SNF | Chapter 4.2

Yeshin, as he had confidently claimed, was indeed a good guide. He explained every nook and cranny of the main street in an interesting way, making it seem like he knew every path by heart. There wasn’t a single moment of awkward silence between them—he kept talking without pause, so much so that Yeon-oh found himself worrying whether he would end up parched from speaking too much.

As they strolled through the streets like explorers, a bell rang out, loud and far-reaching. It was the second time Yeon-oh had heard it since walking with Yeshin. That meant it had been almost two hours since they came out to the main street. By now, the coachman should be waking up. It was time to return.

“It’s already this late.”

Yeshin, who had been quietly listening to the bell, sighed regretfully before turning his steps.

“We should head back. Didn’t we agree to avoid any unnecessary confusion?”

“That would be for the best.”

Yeon-oh hid the sudden sense of reluctance that crept into his heart and adjusted his pace to match Yeshin’s. He hadn’t noticed on the way here, but now that they had to retrace their steps, the walk back to where the carriage was parked seemed much longer than he remembered. Perhaps it was because, unlike before, they walked in complete silence.

“Uigwi.”

Breaking the silence, Yeon-oh spoke first. Yeshin looked down at him as he matched his stride.

“You said you belong to Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs, so that means you serve by His Highness the Crown Prince’s side, correct?”

“Well… yes.”

“What kind of person is His Highness?”

It was a rather impulsive question. Through it, Yeon-oh wanted to gauge Yeshin’s thoughts.

“Why do you ask?”

“His Highness will one day inherit the throne, and he is someone I must serve for the rest of my life. Why wouldn’t I be curious?”

“For someone who’s curious….”

You don’t look particularly interested. Yeshin saw right through him. Still, when Yeon-oh remained silent, waiting for an answer, Yeshin rubbed his cheek before responding.

“Well….”

“…….”

“He is a good person. But at the same time, he’s someone whose true thoughts are hard to read.”

“Like Uigwi?”

Yeon-oh’s swift retort made Yeshin burst into laughter. The sound was clear and refreshing.

“Yes, just like me.”

Yeshin admitted it without hesitation. By then, they had already arrived near the inn. In the distance, the carriage came into view.

“Seems like he’s still asleep, seeing how quiet it is.”

“…….”

“Go on. Just in case, I’ll see you off from here.”

“…….”

“Young master?”

When Yeon-oh still didn’t move, Yeshin tilted his head and called out to him, then teasingly asked, “Don’t tell me you don’t want to part ways with me?”

Yet Yeon-oh remained silent, standing still for a long while. He blinked slowly once, then stopped blinking altogether.

And finally, he spoke, his voice quiet.

“Uigwi, you will pledge your unwavering loyalty to His Highness, won’t you?”

Would Yeshin notice the hidden meaning behind this question? Yeon-oh still didn’t fully understand the extent of the Crown Prince and the Prince’s rivalry, nor whether it had reached the point of open conflict. But if it was about the Crown Prince, and if Yeshin was by his side, then surely he would understand the deeper intent behind these words.

“Of course.”

His answer held not a single trace of doubt.

Yeon-oh swallowed even the sigh he hadn’t realized he was holding back, suppressing every emotion that threatened to surface.

“…Uigwi, do you remember? When we first met, you said this: When two people who have never known each other meet by chance, the first time is coincidence, the second time is fate, and the third time is inevitable.”

“Yes, I did say that. I remember.”

“And we have met twice now, purely by chance. If we go by your words, Uigwi, that means this is fate, doesn’t it?”

Yeshin looked down at Yeon-oh, as if trying to decipher the hidden meaning in his words. His gaze thoroughly examined him, but Yeon-oh remained unfazed and continued speaking.

“I would prefer if our meetings ended at just fate.”

“…….”

“So please, do not send me any more letters.”

To Yeshin, this might have come as a sudden statement. But now that Yeon-oh had confirmed Yeshin’s unwavering loyalty to the Crown Prince, he could no longer continue their interactions. If he hadn’t asked, perhaps he would have allowed himself to hold onto the faint hope that they could keep in touch a little longer.

No.

Yeon-oh immediately rejected that thought. If it was a bond that could never deepen, then it was best to sever it while his heart was still unburdened.

“This is what I called you here to say.”

Yeon-oh removed the red robe he had been wearing and handed it to Yeshin. A cold wind slipped through the gap in his collar, biting at his skin.

“I appreciate your kindness. Take care, Uigwi.”

Practically forcing the robe into Yeshin’s hands, Yeon-oh didn’t even wait for a response before turning toward the carriage and opening the door. Inside, the coachman, who had been lying there as if dead to the world, twitched his fingers ever so slightly. It seemed he was beginning to regain consciousness.

Yeon-oh climbed inside, settling into the seat opposite the coachman and leaning back against the carriage’s frame. Even after shutting the door, he didn’t turn back. Not even once.

How long did he sit there like that?

At last, the coachman’s heavy eyelids began to lift.

“…Young master?”

Blinking several times, the coachman gradually returned to his senses. His dazed eyes quickly shifted into a look of shock as he straightened up abruptly and scanned his surroundings.

“Let’s go back. Get out and turn the horse around.”

“But… how did this happen…?”

“My cousin was feeling playful today.”

Yeon-oh casually passed Yeshin off as Lee Shinwoo. Not that the coachman would know what Lee Shinwoo looked like anyway. It was inevitable that today’s events would reach the Prime Minister’s ears through the coachman. In that case, it was better to let him believe that Yeon-oh had simply met with Lee Shinwoo, someone he was already known to exchange letters with. That way, he wouldn’t risk raising unnecessary suspicion.

The coachman, still bewildered, hesitated for a moment before obeying Yeon-oh’s command and opening the carriage door.

Had he already left?

The farewell Yeon-oh had given was rude enough that Yeshin would have had every right to be openly displeased. Yeon-oh turned his gaze slightly, just as the carriage door briefly opened and closed again.

Yeshin was nowhere to be seen.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

As Yeon-oh walked through the Golden Palace, he rubbed his shoulder. A dull ache spread through him. His skin was naturally delicate, and even the slightest pressure left marks. Two days ago, the Prime Minister had gripped his shoulder roughly, leaving behind red and purple bruises that still hadn’t faded.

He could have asked Jo Myeonghwan for some ointment, but then Myeonghwan would have wanted to know how he got the marks. Of course, it was unlikely, but if rumors spread that the Prime Minister had caused them, it could easily spark speculation about discord between father and son. Yeon-oh would rather keep his mouth shut.

Trying to make his actions appear casual, he swept a hand over his shoulder as if dusting it off, then lowered his arm. Ahead, he saw the plaque of Inkyung Palace.

Not long after his not-quite-secret conversation with the Prime Minister, a message arrived for him at the Golden Palace. It was a summons from the Empress. Yeon-oh entered the palace at the appointed time, making his way to her inner court. As he followed a court lady down the corridor, his mind was filled with thoughts—many of which he discarded just as quickly.

“Your Majesty, the young master has arrived.”

The palace maid standing at the door announced his presence.

“Her Majesty bids you to enter.”

The court lady received him with a formal tone. Yeon-oh gave a slight nod and stepped forward. She gracefully moved aside to make way for him.

“Yeon-oh, you’re here?”

“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress. May you enjoy eternal blessings.”

“It hasn’t been long since we last met, has it? Come, have a seat, Yeon-oh.”

The Empress welcomed him with a gentle smile, her eyes curving prettily. She motioned for him to approach, then dismissed all the palace attendants.

“The children aren’t here yet.”

The children. It seemed the Empress had also summoned the Princess. Of course, she had. The real purpose of this meeting was for Yeon-oh to meet the Prince, but that needed to be framed as a simple family gathering. For that, the Princess was necessary. If he met only the Prince, others might take it as a reason to gossip.

“I have been eagerly waiting for the day I could meet them both. I am truly grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness in considering me.”

“As I said before, wouldn’t it be good to at least become familiar with each other before the Spring Festival?”

The Empress spoke lightly, and Yeon-oh followed her lead. Rather than touching on deeper topics, they exchanged small talk. This was, after all, the palace—a place where one had to be careful with their words.

“Your Majesty, the Princess and the Prince have arrived.”

Before long, a voice announced their arrival. At the Empress’ command, the layered doors opened, revealing two children. Yeon-oh rose from his seat to greet them.

“Come here.”

The Empress spread her arms wide in welcome. The first to rush into her embrace was not the Princess, but the Prince.

“Mother!”

His bright, childish voice rang out as he threw himself into her arms. The Empress’ smile deepened as she gazed down at her son.

“Princess, you should come too.”

She had been absorbed in watching the Prince and only now turned to call for the Princess. The little girl, who had been lingering hesitantly near the doorway, did not run into her mother’s arms. Instead, she folded her hands neatly and greeted her with perfect etiquette.

“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Seeing his sister bow, the Prince quickly followed suit.

“You may both rise.”

The Empress, clearly fond of her son, gently stroked his cheek before turning her attention back to Yeon-oh. He, in turn, shifted his gaze from the Empress and the Prince to the Princess. She had stepped forward into the inner chamber, her expression unreadable.

“Mother, is this our uncle?”

The Prince turned his curiosity toward Yeon-oh, and the Princess also studied him with interest. Only then did the Empress withdraw her hand from the Prince and sit up straighter.

“Yes, you should greet your uncle properly.”

The Prince and Princess hesitated. Despite their curiosity, an uncle they were meeting for the first time was still an unfamiliar figure. It was the same for Yeon-oh. The Prince was eight years old, and the Princess was six—both were young, and their existence felt distant to him.

“I, Yeon-oh of the Hye family, greet Your Highness, the Prince and Your Highness, the Princess.”