“Then, are the meals that His Excellency eats solely for filling his stomach? Is the clothing he wears only to cover his body? Is there no indulgence or pleasure involved?”

“Be cautious with your words, Your Excellency!”

As the atmosphere in the council chamber heated up, the divided ministers began raising their voices.

At that moment, Hwan forcefully pushed the piled-up memorial papers in front of him to the side.

“Enough, everyone!”

With Hwan’s exclamation, the noisy commotion among the ministers subsided momentarily.

“I cannot discuss state affairs in such an atmosphere where there is not a single person in this vast palace who aligns with my thoughts!”

With a raised voice full of anger, Hwan stood up abruptly.

“I am not in the mood to continue here. Today’s session ends here!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

Sounds of dissuasion from various quarters rained down.

Though there were numerous memorials to address, Hwan, with determined steps, left the council chamber.

As Hwan departed, the awaited ministers continued their disputes, which showed no sign of calming down even after a long while.

Before they knew it, Yeonwoo and Geon had left the palace.

Walking through a narrow alley, the two were on their way to meet someone.

Yeonwoo still couldn’t believe that she had acquired a large sum of 100 nyang.

Since when did the world look so beautiful? Was this the reward for the hardships she had endured?

After leaving the council chamber, Yeonwoo’s steps felt as light as if she had sprouted wings, and her heart was filled with a refreshing feeling.

Amid Yeonwoo’s continuous humming, Geon chuckled.

“What do you plan to do with that money? You seem so elated.”

“I’m going to buy a house!”

“A house?”

At Yeonwoo’s response about buying a house, Geon’s heart sank.

Unless there were plans for marriage, leaving the family home and living independently wasn’t a common occurrence.

Did Yeonwoo have someone in mind for marriage? Despite her young age, at fifteen, it was an age when a man could get married.

Even for Geon, it was hard to imagine anyone rejecting such a lovable girl. But could it be someone else? Perhaps Yeonwoo had thought of staying by his side forever.
“But how did Yeonwoo come to think that she would stay by Geon’s side forever?

Someday, she too would meet a woman she loved and build a family. Upon thinking about this, Geon felt a sense of unease and impatience in his heart.

Carefully concealing his inner thoughts, Geon asked, “Do you… have someone in mind for marriage?”

“What? Marriage?”

Yeonwoo, with widened eyes, raised her hand as if asking what kind of nonsense he was talking about.

“No, I am a person who is far from marriage.”

“Is that so?”

“I simply dream of separating from my family as soon as possible and living independently. I don’t share a warm relationship with my family.”

What is this about? Relieved at Yeonwoo’s answer that she had no one in her life, Geon let out an inward sigh.

“Isn’t it beautiful to live a little distance away so that you can truly appreciate the beautiful things? That’s how it is with my family.”

“Didn’t you say you got along well with your sister?”

“Cough.”

Yeonwoo, upon realizing a loophole in the setting I created, began to stumble in her words.

“Uh, yes, of course. I get along well with my sister, but it’s not the same with other family members.”

“Seems like your family has quite a tumultuous history.”

Fortunately, Geon accepted it nonchalantly, and Yeonwoo inwardly sighed with relief.

It seems like my improvisation skills are increasing.

“Anyway, saving money to find an independent house has been a long-time dream for me. That’s one of the reasons I joined the Gwangho Army unit.”

“You’ll achieve that dream soon.”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to Your Excellency.”

Yeonwoo gave him a mischievous look.

Though Geon’s expression remained stoic, the tips of his ears turned red.

Geon cleared his throat unnecessarily before opening his mouth.

“Now that you’ve fulfilled that dream, what’s next for you?”

“Next? Gwangho Army unit can be retired, right?”

“Hardly.”

Yeonwoo seemed to have expected that response, and her expression showed it.

Since the military isn’t a place where you can quit as you wish, Geon’s question probably aimed at her next plans.

Yeonwoo pondered for a moment.

Now, she had become quite accustomed to military life, and being a soldier suited her temperament. She even felt like she discovered hidden talents.

Even if it wasn’t independence, Yeonwoo wanted to continue honing her martial arts skills and become stronger in the Gwangho Army unit.

However, Geon’s unexpected answer to what would follow left her surprised.

“There are two ways to leave the Gwangho Army unit.”

“There are ways?”

Yeonwoo didn’t have any intention to leave, but she was intrigued since she didn’t know there were ways to leave.

“Do you want to know?”

As Yeonwoo nodded, Geon stretched his arms toward the wall where she was.

In response, Yeonwoo leaned against the wall, trapped within Geon’s arms.

Geon gazed down at Yeonwoo, who was held within his arms, with a stern expression.
Keeping a distance of about a foot, as the faces of the two drew closer, a warm and tingling energy surged up over Yeonwoo’s face.

Geon sent his melodious voice, akin to a cave, flowing into Yeonwoo’s ears.

“If you’re curious, try running away.”

Maintaining a clear gaze on Yeonwoo, as if trying to confine her within his eyes, Geon’s intense and possessive look penetrated her.

Greed, possessiveness, and determination—various indescribable emotions mingled in Geon’s pupils, creating a darkened heart.

Geon unabashedly revealed his emotions towards Yeonwoo, moving his deep red lips.

“Even if I have to search the entire world, I’ll find you.”

As Yeonwoo locked eyes with his greedy gaze, her world seemed to come to a thudding halt.

Unable to blink in the face of Geon’s intense and desire-filled gaze, Yeonwoo was left motionless.