This summer vacation, Baek Yuseol chose a different path from Ma Yuseong. He wanted to stand on his own, wanted to become stronger through his own efforts, so he left to train far away. Ma Yuseong did not stop him, because he understood. Yuseol was not someone who was easily tied down, nor was he someone who liked to rely on others. He respected that

But... that did not mean he was not disappointed

The feeling of Yuseol's absence by his side was like an invisible void that was slowly gnawing at him. No matter how hard he tried, he could not dispel the longing that was gradually invading his mind

Returning to his hometown, where darkness reigned and power was paramount. Ma Yuseong immersed himself in fierce battles, determined to train himself to become stronger, to the point where he could stand side by side with Yuseol at the top, to the point where no one could separate them. To be on par with someone, one must stand at the same height – if Yuseol kept moving forward, then he wouldn't allow himself to stop

But no matter how hard he trained, no matter how hard he tried to forget the past, Yuseol's image still crept into every crevice of his mind

The mornings when he woke up, there was no longer the lazy grumble of someone when he dragged them out for breakfast. The afternoons when he drank coffee alone in the large garden, but there was no one sitting across from him to secretly put a whole bag of sugar in his cup anymore. The evenings when the large palace was filled with the plots and calculations of the powerful made him sick. Before, he didn't care much about that. But now, he realized how much fun the days with Yuseol were

He took a sip of coffee, it was bitter. Before, he liked this bitter taste, but now... why did he only feel uncomfortable?

"Damn it..."

He chuckled softly, propping his chin up and looking at the cup of coffee on the table. Remembering his eyes that lit up whenever he was interested in something, remembering that rare smile that was enough to make his heart skip a beat. Remembering his stubbornness, often saying: "don't stick to me anymore" but when he was really quiet, he would glance at him with confusion

... It hadn't been long, but he already missed Yuseol like crazy

Ma Yuseong sat in the palace's vast library, flipping through pages under the soft light of the magic lamp. He was studying politics, strategy, and magic, absorbing the knowledge he needed to become stronger, more excellent. But... He let out a soft sigh, his hand unconsciously turning a page while his mind drifted to another place.

Normally, there would be someone sitting next to him. Someone who liked to tease, always waving his arms and talking nonsense about strategy, sometimes even refuting what he said, but it was so reasonable that he couldn't help but admit it.

Someone who could talk seriously about strategy while casually throwing a fairy tale book on the table and nonchalantly saying, "Hey, the prince is looking for a princess."

... Wait, it's not always the prince. Sometimes he was even teased as a villain

"Hmm........You don't look like a prince, you look more like a villain"

"Oh? Then what are you? The main character?"

"Of course"

Remembering that, Ma Yuseong chuckled. He was no pushover, he would tease him back. He remembered once he flipped open a book and pointed at a character in a story, slowly saying:

"Hey, doesn't this guy look like you? The one who's always getting into trouble?"

Yuseol glanced at him, not bothering to refute, just picked up his teacup, and took a sip. But his ears were red.

Tsk, he really liked seeing that look. But now?

He was alone in this large library. No one sat next to him. No one discussed strategies with him. No one occasionally teased him with fairy tales. There was only a cold void that stretched on forever. He rested his chin on his hand and turned another page.

I wonder what Seol is doing now? Does she miss him?

Probably not.

He suddenly laughed at himself. Fine, he would continue to learn, continue to get stronger. When the day comes to meet again, he will definitely not let Seol leave him again.

Ma Yuseong was eating breakfast, in the middle of a spacious dining table that lacked any family warmth. The scene was luxurious and elegant, but it only served to highlight the emptiness. The faces at the table all had that cold aristocratic look, every movement was so precise that it was boring

Quiet. Distant. Cold

He sat at one end of the table, silently cutting a piece of beef with a silver knife. His movements were still perfect, rhythmic like a noble who had been trained since childhood. The knife made a sharp stroke, lightly touching the porcelain plate, creating a crisp sound. But his ears did not accept that sound

In his head, there was only Seol's laughter - so clear that it was as if the other person was still sitting in front of him

Miss

Too much to miss

He remembered the mornings when the two of them went out to eat together. Not the elaborate, ostentatious breakfast like this, but meals filled with laughter and jokes. Yuseol always sat confidently across from him, eyes shining, declaring:

"Today I'll pay! I have money, I can't let you treat me all the time"

Then he ordered generously, while Yuseong just propped his chin up and looked at him, smiling softly. Once Seol even solemnly picked up food for him, raising his eyebrows in a challenging manner

"Come on, open your mouth"

He intended to push Yuseol's hand away, but somehow he opened his mouth... Only to be looked at by Seol with a meaningful gaze

"Hey, you're so easy to trick?"

And it was easy to trick. That gentle, warm feeling - he couldn't find it in this breakfast now

It was fun back then. What about now?

Ma Yuseong rolled his eyes at the scene before him - a standard, royal, lavish, but tasteless breakfast. No one teased him. No one asked to treat him to a meal. No one paid first and looked at him with a smug "See, I have money too!" look.

He picked up the teacup and took a small sip, but the bitter taste of the tea seemed to remind him that Seol wasn't here. He let out a sigh. He thought to himself, if Seol were here, he would definitely-

"Is the food to your taste today?"

Ma Yuseong paused. He turned around and met the cold gaze of his father, who was sitting at the head of the table, observing him.

"Are you smiling?"

Ma Yuseong was momentarily stunned

Am I smiling?

He unconsciously touched his lips. Sure enough, there was still a slight curve. He laughed - a soft, low laugh, then elegantly raised the teacup to his lips. His red eyes shone with a vague look but also carried a faint smile.

"The tea must be better than usual today," he replied casually, seemingly wanting to end the conversation as soon as it had begun a few sentences.

His father raised his eyebrows, seemingly incredulous, but didn't bother asking further. Ma Yuseong leaned back in his chair, bringing the teacup to his lips, hiding the remaining gentle smile.