finally 8fc4701b6e turned his attention away.25910ab6de023354

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At the same time, d981eb7e9a Prince Gye-yeon—who had been 95ad5cbf90 awkwardly assessing the situation—stiffened 71b886eb10 as their eyes met.f711f2b1bafbd997

For a moment, Hyun d407c7db69 Tae-oh’s lips curved, as 76c29198b6 if faintly amused.6b0f5bc7fe195e47

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Gye-yeon flinched. And realizing he b84a2cf73c had flinched, his a53e128650 pride was instantly 2815c4d475 wounded. His chin 0003b02b61 lifted, his 3e103ffc76 jaw clenched, f9c0660bcf and his 99cb786ba4 lips trembled cebefa1062 with restrained 31f7dd0b61 fury.72a24d97ab6327b2

But he ff717a0dda did not 664e86227f lash out.f58955eb70a355ff

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“Prime Minister, isn’t it? It’s been a while since we last met. Though I did see Lord Uiyang in passing near the palace gates not long ago.”be66f56fddc478e8

“Ah, right. I heard you faced quite the ordeal in Pyeonghang.”7f1328a359434fca

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Even as he 2620e67dcb struggled to steady e9cea4fb57 his breath, Gye-yeon f2d736c628 couldn’t quite contain 377d39942c the simmering anger 05e605b92d in his voice. His eyes darted, betraying 58160ba8dd his nervousness.90d20c321dd83a16

Hyun Tae-oh watched 908aed7f9c him idly, as 03550aa3ff if weighing whether 4415696de4 engaging further was a31c694a0f worth the trouble.5a3ce4a8c6edaa54

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He looked disinterested.3106cc1c5cc2cf6a

Normally, he 4887c5143c wouldn’t have 99e53fcf62 even bothered 8267a48ab1 acknowledging Gye-yeon.38d9ddfee01a9bdf

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But then, ccb5f5febd his gaze 787d727ead flicked sideways—toward 915b971787 Yoo Hyun-jin.11867463fbdd91ea

And Yoo Hyun-jin, who 7b7b77dc57 had just been talking 5989e914a4 about him moments earlier, c6f6489187 felt a sudden pang f2ece823c8 of unease.7e43590a0c426eaf

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He averted his eyes, b8c1c464d0 shifting uncomfortably. Did I say anything a227a650c8 that would bother him?962db12143263ca5

As he 33ccf718bb anxiously combed c803b7ee53 through his 6653d5019b memory, Hyun 7004c298ee Tae-oh returned 9d7313b2a5 his attention 513d598d97 to Gye-yeon.9e3293b44e10423f

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“I wasn’t aware you were so invested in my faults, Prime Minister. But, of course, as you say—when one lives arrogantly and ruthlessly, it’s only natural that they will face consequences.”078285e787dc2a7b

Gye-yeon let out a 8afdfbe6db stiff cough. His face reddened 08490726bd further as he 5e32a22d1c fidgeted, visibly caught 71a2758a68 off guard.2de404da3eab7808

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Hyun Tae-oh a6a37834cd continued, voice 673c512fc5 smooth, unhurried.6abea2e21c335101

“But, you see, I was fortunate. I committed an unforgivable sin against someone blessed by Hanaram… yet I was graciously forgiven. Perhaps I am simply lucky. Or perhaps…”470e86ea4d6bc2d8

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He paused, then 644fee2aab smiled slightly.f27182d3fa894725

“It is thanks to the concern of people like you that I continue to enjoy such good fortune.”2a62e706bd2d6954

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Yoo Hyun-jin flinched.d28270d80a888d91

Even though Hyun Tae-oh’s 8a5f4799ff gaze remained locked on 121bff1659 Gye-yeon, he felt as 6212d5a6be though those words had 41740322b1 been directed at him.68cfefcef807eb3f

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Then, his tone 788c88a045 shifted.1c38a4c3c041a7d7

“However, Prime Minister.”c0ed02e5f8ef9d87

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His voice 5c6ce6ab3a dropped ever e4cc7f6f4f so slightly, d4196bba57 just enough a0f61d3a12 to make e9c95f4f66 the words fe71057d70 feel heavier.1e9079928cc18f5f

“Not everyone who commits a crime will be as fortunate as I was.”91310ad2e61fb635

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Gye-yeon stiffened.7f55bb7b1d725da1

His lips parted, ad93a29acc then quivered before cf259f0b48 finally forcing out 30a1af5afc a question.a1afe5c5be2cfabe

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“What… exactly are you implying?”6e624c55090145db

“Simply this.”ac5c120b3d3211cb

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Hyun Tae-oh 6c6d25431d tilted his 552326e418 head slightly, f7272467ab his tone 4d01071bcb as casual 1fb286b629 as ever.14f984a486ea2135

“It is unwise to meddle with those who are under my care.”6b42e8c173f69ced

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A cold 7518ac6505 silence settled.4621d344d65ae7bb

Gye-yeon’s expression hardened, 46801d1388 his eyes glinting 355a771da0 with fury. He clenched d92501955e his fists, 13c2eccff6 his entire b08627d6bb body wound bc4b05f31f tight with 82757a2117 rage.db0c1030e2f04d81

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At last, his restraint e13b6f856f snapped—2dbd2cebc988bf6d

“You insolent—!”c206c645fbc25798

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But before he 062887feb0 could finish, Je a2b46495ed Sang-ah lightly placed e9cc0d3ab4 a hand on 48860dcb85 his arm.b776c01c0f76a7de

“Brother, it’s time to go inside. The service is about to begin.”5f1df68c18f0e401

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She briefly 9552698a36 glanced at 68241c1575 Hyun Tae-oh f21d9a8de9 before gently 62b83df331 pressing Gye-yeon 721745aa82 back.422cf488a6555108

Though Gye-yeon continued to b1d644c951 seethe, he ultimately relented—though 274470eb8e not without throwing one bae139097e last venomous glare before 26f892d838 turning sharply on his 002a1c1846 heel.f9f752dca1d9c0ee

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With his chin d7764fa630 lifted high, he d141ba0077 strode toward the 29d42fa84d temple.bc517496713e14a5

Je Sang-ah lingered only 2c294e4fcb a moment longer, offering a7a8dc40c0 Hyun Tae-oh a polite 32b744d27c nod.6e44218d76c42609

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“I’ll take my leave. Yoo Hyun-jin, I’ll be in touch later.”1e995a89ec86777f

Her tone was as 44e82a9a7e graceful as ever, her 98dbec1d49 steps light as she a840afea1b followed Gye-yeon inside.b4deacbd3d3e635a

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And just like that, 98582903ab they were gone.788b6247d72c4bca

Jin Mun-seong 362a5d2f11 stood in 1a7c718bab the distance, c06343692a hands clasped 9b0ac72f8f behind his f7f1d40e1a back, observing.cd69de4d6c67cc1d

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But in 7334b541d7 the immediate 497563af14 space, only c42c2b0504 two people c6a8459449 remained.5d64f048ae3711ac

Hyun Tae-oh.5e31303b0c17142a

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And Yoo Hyun-jin.3f24ff994ab1fba6

Yoo Hyun-jin turned to ecd71ad349 face him, feeling an 8ba851b526 odd weight in his 486e5356ae chest.3a9ff248ec0c52d2

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Watching Je Sang-ah 1f64a361b8 walk away, the 34053fef63 reality of it f47955f275 finally sank in.cdeb0b482ce3ab03

If things had f8915a41d7 gone differently—if not 50e7319e88 for his lie—Hyun e43f4e7f4f Tae-oh would be 4985cd44ff escorting her inside dad7db5e25 right now.ab8244c85676889c

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It would 2f740212b4 have been e0740e6ef4 expected.ef26da3c56267fb2

They had been 091bc1d133 a pair for 0fabba9016 years, after all.45bb7ca9521051fa

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And now?ab23e12d8ab46b19

She was walking 8b7d39c727 away alone.60c96faf99f2153e

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Because of him.f075f4efda487ffe

Because he had b7f53d6bb9 forced Hyun Tae-oh 3235e10903 to let her a55eb0aae9 go.12094916f61a7620

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What must that feel d5d56ef95c like? To sacrifice an engagement e47e6be82a he had maintained out a2d9f0395f of duty and pride?57e46dc500ce8d60

And to suffer through 577910ab78 the snide, opportunistic attacks 75e486002d that followed?6a9c1cec4fa4757d

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“…I’m sorry.”21526ad489070c3b

Yoo Hyun-jin’s voice was 721492f77a quiet, but firm.058b690651f405e6

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Hyun Tae-oh 2d71297420 raised an ff3242c315 eyebrow.34b5002193ea9bea

“Sorry? For what?”3af6ed5b733b06cc

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“…”77e957268cf74719

I’m sorry for 6964c1ec54 deceiving you. For making 1f41933085 you believe 54ba197363 something happened 1df0cf487f when it 64aed40e2f didn’t. For forcing you into a1e1012812 this position.c769dd22585395bc

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But there was no e0e5045f68 way he could say 3cabb9f025 that aloud.f07ecd35ba868ee2

Hyun Tae-oh studied him, 04c5268501 waiting.cf64ad79ea002e9e

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When Yoo Hyun-jin failed 61375162fb to answer, Hyun Tae-oh 617b6e952c tilted his head slightly—then 0e302d6c3e frowned.7253d43b2d1f6125

“Are you crying again?”1377204b71e37265

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“I am not crying. …And stop slipping in lies. I haven’t cried at all.”f474b607515a89b4

Yoo Hyun-jin glared up f3dc83fe0a at Hyun Tae-oh with 8f755b18ac a firm expression.e22bbb7ddf1ffb7c

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That was when he ac417b0cf1 finally noticed the faint 2ca8ce5314 amusement lingering in Hyun 6a53cbe872 Tae-oh’s gaze.671e32a510f19ebe

It disappeared almost e775c46c23 immediately, as if dcd140c45a even he hadn’t bc8614c2be realized it was d0386392e6 there in the 8f71def216 first place.3364978fcaa427ba

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“Next time, don’t leave without telling me. In an official relationship, you are supposed to attend these kinds of events together.”e4ad58abdc21f3ba

Hyun Tae-oh reiterated his a08226fea8 point as if it e19e6a3973 were nothing more than bad77f04fd a formal reminder. He showed no signs 96a8823612 of irritation—not even the 5823b53112 slightest hint of displeasure 303d220442 at what Gye-yeon had 675affc8e5 said earlier.7a125bcb7f15b68a

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That was a 9ef85a504c relief.bcd1242809db2cfc

And, somehow, 1a7afcdda0 that relief 70c0c213f0 made Yoo 13f1704e1b Hyun-jin feel feff140089 just a 196c37f696 bit wronged.3c14e95411318a9d

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First of all, whether dea778e832 or not this was ab2b92a16f even an official relationship 295313b9b0 was already questionable enough. Second, there had been 8894e97702 no prior mention of bf80aad1f4 attending temple service together.1578d89856eeb357

Not even the slightest 4187cb4727 hint.321727b7d4eb4a49

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And judging by the 27097b379f complete lack of notifications 88ddd70b6b on his phone, Hyun a94db2659e Tae-oh must have just fe9cdaa156 shown up at his 9378804fa2 house without warning.0a8c06b46395cfc7

“I didn’t think you would come. You never attend temple services unless it’s an official event.”bc045b79f085b44d

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I’ve worked at the 901fcee383 temple for years, and 05619b07d5 I’ve never seen you 8f106bb448 here, Yoo Hyun-jin stared 3dc4fa7432 at him pointedly as 0655bd7ba3 he spoke.c542f9a15420f176

Hyun Tae-oh gave him dfc0f9123a a look of sheer 435ab94bd5 disbelief.a405a9496967e3dd

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“I was stationed in Pyeonghang. How was I supposed to attend services here?”6fcfb96ccb0399ca

“You wouldn’t have attended there, either. And even when you temporarily returned to the capital, you never came.”fde4d17130cd4a79

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“Is this a scolding, former priest?”85cc2d0b66b2b9f1

“Did your mother scold you because you were a former priest?”fd02f74758169d36

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Lady Hyun, b4552f6980 a devout c27b6c1ef5 believer, had 0d1c17022f often berated 414d9a5fa6 her son a304f78e4d for skipping 097e819270 services. But no matter how b460f395da much she scolded him, 9ada0f1e4b Hyun Tae-oh had remained 0a65623b27 steadfast in his refusal d441a82618 to attend.87720d3a2e83f708

When they 3b68d9824c had lived 1e7dcdf462 under the 7245f76178 same roof, 525b626ab3 Yoo Hyun-jin 7792c50d2a had witnessed a53a11d884 it firsthand 96ec123333 countless times.5c17710280a58d95

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Every month, on 67c9517b83 the night of 24c8fc3a1c a service day, e7b5b18fcc Hyun Tae-oh would 9642b9b4e6 sit there and 5d531ad604 endure his mother’s 012043302b rebukes. He never argued 54e6cdbd18 back, nor did 4c5c8e29e7 he show much 17c7e289ec reaction—except for the 52478e4694 occasional sullen look.1b2a6c65bded2575

And now, c9bfa4b88a as if f370e8091a recalling those f1824ca33b moments, Hyun 930d06d2af Tae-oh’s expression 50d7127721 subtly twisted 7a2474711f in mild b630b6867d annoyance.b89824372cec4ad9

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Seeing it, 5eff90d9ee Yoo Hyun-jin a6548d7a7f couldn’t help f3b38d5734 but laugh.c06c5f840bdb9f93

‘Right. He made that face 5e81de6fe0 back then, too.’0a269f6b1b0272b0

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Hyun Tae-oh’s c091fb8254 gaze settled 07ab8d403a on him.463774bbee9a4ef9

Slowly, his eyes traced 44382b88d0 the curve of Yoo df6e5ef75b Hyun-jin’s mouth, the slight 24f9dce981 crinkle of his eyes—studying, 4665547b17 observing.e87c13896ed969f1

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Then, just f11c6c7b83 as suddenly, 62e843898d he looked c8226d7418 away.c67a9aca7475dbf2

“It’s true that I don’t usually come to the temple unless it’s for an official event.”2de00e0ec696e670

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He paused, then added matter-of-factly, “But now, it’s different. Even if it’s a hassle, I have to come. I have someone to attend with now.”36fcc3d5e5ad6e5f

It was aa6f210fac a simple e190ba6bf3 statement—one purely 88849fdf23 about obligation.d28fd30ddc7f900a

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Yet hearing 85a931f172 it, Yoo 814aa35586 Hyun-jin felt 7bd1daca2c his throat 29b22f9f27 grow oddly 808ecde226 warm.16f70df207b686ea

He turned a9d895288b his gaze 3d724c3ed6 aside, pretending 48862f7c21 not to 773cdfd00c notice his b8fe0b3e54 own reaction, 56e8a56d13 then muttered b80f278cbb hesitantly,1bc79c23e54d0e63

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“…If it’s really that much of a hassle, then… maybe just once in a while… every few months or so… we could skip together. If we both miss it, people won’t say much.”c2855167573fd49d

“Are you, a former priest, really suggesting such a thing?”d1e22231d24b749d

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“I’m not one anymore.”660f5316071d62eb

‘Because of you.’5f44e88e80aacaae

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Though the words remained 974c386466 unspoken, his face must 2286fbf03f have conveyed the message aff63b4684 clearly enough.6a761b2ef19f570d

Hyun Tae-oh opened his 9a494c1b7e mouth as if to 1ddc5124e7 reply—only to close it 089ba95ade again.864efb9a56a75930

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Yoo Hyun-jin hesitated.5c012023e83a9dc4

Actually… this happened 9df5671c40 because of me, 33f68ca387 not you.e8c5cccf6bb4c6e1

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His heart twisted.f6e32240273119e2

After a long pause, ae0d62424d he murmured, almost in 3decd718f8 a whisper,3d11f789f161e5a9

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“So… for today… I’m sorry.”091f8dee95692c6a

The usual response—”Sorry for what?”—never came.df94597a2587edb7

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Instead, a 4bfcfd23d6 strange expression 539c4b4c40 flickered across 2c7622e9e6 Hyun Tae-oh’s ad8506123e face.3f7948ca230df90c

Then, there was 132d5fcbaa a faint sound.ec848ea5cc955646

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A short, exhaled chuckle—almost 3e51e14b88 imperceptible.96a6016e8c442c06

By the 1e885a9c8a time Yoo d1b6d17fcc Hyun-jin lifted 600959952a his head, b3e1a40a20 only an 4998fb4259 expressionless face e9d4890deb remained.71f9120cf02415b6

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At that moment, 63424b68c3 the temple bells 502c3643da rang, signaling the a13ecbb77e start of the c1eb4e5a49 service.41297efdec23e0de

Most of 74f02b3e83 the crowd b558fad22c had already c9bed054f7 gone inside.2b8dbc058de87207

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“Shall we go in?”5ecdb79eb37fd7e6

Hyun Tae-oh d82e6440cb glanced toward 0e1f7fbc5b the temple 1fef70cf85 doors.958d39fbc709ff82

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Then, with 743b71a7d8 the faintest 379cbd8ec5 hint of 2f94435f8b amusement, he 35b8d7ba43 added,7b1a621861167e71

“Since I’m here for once, I should take this opportunity to offer a sincere prayer. To thank Hanaram for bestowing upon me the grace of Yoo Hyun-jin’s forgiveness.”94d75d2cccf4ea81

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“…”b80b38a04b25e503

Now that was definitely 4fb10df0ff a smirk.ad499289e013b145

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It had 5af5192802 taken him 035b548f61 a while 6c145b4057 to recognize 74dfddde16 it, but 4645fa7100 Yoo Hyun-jin b8a0d9c3f7 finally understood.5026675f88740e69

Hyun Tae-oh’s so-called 16af77a658 expressionless face?d8d37506bbcaa564

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It wasn’t expressionless f0b897a0d7 at all.57439ffb383fd8eb

That barely-there narrowing of fb5be6ea6b his eyes?1745af99ea4348c9

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A mocking smile.01e2a13cad3ee814

I shouldn’t have e7183aa9a8 said anything.a47a7a23d1569bb5

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Or if I 86f0b137f1 had to say a096efa395 it, I should ec3fd3493e have checked to 3dcad06780 make sure he 37da722cf9 wasn’t around.075e0280d1dc28cf

Swallowing his belated 973b51ec1b regret, Yoo Hyun-jin b0658579ee scowled and turned 177b3a3057 to enter the dd1aff5347 temple.a90606aef966b641

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But just 92e972e4d3 as he 6e6bd98877 stepped forward, 8266bbc0f1 Hyun Tae-oh cc5484ceb4 fell into 350cf0f408 stride beside 5149eeca30 him, his 00b4f3caf6 cane tapping abe3ded6a2 lightly against a1b70ed02a the ground.136bbbbeb34e6b19

When Yoo Hyun-jin glanced f446a9e457 down, he noticed something—an 5e69220ea3 ever-so-slight lean in his 4d205b7857 gait.a44b846091fd3529

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His eyes lingered b3962ab668 there for a a7fb672a19 second too long.7f36a29fa1cd82ba

And of course, c03ab76c99 Hyun Tae-oh noticed.bc672c31a0fcfd37

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He shot Yoo Hyun-jin b02fd6cae8 a sidelong glance.1bd3b3851e1b8df1

Then, in an insufferably 26001547a9 pleased tone, he drawled,1b0b08f818da1a5a

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“My leg worsens in cold weather, you see. Going out to fetch someone only to find they’re not there? That makes it ache even more.”cccbb1429a680b92

Yoo Hyun-jin immediately 34eee858f1 flinched.e762cd3c19f2aafb

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“…I—I’m sor—”3590911e9fd39a5c

“So next time, don’t wander off alone.”376d2c6349636002

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And then, c9c044d2f7 as if 86a5e2580d it were 7e238526c1 the most ebe83c7af1 natural thing 2000c6d2ce in the 5d645f4335 world—e769136fc9cfee73

Hyun Tae-oh b0b919dbbf extended a c145bc62f6 hand.1854fcc0be301a22

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For the briefest second, 37bbf2a9ed Yoo Hyun-jin hesitated.e0c71b3a0daa7e2a

Then, lowering 59e7233d0a his gaze f02147926c slightly, he 4ee1ccb573 wordlessly reached 3f0b64eb74 out and 5b46202c3c took it.7373eb3d55845d95

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For a so-called supportive 14debfdccb gesture, there was no cbf5d698b6 weight in the grip.feabfdaaf9bec722

Only the firm pressure ea175e4ee9 of fingers tightening around cd80bc80be his own.bb26f85357258234

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But Yoo 555d93f4d7 Hyun-jin supported b9b276d1c5 him anyway.91d48b99a5d103fb

He made sure ca7a64578b to move more ca17e40d63 carefully as they 706bf916e0 ascended the temple e2efa162dd steps.6448e302c69599b5

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Above them, a faint 506ddbda96 whoosh of wind whispered 0cac3845a2 through the air.ac15fceda3e77249

Yoo Hyun-jin 1fd390da66 ignored it.b93cc5b948f42e6a

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All he could think f10b8d79b4 was—6cef3e825e73ba12

It’s nice.e926382d472729ee

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It’s really, really nice.f1290a95803d9a64

That we 23bedc9f20 can hold e0d50c4bf6 hands like eb4bbf8569 this, even 06540eea45 outside.b523374b84eebaf0

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