"A-Jae! What's on your mind? You seem lost in thought," Princess Chul Yun Hee said, breaking the silence. "I've been calling you for a while."
Song Jae shook off her reverie. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about my brother—he's departing for the border soon. We hardly had time to be together."
"Isn't your brother also heading to the border?" the princess inquired.
"Yes, Your Highness," Song Jae replied. "My brother, Song Ji, is among them." She gestured toward the gathering, her gaze meeting Song Ji's. He waved; she returned the gesture.
Princess Chul Yun Hee followed her gaze until her eyes landed on Song Ji.
"So that's your brother, A-Jae? You two share a striking resemblance. Clearly, good looks run in your family."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Song Jae replied with a smile.
As she glanced out the window, her eyes inadvertently met Chul Kwan's. For an instant, their gazes locked. His lips curved into a subtle smile, though even he seemed unsure why.
Her eyes were drawn to his mouth, now moving silently. She focused, deciphering the unspoken words: "Wait for me to come back."
A shiver ran down her spine. Why should it matter whether he returned? They shared no binding ties.
Princess Chul Yun Hee's voice broke the moment. "What is my brother whispering about, I wonder?"
Song Jae feigned ignorance. "I don't know, Your Highness. Perhaps he's speaking to one of the generals."
Lee Cha intervene , her tone sharp. "But why is he facing our private room's window? She felt he was talking to Song Jae just now."
Song Jae shrugged. "I have no idea."
Lee Cha pressed further. "Why don't we go downstairs and bid the Crown Prince farewell?"
Princess Chul Yun Hee nodded eagerly. "That's a wonderful idea. What do you think, Song Jae?"
"I think it's a great idea," Song Jae said, forcing a calm tone. "I can bid farewell to my brother as well."
In truth, she was reluctant to face the Crown Prince again. But she needed to collect her things from him before his departure—otherwise, he might use it as an excuse to keep bothering her when he returned. Avoiding him outright might only raise suspicion.
Rising from their seats, the young women made their way to the door and stepped out of the private room.
"The bill has been settled, Your Highness," a servant announced with a bow.
"Very well. Let's proceed before my brother, the Crown Prince, departs," Princess Chul Yun Hee said, adjusting her cloak.
Outside, the courtyard bustled with movement. Guards quickly cleared a path as the princess and her companions approached the Crown Prince's entourage.
"Orabeoni! Orabeoni!" Princess Chul Yun Hee called out, ( Author: it is the familiar address for an elder brother.)
Chul Kwan turned at the sound of her voice, his gaze falling upon his sister, flanked by two young ladies. His eyes immediately found Song Jae in the crowd, though he struggled to recall the name of the other girl, having only encountered her briefly during a palace visit.
Princess Chul Yun Hee, Lee Cha, and Song Jae bowed in unison, voices clear and respectful:
"Cheon-ha man-se! May His Royal Highness, the Little Dragon, reign for ten thousand years!"
"You may rise," Chul Kwan said with a nod.
Song Jae straightened first, before the others. She was still unaccustomed to such formalities. In her past life, bowing like this was never required. The deep court customs of this ancient world still felt foreign to her.
As she rose, Chul Kwan's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable.
"Take care of yourself while I'm away," Song Ji said, his voice cutting through the quiet moment.
Song Jae's mind drifted again. She was growing weary of this world—of its rules, expectations, and strange rhythms. She longed for her simpler life.
"Song Jae, your brother is speaking to you," Princess Chul Yun Hee reminded gently. "You've been lost in thought again. Is something troubling you?"
Song Jae blinked and turned toward her brother, offering a small, apologetic smile. She was surprised by the princess's perception. They had only spent a few days together, and yet she could already read her so well.
"What's going on in that little head of yours?" Song Ji teased, tapping her forehead lightly with his knuckles.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Song Jae said, rubbing her forehead with a small pout.
"You've got unusually delicate skin," Song Ji observed, amused.
Princess Chul Yun Hee stepped forward with a bright smile. "Song Jae, when your brother and mine return from the border, why don't we ladies host a quiet welcome party—just the five of us? Wouldn't that be lovely, Brother?"
Chul Kwan's gaze lingered on Song Jae, his expression unreadable.
Noticing this, Princess Chul Yun Hee gave her brother a light tap. "Brother, why are you staring at A-Jae?"
He blinked, turning back to his sister. "Nothing. I was just lost in thought." He offered a faint smile. "I think your idea is wonderful."
Song Jae stiffened slightly.
So, that's settled, she thought. There won't be a chance to approach the Crown Prince privately now.
If she moved toward him alone, it would only invite unwanted attention—from both the Princess Chul Yun Hee and Lee Cha. Suspicion was the last thing she needed.
Just then, one of the generals stepped forward and announced, "It's time for our departure."
Song Ji turned to his sister and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Goodbye, dear sister. Take care of yourself while I'm away," he said softly.
"I will, brother. You do the same," Song Jae replied, returning his hug. "Take care, brother. You too."
Chul Kwan's eyes shifted once more to Song Jae. Their gazes met briefly, something unspoken passing between them.
Then, with a subtle nod, he turned and raised his hand, signaling the army forward.
At his command, the troops began to move, their footsteps echoing as they departed the palace grounds—leaving behind silence, and the quiet weight of things unsaid.
As they parted, her heart clenched. No one knew what might happen at the border.