Between Us: A Collection of Moments
"The Royal Romance" — 5
As they walked through the grand hallway toward your private room, Ji-Cheol couldn’t help but admire the surroundings. The sheer magnificence of the palace was stunning.
Tall, elegantly carved columns lined the corridor, casting shadows that danced across the polished marble floor. Golden sconces, shaped like lilies, held softly flickering candles that cast a warm glow on the tapestries and artworks adorning the walls.
Each painting and artifact spoke of a history that stretched back centuries—a legacy far beyond anything Ji-Cheol could imagine.
For a moment, he felt small, almost insignificant in the face of all this grandeur. He was just an actor, someone who brought characters to life on the screen, and yet, here he was, walking through the hallowed halls of royalty, tangled up in a scheme that was larger than himself.
The reality of it made his stomach twist with both awe and anxiety. It wasn’t the setting of a film; it was real, every detail steeped in the power and history of the royal family.
His thoughts were interrupted by the calm, measured voice of the man walking beside him.
Jang Tae-Min
I realize I haven’t properly introduced myself,
Said the equerry, his voice formal but not unfriendly.
Jang Tae-Min
I am Jang Tae-Min.
He glanced at Ji-Cheol as they walked, his eyes sharp yet somehow kind.
Jang Tae-Min
I served as the late Crown Prince’s equerry before… well, before his passing. It was his final request that I become the Princess’s equerry.
Ji-Cheol listened, glancing sideways at Tae-Min, noting the way his expression softened ever so slightly at the mention of your uncle, the late Crown Prince. There was a flicker of pain in his eyes, the kind that spoke of memories, of loss, and of loyalty that transcended time.
Tae-Min’s voice remained steady as he continued, the cadence of a man who had rehearsed his story many times in his head.
Jang Tae-Min
I have seen her royal highness grow up.
Tae-Min said, his eyes fixed ahead, as if looking back on years past.
Jang Tae-Min
I was there when she took her first steps into the world of power and responsibility. A daunting world, filled with shadows that seek to consume anyone who dares to wield influence for good.
Ji-Cheol was silent, absorbing the gravity of Tae-Min’s words. There was a weight to his tone, an unspoken history that Ji-Cheol could feel pressing on him like the heaviness of the palace air.
It was clear that Tae-Min was not merely a servant but a guardian, a man who had devoted his life to the service of the royal family—and now, to you.
The corridor stretched on, the high ceilings making their footsteps echo softly around them. Ji-Cheol continued to take in the details around him: the intricate carvings on the doorframes, the elegant vases filled with fresh flowers, the subtle scent of jasmine lingering in the air.
It was a world of refinement, one that made his own life feel almost shabby by comparison. But beneath the splendor, there was an undercurrent of something darker—a tension, a sense that these halls had seen their share of secrets and whispers.
After a brief moment of quiet, Tae-Min spoke again, his voice low, almost as if sharing a confession.
Jang Tae-Min
Unlike many others who hold power, she is different.
He glanced at Ji-Cheol, his eyes serious and sincere.
Jang Tae-Min
She is… a genuinely good person.
Ji-Cheol turned his head slightly, meeting Tae-Min’s gaze. The older man’s expression was calm, but there was a glint of something in his eyes—pride, perhaps, or hope.
Ji-Cheol couldn’t quite place it, but he felt the truth in Tae-Min’s words. There was a conviction there, a steadfast belief in you that seemed unshakeable.
Tae-Min continued, his tone softening as he spoke of you.
Jang Tae-Min
Her royal highness has always put others before herself. While those around her play their games of power and politics, she remains focused on what truly matters—the people, their lives, their well-being.
He paused, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Jang Tae-Min
I know it might sound idealistic, especially given the current situation, but I’ve watched her navigate this treacherous world since she was a child. If there’s one thing I can say for certain, it’s that she will do everything in her power to avoid causing unnecessary harm.
Ji-Cheol absorbed this quietly, feeling a strange mix of emotions. On the one hand, it was reassuring to hear that you were different, that there was a reason why Tae-Min—and perhaps others—held you in such high regard.
On the other hand, it made his role in this twisted game even more complicated.
How could he reconcile his part in a charade designed to save the reputation of a family you were part of, when you yourself were supposedly not complicit in it?
They turned a corner, and ahead, at the end of the hallway, stood a set of ornate double doors, guarded on either side by royal guards in formal attire. Tae-Min slowed his pace as they neared the doors, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.
Jang Tae-Min
I understand you may have reservations.
He continued quietly, his voice just above a whisper,
Jang Tae-Min
But I ask you to trust in her royal highness. Whatever is happening here, she will find a way to do what is right.
Ji-Cheol nodded faintly, his thoughts once again a jumble. He didn’t fully understand why Tae-Min was telling him all this, why he was trying to build a bridge of trust between him and you.
But he felt a flicker of hope, a sliver of something that he hadn’t expected—a belief that perhaps, amidst the chaos and manipulation, there was a glimmer of honesty.
As they stopped in front of the double doors, Tae-Min turned to face him one last time. His gaze was steady, filled with a silent warning and a promise.
Jang Tae-Min
Whatever you hear in this room, remember that you are speaking to someone who values honesty above all else.
Ji-Cheol took a deep breath, his heart beating faster. He nodded once more, feeling a strange mix of anxiety and anticipation. Tae-Min stepped forward, knocking gently on the door before pushing it open.
And there, standing near a small table, dressed in an elegant but simple sundress, was you. You turned to face him as the doors opened, your eyes meeting his with an expression that was both composed and… vulnerable. For a moment, the world around Ji-Cheol seemed to fade, leaving just the two of you in the stillness of the room.
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