Chapter 51: Should I tell Min Yun about Ji han?

Von's POV

I looked at the bed where the book used to be. But now, it was gone.Tears fell my cheeks. I couldn't believe Teresita would choose that book over me, but she made her decision.

You thought I wouldn't know, right? But I actually did, from the beginning.

Yes, you heard that right. I was the first to experience it—not just in one story, but in many.

I was so obsessed with books before that I sometimes forgot to sleep or eat. I stopped reading when I turned 20. Teresita never knew about it. She never knew I was gone for days because I had spent my time inside a book. She didn't even know the struggles I went through because of them.

When I had a dream about Teresita getting pulled into the books, I got scared and warned her not to read anymore. I tried to protect her, but things didn't go well. I couldn't even help her when the book started sucking her in. It was painful to watch, but I couldn't do anything.I didn't want Teresita to experience what I had gone through—

entering a world you're completely unfamiliar with.

I remember the last book I was in. In that world, I fell in love for the first time. That feeling, when you don't want to go back home because you've grown used to that world. You want to stay and be with the one you love.

But then, in just one snap, I was pulled back to my world.

It was a truly depressing moment. I didn't even show myself to Teresita. She never knew how devastated and broken I was. I never went back. I just continued reading the same book from where I had left off.

Until my lover got married and had children.

Yes, just like Teresita, I also experienced being married to a fictional character. But I thought of those moments as just part of being a teenager. I told myself I'd never read new books again.I tried to stop Teresita, but she was unstoppable. She wouldn't even listen to me.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I was really worried about what Teresita was doing now.I hoped she'd realize that our world is better than any fictional one.

***

I-jun's POV

After the king hugged me, he looked into my eyes.

"I'm sorry for everything," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You were hurt because of me."

"Huh?"

"I don't want to take any more risks. Just... please stay by my side."

"Your Highness, I'm fine."

"But when? When should I stop? When you're already dead?"

"I'm not going to die."

"I felt the same pain when my father died."

I stared at him intently. He looked like he was in pain.

"When I heard and saw your lifeless body, I was so devastated. I didn't know what to do. It felt like I was doused with ice-cold water."

"I'm sorry if I made you worry."

"But... are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded. "I am."

"Thank you for saving me again from the ministers."

"It's my job."

"I don't want you to protect me anymore. I want to be the one to protect you."

"Your Highness..."

He hugged me again. "I don't want to lose you. I only want you to be my queen until the day I die."

Those words struck me deeply.

I hugged him back to console him.

After that, we had lunch together in the garden. Then I asked if I could visit Min Yun—I wanted to see him as well. He agreed and went back to his chamber.

(Min Yun's office)

"Min Yun!" I called out as soon as I stepped inside.

"I-Jun!" he called back and rushed toward me, wrapping me in a hug.People did miss me.

"I'm happy you're back," Min Yun said.

"I'm happy to see you too," I replied, smiling, though pain lingered in my eyes.

"Did something happen in your world?"

"The reason I was gone... was because I went back to my world."

"What?"

"You heard me right. I went back to my real world."

"But then... why are you here?"

I looked away, sadness washing over me."I chose this world over my own."

"What do you mean?"

"My best friend and I fought. She didn't want me to return. But I was worried... What if something happened to you? Or to the king?"

"I never thought you'd do this for us. You know we're not real, right?"

"Then why do I feel like you are?" I asked softly.

Min Yun looked into my eyes, saying nothing.

I sighed. "I missed you."

"You know how much I missed you, too. It drove me crazy when I thought you were dead. I still don't know what happened that day. Everything is just... vague."

The memory from before I passed out suddenly returned to me.

I looked around.

"I haven't seen Ji Han."

"I assigned him a new case in another town."

"Did you miss him?"

"I... I don't know."

"Why? Is there something wrong with Ji Han?"

"Min Yun... have you seen Ji Han go to Shibuya town?"

(Dinner time)

The king decided that we would have dinner in his chamber. Min Yun wasn't able to join us because they had an emergency meeting.

"You need to eat a lot," the king said.

"My tummy's going to explode," I joked.

"You look thinner now," he observed.

The food started arriving. As expected, it was too much—enough to feed thirty people.

"Next time, let's ask them to prepare less food. It's just the two of us eating."

"That's the standard when serving the royal family."

"But we can share the leftovers with the poor, right? They need it more than we do. Maybe one of these days, I'll visit another town to give out food."

"It seems like you're taking your position seriously."

"After everything that happened, I realized I need to be serious. I want to help you rule the country, Your Highness."

"But you need to rest first. You're still recovering."

"I'm fine."

"When they showed me your body... I was devastated. Regret consumed me. If only I hadn't allowed you to go, maybe you'd still be alive."

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

"I want to meet the person who helped you while you were unconscious."

"Do you want to visit her house?"

"Yes. I want to bring gifts, too."

I nodded. "We can go when you're not too busy."

"Okay…"

"By the way, since everyone thought I was dead, did Kim Man Shik bully you?" I asked.

He gave a sad smile. "What do you think?"

"So he did. He planned that meeting with the ministers to pressure you into remarrying, didn't he?"

"And he forced me to consider marrying his daughter, since I had no wife."

"He wanted that so badly. Too bad for him—I'm still alive."

We spent half the night eating and talking. It felt like we were old friends catching up after days apart.

"The night is long, and I think you need to rest," the king said.

I yawned. "I think so, too."

"Let me escort you to your chamber."

"Is that okay? I can go by myself."

"I'm your husband. Escorting you is one of my duties."

I was stunned by what he said—I'm your husband. It felt like he was telling me he was truly my husband, like any ordinary man would.

I didn't object and let him escort me.

A few minutes later, we arrived at my chamber.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said and bowed my head.

To my surprise, he pulled me into a tight hug. "Good night. Take care always."

I smiled, though he couldn't see it. I hugged him back. "Good night, too, Your Highness."

Then he left.

****

Min Yun's POV

I had been waiting through the long night just to talk to I-jun. I waited outside her chamber for hours. I knew she was spending the evening with the king, but I didn't expect it would take this long.

After a while, I finally heard footsteps. I don't know why, but I didn't show myself. I hid in the shadows, in a corner cloaked by the dark.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I-jun said as she bowed her head in respect.

To my surprise, the king pulled her into a tight hug.

"Good night. Take care always," the king said.

I-jun hugged him back. "Good night, too, Your Highness."

That simple gesture made my chest tighten with pain. I knew they were just pretending—but why did it still hurt so much?

I noticed the eunuchs smiling as they watched the king and the queen. They looked genuinely happy.

Sometimes, I wish I were the king, just so I-jun would marry me.

I watched as she entered her chamber, while the king remained standing by the door.

"Your Highness, are you okay?" the eunuch asked.

"I want to spend the night with the queen."

"You can, Your Highness. You are her husband."

"But she's tired. I don't want to disturb her," he replied softly.

"You love the queen that much, Your Highness? That you don't want to take your eyes off her?"

I saw the king smile—genuine and full of warmth. "I love her so much that I'm willing to sacrifice everything for her."

Another sharp pain struck my chest.

"And I think… she's in love with you too," the eunuch added.

That was too much. I couldn't bear to listen anymore. I turned and walked away from the queen's chamber.

Who wouldn't fall in love with I-jun? She had every quality a man could ever desire.

I headed straight to the lake—not the one where people offered flowers to the queen, but the secluded one, the lake that no one really visited.

I sat down in front of it, hoping the cool air would help me breathe again.

Honestly, I had thought of confessing to I-jun many times. But I was too hesitant, too afraid. What if it made things awkward? What if she distanced herself from me? I didn't want to confuse her or pressure her. And it's not like I was expecting anything in return.

I sighed. This—this was just like before, with my first love. I kept everything bottled up until it overwhelmed me. So many thoughts were spinning in my mind, it felt like my head was going to explode.

I sighed again, deeper this time. Maybe I should try to sleep. Maybe rest would help. Tomorrow would be another day.

But… could I even fall asleep that easily?