Seo Jun-Ho felt as light as a feather on his way to meet Shim Deok-Gu. Even he was surprised by it. In fact, he wondered if his body and mind had ever felt this light before.

“What’s the occasion? You came here without contacting me,” Shim Deok-Gu said, a little surprised. Seo Jun-Ho was normally bad at staying in contact, often saying that he was too busy, but he had suddenly come down.

“Contacting you? Didn’t Secretary Cha… I mean, didn’t Miss Si-Eun tell you?”

“I thought she was just saying that as a formality.” Shim Deok-Gu opened the refrigerator and poured Seo Jun-Ho a cup of orange juice.

“I would like a Yakult. With a straw,” the Frost Queen ordered.

“...Your wish is my command.” He handed her the drink and squinted at Seo Jun-Ho. “Seeing how quickly you came back down… Did you cause trouble again?”

“Do you think I’m a child? I don’t go around causing trouble all the time.”

“Forget it, then. Actually, I already heard the basics of your current situation.” He sipped on his coffee and continued, “There have been rumors all over the place saying that you’ve been running all over the empire, meeting with nobles. Is it related to that?”

“Bingo.” Seo Jun-Ho gestured him forward with his finger and grinned. “Deok-Gu. My friend.”

“You’re giving me chills, you rascal. Why are you beating around the bush so much?”

“...Huh?” Seo Jun-Ho nodded slowly in agreement.

It was over. And it had taken nearly taken thirty years for him to be able to say that short, simple phrase.

“Wow, and now you’re...