An Utter Misunderstanding

The dangerous incident at the lake thankfully ended without causing any bigger problems.

For the next few days, people kept talking about the investigation, the strange traces left behind at the lake, and the incident near the apothecary. But honestly, I didn’t care much about any of it.

I had too many problems of my own already.

***************************************************

“Can’t I at least go outside for a little fresh air?”

“Absolutely not! The Master ordered that you are not allowed to leave the estate at all, Young Master!”

“…Not even briefly?”

“Not even a single step!”

That was the issue.

After hearing that I had nearly gotten caught in a dangerous situation, Father had practically placed me under house arrest until Prince Eighteenth finally left Hefei.

Just remembering how Father even stopped me from accompanying Prince Eighteenth anywhere made me sigh heavily.

“Haa…”

“The Young Patriarch also dislikes the idea of you going out right now, Young Master. Fortunately, His Highness likely won’t remain here much longer, so please endure it a little longer.”

“He’s leaving soon?”

That was news to me.

Surprised, I looked at Jin-cheong, and he nodded.

“It seems His Highness has already completed most of his dealings with the bureau. The Imperial Court appears satisfied.”

“Ah… right.”

I had almost forgotten why Prince Eighteenth came here in the first place.

The Imperial Court had basically sent the Emperor’s younger brother here to ask for money while pretending it was “cooperation.” Since Prince Eighteenth had gotten what he wanted, it made sense for him to return soon.

“Hopefully they didn’t squeeze too much money out of us.”

“The Mangeum Bureau is stronger than you think, Young Master.”

“Exactly! The bureau didn’t become famous for nothing!”

I laughed softly.

“You’re both right.”

I had really been worrying over nothing.

As I smiled, both Yeo-ui and Jin-cheong looked relieved.

I stood up and straightened my robes.

“Even if I can’t leave the estate, walking around the inner courtyard should be fine, right?”

dishonesty.

“Yes.”

“As long as you stay inside the inner pavilion, Young Master.”

“Understood. I’ll endure it until His Highness leaves.”

Since rumors about Prince Eighteenth finishing his work were already spreading, he probably only had a few days left anyway.

I could survive that much time by reading scrolls or taking walks around the estate.

“Good. Then let’s take a short walk and visit my family before returning.”

“I’ll prepare immediately.”

At least they weren’t stopping me from doing this much.

****************************************************

After Jin-cheong left first, Yeo-ui dragged me further inside.

“Do I really need to change clothes just for a short walk?”

“Of course! Do you know how many people are watching you, Young Master?!”

Even if he said that, the only people around were the bureau’s servants and Prince Eighteenth’s entourage.

I wanted to argue, but Yeo-ui had looked gloomy for days. Seeing the sparkle in his eyes now, I decided changing clothes wasn’t worth fighting over.

So I let him do whatever he wanted.

When he finally finished dressing me, he looked unbelievably satisfied.

Seeing him so happy made me smile too.

“Does this really make you that happy?”

“Very happy!”

“Well, if you’re happy, that’s enough.”

“You know you’re my favorite person, right, Young Master?”

“I know.”

Honestly, his mood completely depended on me.

It was almost funny.

*********************************************************

When we stepped outside, Jin-cheong and several guards were already waiting.

The moment Jin-cheong saw me, he froze briefly before bowing.

The guards reacted the same way.

Noticing the slight blushes on their faces, I realized Yeo-ui had definitely gone overboard today.

I shot him a look.

Yeo-ui glanced at the embarrassed guards and grinned proudly.

At that point, I gave up arguing.

Walking around the inner pavilion was peaceful.

Oddly enough, my body felt especially light today. I even felt like I could keep walking for hours.

Still, the same scenery quickly became boring.

After thinking for a moment, I turned to Jin-cheong.

“Where’s my brother?”

“The Young Patriarch is in the administrative hall.”

“Then let’s go drink tea with him.”

Just imagining my brother’s face made me want to hurry there immediately.

So I changed direction and headed toward the hall.

*********************************************************

When we arrived, the guards at the entrance bowed respectfully.

I approached one of the attendants.

“Does my brother currently have a guest?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Ah.

That explained why Prince Eighteenth’s royal guards were surrounding the area.

“Should I announce your arrival?”

At this point, leaving would only feel awkward.

“…Yes.”

The attendant quickly went inside.

Moments later, the doors opened, revealing my brother and Prince Eighteenth together.

“Young Master Seo-yul!”

“Yul.”

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

So Prince Eighteenth really was here.

I silently regretted coming.

The moment I bowed, Prince Eighteenth immediately grabbed my arms and lifted me back up.

When I looked into his sparkling eyes, I quickly turned toward my brother instead.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Yul?”

He answered instantly, like he had been waiting for me to look at him.

The corners of my lips lifted slightly.

“I was taking a walk and thought of you. I hoped we could share tea together, but it seems I came at a bad time.”

“There’s always time for tea. Isn’t that right, Young Patriarch?”

“Exactly.”

I had clearly been signaling my brother to send me away.

Instead, he agreed with Prince Eighteenth immediately.

Still… this wasn’t entirely bad.

With my brother present, Prince Eighteenth probably wouldn’t try anything strange.

So I followed them inside.

*******************************************************

Unfortunately, the seating arrangement became awkward instantly.

I somehow ended up sitting between the two of them.

A servant entered carrying tea but hesitated about where to place it.

I pointed to the table beside my brother.

“Put it here.”

The servant quickly obeyed and left.

I turned toward Prince Eighteenth.

“Please enjoy the tea, Your Highness.”

“Ahem… very well.”

I poured tea for him first, then for my brother.

My brother poured mine in return.

For a moment, the three of us quietly drank together.

“Tea poured by your hands tastes especially wonderful, Young Master Seo-yul.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

Prince Eighteenth looked absurdly pleased.

I quickly looked away and turned to my brother instead.

The moment our eyes met, his expression softened warmly.

As expected of the Geum family bloodline, he looked unfairly handsome.

I ended up staring a little too long until Prince Eighteenth coughed loudly.

“Hasn’t staying inside the estate been suffocating for you?”

“Safety comes first right now. I can explore the city later.”

“…I had hoped to personally show you all of Hefei’s beautiful sights.”

I knew perfectly well that “sightseeing” was not his real goal.

Readers loved Prince Eighteenth in the original story because he appeared devoted and sincere.

But now that I knew how calculating he truly was, his sweet words only irritated me.

So instead of answering, I simply drank my tea.

***************************************************

Eventually, the teapot ran empty.

I wanted to stay longer with my brother, but I had no intention of interfering with their work.

Besides, the longer Prince Eighteenth stayed here, the worse things could become.

So I stood up.

“I should return to my quarters now.”

“Leaving already?”

“I don’t wish to interrupt your important discussions.”

My brother looked visibly disappointed, which made me feel a little guilty too.

Still, I couldn’t stay.

The moment I stood, both my brother and Prince Eighteenth rose with me.

“Allow me to escort you back.”

“That’s unnecessary. It’s not far.”

“My discussions with the Young Patriarch are already over. I was preparing to leave anyway.”

I looked toward my brother suspiciously.

He smiled awkwardly and nodded.

So Prince Eighteenth wasn’t lying.

Unfortunately.

“Then I’ll leave Yul in your care, Your Highness.”

“Do not worry. Young Master Seo-yul’s safety is always my highest priority.”

Prince Eighteenth smiled brightly and extended his hand toward me.

Suppressing a sigh, I took it.

Naturally, his other arm wrapped around my waist immediately.

“Every time I hold your hand, I’m reminded how small and beautiful it is.”

Maybe your hands are just ridiculously huge.

“Haa…”

“Haha, are you sighing because you’re shy?”

His ability to misunderstand literally everything was honestly impressive.

I stayed silent and let him lead me outside.

**************************************************************

We walked quietly for a while before he finally spoke again.

“I ordered the martial masters who came with me to help secure the bureau.”

That surprised me.

I had assumed his guards only cared about protecting him.

“…Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

“Ahem. It is only natural.”

If it was so natural, why brag about it?

Still, I politely played along.

Before I realized it, we had reached my annex.

I hesitated briefly before speaking.

“Since you walked me all the way here, would you like to come inside for tea before leaving?”

Prince Eighteenth froze.

“You… are inviting me inside?”

dishonesty.

“Yes.”

I nodded firmly.

For several seconds, he simply stared at me.

Then suddenly, all color drained from his face.

“Hm?”

Why did he suddenly look devastated?

He looked like someone who had just remembered the worst tragedy of his life.

He repeatedly squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again, visibly struggling with something.

“Your Highness?”

Only after I called him again did he snap back to reality.

But strangely, his expression became even more emotional.

Then, with trembling eyes, he spoke in a shaking voice.

“I… I tried to pretend everything was fine… but simply seeing this place breaks my heart.”

“…Excuse me?”

What was he talking about now?

Before I could react, he tightly grabbed both my hands.

“Please do not continue suffering in silence, Young Master. I will personally speak to the Young Patriarch and have your residence changed immediately.”

What?

Why would he suddenly—

Then Prince Eighteenth looked at me with painfully serious eyes and said something so shocking my soul nearly left my body.

“I can no longer bear seeing you live in the very place where you suffered your miscarriage, Yul.”