Survivance Affection

Chapter 7: Apologize

Dokja decided to follow Yoo Joonghyuk out to the garden, despite Han Sooyoung’s and his own better judgement. It felt as though he was chasing after his own death, a part of him screamed out to just run away back to the party and forget the plan. But taking a deep breath, he walked on anyway. While there’s a possibility that the prince might strike him down right then and there, it’d be practically guaranteed if he didn’t start taking steps to mend the situation while he still had the chance. Right now, all he had to focus on was finding the prince.

But Dokja’s turbulent emotions were somewhat calmed knowing that Sooyoung did care about him, even if she didn’t express it much. Even if he did die, it was nice to experience a world where he was surrounded by such caring people. Dokja softly gazed at the moon, the stars in the sky making the castle garden even more brilliant than it already was.

"I'm sorry..."

Huh? After suddenly hearing a voice, Dokja instantly ducked behind a bush. Peeking out from behind it, he spotted the source of the voice. A woman with scarlet lips and long white hair having what looked like a serious conversation with the Crown Prince.

Lee Seolhwa: The Heroine of the novel, originating from Lee Duchy. The daughter of the royal physician and is deeply skilled in the medical field.

She was more stunning than the novel could’ve ever possibly described. The image of her standing with Yoo Joonghyuk was a truly ethereal image, they really did look like they belonged together. Despite that though…

Lee Seolhwa bowed and tightly clutched her dress as she murmured, "I'm sorry, but I can't accept your feelings for me, your highness."

They were supposed to kiss at that scenario weren’t they!? Up until this point, it seemed like everything Dokja had experienced had happened in line with what the novel described, so what happened? Even though he didn’t think he’d taken any major action, did a smaller decision he made impact the plot to this extent, like the butterfly effect? Or was the plot of the story already different even before he’d arrived ? All he could do was hold his breath and continue observing the scene.

Yoo Joonghyuk asked in a harsh, piercing voice, "Is it because of him?"

Lee Seolhwa shook her head.

"No, I simply wish to continue my medical profession, your highness”. Yoo Joonghyuk remained silent for a bit before replying.

"You’d still be able to do so if you decide to be with me. My family’s connections can and will provide you with all the resources you could ever need for you to have a fulfilling career "

Lee Seolhwa sighed, shaking her head again "While I don’t doubt that, nor do I doubt the sincerity of your feelings, I still can’t accept. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us if I had to split my time and attention to both you and my career." Her eyes shone an intense resolve as she continued, " I’d like to make a name for myself by relying on my own skills and connections, rather than my partner’s. Additionally, becoming your partner would mean having a constant target on my back. Not only would it severely limit my freedom, but in a profession such as mine, I can’t take the possibility of endangering my own patients."

"Additionally, Your Highness, I simply don't have any affection for you." Joonghyuk remained silent, but Dokja could see high tightly his fists were clenched. Seolhwa went on. "And to answer you question about Sir Dokja, I don't have any feelings for him either."

On one had, Kim Dokja sighed in relief. On the other it still kind of stung, even though he had no feelings for her. 

" If you'll pardon me, You Highness, I shall go seek out Prince Kim Dokja to make my feelings apparent to him too ."