Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 30

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

30.

With his head bowed and his voice dripping with endless remorse, Cheonhaerang looked like a drenched puppy, pitiful and forlorn.
It was more than enough to soften my heart completely.
To be honest, I was shocked to discover that Cheonhaerang, whom I had believed to be a woman all this time, was actually a man.
But I didn’t feel betrayed by the deception, nor was I disappointed in him.
A far greater problem stood before me.

‘What do I do now?’

I could never treat Cheonhaerang the way I had until now.
My heart was still racing wildly, after all.
There was no sign of it calming down. I wanted to flee somewhere immediately.
I barely managed to open my mouth, forcing out words that felt trapped and wouldn’t come easily.

“…Let’s talk about this later. I’m going to go. Get some rest.”

I shot the words out like an arrow and hurriedly moved my feet, slipping out of the room.

“Wait, Jiho!”

I had no time to care whether Cheonhaerang was chasing after me.
Before his hand could even touch the door, I shut it with a sharp click.
Behind the closed door, his hand—lost and searching—fluttered helplessly before falling away, though I didn’t see it happen. I gripped the closed door tightly.
I took a deep breath in and out. Cheonhaerang’s voice echoed in my ears.

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

A friend. Just a friend.
Yes, to Cheonhaerang, I am merely a friend.
Even if I were to harbor feelings for him, this heart of mine would never escape my lips.
It was a feeling meant to be buried in memory.
Had I parted ways with Cheonhaerang, it would have faded entirely.
But the circumstances had changed from the Human Realm.
I had chosen to follow Cheonhaerang. I was in a place where I could not distance myself from him.
In such a situation, could I truly hide these feelings from him?
Might they not suddenly burst forth one day?
Could they not grow beyond my control?
I myself could not fathom where my uncontrolled heart would lead me.

* * *

Cheonhaerang exhaled deeply, burying his face in one hand.
Before the closed door, he stood helplessly. The confused expression on Jiho’s face drifted through his mind.
It felt as though someone were tearing through his heart with a sharp blade.
He had never intended to make her wear such an expression. He had not meant to reveal this to her so soon.
No, perhaps it was better to take the blow first. Maybe this was for the best.
If Jiho’s heart had turned toward him, she would have felt an immeasurable sense of betrayal.
If we remained as friends for now. Wouldn’t that be better?

‘…As if that were possible.’

Cheonhaerang let out a hollow laugh. He felt contemptible, rationalizing in this manner.
One fact remained clear—he had deceived Jiho, regardless of his reasons.
He had thought that relying on their childhood would excuse everything.
It was an indelible transgression on his part.

“…For now, let’s talk about this later. I should go. Get some rest.”

Could he speak with Jiho again?
Cheonhaerang could not answer that question now.

* * *

“Why do you look like that?”

I was wandering aimlessly down the hallway, my feet carrying me wherever they would, when I lifted my head from the shadow cast before me.
It was a familiar face.

“Jade Emperor.”
“Why does a little thing like you look more serious than the adults?”

His manner of speech and behavior seemed better suited to some street ruffian than to someone bearing a title that meant a great being rivaling the heavens themselves.
If there was one thing consistent about him, it was that his appearance suggested he had quite the history.

“Has Cheonhaerang been bothering you?”

Perhaps only the Jade Emperor, aside from family, could call the princess by such a casual name and speak to her in this manner.
I shook my head at this thought.

“But what’s wrong? Do you dislike it here? Should I send you back to the Heavenly Realm?”
“…Can you really do that?”

I was genuinely tempted for just a moment. There was a small part of me that wanted to return to my cozy home.
At my response, Hand Ogeong burst into laughter.
I couldn’t understand what was so funny about it.

“That’s right. Cheonhaerang has been bothering you. How about I punish her for you?”

Hand Ogeong’s voice was full of mischief.

“How could the Jade Emperor punish her? She’s a princess.”
“Why not? I can punish her. Even though I look like this—”
“That’s enough. Stop right there.”

A cold and dignified voice cut off Hand Ogeong’s words. Hand Ogeong shrugged as if he had no choice.

“Our dear Princess Yeonhwa says no, so I suppose I have no choice.”

Though he said this, Hand Ogeong’s expression showed he wasn’t disappointed at all.
I noticed the woman approaching from behind Hand Ogeong and bowed my head.
Her cool gaze lingered on Hand Ogeong for a moment before moving away. Yeonhwa spoke to me, who seemed at a loss.

“Come with me. I’ll show you to your room.”
“Ah, yes!”

I hurried to answer and scurried after Yeonhwa as she led the way.

Watching Yeonhwa’s retreating figure, Hand Ogeong recalled what had just transpired.
Jiho never did find out, but Yeonhwa recognized immediately that he had disguised himself as a celestial maiden. Having deceived her, he had no choice but to obey the princess’s command.
In truth, continuing to meet eyes that held not even a trace of affection was hardly pleasant for him either.
To begin with, his encounters with her had been infrequent. Had it not been for Cheonhaerang’s matter, they would never have crossed paths again.

“Hand Ogeong. My forgiveness for your deception ends here.”

“There will be no further mercy.”

….

Hand Ogeong closed and opened his eyes slowly. His face was expressionless, as if wondering when such playfulness had ever clung to him.
Soon, the man who had perfectly concealed his emotions moved forward at a leisurely pace.

* * *

I glanced sideways, observing the woman leading ahead. Only an uncomfortable silence flowed through the quiet hallway.
Needless to say, walking with Princess Yeonhwa could hardly be comfortable for me.
Why would the princess personally guide me to my quarters? What were the celestial maidens working in Cheongyeokgyeong doing?
I would have preferred walking with Cheonhaerang instead.

‘…No, that’s not it either…’

I don’t know. This is all the Jade Emperor’s fault. If he hadn’t said such unnecessary things, I would have asked for someone else to show me to my room.
I found myself resenting the Jade Emperor.
In that moment, a refined voice pierced my ears.

“Did your conversation with Cheonhaerang end well?”
“I… beg your pardon?”

It was an unexpected question. I hadn’t even imagined Princess Yeonhwa would ask such a thing.
My eyes, unable to grasp the situation, darted about.
From the fact that she asked this, it was clear that Princess Yeonhwa also knew the reason for Cheonhaerang’s departure.

‘Is she testing me to find out how much Cheonhaerang told me?’

No, I might be overthinking this.
After a moment of deep deliberation, I chose my response with utmost sincerity.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
“Call me sister instead.”
….

I was momentarily at a loss for words. Had I misunderstood—was she serious rather than joking?
Yeonhwa glanced back and silently suppressed her laughter. The young girl’s bewilderment was plainly evident.
Unlike someone else, she couldn’t slip away with cunning ease.
A fleeting unpleasant thought crossed Yeonhwa’s mind. Her brow furrowed slightly, then quickly returned to normal.
Yeonhwa spoke casually.

“Well, there’s still plenty of time ahead.”

Soon Yeonhwa’s footsteps came to a halt. I followed suit and stopped as well.
Yeonhwa looked at me and smiled gently.

“You can use this room.”

Captivated by her picturesque smile, I found myself nodding blankly.

“Yes. Thank you, Your Highness….”
“Rest well.”

Watching Yeonhwa’s receding figure as she spoke those words, I soon snapped back to my senses.
Then I opened the door with a small sigh. The room that filled my vision was somehow familiar.
Hazy memories gradually became clear.
It was the room I had stayed in during my childhood while residing in Cheongyeokgyeong.
The well-organized room remained unchanged from those days.
Yet our relationship had changed.
The relationship between Cheonhaerang and Ryujiho had.
Entering the room, I collapsed onto the bed. The only sound filling the quiet space was the distant chirping of birds.
I slowly closed my eyes.
I didn’t want to think about anything right now.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————