Chapter 36: A Shocking Accident

“Y-Your Majesty!”

As expected, the low voice belonged to Haewon.

Cheong quickly bowed deeply.

Because of the thick steam in the air, she couldn’t see clearly, but the black hair and glowing red eyes confirmed it was Haewon.

“You summoned me, so I came through a shortcut,” she said.

“Shortcut?”

Haewon’s expression wasn’t visible since Cheong kept her head down, but she could easily imagine his handsome brows furrowing.

His voice was colder than usual.

“Yes. I was in a hurry and found a seaweed wall. I crossed through it.”

“How did you know that was a shortcut?” he asked again, his voice even colder.

The warmth she felt from the humid air vanished, replaced by a sudden chill.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Cheong sensed she had said something she shouldn’t have.

But there was no way to take it back, so she had to speak honestly.

“Last time, I was being chased by the guards and accidentally crossed the seaweed wall.”

“That time…”

“When I met Your Majesty in the secret garden.”

Haewon narrowed his eyes.

Back then, he had been surprised by Cheong’s sudden appearance in the garden and didn’t think too hard about how she got there.

He assumed she had simply wandered in, since she was always exploring places.

But thinking back, it was strange—she had come from the opposite side of the entrance.

“This time, I thought it might lead to where you were again, so I crossed the seaweed wall.”

Cheong’s words were completely honest.

Her voice was clear and pure like the sea water.

Someone with evil intent couldn’t sound that sincere.

Also, the seaweed wall had a barrier on it.

‘I don’t know how she got through it…’

Anyone unfriendly to Haewon who entered the barrier would disappear without a trace.

Since nobody in the palace was friendly to Haewon, the barrier basically worked on everyone.

But Cheong had gone through it—twice.

That meant she wasn’t hostile to him.

‘No… Maybe she just sees me without bias or prejudice.’

Cheong might have heard that Haewon was a tyrant, but she didn’t really believe it.

The fact that she stood here proved she didn’t truly think of him that way.

“…Haha.”

To receive kindness from such an unexpected person…

Haewon laughed quietly, looking into the air. It was the same empty laugh he had made when taking the throne—no joy in it.

“I-I committed a grave sin, Your Majesty!”

Cheong bowed even lower, startled by his cold, dry laughter.

It was clear she had upset him.

“If you committed a sin worthy of death, then you must accept punishment, right?”

Step. Step.

Slow, heavy footsteps came closer. Steady, like he was closing in.

The sound of wet footsteps echoed, and Cheong’s heart started pounding.

‘Is this the end?’

She had thought she’d die when she drowned in the river, but then she woke up in the story of Sim Cheong and survived using her wit.

But maybe her luck ended here.

Or so she thought—until Haewon spoke again.

“Then serve me by my side until the day you die.”

“…What?”

The unexpected command made Cheong lift her head without thinking.

“What do you mean—kyaa!”

She screamed. Haewon stood before her—half-naked, just like when they first met.

His body was strikingly beautiful, like it had been sculpted.

His broad shoulders, well-defined muscles, and firm chest and abs glistened with moisture.

Maybe it was his confident attitude, showing no shame, that made him seem even more dazzling.

Cheong stared at him like he was a statue—until—

“You’re still as pervy as ever,” Haewon said, noticing her gaze. He casually threw on a robe from somewhere.

Embarrassed, Cheong quickly turned away.

Realizing this was probably his private bath, and he had been bathing, she stuttered.

“Uh, y-you can continue what you were doing.”

She was flustered from intruding on his private space and started backing away.

“I’ll wait outside—ah!”

Suddenly, she tripped over the edge of the bath and lost her balance.

Behind her was the steaming hot spring.

She braced herself, expecting to fall in—when strong arms caught her around the waist and shoulders.

SPLASH!

The hot spring water exploded around them like lava, steam rising thick in the air.

As heat surrounded her, Cheong gasped and opened her eyes.

“Y-Your Majesty! Are you okay?!”

Cheong shouted in shock, finding herself lying on top of Haewon.

His body was half-submerged, black hair wet and clinging to him.

She was in his arms, with one hand on his chest—completely embarrassed.

She tried to move, but his arms tightened around her.

“I’m fine. What about you, Royal Physician Shim?”

“…I’m okay.”

“Your clothes are soaked.”

“I’m sorry…”

Cheong lowered her head, looking at his soaked robe.

“I meant your clothes, not mine.”

“Oh…”

Only then did she realize how embarrassing her appearance was.

Even though Haewon had caught her, water had splashed everywhere—she was drenched from head to toe.

Her clothes clung to her body, becoming see-through.

Her skirt stuck to her legs, showing her shape clearly.

“Are you planning to stay like that?”

“S-sorry!”

At Haewon’s teasing remark, Cheong hurriedly climbed out of the bath, water dripping from her clothes.

“I’ll leave some clothes—get changed.”

With that, Haewon took off his wet robe and walked out of the bath.

Once he left, all that remained was the sound of the trickling water.

The whole scene felt like a dream—if not for the warmth on her skin and the lingering touch on her fingers.

“I’m insane! What was I thinking?!”

As the image of Haewon’s body popped back into her head, Cheong slapped her own cheeks.

Haewon looked human, but he was a dragon.

They weren’t even the same species.

“There’s no reason to see him as a man.”

…Though he was ridiculously handsome.

Still, that was all.

Just as Haewon didn’t see her as a woman, she couldn’t see him as a man.

That’s what she told herself as she changed into the clothes Haewon left behind—desperately trying to forget about him.