"Here. A list of potential members of the secret gathering of seja jeoha..."
Min Jun took the scroll from Dan and immediately began studying its contents.
"Most of the members are from the west side, which means they have connections with seja jeoha's in-law family," Dan explained as he sat down in front of Min Jun, frowning and anxiously tapping his fingers on the prince's table.
"If we look at this list, it seems like they were having a pack meeting for a coup. But, come to think of it... On the surface, the gathering seems like a regular family dinner and meeting," Min Jun looked up, scribbling something in his notebook.
"That's why people overlook it. It's normal to gather with your cousins and uncles on your wife's side," Dan replied. "But who knows the hidden agenda behind it."
"I still can't figure out the reason for the attack. Why me? I pose no threat. I'm dying anyway!"
"Maybe they know you have a chance to recover, now that Soo Young is taking care of you," Dan theorized. But then, he realized the flaw in his reasoning. "Wait, the attack started before you even knew Soo Young... I take it back, sorry," Dan quickly apologized.
Min Jun sighed, feeling stuck and frustrated. The investigation had been ongoing for a while, yet he still couldn't piece together the evidence.
"If seja really wanted me dead, he could've done it a long time ago. Why now? Does he feel threatened? But why? He's got the throne anyway!" Min Jun put the scroll back into its casing, his mind racing.
"I've been trying to figure it out all night. I couldn't even sleep…"
"You haven't slept properly for almost a month now, ever since Uk ssi left the Red Ruby..." Dan gave Min Jun a teasing look, which the prince countered with a sharp gaze, knowing exactly where his cousin was going.
"I do sleep..."
"You only sleep during your treatments, thanks to the side effects of the medicine. Other than that, you're awake like a vampire," Dan exaggerated, widening his eyes to mimic Min Jun's tired state.
"Vampire? What's that?"
"Heubhyeolgwi..."
Min Jun's lips parted as he nodded, but then...
"Yarh! That's a ghost!"
"Yes, you do look like one... Or maybe something else…"
"Which one?"
"Jombi."
Dan's playful reply nearly made Min Jun swat at him. Dan rolled away on the floor, laughing uncontrollably as he dodged the prince's hand.
"Yarh, I'm not dead yet, and you're already saying I look like a living corpse!"
"Then you should start sleeping properly! Don't blame it all on the fact that your badchim isn't here!" Dan swatted Min Jun's hand away from his face. Both of them ended up sitting in the middle of the room, panting after their brief scuffle.
"It's easier said than done, Dan..."
Dan's gaze softened as he looked at his cousin. He understood. It wasn't just about intimacy; it was about the loss of a support system. Uk should be by Min Jun's side during times like these, but they had no choice.
"I keep having nightmares where someone kills him right before my eyes. Losing him hurts more than the pain I've carried for almost two decades, Dan."
"Your possessiveness and deep feelings for him have made him your greatest vulnerability, daegum. I'm sorry, but it's true..."
"I know… I pushed him into danger," Min Jun sighed, regret flickering in his eyes. "Now, I'm the one suffering the consequences."
Dan patted Min Jun's shoulder, offering a faint smile. He could see the weight of guilt in the prince's expression.
"Yarh, stop blaming yourself for falling in love with Uk ssi! If you could control it, you would have a long time ago. It's not your fault. Love makes people crazy; you know that," Dan said, his voice gentle yet firm.
Min Jun studied Dan's face, noticing a certain radiance and confidence.
"Don't tell me…"
"What?"
"Dan, you're in love…"
Dan's sheepish smile confirmed it. He looked down, fidgeting with the corner of his hanbok's sleeves.
"Shibal! You're definitely in love!" Min Jun blurted out, prompting Dan to clamp a hand over his mouth, embarrassed.
"Calm down, daegum! No need to announce it to the whole nation!" Dan pushed Min Jun away, but the prince only chuckled and giggled like a child.
"Is my head going to be chopped off for knowing this secret? Because I just happened to pass by..."
A voice from the doorway startled them. They looked up to find Soo Young standing there with a book in her hand. Dan nudged Min Jun's waist, signaling him to keep quiet.
But, as if Min Jun ever listened to him! He's a prince, after all!
"Ehem, ah... Soo Young ssi..."
"Yes?" the physician tilted her head slightly. Dan tugged at Min Jun's hanbok like a little boy, but the prince slapped his hand away and stood up, ready to flee the room.
"Er... Dan ssi... He wanted to ask you..."
"Daegum!"
Min Jun stuck his tongue out before walking closer to Soo Young and whispering something in her ear. Immediately, her face turned serious, her gaze zeroing in on Dan.
"Yarh, daegum!" Dan tried to catch Min Jun, but Soo Young intercepted him, grabbing his arm before he could escape the room.
"You're not going anywhere near my patient, Dan!"
"But..."
"But what? That might be contagious! Let's do a check-up!"
"Ehey, what thing?!"
Soo Young didn't respond. She pushed Dan inside and locked the door behind them.
"Daegum said you have blotches all over, and your tiny Dan looks swollen as well. I need to see if this is some kind of disease you caught after having fun at Concubine Lane last night!"
"Hah?!"
Soo Young pushed Dan to the floor, ready to strip him down for an examination. Dan resisted, but when she gave him a sharp glare, he froze, unable to move.
"You better learn your lesson, Dan ssi! If you ever step foot there again, I'll cut off your little Dan!"
Soo Young's fierce reaction somehow amused Dan. He gazed at her with affection, feeling grateful for someone who cared about him and, well, was possessive at the same time.
"If you want me to stop, there's one thing you can do," he said. Soo Young, her hands on the rope of Dan's inner hanbok, looked at him with a furrowed brow.
"What? Chop off your head?" she asked sarcastically. Dan laughed at her vicious reply, holding her hands tighter, closer to his chest.
"Be mine. And I'll give you all of me... everything," Dan whispered, slowly slipping one of Soo Young's hands inside his hanbok after undoing the rope. From where she stood, Soo Young could see his white, chiseled chest, clean and spotless—unlike what Min Jun had claimed.
Realizing the trap, Soo Young quickly tried to pull her hand away, but Dan held it tight, locking her in a position that made escape impossible.
"Dan ssi!" Soo Young yelped as he drew her closer.
"Perhaps not that just yet..." Dan sighed, letting a hint of mischief fade from his expression. "But I mean it, Soo Young. If you want me to stay clean, be my girlfriend, and I'll be loyal to you," he said, his tone sincere, the playfulness gone from his eyes.
Soo Young managed to free her hand as Dan's grip loosened. They locked eyes, the room suddenly heavy with unspoken words.
"Dan ssi..."
"If you can't answer me now, it's fine. I can wait—"
"Just one question," Soo Young interrupted. She looked down, thinking carefully, before looking back at him. "Do you mind having a working wife? Because I'm not stopping work after we get married..."
"You're leaping ahead..." Dan replied with a wide grin. "But no, I don't mind a working wife. I'm rich, I can hire maids for house chores!"
"I want to open a clinic."
"I can provide the capital."
Silence.
"I'm not ready to get married now..."
"I can wait," Dan said quickly. "I told you, I can wait even a lifetime if it's for you," he added, his straightforwardness leaving no room for doubt.
Soo Young let out a faint smile. She slowly stood up, offering her hand to help Dan to his feet as well.
"But don't expect me to treat you nicely just because you're my boyfriend! If you mess up, I'll scold you big time! And if you cheat on me... prepare yourself for punishment," she warned with a wide grin, despite the threat.
Dan chuckled, pulling Soo Young into a big hug. He gently stroked her hair, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Why are you crying, you pabo!"
"I don't know why... Maybe because the feeling of being loved is overwhelming!" Dan replied between sobs. Beyond happiness, he felt an immense gratitude for having someone like Soo Young by his side. This was unexpected, so perhaps his heart was still processing the fact that Soo Young had accepted his proposal.
This was the happiest day of his life!