The Hated Male Concubine

by Usui Takumii

not mine, WUXIA WORLD. Beware BL.

5. 41 to 50

41

The tip of his finger stung for a moment, so Yihan thought something was wrong with Hwawoon's cheek. Surprised, he touched it again, and he realized that it was not his fingertip, but his chest that stung. He felt an unknown sensation coming from where he touched Hwawoon, circling his body by flowing through his vessels, and piercing him everywhere.

Hwawoon's cheeks seemed a little dry, but also soft. His small face seemed to fit into Yihan's hand. Amazed, Yihan got more cautious that he couldn't even stretch his hands. He was only touching Hwawoon's cheeks with his fingertips.

As he checked the cool temperature with his own hand, Yihan felt his heart shudder. When Hwawoon was in front of him in a submissive and calm manner, it was uncomfortable and unpleasant, but seeing him lying unconsciously was even more uncomfortable for him.

"Why are you being sick so proudly…?"

Unlike the content of the remark, the voice that flowed out at once seemed to be full of concerns. If he had pretended to be sick like before, he would have been angry and would not have been as upset as he was now, but on the other hand, he was relieved that Hwawoon did not treat himself with lies as before.

His mind was filled with contradictions. He thought Hwawoon should have told him if he wasn't unwell when they were together yesterday, but he also wondered what would change even if Hwawoon said that.

If Hwawoon had said he was ill at Suhwawon yesterday, Yihan would not have done anything particular for him. He would surely have pretended not to know, or not to believe. No, maybe he would have been angry, asking if he was trying to get his attention with such a lie again. Repeating his thoughts, Yihan suddenly wondered.

Wondering if Hwawoon was holding back his pain because he had guessed that as well.

"… ty…"

At that time, Hwawoon, who was lying so quietly that his breath couldn't be heard, opened his mouth with a slight movement. Yihan, who was still deep in thought while carefully touching Hwawoon's cheek, hurriedly withdrew his hand and sprang up from his seat.

"Your…"

Yihan stood up in panic, thinking that Hwawoon had woken up, but fortunately for Yihan, Hwawoon was still not awake and only opened his mouth as if he were talking in his sleep.

"Your Majesty…"

The moment he realized that the words that came out of Hwawoon's mouth were not anything else but calling for himself; the moment he realized that Hwawoon was only calling himself even in this situation, Yihan felt like his heart was being torn, and he unconsciously stepped back because he was pushed by the unknown emotion.

Yihan didn't know such greedless desperation. He had never had and never received it in his life. It was a completely different feeling from what Yeon Hwawoon had shown him in the past.

Even if one had gone through the crisis of death, was it possible for them to change like this?

Seeing Yeon Hwawoon tearfully groaning, looking for the emperor again, Yihan couldn't guess what to do. When he turned his back on him, trying to leave the room, Ahjin was coming in with medicine, and she knelt down hurriedly as she saw the emperor.

"Your Majesty…! Are you leaving now?"

"… Yeah."

"Pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty, but… but if you're here when His Highness Yeonbin wakes up… His Highness will be… he will be very happy…"

Ahjin said what she wanted to say, even though she was shivering under the emperor's majesty. It was a plea for her master, nothing else. She might get punished because a mere court lady dared to act rude to the emperor, but Ahjin was desperately hoping the Emperor would stay a bit longer next to her master, who endlessly longed for him.

Although her master did not look for the Emperor as openly as before after his change, Ahjin knew that her master was still deeply longing for the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at Ahjin on her knees and remained silent for a while. When Ahjin was struggling to breathe in under the pressure of silence, the Majesty Emperor said,

"I can make you leave Jeongan Palace if you want it."

Ahjin doubted her ears for a moment. It was so unexpected that she wasn't sure if she heard it correctly, but she didn't dare to ask the Emperor back, so she just kept her head down. The emperor then went on.

"I heard you've been by Yeonbin's side ever since he was in his parents' home. Therefore, I know that you suffer a lot of hardship from Yeonbin more than anyone else."

"…"

"I can make you not serve Yeonbin anymore. I will issue an imperial order so that Yeonbin can't harass you anymore."

"That, that is…"

"If you serve the Empress in her palace from now on, even if it's Yeonbin, he won't be able to do anything to you. What do you think?"

The emperor's voice was low and seemingly generous, but on the other hand, he seemed very nervous and stiff. Ahjin's eyes, which were shaking in confusion, suddenly turned to Yeonbin lying on the bed.

To get out of Jeongan Palace, to be free from Yeonbin. In fact, those were what Ahjin hoped for long in her life. She often thought of running away with her life at stake because she was tired of endless malice and contempt. However, now in this place, no one else but the Emperor was asking Ahjin; if she wanted him to save her from Yeon Hwawoon.

But as soon as she saw Hwawoon, who was lying unconsciously, Ahjin remembered the words of thanks he had given her. She remembered the friendly face of her master, who had said such incredible things that she should receive more precious treatment from him.

The warm eyes that looked at herself. The swaying eyes because he was moved by every word she said came like such a huge tidal wave and wrapped around Ahjin's heart. Ahjin, who had collected her breath, soon spoke to the emperor.

"Your Majesty… I'm not leaving His Highness."

"… I'm sure you know best that even if Yeonbin is pretending to change for the moment, he can change back to his temperament at any time and harass you."

"Yes, Your Majesty. How could I not know about that? But… But, Your Majesty…"

Yihan thought that anyone who was always with Yeonbin might know. No matter how great Yeonbin was in hiding his true nature in front of him, it was practically impossible to perform it perfectly all day long.

So Yihan thought that Ahjin, who always served him in the closest place, could prove it. That all of this was a lie. That this was no different from Yeonbin's more elaborate plan.

Yet Ahjin continued on, regardless of Yihan's expectation.

"Even if that is the case, I… I want to believe in His Highness one more time."

"…"

"Although it's only a short time, the eyes that His Highness showed to me, the heart and consideration he gave me—all of those—I can't dismiss them as lies."

Yihan then recalled the gaze, consideration, and concern Yeon Hwawoon had shown to him.

"I know it's hard to believe. I was the same. But Your Majesty, this humble person dares to ask you."

The appearances that Yeon Hwawoon constantly showed to him in silence despite Yihan disregarding and ridiculing him numerous times kept lingering in front of Yihan's eyes through Ahjin's voice.

"Please, just once… if you take a look at His Highness just once more, he will never… he will never let you down again, Your Majesty…"

Was it possible for a planned lie to make the one who deserved to not believe in Yeon Hwawoon the most beg the emperor so earnestly to believe in Hwawoon?

Turning his gaze once again, Yihan looked at Yeon Hwawoon, who was alone fighting against the pain, and said,

"Take care of your master."

"…"

"And… When Yeonbin wakes up, send someone to Anjeong Palace."

"… Pardon?… Ah! Yes, Your Majesty! I'll send someone right away!"

What's so great about that? Yihan looked down at Ahjin, who answered him numerous times with a bright face and bowed her head, then turned his body.

Young court ladies walking around the palace came into Yihan's eyes once he reached the front yard of Jeongan Palace. Unlike in the past, when they were always walking around with frightened expressions, curled up and hiding in fear of being caught in Yeonbin's eyes, they were just moving with a worried look on their faces.

A step by step. Yihan's feet walked the path in Jeongan Palace that changed from before.

Wondering if this was the start. Wondering if there would be something more unbelievable in the future.

Yihan's steps in Jeongan Palace were extremely heavy. This was a heavy story of his heart.

---

Late at night, Yeon Juwon suddenly felt stuffy in his chest. He went out to the yard and looked at the sky. The moonlight, which had been bright enough to shine all over the world the past few days, was covered by clouds and couldn't be seen today. Yeon Juwon thought that it seemed to be representing his mind. In fact, he had been in this condition since his last conversation with his wife, Sukjin.

There were many words among those who did not know why the current emperor had fewer concubines than his predecessors and why he still had no descendants, but Yeon Juwon was a person who knew the reason more accurately than anyone else.

The present emperor was born as the empress's primogeniture son and was a person who had earlier become the crown prince. Since he was very young, he had been so bright and clever that no other brothers could match him. He was also good-natured, that no one who served the crown prince had any doubt that he would become a noble monarch who will lead the nation high in the future.

But it was never easy for him to ascend the throne. The second prince, who was born from the concubine that was loved the most by the predecessor emperor, was actually aiming for the position of the emperor. On the outside, he pretended to be a younger brother who really cared and respected his brother, but on the back, with his mother, he planned to seduce other brothers to drive Yihan out of the crown prince's seat and take the emperor's seat.

To make matters worse, the health of the emperor, his father, suddenly deteriorated due to chronic disease. In the end, the current emperor, Sung Yihan, had to go through a tragedy where he eliminated his brothers, with whom he had grown up together, with his own hands to protect his position, family, and this nation.

The emperor pretended to forget about it now, but Yeon Juwon knew that he still had those days like a nightmare. The fact that he didn't look for the descendants from other concubines when the empress still had no child was clearly due to the scars left in the emperor's heart and the fear that such a tragedy might occur again.

"…"

A sigh fell through the stuffy night air as if it were full of fog. No matter how deep he exhaled, the stuffiness on his chest showed no signs of being eased.

When Hwawoon asked to make him enter the palace, when Hwawoon begged to help him enter the palace as the emperor's concubine instead of the youngest, Songwoon, Juwon could clearly predict what his son would go through when he entered the palace.

Hwawoon was born weak, and perhaps because of that, his character that grew arbitrarily throughout his growth couldn't be fixed. No matter how much his mother, Sukjin, and he alternately scolded him, it was useless. Therefore, it was already obvious how much he would be haughty in front of the emperor if such a child became an emperor's concubine, and as a father, it had to be prevented.

Yet despite that, he remembered the face of the young emperor, who swallowed tears as he sat in the seat of the emperor stained with the blood of his brothers, so he couldn't help but push Hwawoon's back. How cold-hearted of a father he was?

Yeon Juwon never regretted his decision that day to make his son a concubine with his own hands. He was a government official and a subject of the emperor, and he had pledged lifelong loyalty to him, so it was natural for him to put the emperor first above anything else in the world. Even if he went back to that time, Yeon Juwon would not reverse his decision that day.

Hence, it was right for him to bear not being able to sleep because of his bitter heart in such a deep night.

He recalled the face of his son, who went to the Imperial Palace with a smile because he could serve the Emperor. He wondered that as time went by, one day, would he be able to apologize to him as a father? Until the morning came, the night of a father, who could not sleep, was flowing like that.

"Has there still been no news from Jeongan Palace?"

Yihan, who had been silent for a long time looking at the reports, asked, rubbing his forehead with a very tired face. Eunuch Oh being worried, replied, bending down.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Not yet."

"Hmm…"

"Your Majesty, it's late now. How about you go to your room now? It should be fine for you to stop by Jeongan Palace again tomorrow morning."

It was not that Eunuch Oh didn't know Yihan's mind to wait until late at night, but from his perspective, nothing was more important than the safety of the emperor. He was the one who woke up early in the morning and started the day earlier than anyone else. Sleep that was delayed due to such concerns was bound to strain the body.

However, Yihan, the object of the worry, shook his head as if he was not concerned about it.

"What's the reason for him not waking up until now if there's no big problem with him? Are you sure that the palace doctor examined him properly?"

There was irritation in the emperor's face and voice. It wasn't because of the fatigue he felt. It was different from his annoyance toward his work. He was really completely heartbroken by the worry that came from the condition of Yeon Hwawoon not improving.

"His Highness Yeonbin is just asleep until he regains some of his diminished energy, so please not worry about it, Your Majesty."

"…"

"… Then, should I send someone to Jeongan Palace again?"

When asked by Eunuch Oh, Yihan lost in his thoughts by tapping the table with his fingertips like a habit. Yihan already realized that he was not in a normal condition now. He also knew that it was never good for an emperor to feel so anxious about one person.

The problem was that even though he knew, he couldn't help his feelings. In his life, it was rare for Yihan to not be able to control his emotions.

For Yihan, grasping the problem meant solving it soon. At some point in his life, when he thought he was doing something wrong, Yihan would quickly look back, so that he could make a proper judgment again.

But now, because of Yeon Hwawoon. Because of an existence that was nothing new, Yihan had not been able to grasp problems, answers, or anything properly and continued to spin around the same place. In Yihan's opinion, the only answer when this happens was to step away from him for a while, ignore him, control his mind, and cut off the buds of useless thoughts.

Soon, Yihan said.

"Send someone to Jeongan Palace to see his condition, and it doesn't matter how late it is, so tell them to inform me as soon as Yeonbin wakes up. If I'm already asleep, you must wake me up."

"…"

"Because when Yeonbin wakes up… I'll immediately go to Jeongan Palace."

"… Yes, Your Majesty. Your wish is my command."

So, what was the reason for him to take the wrong answer even when he already had the answer? Yihan tried to hide his complicated mind and closed his eyes.

More than any complicated thoughts, he just wanted Yeonbin to wake up now.

"Mmhhm…"

"…? Your Highness? Have you come to your senses…?!"

Ahjin, who was dozing off while crouching by Hwawoon's bed, woke up once she felt Hwawoon's movement and asked. Hwawoon, who had not been awake for a long time and had been burning the hearts of Ahjin and the courtiers of Jeongan Palace, finally opened his eyes.

"Ahjin…?"

"Yes, Your Highness! I am Ahjin! Do you recognize me…?"

When her name came out of Hwawoon's mouth, Ahjin's big eyes quickly filled with tears. Ahjin criticized Seoseo for crying so hard and asking negatively about Hwawoon's condition, but it seemed like she wanted to cry more than anyone else.

Blinking slowly a few more times, Hwawoon alternately looked at the scenery in the room and Ahjin. Soon, he met Ahjin's eyes and spoke in a powerless voice.

"Of course I do… How can I not recognize you…?"

"Your Highness… Are you feeling any pain?"

"I'm fine now… How long have I been lying down?"

In fact, Hwawoon was nauseated, and he was feeling a slight headache, but he couldn't say that he was not well in front of Ahjin, who was already sniffing.

"You've been lying down all day. It's early in the morning now…"

"Ah…"

"You don't know how surprised I was when you suddenly fainted."

Said Ahjin while hurriedly wiping away the sweat from Hwawoon's forehead with a soft towel. Feeling the deep worry in that touch and voice, Hwawoon smiled, pretending to be fine, and was about to apologize to Ahjin.

Ahjin, who had a somewhat lowered voice, talked first.

"Her Majesty the Empress visited you."

"Ah… I made Her Majesty worried for nothing."

"And…"

"…?"

"His Majesty too."

He was suddenly out of breath. Hwawoon, who had only blinked his eyes because he didn't understand the meaning even after hearing what she said, soon opened his mouth.

"His Majesty visited me…?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"To look at me…?"

"Yes. He came to look at you."

"… Was it not because he had other reasons? Are you sure he came to see me?"

---

Ahjin's expression looking at her master, who asked back several times as if he had heard an unbelievable story, turned into a complicated one. This was because the memories of her master being ignored by the emperor countless times in the past remained intact.

At the same time, Ahjin was reminded of the emperor asking if she wanted him to save her from Yeonbin. From the emperor's question, Ahjin could feel the emperor's complicated feelings toward her master. When she first heard it, she was so confused that she couldn't understand why His Majesty asked that all of a sudden, but as time passed, Ahjin could see what the emperor's question really meant.

The Emperor was confused. Just like she was confused when she faced her master's change at the start. Just like how she couldn't believe it. Just as she was afraid of opening her heart to Hwawoon without realizing it, the Emperor must have been the same.

Therefore, the Emperor was no different from asking Ahjin such a question.

Can I believe in your master? Yeonbin, the one I thought would never change. Is it really fine for me to follow my heart to believe in him?

"Your Highness…"

Ahjin wrapped her hand around Hwawoon's, who still couldn't believe it. Her heart was hurt so much because of her master's cold hand, but nevertheless, Ahjin kept smiling at this moment.

"It is true. His Majesty is worried about you…"

Even though he was pushed many times. Even though no one believed him easily. Even with all the ridicule and disregard for him in this imperial palace.

Her master strongly endured them, which led him to open her heart, open the hearts of the people of Jeongan Palace, and now he was reaching the emperor's heart.

"So now… it will be better, Your Highness."

Like I did, the day will come when His Majesty really believes in and cares for you.Ahjin was really sure of that.

"Your Majesty."

Eunuch Oh spoke in a barely audible voice toward the emperor, who was closing his eyes and sitting in his chair. Since the emperor ordered it, he didn't dare to not follow it, but inside he did not want to wake up the emperor, who had only been closing his eyes for a while.

However, the emperor woke up immediately to the voice of Eunuch Oh, which was so faint, as if he had not really fallen asleep. Even with a face full of fatigue, Yihan opened his mouth, showing no signs of blaming the eunuch.

"Go on…"

"… It is said that His Highness Yeonbin has come to his senses."

At the same time the eunuch finished his words, Yihan rose from his seat. Yihan's step, which seemed ready to run to Jeongan Palace, was blocked by Eunuch Oh.

"Your Majesty, although His Highness is said to have come to his senses, he is still unwell and according to Jeongan Palace, he lies down again right after taking the medicine, so why don't you take a rest and visit him tomorrow?"

Yihan, who stopped walking at the eunuch's words, asked after catching his breath for a moment.

"Did they say he fell asleep?"

"I don't know that much, but he probably fell asleep because of the medicine."

"Is that so…"

Yihan nodded but did not move his body or bring up anything else. He was lost in thought. Anyway, Yihan just wanted to know if Hwawoon woke up safely, and since he had heard the answer he wanted, there was no problem for him to feel at ease and go back. It really was.

Then, Yihan, who had been thinking for a while, said,

"I'm going to Jeongan Palace."

"…"

"Just for a moment… I have to at least see his sleeping face, so I can have any excuses later."

The emperor now made a false excuse that no one could find meaning like a habit. If he didn't do so, he thought it would be too strange and embarrassing for him to go to Jeongan Palace now and insist on seeing Yeon Hwawoon with his own eyes.

When actually that wasn't the reason.

When his intention wasn't such insincerity as in the past when he visited Yeon Hwawoon under the pretense of calming down his bad temper that would make a fuss, whining, asking him the reason for not visiting him when he was sick.

As Yihan himself and Eunuch Oh couldn't pretend to not hear the words he had said.

As Eunuch Oh realized that it was no longer possible for him to stop Yihan, he bowed.

"I'll accompany you, Your Majesty."

Even though it was late at night and early in the morning, the moon was still in the sky. The emperor was only walking toward that moonlight.

In the bedroom, where Hwawoon asked not to turn off all the lights, he was sitting alone leaning on the headrest. Ahjin and others had already left because they thought he had already fallen asleep.

Hwawoon was staring at the swaying candlelight. He wasn't thinking about anything in particular. After lying down all day without eating anything, it was difficult for him to think deeply with a body that had only taken gruel and medicine. He was only aware of himself being here as Yeon Hwawoon when actually he wasn't Yeon Hwawoon.

He thought it was inevitable. Didn't he suddenly enter this body one day? This was not something he desired for. In addition, he was silently accepting responsibility for past things that he didn't do, and he was trying to take responsibility for things that he was not responsible for. Hence, as Hawoon, he was just doing his best in the given situation. He wanted to think so.

However, whenever he did that, Hwawoon could hear a cry on one side of his heart. It was the cry of Yeon Hwawoon, who was crying sadly because no one recognized that he had lost his life.

Then, when Hwawoon closed his eyes tightly as his heart ached, he suddenly felt a presence from the door. Hwawoon, who hurriedly hid his dizzy expression because he thought Ahjin was coming to check on him, turned his head.

But it wasn't Ahjin who stood there. It was not any courtier of Jeongan Palace who came to check on Hwawoon out of concern. The one who was standing with the moonlight on their back, the one who was looking at him with deep eyes like the deep sea.

"… Your Majesty?"

He was Hwawoon's emperor.

"Don't move."

The emperor's heavy voice blocked Hwawoon from trying to pull back the blanket and rise up after being so surprised that he forgot to speak. Even though he thought in his head that he could not greet the Emperor while sitting, Hwawoon could not disobey the emperor's order that bound him with a single word.

The emperor walked slowly approaching Hwawoon who dared not move. It was a very cautious step as if he was walking on a risky path, but he did not hesitate. While Hwawoon was crumpling the innocent blanket with his dry fingertips, wondering if he should just get up and greet him, the emperor had come right in front of him and sat on the bed facing him.

As Hwawoon looked down at his fingertips awkwardly at the least unexpected encounter, the Emperor soon opened his mouth.

"Are you okay now?"

His voice was as soft as the wind in spring. It was different from the previous voice that he uttered sharply like ice in the middle of winter whenever they met. Hwawoon bowed his head, calming down his heart so that he wouldn't burst into sorrow at his gentle and soft voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for making you worry… annoyed with something trivial."

He was going to apologize for worrying him, but he changed his words. This was because he wondered if he could really cause the emperor to worry. Yihan's eyes shook for a moment when he heard that, but Hwawoon, who lowered his head, could not see that.

Silence roamed between the two again. Hwawoon thought that he should initiate the conversation this time, but he couldn't think of what to say because of his heavy physical condition and his mind that had been dizzy until just now.

At that time, along with the rustling sound of the clothes, Hwawoon could see one of the emperor's hands in his view moving up. Hwawoon's gaze followed the emperor's hand, and soon the emperor's hand, which seemed to hesitate for a while in the air, covered Hwawoon's forehead. The large palm covered not only the forehead but also Hwawoon's eyes, and Hwawoon, surprised by the sudden touch, breathed in a hurry. The emperor then said.

"There's no fever… but rather your body is cold."

"I-I am fi… Your Majesty, I… I am fine…"

He didn't know how many times he stuttered. The emperor's hand only touched his forehead, but Hwawoon's heart was beating so hard that his ears were ringing and he didn't even know what he was talking about. While Hwawoon was struggling to catch his breath in order not to gasp unsightly in front of the emperor, the emperor, who put down his hands that covered Hwawoon's forehead and eyes with a very slow movement, continued.

"I…"

The wind blew and the candles swayed. The calm light and shadow swaying with the candles embroider the emperor's face in chaos. And in a voice that sounded just as chaotic, the emperor said.

"I still don't know you…"

"…"

"No matter how much I think about it, I don't know…"

!Report Chapter

---

The emperor's voice was as fragile as a boy crouching alone for a long time in search of answers. The emperor continued while Hwawoon was looking emotionally at the emperor's face because he did not know what to say.

"You can never change. So all this is just a lie and deceit that you've always done. I think like that…"

"…"

"But when I look at you… You… you…"

The emperor, who hesitated many times, was choosing his word. He was trying to figure out how to explain this unfamiliar feeling he felt while looking at Hwawoon. Soon the emperor said again.

"Yeah, when I look at you… suddenly I feel like looking at another person who is completely different from you I knew of before."

The emperor, who was so nervous choosing his words, couldn't see Hwawoon's shoulders tensed at once.

"I wonder if it's because you lost your memory… You're clearly Yeon Hwawoon. You are Yeon Hwawoon who has not changed from head to toe."

"…"

"But when I look at you, I'm feeling dizzy because I feel like looking at a completely different person from Yeon Hwawoon."

It was different from changing after reflecting. It was subtly different from the normal trying to change after reflecting on the past. It was as if one day he suddenly became a completely different person. Thus, the current Hwawoon seemed to have become such a kind person from the moment of his birth.

The emperor still could not see whether such a thing was really possible, so the presence before his eyes was making him dizzy.

"Your Majesty…"

At that time, Hwawoon, who had been listening without saying anything, suddenly opened his mouth. It was unexpected to Hwawoon himself. As soon as he heard the emperor's words, he couldn't stop his voice from flowing. Feeling the emperor's gaze completely on him, Hwawoon said.

"If… in case that is really true…"

"…"

"If my near-death experience has made me a completely different person…"

He knew that was silly. Hwawoon also knew that all these situations were no less than a joke unless he made it clear that he was actually Hawoon. However, there was a small comfort that Hwawoon desperately wanted despite that.

"It's not that I've changed, just that I've become a different person."

One person who wouldn't mind his existence even if all the facts were revealed. Hwawoon wanted it so badly.

"Then, how will you… treat me, Your Majesty…?"

I don't care even if you're Hawoon. I won't blame you as this didn't happen because you want it. Hwawoon was actually hoping that anyone would say that to him.

The emperor, who was looking at Hwawoon's face, which seemed to shed tears at any moment, immediately opened his mouth.

"Take a rest now. I shouldn't have said that in front of a sick person."

However, the emperor's words weren't the answer or comfort that Hwawoon wanted.

Hwawoon felt it was rather him who said a very useless thing. He only bowed once with a heavy heart, saying, "yes, Your Majesty," and pulled the blanket he grasped over his chest.

In the meantime, the emperor reached out and withdrew his hand several times to Hwawoon, not knowing what he wanted to do, and eventually got up without doing anything. He turned his body with a hesitating movement slower than when he approached Hwawoon. After barely moving a few heavy steps, as if forcing himself to take a path he didn't want to go,

The emperor, who stopped with a shadow in front of him, said as he looked back at Hwawoon.

"… Don't go back."

At that moment, Hwawoon's sorrow, which had deepened like a well, stopped. Hwawoon, who looked at the emperor with trembling eyes, saw the emperor's face, which was still confused, difficult, and afraid, but continued to talk.

"If you've become a different person. If that's what happened."

"…"

"Then stay here as the current you."

I find the current you to be difficult, in fact, I'm afraid of you, and I'm still at a loss how to deal with you, but you stay here as you are now.

That word of his unknowingly saved Hwawoon's heart once again. Throughout the night, Hwawoon was able to fight off nightmares with that word in mind.

Yihan, who left Jeongan Palace as if he were running away after saying that, didn't know it.

"Your Highness, are you fine now?"

Seoseo, who naturally became in charge of the vase in the bedroom of Jeongan Palace, put the newly decorated vase on the table. She saw Hwawoon sitting on the bed, then sneaked up to him and sat on the floor.

The young court lady, who stood in front of Hwawoon with a lot of fear because she was pushed by the others that day, was now envied by other court ladies because she was favored by Hwawoon after Ahjin.

Looking at Seoseo making a face that seemed to drop tears at any moment, Hwawoon replied with a gentle smile.

"I'm really fine now. I've surprised you guys, haven't I?"

"You wouldn't know how worried we were because you didn't wake up…"

Usually, those who worked at the Imperial Palace should not easily show their feelings in front of their masters. However, the courtiers at Jeongan Palace were younger than those who worked elsewhere, so they easily showed their feelings on their faces. Although Hwawoon didn't have any siblings, when he faced courtiers like Seoseo, he smiled automatically as if they were his younger sister.

"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."

Then, as Hwawoon reached out his hand without realizing it and stroked Seoseo's round head as if soothing her, Seoseo, who had been whining like a child until then, blushed and gasped. Ahjin, who was watching the scene, shook her head as if it was out of her control.

"Your Highness, if you keep treating the girls like that, they'll get spoiled."

"Unnie. How can I act spoiled to His Highness?"

When Seoseo, whose both cheeks were red, refuted with a sulking look, Ahjin replied by pretending to hit Seoseo's forehead so that it wouldn't hurt.

"Look at you now. If sitting by His Highness's bed and whining like a child isn't a spoiled act, then what is it?"

"Tha-that… That is…"

Seoseo couldn't refute Ahjin anymore because what she said was true. As she only looked alternately between Ahjin and Hwawoon with a sad look, Hwawoon, who had been smiling while looking at their conversation, faintly laughed once and mediated them playfully.

"Stop it now. All of you in Jeongan Palace are my people, and I gave you guys my permission to act comfortably with me, so who can say anything about it?"

However, contrary to Hwawoon's intention, when his words were over, Ahjin and Seoseo stopped moving with a rather firm expression and looked at Hwawoon. As for Hwawoon, he read the room with a clueless look on his face in the sudden silence. Ahjin and Seoseo nodded their heads once as they exchanged glances with each other as if there was something only they knew.

What kind of higher people in the world would personally call a mere young court lady my people? Who else could call a court lady, who was not a great henchman or anything, but only knew how to put flowers in a vase for her master, without hesitatingly as my people?

It was unbelievable that the one who said that was the one who treated them as if they were just bugs not long ago. Even though they thought they had adapted to it now, when they suddenly realized the change of their master like this, it all felt like a dream. It was just as good as a summer night's dream that they never wanted to wake up from.

"Your Highness… We'll grow up quickly now…"

Said Seoseo, who at some point had already sat on her knees under the bed. Hwawoon looked confused—did not know why the atmosphere suddenly became like this when they were just laughing at each other. Yet, Seoseo's expression in front of him was so serious that he couldn't stop her. Seoseo then continued.

"Now, we are merely… children that are too young, lacking, and good for nothing, but…"

Not all the courtiers at Jeongan Palace completely believed in Hwawoon as Ahjin or Seoseo right now. They had already been harassed hard by Hwawoon, so it was certainly not easy for them to believe in Hwawoon's changed appearance overnight.

"But you treat us differently… care for us… and you've made efforts for us who are humble existences…"

Seoseo knew that even the girls, who had yet to completely believe in Hwawoon, were no longer walking around in fear and muting the sound of their footsteps as before. She also knew that they would not spend a night wetting their pillowcase with tears, fearing that they would be beaten for something ridiculous tomorrow ever again. It was happening to everyone in Jeongan Palace, just as what happened to herself.

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We'll grow up soon… We will become smarter and stronger people and protect you from now on…"

Listening to the determination filled with sincerity from a young court lady, Hwawoon began to ponder. The Emperor said it was okay for him to stay instead of going back, and the girls, who spent every day like in hell, were regaining their laughter again, so it was still okay even though he was wrapped in lies. Those were enough reasons for him to live a bit better while enduring the night of endless guilt struggles.

Hwawoon just nodded, looking alternately at Ahjin and Seoseo with an emotional face. Just as he had walked through his life doing things he could do even when he lost his parents and wandered the hard life as an orphan, he would walk through the life given to him now and in the future.

"Seems like you can't sleep well recently."

Said the Empress, glancing at Biyoung's face full of fatigue. She was drinking tea sitting next to Sukbi, Biyoung. Biyoung sighed heavily at the empress's words and replied.

"How can I sleep when in recent days, His Majesty been looking for Yeonbin every day?"

"The great Hyun Biyoung is jealous?"

Biyoung sent a side glance at the Empress, Jaran, when she heard the teasing. It was not an attitude that a concubine could show to the empress, but it was not a problem because Jaran had generously allowed it to Biyoung long ago. It was possible because Sukbi always acted politely toward the Empress in public. There were probably more things and feelings in the relationship between the two than what they shared with the emperor.

"Your Majesty, would I really not be able to sleep because I'm jealous of Yeonbin?"

"Then…?"

"… It's because I'm uneasy as I don't know what Yeonbin is planning…"

In the meantime, Jaran sent a signal as she glanced at Biyoung's tea that hadn't been sipped and had turned cold. Seon then carefully came closer and took Biyoung's cup, saying, "I'll prepare new tea because your tea has cooled down." However, Biyoung, who was not interested in the tea from the start, continued to talk to Jaran.

"Your Majesty… The reason why Yeonbin couldn't do anything about me even though he thought I was an eyesore was that His Majesty gave a lot of support to me."

"Mhmm…"

"I'm fine if Yeonbin is really changing because he reflected on the past, but if it's only a deceit… if he's hiding his knife for the right moment, making up a facade so that he gets His Majesty's love…"

Of course, Biyoung believed that their emperor would not be deceived by the whispers of one concubine and let the other concubines be harmed. She also knew that even if Yeonbin achieved the emperor's favor now, he could not do anything to her by believing in that power.

However, is there any law that says human affairs should go as expected?

They didn't know how the Emperor would change if he loved someone. This was because it was something they had never experienced before. Even though she was said to be the emperor's favorite concubine, Biyoung knew well that what she was receiving was not really a great favor, so she didn't know what the emperor could do for someone if he fell deeply into that person.

Thus, by any chance—even though she thought it would not happen—she could not easily predict how it would affect herself if the Emperor really favored Yeonbin. That was why, after she saw the change of Yeonbin, and when it became clear that the changed behavior was affecting the emperor, it was inevitable that Biyoung's night was uncomfortable.

"Biyoung."

The Empress called Biyoung's name with a low voice. Biyoung's gaze, which was looking down at the floor out of anxiety, naturally moved to the Empress. Jaran's eyes, which were unknown how deep they were, were looking straight at Biyoung. Biyoung was only staring at the Empress as she couldn't reply to her. The Empress slowly closed her eyes once and continued.

"What do you think an empress is?"

"… Pardon?"

"Don't tell me you think I can't protect you from Yeonbin?"

There was confidence in the voice of the empress that she would never be swayed by any wind. Biyoung sat there and felt that her heart, which was full of concern all night as she heard the Emperor visited the sick Yeonbin, was calming down.

"If you do your duty and don't make any mistake out of useless thought, who dares to touch you, His Majesty's Sukbi?"

At that moment, Biyoung recalled the image of the Empress she had seen when she first entered the palace. The young empress of that day, who had a dignity that could never be resisted despite having a small build and a gentle expression on her face, had become a giant tree that enveloped the heads of all the concubines.

"You're right, Your Majesty. I had a rash thought. Thank you, Empress, for enlightening me."

Biyoung, who unconsciously thought for a moment that she should not stay still and be attacked last morning, calmed down before the words of the empress. She remembered the young empress who said,"Let's help each other not just as His Majesty's woman, but as a loyal subject, let's make an internal court without domestic dissension that never happened before, to care for each other, for the sake of the country."Hence, Biyoung couldn't think of another thought.

"Excuse me, Your Highness…"

Ahjin suddenly called Hwawoon with a very careful voice after brushing his hair. Hwawoon was looking at himself in the mirror after finishing dressing up with Ahjin's help because he thought he would only make others worry if he kept looking sick. He answered, "yeah?" lightly and Ahjin continued to say to Hwawoon while still hesitating.

"Erm… So…"

"What makes you hesitate?"

"That… His Majesty kindly visited you yesterday… so, how about you send some snacks as gratitude to His Majesty…?"

Listening to Ahjin's words, Hwawoon let out a short interjection. It was also a problem that Hwawoon had been thinking about since this morning.

The Emperor visited Jeongan Palace twice for Hwawoon when he was only a little sick because of his weak body. In addition, the Empress also visited him. Now, he stayed in Jeongan Palace because the palace doctor told him to not feel the outside air yet, but it was proper for him to express his gratitude once he recovered enough to go out.

He didn't worry much about the Empress Palace. He just needed to give his gratitude as what he did in the morning greeting. However, it was different with the Emperor. Hwawoon wasn't sure if this could be a justification for him to visit the Emperor without his permission.

Still, he couldn't disregard the Emperor's grace, kindly visiting Jeongan Palace, so he was pondering what he should do, and Ahjin gave this idea.

"Since you can't go out yet, even if you can't say your gratitude directly, if you deliver snacks with sincerity to His Majesty's place, wouldn't he know how you feel, Your Highness?"

"Can I do that…?"

"Of course, Your Highness. I'm sure he'll like it!"

Ahjin nodded her head excitedly as Hwawoon showed signs of agonizing, not immediately refusing the idea. For Ahjin, who had seen the emperor's anguish, which Hwawoon couldn't see before, she was sure that the Emperor would be happy with this.

If it had been a few days ago, Hwawoon would have likely cut Ahjin's proposal at once. Like the last time, Ahjin gave the same idea.'What's the point of souring his mood by shamelessly sending snacks when he doesn't even want to see me?'Hwawoon would say that and didn't even think about it.

However, now Hwawoon was recalling the emperor he saw last night. Although it should not mean much, he came without ignoring him, who was sick. And for him, who was swayed by momentary emotions and spoke incomprehensible words, the Emperor once again calmed his nightmares with words that were most meaningful to Hwawoon.

So, even if it was nothing but a humble snack, Hwawoon wanted to express his gratitude to the Emperor even a little.

"Then, let's send it once…"

Soon after, Ahjin's face brightened at the voice of Hwawoon, who answered very carefully.It is very slow, but it is definitely moving on, so one day His Majesty and His Highness will get close as I wished for.Nowadays, Ahjin, who dreamed of such a day every night, ran to the kitchen as fast as the wind.

"As expected, it's kind of weird, right? I look like I have no pride, right?"

Jeongbin, Songhyun, couldn't sit down, and walked around like an impatient puppy. Jooah answered her question with a somewhat tired expression.

"Yes, Your Highness. How could you open your heart for a kind word when you've been harassed by Yeonbin so much?"

"That's right. I've heard a lot of harsh words from him all this time!"

"Yes. It's not enough to spray muddy water at Jeongan Palace."

"That's right. That's right."

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As Songhyun nodded eagerly and plopped back on the chair, Jooah finally drew a relieved expression for a moment. Then, Songhyun once again made a teary face with her very eyes. She looked up at Jooah and said,

"Should I at least send him tea that is good for the body…?"

Jooah shook her head with a firm expression.

"Your Highness. His Highness Yeonbin isn't your brother. You're acting like this because you haven't seen your brother for a long time, but if you send something to Jeongan Palace, it could lead to a problem for you."

"But Her Majesty visited Jeongan Palace…"

"It is because Her Majesty is the Empress. She has the responsibility to take care of the internal court."

"Hmm…"

Jooah wondered how on earth Yeonbin's expression of that day shook her master's heart—making the one who would hate to meet Yeonbin even in her sleep change this much.

In the first place, it was wise for someone like her master, who didn't have any skill to defeat Yeonbin whether with influence or words, to stay away from Yeonbin; because she wasn't the empress, who could do something about Yeonbin, wasn't Her Highness Sukbi, who didn't lose in term of family and personality to Yeonbin. Jooah once again engraved it in her mind and looked firmly at Songhyun, who was still sitting while grumbling.

"But, if Yeonbin is really changed like what everyone says… it won't harm to be close with him…"

Jooah couldn't stop her mouth from opening stupidly as she was really dumbfounded by Songhyun's words. Her master was really a spineless person.

"From Jeongan Palace?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. His Highness Yeonbin prepared the snack and sent it."

Yihan forcefully stuck his gaze from looking away as soon as he heard 'Jeongan Palace' to the letter he was holding. But then he moved his gaze slightly when he heard Yeonbin sent some snacks, looking at the things held by Eunuch Oh. There were appetizing rice cakes and snacks of various colors. Yihan turned back his gaze looking aside to the front and said,

"Hmph, trying to change my mind by sending those mere snacks? What a big dream."

He was exceptionally careful so there wouldn't be any other feelings noticed in his voice.

Yihan had all sorts of thoughts on his way back from Jeongan Palace last dawn. It was because he was embarrassed that he had visited Jeongan Palace twice after hearing the obvious 'sick' reason when it hadn't been long since he told Yeonbin to do his best and that he wouldn't get fooled.

There was more, however. If he thought about his answer to Yeonbin's question, which was influenced by the early dawn about becoming someone else or whatever it was, he wanted to hide his head under the pillow, not caring about his dignity or anything else.

Yihan then thought this all was caused by the dawn air, making him talk nonsense because he was tired. He had justified himself intensely like that, so there was no reason for him to pay attention to that mere snack.

Looking at the Emperor's side profile that showed his firm will to never look aside, Eunuch Oh said,

"Then… I will immediately send this back to Jeongan Palace, Your Majesty."

Yihan's hands holding the letter flinched. Eunuch Oh moved his body slightly.

"I will clearly let them know to never send this kind of snack ever again as you wish, Your Majesty."

Only after Eunuch Oh talked that far, did Yihan turn his head and looked at Eunuch Oh with a dumbfounded expression. Eunuch Oh bowed again and said,

"Or, should I just throw this out, Your Majesty?"

"You're really trying to play me with me now, huh?"

"How could this person dare to… That is not true, Your Majesty."

Yihan felt Eunuch Oh, whose hidden mind was hard to read as he had been living in this palace longer than the emperor, had become very sly recently. As though he didn't like that, Yihan narrowed his eyes, glaring at him, and said,

"Give me."

"…"

"We don't even know what kind of problem will happen if we send that back."

Like a habit, the emperor made an excuse that didn't work anymore and glared at the innocent snacks. Looking at that, Eunuch Oh smiled briefly, then unlike his usual self, he talked with a deep voice.

"Your Majesty. Don't you already know that His Highness Yeonbin wouldn't do that?"

"…"

"Even if you throw and step on this in front of His Highness Yeonbin, the current him will rather apologize for being unable to consider your feelings."

The moment he heard that Yihan could imagine Hwawoon who calmly kneeled in front of him. It was so vivid as if he watched it live. It was such a wonder how he had already gotten used to that image of Yeon Hwawoon when it hadn't been long since he changed.

Looking at the snacks which were obviously selected one by one with much care, Yihan slowly uttered out of his mouth the thoughts that filled his head at dawn when he could hardly sleep.

"Yes, that's the problem."

"…"

"The reason why I keep being bothered, aware, and paying attention without realizing it, is because I have yet to adapt with a person, who has never been quiet in his life to change this much overnight."

Yihan slowly reached out his hand and picked up a white rice cake with beautiful flower petals on it, glaring at it as if it were Yeon Hwawoon.

"I just need to get used to it. If I just accept and adapt with the changed Yeon Hwawoon, without thinking I'm being tricked or whatever it is, I'm sure my heart will stop running wildly like now."

He kept thinking of him as he tried to prove that he didn't change. How could his daily life not be full of Yeonbin when he always looked and paid attention to examine him in order to find out that his actions were false?

If only I accept it.

Yeah, Yeon Hwawoon changed. He reflected on his past and decided to be a new person. If I accept it.

"Then I won't be thinking about Yeonbin anytime anymore like now."

"…"

"Don't you agree?"

"… Yes. That'll happen, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Oh dared not to refute the emperor's words since the emperor, whom he worried about because he was unable to sleep until the bright day due to a lot of thoughts, concluded such an answer.

"Seriously, were you always tricked?"

Ahjin's steps as she headed to the kitchen stopped because of Seoseo's voice that sounded serious. She hushed her movements and stretched her head. When she looked inside, she could see the girls of Jeongan Palace gathered around Seoseo. One of the girls said,

"Did His Highness really say we're his people?"

"I've been telling you that. I clearly heard it with my ears and Ahjin Unnie heard it as well!"

"No way…"

Even after they asked many times, Seoseo answered without hesitation and even raised her voice. Because of that, the other girls exchanged glances and began to stir. These times, they had often seen or heard of the higher people, who treated their subordinates kindly in the imperial palace, but they had never heard of a master who openly called low-level court ladies, not their close court lady, their people.

"Well… A few days ago His Highness gave prescription charges and other things when Jeong's parents were sick. It hasn't been long since she came to Jeongan Palace."

"I heard from Ahjin Unnie that we should check to see if there's anything we need in our quarters before the heat wave comes."

In each of the whispering words, there were incredible stories about their master that they had experienced recently. No one in Jeongan Palace believed in Yeonbin when he gathered all the courtiers and promised that he would never harass them again like before. They were just afraid that their master would do another ridiculous thing again and harass them.

However, from then to this moment, Yeonbin had never wielded violence against courtiers as he promised. It wasn't only that. Even his words that they caught heard of were always as soft and friendly as the morning sun of spring, so they couldn't help but wonder if this person was really like the master who was so evil in the past.

Therefore, those, who at first were so reluctant to believe and acted cautiously, now had reached the point of wandering around Jeongan Palace for no reason, wondering when they could encounter their master.

Seoseo, who was staring at the noisy people with a triumphant expression for some reason, soon resumed.

"That's why we need to pull ourselves together. Do you understand? His highness cares so much about us now, so we too have to work harder for him."

Looking at Seoseo clenching her fists and making a solemn voice, the others' eyes began to shine. So far, not to mention in Jeongan Palace, they had suffered several times more from the eyes that sympathize with or laugh at them every time they went to the Department of Internal Affairs, or wherever else in the Imperial Palace. However, they felt they would be able to walk proudly from now on, so they were excited.

In addition, the Emperor even visited Jeongan Palace twice when their master fainted last time

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They wondered if a warm spring like the current season finally came to Jeongan Palace, which was often called the most splendid cold palace in the world. Therefore, the girls' hearts began to be filled with determination to work harder and serve their master better as Seoseo said.

"What are you doing here, not working?"

Ahjin, who had been listening to their conversation with a proud smile, played innocent and entered the kitchen. Seoseo turned back, smiling wide when she found Ahjin and then approached her.

"Ahjin Unnie! What brings you here? Is there anything His Highness needs?"

Ahjin, who managed to hold back her laughter as she looked at the eyes that excessively sparkled at the words 'anything His Highness needs,' said, pretending not to know.

"No, that's not it. His Highness is now on his way to give morning greetings to the Empress. I'm here to tell you to prepare his medicine so that he can take it as soon as he returns."

"Aha! Yes, of course! We will prepare the medicine that is not too hot or cold, so it can be taken immediately!"

When Seoseo, who stood at the forefront said that, the other court ladies agreed, "don't, worry, Unnie!" Somehow they seemed to be over-motivated, but it was never a bad change for the girls to do anything for their master.

It was a morning that eventually put a smile on Ahjin's face as she turned and left the kitchen.

"I said you don't need to force yourself to give the morning greetings…"

The Empress looked at the concubines who came to give their morning greetings and fixed her gaze on Yeonbin. Hwawoon, who wore a subtly purple-colored robe with a wide dark waistband, still had a pale complexion, but perhaps because of the clothes, he seemed more active than the other concubines. While sitting, Hwawoon lowered his back to the Empress and said,

"It's fine, Your Majesty. I'm really fine now thanks to your concern. Thank you for coming to Jeongan Palace and taking care of me."

"That's what I was supposed to do, so don't mind it. Rather, I've been indifferent to you all this whole time."

The Empress said that because just like what the Emperor did, she didn't even bat an eye when she heard Yeonbin was sick in the past. Hwawoon said, "you're not, Your Majesty," and then turned his head slightly. He bowed to Sukbi, who was looking at another place, and said,

"I was able to sleep deeply thanks to the scent Her Highness Sukbi sent me. Thank you."

"Her Highness Sukbi? She sent you a scent?"

It was Jeongbin, who was sitting next to Hwawoon and glancing at him, who responded to his words first. As everyone's eyes turned to her, Jeongbin, who was almost getting up from her seat, hurriedly closed her mouth and curled up, but she couldn't stop looking at Sukbi and Yeonbin alternately with a confused gaze.

I can't believe you sent a scent to Yeonbin behind my back when you suspected I was worried about Yeonbin!

Of course, Sukbi didn't tell Jeongbin that she wouldn't do anything, but Jeongbin had a subtle sense of betrayal, so her lips kept sticking out.

"That's nothing special. You don't need to be that thankful."

Seeing Sukbi answer Yeonbin with a very calm expression, when they used to be ready to kill each other whenever they met, Jeongbin sulked even more. She quickly turned her head and glared at Jooah behind her.

If only that girl didn't stop me, I would have gone to Jeongan Palace and kindly comforted Yeonbin.

Jeongbin thought she should never listen to Jooah anymore.

"Listen."

The emperor just finished the morning assembly and stopped his steps before he climbed up the palanquin. He spoke with a grave voice. Eunuch Oh immediately bowed, ready to hear out, and Yihan continued.

"If we run across Yeonbin on our way back…"

Today, the emperor once again ordered them to take the path that wasn't the shortest. The palanquin bearers obediently followed the order because they couldn't ask, even though they were curious about the reason the emperor kept giving such an order. However, Eunuch Oh, the only one who easily knew the reason, hid his expression and listened to the emperor.

"If by any chance I make a mistake and say 'stop,' never stop where Yeonbin is and keep going."

That was a very stupid order. Yihan knew it as well. Of course, Yihan thought that he would never give such a stupid order to stop in front of Yeonbin ever again. However, because there were many occasions of things related to Yeonbin recently that he did out of control, Yihan thought it wasn't bad to prepare a defensive measure.

"Do you understand? Even if I suddenly say stop like the last time, don't stop and head straight to Anjeong Palace. Keep that in mind."

"Understand, Your Majesty. We will follow your order."

If you're that worried, you just need to avoid the path that Yeonbin takes from the start.

Still, Eunuch Oh was always a loyal person to the emperor, so he didn't bring up the thing that the emperor pretended to not know.

"Yeonbin!"

Jeongbin stopped Yeonbin's steps from going back after finishing the morning greetings. When Yeonbin turned his head, he saw Jeongbin who was walking in a hurry as though she was running. He waited for her to approach him, but then he said,

"Take your time. You'll be in trouble if you fall down."

Hearing Yeonbin's voice that was so soft and imbued with worry, Jeongbin, Songhyun, forgot what she wanted to say and closed her mouth for a moment. When she was young, she often chased her brother with quick steps, and when she fell and burst into tears, her brother hugged and calmed her down with a soft voice. That voice of her brother once again overlapped against Yeonbin's voice.

Songhyun's brother was a good person who never treated Songhyun and his family servants rashly—like a person who was born affectionate. She couldn't understand why Yeonbin, whom she once thought was obviously born vicious, felt like her brother.

"Yes, I'll do that…"

However, even if she couldn't understand it, people's emotions were like waterways, so once they opened up and flowed in a certain direction, it was hard to block or reverse them.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?"

"Ah, that… erm, actually… actually I wanted to visit you too…!"

Jeongbin firmly ignored Jooah's gaze from behind and brought up what she wanted to say to Yeonbin throughout the morning greetings.

There was no need for her to make an excuse. Considering what kind of relationship the two had been in before, it was only natural that Songhyun did not visit him. However, strangely, Songhyun struggled to make excuses for not visiting him.

"I wanted to visit you… and send tea that is good for the body… but…"

Therefore, she talked, but when she started talking, she didn't have a suitable reason why she planned to visit but not do it. She couldn't say, 'I couldn't go because I was wary if you'd pick on me and harass me again.' In the end, Jooah, who couldn't see her master anymore, took a step forward. She bowed to Yeonbin and said,

"I'll tell you instead, Your Highness Yeonbin. My master was very worried and wanted to visit you when she heard about your condition. However, she worried that if she visited you suddenly, it would only annoy and make you uncomfortable, so she couldn't visit you."

"That's right! That's why I couldn't go! I thought I'd make you uncomfortable even if I only sent the tea…"

Songhyun, who hurriedly responded to Jooah's words, secretly raised her eyes and looked at Yeonbin's reaction. In Songhyun's eyes, Yeonbin, who had a surprised face for a while and then curved the tail of his eyes gently, smiling lightly, was vividly seen. Soon Yeonbin, Yeon Hwawoon, said.

"Is that so? It's fine. I've accepted your heart, Jeongbin. Thank you for worrying about me."

It was a sweet and kind voice as if to soothe a cute little sister. Songhyun, who eventually couldn't hold back, opened her mouth in a small voice.

"Then next time… Can I go to Jeongan Palace…?"

She heard the silent shock from Jooah on her side, but for Songhyun, the only important thing was Yeonbin's reaction. Hwawoon, who looked at Songhyun with a surprised expression for a moment, soon answered, still smiling.

"I'd be happier to see Jeongbin in Jeongan Palace."

After hearing the answer, a bright smile finally bloomed on Songhyun's face. She felt like she didn't care about Jooah's nagging she would hear later.

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In the distance, Yihan saw Hwawoon, who was walking without his palanquin again, then furrowed his brows at once. He couldn't understand why the person, who just suffered a while ago, was walking this path with his own feet.

"That's not my business."

However, today, Yihan was determined to be very indifferent and moved past Yeon Hwawoon calmly. He thought he wouldn't care whether Yeon Hwawoon walked with two feet or not, whether he got tired from walking or not, whether he was sick or not. Therefore, Yihan tried hard to turn back his eyes, which kept moving to one side, to the center, and leaned his back properly.

Today, he could see a narrow waist due to the wide waist strap. Yihan looked straight again.

How come purple, which could look tacky if it was worn wrong, looked so good from the back. Yihan looked straight again.

When Ahjin, who was walking next to him, said something, he turned his head and looked at Ahjin, then smiled brightly—making him wonder what kind of talk they had. Yihan quickly looked forward again.

In the meantime, Hwawoon, who felt the signs of a palanquin getting closer, looked back and found the emperor. He stepped back to one side of the road, bent his knees, and greeted him. Yihan's lips flinched for a moment.

Yihan had a lot to say if he stopped and got off the palanquin. Are you feeling better? Why are you walking without riding a palanquin when you are just getting better? What if you lie down in pain again, are you planning to make me worry? He felt like all kinds of trivial and childish words were exploding like fireworks in his head.

Therefore, Yihan shut his mouth tighter. As the palanquin began to pass by Hwawoon, he seemed to itch all over for some reason and a stuffy groan burst out from his throat, but he could endure this much because he was the emperor.

I just need to get used to him. Adding unnecessary disputes to draw out Yeon Hwawoon's past self is actually no different from getting played on Yeon Hwawoon's palm, so I can just look at him calmly, admit it, and pass by him like now. Then, things like thinking about Yeon Hwawoon all day will not happen.Those were all Yihan hoped for now.

Finally, Yihan, who did not order to stop, did not turn his head, and safely passed Yeon Hwawoon, opened his mouth.

"Oh Jinsung."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Take a look at Yeon Hwawoon now without getting noticed."

Eunuch Oh looked confused as he heard Yihan's sudden order, but he turned his head secretly as ordered and looked at Hwawoon, whom they had already passed by. When the eunuch turned his head again and looked ahead, Yihan, who leaned toward Eunuch Oh on the palanquin, whispered.

"How is Yeonbin's expression?"

"Is this about His Highness Yeonbin's expression…"

"Yes. He looks confused because I just pass by without looking at him, right?"

Listening to Yihan's voice that somehow sounded excited, Eunuch Oh finally looked like he understood. It seemed like he got himself in a very awkward situation. Yihan then asked again,

"He must be very confused. In his opinion, I would get off the palanquin and criticize him again, but I pretended to not see him and passed by. So, he must think something is wrong, right?"

Eunuch Oh's lips twitched. Yeonbin, whom he looked at, was only calmly waiting for the emperor's palanquin to move past him and then raised his body with a neat movement—showing no other emotion. However, even though Eunuch Oh was someone who had the thickest face due to his long palace life, it was hard for him to tell it to the emperor now.

"As expected, I was right. In the future, things will never go the way Yeonbin wants them to."

Suddenly, Yihan made a conclusion alone as if Eunuch Oh's answer was not important at all. Then, he looked forward again with a proud face.

What's the big deal about that? What was so hard about passing by Yeonbin once?

The emperor's face, which Eunuch Oh looked up at, was like a proud child who just got a big prize. Thus, he couldn't bring himself to say that Yeonbin didn't give any meaning to the emperor walking past him.

"His Majesty is just passing by today."

Ahjin said with a look of regret while supporting Hwawoon to get up after greeting the emperor by kneeling. Hwawoon looked at the emperor's palanquin that was moving away, and looked back at Ahjin with a light smile.

"His Majesty is a busy person. There's no need for him to stay if he doesn't have anything else to say."

"Erm, that's right…"

Ahjin knew that Hwawoon was right, but she felt regret because the Emperor rarely passed by her master nowadays. However, she thought that the fact she was feeling regret about this meant that the relationship between the emperor and her master had changed a lot. Feeling better again, Ahjin softly raised Hwawoon up and spoke lightly.

"Anyway, Your Highness. Aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine. My body feels lighter after walking, so I like it."

"Still, if you feel tired later, don't push yourself and tell me. Okay?"

"Okay, okay. I got you. So stop worrying now."

From Hwawoon's perspective, he chose to walk because he thought it would be a help for his body, but it seemed that Ahjin, who had been taking care of Yeonbin's body for a long time, was still worried.

The seasons gradually changed, and currently, the sun was strong enough to make the skin hot, but it was a moderately warm day before noon, so it was a very good day to walk. Hwawoon, who always had a cooler body temperature than others, felt better in the warm sunlight that gently wrapped his body, and walked on the way to Jeongan Palace with a subtle smile around his mouth.

Right at that moment, Ahjin read a very subtle surrounding atmosphere. As Hwawoon's complexion did not seem to get worse, Ahjin was able to look around with a little relief, but then she felt that the atmosphere around Hwawoon had changed somewhat.

At first, she couldn't immediately realize that. The reason was likely because it was a kind of atmosphere that Ahjin herself had not yet experienced. However, soon after, Ahjin realized the meaning of the unfamiliar gaze she was feeling.

The faces of the court ladies, who ran across Hwawoon and greeted him. The stealing glances. The whispering voices she couldn't hear completely.

All those were emotions towards Hwawoon that were different from the past. Whenever Hwawoon kindly accepted the greetings from people he ran across, whenever he looked at them without realizing he wore a smile, Ahjin could read the confusion and faint excitement on their faces.

In the past, Yeonbin boarded a palanquin, so everyone but Jeongan Palace courtiers was always busy bowing their heads whenever they met him. There was no chance for them to see His Highness Yeonbin, who was rumored to change completely, in front of their eyes. However, because Hwawoon walked at the same eye level, it was certain that they gradually felt the change of Yeonbin, who they wanted to avoid so badly.

It wasn't intentional, but Ahjin's back stood upright automatically. Her shoulders squared up, and the unbearable delight kept curving her lips. Whenever her master drew a smile, someone walking by couldn't take their eyes off and lost their minds.

I heard His Highness Yeonbin became a very different person, and I think that's true.

Ay, are you for real? How can that person's personality change that easily?

Well, I thought so, but I met His Highness Yeonbin today. He accepted my greeting while smiling softly. You see, he was just like a blinding beautiful gentleman.

I also met His Highness Yeonbin last time. He always wore an expression like a demon, so I never realized it, but he is so beautiful. My heart thumped and it got me in trouble.

Ahjin felt like she had already heard the voices of people whispering in the distance.

"Ahjin, why are you suddenly smiling like that?"

It seemed like she ended up completely showing a proud expression. Her master looked at her with a questioning look, and she felt her master was lovely—although Ahjin never thought she would use that word to her master. She looked at her master's face that could not be explained except with 'lovely' and said,

"I'm just… happy."

She always envied others who met good masters while she lived her long life serving Hwawoon. However, she got a strong feeling that soon, she might become the most envied court lady, so on the way returning to Jeongan Palace with Hwawoon, Ahjin couldn't stop her smile.

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My, I almost got in trouble."

"That's what I'm saying. If it had been His Highness Yeonbin from the past, you would get your face slapped and then dragged to be executed. Get your careless self fixed, please! You'll get in trouble for sure!"

Seocheon was guarding a gate to the inner palace. He suddenly flinched and turned his gaze when he heard the name that came out of two court ladies' lips, who were walking in the distance. The court lady, who had been walking with her hand wrapped in a blood-stained handkerchief as if she was wounded, nodded her head hard at her colleague's scolding and said,

"Okay, okay. I'll really be more careful from now on. But, will His Highness Yeonbin just forgive me like this? He won't call me later and scold me more, right?"

"I believe he won't. I heard it from the girls working in Jeongan Palace, His Highness never hit them ever since he drowned. For real."

Perhaps in the past, she would never have believed it. She would likely have thought that Yeonbin purposely spread false rumors by using the children of Jeongan Palace. However, instead of doubting what she heard, the court lady looked at the handkerchief wrapped in her hand.

It was His Highness Yeonbin's handkerchief that he put in her hand. A while ago, while carrying a bowl containing medicinal herbs obtained from the palace physician clinic, she almost bumped into Yeonbin coming out of the door and dropped the bowl. As a result, broken pieces of glass splattered at His Highness's feet.

As soon as she realized that the person standing in front of her was His Highness Yeonbin, the court lady, who was scared because she thought she was dead, just repeatedly shouted sorry and bowed down in a hurry to pick up the glass pieces before Yeonbin's feet.

She could feel sharp fragments of glass cutting off her palm, but the court lady was scared enough to not even feel such pain. The one who raised her and took care of her wound was His Highness Yeonbin, whom she thought would punish her immediately.

Without even caring about his hands and clothes getting dirty, Yeonbin carefully examined the wound in her hands with a serious expression. He stopped the bleeding with his precious handkerchief and even scolded her for touching the dangerous glass shards carelessly. His frowning expression seemed like he was genuinely upset about the wounds of the court lady. The two court ladies in front of him forgot to say sorry and just stared at Yeonbin's face blankly.

Therefore, they couldn't help but believe the words that they couldn't believe before.

"Come to think of it, I think His Highness Yeonbin's face also has completely changed. Don't you think so?"

"You feel it too? Tell me about it! I don't know how to explain it, but… well… he looks the same, but strangely, it feels like looking at another person…"

"Let me ask something, Ladies."

The court ladies, who were thinking of Yeonbin's beautiful appearance as if they were possessed by something, were suddenly surprised by the voice coming from the side. They turned their eyes away and then blushed when they checked the person talking to them.

"Guard Seocheon…?"

"What brings you, Guard Seocheon…"

The faces slightly looking down with smiles were full of excitement that could not be hidden. The guard Seocheon was by far the most notable handsome man of the many guards. Although he was from the lowest class, there were not one or two court ladies who wanted to talk to him because of his more handsome appearance than any noble family's children.

In addition, he was silent and serious, and there was a side of him that made people melt, but Seocheon talked to them first. The two court ladies almost wondered if this was a dream because of that.

Despite such a response, Seocheon continued.

"I didn't mean to overhear, but I happened to hear the conversation you shared. Is it true that handkerchief was from His Highness Yeonbin?"

"Sorry? Ah, yes, yes. When I hurt my hand by mistake, His Highness wrapped it around my hand."

"I see… Thank you for answering such a trivial question."

"It's nothing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!"

They personally wanted to chat with Seocheon here for hours, but they had spent too much time. In addition, they damaged the medicine for the palace, so it was hard to think about taking responsibility for it and getting scolded. Seocheon's expression subsided deeply as the court ladies hurriedly left while feeling regret.

Only then did a colleague who was guarding the other side speak to Seocheon.

"Why did you ask that all of a sudden?"

He got curious as the one, who had never been interested in other people's affairs, suddenly talked to court ladies first and asked them about something trivial. However, Seocheon shook his head at his question and left only a short answer, saying, "nothing," and looking at the path the court ladies had already passed.

After coming to the palace, Seocheon without a doubt also had heard about how vicious and evil Yeonbin was. There were countless unexpected reasons why he punished and hit his subordinates. Hence, there must have been a few who were scolded for breaking the bowl in front of Yeonbin.

If he didn't hear in person that Yeonbin forgave the court lady, who made the mistake and even stopped the wound by putting on his precious handkerchief, he wouldn't believe it.

Seocheon had already heard that Yeonbin changed after having a near-death experience. However, he laughed it off and didn't believe it every time he heard the story. Yet, whether he believed it or not, it seemed clear that Yeonbin's reputation in the palace was changing day by day.

The face of the kindest person Seocheon had met in his life lingered over his eyes for a moment. Hawoon was a man who never ignored any of the small wounds of those who stayed with him in the official residence. Hawoon regretted himself for rarely talking and was insensitive because he had been alone for too long without a family, but Hawoon, who Seocheon watched from the side, was more sensitive and friendly than anyone else.

Hence, he wondered if the reason he suddenly thought about Hawoon when he heard about Yeonbin at this moment was simply that Hawoon's death was related to Yeonbin.

Seocheon's eyes, which embraced the weight of emotions that could not be resolved, sank deeply.

Officer Wi swallowed his dry saliva at the emperor's reaction of looking only at the documents without pretending to look at the nameplates he was presenting. It had been a long time since the emperor had visited the concubines. Originally, it was not surprising that the emperor rarely shared a bed without any particular reason, or because he had a lot to care about as much as he did these days. However, as the general officer of Gyeongsa-bang, it was inevitable for him to worry about the emperor not visiting his concubines for too long.

But the emperor, who did not care about the officer's mind, sent back all the concubines' nameplates by swinging his hands once. Officer Wi then sent a subtle glance to Eunuch Oh, asking for help. However, Eunuch Oh, who usually added some words and guided the emperor to at least go to the Empress Palace, shook his head for some reason, refusing the officer's gaze.

"Then, I'll take my leave, Your Majesty."

Eventually, Officer Wi, who lost his hope, looked sullen and decided to leave, slowly stepping back. Suddenly, the emperor raised his head and looked at the officer, and he opened his mouth.

"Wait."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Officer Wi unknowingly answered with a high voice, wondering if the emperor would finally flip over a nameplate. However, even after calling the officer, the emperor looked into the air for a moment without saying a word, immersed in his thoughts, and said,

"From now on… put back Yeonbin's nameplate."

"Yes… Pardon?"

Officer Wi, who habitually bowed and answered the emperor's words, belatedly raised his head with a foolish face and asked back. The emperor, Yihan, who looked embarrassed after saying it even though he didn't need to, unconsciously frowned when Officer Wi tactlessly asked back.

"Go back now."

"Ah… Ah, yes! Yes, understood, Your Majesty!"

Only after Eunuch Oh addressed him, did Officer Wi realize he had just been foolish. He bowed again and hastily moved his stopped steps out of the Great Hall. Once he escaped from the emperor's gaze, a sigh of relief flowed out. After exhaling for a long time, Officer Wi turned his head and looked where His Majesty was.

"He said His Highness Yeonbin's nameplate would soon be used…"

When he listened to Eunuch Oh's advice last time, he couldn't believe it, so he thought the eunuch was wrong this time. However, not long after that, Officer Wi was just dumbfounded after hearing the emperor's order.

"What's going on that it becomes like this…"

The officer thought what if the emperor would really flip over Yeonbin's nameplate next time. He then got goosebumps for no reason and quickly left after shrugging his shoulders once. The matters in the Imperial Palace were really unpredictable.

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I saw Yeon Juwon's face was so sour in today's meeting."

Yihan suddenly opened his mouth inside the Great Hall, which was quiet after Officer Wi left. There were only Yihan and Eunuch Oh inside, so without a doubt, that was directed to Eunuch Oh. Yihan continued on before the eunuch could give any reply.

"Even if he doesn't show it, he can't help but care about his son. That's why I ordered his nameplate to be put back."

"I see."

"I won't flip over Yeonbin's nameplate, but I'm embarrassed to see his father's face."

"Your grace for Lord Yeon is boundless, Your Majesty."

Yihan's gaze finally turned to Eunuch Oh. These days, strangely, the more Eunuch Oh responded to him, the more Yihan's mood turned bad. However, it was only his feelings, so there was nothing he could say about it. Yihan tried hard to press down his dissatisfied expression and said again,

"Well, speaking of…"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"… Is there no news from Jeongan Palace?"

The stealthy voice was timid and subtle, not clear. Eunuch Oh, who kept getting it hard to manage his expression in front of the emperor, bit his lips once and said, swallowing a laugh that was about to burst out.

"There's no news in particular. Is there anything you are curious about?"

"No. What is it for me to be curious about?"

Roughly glossing over his words, Yihan once again recalled Hwawoon's figure, which he passed by today. He didn't even look sideways when he passed by Hwawoon just in case he might make eye contact, but it was a pity that he couldn't guess what kind of expression Hwawoon was making at that time. Even after passing by, he only told Eunuch Oh to look at him, but he couldn't check it himself.

Yihan once again talked to Eunuch Oh.

"Did I scare him because I ignored him too harshly?"

Eunuch Oh, who looked at Yeonbin's reaction alone, couldn't answer the emperor's remark.

"In your opinion, Yeonbin's expression was really wounded, right? So, isn't it possible that he couldn't even send some snacks?"

Eunuch Oh really couldn't say anything.

The rumor that the Emperor ordered Yeonbin's nameplate to be put back again spread to the entire palace as soon as the sun rose the next day. Most of the opinions were that he could not help but think about Lord Yeon's face, but since everyone in the palace had already heard about Yeonbin, who changed recently, the opinion that His Majesty really forgave Yeonbin was also gaining credence.

In addition, the emperor took a stroll in Suhwawon with Yeonbin, and his visit to Jeongan Palace when Yeonbin was sick had already spread through many people's mouths. Thus, it added weight to the opinion that the Emperor changed his mind after seeing Yeonbin's changed appearance.

The Department of Internal Affairs was responding more quickly to the new news than anyone else. It was natural because the Department of Internal Affairs had to be sensitive to changes in the atmosphere and subtle flow of the internal court due to the nature of their work.

The status of the concubines was not just determined by their rank, nor just estimated based on their families. The emperor's favor was the most important, but it could not be determined with only that. The position of the general officer in charge of the Department of Internal Affairs looked insignificant on the surface, but underneath, it was a position that must closely read the flows.

For that very reason, Officer Jung, the general officer of the Department of Internal Affairs, had been heading directly to the Tailoring Bureau since the morning.

"Lord Jung, what brings you here at this time?"

Lady Lee from the Tailoring Bureau welcomed Officer Jung, pretending to be happy. However, Officer Jung roughly accepted her greeting as if he had no time to exchange a trivial hello and asked,

"How is it going with His Highness Yeonbin's clothes?"

"It's still being embroidered."

"Are you saying it's not finished yet?"

Lady Lee answered with a curious expression when Officer Jung, who never cared about His Highness Yeonbin's clothes, suddenly asked. And when Officer Jung asked back with a serious attitude, she got confused and only blinked her eyes.

His Highness Yeonbin looked for the attire for male concubines, which he practically never wore before. For some time, the clothes for male concubines were never sent to Jeongan Palace, so there was a request to make some new clothes. From the Tailoring Bureau's perspective, they had to throw away the clothes for Jeongan Palace they were working on and make new ones, so it was inevitable that more time would be needed.

Jeongan Palace took into consideration the Tailoring Bureau's situation and told them to take their time. However, there was a possibility that a commotion could happen in the Tailoring Bureau if they just believed those words, so they were doing their best to work faster.

"I believe you also know it was a sudden request. So why do you suddenly become impatient like this?"

It wasn't the first time for the Department of Internal Affairs to have a say about the Tailoring Bureau's working pace, but it was hardly rare for Officer Jung to personally take care and demand items for Jeongan Palace. As Lady Lee asked, Officer Jung lowered his back a bit, leaning his head to Lady Lee's ear, and whispered.

"I heard His Majesty ordered His Highness Yeonbin's nameplate to be put back."

"His Highness's nameplate…?"

"That's right. But that's not all. He also often goes to Jeongan Palace nowadays… it seems there are some changes in his heart."

"Ay, no way. I did hear some rumors, but… even if His Highness Yeonbin has changed, things he did in the past still exist, so would His Majesty change his heart?"

Actually, Lady Lee wasn't wrong. It wasn't known how long it would last, but the fact that Yeonbin changed had been proved by Jeongan Palace's courtiers and people who ran across Yeonbin. However, even if she believed it, the emperor's feeling for Yeonbin was a different case. In fact, some days ago, the emperor went to Jeongan Palace and scolded Yeonbin.

In addition, Yeonbin was backed by Lord Yeon, so it was likely that this time, the emperor forgave him because of Lord Yeon.

"No… I don't think it is that simple."

Officer Jung went on, shaking his head with a significant expression like a man who alone had noticed something big.

"My instinct as the holder of the Department of Internal Affairs' general officer warns me about that."

When Yeonbin was ignored by the emperor, the Department of Internal Affairs never completely dismissed Jeongan Palace. In any case, Yeonbin's father, Lord Yeon, was a meritorious retainer, who got the emperor's absolute trust. So, even if Yeonbin was a troublesome concubine, his family was not to be ignored.

In addition, the current Empress did not allow the Department of Internal Affairs to openly discriminate against each palace by assessing the emperor's favor, so the Department of Internal Affairs was still doing the necessary amount of favor for Jeongan Palace. However, Officer Jung got a hunch that now was the time to escape that 'necessary amount'.

"You better listen to me. Is there anyone else but me who can read the situation in the internal court better?"

"Well, that's right…"

"So, hurry up in preparing His Highness Yeonbin's clothes and send them. I'll be waiting."

Lady Lee watched Officer Jung, who left after saying that, silently, then she turned back and said,

"How is the progress with His Highness Yeonbin's clothes?!"

As he said, no one would understand the atmosphere of the internal court better than Officer Jung in this palace, so there would be no harm in listening to him.

"Aren't my lips too red"

Hwawoon, who had been looking at himself reflected in the mirror with an uncomfortable expression, eventually couldn't hold back and asked. Ahjin, who was sticking a small flower decoration on his hair which was raised with a white jade guan, quickly answered with a wry look.

"Your Highness. The color of your clothes is so simple, and you don't have much hair decoration either, so you need to make your lips bright. You don't want His Majesty to worry about your complexion, right?"

"Well, that's true, but I don't think it needs to be this red…"

"It looks red because you keep paying attention, but compared to other people, it's paler. Don't worry, Your Highness. You are very beautiful now."

Ahjin, who finally finished decorating as she wanted, took a step back to check her master's appearance and drooled without realizing it. Hair that was put up with a white jade guan, a pale bluish garment that was close to white, and a neat decoration with bright beads on his waist. She was certain that if there was a god she met in a lake in the deep mountains, it would look like her master.

Before this change, Yeonbin was not only colorful in terms of decoration, but also the expression in front of the emperor. Of course, it wasn't that he wasn't beautiful at that time, but her master as of now was neat in everything and even his eyes looking down were elegant. His atmosphere was extraordinary.

These days, there were rumors that there were more than one or two court ladies secretly having a crush on the appearance of Yeonbin, who was like a gentleman with great beauty, and Ahjin loved the appearance of her master now.

"I just need to be clean and neat. What's the use of going this far…"

"Your Highness, what are you saying? You're not going to meet anyone else, but His Majesty. Of course, you need to pay special attention."

Ahjin said in an excited voice, but Hwawoon looked nervous again when he heard that he was on his way to see His Majesty.

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