Seowoo entered the banquet hall. With each step, there was a rustling sound of silk. The ministers’ jaws dropped when they spotted Seowoo.
‘Isn’t that the robe Flower Bin Mama wore…?!’
The clothes Seowoo wore were identical to what Doha had worn during the banquet. From the beautiful blue color that seemed to capture the sky, to the layered thin silk wrapped around him, and even the look without the dopo overcoat—everything was exactly the same.
On top of that, he had perfectly recreated the hair ornaments Doha had worn.
‘How dare the Noble Consort wear clothes of Flower Bin, who is of higher rank than him…!’
Ignoring everyone’s shocked gazes, Seowoo slowly walked up to Hyunseo. With elegant movements, he sat in the middle of the banquet hall and lowered his head.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
His large facial features shined even more magnificently. He looked so beautiful that it was difficult to recall Doha’s previous appearance. Perhaps it was because of the subtle rose scent that Seowoo exuded.
“It’s been a while, Noble Consort.”
“What do you mean ‘a while’? How long has it been since you’ve seen me?”
“…”
“Your humble servant feels neglected.”
Covering his lips with his hand, he smiled suggestively.
“My scent hasn’t even faded yet, and you say it’s been a while.”
His words put an exclamation point on the rumors circulating in the palace. At his suggestion about his relationship with Hyunseo, the ministers began to murmur. Those seated on Lord Kim’s side also showed signs of agitation, but Lord Kim himself and the Chief State Councilor silently observed Seowoo.
“If you’re blaming me for being a little late, your humble servant will gladly accept the reproach.”
Seowoo raised his head coquettishly. It was then that Seowoo and Doha locked eyes. Having already recognized each other’s true intentions, the two had nothing to hide.
Though it was only a brief moment, they exchanged sharp, honed gazes.
A sense of superiority that he was better than Doha emanated from Seowoo’s eyes. The difference between Doha and himself—he had worn these clothes to show that he was more beautiful than Doha.
Though he had expected to see Doha’s face colored with confusion, Doha appeared more composed than anticipated. Despite Seowoo wearing the same clothes, Doha seemed unbothered.
Seowoo bit his lip, feeling as though that expression was dismissing him.
‘Why isn’t he flustered?’
At that moment, the corners of Doha’s lips curled up.
“Your Majesty, please allow me to step down now.”
In a small voice, but with clear pronunciation loud enough for the ministers to hear, Doha lowered his head and murmured.
The ministers, who had been whispering among themselves, now focused their attention on Doha at his dejected tone. Feeling their gazes upon him, Doha continued.
“I fear the Noble Consort might misunderstand… If you would allow me to leave, I will quietly go to my place…”
“I told you that Flower Bin’s place is here.”
At Hyunseo’s words, Doha’s shoulders trembled. Shrinking as if frightened, he cautiously glanced at Seowoo. He made it obvious enough for others to see.
“I, I must not displease the Noble Consort…”
While expressing with his whole body that he was uncomfortable in this situation, Doha continued. These were all techniques he had learned from Seowoo.
‘Making someone look like a villain without actually being harmed by them.’
Rolling his eyes nervously, Doha bowed his head again.
He bowed but not so much that only the top of his head was visible. Since his expression needed to be seen from below, he angled his face at about 45 degrees. He placed both hands in front of his waist and made them tremble slightly.
With a perfectly calculated appearance, Doha delivered his predetermined lines.
“I, I must live quietly so that I can at least stay by Your Majesty’s side…”
“Mama, when have I ever!”
“No-Noble Consort, please don’t shout.”
Doha trembled as if he had been intimidated. Just by observing his manner of fearing the Noble Consort, it was easy to imagine who might have intimidated him.
“I don’t do what the Noble Consort tells me not to do.”
The gazes of the ministers and palace servants subtly shifted. The contrast was apparent between Seowoo, who held his head high, and Doha, who was completely shrunk in on himself.
One in elaborate attire, having put great effort into hair ornaments and decorations; the other in a plain outfit without hair ornaments or accessories. It was clear which one appeared more like the villain.
Quietly, Doha raised the corner of his mouth. What he intended to gain today was clear.
Sympathy votes.
That was Doha’s strategy today.
Hyunseo embraced Doha, who had curled up like a rabbit. In the blink of an eye, Hyunseo had grabbed his waist.
“Ah!”
With a short cry, Doha’s body spun around. This time, he was in a position with his legs spread and Hyunseo between them. His face turned red at this even more embarrassing posture than before.
“Who dares to say they will leave my side?”
“…”
“My side is already determined.”
Without taking his eyes off Doha for even a moment, Hyunseo spoke in a low voice.
“You must stay by my side until death.”
Hyunseo’s fingertips trailed along Doha’s neckline. His hand was large, as if ready to seize him at any moment. Doha’s shoulders trembled as the thick hand caressed his skin.
“Isn’t that right, Flower Bin?”
Doha’s body tensed with the voice in his ear. He couldn’t understand why the words seemed like a warning directed at him rather than at Seowoo.
‘Nothing happens in this palace without my knowledge.’
The words Hyunseo had whispered in the study suddenly crossed Doha’s mind. Did he truly know everything? His acting, his established plans, even the staged kiss with Dojin? If so, how much did he know? Doha’s thoughts branched out in various possible directions.
Whatever Hyunseo knew, it wasn’t advantageous to Doha. After all, acting is only possible when there’s someone who believes it.
Looking down at Doha, who was busily calculating, Hyunseo let out a small laugh.
“Stay by my side, even with all those busy thoughts.”
If possible, forever, even after death.
He swallowed the words he couldn’t say as he faced Doha. Before Doha’s lips could open, he first embraced Doha’s head.
There was neither room nor time now to hear his answer. All Doha needed to do was maintain his position in his embrace. The rest, he would take care of.
After suffering great humiliation at Gyopung Palace, Hyunseo realized that he could no longer protect Doha with his previous methods.
No matter how much he tried to hide his favor, it was useless. The look in his eyes and his expressions—those were things he couldn’t conceal.
Now that the Noble Consort had shown his true colors, it was no longer effective to hide Doha and pretend to favor the Noble Consort. Especially now, with the planned event approaching.
‘It’s better to protect him openly.’
Having concealed Doha in his embrace, he turned his gaze to Seowoo.
“It seems our Flower Bin is quite frightened.”
At Hyunseo’s words, Seowoo glared at Doha with sharp eyes. They were filled with malice. His gaze, keen enough to cut Doha without hesitation if this hadn’t been a banquet hall, swept over Doha.
‘He’s really chosen his moment today.’
Being held in his embrace was utterly detestable. It wasn’t even his rightful place.
But this wasn’t the time to reveal his true feelings. Quickly putting on a worried expression, Seowoo looked up at Hyunseo.
“Your Majesty, I believe Flower Bin Mama has some misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding…?”
“Lately, he hasn’t even visited my palace… I must have failed to understand Mama’s feelings.”
Seowoo adjusted his position. Kneeling neatly, he called out to Doha in a gentle voice.
“Flower Bin Mama.”
His tone was as soft as if calling a child. Doha, who had been thinking about Hyunseo until then, trembled. Hyunseo was Hyunseo, and the present was the present. Thanks to this, Doha, awoken from his contemplation, decided to focus once more on his acting.
As he carefully turned his head, Seowoo looked at Doha. When their eyes met, he curved his eyes in a smile.
“Mama, I know that His Majesty belongs to Flower Bin Mama.”
Lies. While pretending the entire world belongs to you.
“How could I ever desire what belongs to Mama?”
He’s not desiring it, he already thinks everything is his.
“Please cease your anger.”
He tried to appease Doha while making nonsensical statements. His manner was so simple and affectionate that Doha’s reaction was reduced to something like a child’s jealousy.
‘He’s turning this into a childish prank.’
With his consolation, Seowoo was diminishing the significance of the situation. He smiled kindly as if he genuinely wanted Doha to let go of his anger. Seeing Seowoo appear so gentle and kind to anyone watching, Doha bit his lip.
If the scale is reduced, then counter by increasing it again.
Doha stretched out both arms and wrapped them around Hyunseo’s neck. It was a movement meant to provoke Seowoo. Leaning against his firm back, Doha looked at Seowoo.
“Then… will you not harm me?”
“Harm you? Please withdraw such words.”
“I heard rumors that paralytic poison had been brought into Gyopung Palace?”
As soon as the words “paralytic poison” escaped his lips, Seowoo’s face hardened. How did that bastard know about it? For a moment, Seowoo’s sharp gaze shifted to his attendants, Sibi and Jinhee, before returning.
‘Is there a spy in the palace? If so, who could have told that bastard?’
Paralytic poison—it was a toxin often used in harem conflicts from long ago, which could lead to death depending on the amount consumed. It was a forbidden substance in the palace, impossible to obtain. Yet, paralytic poison?
The gazes of the palace servants and ministers turned toward Seowoo. With a single word, one could either be accused or cleared of suspicion. Seowoo’s mind was racing quickly. He needed to carefully choose his first words.
“Flower Bin Mama.”
“I, I don’t want to die.”
He stammered like a simpleton, hoping to appear pitiful and stupid.
It’s natural to let down one’s guard against someone who doesn’t seem to be a threat. And when beautiful appearance and a sad story are added, anyone would feel sympathy. Doha intended to take advantage of that.
The reason truly intelligent people pretend to be lacking is this.
Sympathy is convenient in many ways.
“If the Noble Consort finds it unpleasant…”
“The paralytic poison was brought in because my attendant has been limping for a long time, and I wanted to ease her pain.”
Interrupting Doha’s words, Seowoo quickly continued. It was an excuse fabricated using the fact that Jinhee had been injured long ago at the Chief State Councilor’s house.
Since Jinhee had been limping even before entering the palace, there were many palace servants who could attest to this fact. Moreover, with many palace servants valuing their lives, it would be easy to find witnesses.
Seowoo covered his face with his sleeve. Between the folds of his sleeve, Seowoo’s handsome face was visible. Teardrops fell from his large eyes.
“You presented me with used clothes as a gift! This is too much…”
Drop by drop, thick tears fell to the floor. Leaning to one side as if about to faint, Seowoo barely supported himself with both arms on the ground and whispered.
“I truly yielded everything to Mama…”
Between the folds of his sleeve, the corner of Seowoo’s mouth curved up slightly. Unfortunately, the only person who saw Seowoo’s mouth was Doha.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
