Areum looked out her bedroom window with a face that was hard to describe. Her fingers twisted the cloth Wang Joon gave her last night, while she smiled to herself like someone who just watched a BTS bias video.
"Soa…," she called softly.
Lady Soa approached, trying to hold back her laughter at Areum's "love mode" expression.
"Yes, Agassi?"
"If someone makes us want to cry and laugh at the same time… do they use magic?"
Soa raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that's magic, Agassi. That's love."
Areum hugged a pillow. "Arghhh! I've lost to this drama…"
Meanwhile, in the palace training yard, Wang Joon was practicing archery — but his concentration wasn't like usual. Every arrow went slightly astray.
"Your Majesty seems… distracted today," commented his bodyguard.
Wang Joon took a breath. "She likes to eat sweets. But every time she tries to hide her smile, she looks more adorable than the desserts themselves."
The bodyguard: "…"
"Your Majesty… I think it's not a problem… it's a love sickness."
Wang Joon only raised a small brow, but a smile played on his lips.
That afternoon, Soa came to Areum with exciting news:
"Your Majesty invited Agassi to a private session — she said there's something she wants to share."
Areum gaped. "A private session? No protocol? No 'Your Majesty-need-to-sit-on-the-golden-chair' kind of thing?"
Soa nodded with a mischievous smile.
Areum patted her cheeks. "Okay, calm down, Areum. Wear your prettiest hanbok. Don't faint if he smiles at me again."
The meeting place — a secret garden at the end of the palace. Colored glass lanterns hung low, creating a luxurious picnic-like atmosphere. In the middle, a small table was set — filled with sweets, fruit, and tea.
Wang Joon stood waiting. When Areum arrived, he pulled out a small chair for her.
"I feel like fainting twice," Areum thought to herself.
"Thank you… Your Majesty."
Wang Joon looked at her.
"Just call me Wang Joon. When it's just us… we're not in a formal hall."
Areum bowed her head. "Okay… Wang Joon."
Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
They ate slowly, chatting casually. Areum, as usual, played coy — mispronounced a snack name, spilled tea a little, and almost choked from laughing at her own joke. But that's what made Wang Joon fall deeper.
Suddenly, Wang Joon picked a small flower from the table and handed it to her.
"Areum."
"Yes?"
"If one day… you leave this palace, will you go without looking back?"
Areum was stunned. That was no joking question. But Wang Joon's gentle smile stayed, hiding his unease.
Areum clutched the flower.
"I don't know… but I feel… maybe there's something I'll miss… if I leave."
They fell silent.
Then — Wang Joon slightly stood up, and without many words — he adjusted Areum's hair that had fallen to her cheek. His touch was gentle. His eyes serious, but with a spark that made Areum's heart melt like melted cheese.
He whispered:
"If you don't want to come back… I won't stop you."
That night, Areum squealed softly into her pillow.
"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Soa peeked in from the door: "Patik... is this the right time?"
Areum was rolling on her bed.
"SOA! I'M NOT JUST DIZZY… I FELL, GOT STUCK, AND REFUSE TO GET UP!!"
To Be Continued...