Chapter 09
Chloe, tense, began to take shallow, broken breaths. A new scent blended into the gentle breeze. It was a slightly bitter fragrance, closer to something refreshing.
“Right, Chloe?”
The scent enveloped her again.
The low voice, the pleasant fragrance—everything belonged to this man.
A very simple question, without any long explanation.
A very simple answer, one that could be expressed with just yes or no.
Yet even under such easy conditions, Chloe hesitated.
‘Friend.’
Koon’s voice kept echoing in her mind.
She didn’t want to let him go as just a fleeting acquaintance either.
At this moment, when she had been abandoned by both her family and her home, Chloe needed someone—anyone.
The role most fitting for that would be a friend.
And as if by coincidence, the most suitable person for that role had appeared.
‘But…’
Still, this wasn’t a time for her to be swayed by personal feelings.
And the conveniently timed appearance of Koon felt suspicious.
What if this was a calculated encounter disguised as coincidence?
Did she have any proof that the man before her was safe rather than dangerous?
What if, like others, he had approached her with ulterior motives?
“You.”
Her voice, always gentle, turned stiff. She even chose a dry form of address instead of his name.
“What is it that you want from me?”
At her sudden change, Koon tensed for a moment. But her following question quickly erased that unfamiliar sense of anxiety.
What did he want?
Koon let his desire show in his eyes.
Golden hair reflecting the blazing sun. Skin even brighter than that. Perfect features as if sculpted by a master. Blue eyes like jewels.
“If I tell you… will you grant it?”
His large hand brushed lightly against her pale nape.
As Chloe flinched at the warmth, he smiled and waved a strand of hair he had picked up.
“I feel like I can only end this relationship if I know.”
“If your intentions are impure, would it be better to hide them?”
“Isn’t it strange to ask me that in the first place…?”
“I simply wish to accommodate my dear friend as much as possible.”
His playful tone made it seem as though he had already won her over.
‘What a strange person.’
He was completely different from how others had treated her.
At times arrogant, yet somehow considerate.
His slyness felt like a mask hiding his thoughtfulness.
“I want to hear it. So please, tell me.”
Perhaps she was drawn to that mystery. Words she would normally ignore now made her curious.
“Chloe, you—”
“…?”
“—I want your letters.”
He paused mid-sentence, as if about to cough.
Because of that, it unintentionally sounded like he had said he wanted her.
While Chloe remained calm, Koon’s face turned red in embarrassment.
“Really?”
People had wanted many things from Chloe.
Those who sought closeness with her for benefits.
Her husband, who exploited her wealth and status.
Compared to that, letters had no real value.
It was almost laughable that he wanted something so trivial.
“Then you’ll have to convince me before the carriage arrives.”
Her previously sharp tone softened.
“I’m honored you’re giving me the chance.”
Noticing her subtle change, Koon smiled.
The two walked along a path near the clock tower.
As if they had forgotten their serious conversation, they chatted about trivial things.
“Ah, that’s Kallis Arhen.”
“Pardon?”
Hearing her husband’s name unexpectedly, Chloe was startled.
Over Koon’s shoulder stood a statue of Kallis.
It looked simple, likely built by the villagers themselves.
Come to think of it, there’s one in the capital too.
Kallis had wanted statues built to commemorate his achievements.
The location: the largest plaza in the capital.
The materials: pure gold and jewels.
Naturally, it had all been paid for with Chloe’s money.
On the day it was unveiled, Kallis had smiled at her.
A brief but powerful smile.
That single effortless smile had once dragged Chloe back from despair.
Ridiculously, her broken heart had been healed by something so trivial.
“Was Kallis Arhen really such a great figure to deserve a statue?”
“He saved the kingdom. Our peace and happiness exist because of him.”
Anyone in the kingdom would know his achievements.
But despite her explanation, Koon showed no sign of surprise.
“He merely ended the war. He wasn’t the only one who made it happen. Countless people shed blood and sweat for their country.”
Even if his actions ended the war, it didn’t mean he did everything.
“Chloe. You’re included among them.”
“…Me?”
“You worked tirelessly there too. Caring for wounded soldiers day and night.”
“….”
“You reminded people of the love they had forgotten.”
Memories she had buried began to resurface.
Could it be…
She looked at him in disbelief.
When she tilted her head slightly, he calmly nodded.
“You treated me during the war.”
He claimed to be one of the knights she had nursed back to health.
Before she realized it, her hand was in his.
He held it as though it were a treasure and gently kissed it.
“Thank you. Because of you, I’m still living a happy life.”
Was it ticklish?
Or something more… intense, unfamiliar?
She couldn’t quite name the sensation.
“…You’re welcome, Koon.”
Afterward, Koon confessed everything.
The moment he saw the photo in his wallet, he recognized her as the nurse who had saved him.
That was why he had intervened instead of staying indifferent as usual.
“Chloe, I owe my life to you. Today’s kindness isn’t enough to repay that debt.”
“….”
“Please give me a chance. Even if not as a friend—
I don’t mind following your shadow alone.”
“….”
“Even so… do you still not want me as your friend?”
He asked again.
Chloe looked at him quietly.
Black hair swaying in the wind, deep blue eyes catching the light.
A man who wanted her letters.
The only one who remembered her past and felt grateful.
How many people had she trusted before?
Could she try believing in him too?
“…Alright. A pen pal sounds fun.”
Having formed a new connection, Chloe introduced herself.
To exchange letters, they had to share their addresses—revealing her identity naturally.
Koon showed no surprise.
He introduced himself calmly.
He was from another country and visited often.
After volunteering as a soldier during the war, he had come to love this kingdom.
Time passed quickly as they shared stories.
The carriage arrived right on time.
As she boarded with his escort, Chloe spoke first.
“Thank you for today, Koon.”
“I only did what was natural.”
He stared at her hand as if reluctant to let it go.
“Chloe.”
Just before the carriage door closed, he called her name—
this time with an unusually solemn tone.
She turned toward him.
The wind swept past, scattering her golden curls.
As she hurriedly tucked them behind her ear, her vision cleared.
“Are you happy?”
Backlit by the sunset, his eyes flickered faintly red.
…Happy?
She couldn’t answer.
It felt as though he had seen through her unhappiness—
as if this stranger understood the sorrow no one else had noticed.
“Are you still happy?”
This time, she understood.
He was asking if she was as happy as she had been three years ago.
Three years.
So much had changed.
War. Recovery. Marriage.
A happiness that shattered within months.
And then, the appearance of a tragic Cinderella.
“I…”
“….”
“I want to become happy.”
She couldn’t lie and say she was happy.
But someday, she wanted to reclaim what she had lost.
Koon’s expression turned strange—
unchanged, yet thoughtful.
Then he smiled.
“I will assist you, if I may.”
“….”
“So please—become happy.”
