Chapter 62

A cat set out for hunting.

Or an eagle.

When Yu Sung-jae first saw Ha-eun’s sharp gaze, these were the thoughts that came to mind.

Of course, this was just a matter of appearance; he didn’t think of Ha-eun as such a fierce person.

A calm atmosphere felt through his composed tone.

And the caution underlying it.

Ha-eun knew how to choose words without pushing away Yu Sung-jae, who engaged her warmly in conversation every moment.

Thanks to that, he was able to reduce the distance between them without much difficulty.

However, it was that moment from the past when Ha-eun’s blade narrowly grazed the edge of Yu Sung-jae’s robe instead of an imagined wild boar.

All the emotions felt from that ferocious gaze were far from ‘affection.’

‘Is romance… possible?’

Unconsciously, he began to worry about whether the core genre of [Moonlight Through the Clouds], ‘historical romance,’ could be properly expressed. He couldn’t quite imagine what it would look like for a person with a fierce impression like Ha-eun to fall in love.

To put it bluntly, it was an unnecessary worry.

Having a fierce impression and acting in love were ultimately separate issues.

“From now on, I guess I should only go out with you.”

“Are you… talking about just us?”

“Yes, just the two of us. Others nagging me has become a daily routine.”

A light conversation during an outing.

However, the emotions blooming across Yeom Wol’s face were anything but light.

Once again, the joy of being able to go out just with Lee Hyun.

At the same time, a sense of regret.

The outing with Lee Hyun was promised to the bodyguard Yeom Wol.

It wasn’t promised to Yeom Wol, a woman who had feelings for Lee Hyun.

It was something that could never be promised.

“What are you thinking so deeply about? Is serving the prince who likes to go out every day that unpleasant?”

“…So, you’re aware he likes to go out?”

That realization didn’t include how it continued to torment her.

The words she ultimately had to swallow made Yeom Wol feel bitter once more.

Still, her heart fluttered.

Not feeling like a mere bodyguard meant for service but as a man.

“—Tap tap.”

“What if a bodyguard of the prince goes around with dirt on his shoulder?”

Even the slightest touch that brushed off the pine needles made her flinch.

Having given up before even delivering her feelings, she couldn’t let out a breath.

Even with that fierce impression and sharp gaze.

The feelings toward Lee Hyun placed over that made Yeom Wol appear not as a strong warrior but as a woman.

From Lee Hyun of the past, she had only received the affection shared between a ruler and his subject.

But what Yeom Wol truly desired now was a love between a man and a woman.

However, the single reason for remaining a bodyguard was for Lee Hyun’s sake.

“…It’s getting late, so you should return to the palace now.”

Suppressing the desire to stay with Lee Hyun just a little longer, she stepped behind him instead of by his side.

Only when Lee Hyun began to walk in front did her gaze finally find him.

From Yeom Wol, who could show no sincerity, only a sense of longing was apparent.

Thus, cut.

It was exactly as Jin Kyu-seong had imagined while reviewing the script, so no NG sign was added.

“Compared to episode 1, it has definitely become softer.”

Since they filmed the scenes in order according to the script, it was easier to check if the changing relationships and emotions between the characters were well expressed as time passed in the drama.

The first impressions that Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol held of each other were surely of a type far removed from romance.

However, as time flowed.

Now, as Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol cherished each other for different reasons,

“This will make Sung-jae receive some scolding when it airs, huh?”

“If it were man vs. man, it wouldn’t matter much. But since it’s man vs. woman, it becomes flirting.”

“In general, flirting without awareness looks worse anyway. I suppose there’s no helping that.”

It was essential to express the emotional gap between Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol more than anything else.

Scenes where Yeom Wol’s feelings do not reach Lee Hyun, like S#51, are necessary for the later union to shine more beautifully.

The very next scene S#52 would also highlight their future union even more.

However, unlike the relatively calm atmosphere of S#51,

“Since we need to match the timing for Yeom Wol slapping, please start preparing, Da-yeon.”

The upcoming S#52 was to be a darker scene.

Additionally, it was a moment when a crisis approached both Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol.

“Hm… can you do it at a slight downward angle from this perspective?”

—Whoosh!

“That, just now, was way too abrupt. A softer trajectory, please.”

Currently, Ha-eun and Da-yeon were working together to convey the crisis faced by the two main characters most clearly.

However, perhaps it was because this was Da-yeon’s first time acting as a villain like Queen Yoon.

Even after quite a long time practicing, the acting of slapping Da-yeon’s cheek was slightly off, making it awkward.

It would have been better to actually slap her.

Both Da-yeon and Ha-eun had an inkling of this.

“Hey, Da-yeon. Just hit me.”

“What if I get hurt?”

“…Are you planning to hit me hard enough to hurt?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

They decided to resolve to slap each other for real.

Despite the attempts of Da-yeon and the surrounding staff to dissuade Ha-eun from this decision.

“Still, I want to try it first and then decide.”

Due to Ha-eun’s insistence, the acting of actually slapping was attempted.

So, with a slap.

“Ah… it definitely feels better to do it for real, but… are you really okay with this?”

“Yes.”

All in all, the staff were not eager for any more delays in shooting, so Ha-eun’s opinion was accepted.

The problem was that even after Ha-eun’s cheek was slapped, Da-yeon’s expression did not improve.

From Ha-eun’s perspective, such a look from Da-yeon was incomprehensible.

Since Da-yeon had been itching to devour Ha-eun for quite a long time, she thought that by slapping Ha-eun’s cheek under the pretext of filming, Da-yeon’s mood would somewhat lighten.

‘…Why does she look like that?’

It seemed that slapping Ha-eun had made her feel worse for some reason.

Did it not feel satisfying somehow?

Of course, Ha-eun had no intention of being slapped until Da-yeon felt better.

Her choice to actually be hit was merely a practical decision, believing it would be easier for filming.

If it had gone into filming with Da-yeon’s awkward movements before, continuous NG signs would have been certain.

Therefore, regardless of how Da-yeon felt, there was no intention to retract Ha-eun’s decision.

However, since S#52’s Queen Yoon’s intimidation was a continuation of the last part of S#51.

“There, the person with a mole on the left cheek! You’re holding the sword wrong!”

“Ah… I’m s-sorry!”

The shoot began in a location somewhat distant from where Ha-eun and Da-yeon had been practicing.

The filming of S#52 started about 10 minutes later.

“Alright, then… 3, 2, 1. Cue!”

Finally, Jin Kyu-seong’s cue sign was heard, followed immediately by the sounds of footsteps from all directions.

Not long after, Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol were completely surrounded by the soldiers sent by someone.

Thus, it was only natural that Yeom Wol’s gaze sharpened even more.

However, for some reason.

“‘You are commanded to bring him.’”

“Who dares give such an order─!”

“It is the command of His Highness. Therefore, please yield.”

Since they were after Yeom Wol, not Prince Lee Hyun, and under such orders.

Ultimately, Yeom Wol had no choice but to leave Lee Hyun’s side, surrounded by the soldiers.

In this land of Joseon, no one could defy a royal order.

The problem was that Yeom Wol’s steps stopped at the queen’s chamber, Gyotaejeon.

In other words, it meant that the one who commanded her to be brought was not the king but the queen.

“Show respect. She is the Queen Mother.”

It was then that she realized something was seriously off, albeit belatedly.

Nonetheless, she could only kneel, suppressed by the soldiers on either side.

“…Did you enjoy your outing with the prince?”

A cold gaze.

A chilling voice.

It was impossible not to realize that she wasn’t called for good intentions.

However, the social status gap between her and Queen Yoon was indeed like heaven and earth.

At present, all she could do was remain silent.

Whatever Yeom Wol said or did could be regarded as a crime of disrespect.

Yet, ultimately, Yeom Wol’s mouth had to open.

“The first daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Kim Ho-jin, Kim Yeon. Do you know that name?”

It was a name Yeom Wol had long since cast away.

At the same time, it was a name that should never have been found out by anyone.

“…I do not know.”

“Ha… you don’t know?”

“Yes.”

Yeom Wol’s voice remained dry and devoid of emotions, as always.

In contrast, Queen Yoon’s voice slowly began to tremble, elevating her emotions.

“What kind of safety is based on lies…! You should know your place!”

—Slap!

Ultimately, Queen Yoon’s fierce hand struck Yeom Wol’s cheek.

Almost simultaneously, she roughly grabbed the edge of Yeom Wol’s chin.

“Ha, so. Since you claim not to know, I will personally enlighten you.”

A smooth, soft hand tugging her toward herself.

“If the emperor knew that one who abandoned the bonds of parent and child and hid her identity stood with a sword beside the prince, what command would he give?”

“…I truly do not know that name.”

“Say the same in front of your father. Surely your father would also become a criminal trying to assassinate the prince and be put in prison like you.”

A terribly intimidating voice.

Decisively, the very title of queen alone held enough power to validate everything that Queen Yoon had just said.

“…Please tell me what this is all about.”

Unable to deny any further what Queen Yoon had said, she asked what she desired.

If there was any intention to truly make Yeom Wol and her father into criminals, there would be no need to intimidate Yeom Wol like this.

“Leave the prince’s side. And never return to the palace again.”

What followed was a discussion about the power struggle between Lee Hyun and Queen Yoon.

More precisely, it was a matter regarding the safety of the child in Queen Yoon’s womb.

“Once the prince ascends to the throne, he will surely try to eliminate my child. Will the prince truly leave alive a danger that threatens his position?”

“…His Highness is not that sort of person.”

“Even if the prince is not that type of person, the throne is a place where such things cannot be avoided.”

However, as Yeom Wol left Lee Hyun’s side.

Lee Hyun’s mind and spirit began to gradually crumble.

Ultimately, should he fall out of the king’s favor.

“His Majesty will surely entrust Joseon to me, not to the prince. There’s no way he could risk the nation and its people on someone as fragile as a minor government official.”

Queen Yoon and her child would thus be safe.

Therefore.

“For the sake of your old father, leave. This is the last mercy given on behalf of His Majesty.”

She sought to deliberately intimidate Yeom Wol to isolate Lee Hyun.

At the same time, she made it clear that only her method could save everyone.

“If only you disappear for a moment, no one will suffer. Truly, no one will be harmed.”

A deep gaze with no trace of levity whatsoever.

A solemn voice born from her high status as queen.

Decisively, Yeom Wol’s cold reality, in which she had never been granted any choice in the first place.

Yeom Wol was thus rendered speechless, unable to give even the slightest response.

The fact that she had become Lee Hyun’s weakness, whom she had tried so hard to protect, mercilessly trampled on Yeom Wol’s heart.

Thus, the moment Da-yeon caught Ha-eun’s eyes, who appeared more sorrowful than ever.

—Thud.

She realized why Da-yeon felt strange watching Ha-eun surrounded by friends in the past.

“Cut! Good job!”

Even after the camera and lighting began to gradually be packed away.

After heading to the costume room to change back into her original clothes, and then getting on Kim Jin-su’s white van.

Ha-eun’s sad gaze wouldn’t leave her mind.

Memories of Da-yeon’s sharpness directed towards Ha-eun over the past 11 years lingered as well.

She had been a villain.

Just like Queen Yoon.

‘…How did it come to this?’

At first, it had been pure competitive spirit, hoping to beat Ha-eun in their acting.

She had stayed by Ha-eun’s side to achieve the self-satisfaction of having performed better than that Lee Ha-eun.

However, as time went on.

Beyond merely competing in acting, other aspects began to touch her feelings.

Unconsciously, she had been afraid.

That Ha-eun, tired of continually presenting a demeanor far removed from warmth, would ultimately leave her behind.

Yet she had kept turning away from that acknowledgment.

That moment when she saw Ha-eun comfortably conversing with someone other than Da-yeon.

—Thud.

She faced the reality of Da-yeon being utterly alone.

She reencountered the six-year-old Min Da-yeon, who had pushed away all the other children because of her sense of being special before meeting Ha-eun.

Her last desperate act was to appear as a villain in the same drama as Ha-eun.

She believed that by competing against Ha-eun in acting again, she could quickly forget such loneliness.

To put it simply, it was a misjudgment.

Each time she treated Ha-eun harshly as Queen Yoon, only guilt surged within her.

Though it was merely acting, it wasn’t something she could care so easily about.

Yet, the turmoil within her heart, worsening by the day.

—Pat.

“Uh…? D-Da-yeon. Are you hurt?! Why are you suddenly crying!”

“I-I don’t know… nothing….”

It prevented her from finding a reason why Da-yeon could be beside Ha-eun.

She finally realized, albeit late, that Da-yeon could associate with Ha-eun purely because Ha-eun was kind.

If Ha-eun changed her mind and pushed Da-yeon away, she would ultimately be left alone once more.

It had been a reality where it would have been entirely normal to be alone at any time.

Should she apologize before it was too late?

No, was it already too late to correct things with just an apology?

She had only just realized she couldn’t remain as she was.

Yet, she had no idea how to change.

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