Seo Yunhan returned to the Chancellor’s residence alone.
The heavy door of his private quarters closed behind him with a soft click. The servants who tried to follow were stopped by a single cold glance.
Inside the dimly lit room, he stood motionless for a long time.
Then, slowly, he sank down onto the edge of the bed, staring at the floor in the darkness.
Baek Muhyeok.
The name kept repeating in his head like a curse he couldn’t escape.
He remembered the Flower General clearly — the tall, imposing figure in brilliant armor, standing in the imperial court with that arrogant, beautiful face. The man who had pointed at him with a mocking smile and called him a “peony scholar” in front of half the empire. The man who had always looked down on him with contempt, snorting and dismissing him as if he were nothing more than an annoying insect.
And now that man… was Aran?
His Aran.
The woman who had eaten from his hand with those large, innocent eyes. The woman who had pressed clumsy, demanding kisses to his lips in the garden. The woman who had crawled on all fours with her hips swaying cutely, looking up at him with that stubborn yet adorable expression. The woman who had slept peacefully in his arms every night, her silver hair spilling across his pillow like moonlight.
The contrast was too cruel.
Seo Yunhan buried his face in his hands, fingers digging into his hair.
How can the same person be both?
The memories clashed violently in his mind.
The proud General who had ridiculed him.
The soft, helpless woman who had looked at him with trust.
The warmonger who had caused him endless headaches.
The woman who had made his cold, empty life feel meaningful for the first time.
His chest tightened painfully.
She is mine.
The thought was quiet at first. Then it grew louder, sharper, more desperate.
She is my only woman. My fated one. I can’t lose her.
He sat there for hours in the dark room, the only light coming from a single flickering candle. The great Chancellor, known for his unshakable composure, was now completely lost in turmoil.
If she is Baek Muhyeok… does that mean everything was a lie?
No.
He shook his head slowly.
Aran is Aran. Baek Muhyeok is also Aran. She is the same person.
The answer was already decided.
No matter who she had been, she was his now. He couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t imagine a world without her.
The candle finally burned out. The room fell into complete darkness.
Seo Yunhan remained sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes staring into nothing.
Morning light began to creep through the windows, soft and pale.
Seo Yunhan slowly lifted his head. The first rays of sunlight touched his face, and something in his eyes changed.
He stood up.
His expression was calm again — but there was a new, quiet determination in it.
The head attendant, who had been waiting anxiously outside, straightened up as the door opened. He had heard the rumors. The lady was actually Baek Muhyeok — the Flower General. The political rival. The warmonger who had caused so much trouble for their faction.
When the Chancellor stepped out, the attendant expected to see rage, orders to mobilize soldiers, or plans for revenge.
Instead, Seo Yunhan simply said in a calm voice:
“Prepare the carriage,” he said in a low, steady voice. “We’re going to bring my fiancée home.”
The attendant blinked, stunned.
“…Pardon, Chancellor?”
He had expected a storm. Instead, the man in front of him looked strangely composed.
The attendant swallowed nervously.
The lady… the woman the General brought back? And now the Chancellor is going to get her himself?
He quickly lowered his head, hiding his shock.
If I say anything now, I’m dead.
“Yes, Chancellor,” he replied carefully. “I’ll prepare everything immediately.”
As he turned to leave, the attendant thought to himself:
…The Chancellor has completely lost it.
Seo Yunhan stood in the hallway for a moment, staring into the distance.
No matter what… she belongs with me.
He walked forward with steady steps.