After a long moment of silence, the prince finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Hmm… as I have already instructed, tighten the security. That alone will be sufficient. And even if he manages to find a way, he will undoubtedly attempt to return. However, with security this strict, he may not dare to come at all—and even if he does… we will capture him."
At these words, Mr. Hoseok fell silent. He drew in a deep breath before bowing his head slightly. "As you command, my prince."
With that, he quietly took his leave.
The prince then began making his way back toward the castle. Along the path, he encountered Haru.
"Oh, Haru… where are you headed?" he asked.
Haru gently greeted the prince with a subtle expression and simply gestured toward the forest.
"Ah, I see," the prince said with a faint smile. "You're going to study the forest".The prince entered the castle, only to hear loud voices echoing from the healer's chamber. As he stepped closer, it became clear—Hani and Keifer were, once again, arguing with each other.
He let out a quiet sigh. "There's no hope for them…" he murmured, before simply walking away.
"You always show up wherever I am!" Hani snapped.
"And what makes you think I follow you around?" Keifer shot back. "Huh? Say it. Who do you think you are… some wild creature?"
"You—!" Hani snapped angrily.
Before things could escalate further, the healer quickly intervened. "Enough, children! Stop this at once. Why are you fighting like this?"
As Haru walked away, he suddenly turned back, a lingering question still weighing on his heart—why did the prince not wish for anything about his mother, their queen, to be written in the book?
He was just about to take out his paper to write and ask… but before he could, the prince was already gone.
"He's just jealous of me, Uncle!" Hani said sharply.
"Oh please—why would I ever be jealous of you?" Keifer scoffed. "What kind of delusion are you living in? Acting like some heavenly beauty… I can't even stand near you. You smell like herbs and wild bushes.
"How dare you say that to me!" Hani snapped. "And those herbs you're complaining about—don't forget, you're the one who takes them from healer Uncle to put on your hair. Just look at that long braid of yours… it's all because of those very herbs!"
She crossed her arms with a smirk. "Well? Go on… say something now."
Keifer felt a flicker of embarrassment deep inside and wondered, Who told her that?
Instinctively, he glanced toward the healer—only to find that he had quietly slipped away.
"Where are you looking?" Hani snapped. "Look at me and answer."
Then she added with a teasing smirk, "So that means… you must smell like those herbs too, right?"
"Ah—looks like someone's calling me. I should get going," Keifer said hastily, already backing away.
Before anyone could stop him, he turned and hurried out of the room.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going, Commander Long Braid?!" Hani called after him.
Just then, the healer returned.
"Where did you go?" Hani asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I just stepped out for a bit… nothing important," he replied casually.
It must have been that healer who told Hani… I even asked him not to say anything, Keifer thought to himself.
Well… one thing is certain—those herbs actually made my hair look better, he added with a faint, reluctant smirk. I suppose… I do like those herbs… and—wait, no, what am I even thinking?!
He quickly shook his head. "No, no… that's not right."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him, "What exactly is not right, Commander?"
Keifer startled instantly and straightened up.
"Y-you… Captain?" he said, surprised. "Can't a person even talk to himself now?"
"Come on, we have somewhere to go," Captain Sumin said.
Commander Keifer crossed his arms. "And where are you planning to take me this time?"
Sumin replied calmly, "It's the prince's order."
"Fine… if you don't want to go, I'll just inform him—"
"Wait, wait—who said I'm refusing?" Keifer quickly interrupted. "I'll go. Where to now?"
Sumin gestured toward a corner of the castle. "Over there."
Keifer followed his gaze and saw several horse carts lined up, filled with herbs and flowers gathered from the forest.
"Do you see those?" Sumin continued. "Today, they're heading to the Roka Kingdom, and we have to go along as cart escorts."
Keifer looked at them and thought to himself, These herbs will never leave me alone… it seems I'll have to spend my life with them.
As they reached the place where the horses were being prepared, they encountered Haru on the way.
"Haru, where are you coming from?" Keifer asked. "Your shoes are covered in mud and dirt… did you go into the jungle?"
Haru gently nodded.
He then looked at them with questioning eyes. Sumin spoke up, "Haru, we're heading to the Roka Kingdom for trade work. It will take us one or two days."
Without hesitation, Haru quickly took out a piece of paper from his bag and wrote, I want to go as well. I want to see that kingdom and also take some books from their library.
Sumin raised an eyebrow. "Are you really going to travel such a long distance, Haru?"
Haru nodded firmly.
Sumin placed a hand on his head and smiled slightly. "Alright then… go and get your things."
Hearing this, Haru immediately ran toward his room to prepare.
As soon as they mounted their horses, Haru arrived and quickly climbed onto one as well.
Sumin stepped outside and signaled the cart drivers to set off.
With that, they departed from the castle.
Sumin and Keifer rode at the front, leading the way, while the rest followed behind.
Together, they set out on a journey that would strengthen the bond between the two kingdoms even further.
After riding for quite some time, their journey had been going smoothly. But suddenly, Keifer felt an intense pressure.
He tried to hold it in for a long while, but eventually it became unbearable. Haru noticed something was wrong and looked toward him.
Keifer's face had turned pale, and he could barely remain steady on his horse. Haru watched him in confusion.
When Keifer realized Haru was staring at him, he gave an awkward, strained smile that clearly revealed his condition.
Without any hesitation, he said, "I need to use the washroom… right now. I need to go now… or else…"
Sumin's horse came to an immediate halt, and he turned to give Keifer an annoyed, sharp glare.
"Do you see any washrooms anywhere around here?" Sumin asked sharply. "You should have gone before we left, Keifer."
"Now go into those bushes and be quick. Don't take long."
"Do I have to go alone? It's getting dark…" Keifer said hesitantly.
"What are you, a coward or something?" Sumin scoffed, turning his horse to the side. "Go on. We'll be waiting here."
Keifer slowly stepped closer and, in a low voice, asked, "You're coming with me too, right?"