Chapter 38: Side Story 10: The Secret Guard and the Sovereign’s Departure

“Did you even intend to hide it?”

“Haha. Indeed. It is not as if I am committing a sin; why would I have any reason to deceive the Empress?”

The Emperor’s eyes held an unreserved laughter.

Back when Ihan was still in the Prince’s Manor, he would occasionally go on incognito outings with Jaran to wander the marketplaces. Upon their return, they would share the sights they had seen and discuss late into the night what was wrong, what was right, how to sustain the good, and how to rectify the bad.

Thus, Jaran might have considered these outings a special bond unique to her and the young Ihan—and she might have felt a lingering regret seeing the Emperor now share that with another man.

However, the Emperor spoke of leaving the palace with Hwaun with complete honesty. His gaze held not a shred of shame. Jaran easily realized what this meant.

This outing for Ihan and Yeon Hwaun was strictly a “date.” It was an outlet for the desire to hold his lover’s hand and walk the streets freely. While they would observe the lives of the people, she knew that upon returning, the Emperor would not be discussing state affairs or ancestral rites with Hwaun.

That was why Jaran was fine with it, even if the Emperor spent days and nights roaming the capital with the Noble Consort. Her position as Empress remained as solid as ever. And the Emperor clearly understood her heart without her needing to explain it in detail.

The Emperor spoke again.

“Should a matter of utmost urgency arise while I am away, I leave everything entirely to your decision as Empress.”

No matter how high her rank, a woman of the inner court was strictly forbidden from interfering in state affairs. This was an ancient law and an ironclad rule of the Imperial family passed down through generations.

“I receive your command and shall do my utmost to support Your Majesty’s outing.”

Knowing the weight of this, the Empress did not offer a single word of refusal. She rose and knelt before the Emperor in acceptance.

As Hwaun had monopolized the Emperor’s favor for so long and the Empress’s conception remained a distant hope, some predicted that the Empress—who had held her position without threat for so long—might finally be facing a crisis.

Yet, as Hwaun rose to the rank of Noble Consort and built his own dignity, the Empress’s authority had actually been strengthened by Hwaun’s absolute obedience. Furthermore, the Emperor continued to treat the Empress with unchanging etiquette and affection.

Today’s decision was a public declaration that the prosperity of Anguk was built upon the bedrock of this relationship between the Emperor and Empress; thus, no one would dare oppose their decision.

“Your Majesty, please stop looking at me.”

Hwaun finally couldn’t bear the Emperor’s persistent, speechless staring any longer and spoke with a flushed face. Ihan finally snapped out of it, answering in a dazed voice.

“Ah… that is… well….”

“Is it that awkward?”

“No, it’s not that… it’s not awkward at all….”

But Ihan, still unable to form a proper sentence, simply continued to stare at Hwaun over and over again.

Even after becoming the Noble Consort, Hwaun’s style of dress hadn’t changed much. The garments provided to him at Jeong-an Palace had actually become closer to men’s clothing at his own request. There was a time when he dressed more lavishly, fearing that if he dressed too simply, the other concubines might feel pressured to restrain their own finery. But now that everyone understood his preferences, he dressed as he pleased.

Consequently, Hwaun’s everyday attire was only slightly more ornate than that of a young nobleman from a wealthy family. Ihan hadn’t expected much regarding Hwaun’s outfit for this trip, assuming it would just be a humbler, darker version of what he usually wore.

But seeing Hwaun in his traveling gear changed everything. It was nothing like what he had imagined.

“…It suits you well.”

It was a remarkably plain expression given the fuss he had been making. But combined with his dazed expression, it sounded like the highest praise.

“I didn’t know… it would suit you this well….”

Ihan circled Hwaun, taking in his appearance before speaking again. Hwaun’s face turned a lovely shade of red.

For this outing, Hwaun’s false identity was that of a young master’s bodyguard. To prove the role, he wore dark navy martial robes with a sword buckled at his waist. For this potentially one-time trip, Ihan had specially ordered a sword for Hwaun, not forgetting to engrave the character for ‘Un’ (Cloud) on the hilt.

Hwaun, who had bowed his head in shyness, reached out and gripped the handle of the sword. Suddenly, a strange feeling washed over him as he remembered when he first entered the palace and wore a guard’s uniform.

He wouldn’t be able to protect the Emperor with this sword as he had once dreamed, but standing by his side as a lover to protect his heart and life—and now even becoming a “bodyguard” in name—made his heart beat as if it might explode.

“And how do I look?”

Ihan, who had been watching Hwaun’s eyes mist over with distant memories, spoke immediately to pull his attention back. Ihan’s outfit wasn’t as simple as Hwaun’s, but compared to his usual dragon robes, he looked dramatically more modest—though that didn’t mean Seong Ihan looked “plain.”

“Usually people say that clothes make the man… but it seems for Your Majesty, that saying is entirely false.”

“Ahem.”

“No matter what you wear, Your Majesty cannot hide your innate elegance.”

If anyone else had said it, Ihan would have dismissed it as oily flattery, but since it came from Hwaun, he couldn’t stop his cheeks from rising and his lips from twitching. He raised a hand to touch his mouth and took a step toward Hwaun.

“…Then, this servant shall go and have the palanquin prepared, Your Majesty.”

Eunuch Oh, sensing the atmosphere faster than anyone, bowed hurriedly and led Ajin and the other servants out of the room. The space became quiet, leaving only Ihan and Hwaun alone.

“Elegance is a word that belongs to you.”

Ihan spoke as he closed the distance. Hwaun tried to look down, but Ihan pulled him close by the waist, pressing their bodies together.

“I’m not just talking about your appearance. You have a special aura that no one can imitate, and that must be the color of your soul and heart.”

“Your Majesty….”

“You are beautiful….”

There was a familiar heat in the Emperor’s voice. Hwaun met his eyes as if intoxicated, and at that moment, a hot breath forced its way between his lips.

“Mmm….”

Ihan licked the inside of Hwaun’s mouth more urgently than usual. He stimulated the roof of the mouth and entwined their tongues, rubbing against sensitive flesh to overtly provoke Hwaun. This was not a light kiss to be shared before a walk.

When Ihan finally pulled Hwaun’s tongue and sucked on it strongly, Hwaun’s internal alarm bells went off. He reflexively pushed against Ihan’s shoulders to pull away. But Ihan gripped the small of his back tighter, opening his mouth to seal the gap as if he intended to devour him.

“Mmph…! Ng……!”

Suppressed moans continuously escaped Hwaun. The Emperor’s hand, which had been pulling at his back, slid further down to firmly squeeze Hwaun’s buttock.

“Ma… hng…! Your Majesty…! Haa…!”

Hwaun, whose legs were about to give out under the Emperor’s feverish caress, desperately turned his head to break the kiss and panted for air. Even without looking at Ihan, he could feel the intensity and intention in his gaze.

Unable to fathom why Ihan was suddenly so aroused, Hwaun struggled to remove the hands still wrapped around his waist.

“Your Majesty, we must depart….”

“…It’s not as if anyone is waiting for us, so why the hurry?”

“The palanquin will be waiting outside….”

“If the Emperor does not step out first, waiting is their duty.”