Chapter 41: A Son’s Longing

“What was I preparing?”

Haeryeong tried to recall what he had sent that year before Iryeon could answer.

However, since he was pretending to have lost his memory, it was better not to appear as if he knew.

Fortunately, Iryeon did not seem to notice Haeryeong’s expression as he stared out the window and answered without suspicion.

“You prepared a jade ornament from Changryeo.”

Since ancient times, Changryeo in Yeoran had been famous for producing clear, hard jade.

Usually, the finest specimens were presented as tribute to the Imperial Palace, but the few pieces Haeryeong possessed had been given to him by the Emperor, so he could not send them as gifts.

He recalled ordering Iryeon to prepare one separately for that very reason.

He remembered that Haeryeong himself had woven the silk threads for the knot on that norigae.

Haeryeong contemplated for a moment before shaking his head.

“Leave it be.”

“What use is a mere gift when I cannot even offer my congratulations in person?”

“But, Your Highness…”

Haeryeong turned toward Iryeon before she could speak again.

“Did I not say it is fine?”

The words he spoke quietly sounded like a petulant complaint even to his own ears.

Instead of pressing further, Iryeon simply bowed her head.

“Go and deliver the letter. I wish to rest for a while.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Would you like to take an afternoon nap?”

“My body feels heavy; have the bath filled with hot water instead.”

Iryeon bowed again, looking pleased.

“I shall prepare water steeped with medicinal herbs. Shall I serve you a cup of tea while you wait?”

“I wish to enjoy the fragrance of Byeongnachun after such a long time.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I shall prepare it immediately.”

Iryeon gathered the letter and the writing materials and left the room.

At the small sound of the door closing, Haeryeong let out a faint sigh and turned back toward the window.

He wasn’t actually locked in, yet the window frame felt like the bars of a prison.

His chest felt stifled, and sighs kept escaping him.

Haeryeong reached out and quietly pulled the window shut.

The life of an Eumin in the Imperial Palace was no different from being in a dungeon.

It was simply a larger, more luxurious prison.

In fact, he almost envied those in the underground cells, as he had far more eyes watching his every move.

Haeryeong shook his head at the stray thought that had surfaced.

‘This is not a matter to be compared with those being punished for crimes.’

‘Or is it? Am I not a sinner simply for being born an Eumin, making me no different from them?’

For some reason, his mind was restless, unable to find its footing like a reed swaying in the wind.

****

Iryeon soon brought in the tea tray.

When she asked if he would like to drink his tea on the raised loft since the weather was so pleasant, Haeryeong nodded quietly.

Moving to the wide-open loft, he felt the stifling pressure in his chest finally clear.

Feeling the tension in his brow loosen, Haeryeong leaned against the railing of the loft and closed his eyes.

He had thought winter had only just ended, yet the scent of spring was everywhere.

A scent of water was mixed into the vibrant fragrance of flowers.

“It seems we shall have a rainy guest tomorrow.”

Iryeon turned her head toward the garden while placing hot water over a charcoal brazier.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled softly and replied.

“Seeing as the smell of rain is carried on the breeze, it seems it will rain soon, just as you said. Indeed, the spring rain is quite late this year.”

As the water on the brazier began to boil, Iryeon moved busily to warm the tea set.

Haeryeong watched her fingertips and let out a sigh.

“If it rains, it will be difficult to go riding.”

Iryeon opened the tea canister with a beaming smile.

At the fragrant scent of tea that spread the moment it was opened, Haeryeong managed a small smile.

“The Imperial Stables are quite vast. Surely we can find a space for Your Highness to ride. As long as the wind isn’t too strong, it should be fine to ride in rain gear.”

Iryeon reassured Haeryeong while pouring water into the teapot to brew the tea.

“Do not worry in advance. I shall send word to the Imperial Stables.”

“Please do so.”

Riding was difficult, but he had found it quite enjoyable, so he felt a sense of regret.

He was grateful for Iryeon’s thoughtfulness in noticing his disappointment at the thought of missing practice after only one day.

Haeryeong also offered tea to Iryeon as she poured the brewed liquid into the cooling bowl.

“Drink with me.”

“I am overwhelmed by Your Highness’s grace.”

“What ‘grace’ is there in a mere cup of tea?”

Haeryeong offered a faint smile as he took the cup she offered.

While he enjoyed the tea’s aroma in silence, Jongseon arrived with tea snacks from the confectionery room.

“Jongseon, come here as well. Be my tea companion.”

The young Jongseon stole a glance at Iryeon before approaching with a wide grin and kneeling.

“I do not know much about the taste of tea.”

“Your palate will improve as you drink it.”

As Iryeon poured a cup and placed it before her, Jongseon cautiously lifted it.

She brought it to her nose to smell the fragrance and then took a careful sip before wrinkling her nose.

“I can tell it is fragrant.”

To the young girl, tea that lacked sweetness was clearly not to her liking.

When Haeryeong let out a small laugh, Iryeon gave Jongseon a light glare.

“Do not act recklessly in front of His Highness.”

“Yes, Head Court Lady.”

Haeryeong turned his gaze toward the garden to pretend he hadn’t seen Iryeon quietly lecturing Jongseon.

He could have taken Jongseon’s side, but the supervision of the court ladies was Iryeon’s responsibility as the Head Court Lady.

In this vast palace, there were few who would overlook a mistake just because someone was young.

Perhaps there were none at all.

Therefore, he could not simply let things slide out of affection just because she was young and cute.

Haeryeong sipped his tea, ignoring Iryeon’s scolding eyes directed at Jongseon.

He waited for Iryeon’s mood to shift before pushing the tray of tea snacks toward Jongseon.

“Since you are still young, sweet things must suit your palate better.”

Jongseon kept her head bowed, unable to even look up, and stole glances at Iryeon.

“No, Your Highness.”

Seeing her hesitation, it seemed she wasn’t entirely unwilling.

Haeryeong let out a chuckle, picked up one snack, and pushed the tray back toward her.

“One is enough for me. Take these and share them with the other girls.”

Jongseon only took the tray with a bow after Iryeon gave her a nod of approval.

“I am overwhelmed, Your Highness.”

Haeryeong gave a silent nod.

“That is enough with the formalities. You may go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After Jongseon backed away, Iryeon let out a sigh.

“I apologize, Your Highness. No matter how many times I tell her, it only lasts for the moment…”

Haeryeong shook his head with a small laugh.

How could that be her fault?

The fault likely lay more with Haeryeong for being so accepting.

Jongseon had become a court lady right after being an apprentice, and since Haeryeong was her first master, she did not yet understand the terrors of the palace.

Then again, there were no elders in the palace right now, and until Noble Consort Jeong arrived, there hadn’t even been any other concubines, so it was understandable.

Haeryeong had lived his life far removed from the power struggles of the deep palace, so could it really be called their fault if the subordinates didn’t feel the tension?

In the past, it was even more so because he was an Empress to whom the Emperor didn’t even grant a single glance.

But now, the Emperor’s eyes and footsteps were frequently directed here, so they would have to be careful.

“Since His Majesty visits frequently, tell the girls to stay alert. The Emperor… will not be as forgiving as I am.”

Haeryeong knew his cold nature better than anyone.

However, while insisting he had no memory, it was difficult to give a blatant warning.

Iryeon would surely manage them with her intuition, but would Jongseon’s thoughtlessness be fixed all at once?

Since he couldn’t do anything about it immediately, he would have to wait and see.

With that thought, Haeryeong slowly finished the rest of his tea.

****

A medicinal bath of aralia bark and mugwort was prepared, but the moment his body touched the hot water, his lower half burned.

‘Is it because I was so overworked?’

Since it was a part of his body he could hardly speak of to anyone, Haeryeong remained still and endured while the court ladies assisted with his bath.

It didn’t take long for the burning sensation to become familiar, but the dull ache he felt every time his private gate twitched refused to vanish.

‘Surely he doesn’t intend to share the bed again today.’

Since the Emperor had made such a bold claim, it would likely happen.

Haeryeong let out a sigh, worrying that he might end up severely ill if his rear became further inflamed.

“Your Highness, is the water too hot?” Mok asked upon hearing the sigh.

“No. I suppose I simply took a deep breath because the scent of mugwort is so pleasant.”

“I brewed it because it is said to be effective for muscle pain.”

“Thanks to you, my body feels much lighter.”

Mok smiled sweetly as she gathered and lifted Haeryeong’s hair while he leaned back.

“I am glad to hear it, Your Highness.”

She soon brought camellia oil and applied it generously to Haeryeong’s hair.

While she spent the time rubbing and combing his glossy hair, Haeryeong slowly relaxed the muscles of his still-throbbing private gate.

He considered asking for some ointment.

However, he quickly concluded that he could not.

It was not only shameful but also embarrassing.

No matter how accustomed Haeryeong was to giving orders, he could never tell anyone that the area was swollen from excessive sexual activity.

He simply had to hope the warm water would ease the soreness a little.

After finishing his bath and taking an afternoon nap for about an hour, the time for dinner was already approaching.

Haeryeong, blinking his eyes on the bed, was horrified by the fact that he had to groom himself once more.

‘I truly wish he would not come for dinner.’

Haeryeong stood up with a heavy body and called for Iryeon.

“Is His Imperial Majesty coming for dinner?”

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