Chapter 72
Ah…
Experiencing a bout of dizziness, Yun-seo tightly closed his eyes before opening them again. The hall became deathly quiet, and though outwardly calm, turbulent gazes gathered at Yun-seo’s feet.
“How insolent. You dare slander Her Majesty the Empress.”
Hyeonbi’s stern voice cut through the silent chaos.
“It’s not slander, not slander…!”
“Take this person away immediately for rigorous questioning, and set an example that no malicious defamation will be tolerated in the sacred palace.”
Officials dragged Wan away, who, even while being pulled, begged Yun-seo to at least spare her life. Yet, despite pleading for her life, there was a determination on her face that suggested she would not fear even death. What had driven that child to such extremes?
While Hyeonbi dismissed the concubines and directed the court attendants to return to their positions, Yun-seo gazed up at the sky that seemed impossibly distant.
Though the sky looked no different than usual, it felt unfamiliar. Everything around him seemed to have flipped and collapsed, as if he had fallen alone into another world. Once again, the realization that he stood in a place he couldn’t handle pressed down on his body like heavy air, aching to the bone.
“Your Majesty.”
Hyeonbi approached. Yun-seo turned to face her listlessly, lacking even the energy to compose himself.
“The truth will inevitably come to light, and the Emperor will set everything right, so please do not worry.”
“Do you believe me?”
Hyeonbi was not one to make public declarations or offer flattery, so her belief that this was truly slander was genuinely comforting, though Yun-seo wondered how she could trust him so completely. Would others think like her? Probably not.
She raised her head, stared at Yun-seo for a moment, then spoke.
“Whether I believe you or not is of little importance. What matters is that the truth must become that which protects Your Majesty’s safety.”
As Yun-seo pondered her words, trying to understand her intentions, she glanced behind him. Her shoulders rose and fell as if swallowing a sigh.
“And yes, I believe in Your Majesty.”
Hyeonbi’s answer firmly grasped the roots of Yun-seo’s heart that were threatening to collapse. Fearing he might speak weakly, Yun-seo bit his lip and nodded. Soon after, Hyeonbi paid her respects and moved away.
Yun-seo stared at her retreating figure before turning around. The person standing guard behind him was Hui-je. When their eyes met, she smiled brightly.
“I believe in Your Majesty too!”
Her voice was impressively resonant, quite out of place for the situation. And so Yun-seo couldn’t help but smile as well.
“Who do you think did it?”
At Yeondeok’s question, Yun-seo pressed his forehead, trying to narrow down who might be behind this. First to come to mind was So Won, who was hostile toward him. As his father was a high official, he certainly had enough influence to act.
However, when the doll was discovered and the character written on it was revealed, So Won seemed genuinely surprised and unaware. It was hard to believe that someone whose feelings were so plainly visible on his face could be pretending.
His thoughts then shifted to Seongbin. She was the person whose inner thoughts he understood least. But she had no reason to harm him, and she didn’t seem to have enough power to manipulate a palace servant.
It wasn’t Hyeonbi. If Hyeonbi were behind this, he would have to admit he was completely incapable of judging people.
“At least no one from within the rear palace.”
He naturally looked first to the concubines close to him, but he didn’t think any of them were behind this. Perhaps it would be faster to look around his father’s circle. After all, he must have made more enemies since ascending to the throne.
“I think so too. So Won acts hatefully in everything, but he doesn’t seem capable of this. And the other ladies don’t seem like people who would do such a treacherous thing.”
“Right?”
“Yes, I hope so.”
“Is the goal to depose me?”
If the Empress had truly cursed the Emperor, there would be no defense against being deposed. However, not only was he a Yeong Chunhwa with the most suitable Suho Star for Hwi, but Hwi would never allow his deposition based on such falsehoods.
…Would he believe? That I didn’t do this.
Yun-seo erased the suddenly emerging doubt and rubbed his forehead. Regardless, even if the truth were revealed, there would certainly be those who would harbor suspicions, and damage to his honor and dignity would be inevitable.
Was that the purpose? For what reason?
“By the way, I had no idea Wan was that kind of person. Your Majesty had been so fond of her—truly ungrateful.”
Remembering Wan, who would now be locked in prison, gave him a sharp headache. Yun-seo sighed deeply before speaking.
“Hui-je.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hui-je, who had been guarding outside, heard the soft call and entered. Yun-seo lowered the hand that had been massaging his forehead and looked at her.
“Wan must have family members. Could you find out where they live and ensure their protection?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will carry out your command.”
For someone to commit the grave crime of slandering the Empress, surely the lives of their family members must be at stake. The best course of action would be to secure their safety, have Wan reveal the truth, and then appeal to the Ministry of Justice to reduce her sentence by considering the circumstances.
After dismissing Hui-je, all the strength drained from his body. Yun-seo let out a deep sigh and clutched his head as if to tear at his hair.
“Has there been any word that His Majesty is coming?”
“No, there hasn’t.”
Since that day when they raised their voices at each other, Hwi had only visited Jiseogung Palace after Yun-seo had fallen asleep, and left before he woke up. On some nights when Yun-seo happened to open his eyes, Hwi was beside him. Yun-seo wanted to know if he was truly sleeping, but couldn’t bring himself to ask, and only caressed Hwi’s face with his gaze.
Inwardly, he complained about why Hwi would come and go quietly like a thief instead of sleeping in a comfortable place, but at the same time, he felt sad at the thought that perhaps Hwi didn’t want to face him.
Fighting when they meet, aching when they don’t—what kind of commotion was this? Still, shouldn’t they discuss this incident? Even though it wasn’t something he had done, he felt like he had placed a burden on Hwi’s shoulders, and didn’t have the face to see him.
He was considering whether to invite Hwi to share a meal and how to convey the message when the door opened and a eunuch entered.
“Your Majesty. His Majesty the Emperor wishes to dine with you this evening.”
“…Ah. I understand.”
Learning that Hwi was coming made his heart unnecessarily unsettled. As Yun-seo adjusted his ceremonial clothes, Yeondeok approached.
“Let me fix your hair.”
Having pulled at his hair earlier, it was standing up messily. Just as Yeondeok was about to place his hands on Yun-seo’s hair, the door opened again and Hwi strode in.
Not expecting him to arrive so quickly, Yun-seo looked up at Hwi with wide eyes. Hwi turned his head, scanning Yun-seo and Yeondeok, who stood directly in front of him. Feeling his gaze, Yeondeok hastily stepped back and paid his respects.
“You two seem very close.”
The abrupt comment came out of nowhere. While Yun-seo was trying to gauge his intention, Yeondeok answered.
“Upon hearing that Your Majesty was coming, I was just about to fix Her Majesty’s hair. I shall withdraw now.”
After Yeondeok left the room, only Hwi and Yun-seo remained. Facing him like this, the awkward feeling still persisted, and Yun-seo walked past him to sit on the chair.
“Don’t be petty toward Yeondeok.”
“You look lovely even without grooming.”
It was an irrelevant answer. But understanding the implication behind the word “lovely,” Yun-seo couldn’t say anything more. As Hwi took his seat across from him, Yun-seo fidgeted with his fingertips, wondering what topic to use to begin the conversation.
During the continued silence, he felt a gaze and looked up to find Hwi staring directly at his face. Even when he avoided eye contact, the staring continued, and after some hesitation, Yun-seo asked.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m making up for what I couldn’t see during this time.”
“…Were you busy?”
“Something like that.”
It was impossible not to recall their previous heated exchange, but before they could untangle that knot of emotions, this incident had occurred, making things even more uncomfortable.
Shortly after, palace servants brought in the meal. Seeing that the bowls contained abalone porridge rather than rice, Yun-seo glanced at Hwi.
“I instructed them to prepare something easy to swallow, as you might not eat well.”
“…I am overwhelmed by your concern.”
“It’s not imperial favor, but a husband’s duty.”
At this embarrassing answer, Yun-seo found himself unconsciously checking the expression of the court attendant who was testing the food.
While waiting for the food inspection to end, Hwi picked up his chopsticks, took some side dish, and began chewing. Surprised by this sudden action, Yun-seo’s eyes widened, and then Hwi moved the same dish to Yun-seo’s plate.
“What if you eat before the food taster has finished?”
“This body is immune to most poisons, so it’s fine. You must be hungry, so you should eat something quickly.”
“…”
“So even if you hate me, it’s better not to use poison.”
There was a playful light in Hwi’s eyes as he wore a leisurely smile on his lips. But finding nothing amusing about it, Yun-seo’s face hardened.
“That’s a terrible joke.”
“Indeed. But it’s better than seeing you dispirited. If someone slanders you, make sure you respond just like that.”
“…”
“I heard you were quite fond of the criminal. You must be upset about how things turned out.”
Did that mean Hwi believed in him too? Though he hadn’t thought Hwi would doubt him, hearing something close to confirmation suddenly loosened the tight knot in his heart. As soon as the palace servant left, Yun-seo asked.
“Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”
“What should I ask?”
“That character was indeed written by me. But do you still believe me?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
