"Your Highness," Min Yun's father bowed his head when the king entered his office.
I noticed how delighted the king was to see Min Yun's father.
"Uncle!" The king greeted warmly as they hugged.
"It's been a long time," the king said.
"Yes, and I feel guilty for not being by your side when you were in pain."
"Min Yun never left me, Uncle. I understand how busy you are in our hometown."
"Don't you miss the place? It's been so long since you visited."
The king smiled. "I do. Maybe after the wedding?"
The king glanced at me. I raised my eyebrows, unsure of what to say.
"Ah... yes, sure. It would be our pleasure, sir," I replied nervously.
"Sir?" The king and Min Yun's father echoed in unison.
"Ah, I mean Uncle," I faked a laugh, noticing Min Yun chuckling on the side.
Luckily, they didn't mind my slip-up, too engrossed in their conversation. Min Yun's father held the king's hands.
"I want to congratulate you," he said sincerely.
"Thank you, Uncle. Please, be here during the wedding ceremony."
He smiled. "The Park clan will always be here to support you."
"Let's go to the garden to eat. I know you must be hungry, Uncle," the king said.
Min Yun's father laughed and agreed.
They walked ahead, deep in conversation, catching up on the many stories they had to share. Min Yun and I followed closely behind.
"They've missed each other," I whispered.
"He missed him more than his own son," Min Yun joked.
"If you hadn't told me he was your father, I would have thought he was the king's," I quipped, and we both laughed before growing quiet.
"How are you?" Min Yun asked suddenly.
"I'm fine."
"I heard the news," he said carefully.
"Which one?" I pretended to be clueless.
"The meet-up," he replied.
I sighed. "They really know how to play their cards."
He nodded. "I'm still gathering evidence."
"Have you found anything?"
"I have, but I won't say anything until I'm certain."
"Does that mean you'll be traveling again?"
He shrugged. "The wedding is near, and I know you need my help."
"Thank you."
"I'm the only one who knows you well," he said with a soft smile.
Our conversation carried us to the garden without notice. We sat on the floor, waiting for the court ladies to serve the food.
"You really like this place," Min Yun's father commented.
"Min Yun and I both do," the king replied.
"You know why Min Yun likes it—because his lover liked it," his father teased, laughing.
I glanced at Min Yun with questions in my eyes. Lover? Min Yun shot me a "I'll explain later" look. Not that he owed me an explanation—I was just curious.
When the food was served, we started eating.
"You need to eat more, Your Highness," Min Yun's father said, adding more meat to the king's bowl.
"I am eating enough."
"You look thinner than before. Don't overwork yourself."
"Min Yun overworks himself, too. Uncle, tell him to take care of himself," the king interjected.
"I already did, but he doesn't listen," Min Yun's father laughed.
I observed the happy atmosphere. They laughed and talked like they carried no burdens. It made me reflect on my own life. I never experienced the warmth of a loving family. I grew up alone, with no one to guide or protect me—until Vonne, my best friend, saved me.
What does it feel like to have a happy family? If I had belonged to one, would I have turned out differently? Would I still be here, entangled in the lives of these people?
I stayed quiet, lost in thought. Min Yun seemed to notice my change in mood.
After we finished eating, I excused myself for a walk to get some fresh air.
"Your mood changed," a voice behind me said.
I turned to find Min Yun. "Why did you follow me?"
"I felt left out. They're still catching up."
"You should be with them. Treasure the moment with your family. You're lucky to have loving parents."
"You looked sad. Care to share?"
I hesitated but began walking. "I never had parents," I admitted. "I grew up alone, surviving on my own. There was a time I thought my life would end. Who would have thought I'd still be alive today?"
"What do you mean?" he asked, concerned.
I paused, staring at him for a moment before sighing. "I tried to end my own life."
Shock registered on his face.
"My best friend saved me," I continued.
"Why did you..."
"Why? Because I felt useless. I had so many questions. Why did my parents abandon me? They created a new family and left me behind."
I felt the familiar ache in my chest, tears threatening to spill. It wasn't my intention to become emotional, but seeing Min Yun's father and the king together had stirred up old wounds.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Min Yun said softly.
"You already know some of my past," I said, attempting to laugh but failing as tears escaped. Before I could wipe them, Min Yun gently brushed them away.
His unexpected gesture caught me off guard. Why was I crying about the past? It was years ago.
I stepped back, creating space between us. "I'm sorry for being emotional. It wasn't my intention."
"But I'm glad to know more about you."
"Do you want me to share more?"
"Only if you're ready," he said sincerely.
Before I could respond, the king called out to me.
"I'll tell you more next time," I said with a small smile.
Min Yun nodded and we both walked away.
I went to His Highness to ask why he was calling me.
To my shock, he held my hand. "As much as I want to spend the rest of the day with you, uncle, we have to go to prepare some things for our wedding. The wedding planner and organizer have been calling us."
Min Yun's father smiled. "Yes, I know you're too busy. Don't mind me; Min Yun is here to accompany me."
"You should stay here in the palace," I said.
He shrugged. "Your aunt will miss me if I'm gone, even just for a day."
They both laughed and bid goodbye. I bowed my head to show my respect to him.
"Goodbye, uncle. Thank you for the help. I owe you a lot."
He tapped my shoulder. "Anything for you, niece."
And then we left.
Min Yun's POV
When the king and I-jun left, my father sighed heavily.
"I can sense something," he said.
I looked at him. "Sense what?"
"I saw it earlier—you wiped her tears." He mimicked my action from before.
"She was crying, and I couldn't help it."
"You like her, don't you?"
I didn't respond.
"I can see it in your eyes, son. I know you well."
"If you know it, why are you still asking?"
He sighed. "She's getting married to the king."
"She isn't marrying the king out of love. She's doing it to help him."
"Does the king know about your feelings?"
I didn't answer.
"You've been close since you were kids. I hope you won't become enemies over a woman."
"That won't happen."
"Does that mean you won't tell her your feelings?"
"I didn't say that."
"I saw how the king looked at her. It seems like he's starting to like his future wife."
I clenched my fists.
"You know I'm here to support you, no matter what. But I always tell you to do what you think is right. If telling her your true feelings is the right thing, then tell her. But it might ruin your relationship with the king."
"I'll figure it out myself, Father."
He tapped my shoulder. "If you need advice, I'm here."
"Thank you."
"I won't stay too long. Your mother will surely miss me now." He winked and bid goodbye, hugging me before he left.
I saw my father off at the palace gates and waved as he left.
Once he was gone, I went to the mountain—where my lover was buried.
Yes, you heard that right. I had a lover once. She didn't leave me for another man; she left because of a serious illness. It was too late to cure, and the doctor said it was a rare illness with no known cure.
I stopped at the pile of stones marking her grave.
Whenever I'm not okay, I come here to talk to her as if she could hear me.
"If you were still here, I wouldn't have these feelings," I began.
"Father was right. This might affect my relationship with the king. But how can I control this feeling every time I see her?"
I sighed. "Everything became complicated after you left. I'm not the same person I used to be. I have so many burdens now. If you were here, I'm sure you'd help me."
"How can I handle the situation I'm in? Can you help me?"
"Min Yun?"