Daldal: Main story

Chapter 76

In the late spring breeze, a pebble flew across the water's surface, like a skipping stone, creating five ripples before disappearing beneath the water.

"How is it? Pretty decent, huh?"

A man, having skipped the pebble, turned to Chae Yoon-sa and spoke. Chae Yoon-sa responded with a light nod. Despite the lukewarm reaction, the man erupted into hearty laughter, seemingly unbothered.

"You're still the same. Even after all this time, you haven't changed a bit, it's as if I saw you just yesterday"

"I'll take that as a compliment."

As the man lowered his voice, Chae Yoon-sa responded by raising his own. The pitch of their words served as a subtle indicator of their hierarchical relationship, with the man positioned above and Chae Yoon-sa below.

The reason for Chae Yoon-sa elevating his speech was clear; the man was, perhaps, the second-highest under the sky. This man was none other than the Crown Prince, the precious son of the Emperor.

"That's right. Compliment is good. I always appreciate a consistent person."

"So, what is the purpose of your visit?"

How had such a precious figure come all the way to Chae Ga-won?

The answer was genuinely unmatched.

"I missed you."

It was a casual tone, as if playing a fun game.

The Crown Prince was always like this in everything. Despite his elevated birth and status, he engaged with people cheerfully and flawlessly, effortlessly garnering their liking and trust. Unfortunately, this advantage became a thorn in the side for his father, the Emperor, resulting in more harm than good.

"To be more precise, it's because of General Do who visited not long ago."

"He wants to join forces with me and insisted I accept without question. When I asked how he found me while I'm supposed to be dead, he said he heard it from you."

In the public eye, the Crown Prince was officially declared deceased, the reported cause being a fatal fall from a horse. Of course, not everything was true. Because he was alive and well like he is now.

"I appreciate having someone as upright as General Do come to me, but wouldn't it be a cause for concern? I shouldn't be resurrected anytime soon. For a while, I must remain a dead man."

With a wry smile the Crown Prince spoke.

Chae Yoon-sa, focusing on the essence of his words, calmly responded

"I haven't lied when asked about the truth, but the interpretation of silence is entirely General Do's responsibility. If you seek to hold me accountable, unfortunately, I don't feel much responsibility, so there's nothing I can do."

It was a blunt yet cold defense. Sensing a momentarily freezing atmosphere, The Crown Prince waved his hand to dispel it.

"No, that's not my intention at all. How could I dare ask you for accountability? I'm eternally grateful, if anything."

In the past, Chae Yoon-sa was a subject who ate away at the country, but now he is just a citizen without any position. Yet, why the Crown Prince, a precious figure equivalent to an heavenly son, always feel grateful towards Chae Yoon-sa?

There was indeed a fitting reason for this.

"If I caused any misunderstanding, I apologize. It's true that you genuinely wanted to see me. When I heard about you from General Do, I became curious. The last news I heard about you was struggling through life due to a dangerous poison. Now that you've recovered and seem to be doing well... Well, I find a sense of ease seeing it myself. Actually, I bear some responsibility for you going through hardships and quietly living here after all."