Side Story 10
“It suits you really well. Truly.”
“Thank you. Now I can go back out and greet people with renewed energy.”
Suhyeon stood up from the bed with a brightened expression.
‘Is this really… okay?’
Though Bora watched Suhyeon’s departing figure with lingering worry, fortunately, the outcome was different from her concerns.
Just as everything Suhyeon wore during the wedding and honeymoon became a topic of interest—from clothes to shoes—the necklace and earrings she wore on the plane also became public knowledge, surprising everyone with their modest price.
The PR team’s statement that it was a wedding gift from a close acquaintance spread like a heartwarming story, actually enhancing Suhyeon’s public image.
Since this happened after the wedding, Bora didn’t know it yet, so her face still showed traces of worry.
* * * * *
Director Joo was waiting at the resort.
While others were checking in after arrival, Director Joo escorted Jeonghan and Suhyeon to the private elevator.
“You must be tired from the journey.”
“It wasn’t much.”
Jeonghan replied casually.
After pressing the lit button for the top floor, Director Joo said,
“This floor is exclusively for your use, accessed by this private elevator. The rooftop above has an infinity pool with a bar. We’ve sectioned off a VIP area for your private use whenever you wish.”
“Will there be enough rooms?”
Understanding Jeonghan’s intent, Director Joo promptly answered,
“The resort will only accommodate wedding attendees and related parties for the week, so all facilities, including rooms, can be used comfortably.”
“Good.”
Jeonghan nodded briefly.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
“Then please rest, you must be tired. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You rest too, Director Joo. Thank you for your hard work.”
Suhyeon returned the greeting as Director Joo bowed.
Click
After the elevator doors closed again, Jeonghan gently turned Suhyeon by her shoulders.
Beyond the middle door, three more doors stretched along a corridor. Walking with Jeonghan, Suhyeon said,
“He looks a bit tanned, probably from being here preparing for the wedding.”
Jeonghan looked down.
“Director Joo?”
Suhyeon nodded slowly, speaking thoughtfully,
“Yes. He looks better than usual. Healthier.”
Director Joo, like Jeonghan, had pale skin, though his build wasn’t as good as Jeonghan’s. He usually gave off a bookish impression, but now he looked more masculine, perhaps due to his tanned skin.
So that’s why he looks healthier.
Suhyeon felt relieved that life here seemed to have agreed with him, as he’d said.
While Suhyeon was quietly thinking this, Jeonghan’s voice broke in.
“…Didn’t I say I’m a jealous man?”
Suhyeon looked up, startled by his low voice.
“Ah…”
Jeonghan was looking down at her with a slanted gaze.
Suhyeon smiled with her pale face.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Director Joo. That’s why the changes were noticeable.”
She said lightly, curving her lips prettily.
His eyes, which had started to soften at her lovely smile, narrowed again.
“And spending more time with Ms. Yoon Bora than me during the flight?”
“That’s because you were busy the whole time.”
Suhyeon answered immediately.
Jeonghan had spent most of the flight in the conference room with executives and then in the briefing room with reporters, so even Suhyeon barely had a chance to see him.
Jeonghan furrowed his brow.
“So that’s why you were in Ms. Yoon Bora’s room…”
Suhyeon wrapped her arms around his waist with both hands.
Jeonghan looked down at her as she gazed up at him while in his embrace, momentarily hesitating.
Suhyeon stared at him steadily with clear eyes and spoke.
“I need time to relax too. Especially when you’re not by my side.”
“…”
Jeonghan’s dark eyes, which had been looking down at her obsidian-like blinking eyes, grew intense.
“Were you nervous?”
“Of course. There are so many strangers around.”
Suhyeon furrowed her brows and pushed out her lips in a slight pout before quickly softening into a gentle smile.
“…I understand. You have your position to consider, and since I’m the one who suggested having the wedding far away, it’s only natural that I should handle these moments.”
“…”
Jeonghan gazed down at Suhyeon with deep eyes.
Lowering her eyelashes, Suhyeon let out a small sigh.
“Still, I can’t help feeling nervous. I’m worried about the photos journalists are taking now being released without any mosaic blur…”
Suhyeon slowly blinked her thick downcast lashes.
Until now, even during public appearances, she had hidden behind mosaic blurs in the media, but with this wedding, they had decided to go public. It made her inherently nervous.
Although the Cheonkyung secretariat was trying their best to prevent it, they couldn’t forcibly take down videos that YouTubers had secretly filmed and uploaded for profit. Because of this, Suhyeon had agreed that it would be better to make an official public appearance.
Once she accepted life as the lady of Cheonkyung, she couldn’t hide forever.
But still, there was fear.
She wondered if Jeonghan had felt the same way.
She remembered that Jeonghan too had lived an ordinary life before suddenly becoming Cheonkyung’s heir.
At an even younger age than her.
Though the position of Cheonkyung’s crown prince seemed to suit him as if it had always been his, she realized now that he must have faced considerable fear in accepting it as an individual.
After losing his parents, wouldn’t the sudden weight he had to bear have been overwhelming? Wouldn’t it have been difficult living a life where he had to present the image of a perfect heir while carrying that weight…
Suhyeon slowly raised her eyes to meet Jeonghan’s gaze.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“I thought I was prepared, but I guess I’m nervous. Still, I’m sure I’ll adapt well.”
Just as Jeonghan had endured, this was a weight she had to accept. Though unfamiliar and frightening now, it would become more natural with time.
“…”
Jeonghan silently looked down at the smiling Suhyeon.
After watching her for a moment, he let out a brief sigh and caressed her cheek.
“We should have traveled separately. I’m sorry.”
Suhyeon quietly shook her head.
“No, it wouldn’t be right to send guests ahead without the main couple. It’s just…”
She paused briefly before breaking into a crescent-moon smile.
Jeonghan swallowed at that blindingly beautiful smile. His wife’s smile never failed to make his heart stop.
“I’m just complaining about nothing. Because you’re… my husband.”
“…”
Jeonghan, who had been staring without even blinking, took a deep breath.
“I should have been more attentive.”
Jeonghan spoke in a low, troubled voice. His brows furrowed.
Trying to handle all necessary business on the flight to avoid interruptions to their private time after arrival had instead resulted in neglecting Suhyeon.
Despite this, Suhyeon had tried her best to fulfill her role, while he had only shown petty jealousy. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“I’ve become a pathetic man.”
Jeonghan tilted his head slightly while caressing Suhyeon’s lips. Suhyeon smiled softly.
“Honestly, I don’t mind seeing you jealous. As I’ve said before.”
Jeonghan pulled her body closer to his and gently pressed his forehead against hers.
Meeting her gaze up close, he asked seriously.
“Even when I’m this pettily jealous?”
“Yes.”
His face broke into a handsome smile at her answer.
“…Seol Suhyeon.”
Jeonghan called her name in a low, resonant voice as he lifted her face.
As he tilted his head while gazing at her with intense eyes from up close, their lips drew nearer.
Just as Suhyeon softly closed her eyes, her phone suddenly vibrated in her bag.
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