He Became Annoying (2)

He was sitting on the chair placed by the window, allowing him to witness how the pink ocean hued of green, possessed by pale blooms wave with every whistle of the wind, producing the rustling sounds when the leaves started crashing onto each other.

Later then, he decided to close his eyes when the cold breeze that launched into the opened canal audibly whispered in his ears, caressed his cheeks as it touched him, and blew the threads of his captivating goldenrod hair.

The cherry blossom trees planted in the courtyard were showing their last bloom; the petals that were dropping off along the flurry were being replaced by green leaves.

Two days had passed and Sungho's strength was returning at a snail's speed. Although he had been drinking his medicine, he still looked drained and his complexion remained colorless.

It might occur, perhaps the prescription proffered was not that effective, and it could only fill his energy little by little. Nonetheless, Sungho did not seem to care that his strength was taking its moment to recover at a leisurely pace.

With his eyes locked upon somewhere, Sungho waited for Chun as he tasked her to bring the books from the study, leaving him alone with the soldier whom he had been ignoring.

How many days were left before the coronation day? Sighing, blowing air from his mouth, Sungho remained clueless about the plan.

Was Hyun Sik aware of what had happened to him? Sungho had not received any news from him apart from the last letter, which was about Hyun Sik leaving for a mission and assigning guards to watch over him.

"Daewon," Sungho said in a low voice, "Do you and Seok send reports to brother?"

"Yes, we would always write them after our schedule," was his reply. "Are you worried that Hyun Sik hasn't contacted you?"

When Sungho turned silent, refusing to return a response to his question, Daewon continued, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I bet the news has reached him already but he could not give a reply since I heard they've been pretty busy."

Sungho remained seated and listened to his explanation. "Hyun Sik wanted to rush and complete the mission. Even the informant assumed their team would return in two days."

Convinced, Sungho simply imprinted in his mind that Hyun Sik must have been eager, in urgent haste to finish the matter and go home since he received the letter about his condition. "I see."

"... You've been cold to me lately, Your Highness." He caught the teasing man fake a cry behind his ears, which made him avert his gaze to the calming scenery of cherry blossoms at his courtyard.

"Stop doing that," Sungho replied sternly.

"Still, you haven't thanked me yet. I had brought the books you asked for and you're not using them." Daewon stopped immediately and pointed to the pile sitting on the floor. "And didn't you tell me you're going to trust me if I deliver them to you?"

"When did I say that?" Sungho contradicted, "Here you are, asking to be trusted yet also had the audacity to sneak inside my chambers. While I'm sleeping at that."

Sungho crossed his arms and tried to argue further. "Who knows what your real intentions are. And your true reason why you offer help to my brother. I bet you stole those books and lied that you got permission from the King to enter the library."

"I didn't lie. I simply agreed and told you I visited it once. Your Highness, you're the one who assumed I had his permission."

"So you did steal them?"

"... I borrowed them." Daewon brought his hands in the air and pressed, "Please stop pointing that I was the only one who stole these books. Your Highness, you're the mastermind and I'm just an accomplice. I only did what you ordered me to."

"I don't need them. Bring them back later!" Sungho exclaimed. He could not believe the words he received from the soldier. He even caught the annoying man's eyes glinting as if they were smiling.

But just before he could snap again, Chun announced her entrance when she said, "Your Highness, I heard your shouts from the hall. It's great to know that you're recovering your energy."