Seeing that, Yosan was shocked and immediately ran away, followed by Reina chasing after him.
"Your Majesty, I will tell you when I'm ready!" Yosan shouted. His voice echoed down the hallway, attracting the attention of several people who immediately turned to look for the source of the sound. Meanwhile, Reina quickened her pace. From a distance, she saw Yosan enter his room.
Once inside the room, Yosan looked around frantically. He had to find a hiding place before Reina arrived. His eyes moved from the closet, the curtains, and finally settled on the space under the bed. Without hesitation, he immediately crawled in and tried to make himself as small as possible, holding his breath so he wouldn't be caught.
Shortly after, the room door opened with a slight jolt. Reina entered with quick steps, her breath slightly ragged. Her eyes immediately scanned the room, looking for Yosan's whereabouts. However, the man was nowhere to be seen.
Reina clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Don't think you can escape from me that easily! Just you wait until I find you," Reina said with emphasis, starting to step slowly into the room, making Yosan shudder in fear.
From the gap under the bed, Yosan could see Reina's feet moving back and forth. He could even hear the woman's annoyed sighs. A few moments later, Reina seemed to sit on the bed, making Yosan hold his breath even more and pray not to be found. He wasn't ready to face this.
Yosan covered his mouth, making sure he didn't make even the slightest sound. However, the next second, Reina's feet moved again. The woman seemed to still be searching. Then, she stopped.
"Where is that man?" Reina muttered, brushing her hair in frustration. She then sat down on the wooden chair in the room.
Just then, her eyes caught something where part of Yosan's leg was slightly protruding from under the bed. How could she have just noticed that now!
Reina smiled slightly. She then stood up and walked towards the door. Then, deliberately, she made louder footsteps and opened the door with a dramatic gesture. "Alright, I'll go then," she said in a voice made to sound as if she were really leaving the room. Then, silently, she turned back and moved stealthily towards the other side of the room. She waited patiently, watching from a hidden corner.
And sure enough, shortly after, Yosan, feeling that the situation was safe, slowly began to crawl out from under the bed. However, before he could move any further, Reina swiftly pulled him out and held his body so he couldn't escape.
"W-What are you doing?!" Yosan struggled in panic, but Reina's grip was too strong.
The woman looked at him sharply, then her eyes fell on something in Yosan's hand. Reina's brow furrowed. "What happened to your hand?" she asked, this time in a colder tone.
Yosan reflexively pulled his hand away gently, trying to hide it. "Just a minor injury, nothing more."
However, Reina was not easily fooled. She grabbed Yosan's wrist, examining the small wounds there. Her eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Yosan."
Yosan lowered his gaze, unable to answer directly. It was quite embarrassing if he had to admit that the wounds came from himself when he had thrown a few punches at the room wall earlier to vent his embarrassment and frustration at the thought of Reina's reaction if she finally found out about the agreement he made with Elexon.
Reina sighed deeply, looking at him with an expression that was hard to read. Without saying anything, she pulled Yosan's hand and made him stand up. "Come on, I'll treat your wounds," she said briefly.
Yosan could only resign himself as Reina pulled him away.
Reina sat Yosan on a stool, then took antiseptic and wound ointment from a drawer. Carefully, she began to treat the wounds on both of Yosan's hands. There were several scratches and reddish bruises there, making her brow furrow slightly. Unbeknownst to them, the afternoon had arrived, and the orange light of the sun began to peek through the window.
"Lately, it seems you enjoy making me constantly worried," Reina said, her voice sounding softer, although there was a hint of worry in it.
Yosan didn't answer. He just sat quietly, letting Reina bandage his wounds.
"Whatever happened to you this time, what I hope is, please stop getting hurt again, Yosan. Whatever it is, Yosan," Reina added in a lower voice.
Slowly, she reached for Yosan's hand and pressed it to her face, as if to reassure herself that the man was still by her side. Then, without warning, she lowered her head and briefly kissed Yosan's bandaged fingers.
Yosan flinched slightly, then awkwardly pulled his hand away. "Yes, I will be more careful in the future," he said softly, then glanced away, reluctant to look directly at Reina.
Reina stared at him intently, then slowly smiled thinly. However, there was something in her gaze that changed, something Yosan recognized well.
"Do you understand?" Reina's voice was slightly softer, but full of emphasis. "If you continue like this, I will not hesitate to restrain you like before again, even if you refuse or even beg me."
Yosan tensed in his place.
"I will treat you like before again if that's what it takes to keep you by my side," Reina continued, this time her voice was softer, almost a whisper. "You are mine, Yosan. Remember that."
Yosan clenched his fists, his eyes looking at Reina with an expression that was hard to decipher.
"You shouldn't be like that," he said finally. "You promised me that you wouldn't force and do as you please to me anymore. Besides, these are just small wounds... I also want to become stronger so that—"
Reina interrupted him directly, her eyes sharp. "So that what, Yosan? To the point that you hurt yourself like this?"
Reina clearly remembered how Yosan had tried so hard to hurt Elexon, even if only a little. There was an agreement between the two of them, something that referred to proof and blessing. Whatever it was, Reina knew it was not something trivial.
And now, look at Yosan's wounded hands, although not too severe, it still worried her.
The room became silent. Only the sound of the afternoon wind whispered softly outside the window.
Seeing Yosan silent, Reina chuckled softly. "I won't do that," Reina said, her voice slightly softer, but still firm. "So don't be angry like that."
She looked at Yosan deeply, as if searching for an answer in his eyes. Then, in a softer tone, she continued, "But you have to promise me...." Reina held Yosan's hand tightly. "Promise that you won't hurt yourself again. Whatever happens, whatever you feel, never do it again."
Yosan paused for a moment. He could feel the sincerity in Reina's voice, as well as the hidden fear that the woman rarely showed. After a moment, he sighed softly and nodded.
"Alright... I promise," he said finally.
Reina smiled thinly, then without warning, she pulled Yosan into her embrace. "Don't ever worry me like this again," she whispered, closing her eyes for a moment.
Yosan, although a little awkward, slowly raised his hands and returned the embrace. "Sorry," he said softly.
In the silence of the deepening afternoon, the two of them were silent, as if enjoying a brief moment where there were no more words to be spoken.
Reina smiled, then slowly leaned in, looking at Yosan with deep feeling before finally kissing the man's lips gently. Her kiss was warm, bringing comfort while arousing feelings that they had long suppressed. Unconsciously, Reina sat on Yosan's lap, bringing their bodies closer together.
Both of them were swept away in that moment, as if time had stopped for them. Yosan looked into Reina's eyes deeply, seeking certainty in the soft sparkle that shone there.
"Your Majesty... I want to do it," Yosan whispered softly, his voice full of firmness and sincerity.
However, Reina shook her head gently. She caressed Yosan's slightly flushed face, her eyes filled with tenderness. "No, you're still sick, so we can't do it."
"But I'm healed," Yosan replied, his voice slightly pleading.
Reina looked at him sharply before smiling thinly, meaningfully. She traced Yosan's jaw with her fingers, then whispered in his ear, "Healed from what? If just last night you were still moaning in pain, hm?"
Yosan was silent. His face grew hotter hearing Reina's words. He wanted to object, but the woman's gaze was too piercing, too full of confidence. In the end, Yosan could only sigh, bowing in resignation.
Besides, having sex while sick is not a good thing, especially since they had done it quite a bit before, it would be good if their bodies rested for some time. Reina wouldn't go anywhere either.
Reina chuckled at his reaction. "Wait until you're fully recovered. I won't go anywhere," she said, kissing Yosan's forehead affectionately.
She then slowly rose from Yosan's lap, straightening her clothes before looking at the man again. "Let's go to the dining room. You haven't eaten, have you?"
Yosan nodded slowly, although he wasn't really hungry.
"After that, you have to take your medicine and sleep." Reina continued in a firm tone. "So you can recover quickly."
She held out her hand to Yosan, waiting for him to take it. Without much choice, Yosan accepted the offer, letting Reina help him stand.