Chapter 66
“How was your day today?”
“It was a day where I felt many things.”
“Is that so? Has anyone treated you disrespectfully? If so, I’ll teach them a lesson.”
Hearing this solicitous question, Yun-seo realized that Hwi knew everything about the conversation that had taken place in Jayeongjeon earlier that day. Yun-seo looked at Hwi silently, then shook his head.
“I have a talent for hearing people’s words as if they were merely dogs barking. So please don’t worry.”
Hwi gave a short laugh and tucked a stray strand of Yun-seo’s hair behind his ear.
“Even dogs should not be allowed to bark at you.”
“It’s fine. It’s not as if I’m being hurt.”
“How brave of you.”
To these words, which seemed to convey both admiration and regret, Yun-seo merely shrugged his shoulders.
Hwi’s thumb gently stroked the tips of Yun-seo’s fingers. Yun-seo entrusted his hand to that touch and felt the passage of time. Perhaps because Hwi was by his side, he didn’t feel lonely. He only hoped Hwi felt the same way.
* * *
When the warmth moved away, Yun-seo opened his eyes to see Hwi arranging his hair. Yun-seo stared at him blankly for a moment, then asked.
“Shall I do it for you?”
Hwi stopped what he was doing and turned around.
“You’re awake.”
Moving sluggishly, Yun-seo got up and approached Hwi, who readily handed over his hairpin. Before inserting it, Yun-seo first combed Hwi’s hair thoroughly. The rustling sensation felt so pleasant that he couldn’t help but understand why Yeondeok used to enjoy having his hair tended to in the past.
“Do you always groom yourself like this?”
“Once I got used to it, having others do it felt uncomfortable. Besides, I know best how to style it so it won’t come undone during battle.”
“Battle?”
“Ah, among the Yongrim, we sometimes call the hellish path ‘battle.'”
After finishing combing his hair, Yun-seo tried to neatly tie it up the way Hwi usually did, but it wasn’t easy. Having never served anyone else, Yun-seo couldn’t get the hang of it and kept fumbling.
“So there are things even you can’t do.”
Hwi laughed softly. Reminded of the day when Hwi had groomed his hair, Yun-seo bit back a smile and somehow managed to insert the hairpin.
However, it was so loose and slack that it made Hwi look not like the dignified Emperor but like some idle young man, so Yun-seo decided to let go.
“It would be better if you did it again yourself.”
“This is the first hairstyle you’ve ever done for me. How could I change it?”
This time, Hwi turned and did Yun-seo’s hair for him. Having done it once before, his skill was now quite proficient.
After they had fully dressed, the morning meal arrived. While waiting for the food to be tested, Yun-seo examined Hwi’s appearance. His hairstyle was definitely the one flaw.
“You’re not really going out like that, are you?”
“What does it matter? When I go to the main hall, I’ll wear a hat, so no one will know.”
Though he should properly dissuade the Emperor from going out looking like that, his fingertips tingled with a different feeling. Yun-seo suppressed the strangely sorrowful yet excited feeling with a warm cup of tea.
“What are your plans for today?”
“I’ll handle affairs at Yeongwiwon, inspect the ledgers of the inner court, and if there’s enough time, I intend to practice archery.”
“I see. I’d like to tell you about my day as well, but it’s all boring matters.”
Even while saying this, Hwi meticulously explained what topics would be discussed in court, what officials he would meet, and what matters would be deliberated. It was as if Hwi’s schedule and movements were being mapped in his mind, and since it was a meaningful conversation where he could learn a little about state affairs, Yun-seo listened attentively.
“You should eat while you listen.”
With a smile on his face, Hwi placed a piece of meat in Yun-seo’s bowl. Yun-seo chewed it thoroughly, neglecting neither his listening nor his eating.
After breakfast was cleared away, Hwi put his hat on one arm and looked back at Yun-seo.
“Rest more. Look around a bit too.”
It seemed he had noticed how Yun-seo had suppressed the urge to look around when he first entered Hwi’s chambers last night and went straight to bed. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Yun-seo gave a half-hearted nod.
Hwi chuckled and turned away. As Yun-seo saw him off, his gaze lingered on Hwi’s loosely tied hair.
He had once hoped they would become a couple who fixed each other’s hair in the morning. Wasn’t this exactly the morning scene he had wished for?
Yes, this is what I wanted. Only the place is different.
Yun-seo stood firmly, but with a strange sense of his existence fading away, he remained in place until Hwi had completely disappeared.
* * *
The official robes that had always been a source of pride now felt particularly cumbersome and uncomfortable. Wongyeong roughly gripped and released his collar enough to wrinkle it, as he took angry steps forward.
Recalling the moment when the eunuch from Jiseogung had come to inform him that the Empress had summoned him, his anger rose again. Who did that little brat think he was, ordering people around? His pride must have soared tremendously after ascending to the throne.
What made Wongyeong even more furious was his own position, unable to refuse the command. To have to take orders from a worthless fellow who could do nothing and had no particular talents—who, had he not bloomed as a Yeong Chunhwa, would have lived as just another idle youth and married wherever their father pointed—was infuriating.
With anger building up without outlet, his face was flushed to the point of turning reddish. Wongyeong stared at the back of the eunuch’s head guiding him as if it were his mortal enemy, breathing heavily.
However, as he finally reached Jiseogung, Wongyeong couldn’t help but close his mouth tightly, intimidated by the grand hall exuding dignity and elegance, and the not inconsiderable number of court ladies guarding it. It was hard to believe that this Yun-seo now lived in such a place and governed these people.
Strictly speaking, rather than governing, he was probably just fumbling with what was given to him. It would be fortunate if he didn’t bring shame to the family. Wongyeong still couldn’t understand why such luck was given to Yun-seo, or why that fool had kicked away such immense fortune and tried to escape.
“Your Majesty, Section Chief So has arrived.”
The court lady came out and opened the door. Following her inside, Wongyeong saw Yun-seo seated on the throne. With his eyes lowered, Wongyeong approached and paid his respects.
“I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”
Anyone else would have warmly asked if he had been well during their separation, but Wongyeong felt no inclination to engage in such empty courtesies. Even with Yun-seo right before his eyes, the fact that he was the Empress felt like a wild rumor.
“Please sit. Serve the tea and withdraw.”
As Wongyeong took his designated seat, a court lady poured tea and left. Seeing Yun-seo giving orders so naturally startled Wongyeong considerably.
The childishness had somehow left Yun-seo, and the well-fitted court clothing and hat suited him, making him seem unfamiliar. Feeling his pride wounded by this reaction, Wongyeong bit his lip.
“Have you been well? Are our parents also in good health?”
Now that they were alone and Yun-seo had first asked after his wellbeing, Wongyeong finally met his eyes.
“Yes. Judging by your bright complexion, life in the palace seems to agree with you.”
A bitter smile spread across Yun-seo’s face. He fidgeted with his teacup, pausing before speaking.
“I’ve always felt bad about leaving home like this. But I’m happy to be able to see you here in the palace.”
“What business do you have for summoning me? I’m sure you’re very busy, and I dare not waste Your Majesty’s precious time.”
He detested beating around the bush when the purpose was surely predetermined. Expressing his desire to leave this uncomfortable palace as soon as possible, Yun-seo flinched and then forced a smile.
Wongyeong swallowed the anger rising within him as he faced Yun-seo’s eyes, which always appeared to be filled with tears when his complexion was poor due to constant dryness. Those eyes like a kicked puppy’s, making the other person feel like a villain without having done anything.
Yun-seo’s innocence and harmlessness were themselves a powerful form of harm. When Yun-seo gazed at him with those eyes, Wongyeong was seized by a sadistic impulse he didn’t understand. He wanted to kick, strike, and wound him.
But this was Yun-seo’s domain. Someone might be listening, and he might run to His Majesty to tattle, so Wongyeong needed to exercise restraint.
“Actually… I know that Father has been raising his voice in court. Without explaining in detail, I believe you know what I’m talking about.”
Ah, that story. Wongyeong wore a cold smile.
He knew painfully well what Yun-seo was referring to. He had witnessed everything—how their father had changed after his unremarkable younger brother had bloomed as a Yeong Chunhwa and been deemed worthy material for the Empress position.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
