Hyunseo entered the banquet hall with Doha slung over his shoulder like a hunter carrying his prey. Doha’s arms dangled in the air as he hung there. Under the concentrated gazes, Doha covered his face with both hands.
‘I want to die.’
He wanted to die. Cause of death: death by embarrassment. Perpetrator: Jin Hyunseo. In short, a Confucian boy gone mad.
You said I’m your concubine, your Dajeong… Though he’d been a Confucian boy lately, he had been Dajeong, so why had he suddenly gone crazy like this?
Whether aware of Doha’s resentment or not, Hyunseo, who had already reached his seat, opened his mouth.
“Let the banquet begin.”
With a casual gesture, Hyunseo waved his hand toward the band. The musicians, who had been watching blankly, finally began to play their instruments. Majestic, slow music fitting for the hunting competition began to echo throughout the banquet hall.
Seated in his place, Hyunseo lowered Doha onto his lap from his shoulder. It was a careful movement, considering he had carried him like a sack.
“Are you all right?”
Are you out of your mind, you bastard? Controlling his churning stomach, Doha looked up at him with reddened eyes.
It felt like everything inside might come up at any moment. Feeling as if the rice he had eaten in the morning had risen to the top of his throat, Doha gulped down his saliva. The braised ribs were delicious, and he couldn’t vomit them out.
“I will go to my seat, Your Majesty.”
He had already located his place prepared between Jeonghyeon and Lord Kim. Since red silk was always laid out for the seats of royal consorts, finding his place wasn’t difficult. Just as he was leaning his body in that direction, strong arms wrapped around his waist.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Doha’s body, losing its balance, fell toward him. Seizing the moment, Hyunseo pulled Doha’s body deep between his legs.
“That won’t do.”
“Pardon?”
Startled, Doha looked back. The corner of Hyunseo’s mouth, now facing him, was twisted upward. The thick arms wrapped around his body moved lower down his waist.
“The Flower Bin’s place is between his husband’s legs, is it not?”
Between his legs. At those vulgar words, Doha’s face turned bright red. Such lines had never appeared in any drama. There couldn’t possibly be a drama with such vulgar dialogue.
‘What’s wrong with him? Did someone give him sex education or something?’
Otherwise, there was no reason for such provocative words and actions. There must be some scheme. Doha glared at him, trying to read Hyunseo’s mind.
While Doha was in shock, he wasn’t the only one who found those words lewd. A vein stood out on Lord Kim’s forehead as he listened. As Lord Kim leaned his upper body back as if about to stand up, Jeonghyeon, sitting next to him, grabbed his arm again.
“Father, please stay put.”
“His Majesty… what, what is he babbling to our youngest?”
Stuttering as his chest trembled, Lord Kim glared at Hyunseo. Hearing his voice, Hyunseo met Lord Kim’s eyes.
In a provocative manner, he stared directly at Lord Kim and rested his face on Doha’s shoulder. As if declaring, “This is mine.” With his face completely pressed against Doha, he grinned.
“I merely said the Flower Bin’s place is between his husband’s legs. What’s wrong with that?”
“Y-you… atrocious!”
Before collapsing while grabbing the back of his neck, Lord Kim’s eyes caught sight of Doha’s uncomfortable appearance. With his face flushed red and body curled up, Doha looked like a small, fragile baby animal to Lord Kim. Wriggling slightly, he pitifully whispered:
“Please, please let me go.”
“Come now, you should listen to your husband.”
Hyunseo’s touch was uninhibited, like a playboy teasing someone. His hand ruffled Doha’s waist. As Doha shuddered and moved his buttocks in response to that touch, his peach-like, plump buttocks pressed against Hyunseo’s manhood.
“Uh.”
A moan escaped between his lips. Though it was a brief sound, both Doha and Hyunseo froze at that moment.
Seeing Doha’s eyes shaking tremendously as if an earthquake had occurred, Hyunseo pulled on the waist he was holding and said:
“It would be better if you stopped stimulating me.”
“…”
“Next time, your place might not be between my legs, but somewhere else.”
The low voice resonated in his ear. Where else could he mean? Perhaps because he was using formal speech unlike usual, Hyunseo’s voice sounded more sensual. Blushing at the heated imagination, Doha shook his head and quietly sat down. Seemingly satisfied with his now more obedient posture, Hyunseo wrapped his arm around Doha’s shoulder.
“Bear with it for a little while.”
Though it was a small voice, it was enough for Doha to understand. As Doha looked at Hyunseo questioningly, he smiled slightly while leaning on Doha’s shoulder.
“This is the only way I can protect you today.”
As if saying he wouldn’t let go, his arms enveloped Doha. A moderate pressure squeezed Doha’s body.
***
Still holding the perplexed Doha, Hyunseo slowly looked down at the ministers. Even the ministers who had been stealing glances now seemed accustomed to the sight, clinking their wine cups and engaging in conversation among themselves.
Only three people were still watching Doha and Hyunseo: Lord Kim, Jeonghyeon, and the Chief State Councilor.
“Ahem.”
As if Doha’s presence was bothersome, the Chief State Councilor cleared his throat while stroking his long beard. That Eumin had supposedly done something impressive, but seeing today’s banquet, it didn’t seem to be the case at all.
‘I praised him, praised him, but he does the job like this?’
Just as the Chief State Councilor was lifting his wine cup to hide his discomfort, Hyunseo, who had been observing him, spoke:
“What does the Chief State Councilor plan to catch in this hunting competition?”
Taken aback by the sudden question, the startled Chief State Councilor put down his wine cup. Hyunseo, still embracing Doha, met the Chief State Councilor’s eyes. He grinned. It was a somewhat twisted smile.
“I’m thinking of catching an old raccoon.”
Raccoon. Who the old raccoon referred to was known to Doha, Hyunseo, and the Chief State Councilor alike. It seems he wants to provoke me. Quickly grasping his intention, the Chief State Councilor raised the corner of his mouth and replied:
“Why not catch a young raccoon instead?”
“I’m too soft-hearted to catch young raccoons.”
As if truly pained, Hyunseo narrowed his eyes. At the same time, he tightened his embrace, holding Doha firmly. Their bodies pressed closely together. It was such a close distance that the rumors with Seowoo couldn’t even come to mind.
“The old raccoon is near death anyway, so wouldn’t that be easier on the conscience?”
A grinding sound escaped from the corner of the Chief State Councilor’s mouth. Seeing that brazen face holding the Flower Bin made him furious and indignant.
Originally, he was a commoner who couldn’t even show his face in the Chief State Councilor’s carriage procession. A commoner of commoners who couldn’t even make a sound—that was Hyunseo’s status outside the palace. It seemed that commoner had forgotten who had placed him on the throne.
‘But that ends today.’
The corner of the Chief State Councilor’s mouth rose slightly. Along with it, his spiteful plump cheeks rose as well.
“I plan to catch a young fox today.”
His greedy gaze turned toward Doha. From the slender ankles exposed below the trousers, to the thighs, the slender yet firm upper body, and the beautiful face—his gaze traveled upward. Just as Doha bit his lips at that slimy gaze:
“Catching a young fox? The Chief State Councilor indeed has small courage.”
While responding, Hyunseo naturally covered Doha’s face with both arms. It was a possessive movement, as if not willing to show him to anyone. However, Doha, who had been facing the Chief State Councilor, knew. He was hiding Doha from the Chief State Councilor’s gaze.
“As the Chief State Councilor, couldn’t you catch something bigger? A young fox? I am greatly disappointed.”
As he continued speaking, Hyunseo released his scent. It was a scent meant to reassure Doha. The scent seemed effective as Doha’s movements calmed down. Relieved by this, Hyunseo looked back at the Chief State Councilor and uttered provocative words:
“Should I revoke your position? It’s a waste of a title.”
“Haha, Your Majesty. Catching a young fox isn’t the goal itself.”
“Then what is?”
“The goal is to lure a tiger with the young fox’s fur.”
Licking his lips, the Chief State Councilor looked at the back of Doha’s head. While catching the tiger was the goal, he also intended to taste the young fox he had caught. He wanted to know how delicious it was that made even the stone-like king so captivated by the Flower Bin.
Moreover, that slender body he had seen at the previous banquet. The supple waist and movements were beautiful enough to covet. For an Eumin, it was quite a serviceable body, so it would likely be quite tasty. Just thinking about joining with it made him feel a stir in his lower body.
The Chief State Councilor, imagining Doha’s naked body, displayed a satisfied smile.
“I’ll taste it first, to see how delicious it is.”
At those words with obvious intentions, Hyunseo’s hands tensed. For a moment, his scent fluctuated, but only briefly. Hiding his feelings again, Hyunseo pulled up the corner of his mouth.
“Well, I look forward to the Chief State Councilor bringing back substantial prey.”
“I am overwhelmed by your kindness.”
The Chief State Councilor bowed his head. As the conversation ended, Doha, sensing Hyunseo’s fluctuating scent, wriggled and lifted his face.
“Your Majesty, are you alright?”
He whispered softly, placing his hand on Hyunseo’s thigh. Since being taken out of prison, this was the first time he had sensed such anger in Hyunseo’s scent. He released his own scent, gentler than Hyunseo’s.
“Ha…”
Hyunseo, inhaling Doha’s distinctive scent, embraced him more tightly. With Doha in his arms, everything seemed alright again. The Chief State Councilor, the Noble Consort, and even Lord Kim glaring at him.
Hyunseo’s body relaxed. He slowly rested his face on Doha’s head.
He could never let go of someone so precious just by being in his arms.
“It’s nothing.”
That’s why he had to keep silent. About what plans he was making, what sacrifices he was making for Doha. Also, what things he had fabricated and whom he had killed to possess Doha.
Because you might run away if you knew.
“Stay only in my arms today.”
At the serious voice, Doha unconsciously nodded. Hyunseo’s scent was as comfortable as a fragrance he had smelled for a long time.
Whatever scheme was at play, he decided to go along with him for a while. Doha relaxed and leaned into his body. Just for a moment, for a brief time, it would be fine. Since coming here, there hadn’t been a single day without tension.
Without thinking about plans or schemes, Doha quietly closed his eyes.
***
While the two lovers were embracing each other, the Chief State Councilor emptied the wine cup placed on the table. As he tapped the cup, a palace servant standing behind approached with wine.
“What shall we do, Your Excellency? The Noble Consort still doesn’t know about this situation.”
For everything to go as planned, the Flower Bin needed to be sitting in his original place next to Jeonghyeon and Lord Kim. The Chief State Councilor glanced up at the throne. Hyunseo was holding the Flower Bin tightly, as if he would never let go.
Did he somehow detect something…?
The Chief State Councilor’s face soured. No way. He couldn’t have noticed that. Turning his gaze back, he quickly whispered to the palace servant:
“The situation has changed. Tell them to abort the plan.”
“What? But he should already be on his way. Is that okay?”
“There’s no need to take unnecessary risks. Let’s aim for when we enter the hunting grounds. If you explain it that way, even the Noble Consort won’t press further.”
The servant, nodding his head, quietly retreated after setting down the wine bottle. Hyunseo observed the servant gradually backing away without drawing attention. For a brief moment, Hyunseo’s gaze flashed coldly.
Still up to your tricks.
As he sent a glance to Dojin standing behind, Dojin silently nodded. Adjusting his sword, Dojin followed behind the disappearing palace servant.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
