Chapter 123

“…Busted?”

Did he really hear that?

The unexpected situation turned his mind completely blank in an instant.

Maybe Haban turning around had just been a coincidence. Perhaps he had only paused mid-sentence because he remembered something he had left behind. Even now, it could have been a simple misunderstanding—that their eyes had met from this far away.

However, as if the wind itself had merely brushed by, Haban fixed his gaze squarely on Dori and began to run toward him without the slightest hesitation. And he was riding that black horse—the same one that would, at every opportunity, mischievously jostle its back as if waiting for the chance to throw him off.

“…What should I do?”

The thought did cross his mind—he needed to run from here immediately. And yet, seeing Haban made his body freeze in place, unable to move.

Just then, Jipyeong shouted,

“Catch that fox! What are you all doing?!”

Could it be… the white fox they had been searching for? Startled, the soldiers who had been watching rushed out from every direction. Since they couldn’t injure it, they were holding nets and ropes in their hands.

Only then did Dori whip his body around to make a run for it.

“Stop right there!”

Haban’s voice rang out, much closer now. It was deep and urgent, as if drawn straight from his core.

…Dori faltered.

He knew he shouldn’t. But without realizing it, he lifted one foot, hesitating, and turned his head.

“…Haban.”

I’m sorry. Just wait for me a little longer!

After imprinting Haban’s face in his mind for a brief moment, Dori immediately began climbing up the mountain.

“Damn it!”

The white fox had vanished completely, tail and all. The rustling of the bushes grew more and more distant.

At this rate, he might lose him. Haban tightened his grip on the reins.

If only he had realized a little earlier! If he hadn’t turned around back then, he wouldn’t even have known Dori was here—he would have simply ridden his horse back toward the imperial palace.

Haban hadn’t turned around because of Jipyeong’s shout. He had done it instinctively.

It was that strange sensation—like something tugging at him.

He told himself it was just his imagination, yet he had unconsciously pulled on the reins.

And then he saw it. Perhaps to make sure a lost Dori could find his way easily, he had lit up the isolated house brightly, casting deep shadows into the surrounding dark brush. There, half-hidden among the darkness, was a pure-white fox.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow down unbearably.

Was it just an illusion?

He wondered if this was yet another fantasy of his own making, but his hand acted before his mind—whipping the reins down. Yet the fox darted away even faster.

Haban was forced to stop the horse in the middle of the forest. The path ahead was too narrow to enter on horseback.

He worried about finding the fox now that it had vanished completely, but still, he felt relieved just knowing it was here. And judging from its speed and condition while running, there didn’t seem to be any injuries—though a physician would need to confirm that.

At some point, the path split.

“You check over there, the rest of you, this way!”

Following Jipyeong’s orders, the soldiers and the Shadow Killers¹ split up.

The soldiers took the torches and scattered, while the Shadow Killers, agile in movement, began searching for signs of the fox.

Jipyeong stayed close at Haban’s side.

“Could it be that the fox wasn’t kidnapped after all?”

“…”

It was well-known among the fox palace attendants—especially the three closest to Dori—that he would check his ornaments every day. They had found it fascinating: a beast, wagging its large tail lazily, laying out all his jewelry on the table just to stare at it for hours on end.

So, given that his cherished ornaments and clothes had been left behind in his room, it was certain Dori had not left the palace of his own will.

“When Your Majesty turned back earlier, I’m fairly certain the fox saw you too… but then ran away. Isn’t that strange?”

“….”

Haban, too, found it puzzling.

Why was that?

Could there be another reason?

…Surely, it wasn’t that he had regained his memories?

The first thought that came to mind was that Dori might have remembered his previous life, just as Haban had. If that were the case, Dori would never return to him.

“Could it be… he’s avoiding Your Majesty?”

At that, as if marking the end of his thoughts, Jipyeong spoke.

Haban swung the scabbard in his hand. The low-hanging branch blocking the way snapped cleanly and fell to the ground. The frightening force behind the swing made Jipyeong clamp his mouth shut and step back.

“Find him. No matter what it takes.”

If he won’t come back, then I’ll simply go and take him.

The veins on the back of Haban’s sword hand bulged dark and blue.

Right under the lamp’s light without realizing it, Dori—hiding just a little distance away and eavesdropping on Haban and Jipyeong’s conversation—widened his eyes.

‘Is he… really angry?’

Haban’s voice was so cold. To him, it had always been gentle and kind. Was it because Dori had avoided him earlier?

Well, he had pushed me away before, just for asking what would happen if I suddenly disappeared. He had even yelled at me then, telling me not to take a single step outside the room. So yes, he must be very, very angry.

Even if this wasn’t following the original story, if he faced Haban now, he’d probably get scolded for running away earlier.

“…So unfair…”

What was I supposed to do, waking up to find myself kidnapped?!

This was all the original story’s fault. Even now, the only reason he avoided him was because he didn’t want to die—he had no other intentions!

Dori decided to run to a safer place than here.

Rustle, rustle—

At first, it sounded like leaves rustling in the wind. But Haban noticed the subtle difference and immediately sprang forward. Jipyeong also realized at once and signaled to the Shadow Killers behind them.

The fox’s movements were so quick that they couldn’t move with torches. They relied on moonlight instead, swiping away branches as they cut through the darkness.

Slash—

The sharp tip of a branch grazed Haban’s cheek, leaving a long cut deep enough to draw blood.

The emperor—who hadn’t been injured even when facing assassins—was now getting hurt without realizing it, all in his pursuit of one fox.

“Stop!”

Haban called out reflexively in alarm.

It was a cliff. Right in front of the fleeing fox was a sheer drop.

The fox seemed to realize it too late, the view blocked by thick brush. Panicked, it tried to stop abruptly, but its momentum carried it forward.

Tap, clatter—clatter—clatter…

The stones kicked loose by its paws tumbled far down into the abyss below, making a chilling sound.

“Ka—Kaang!”

Just before tumbling over, the fox managed to stop, staggering backward unsteadily. Haban’s pale face regained color only then.

“…Kaeng.”

The fox seemed utterly startled, ears pressed flat against its head and tail curled tightly against its belly. Its body visibly trembled.

“You…!”

Even then, the way it spread its legs wide to guard itself made Haban’s breath catch. From deep inside his gut, a sticky, pitch-black emotion surged forth. His clenched jaw stood out sharply.

You almost died…

Meanwhile, Dori licked his nose nervously. His legs trembled so badly, it felt like he would collapse any moment. He had run to avoid the death scene from the original plot, but how did it come to this?!

The moment he saw the drop below, all the blood seemed to drain from him, leaving his vision dizzy and white. The fact he had managed to move back even this much was a miracle.

But having run away, he didn’t want to collapse pathetically onto his rear, so he forced his legs to hold him. Then he noticed—Haban’s expression twisted.

Dori tilted his head.

Was that frown meant for me?

…Why?

Because I disappeared from the palace without a word? Or because I ran away after seeing him earlier? Or maybe it’s because I look like a complete mess right now? There were too many possible reasons.

Just then, Haban called out to him. His ears perked up instantly.

“…Dori.”

His breathing was still rough, but his tone was gentle. His expression had already softened.

“Let’s go back.”

Behind Haban, Jipyeong and the men in black spread out in a wide line.

There were no trees here because of the cliff, so moonlight reached them easily. Still, the sight of all those black-clad figures standing together made Dori flinch and take a small step back.

“Stand down!”

Haban quickly shouted to the rear.

Jipyeong spread his arms, retreating along with the men in black. Even so, there was no visible gap for escape.

Dori’s eyes darted around.

“Do you dislike the palace?”

“….”

“Then, how about coming to see something I prepared for you right ahead?”

Haban coaxed gently.

Already shaken by the cliff, then startled again by the sight of the black-clad men, Dori felt tears threatening to fall.

“…Haban.”

His round, moonlike eyes wavered with uncertainty.

This time, Haban said nothing—he simply extended his hand, just as he had at their very first meeting in the hunting grounds.

If I just take that hand, everything will be easier…

Then suddenly, Dori remembered—this was the mountain.

…Wait, why am I even avoiding him again?

He realized with a jolt, the fur on his tail bristling.

Lost in fear these past days, he had been caught up in a huge misunderstanding—he didn’t have to avoid meeting Haban in general. It was only in that particular house that their reunion must not happen.

…So maybe?

Maybe this was fine. Even if that house was nearby, this wasn’t the exact location—so it shouldn’t matter, right?

But… but still…

Yet his steps began to move—one step, then another. At first slow and hesitant, but soon, he was running toward Haban.

“Kang!”

¹ Shadow Killers (그림자 살) — Likely an elite covert unit of assassins or trackers serving under the emperor, operating in the shadows. The term implies lethal skill and secrecy.