Chapter 30 Side Story 2: Between Duty and Devotion

Seo-cheon’s eyes, which Eunuch Oh could not see, flared for a moment like an inferno. Only Seo-cheon truly knew the “real” reason the Emperor treated him with such extraordinary distinction. Inside this Imperial Palace, Seo-cheon’s life was not his own, nor was his position meant for his own benefit.

Clutching the reality that his life was strictly an arrangement made for the sake of one person, Seo-cheon reflected on his own past complacency.

“…Fine. I’m sick of looking at you, so get out.”

As if sensing that Seo-cheon’s mindset had shifted, Ihan waved his hand dismissively with a lighter expression, sending him away.

“I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.”

Once Seo-cheon had departed, leaving Ihan alone with Eunuch Oh, the Emperor habitually pursed his lips and began to grumble.

“I really ought to pick a day and kick him out of here, honestly.”

Eunuch Oh had no idea why an Emperor would need to “pick a day” just to dismiss a single guard, but as an experienced courtier, he knew that palace life was more peaceful the more one kept their mouth shut.

“I greet the Noble Consort (Gwi-bi).”

Unfortunately for Ihan, who was already nursing a headache inside the hall, luck was not on the Emperor’s side today.

As Seo-cheon descended the steps of the pavilion, he spotted the Noble Consort, Yeon Hwaun, walking toward him. He immediately dropped to one knee.

“Rise.”

Hwaun, who had recognized Seo-cheon from a distance and whose eyes were filled with silent joy, stopped to receive the greeting. Usually, he did not respond to Seo-cheon’s salutes with words, but meeting him at eye level—rather than passing him in a palanquin—made Hwaun’s heart flutter slightly.

Seo-cheon, too, felt a smile threatening to break at Hwaun’s unusually direct response. He managed to restrain himself, stood up, and straightened his posture with his head bowed. He wished he could look Hwaun in the eye and share a glance, but he could not commit such an impudence toward the Noble Consort.

“……”

It was then that Seo-cheon felt a sense of dissonance. Strangely, Hwaun did not leave; he remained standing there, looking at him.

Seo-cheon felt Hwaun’s gaze land on his cheek. Biting his lip in a moment of regret, Seo-cheon bowed his head deeper, trying to evade the gaze. Even without looking, he knew Hwaun was suppressing several questions.

The hesitation lasted only a moment, but only Seo-cheon knew how fierce that split second of emotion was.

“…Let us go.”

Hwaun spoke in a casual tone, as if it were nothing, and moved past him.

Worrying about a friend’s injury would be natural even in the palace, but they were no longer friends and could never be friends again. Seo-cheon did not follow Hwaun’s receding steps with his eyes.

Beyond that path was a wise and benevolent Emperor who loved his partner more than anything in the world. Seo-cheon truly believed this was far better than remaining as friends.

Ihan sat with a dissatisfied expression, glancing at Hwaun, who was grinding ink beside him. He felt irritated watching the two of them—both so frustratingly stoic—thinking that the old saying about “birds of a feather” certainly applied to these former friends.

Hwaun must have seen Seo-cheon up close just now. The wound on his face wasn’t small; he couldn’t have missed it.

Ihan felt that if Hwaun had at least shown some concern for the injury in front of him, he could have vented his anger. Instead, this silence was suffocating. Hwaun hadn’t asked what happened, nor did he show any sign of worrying about his past friend; his entire focus was solely on Ihan.

If asked if he hated this, Ihan would say he loved it to the point of death. If Hwaun had focused on the other man, Ihan’s mind would have surely unraveled. Yet, seeing Hwaun unable to even worry about his only friend because of his position made Ihan feel a heavy sense of guilt and frustration.

I should have just sent him away back then, Ihan thought with a regret he didn’t truly mean. He reached out and grabbed Hwaun’s wrist as he ground the ink.

“Your Majesty?”

“Do you know your crime?”

At the sudden accusation, Hwaun’s eyes shook. He immediately blurted out, “I am sorry, Your Majesty,” and moved to kneel before him.

Normally, when an Emperor asks about a crime, one kneels regardless of whether they know the cause. But the problem was that the man before Ihan was the only person in the world the Emperor could never truly punish—his one and only precious lover.

“Who told you to kneel?”

“Ah…!”

Before Hwaun’s knees could hit the floor, Ihan pulled the wrist he was holding and settled Hwaun onto his lap. It was a gesture far too affectionate for someone who had just declared a “crime.”

Only then did Hwaun look closely at Ihan’s face. To a stranger, the rigid expression looked like anger, but Hwaun saw it was actually pouting. Despite being pulled onto the Emperor’s lap so suddenly, Hwaun didn’t panic; instead, he cupped Ihan’s cheek and asked:

“Your Majesty, has something happened?”

“……”

The tender voice only made Ihan feel more disgruntled. He spoke in a huff, like a petulant child.

“You ran into that fellow at the gate, didn’t you?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hwaun answered truthfully, showing no hesitation or evasion. If Hwaun had tried to hide Seo-cheon or acted awkwardly, Ihan wouldn’t have been able to keep Seo-cheon close. Ihan hugged Hwaun tighter.

“Did you see the wound on his face?”

“Yes, I saw it.”

“…Are you not worried? Are you not curious about what happened?”

It was an obvious wound in an obvious place. Hwaun’s personality wouldn’t allow him to stop and gossip in front of the Hall of Stability, but the fact that he hadn’t mentioned it at all made Ihan feel a mix of relief, pity, and jealousy. His discomfort was actually closer to self-reproach.

Hwaun finally realized why the Emperor was acting out. He smiled quietly.

“Other than the wound on his face, he didn’t seem to be in pain elsewhere. If there was a problem, the relevant department would handle it. A wound can be seen by a physician… why should I have any other reason to worry?”

“……”

“It’s not that I’m entirely without concern, but as long as he is a warrior, injuries are unavoidable.”

“…Is that so?”

“Were you worried about my heart, Your Majesty?”

At Hwaun’s final question, Ihan’s shoulders flinched.

Hwaun understood Ihan’s complex feelings toward Seo-cheon. Seo-cheon was the only surviving link to the name ‘Haun,’ which had been erased from the palace. By looking after Seo-cheon, the Emperor was both honoring the memory of ‘Haun’ and expressing the guilt he felt.

Hwaun hadn’t stopped the Emperor’s special treatment of Seo-cheon for this very reason. And the reason Hwaun hadn’t asked about the wound was because he trusted Ihan. If Seo-cheon were in danger or being treated unfairly, Ihan would never let it stand.

Ihan remained silent for a moment before letting out a short sigh.

“To think you’d make an Emperor jealous of a mere guard.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Is there any greater crime for the Emperor’s lover than this?”

Hwaun instinctively looked around. Although Eunuch Oh had cleared the hall, he feared someone might overhear and damage the Emperor’s dignity. Seeing they were truly alone, Hwaun looked back at Ihan.

“You know there is no reason for jealousy.”

“I know. I know it, but what am I to do when my heart won’t listen to my head?”