Chapter 61

The time that Da-yeon and I spent apart was roughly two weeks.

Though it isn’t a particularly long time, it isn’t exactly short either.

It’s true that being apart from Da-yeon for so long has made things a bit awkward between us.

No matter how long we’ve known each other, it isn’t easy to suddenly become strangers.

There is a saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I can see how that might hold some truth.

There were certainly moments when I pondered whether we could become close again.

We agreed to stay apart during this drama filming period, but after the shooting wrapped up, I wanted to return to our original relationship.

The issue arose during the filming period when we happened to cross paths.

“…If you have something to say, just say it quickly.”

Technically, I was the one who sought Da-yeon out this time.

But either way, breaking through the awkwardness created during our time apart and opening up is no easy task.

Especially when it comes to asking why I’ve suddenly started watching Virtual YouTuber broadcasts.

At least I was relieved that she didn’t recognize my voice.

What kind of events led a person who never mentioned a Virtual YouTuber to suddenly take an interest?

At this moment, I was more curious about why Da-yeon had changed than I was about my own differences.

At the same time, I felt a sense of worry.

None of the kids in the same class as Da-yeon seemed to know where she was.

Consequently, the only strange news I received about her was that she often disappeared somewhere.

Wondering if something might have happened, I took the liberty of contacting Da-yeon’s parents.

However, I could only hang up after hearing that everything at home was the same as usual.

Ultimately, the Min Da-yeon I knew would never ask for help first.

I had seen her stubbornly trying to solve even the smallest issues on her own, with a pride that made her suffer unnecessarily.

Of course, what I’m contemplating doing now could be seen as meddling.

It’s true that Da-yeon isn’t exactly the warmest friend and that her personality can be quite difficult to deal with.

But after spending so much time together, it was hard to ignore the signs that something was being hidden.

Even if, in the end, I had to become a complete stranger to Da-yeon, I wanted to make sure that ‘that incident’ didn’t happen first.

To begin with, I’m not the kind of person who can easily watch those I care about suffer.

As happy as I am in my daily life as Diah, I hope that others can also stick to their usual routines.

Therefore,

“If you have a concern, please tell me now… I’m begging you.”

I asked with a serious expression and tone for her to let me help if I could.

The problem is that no matter how much time passes, Da-yeon’s lips remain sealed.

Well, they did open just once right before we parted.

“…If rumors of a romantic relationship surface at our age, it could cause chaos. Let’s wrap this up quickly before it becomes a hassle.”

That was a comment unrelated to the worries plaguing Da-yeon’s heart.

Thanks to that, I found myself unable to say much and sent Da-yeon away without a proper excuse.

…So, why does she think that I’ve started dating?

***

“Doesn’t it seem like Ha Eun has changed a bit lately?”

A staff member observed Ha Eun, who was waiting a little away from them.

To this, Jin Kyu-seong replied.

“It’s probably due to her role as Yeom Wol.”

“Her role as Yeom Wol?”

“Yes.”

The staff speculated that Ha Eun’s change was related to the filming of the moonlit clouds.

And it’s not surprising, as Jin Kyu-seong had seen her putting in maximum effort to perform more immersive acting.

Thus, to understand the reason for such a change in a passionate actor, they needed to find the answer within the filming of the moonlit clouds.

“The part that Ha Eun is filming right now is also a romantic section, isn’t it?”

“Then, is it possible that the reason for Ha Eun’s changed demeanor is?”

“She’s probably trying to express Yeom Wol’s feelings for Lee Hyun in her own way.”

“Wow, that’s impressive… it’s not easy to do that at such a young age.”

That was pure admiration without any ulterior motives.

The preceding discussion was purely Jin Kyu-seong’s personal speculation, but it was not so absurd as to warrant dispute.

There were also multiple grounds that bolstered Jin Kyu-seong’s conjecture.

Among the various reasons that added credibility to Jin Kyu-seong’s guess, the most decisive evidence was the unexpected news regarding Ha Eun’s historical drama swordplay training.

“I was certain she mentioned that she was practicing with a sword that was several times heavier than the actual filming sword.”

In the past, Jin Kyu-seong had given Ha Eun a relatively easy-to-handle sword, concerned for her wrist and safety.

However, the sword used in Kim Kyu-tae’s historical drama swordplay class turned out to be the heaviest one.

Thus, with a touch of doubt, Jin Kyu-seong contacted Kim Kyu-tae.

He cautiously asked if Ha Eun had been forced to wield a heavy sword.

‘What can I do? I can only bring the heaviest sword I find… I worry about Ha Eun’s wrist too.’

In the end, the unexpected truth he learned was that Kim Kyu-tae simply couldn’t resist Ha Eun’s strong request.

Although Jin Kyu-seong had considerable experience, he had never seen a female actress like Ha Eun.

Therefore, one day he asked Ha Eun directly why she willingly underwent such hardships.

‘Ah, it’s because… in the original novel, the sword of Yeom Wol is described as being very heavy.’

Getting completely duped by that statement, which was nothing more than a flimsy excuse for her desire to engage in vigorous exercise, it was natural for Jin Kyu-seong’s evaluation of Ha Eun to rise several notches.

“I know that Ha Eun has softened. But, that’s all for the filming, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

“I-I wasn’t worried! I was just wondering if I was the only one seeing Ha Eun differently.”

Thus, the staff member who ultimately found themselves persuaded by Jin Kyu-seong’s speculation also aimed to support Ha Eun in their own way and handed her a vitamin drink from their coat pocket.

Ha Eun, who was puzzled by this sudden kindness, nonetheless graciously accepted it.

The real preparations for today’s first filming began about ten minutes later.

“Yu Sung-jae and Ha Eun, please stand by~.”

“If the wind is too strong, the flagpoles might fall, so everyone, please don’t get too close─!”

After that, the filming set rapidly filled with commotion in seconds.

Lighting and microphones adjusted their positions one by one.

The two leads, Yu Sung-jae and Ha Eun, also made their way to their respective spots.

Just as there was very little time left before the filming was to begin,

“U-Um, Sung-jae.”

“?”

“Is there… anything different about me?”

One of the most classic questions that can drive a man crazy directed itself toward Yu Sung-jae.

In that instant, Yu Sung-jae’s eyes grew anxious as he quickly scanned Ha Eun from head to toe.

However, aside from her slightly softer appearance compared to the first episode, he couldn’t find anything different.

That soft demeanor was certainly a product of Ha Eun’s acting, so the best Yu Sung-jae could offer in terms of answers was.

“…Did you change your lip tint?”

“No.”

“Uh, um… did your eyeshadow get a little darker?”

“I don’t wear eyeshadow.”

Concerning answers that excluded anything related to Ha Eun’s acting had the highest probability of being correct.

Still, since all of Yu Sung-jae’s responses were incorrect,

“Are you really not finding anything?”

“…No.”

He ultimately answered honestly, stating that he didn’t know.

Almost simultaneously, Ha Eun’s face, for some reason, lit up a bit.

Yu Sung-jae, who had expected Ha Eun to be slightly disappointed, couldn’t help but be flustered.

Yet, Ha Eun, who didn’t mind at all, thanked him for his honesty.

“Ah, I see. Others must have been mistaken.”

“…?”

At that point, Yu Sung-jae couldn’t even guess what Ha Eun was talking about.

However, at some point, the countdown for filming began to be heard from beyond.

“3, 2, 1. …Cue!”

Setting aside the doubts filling his mind for the moment,

Yu Sung-jae faced Ha Eun not as Yu Sung-jae, but as Prince Lee Hyun.

「The weather is pleasant, so I think I will take a trip for the first time in a while. Will you come along?」

「…Yes, Your Highness.」

S#51.

A visit to the market.

The scene depicted Prince Lee Hyun and his bodyguard Yeom Wol disguised as they strolled through the market within the capital.

Strictly speaking, this scene had already appeared in the early part of the drama.

However, unlike in the beginning, when Yeom Wol was merely Lee Hyun’s bodyguard,

Now that Yeom Wol had come to recognize his feelings for Lee Hyun,

「This bracelet symbolizes a desire for each other’s well-being. Would you like to wear it?」

Even a small bracelet handed over unexpectedly shook Yeom Wol’s emotions, and his fierce gaze began to falter little by little.

Every aspect of Lee Hyun’s gaze, voice, and gestures became a point of concern for him.

Despite trying hard to act nonchalant and calm his heart,

「Your face is flushed. Do you have a fever?」

-Thunk.

The reddening emotions that had appeared somehow,

And Lee Hyun’s cautious touch that mistakenly thought this flushing was due to heat.

「…! Y-Your Highness!」

Ultimately, the main content of S#51 consisted of Yeom Wol displaying a rather uncharacteristic emotional side.

Yeom Wol, deeply in love, and Lee Hyun, perplexed by this side of Yeom Wol, created a unique tension typical of romance.

It was also a scene that made the viewers shout for Lee Hyun to please recognize Yeom Wol’s true identity.

“Reversal charm.”

Why was Yeom Wol, who always appeared sharp, becoming soft in front of Lee Hyun?

What was the reason he couldn’t quite withstand even a fleeting touch and pulled away slightly, perplexed?

Why on earth couldn’t he even manage to make proper eye contact?

From the viewers’ perspective, this could be perceived as a frustrating situation, referred to as a ‘sweet potato’ moment.

To be precise, even if it had a sweet undertone beneath it, it was still not overly frustrating.

However, considering that the tone of the drama would drastically shift in the following S#52, it also served as a sort of build-up.

After all, none of the viewers could have predicted that the Yeom Wol, who was previously showing just a hint of wariness toward Queen Yoon, would soon become tangled in her schemes.

They would definitely not have foreseen that the Queen Yoon, who had only ever displayed a level of caution, would put him in a difficult situation.

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