Chapter 116: No Longer Afraid

His jaw trembled with rage.

His hands and feet turned cold, curling of their own accord.

Clenching his fists, Haeryeong struggled with all his might to keep the tears pooled in his eyes from falling.

The Emperor, staring intently at Haeryeong, ground his teeth with a low growl.

“The Empress must mind his tongue.”

“There are words that should be said and words that should not.”

“How can a person be so…”

“The one who needs to distinguish between what should and should not be said more than anyone else is Your Majesty.”

As Haeryeong cut the Emperor off and glared at him venomously, the man let out a hollow laugh and snorted.

“What did you just say?”

“I told you to watch your tongue.”

“Empress, do you realize that the person you are facing right now is the Emperor of Yeoran?”

“How could I dare to forget that?”

“I beg Your Imperial Majesty not to forgive your servant’s fault in insulting the Emperor.”

“Your servant shall now withdraw to my quarters and await only the punishment Your Majesty shall bestow.”

As Haeryeong pulled back the quilt and stepped down from the bed, the Emperor grabbed his arm.

“Just why are you acting like this?”

Haeryeong tried several times to shake off his arm before finally giving up.

Because the man had applied strength with intent, it was impossible to pry him off.

The pain in his shoulder only intensified as his arm was jostled.

Haeryeong bit his lip and looked at him.

The Emperor rose from the bed, drew close, and asked again.

“I am asking you why you are acting like this.”

Haeryeong laughed bitterly with a look of exhaustion.

“The reason for my behavior is contained within every word Your Imperial Majesty has lightly heard and let pass until now.”

“Your servant has nothing more to say, so please, let me go.”

A heavy sigh escaped the Emperor’s lips.

Soon after, he spoke urgently, appearing quite flustered.

“Did I not tell you?”

“I could not tell you beforehand because it was obvious you would be disappointed.”

The Emperor looked at Haeryeong’s face and wetted his lips with his tongue.

“Empress, you should not be the only one getting angry like this.”

“Can you not see that I am pleading with you?”

“Please, calm your anger and listen to Me.”

His voice, growing increasingly soothing, was followed by his arm wrapping around Haeryeong’s waist.

Staring fixedly at the face drawing closer and closer, Haeryeong whispered quietly just before their lips touched.

“Do not touch your servant.”

“Did I not clearly tell you?”

“Do not touch me as if it were nothing.”

“If you force a kiss upon me, I shall bite my tongue and die on this very spot.”

“Empress!”

Haeryeong sent a cold gaze toward the man who shouted in frustration.

The tears that had pooled from rage and sorrow earlier had dried up at some point and refused to fall any longer.

“It is useless to be enraged.”

“Your servant is no longer afraid of Your Majesty.”

“So if you wish to be angry, then be angry.”

“I shall listen in silence.”

“Even if you bestow punishment, I shall receive it without a word.”

“Even if you threaten me by bringing up Yeonseo, I shall accept it as inevitable.”

“Since the crow-tit tried to follow the stork and split its crotch, how could I blame Your Majesty?”

Haeryeong, who had poured out his words without taking a breath, let out a long sigh and lowered his eyes.

“It is a pity that innocent people are caught in this, but what can be done?”

“Your servant shall carry the resentment of the people with me.”

“So, Your Majesty, do as you wish.”

As his anger subsided, his fever began to rise again.

Finishing his words in a small voice that even carried a metallic rasp, Haeryeong gently pulled at the arm the man was holding.

This time, the Emperor released his arm submissively.

Haeryeong bowed his waist, showing his respects to the man.

“Your servant shall withdraw.”

The Emperor’s gaze continued to strike him, but Haeryeong did not lift his head.

As he backed out of the Emperor’s bedroom, Head Court Lady Hwang approached with a worried expression.

“You must not get up yet, Your Highness.”

“It is a minor injury, so do not trouble your heart.”

“More importantly, I wish to return to the Empress’s Palace, so may I ask for my clothes?”

“But… His Majesty would never permit…”

“I have just received permission and am on my way out.”

“Prepare for my return.”

It seemed the argument with the Emperor had not reached this far.

Then again, even if it had, who would dare to act as if they knew?

Head Court Lady Hwang guided Haeryeong to another inner chamber despite her bewildered expression.

After receiving assistance to change his robes and stepping outside, he found the palanquin the Emperor usually rode waiting for him.

The Chief Eunuch stood before the palanquin and bowed to Haeryeong.

“His Majesty has instructed that you should return by palanquin, Your Highness.”

Haeryeong stole a glance at him and let out a sigh.

“Convey that I appreciate the consideration but will only accept the sentiment.”

“An escort is unnecessary; I shall return alone.”

The Chief Eunuch lifted his head in shock before bowing once more.

Rejecting the man’s desperate pleas to please board the palanquin, Haeryeong walked out of the Great Hall courtyard on his own two feet.

He could not simply accept what the man gave as if it were nothing, nor could he think of it lightly.

He could no longer lean on him, crave his tenderness, or expect anything from his heart.

‘I have truly taken a long, distant detour to come back to this, haven’t I?’

Haeryeong realized anew just how lacking he truly was.

‘How ridiculous I must have looked, believing that “what is good is good” even after suffering such humiliation.’

The path back with his injured body felt quite long.

Having spent a significant amount of time returning, the court ladies rushed out in total shock as he reached the Empress’s Palace.

“Your Highness, why have you returned alone?”

“Is the hawk hunt already over?”

“Why did you come alone instead of summoning us to the Great Hall?”

Listening to the frantic words of the many gathered servants, Haeryeong allowed a smile to touch his lips.

Seeing as the news of his injury had not reached their ears, the Emperor had indeed intended to cover up the incident.

“What is all this fuss about? You must speak one at a time.”

“How am I to understand you if you all swarm me like this?”

As Haeryeong teased them with a smile, the younger court ladies burst into giggles.

“Please, go inside, Your Highness.”

“The day is hot; shall I prepare some cold tea? Word came from the confectionery room that the plum syrup from last year is almost gone.”

“Yes, yes. Let us have some refreshing plum tea then.”

Surrounded by them, Haeryeong entered the palace and gave instructions to Iryeon.

“Go quietly to my brother and sister and convey my message.”

“Tell them I wish to share a cup of tea.”

“Bring them here at once before the dinner hour approaches.”

Iryeon, following closely by his side, gauged Haeryeong’s mood and bowed.

“I shall go immediately.”

Haeryeong brought the two who arrived with Iryeon into the inner chamber and dismissed everyone else.

Once the three of them were alone in the quiet room, Haeryeong took their hands in his and gripped them tight.

“Brother, Sister.”

“Your Highness, your complexion does not look good.”

At his sharp-witted sister’s words, Haeryeong offered a soft smile.

The fever had been rising for a while, but it was endurable.

“Time is short, so it is difficult to explain in detail…”

“But once you leave this room, return immediately to your quarters and pack your belongings.”

“You must say that an urgent matter has arisen in Yeonseo and leave the capital before sunset.”

Heamyung and Heasu tightened their grip on his hands.

“What is the meaning of this sudden command?”

Haeryeong shook his head, his face crumpling as he struggled to maintain his smile.

“It is difficult to explain.”

“However, once you return, close the borders and prepare for war.”

“War may or may not break out, but it is best to be prepared in advance.”

“Your Highness, did some misfortune occur at the hunting grounds?”

Haeryeong pondered how to explain it to the two of them before finally parting his lips after a long silence.

“I am sorry.”

“This younger brother was lacking and has provoked the Emperor’s rage.”

“I shall do my best to ensure no harm comes to Yeonseo… but I cannot make any guarantees.”

“So please, return quickly. Every moment is critical.”

The two stared intently at Haeryeong, unable to speak, and looked at each other.

Haeryeong smiled with all his might to reassure them and urged them once more.

Heasu bit her lip and looked at Haeryeong with eyes full of tears.

Clasping Haeryeong’s hand with both of hers, she asked in a trembling voice.

“Our return is not the issue. What will happen to Your Highness once we are gone?”

“Are you saying you will stay behind and meet a dog’s death?”

Haeryeong asked Heasu silently.

“Even I cannot gauge how His Majesty will act.”

“He may let it pass, or he may fly into a rage and demand my head.”

“If it is the former, then all is well, but what if it is the latter? What of the people who will suddenly be caught in the middle, and what of our family in Yeonseo?”

Haeryeong bit his trembling lip hard.

Since it had happened in his previous life, there was no guarantee the man wouldn’t use Yeonseo as a pretext to intimidate him again.

He didn’t mind dying, but he could not bear the thought of his brother and sister being captured and tortured by the Emperor.

The mere thought felt as if the heavens were collapsing.

“I understand your worry for me, but we must look at the bigger picture, Sister.”

“So do not delay any further and return to Yeonseo.”

“Prepare in silence, and if it seems there is no particular problem, tell Mother that her son is faring very well.”

Finally, Heasu shed tears.

Seeing the tears of his sister, who had always been so confident while growing up as a Yangin, Haeryeong felt as though his throat were being seared by fire.

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