Chapter 10: The Golden Cage

Though Jang Son-jae had been reluctant, accompanying Yu-chang proved to be the right choice.

As they descended from Mount Geumryeong and passed through several villages, the commoners of the Hoye Kingdom cast hostile gazes at Huiyeon, who was still dressed in the finery of the Taeseong Kingdom. However, those who recognized the man riding alongside her as Hong Yu-chang refrained from taking action. Jang Son-jae likely realized that if the General hadn’t been there, the villagers’ animosity would have escalated beyond mere glares.

Outwardly, Jang Son-jae acted unbothered, but his face had remained rigid since leaving the mountain, and he was coiled with tension, prepared for any contingency.

Finally, they arrived at their destination: the capital.

Due to the landslide and the subsequent detour, the journey had taken six days longer than scheduled. It seemed people had been anxiously awaiting her arrival; as soon as they passed through the city gates, a group of people dressed in Taeseong attire rushed forward to greet them.

“We greet the Princess.”

This was the diplomatic delegation that had arrived at the capital ahead of her, taking a different route than Jang Son-jae’s search party. Oddly enough, they looked even more haggard than Huiyeon herself. Assuming they had suffered greatly on the hurried journey, Huiyeon offered them words of concern.

“The road here must have been difficult. You do not look well.”

Upon hearing her words, Hwang Mu-gyeong, the head of the delegation, seized the opportunity to vent his indignation in a heated voice.

“Princess, if the road were merely difficult, we would have been lucky. The innkeepers, to a man, refused to let us stay even if we offered them ten million gold. Finding a place to rest was nearly impossible.”

Hwang Mu-gyeong continued to fume as he explained that they had only narrowly avoided sleeping on the streets because a dilapidated place on the outskirts of the capital finally granted them rooms.

Huiyeon looked at the expressions of those standing behind him with a dazed face. They all shared the same look—eyes filled with resentment toward the people of Hoye for daring to look down on them.

‘They truly do not understand the depth of the hostility toward Taeseong…’

Then again, she might not have known either if she hadn’t faced those eyes full of malice herself on the way here. Furthermore, because she lacked any particular affection for her home kingdom, she was able to view the situation more objectively.

Letting out a soft sigh, Huiyeon decided it would be best to leave the public square as quickly as possible. The agitated Hwang Mu-gyeong didn’t seem to notice, but the surroundings were growing noisy. The stares directed at them were razor-sharp.

“You have worked hard. Let us not stand here; it would be better to head to where you are staying.”

“Pardon? You aren’t going straight to the palace?”

Hwang Mu-gyeong made a sour face, as if he didn’t want to spend another second in that outskirts inn. Huiyeon swallowed another sigh. She had realized it from the moment they met: though he bowed his head out of necessity, Hwang Mu-gyeong despised her.

To him, she was a “defiled being” born as a twin—someone who should have died for the sake of Taeseong’s peace. His thoughts were transparent. He likely hadn’t even come here of his own volition.

‘Jeongcheon must have forced him…’

Regardless of what he thought of her, as the head of the delegation, he should at least look after her appearance in front of the people of Hoye. To think he would suggest going to the palace looking like this.

Clicking her tongue inwardly, Huiyeon spoke with a weary tone.

“First, we shall go there and—”

“Come to my house instead.”

Huiyeon flinched at the sudden voice cutting in. She had assumed Yu-chang would have departed after she reunited with her party, but he was still standing there. Her face flushed with heat at the thought that he had witnessed this entire farce.

“I appreciate the offer, but…”

Just as she was about to decline—

“Thank you! You are the Great General of Hoye, aren’t you? You are as magnanimous as the rumors suggest.”

Hwang Mu-gyeong, who hadn’t spared Yu-chang a single glance until now, was suddenly acting with sickening affability. Huiyeon felt a flash of resentment toward her brother for entrusting the delegation to such a man, but then she felt depressed, remembering that Jeongcheon still couldn’t exercise his royal authority fully.

It was all her fault. Therefore, she had to be of help to him.

While Huiyeon brooded over her melancholy, the decision was made to go to Yu-chang’s estate. Whether Yu-chang had planned this from the start or his subordinates were simply quick on the uptake, a carriage for Huiyeon was prepared immediately. Relieved at the thought of finally being free from the public’s gaze, Huiyeon did not refuse the carriage.

“Princess, shall I open the window?”

Choyong, knowing that Huiyeon usually liked to look out at the scenery, asked softly.

“No, let’s just go. I have been enough of a spectacle already.”

Though she was curious about the capital, she shook her head. It was a shame, but she would have other chances to see it later.

The carriage began to move. Perhaps the capital was well-maintained, for the carriage rolled smoothly, unlike on the mountain paths. However, Huiyeon’s expression was grimmer than when she had been jolted around in the wild.

“Princess, this is actually better for preparing to meet the King. It would have been difficult to even take a bath in a remote inn, wouldn’t it?”

Choyong whispered beside her, urging her to brighten her face.

“You’re right… I have to meet the King of Hoye tomorrow.”

She had to wash away the grime from the mountains and adorn herself. Her purpose here was to become the Queen of Hoye. If nothing from Taeseong could capture the King’s interest, the only thing she could rely on was…

“I suppose it’s a relief I was born with a face that’s at least tolerable to look at.”

“Pardon? Tolerable? What do you mean by that?”

Choyong’s eyes widened in shock at Huiyeon’s mutter.

“Exactly what I said. It’s a relief I’m not unsightly.”

“Good heavens… Princess. Have you never looked in a mirror in your entire life?”

Huiyeon knit her brows. “Of course I have.”

Even her scowl was as lovely as a moon goddess. Choyong concluded that the Princess simply didn’t know how she appeared to others because she had been locked in the Cold Palace for so long.

‘If he doesn’t fall for that face, the King of Hoye must be a eunuch. Yes, surely.’

As befit his status as Great General, Yu-chang’s estate was massive and magnificent. The number of servants lined up to greet their returning master was substantial.

A small kingdom.

Huiyeon thought this as she peeked through the carriage window, quickly closing it again.

‘I must learn more about the nobles of Hoye…’

There were so many things she wanted and needed to know. While she organized her mental “to-do” list, the carriage came to a halt.

“I am opening the door.”

Yu-chang’s now-familiar voice reached her, and the door opened. With his assistance, she stepped out and saw a building with a small private courtyard. Expecting a simple guest room, she looked at Yu-chang with surprised eyes.

Noticing her gaze, Yu-chang wore an arrogant smile.

“I could hardly put a princess of a nation in just any room. It is humble, but please stay here for today. I have provided suitable rooms for the others.”

Yu-chang called a servant to take Choyong for treatment and then led Huiyeon inside. She had thought the exterior was impressive, but the interior was even more startling.

“If this is humble, I must have been living in a stable.”

“You have a good sense of humor, Princess.”

Yu-chang dismissed it as a joke, but Huiyeon was being sincere. It was larger and more luxurious than the Cold Palace where she had grown up. She hadn’t felt it while locked away, but coming out into the world, she was constantly reminded of the reality of her former life.

“I shall go to see His Majesty and inform him that the Princess of Taeseong is a guest at my home today.”

“Ah…”

The mention of the King snapped Huiyeon out of her reverie. “General, thank you for your kindness.”

Huiyeon realized she had much to learn; she had only thought of going to the palace with the delegation tomorrow. In truth, this was something Hwang Mu-gyeong should have handled, but she felt it was better to do things herself than to trust him.

“I will send the maids in. Please, rest comfortably.”

Shortly after Yu-chang left, the maids he sent arrived to assist her with her bath. They were extremely polite, likely having been given strict instructions.

After bathing and eating a light meal, exhaustion finally caught up with her. How long had it been since she had laid her body on a comfortable bed? Though it was still early, Huiyeon couldn’t fight the drowsiness and closed her eyes.

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