SAFBIAN Ch 160

Chapter 160 (Extra 1.4)

The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy. Eunuch Kim discreetly ushered everyone out of the room, and I followed them outside. Inside the chamber, Haban waited solely for Dori’s response.

“…I’m sorry.”

Without even knowing what for.

Watching Haban repeatedly apologize to me, I sniffled and wiped my nose.

While Haban lay on the bed with his eyes closed, I never knew how frightening it was. Sometimes it felt like he was dead, so I pressed my ear to his chest to check for breath.

That made me realize anew why I had been angry that he thought of death as someone detached from life.

“Ugh.”

Haban, barely standing, groaned softly.

“Clang!”

Suddenly, I jumped unconsciously from the windowsill. Haban grasped the back of a chair, eyes closed.

With a thud, as I transformed back into human form, I stumbled, and he supported me.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Dizzy? Then why were you so stubborn, refusing to leave?”

“I’m fine.”

Though his eyes were open, I was more captivated by his pale, bare skin. Had he been so vulnerable just a moment ago?

The gentle scent emanating from his close body was the result of Hongi and Cheongyi applying perfume daily. That made me feel even more dejected.

“If you can’t walk, just lean on me.”

“Have you forgiven me?”

“Is that what matters now?”

I snapped angrily.

One cannot scold a sick person and needs a moment to gather emotions, but he was so impatient!

“To me, it matters.”

His heavy black eyes pleaded earnestly. Don’t go away. Don’t leave me. Haban’s arms wrapped around my waist and back, pulling me closer just enough to breathe comfortably.

I never imagined such deep emotions could ripple through those black eyes.

Ashamed to meet his gaze, I dropped my eyes.

“…Do you know you’re being selfish?”

“Sorry.”

The man who never apologized to anyone had lost everything in his past life because of it. The emperor’s authority was worthless before me.

Haban buried his lips in the round crown of my head.

“…I’ll be angry with you later for a long time.”

I replied sulkily.

What mattered was that Haban had woken safely, and I had not died.

“You can walk all the way, right?”

I thought it was okay to scold him this much.

“I think I can if you let me lean a bit.”

“Hah! Really!”

My eyes snapped sharply open.

Haban, who had pushed his limits to keep me from running away, pretended repeatedly to be weak while holding me.

The physician was bewildered watching the emperor lying in bed trying so hard.

“You’ve been unconscious for months. No matter how fine you seem, I told you absolute rest is needed. Yet you took a trip outside the palace?”

Only after resting on the bed infused with my scent did Haban return to the emperor’s palace.

The physician scolded Eunuch Kim and Lady Jang who attended the emperor, and I was scolded as well. It was somewhat unfair, but since Haban traversed even the fox palace for me, I had no grounds to argue.

“Of course, moving around briefly is good. But keep to this room and walk lightly only.”

“That’s what I intend.”

A faint smile appeared on Haban’s face.

‘Even so, still…’

Sigh.

I sighed briefly and turned my head. Near the emperor’s bed, Hongi and Cheongyi busily unpacked. They had hurriedly gathered clothes and jewelry but were now unpacking items from a small bundle.

When a flexible rod with a cotton ball at its tip emerged from the end, I groaned. It truly hit me that I must stay here for some time.

“What’s that?”

The physician handed Haban a red pouch and left. Curiosity got the better of me, and I stretched out my neck to peek inside. It was dried herbs.

‘Where have I seen this…?’

Right. The kind said to stabilize body and mind and improve sleep quality. I had stuffed that into my pillow.

Seeing a face briefly appear to my mind, I shook my head quickly. I wanted to keep it tucked away for a little longer.

Noticing a shadow cross my face, Haban spread his arms.

“…No. Lady Jang might be scary.”

Saying that, I slipped quietly into his arms. The sting from the betrayal’s wounds was like salt in a fresh wound. Yet I was glad to have this steadfast embrace to cling to whenever it happened.

After some hesitation, I asked Haban,

“You must be hungry. What should I feed you first before the broth arrives?”

This gluttonous fox wasted no time attending to meals when feeling better, which made me smile.

“Well.”

Haban squeezed my soft cheek lightly, then let go. Too much contact might awaken unruly desire.

“Your Majesty, shall I bring some light food?”

“I’m not in the mood.”

Though Haban feigned thought when I asked, he immediately rejected Eunuch Kim’s suggestion.

Though he couldn’t back down, Lady Jang produced a trump card.

“Your Highness has not eaten all day.”

“…”

“He refused even favorite dishes, only timidly touched sweets, and recently almost refused even those…”

Surprising news, since I, who usually ate three full meals and snacks, had skipped meals.

Haban quietly glanced sideways at me as Lady Jang spoke.

“…”

Expecting a severe scolding, I cast my gaze down timidly.

“Your Highness, perhaps you should also rest awhile?”

Lady Jang opened a window for ventilation and spoke softly, lowering her voice.

“I want to stay here.”

I looked slowly at Haban’s sleeping face and shook my head.

While the physician prepared the broth, Haban closed his eyes, having just secured a firm promise from me never to leave his side again.

Though he feigned calm before me, he must have been exhausted. Soon, even breaths became even.

‘…What if he doesn’t wake again?’

It all still felt like a dream. Maybe Haban waking was my imagination. I had often dreamed the same, each disappointment as strong as before.

So only seeing Haban open his eyes again would make it feel real.

My dazed gaze shifted outside.

‘…A butterfly.’

At that moment, a pair of wings fluttered in through the open window. The butterfly was very small—barely the length of two fingers.

Perhaps it mistook the way to the flower garden. It fluttered about the flowers decorating the chamber.

‘Hope its wings don’t get hurt.’

Having finished gathering nectar, it repeatedly flew toward the window but was stopped a few times colliding with the wall.

I gently pushed the chair near Haban’s bed and stood. Unable to ignore it, I planned to lure the butterfly out.

Surprisingly, the moment I stepped away, the butterfly flitted swiftly through the open window. An oddly hollow feeling swelled in me.

Far away, I heard Riri crowing.

‘While I’m up, I’ll move that too.’

Spring in the palace was especially splendid. Everywhere, flower scents filled the breeze.

Before new leaf buds emerged, yellow flowers bloomed wildly on bare twigs, heavy as ripe rice that seemed ready to fall forward. Following them, awaited buds burst open one by one. A heavy spring rain had nourished them recently.

Branches hung with porcelain-smooth white blossoms, pink flowers with tiny petals grouped delightfully, and countless unknown flowers bloomed, adorning the garden in vivid colors.

Palace attendants meticulously cared for the gardens, making every flower lush and charming. No wonder the butterfly mistook the place and flew in, pleasing even Haban.

I lifted the vase at the table’s center, heavy with the lavish bouquet — the one Haban had complimented as beautiful.

‘It is said that seeing beautiful things helps with recovery.’

“Why are you holding that?”

“You woke?”

Cradling the vase, I turned around.

Though newly awake, Haban’s face lacked sleepiness and showed a displeased expression, seemingly upset I was away from his side.

“Your Highness, please give me the vase.”

“I’m fine.”

“His Majesty’s mood is uneasy.”

Quick to notice, Lady Jang stepped forward. Reluctantly, I handed over the vase and whispered a request to place it beside Haban’s bed.

“Please have the water changed and prepare fresh clothes as well.”

Suddenly, pale pink flower stains marked my chest. Perhaps they came when Haban’s voice startled me earlier. I felt slightly embarrassed for causing trouble.

Approaching Haban who still wore a frown, I pulled a chair closer and sat beside him. Opening his lips, he said,

“You always make empty promises.”

“That’s not it. You said the flower was pretty as soon as you woke yesterday, so I wanted to move it closer.”

“…”

“Can you see it better now?”

I smiled proudly. Yet Haban’s expression grew curious.

Why, I wondered.