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I was quite impressed with the new style of promotion that I had never seen before.

Even with the sudden rise in the name recognition of an actor appearing in a drama.

Ultimately, what remains in people’s memories is the acting.

Only the impact shown by actors on TV remains in the memories of those beyond the screen.

What matters is how one will be remembered.

What will one leave in people’s memories?

“We lived happily ever after. It’s a classic phrase, but classics exist for a reason.”

Jin Gyu-seong said while preparing for the last filming of <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds>.

Let’s not overlook the elements that have been loved since the concept of storytelling first appeared.

There’s a reason for being loved.

A happy ending at last.

Among countless endings, it is the one most often called the closest to the correct answer.

The ending that had only existed in the form of text in the original novel had to be newly presented in the form of acting.

“Happiness…”

Kim Ji-a from <The Man Next Door> didn’t even understand that concept.

Han Yoo-hwa from <You from the Stars> held on to it for a moment but ultimately had to let it go.

For the first time, Ha-eun played a role where she was completely happy.

It was a performance that couldn’t help but feel unfamiliar.

But perhaps because it was unfamiliar—

“Kim Yeon. Or should I now call you the Empty Palace?”

Her warm gaze directed at me.

The warmth felt right beside me.

There was nothing familiar about it.

“Is it true that the Empty Palace wishes to stay by my side? Has that now come true?”

“…Yes.”

The unfamiliar feelings of happiness could be expressed clearly in Yeong-wol’s heart.

Yeong-wol’s cautious attitude towards everything around her created a refreshing atmosphere.

The two shadows slowly began to walk in sync.

Without ever breaking off, their voices continued to exchange, forming a calm yet sweet ambiance.

“I think it might be good for the Empty Palace to greet Father together starting tomorrow. What do you think?”

“I will do as you wish, Your Highness. However… I worry that His Majesty might be displeased with me.”

“Do not worry about that. I will definitely keep my promise to protect the Empty Palace.”

Afterward, they arrived at a quaint garden.

As Yeong-wol began to stroll carefully among various beautiful flowers, a quiet smile bloomed on her face.

“I would have brought you here much sooner if I had known you liked flowers so much.”

“It’s good to see it together with you, Your Highness. How could the flowers seen with you not be delightful?”

Her voice was as calm as usual.

Yet, the pure joy hidden beneath it was not concealed.

Yeong-wol’s steps, which began to slow down gradually, finally came to a complete stop a little later.

“…Your Highness, may I ask you just one thing?”

Her gaze still remained on the flowerbed before her, not on Lee Hyun.

For some reason, her voice carried a hint of tension.

Lee Hyun, who wore a look of surprise, asked what was troubling her.

Not long after, the question reached his ears.

“Since when did you consider me a woman?”

“I believe I’ve already answered that question.”

“Then… why did you start to hold me in your heart?”

Those were the last remaining uncertainties deep within Yeong-wol’s heart.

In Yeong-wol’s view, the images of herself that Lee Hyun had seen so far were devoid of any charm as a woman.

She knew in her mind that he loved her, yet she felt an absurd anxiety and wanted to be reassured once more.

What followed was a brief silence.

And then—

-Soft steps.

Slowly approaching footsteps began to draw closer.

The usual calm voice also started to get nearer.

“The first person who became mine.”

-Soft steps.

“The one who stayed mine until the very end.”

-Soft steps.

“I’ve already risked my life several times. How could I not have feelings for you?”

So, after walking right up to Yeong-wol, his hands gently yet firmly embraced her.

The sound of his strong heartbeat echoed close to her ear.

As time spent quietly nestled in Lee Hyun’s embrace passed, that rhythm started to quicken.

“…Was that enough of an answer?”

Slowly lifting Yeong-wol’s face.

The reddening of her cheeks seemed more than just a fleeting illusion.

Thus, it was revealed that the calm demeanor she had been trying to maintain had completely shattered.

What appeared next was the flustered expression of the woman who could only stare, not knowing what to say.

The contrasting expressions of the two individuals that crossed paths in the same frame followed soon after.

Within moments, the place and scene in the frame began to change gradually.

What unfolded was a broad view of the palace.

Lee Hyun, wearing the red royal robes of a king instead of the blue robes of a crown prince.

Then swiftly passing through the rapidly flowing moments, various scenes came and went.

When the entire sky was dyed with red sunset hues, the flow of time momentarily returned to its original pace.

What remained on screen were Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol, dressed not in elegant formal attire but in the ordinary clothes of a man and woman.

The place they walked wasn’t within the palace but rather a vast flower field near the city.

Shortly afterward, a gentle sound rang out as if something bead-like had made contact.

So, with the two bracelets touching beyond their clasped hands, the final episode preview of <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds> came to an end.

And.

As usual, held in anticipation until the very end, the KBC drama department watched the airing of <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds>.

“…30.2 percent.”

“What… what?!”

“It exceeded 30 percent! Our ratings for <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds>—!!”

The three-year slump in the KBC drama department was officially declared over today.

It was an unarguable success.

However, it’s known that the highest ratings are often for the final episode.

This means the ratings for episode 16 of <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds> airing tomorrow will surely be higher than 30.2 percent.

“…Let’s pop the champagne tomorrow.”

Even Jin Gyu-seong, who had maintained a poker face at all times, wore a satisfied smile, confident that <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds> would continue to thrive until the very end.

*

“Ha-eun, you’re really not involved with Yoo Seong-jae, right?”

– Twitch.

“Ah, I know! It’s nothing, even Dad knows. I’m just a bit uneasy. Your eyes yesterday were unmistakably—”

Just then, with a thud, Ha-eun purposefully slammed her spoon down on the table and stood up.

As usual, she tidied up after her meal without needing to be told.

For some reason, she moved right next to Na-yeon, who was still eating.

“Mom.”

“Yes?”

“Dad hid beer without telling you. It’s behind the kimchi fridge.”

Ha-eun revealed Seong-yoon’s secret that only she knew, without any hesitation or doubt.

Perhaps it was because she had spoken in a manner that everyone could hear, Na-yeon and Ha-eon’s exchanged glances made Seong-yoon’s face turn pale in seconds.

“D-Daughter, this isn’t what we agreed upon—”

“The one who broke the promise first was Dad.”

Next, Na-yeon approached the kimchi refrigerator, snapping her fingers excitedly.

Ha-eun, who had started to back away slowly, made her way toward the front door.

“I’m heading to musical practice. I’ll be out with friends for dinner, so don’t worry about me~.”

With that, ding-dong.

In the blink of an eye, Ha-eun had finished getting ready and dashed out of the house.

Immediately following, a shrill scream echoed from the entrance, but she pretended not to hear it.

Just as she stepped into the auditorium right on time—

– Glance.

– Glance glance.

“…Huh?”

Up until yesterday, her classmates had treated Ha-eun normally, but their atmosphere felt distinctly odd.

She glanced at her reflection several times, inwardly quizzing herself, but she couldn’t find anything unusual.

Finally, the only person making eye contact with Ha-eun was Gong Hye-yeon, who spoke up thereafter.

“Hey, Ha-eun. Our costumes… have arrived. Let’s change first.”

So, she followed Hye-yeon and changed into the Empress’s costume.

The ivory dress adorned with tiny beads was more complete than Ha-eun had expected.

However, when she re-emerged into the auditorium, fully clad, her friends’ gazes and atmosphere turned even stranger.

They seemed as if they wanted to say something but couldn’t ultimately open their mouths, merely stealing glances at Ha-eun.

Finally, unable to contain herself, Ha-eun attempted to approach them, causing them to freeze in that moment.

After observing her classmates’ behavior, Hye-yeon finally spoke moments later.

However, what she heard next—

“Only the first five can speak up—! We’ll start practicing right away in five minutes, so keep that in mind!”

Was nothing like what Ha-eun had expected.

“R-Really, Ha-eun, did you actually kiss Yoo Seong-jae?!”

“I heard he almost passed out at the filming site. How passionate was that kiss?!”

“Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue as well, Ha-eun?”

Within less than five seconds, a tsunami of questions crashed down, causing her rationality to shut down.

The faces looking at her were filled with an unprecedented level of excitement.

Eighteen years old.

An age thirsty for love.

Ha-eun’s only misstep was underestimating her friends’ enthusiasm for romance dramas like <The Moonlight Parting the Clouds>.

The impact of the kiss scene from episode 15, which was entirely different in intensity, far exceeded her imagination.