episode_0049

Seong Yurin answered the phone with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you calling all of a sudden….”

I don’t usually make phone calls.

Anyway, as Seong Yurin was taken aback by the explanation of what had just happened, she asked about my and Lee Soyun’s well-being, abandoning her usual cool demeanor.

“Both of us are fine. We were just surprised. Calm down. I called because I thought the driver would know how to handle this.”

Thanks to the driver who took over the call from Seong Yurin, we were able to leave without any further worries, receiving a business card from the driver of the runaway vehicle.

After all, we were just passing by as victims, so there was no need for us to get more involved if we didn’t want to.

As we were about to leave, the man apologized once again, saying he would compensate us anytime and asking us to contact him later.

In a way, he was also a victim.

A runaway accident is not something the driver can control.

Moreover, he even turned the wheel in a dangerous direction to save us before colliding with us, so he wasn’t a bad person.

Therefore, I decided to tell the man it was okay and that I would contact him later about compensation.

Today was a busy day, after all.

Although it may seem a bit naive, personally, I didn’t really think about receiving compensation.

Of course, I should ask for Lee Soyun’s opinion… but it might be difficult right now.

After that, I called Lee Soyun’s parents and told them about what had just happened, sugarcoating it a bit.

I thought about not telling them, but if they heard about it from someone else by chance, it would be more shocking.

Of course, Lee Soyun’s parents were shocked, but I managed to get through it by talking fast.

Lee Soyun’s mother asked me to take care of Lee Soyun a bit more.

…Even though she doesn’t seem to want to leave my arms right now. Mother.

As we walked towards the city, two of us half-hugging each other, a luxurious car appeared in front of us.

Familiar faces got out of the car and rushed towards us, led by Lee Saeah.

“Jina! Soyun!”

In response to everyone’s worried looks, I reassured them that everything was fine and hugged Lee Soyun in Seong Yurin’s arms.

Lee Soyun, comforted in Seong Yurin’s arms.

Seong Yurin’s maternal heart enveloped Lee Soyun. She looked more comfortable in Seong Yurin’s arms than in mine.

Hong Yeonseo came up to me and patted my back.

“What a mess. Your clothes are all dirty. Hm.”

Ah. Come to think of it, my clothes must have gotten dirty from falling backward.

I had a bag with gifts on my back, so I should check it later.

Of course, wearing bright-colored clothes was asking for trouble. Maybe black clothes are the best after all.

“Are you okay? You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Taking Yoon Jiuwoo’s words in stride, Yoon Jia, who was next to Yoon Jiuwoo, ran up to me.

“Oppa, do we need to go to the hospital?”

“It’s okay. I didn’t even hit the car, just tripped and fell.”

“Yeah, but….”

“Come on. Take care of Soyun instead of me. She must have been really shocked. And it’s her birthday today, so….”

Listening to me, everyone comforted the gloomy-looking Lee Soyun.

Meanwhile, the driver somewhere brought me a jacket.

“Oh, thank you.”

Thanks to him, I was able to take off my dirty shirt and put on a new jacket.

Do you need this level of preparedness to be a chauffeur for a wealthy family?

Or maybe he just lent me his own jacket.

We got into the car and, in an effort to break the somber atmosphere, we comforted Lee So-yoon while deliberately engaging in some casual conversation.

Usually, comforting someone in times like this only makes them more depressed.

Starting with the quick-witted Sung Yoo-rin and Lee Se-ah, everyone subtly followed my lead and sympathized with me.

Thanks to our efforts, some time had passed, and Lee So-yoon was able to regain her smile.

* * *

“Jin-ah… Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you… I-I can’t even bear to think about it.”

As we entered a family restaurant for lunch, following Lee So-yoon who wanted to talk privately for a moment, she said these words.

“Don’t think like that. Both of us are safe, so it’s all good, right?”

“Yeah. It’s all thanks to you.”

A faint smile appeared on Lee So-yoon’s face.

I’m glad she was able to find her smile again quickly.

Yeah. Even though there was an unfortunate incident, it’s still her birthday, so we should celebrate with a smile.

“Indeed, Jin is my prince.”

Lee So-yoon’s eyes sparkled.

Prince…?

At this age, that doesn’t seem like an appropriate title.

“……Um. That’s a bit grand.”

“Hehe. No, it’s not. You are my prince… always saving me… hehe. Can you continue to do that in the future?”

I nodded without hesitation.

Lee So-yoon is one of my few friends.

Setting aside that relationship, I’ve grown quite fond of her as a person.

“Yeah. If it’s something I can do, definitely.”

“Anytime? Forever? Always?”

Lee So-yoon raised her heels and brought her face close.

“……Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“Is it a promise? You’re so reliable, my prince.”

“……..”

It’s a bit overwhelming.

I felt like I should make a promise in this atmosphere…

But isn’t ‘forever’ a bit much?

But well, she seems to like it that much.

I gently stroked Lee So-yoon’s head.

I noticed earlier that she seemed to like this.

Most kids don’t like being treated like children, but Lee So-yoon doesn’t seem to mind.

My fingers slid smoothly through Lee So-yoon’s soft hair.

“Can we go to the amusement park now?”

“Yeah. I think I’m okay now.”

Looking at Lee So-yoon’s expression, it really seemed like she was okay now.

So, I brought up the topic of the compensation that the driver mentioned.

“Thank goodness. Oh, that man mentioned compensation. What should we do?”

“Did you agree to take it?”

“No.”

“Then I’m fine with not taking it.”

“Is that so. Then we don’t need this.”

I showed Lee So-yoon the man’s business card that I had tucked away in a corner of my wallet.

It was a fancy, well-designed business card.

Lee So-yoon nodded.

I put the business card back in my wallet. I shouldn’t just throw it away here, so I’ll deal with it later when I get home.

As I finished speaking, Lee So-yoon leaned her head against my body.

A comfortable silence passed between us.

It wasn’t an awkward or uncomfortable silence, but a pleasant one where we enjoyed the warmth of each other’s bodies touching.

After sharing that warmth for a moment, we headed back to have our meal.

* * *

Lee So-yoon watched Seo Yi-jin’s back.

She thought that she wanted to be held in those strong arms forever, for the rest of her life.

She would be so happy that she might just die right there.

My prince.

To become your princess, I will also do my best.

With a happy smile, she held Yi-jin’s hand.

The warmth she felt from Yi-jin’s hand as they naturally intertwined filled the girl’s heart.

Thank you. For saving me once again.

The memory that almost became an indelible scar turned into a new memory engraved in her heart, all thanks to this man.

There are still many blank pages left in the fairy tale book in Lee So-yoon’s heart.

To fill the empty space next to him, together.

That was Isayoon’s wish.

* * *

“Ugh…. Still no call. Did they just decide to forget about it?”

In a private room at a large hospital.

A man lies in bed with bandages wrapped around his head, staring at his phone.

A woman in a suit standing next to him politely asked, “Should I look into it separately?”

“No, it’s okay. If we approach them first, it might just make them feel burdened and bring back bad memories. Although my heart is not at ease. Haha….”

The man let out a sigh mixed with a laugh.

The woman, who had been watching him for a moment, touched her forehead and said, “This incident was really dangerous. Sir. We need to investigate further, it might not be a simple accident.”

“Surely not. Would someone like me, with a low succession rank and who just goes out to play every day, go as far as to try to kill a rascal like that on purpose?”

“….But there are more than a few suspicious points.”

“Right. Please investigate separately and let me know. I think I need to rest a bit because my head hurts.”

The woman in a suit gave a sharp nod in response to the patient’s request and left the room.

“That girl…. Somehow she keeps lingering in my memory.”

The girl who was trembling in fear because of her own fault.

Although he had no particular interest in women, why was his gaze now turning in that direction?

Was that his preference?

Seeing the small girl shivering, he felt a desire to protect her.

Even though there was already another boy next to her.

The man let out a bitter laugh.

Unfortunately, they probably wouldn’t meet again before she contacts him from the other side….

Still, he thought he would like to see her one more time.