I-jun's POV
The king and Min Yun both exclaimed and came near me. They even touched my face and hands.
"Are you okay?" the king asked.
"Yes. What happened? Why am I here?" I asked, then looked around. I wasn't familiar with the room.
"You are in the royal clinic," the king answered.
"Why?"
"You were poisoned," Min Yun replied.
"Poisoned?" I thought deeply about how I could have been poisoned. Then, I remembered when the court lady served me some tea. That was the last memory I had.
"You don't remember?" the king asked.
"The last memory I have is passing out after I drank the tea the court lady served me."
"Did you punish the court lady?"
"No," said Min Yun.
"Why?"
"She's not the culprit," Min Yun explained.
"Then who poisoned me?" I asked curiously.
"Kim Shin A," the king responded.
"Kim Shin A? As in Kim Man Shik's daughter?" I shouted.
They nodded. My mouth hung open in shock. How could Kim Shin A do this to me? I understood that she badly wanted my position, but killing me was too much.
"Where is she?"
"In the jailroom."
"I need to talk to her," I said, not minding that I had just woken up.
"Hey, don't go. You are still recovering." The king held my arm and let me sit on the bed.
"How could she? I know she likes you a lot, but why would she plan to kill me just to win you? Or was it Kim Man Shik's plan?" I asked, looking at them.
"I am still figuring things out too. I'll give you an update about the case."
I sighed. I don't feel any pain now—maybe because I slept too much.
"I will be putting more guards in your chamber from now on. I will not let you go out without your guards and servants," the king said.
"So my movements will be limited?" I asked.
"Not that limited, but we have to be careful wherever you go."
"What if I am with Min Yun? Do I still need a guard?"
He sighed. "No. I know Min Yun can protect you."
I nodded.
The doctor came in again, carrying a tray of medicine. He stopped when he saw me sitting on the bed.
"Your Majesty?"
I smiled.
He accidentally dropped the tray.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty." He picked up the medicine from the floor.
"Thank you, doctor," I said.
He looked at me. "You are welcome, Your Majesty."
"I hope I won't have to come back here again." I laughed.
He chuckled.
"Okay. Since I'm fine now, may I go to my chamber? I want to take a bath," I said.
"Let me escort you," the king and Min Yun said in unison.
"I'm not a kid anymore," I joked.
But they didn't listen and took it seriously.
They followed me until we reached my chamber. The king stayed outside, talking to the eunuch and the court ladies—maybe giving them instructions about me.
Min Yun went inside the chamber.
"I'm sorry, I-jun," he said.
I turned my back and looked at him.
"I'm sorry I didn't even talk to you when you visited me in the office."
"I know you were busy," I said.
"I was actually trying to avoid you."
"Huh? Why?"
"I can't tell you the reason here. But one thing is for sure, I won't do that again."
I nodded. "I know you have your reasons. Who am I to judge you? You've been helping me a lot."
I saw him smile a little.
Then the king entered.
"I already instructed the eunuchs, guards, and court ladies. I made sure that this will not happen again."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Take a rest now. Min Yun and I will rest too."
I nodded, and they bid goodbye.
I sighed and stared at the book that was positioned on the table. That book didn't even warn me about the poisoning. Usually, if something big happens, it warns me. But why not now?
I grabbed the book and scanned through it.No updates—still the same chapter I had read before I went back to my real world.
I put the book back and sat on my bed. These past few days have been a nerve-wracking experience. First, they thought I was dead. Then I got sick, and now this? I've been a burden to Min Yun and the king.
(The next morning)
The court ladies helped me fix my hair and clothes. They even put some traditional makeup on my face.
"Done, Your Majesty."
"Thank you. I look beautiful today."
"Surely, the king will be head over heels for you, Your Majesty."
I smiled. "Not really," I said.
This day is just a simple one. I woke up early because we would be having breakfast in the garden with the king and Min Yun.
The court ladies, eunuchs, and guards followed my lead. The king was right—he had doubled the number of servants I have.
While walking, I saw Ji Han approaching me. I stopped. He smiled.
"I-jun! Are you okay?" he asked.
I didn't respond right away. I tried to flash a smile.
"Hey! Are you okay?" he repeated.
"You've been so busy that you forgot to visit me," I said, trying to sound like a child longing for a father.
He smiled, then walked closer to me. The guard tried to stop him, but I told them he is my friend.
"I missed you," he said.
"I missed you too," I replied, but I felt like it wasn't sincere. I was confused about myself too.
When I saw Ji Han in Shibuya Town, I was really doubtful. What was Ji Han doing there? Why was he acting like he'd never seen me?
"Do you want to go to another town?" he asked.
"I'm actually busy today. I was about to go to the garden to have breakfast with the king and Min Yun."
He nodded. "Too bad, I was a bit late."
I laughed, pretending. "Next time," I said. "I won't stay longer. I think the king and Min Yun are already looking for me."
Ji Han nodded. "Next time."
I looked at him, then at the shoes he was wearing. They were different from the ones I saw in Shibuya.
We said our goodbyes, and I went straight to the garden. I had this doubt in my head. Why is it that when I saw Ji Han in Shibuya Town, I started to doubt his personality and actions?
How could I open up to Ji Han about our encounter in Shibuya Town? Am I ready for his answer? Or am I just afraid that he might be the mastermind behind all these events?
I sighed. I was so invested in my thoughts that I didn't realize I had already arrived at the garden.
"You're deep in thought," the king noticed.
"Huh? I'm sorry."
"Are you sure you're fine?" Min Yun asked.
"Of course."
I sat on the floor, and the king served me tea. "Thanks," I said, then started sipping.
They were all looking at me like I owed them an explanation.
"I'm perfectly fine. I was just thinking about what to say to Kim Shin A when we face each other."
"Do you need a script?" the king asked.
I laughed. "I'm not that ready."
The court ladies came to our table and served the food one by one. It looked like a feast to me.
"Your Highness, I told you not to waste food. We can't even finish all of this."
"We can share it with the servants afterward."
I nodded.
We started eating.
"I hope you like the food," the king said.
"You know I'm not a picky eater."
"I know."
"Min Yun, I want to go back to the restaurant we visited before. I miss their chicken soup."
"Restaurant?" the king asked.
"Ah, the restaurant we used to eat at when we were kids."
"Ahhh."
"Do you want to go there with us?"
He nodded. "It's been so long since I last visited."
"Surely, the owner will remember you," Min Yun said.
We were just like that, talking about their childhood while eating. I was just silently watching them, reminiscing.
"How about you, Your Majesty? Do you have some experience to share?" the king asked.
"Huh? Ahhh... not that important. Haha." I looked tense.
"Important or not, I still want to know about your childhood."
I looked at Min Yun. He just nodded.
"I had a best friend..." I began, then shared my experiences... my real experiences from my childhood.
We spent three hours having breakfast. It was already lunchtime when we ended the conversation. The king went to the library to meet his adviser while Min Yun stayed.
"You should go now."
"I took a leave again."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid not to see you from time to time."
I chuckled. "That was just an accident."
"We both know it wasn't," he said seriously.
"I'm sorry if I made you worry."
"You always make me worry. I want to stay by your side forever, just to make sure no one will harm you."
"Why are you so worried about me?"
"Because I have a reason."
"You keep saying you have a reason. I want to know."
He sighed deeply. "I like you, I-jun..."