POV: Ryu Hajoon
As Hae Nari walks out the door, followed by a guard, Sunwoo approaches Hajoon. Sensing that she needs to say something, he nods for all the guards to leave.
"Your Majesty, you told us to not let her suspect anything, then why are you outright believing her?" She asks after all the guards are gone.
"Continue to do what you are doing." He says, his gaze still at the door Hae Nari has gone through. "How can I be a good person if you aren't bad?"
What is this strange but pleasant scent Hae Nari has been carrying since last night? Something flowery and familiar, yet he can't put a name to it.
"But why do you need to do that? She is a nobody. If anything, she can disappear without a trace. No one will look for her or care for her."
Now he looks at her, as he speaks. "Don't do anything rash. I will take any and all decisions regarding her," he pauses. "There is something I need to confirm tonight."
Sunwoo lowers her head in obedience, although reluctantly. Hajoon has spoiled them all. They defy him all the time. Even now it doesn't look like she understands his actions right now.
A lot of times you have to act like you know what exactly you are doing. Like when standing in front of a group of journalists who are throwing questions at you audaciously, forgetting their place and your status. Right now Hajoon is doing the same he often does. Even he doesn't know what he plans to do with her if his suspicions are proved true tonight.
What he does know is that there is no hurry. No family, no one looking for her. There's no harm in staying here for a while is there?
It is laughable to be granted an extraordinary ability and life, and then being told you can't have both. He is the one always trying to defy rules to step out of his boundaries.
But now someone else has done it and come to him. And that someone is an intriguing person who isn't freaking out as much as she should be. She has these round doe eyes that make her appear innocent. Yet, he can see the intelligence and wit behind that false impression. Not a fool just because she has deer-like eyes.
Her dark, sleek hair fall like a curtain over her back. Her voice is always low, soft and sweet. It gives the impression of one of those people who are incredibly sweet and kind, going out of their way to do things for others. Even if it harms them.
Appearances can be deceiving. One should never put anyone into a good or bad category immediately. It's a naive thing to do. People are either loyal or disloyal. Respectful or disrespectful. Useful or useless.
Yet Hajoon finds himself creating a new category for her…
His gaze falls on the screen where the article about him is open. "How's Journalist Song doing nowadays?"
"He is working parttime jobs, still struggling to find anything good after the bribery scandal."
"Good. Journalists should know their limits. Tie this loose end too." He motions to the article. "And get me a copy of her search history here. The deleted ones too."
With that, he strides out of the internet cafe.
☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
POV: Hae Na Ri
The car is incredibly lavish and spacious inside. It's a relief to my mild claustrophobia. The seats are cream colored, and soft, and the dashboard appears to be carved in gold. A smart handrest separates my seat from his. It's warm and cozy inside. I would sleep if I was not worried about several things at the same time.
It's the world of the ultra rich, the elite. Ryu Hajoon beside me seems perfectly at ease. It takes immense control to hide my disdain as I travel with him to the palace.
Being near people like him peels away the scabs of wounds I have done a lot to heal.
On the way, we do the information exchange. He tells me the history of monarchy in this world, about his ancestors, the current political system, etc. I notice he doesn't talk about his parents' reign.
From the historical map he draws, I understand that there was no Japanese invasion here. "How I wish that had been the case in my world too! That must be the reason monarchy survived."
I tell him about myself, all the safe details that make me appear a safe person. "I have lived abroad, US, for 11 years. I went there on a scholarship. My orphanage arranged everything. I was so relieved to return."
Beside me, he listens. It's an absurd notion but it feels like a sane person entertaining an insane person's insane ideas out of pity.
Well, let him.
There is Lee Sunwoo in the passenger seat and Captain Kang driving the car. They have been silent this whole time, fortunately. I wonder if they always accompany him everywhere or is it something new?
"My world isn't going to be much different. Wherever you want to go, just tell Captain Jang. He will arrange for someone to take you out." Ryu Hajoon says, dark eyes find mine. I show a grateful smile and hide whatever uneasy feelings I have behind it. "You aren't in confinement. You don't need to run away. At the palace if you need anything, Mrs Kang, the head of servant staff is there. You have met her."
"I must go back," I blurt out. I didn't return for nostalgia's sake. I have something to do. "I mean I have a whole life there. What if I get stuck here forever?"
He releases a small sigh. "I am tempted to say there's no forever, but I doubt that's any helpful."
This time I find myself smiling ruefully. "No, Your Majesty, there is a forever." There are days, moments and even years that are forever. You live the same life over and over again. "Like Sisyphus, some people have their forever."
"What's Sisyphus?" His gaze turns intent, as if he is trying to dive right into my soul. It's difficult to hold eye contact with this man for long.
"I guess Sisyphus's myth doesn't exist here. Sisyphus was a king in Greek Mythology. I don't remember the reason, but as a punishment he had to roll a boulder up a hill and once it reached the top, he would repeat the same task again. For eternity, he is punished to repeat the same day, the same routine, the same task again and again, without any result," I explain.
"That sounds awfully laborious and futile," he comments quietly and glances at me in an odd way.
I change the topic. "Can I get a tour of the palace sometime? By a maid or Mrs Kang? It's so confusing, like a maze. Don't you become lost on your way to the dining room for breakfast?"
He chuckles, a deep alluring sound. "I have grown up in this palace. It's my home. How can you get lost inside your home?"
The car nears the palace and I have a brief view of it from outside. A magnificent mansion rising against the dull evening sky. It resembles Victorian house, made all in wood. Two towers rise high on its each side and contain a embelm that I recognize to be a crown. Just like on the top of the golden metal gate we pass through. Electric wires curl on the walls.
I realise we had taken some other gate to leave the palace before. This is the front.
It's a long way to the main building. We pass by some lodge, a giant greenhouse and some other small sized buildings. Maids are working. But most importantly, there are so many guards everywhere.
The guards near the gates hold long Ak47 kind of guns. It's not my expertise and I doubt I could have recognised their model and make here even if it were my expertise. My mouth goes dry at the sight of such weapons and forces. I can see cameras and it's likely the latest and most advanced technology here. I glance at Ryu Hajoon discreetly.
The enormity and extent of his powers start to dawn on me.
I can't imagine being on the receiving end of his wrath. A shudder runs through my body at the thought.
There is a small checkpost with men and women in suits and earpieces, right after entering, but we aren't made to stop. Our car goes straight towards the palace. It stops in front of the building door, car doors are opened for us. The guards, the maids waiting outside, everyone lowers their head, bows and greets him clearly. I tentatively enter behind him, feeling my insides turning cold.
This is probably the most difficult door to use if I want to run. But I doubt any other door is any less guarded. I wasn't paying attention while leaving because my mind was elsewhere. It's likely the same at every entrance and exit.
It's a palace for God's sake.
And I pray to God that I should never have to try and run from it.