***
‘…To Yeongha-dang.’
Though Seollan’s eyebrows twitched for an instant at Jeong Hae-yeon’s legitimate excuse, she didn’t bother adding anything.
The next day, and the day after that.
Repeated over and over, until around the time the bruise etched by teeth faded — Seollan hinted that Hui-seo’s etiquette had improved by leaps and bounds, so there’d be no more need for someone to stand beside him to shift blame onto.
Only then did his blocked breath release. His appetite returned, and he could eat all the snacks Hae-yeon sent through Sae-yeong, and even laugh now and then.
As he spent such days, a summons came from the Emperor.
“Does it suit your taste?”
With an invitation to have dinner together.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Though he said that, before his eyes were the imperial couple, and to the side, the Crown Prince and Jeong Hae-yeon all seated.
He had no leisure to even feel whether the food was going into his mouth or his nose, whether what he ate tasted sweet or bitter.
“Every dish is a delicacy; my mouth is enjoying luxury, Your Majesty.”
Unlike him, Jeong Hae-yeon looked relaxed throughout, not trembling at all.
“I told the royal kitchen to take special care. I’m glad to hear it suits both Yangje and Seunghwi.”
The Emperor seemed gentle, making Hui-seo’s tension on the way here feel pointless.
The crease of his eyes when he smiled resembled the Crown Prince’s a little. Hui-seo stealthily compared the Crown Prince and the Emperor, whom he was seeing for the first time in days, noting the resemblance.
“Though we’ll meet on my birthday, I wanted to see you in a private setting first.”
Then his eyes met the Emperor’s, and Hui-seo quickly lowered his gaze.
“Yangje, you’ve been coming to the palace since you were young to see the Empress, so we’ve met now and then when the timing worked. But today is the first time seeing Seunghwi, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Yet you feel like an old acquaintance. Perhaps because you resemble Woo Munhak.”
“I hear that often.”
It was a common remark among those who knew Hui-won, nothing new — yet it suddenly made him think of him.
Was he doing well?
It had barely been half a month since entering the palace, yet he missed him. Probably because, unlike before, there was no telling when he’d see him again —
— because there was no telling when he’d see him again.
“I asked to see you because you’re the first concubines the Crown Prince has taken. I wanted to see you in a private setting.”
But it wasn’t an emotion to show, so Hui-seo forced himself to ignore his longing.
“It would have been nice if Yul were here too.”
“Your Majesty’s birthday banquet is in a month; however unfilial, surely he’ll come to pay respects. But who does Yul take after, being so dissolute? Your Majesty.”
More than the Empress’s grumbling — that she’d forgotten her second son’s face — what reached Hui-seo’s ears first was the news that the Emperor’s birthday banquet would be held in a month.
A birthday banquet meant all the civil and military officials would gather for a feast — so maybe he could see his brother from afar.
Their seats would differ, so they couldn’t exchange warm greetings, but at least he could confirm his brother was well and show that he was well too.
A smile unconsciously pooled on his pale cheeks.
“You look pleased, my dear.”
The Crown Prince, who’d been eating quietly throughout the dinner led by the Emperor, spoke lightly. His words rippled like a pebble thrown on calm water.
The Emperor and Empress, who’d been talking, and even Jeong Hae-yeon, who’d been listening quietly — all attention focused on the Crown Prince.
“…Ah.”
Hui-seo swallowed dryly.
“With Your Majesty’s birthday approaching, how could I, as one of Your Majesty’s people, not be glad? Without realizing….”
“Ha ha!”
At his hastily produced wit, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“Seunghwi can even utter smooth flattery, unexpectedly. In that you’re unlike your brother — praiseworthy.”
“I’m overwhelmed….”
Fortunately, the Emperor seemed in good spirits. The Crown Prince, who’d been watching the inwardly relieved Hui-seo, pursed his lips.
Really?
Not because you can see your brother?
Reading each slowly moving lip-shape one by one, Hui-seo’s eyes went round at having his inner thoughts seen through completely.
How did he know?
Could the Crown Prince truly read minds? The suspicion he’d once suppressed bloomed again.
How did you know?
Like the Crown Prince, he moved his mouth silently, then suddenly noticed the hushed table.
The Emperor smiled pleasantly, looking back and forth between the two, while the Empress was smiling but her lips trembled.
If the Emperor hadn’t been there, sharp words would surely have flown.
“…I have dared to be rude before Your Majesty. Forgive me.”
Hui-seo quickly lowered his head.
“No, no. I knew it already, but you two are close.”
The Emperor, looking at the Crown Prince rather than Hui-seo, seemed filled with new emotion.
“As Father says, it’s not a private occasion.”
Unlike the flustered Hui-seo, the Crown Prince was unwaveringly composed.
“And lately, Seunghwi gets along better with Yangje than with me, I think.”
“Is that so? The two of them seem to get along well lately.”
The Crown Prince smiled, looking back and forth between Hui-seo and Jeong Hae-yeon.
“Aren’t they each other’s only companion? Moreover, as the senior, looking after Seunghwi, who’s still unfamiliar with palace life, is duly my duty.”
Jeong Hae-yeon’s gaze also turned to Hui-seo.
“Yangje is very attentive.”
“No, Your Majesty. I merely did my duty.”
“”Family harmony brings success in all things — that’s not just a saying for commoners. With Yangje so generous, the concubines harmonious without quarrels, and the inner palace quiet, that is my Crown Prince’s fortune. Isn’t that right, Empress?”
“Your Majesty’s words are truly just.”
Since it was no different from praising Jeong Hae-yeon, the Empress had no reason not to agree. She looked at Jeong Hae-yeon.
“The Empress agrees, doesn’t she.”
“Yes.”
Uh…. Hui-seo blinked.
“I will always keep it in mind.”
The Crown Prince was as usual. Flawless, perfect. But having glimpsed some crack just now, Hui-seo couldn’t easily tear his gaze from him.
“And however well Seunghwi gets along with Yangje, how could it compare to the affection he feels for the Crown Prince? Even now, Seunghwi’s gaze never leaves the Crown Prince.”
His longing toward the Crown Prince was quickly caught by the Emperor.
“Th-that’s not….”
“Nothing to be ashamed of; no need to be so shy, Seunghwi.”
The Emperor burst into laughter again. Was he the only one who’d felt a moment of discord from the Crown Prince?
No one was watching the Crown Prince. Not even the Crown Prince himself.
“Father. At this rate, Seunghwi’s face will burst.”
“Oh my, that won’t do. Come to think of it, everyone’s spoons have stopped because of me. In my excitement, I’ve talked too much. Empress, eat up. You too, Crown Prince, all of you.”
At the Emperor’s gesture, he picked up his spoon first. Only then did everyone pick up their spoons again.
Hui-seo barely dragged back his gaze, which kept turning toward the Crown Prince.
After the evening meal, a dessert table was brought in, but the Emperor’s burst cough showed no sign of stopping, so they had to leave Geonwon Palace without filling even a moment.
Since the Empress stayed to look after the Emperor, only three departed. Following the Crown Prince down the corridor and descending to the main hall, palace servants stood in rows.
Hui-seo first signaled Sae-yeong to go ahead, then met eyes with Won Tae-gam beside her and nodded gladly. Won Tae-gam reflexively nodded back.
“You’re quite kind to your subordinates.”
The Crown Prince, walking ahead, couldn’t have missed the exchange.
“I was just glad to see him….”
“Surely you’re not reproaching me for not visiting Cheongu-dang for a few days?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
Hui-seo quickly denied it. With Jeong Hae-yeon right beside them, it was embarrassing, and somehow shameful.
“Showing generosity to subordinates can’t hurt, can it.”
Rather, Jeong Hae-yeon interjected with an unbothered face.
“Ah. So that’s why Yangje looks after Seunghwi so carefully.”
But the Crown Prince seemed to have no intention of exchanging words with Jeong Hae-yeon, putting a period on it. Then he lowered his gaze to Hui-seo.
“If I’m to avoid watching your mood, I suppose I’ll have to head to Cheongu-dang today.”
“…Your Highness, when did I ever….”
His voice, raised at its peak, lowered again as he realized they were still in Geonwon Palace’s courtyard with Jeong Hae-yeon beside them, then scattered on the breeze.
“Shall we go.”
The Crown Prince, smiling faintly, rubbed Hui-seo’s cheek once before turning away.
Hui-seo rubbed the cheek his touch had graced. The heat wouldn’t easily fade.
“Hui-seo, we should go, right?”
Since he couldn’t bring himself to move, the Crown Prince urged him on. Only then did he greet Jeong Hae-yeon with a helpless face and follow after him. His back felt notably quiet leaving Hae-yeon behind, but Hui-seo still couldn’t tear his attention from his heated cheek.
His hand had felt hotter than usual, hadn’t it.
“No, not just his hand….”
Though no one was listening, he was too embarrassed to finish, but the worry on Hui-seo’s face wouldn’t easily lift.
Was it because his own body temperature ran cool? No — his body being cold wasn’t a one- or two-day affair, so that couldn’t be the only reason.
“Mm…. fine.””
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