Chapter 54: Amnesia Side Story 8: Love Residing in the Body

Although Jeong-an Palace was now overflowing with servants—including many younger than Seo-seo—the task of attending to Hwaun’s immediate needs remained strictly in the hands of those who had been with him from the start.

Hwaun remained unaware that his loyal servants had sworn a solemn oath among themselves to protect him, fearing that “treacherous-minded newcomers” might try to undermine him now that the Emperor’s favor seemed to be wavering.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs sent over a new cotton quilt. It’s warmer yet lighter than the one you’re using, so you’ll be able to sleep more comfortably, Highness.”

“Is that so? The Ministry has been very attentive.”

“They certainly should be! If they dare to act out of line just because of current events, I won’t let them get away with it,” Ajin declared, her eyes burning with preemptive resolve.

The rumor that the Emperor had flipped Consort Suk’s nameplate last night and had not spent the night at Jeong-an Palace had spread through the Imperial Palace like wildfire. While the Empress had strictly forbidden gossip regarding the Emperor’s memory loss, she could not hide the visible shifts in his behavior.

Anyone with eyes could see the change. Ironically, it was because Ihan had been so excessively devoted to Hwaun before the accident. The Emperor, who used to summon Hwaun to his private quarters and library almost daily and hold his hand during walks through the gardens, was now keeping a cold distance.

“Ajin,” Hwaun called out, sensing the sharp edge in her voice.

“Yes, Highness.”

“Tell everyone in Jeong-an Palace: do not quarrel with the servants from the Ministry or any other palace.”

“…….”

“No matter what they say or how they treat this palace, do not react. If there is an injustice, come and tell me directly.”

Ajin immediately looked aggrieved. “But Highness, what if they think you’ve lost your favor and try to look down on you? Must we just endure it?”

Her eyebrows twitched fiercely, though to Hwaun, she merely looked like a protective puppy. He understood her worry. If the Emperor’s memory did not return soon, the atmosphere of the palace would inevitably shift. Rumors would claim the Noble Consort had fallen from grace or committed some grave sin. Yet, they could not announce the Emperor’s condition to the public; it would only invite political instability.

“That is why I told you to come to me,” Hwaun replied gently. “I will ensure you are not treated unfairly, so do not clash with them privately.”

Ajin pouted. It wasn’t their own treatment they feared; the servants of Jeong-an Palace didn’t mind rubbing their foreheads against the dirt, so long as their precious master didn’t suffer. But since Hwaun always cared for them like his own kin, Ajin bowed her head obediently.

“Yes, Highness. I will tell them.”

“That…”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Upon returning to the Hall of Eternal Peace after the morning audience, the Emperor stopped abruptly. Eunuch Oh bowed, waiting for him to continue.

“I mean, that person…”

Ihan kept beating around the bush, unable to finish his sentence. Hidden by his bowed head, a mischievous smile played on Eunuch Oh’s lips. It felt like seeing the younger, more awkward version of the Emperor from years ago.

“Are you perhaps curious about the Noble Consort, Your Majesty?”

“Curious? Nonsense!” Ihan jumped, denying it awkwardly before stomping over to his chair and plopping down. Then, looking up at the lingering eunuch, he asked casually, “Since you brought it up… what is he doing?”

The Emperor truly could not hide anything from Eunuch Oh unless it involved state secrets.

“I have been informed, Your Majesty, that the Noble Consort is currently at the Garden of Flowers, sharing tea with Consort Suk and Consort Jeong.”

“With Suk-bi and Jeong-bin?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Since the Noble Consort changed his ways, he has become close friends with them, as well as the Empress.”

Ihan narrowed his eyes. He found it suspicious how much the eunuch knew about Hwaun’s whereabouts, but he didn’t ask. He knew he wouldn’t win that argument.

“Unbelievable,” Ihan muttered. He remembered them all hating each other. To think they were now having tea together was like a ghost story.

“You said… Yeon Hwaun saved Consort Suk from danger once?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ihan tried to envision the Yeon Hwaun of his memory saving someone, but the image wouldn’t form. If he had truly loved Hwaun enough to abandon his lifelong convictions, why was Hwaun the only thing he had forgotten?

“Yeon Hwaun… Yeon Hwaun…”

He repeated the name like a mantra. What he couldn’t understand was why his heart ached every time he thought of that face, or why a sense of longing washed over him. Can love remain even when memory is gone?

Ihan’s grip tightened on the armrest of his chair. “Tell Yeon Hwaun to come here at once.”

Running away wouldn’t give him answers. He decided to face the problem head-on.

The moment Yeon Hwaun entered the room, Ihan’s hips twitched as if he were about to stand up. He forced himself to stay seated, biting his lip to hide his flustered state.

His body was moving on its own, as if it wanted to go out and greet Hwaun.

“I greet His Majesty, the Emperor.”

When Hwaun knelt with practiced grace, Ihan’s hands trembled so much he had to clench them into fists. Habits he didn’t remember seemed to be ruling his limbs. His body knew what to do, even if his mind didn’t.

“…Rise,” Ihan said, struggling to calm his boiling emotions.

“Sit down.”

At the command, Hwaun’s shoulders flinched slightly. How lovely, Ihan thought, before being startled by his own reaction.

No matter how much he tried to deny it, he couldn’t ignore the fact that his heart raced whenever he looked at Hwaun. A shiver ran down his spine, as if he were looking at the most precious thing in the world.

If memory does not exist, where does love stay? Does emotion truly reside within the heart itself?

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