The atmosphere in the interrogation chamber settled. The court ladies and palace people who had heard rumors from Yongwa Palace were busy sharing whatever information they knew. Only the envoys imprisoned in the cell and Eunsung hadn’t heard the rumors.
‘So those rumors were true.’
Seowoo looked at Doha sitting in the seat of honor. White skin, round eyes, and red lips came into view. It was an appearance worthy of being called the greatest beauty in the world, but whenever Seowoo saw his face, for some reason his stomach churned and disgust surged within him.
‘What’s so special about him?’
It had been that way from the beginning. Doha was born with everything that Seowoo couldn’t have. Even when Seowoo entered the Prime Minister’s household and endured harsh studies solely to become Hyunseo’s male omega, Doha was running freely through fields and meadows.
Without preparing anything.
Not knowing how to release pheromones to seduce an alpha, how to sell his body for a higher price, or what to do to fully receive an alpha’s hideous weapon. He knew nothing.
Unlike Seowoo, who due to his humble origins could only receive the rank of Noble Consort, Doha was bestowed the title of Flower Bin from the start.
It was too generous a reward for just a relationship formed with Hyunseo outside the palace.
‘That seat belongs to me.’
Seowoo’s gaze turned cold in an instant. It was an intense look as if he might push Doha off the seat of honor at any moment. As Seowoo took one step closer to Doha, Doha spoke again.
“Tell me. How did you communicate with me?”
“…”
A bewildered expression appeared on Eunsung’s face. Seeing this, Doha wanted to laugh out loud. Doha loved that perplexed expression alphas made when things didn’t go according to their plans, when they were used to manipulating everything to their liking.
‘He thinks what he knows is all there is to know.’
Having already realized that his information was wrong, he wouldn’t easily speak. The more he spoke, the more his words would become lies.
“How do you insist on being my lover?”
“…”
After moving his lips a few times, Eunsung gave up speaking as expected. He just kept his mouth firmly shut and only looked at Doha. But his gaze changed. With drooping eyes, he stared desperately at Doha like a puppy searching for its master.
It was an expression that made one almost hear a whimpering sound. Doha stared directly at Eunsung’s face, looking up at him with round eyes.
‘He’s insanely handsome, I’ll give him that.’
He could understand why Eunsung had so many noona fans. He knew exactly how to use his face. Highlighting his puppy-like, gentle features. That was his way of survival.
Though he was actually crazy on the inside.
But catching that kind of minor detail wasn’t what he needed to focus on now.
The person who set this trap. The person who kept trying to push him into a pit. Binding Seowoo was the priority. Doha’s eyes flashed with light.
“But it’s strange. Even if you insist that I’m your lover, there’s nothing you would gain from it.”
Doha spoke in a loud voice as if to make sure everyone heard. Although he was the one sitting in the seat of honor in the interrogation chamber, it was the court ladies and palace people observing the interrogation who created the flow of this place.
What they saw and heard created rumors, and rumors soon created public opinion.
Planting doubt in the minds of the court ladies and palace people was the priority. Doha’s words planted doubt in everyone’s minds. According to Doha’s plan, the question of ‘why’ began to occupy their thoughts.
“You came as an envoy from a vassal state, so your punishment will reach your country.”
“Your Excellency! Please show mercy…!”
The envoys, except for Eunsung, looked at Doha with surprised eyes. For a vassal state, punishment would be economically and nationally devastating. Despite the envoys’ cries, Doha continued speaking, paying them no mind.
“Yet, I wonder why you accused me of being your lover.”
“…”
“A reason to speak falsehoods even while accepting the damage.”
The palace people, court ladies, and even the envoys focused on Doha’s words. Now the focus had shifted from whether Doha had an affair to who created this false accusation and why. Moving others according to his will—that was what Doha did best.
Now came the final step. He needed to make the doubt he had planted grow.
“Who would benefit the most if I became your lover?”
Everyone’s heads turned. Toward Seowoo standing behind Doha, toward the Noble Consort of Gyopung Palace standing with his head held high.
The person who would benefit the most.
It was Seowoo.
“Your Excellency! This is a false accusation!”
The situation took a strange turn. Seowoo, rushing forward desperately, knelt before Doha. He sat down so forcefully that the sound of knees hitting the floor could be heard.
‘Look at how he sits at an angle to make sure he looks good, even in this situation.’
There were things visible to Doha that weren’t visible to others. For instance, just like now, sitting at an angle so that his pitiful appearance would be well-displayed to the palace people.
“I, I only committed the sin of trying to help Your Excellency. Please spare me.”
“Seowoo.”
“I, I was wrong. Please, at least my life…”
Seowoo called to Doha with a trembling voice, desperately. It was a voice that would evoke sympathy in those watching.
“Calm down first.”
“My, my life, please promise to spare…”
Seowoo, who had been pleading in a pitiful voice, banged his head on the floor.
“Kyaak!”
“Your Excellency!”
Then he hit his head on the floor several times. It was something no one had told him to do. The palace people, startled by the sudden action, screamed, but Seowoo paid no attention and continued banging his head.
The thudding sound echoed through the interrogation chamber. It was a chilling sound. When Seowoo raised his head, blood flowed from the wound on his forehead. Bright red blood ran down his cheeks and dripped onto the floor. Faced with this miserable sight, Doha was at a loss for words and stared back at him.
The corner of Seowoo’s mouth rose slightly and then fell. Catching that brief moment, Doha swallowed.
‘So this is how you tried to destroy Doha’s image.’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
