Dojin opened his eyes wide in surprise. Doha’s face was close to his, as if about to kiss him. Dojin’s gaze stopped on that fine face without a single blemish.
His eyes traced over Doha’s face—the sparkling eyes, small nose, and red lips. In that moment, His Majesty was nowhere in Dojin’s mind.
“Ungeom, I think something got in my eye.”
Doha blinked as if his eye was itchy. After rubbing his eye a few times, it quickly turned red. As Doha looked at Dojin with his reddened eye, Dojin immediately lowered his head to look at him.
“Where does it hurt?”
This time Dojin came close as if he were about to kiss him. When Doha pointed to his right eye, Dojin cupped Doha’s cheeks with both hands.
Whoo.
Dojin’s breath touched Doha’s eye. It tickled, making Doha laugh briefly.
“Is it gone?”
It won’t be gone until your master arrives, Doha thought to himself. Hiding his true intentions, he shook his head. Although Dojin had been keeping his distance lately, he would always rush over whenever Doha mentioned being hurt or injured.
Not disappointing this time either, Dojin continued blowing into Doha’s eye until Doha stopped him. The breath stirred his heart. Doha didn’t forget to tilt his head slightly as if they were kissing. To Hyunseo, it would look as if Dojin was kissing him repeatedly, as though he couldn’t get enough of his beauty.
“How could Flower Bin…”
Court Official Park’s words trailed off as he confirmed the two figures overlapping. Hyunseo’s face, when Park looked up at him, had hardened terrifyingly. A grinding sound could be heard from Hyunseo’s mouth. Soon, a low voice emerged as if squeezed out.
“I believe I only permitted him to serve as a guard.”
Hyunseo’s gaze never left the two, as if determined not to miss a single moment. With a face that looked like he might draw his sword at any moment, Court Official Park quickly bowed his head.
“Your Majesty, please calm yourself.”
It felt like something was about to happen at any moment. Court Official Park stepped forward as if to block Hyunseo’s path. The sharp gaze shifted from the two bodies pressed together like lovers to Court Official Park. At that gaze, devoid of any warmth, Court Official Park shuddered.
“In my palace, someone dares to covet what is mine, and you tell me to be calm.”
“…”
A scent leaked from Hyunseo’s body. It was a heavy and thick scent carrying a warning. The scent that spread instantly wrapped around Court Official Park’s neck like a snake and squeezed. As Court Official Park grabbed his neck with both hands, gasping for air, it was already too late—the scent had permeated.
“Kuh…”
As he opened his mouth to breathe, a large hand covered it.
“Since when does a court official give me orders?”
Pressure was applied to the thick palm as if to crush his face. Court Official Park, terrified, opened his eyes wide without even being able to scream. His bulging eyes showed between the fingers. Hyunseo smiled coldly at the fear in his eyes.
“There are too many mouths in the palace.”
“…”
“It would be fine to reduce them a bit.”
As if to demonstrate the difference in power, Hyunseo’s hand pushed down on Court Official Park’s face. His knees buckled instantly under the overwhelming force. Unable to breathe, he looked up at Hyunseo pleadingly. Please, have mercy.
With a merciless hand, Hyunseo threw his face away. Tossed onto the flower bed, Court Official Park finally exhaled. He had almost died. Grabbing his neck, he hurriedly straightened his posture. Hyunseo gave a glance to Court Official Park, who bowed his head again with a trembling body.
“Go.”
As if nothing had happened, Hyunseo turned away. Court Official Park, having adjusted his attire, followed behind. Hyunseo’s scent, filled with rage, scattered in the wind. No one saw the shadows of the two men.
* * *
“That’s enough now. I think it’s gone.”
Only when Doha gave permission did Dojin finally pull away. He quickly turned his head to look behind, but the shadows had already disappeared.
Doha also looked at where the shadows had been. Confirming the empty space, Doha’s eyebrows raised.
Choose the feelings of a man who can’t say anything while his consort and servant are kissing:
- Because he’s also having an affair
- Because he’s the more pathetic one
- Because he plans to have an affair too
All three answers were correct. Hyunseo had been having an affair with Seowoo, would continue to do so, and such a man couldn’t be a good person.
Pathetic man.
Doha’s raised eyebrows showed no sign of coming down.
Dojin, who had been turning his head searching for traces of Hyunseo, looked down at Doha again. The small head was facing the back of the garden, where Hyunseo had been standing. Dojin’s face froze when he noticed this.
“…You saw him?”
Doha looked up at the low voice. There was a faint anger in the eyes that met his.
“Ungeom…?”
“I asked if you saw His Majesty’s shadow.”
Dojin asked without averting his eyes. At the direct question, Doha’s gaze wavered.
One wrong move and the relationship he had built up could collapse. He had to be careful. Excuses flashed through Doha’s mind. I just happened to see it. I was looking to see what Ungeom was looking at. My head just turned…
“Please don’t use me between the two of you.”
As the silence lengthened, Dojin realized that his suspicion was correct. He looked down at the ground. Their overlapping shadows stretched long.
“I don’t know what plans are in Your Highness’s mind.”
“…”
“But please leave me out of them.”
As Dojin stepped back, the single shadow divided into two. He gradually moved away from Doha.
“That’s not it, I…”
“You are someone who shouldn’t be desired.”
Though Doha hastily added words, they didn’t reach Dojin.
Dojin, with tightly sealed lips, put down the bow on the ground. It was the bow that Dojin had given Doha on their first day of archery lessons.
“I cannot do that.”
Dojin, who had also taken off the quiver from his back, turned away indifferently. No. Doha hurriedly grabbed Dojin’s sleeve. His small hand caught Dojin’s black military uniform. At that gesture, Dojin stopped walking.
“Ungeom… you said you would teach me archery.”
Although he could easily pull away, Dojin couldn’t. What was it about this small Eumin? He stopped and sighed.
“It seems I have nothing more to teach Your Highness.”
At his resolute voice, Doha slowly released his sleeve. It was dangerous to hold onto him further while being suspected of using Dojin.
Now it was his turn to take a step back.
“I understand. I’ll make sure to hunt exactly as Ungeom taught me.”
His voice was dejected. Hearing Doha’s voice, slower than usual, Dojin wanted to turn around and look back, but he steeled himself.
“Yes.”
With that brief answer, Dojin walked forward, toward where His Majesty had been, toward the back of the garden. Was this how cold His Majesty’s heart had been when he left them behind? His steps felt heavy as he thought of Doha left behind.
There was the sound of picking up a bow. Then the sound of footsteps with narrow strides, followed by the quiver rolling on the ground. Dojin pictured Doha’s movements in his mind from the sounds he heard.
‘Damn it.’
Imagining Doha picking up the quiver with a dejected face, Dojin simply couldn’t walk any further. Finally stopping, Dojin spoke.
“Don’t get hurt.”
Regret flooded in as soon as he spoke. He shouldn’t have said anything more. His heart kept disobeying the royal command, crossing the threshold to Doha.
There was the sound of Doha’s clothes rustling, as if he were looking this way. At the same time, Dojin’s fist clenched.
“You promised.”
With those final words, Dojin continued walking. This time, his steps wouldn’t stop.
* * *
With the round quiver on his shoulder, Doha watched Dojin’s back. The corners of his lips were already curled upward.
Although he had failed to get closer, it wasn’t a bad outcome. To think that Ungeom still worried about him even during this. Doha ran a hand over his lips and picked up the bow.
After confirming that Dojin had completely disappeared, he gripped the bow. His posture was completely different from when he was with Dojin.
He positioned one foot forward and balanced his center of gravity. Holding the bow with his left hand, he hooked an arrow to the string with his right. It was the skilled movement of a hunter.
“I almost died of frustration.”
Since Dojin’s walls only lowered when teaching archery, Doha deliberately pretended not to know how to shoot, missing the string and shaking the bow. Then, before he knew it, Dojin would approach and place his hands over Doha’s.
Whenever those large hands covered his small ones, there was a feeling of pressure as if being devoured, along with a sense of stability.
Now it was time to practice freely. Doha steadily drew the bowstring and moved the bow toward the target.
Tang. When he released the string, the arrow flew toward the target at high speed. The arrow lodged precisely in the center section of the target.
Doha placed another arrow on the string. The hunting competition was tomorrow. Who knew how many arrows he would have to shoot tomorrow.
Could he really prevent Hyunseo’s injury?
His heart pounded with anticipation and worry. Doha drew the string again. If only the scenario could be changed. His mind was in turmoil as he recalled Eunsung’s words that scenarios don’t change and the shadow that had been lingering in the garden.
“Fuck…”
Cursing, Doha pulled the string even stronger. The bow bent flexibly as if it might break at any moment. When Doha released the string, the arrow shot out like a bullet.
Once again, the arrow struck the center of the target.
If it doesn’t work, I’ll die anyway, so what does it matter? Doha thought as he pulled out the arrow lodged in the target. The arrowhead he pulled out gleamed sharply.
“If it all falls apart, I’ll shoot them all.”
If I can’t change the final episode, I’ll make tomorrow the final episode.
With an assassination plan in mind, Doha nodded with a determined face. That day, the sound of arrows hitting targets didn’t cease in the garden of Siyeong Palace.
* * *
The day of the hunting competition.
Siyeong Palace was busy from early morning. Thanks to this, Doha had to get up at dawn, soak in rose water, and have his hair washed with camellia oil. Due to overwhelming sleepiness, Doha sat in the sleeping quarters with his eyes half-closed.
Court Lady Kim and all the palace staff busily ran around the room while Doha nodded off.
This was something he experienced often during his actor days. On shooting days, he would receive makeup and hair styling at the studio from morning. Even then, Doha was always busy dozing off. When he woke up from his nap, his face had somehow transformed into someone else’s.
“Your Highness! All the ministers of the court will be gathering. This Court Lady Kim cannot bear to see you looking plainer than Noble Consort.”
Court Lady Kim, who had previously obtained the color of His Majesty’s military uniform from Court Official Park, spread out several military uniforms. Military uniforms made of visibly expensive fabric were draped below Doha’s face.
“Since His Majesty’s uniform is blue, I’ve selected ones in similar blue tones. As the shapes are different, you need to try them all on.”
Court Lady Kim puffed air through her nose with a resolute face. Feeling the warm breath on his face, Doha slowly opened his eyes.
“All… of them?”
“Yes, Your Highness. You must try them all on before I can send you off.”
Without noticing when they had approached, the palace staff had also gathered behind Court Lady Kim, their eyes sparkling.
“Your Highness, it would be too wasteful to leave your face as it is.”
“That’s right. Your face becomes more radiant the more it’s adorned, so why refuse?”
“National treasure… Your Highness’s face should be designated as a national treasure…”
The watching faces were burdensome. The palace staff’s faces overlapped with the makeup shop employees in his mind. They also had a kind of mission—a duty to spread the brilliance of Doha’s face.
There was even a time when he told them to only work as much as they were paid and was scolded by the youngest makeup artist. That was also when he first learned that the youngest could make such a frightening face.
“If you’re going to waste your face like that, just give it to me.”
“Huh?”
“Your face is a welfare benefit—does it look like you should only work as much as you’re paid? We need to polish it and show it to other people too!”
“Jihye, I just…”
“Shut up. People need to know this is a national treasure, even foreigners.”
The memory of the youngest pounding on foundation with a fierce face was vivid. Recalling her, a faint smile appeared on Doha’s face.
So there were good memories after all.
The palace staff, interpreting Doha’s smile as consent, approached with even more sinister expressions.
“Your Highness, there’s no time. Let’s try them on quickly.”
Court Lady Kim, the vanguard of the palace staff with the most sinister face at the front, presented the uniforms. Doha carefully examined the mountain-like pile of uniforms.
“I’ll try this one, this one, and that one.”
With ten years of acting experience, Doha’s eye for aesthetics was quite refined, having been surrounded by beautiful and radiant things from a young age.
Court Lady Kim selected the clothes Doha had pointed out. They were outfits she had already earmarked as likely to suit him well. Doha, who had picked only the most flattering outfits, added:
“I’d like my hair tied up in one knot, and minimal accessories.”
“What? But that’s…”
“No hairpins, no pearls.”
Court Lady Kim exclaimed in surprise at Doha’s command. No hair accessories? That was unacceptable.
Hair accessories symbolized a consort’s status. The atmosphere of the hunting competition would be determined by how expensive the hair decorations were. Looking at Doha with worried eyes, Court Lady Kim said:
“With palace rumors already being unsettling… it won’t look good if you don’t even have the dragon hairpin.”
There might be malicious rumors that Flower Bin had fallen out of favor. In response to Court Lady Kim’s concern, Doha grinned.
“That’s exactly why I don’t want to wear it. Let the rumors spread.”
“Your Highness?”
“Then he’ll have to take a new spouse, won’t he?”
He planned to poke the persimmon until it burst. Doha laughed like a mischievous child.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
