Chapter 12: The Emperor’s Collection and the Hidden Shadow

His eyes, large and clear like a puppy’s, were wide with surprise, but the Prince quickly gathered himself and nodded in agreement.

“……That is true. You are right as always, Sister.”

Eun Su did not bother to respond. Matching Eun Hwi’s formulaic answers always left her in a foul mood.

During last year’s hunting competition, a sudden blizzard caused by abnormal weather had left them almost unable to move for all but two of the five days. In a place where it was hard to see even another person, let alone a beast, Eun Hwi had caught a water deer with twitching ears, while Eun Su had shot and killed a gray wolf. Although it was Eun Hwi’s deer that was placed on the altar during the Rite of Heaven, the one the Emperor praised for a long time was Eun Su’s wolf. The Emperor had a scarf made from the wolf’s pelt and wore it all through the previous winter.

Yet, what Eun Su thought about the entire time was why her prey hadn’t been chosen as the sacrificial offering. While those who didn’t know better chattered about the Emperor’s great affection for the Princess upon seeing his scarf, Eun Su had to stay up all night agonizing over what she lacked as the potential successor.

She glanced at Eun Hwi. ‘Should I adopt a soft tone and a kind demeanor like him?’

But kindness was a privilege of those who possessed power. And Eun Su knew she didn’t possess everything yet.

Then Eun Hwi spoke again, his voice slightly lower than before.

“Speaking of which, it must be quite awkward for you since the Grand Preceptors were changed so suddenly.”

“Well, you must be the one feeling uncomfortable with your new teachers. The ones who taught me are quite demanding.”

She failed to bite back her sarcasm for a second time. Eun Su knew exactly what Eun Hwi wanted to find out. It was obvious he would pivot the conversation from the teachers to Song Bi Yeon. Even if Eun Hwi himself wasn’t curious, Noble Consort Ju’s side would be dying to know. But Eun Su had no intention of giving her half-brother a detailed account of anything—not even if the information was as plain as today’s weather.

“Is it too difficult for you?”

“It is, but I must work hard. You are truly amazing, Sister.”

Eun Su fell silent again at Eun Hwi’s textbook response. She felt as if she would pay a thousand gold pieces just to see that mask of a “good boy” crack once.

Exchanging barbs and pleasantries, the two soon arrived at the Maple Pavilion. As Eun Su climbed the stairs first, holding up her hem, she saw someone already seated in the pavilion.

“Imperial Father!”

At Eun Su’s delighted cry, Eun Hwi, who was following behind, also looked surprised. Both quickly hurried up the stairs and stood before the Emperor with their hands clasped. Eun Su spoke first.

“I heard you would be late, but you are already here. Forgive us for keeping you waiting.”

The Emperor, dressed in a black dragon robe embroidered with gold thread, sat comfortably with eunuchs and maids in attendance. Though a sharp jade topknot cap sat atop his head, a few strands of hair had naturally escaped in the breeze, tickling his jade-like face.

“It ended sooner than expected. But where did you hear that I would be late?”

Eun Su let out an “Ah” and immediately turned to look at Eun Hwi.

“That’s right, Eun Hwi, where did you hear that?”

It was a simple question, but her high intonation made it sound like she was interrogating someone for spying on the Emperor’s every move. The Emperor also looked up at Eun Hwi with an amused expression. However, the Prince showed no sign of fluster, his eyes curving into a smile as he replied.

“Imperial Father is always busy with state affairs, so I simply guessed you would be late this time as well. I told Sister I was certain of it, but it seems I was wrong. It’s quite embarrassing.”

As Eun Hwi laughed naturally with feigned bashfulness, the Emperor laughed along and gestured for them to sit.

Perhaps because of that last question, a tension like walking on thin ice flowed through the beautiful pavilion, where blue roof tiles harmonized with the colorful maples. The Emperor, whose eyes were so dark they seemed to glow blue, glanced at his two children, took a sip of the prepared quince tea, and spoke.

“You are aware the hunting competition begins soon, yes?”

“Of course.”

Eun Su and Eun Hwi answered in unison.

“I expect you both to bring back excellent prey this time as well. But don’t demoralize the generals too much.”

The tension that had stiffened at the Emperor’s joke relaxed slightly.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your studies.”

“Yes, Sire.”

Eun Su and Eun Hwi nodded. A silent tension drifted between the teacups. Perhaps the Emperor would entrust this year’s hunting competition to them. There had been opinions raised by ministers that since Eun Su and Eun Hwi were practically adults, they should be put in charge of national affairs. Eun Su was thinking of how to naturally bring up this topic when the Emperor, who was savoring the scent of the tea, suddenly asked her.

“By the way, do you find the new teacher to your liking?”

“Pardon…?”

Eun Su, who had been looking for a chance to speak, was caught off guard by the sudden counter-question. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to drop the subject of the hunting competition to bring up Song Bi Yeon, but she quickly put on a smile and gave a safe answer.

“Yes, he is a man with much to learn from. I thank you, Imperial Father.”

“I heard you are getting along well with him.”

“What is there to get along well or not? Since we have formed a bond of teacher and student, I am simply showing proper courtesy.”

Eun Su spoke as if she were a person who had never once screamed at or looked down on Song Bi Yeon. At that, the Emperor’s lips curled up in amusement.

“That is impressive. His personality is quite upright; he must have been difficult to domesticate.”

For a moment, Eun Su, who had been giving perfunctory answers, doubted her ears.

……Upright personality? Song Bi Yeon?

Then Eun Hwi, sitting beside her, immediately cut into the conversation.

“Speaking of which, I heard he was a renowned loyalist of Mokju. I understand Your Majesty also holds him in high regard.”

Without a single denial, the Emperor nodded and said:

“He is a man with the spirit of a straight bamboo. It is rare for someone not to be intimidated even in my presence.”

At those words, Eun Hwi let out a small “Wow” of admiration. Following him, Eun Su also blankly let out a “Wow.” However, her meaning was entirely different from Eun Hwi’s. The Princess recalled Bi Yeon shouting, ‘I will devote my entire loyalty to Your Highness!’ on the very first day they met. That guy is like a straight bamboo?

Is bamboo growing curved these days?

However, the Emperor seemed to find this topic interesting, as he continued talking about Song Bi Yeon.

“Moreover, his appearance is quite unique. His hair is like snow and his eyes are like lakes. I knew there were many uniquely featured people in Mokju, but I have never seen anyone like Song Bi Yeon.”

Eun Hwi naturally chimed in.

“He sounds like quite the beauty. Come to think of it, Sister, you see him often so you must know best. How is he?”

Normally, Eun Su would have given a half-hearted answer to whatever Eun Hwi said, but she was so flustered by the Emperor’s unexpected reaction that she missed the timing to ignore him. Based on the description, it was definitely Song Bi Yeon, but it didn’t sound like the person she knew. Eun Su spoke without thinking.

“Well, he is pret—”

In that instant, the Princess locked eyes with Young Tae Ryung across from her. The Emperor’s eyes shone sharply with interest. She didn’t know why it was a problem, but Eun Su suddenly snapped to her senses and quickly changed her words.

“…Pretty? Not at all. I don’t care much for men who look that frail.”

“Well, for someone as beautiful as you, Sister, where would there be a handsome man who satisfies your eyes? But hearing that answer makes me even more curious. I want to meet him soon as well.”

Eun Su glared at Eun Hwi and scolded him.

“Imperial Father said he looks unique, not that he is a beauty.”

At that, the Emperor burst into laughter. Eun Su waited for him to agree with her, but Young Tae Ryung sided with Eun Hwi without taking a clear stance.

“Very well. Eun Su, find a suitable day to arrange an introduction.”

Eun Su’s eyes widened. Meanwhile, Eun Hwi asked excitedly from her side.

“Truthfully, I was very curious, but I am finally getting to see him. Sister, may I go today?”

“…That is up to him.”

She felt her stomach churn slightly seeing Eun Hwi smile, but she answered obediently. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a huge loss. They would have crossed paths eventually; it was just a shame that the days she could watch Eun Hwi be anxious were being cut short. Eun Su bowed her head and answered readily.

“I understand, Imperial Father.”

But something was clearly weighing on her mind, and it was hard to be certain what it was. Instead, a strange question floated through Eun Su’s thoughts.

‘Is it really okay for me to keep treating Song Bi Yeon so roughly?’

In the end, the topic of the hunting competition did not come up again for the next half hour. Eun Su enjoyed her conversation with the Emperor with plenty of “haha’s” and “hoho’s” until the very end, but she couldn’t hide the flicker of disappointment on her face as she turned to leave. Meanwhile, after the meeting, Eun Hwi dismissed his maids and walked slowly through the gardens near the Prince’s Palace. Recalling his sister’s honest expression, he let out an involuntary chuckle.

To be honest, it wasn’t just Eun Su who had been barking up the wrong tree regarding the hunting competition. His mother, Noble Consort Ju, was constantly in touch with her maternal family, her senses heightened.

‘If His Majesty mentions it casually, decline. If he calls you alone to speak of it, accept.’

But Noble Consort Ju’s cautious advice had been useless. The Emperor hadn’t said a single word about entrusting anyone with anything related to state affairs. If so, should he be as disappointed as his sister?