Chapter 878
Chapter Unknown: The Sensation of Night
“My head is spinning.”
Every time an unfamiliar voice echoed in my mind, nausea followed.
I clutched my chest and tried to catch my breath, but even that was a struggle.
What is this? What kind of feeling is this?
Everything ahead was blurry.
The sounds alone were clouding my vision.
The scene changed.
It wasn’t Tang Soyeol gazing at me in the night, but an image somewhere else.
Though I couldn’t see it clearly, it was definitely not night; rather, it was a bright day. I vaguely discerned the autumn leaves, reminiscent of the current season.
Where am I? What on earth is happening to me, and when?
And then…
“Just a little more.”
Even amidst my confusion, I found myself more focused on the scene unfolding before me.
It’s hard to look away, or perhaps I simply miss it.
An emotion I couldn’t understand myself.
I just wanted to see it somehow. There was a figure, someone sitting in front of a hut in a place I had never seen.
—Right, like that.
The woman seemed satisfied as she spoke my name and smiled.
But then…
“Just keep doing that. Keep it up.”
In the voice that smiled, I sensed an inexplicable sadness. So, I asked.
“Why is that?”
Why was she so sad? Why cry even after getting what she wanted?
I asked, but I received no answer.
Was she simply not speaking? Or maybe the voice from my memory was just silent. I couldn’t tell.
“Speak.”
But I wanted to hear it.
“Please, say something.”
I yearned to reach out, to ask, but the me within the memories seemed to have sealed my lips.
It was frustrating. This moment where I couldn’t move my body felt even worse.
Why do I feel so impatient and suffocated?
I had no idea.
“Just move!”
Grinding my teeth, I put every bit of effort I had into it. I knew full well that I wouldn’t be able to move within my memories, but still, it felt necessary.
Just then, with all my might, I was struggling to do anything.
Swish.
‘…!’
My body moved within the blurry vision.
Did I move? I wasn’t sure, but it was correct that I was moving just as I wanted.
My hand lifted.
The woman flinched upon seeing it. Her expression remained hidden, for the blurriness had not subsided.
“…You?”
A voice filled with surprise reached me.
And in that moment.
“Prince…!”
“…!”
The interjected voice shook me awake.
“Prince… are you okay?”
“…Ah…”
Tang Soyeol’s face came into view. She reached out and caressed my cheek.
“Why… why are you crying, Prince? Is it because of me…?”
Crying? I hurriedly rubbed the corners of my eyes with my hand.
It was true. There were tears, even just a few.
Unbelievable.
‘What is this?’
Why the heck am I suddenly crying like a child? What was that memory about? I was left momentarily dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the situation.
“I’m s-sorry….”
Tang Soyeol’s apology widened my eyes.
“What?”
“I… I must have overstepped, right? I’m sorry… that’s not it, I….”
“What are you talking about? No, that’s not it.”
I hastily added words, but Tang Soyeol’s reaction was already too shaken.
“…I’m sorry.”
“No, wait….”
“I’ll go ahead first. Please rest well.”
Before I could say anything, Tang Soyeol tried to dash out.
Is it better to just let her go now? The thought crossed my mind briefly.
But at that moment, I noticed her eyes as she turned away.
They were reddening, about to spill tears any second.
Seeing that, my hand instinctively reached out.
I seized Tang Soyeol and pulled her back into my embrace.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…”
“It’s not like that. Really.”
I desperately tried to explain. Tang Soyeol said nothing but tightly held onto my back.
The question about whether I loved her echoed in my mind. What was the answer I had wanted to give at that time?
It didn’t need to be found. It hadn’t been long enough to forget.
…The issue was.
“I can’t answer right now.”
It meant that I couldn’t voice my answer.
Upon hearing my words, Tang Soyeol fidgeted in my arms.
“…Why?”
Her voice was incredibly soft.
“Are you uncertain…? Or is it not like that?”
The tremor in her voice made it clear how anxious she was feeling.
“…No. It’s neither.”
Feeling uncertain is impossible. So, is it that I don’t feel that way? No, that wasn’t it either.
“Simply… I can’t speak right now.”
At least not at this moment. It wasn’t the right time.
If I were to spill it now, I worried everything I had been holding back would burst forth.
‘How am I keeping this together?’
Even if I’m an idiot, I’m aware of the emotions the people looking at me hold.
Bearing those emotions directed at me was already quite hard to endure.
But I had to endure.
‘Not now.’
Not when I hadn’t achieved anything or resolved anything.
At least not until everything in front of me was set right.
Only then, it would be right to say it.
So…
“Just wait a little longer… just a little longer.”
“…”
The grip on my back tightened.
“How long is ‘a little’?”
Her question sounded childlike.
As if asking how many more days must pass before that day arrives.
How should I respond? I couldn’t afford to think too long.
This time, I had to speak from the heart.
“It won’t take long.”
I couldn’t give a certain answer, but I did my best.
It wouldn’t be for long.
No, even if it seemed it might take a long time, I intended to make sure it didn’t.
“…”
I spat out a vague answer, but Tang Soyeol didn’t inquire further.
She simply remained nestled against my chest, her face resting there quietly.
After a considerable amount of time passed.
“…I understand.”
Tang Soyeol spoke without lifting her head from my chest.
“I’ll wait… I’m confident in that.”
Such a strangely bittersweet statement.
“But… but, you see.”
Tang Soyeol lifted her head. Our eyes met. The corners of her eyes were still red.
“If the time comes for you to say that, please tell me first.”
“…Huh?”
“I know. It’s not something meant for just one person.”
“…”
Feeling completely like trash, I couldn’t deny it. But I also couldn’t look away, so I just swallowed my words.
“Regardless of what kind of person you are, no matter what you do. I know I’m not the only one who can love you in that form. So it’s okay.”
“…”
“Hehe…. Your expression is hilarious right now, Prince.”
“…Wha….”
“Will you promise me?”
If you will do it, at least do so for yourself first.
As I looked at Tang Soyeol, I rubbed my cheek and said.
“…I’ll try.”
“Yes.”
With that pitiful answer, Tang Soyeol brightened up.
“Make sure you try.”
Tang Soyeol smiled brightly.
I also chuckled awkwardly as I looked at her smile.
Just as I thought the conversation was about to conclude.
“But, Prince.”
“Yeah?”
Tang Soyeol asked.
“Who is Yeohwa?”
“…”
Uh, oh crap.
In that moment, the atmosphere turned icy.
Tang Soyeol remained smiling, but that smile was frightening in an utterly illogical way.
‘She heard it.’
It must have slipped from my lips without me realizing, and now she seemed to have caught it.
In other words, I was in deep trouble.
“Is she a woman? Who is she?”
“…Did I say something like that? I don’t know—.”
“Based on your expression, it seems you know you let it slip.”
“…”
Damn it.
I seriously considered escaping, but Tang Soyeol tightened her grip around my arm.
Worried that my body might break from the force.
Crack.
“Ouch…”
“Good, it should hurt.”
“Ah, right.”
So that’s how it is. Well, then I guess I’ll just have to endure it.
“Who is she?”
“… No, it’s that—”
“Prince. I know it’s strange for me to say this, but I’d prefer not to extend this further.”
“Who’s talking about extending anything?”
“You do have a sense of moral integrity, right? Don’t you?”
“…”
Did I? I felt too far gone to set those things straight.
“… Right?”
“Of course. Absolutely….”
I answered hastily, my voice laced with killing intent. It was a moment I needed to conjure even a non-existent conscience.
“Who is she?”
She had a resolve that refused to let this go. Even the thing about the Heavenly Demon wasn’t this intense; her gaze was far too serious.
The problem was…
“… I guess so.”
“What?”
There simply weren’t many words I could admit to.
“I wonder who it could be.”
“… What does that even…?”
“I genuinely don’t know. Who could it be?”
I also had no idea who it was.
Though Tang Soyeol frowned at my response, I was being sincere.
As for who Yeohwa was, I wanted to know more than anyone else.
To the point of madness.
