The king is always being so careful not to show his scar. He always has a high neckband or a turtleneck or something. Even the night before, his bathrobe’s thick collar was draped over it. This time, in the kitchen? He walks in and takes off his coat, rolling up his sleeves. By the time he’s washing the rice, his top button is undone, but he’s still away from Tae-eul. As she gradually expresses her growing understanding, he turns towards her, then calls her over to bonk her on the head. This puts his scar right at the height of her eyes—but he doesn’t even notice or care care.
That’s how comfortable he now is. Open and unguarded. This is one more vulnerability he’s freely revealing. This is one more step in baring his soul and feelings.
Tae-eul? Not so much! While staring for a second, she quickly moves her eyes up then shies away. She wants to talk about it, as she would with anyone else, but she doesn’t know if she’s allowed. She knows he’s private and didn’t liked to be touched or called by his name. Can she broach the subject? She settles for switching the conversation on another topic.
But he reads her like a book, and turns it around. And he’s well-rewarded for it when Tae-eul finally, at last, compliments him for the first time (which stumps him for a bit! he’s not used to that kind of reaction from her!).
The topic has turned quite a bit more serious than she had expected though, and she doesn’t know how to dig herself out of it. What do you reply to someone who tells you of the horror of his life? He comes to her rescue by turning his dork dial to 11—but she doesn’t need to be rescued. She turns to what she knows best: facts and her job. Sorry, lover boy, your money and your title won’t sway her, nor will your tragic backstory either! Keep working at it!
