Daldal: Main story

Chapter 153

The Crown Prince stood in the backyard, observing falling autumn leaves. When Chae Yoon-sa approached, he turned around and smiled.

"You're back. Truly delighted to see you in such good condition with my own eyes."

Chae Yoon-sa received it indifferently.

"Thanks to your help."

He had roughly heard the situation on the way. Chae Yoon-sa expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince, who willingly responded to the request for assistance.

"I'm glad it was of help. Now, it feels refreshing to finally repay the favor you bestowed. Anyway, thank you for understanding, and for now..."

Th Crown Prince, approaching the veranda, picked up an item.

"Start with this. The guards brought it from the gorge. It seemed to be yours, so I've been keeping it."

What the Crown Prince offered was none other than Chae Yoon-sa's sword.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Want to sit? I've been standing while waiting for you, and my leg's a bit sore."

The Crown Prince sat down on the veranda first. It was an indirect expression of a desire to engage in conversation. Chae Yoon-sa, maintaining a slight distance, sat beside him. Without delay, the Crown Prince spoke as if he had been waiting.

"I've heard the story."

"What are you talking about?"

"Everything. The kid named Eun-oh, your story. The identity of the corpses in the gorge. And even the despicable acts you're committing, keeping that poor kid locked up."

Despicable acts. Chae Yoon-sa smirked. It was a sarcastic tone, but the word had a weight to it.

"Of course, I didn't call you here to lecture you. It's generally wise not to interfere in others' love affairs."

Love affairs? Chae Yoon-sa raised an eyebrow. This word seemed a bit out of place.

"Haha. Your expression. I can tell what you're thinking. What's this guy blabbering about love? It sounds absurd, doesn't it?"

"It doesn't seem accurate."

"But in my eyes, it seemed like love. Liking each other, being together, physical intimacy, and even fighting."

Being drawn together by sexual attraction, liking each other, dating - that was love. In that sense, calling what Eun-oh and he were doing "love" seemed nonsensical. Especially since he was clearly tormenting Eun-oh.

"..."

"Yeah, exactly. Upon second thought, it does seem like love."

Chae Yoon-sa remained silent. Not because he agreed with the opinion, but because he didn't feel the need to correct or dispute it.

He never cared about how others perceived or what they said.

A moment of silence passed.

Shooos...

The suddenly chilling autumn wind envelops the world with a melancholic howl. The grass leaves, once briefly covered in vibrant red, were now losing their vivid hues.

They silently observed the lingering autumn.

"I heard the main force is coming from the central region soon. It seems the Emperor sensed something unusual"

The Crown Prince opened the gate of the conversation once again.

"This time, it won't be easy. Well, of course, no enemy has ever been easy, but you know what I mean"