Chapter 6: A Fragment of a Forgotten Dream

It was a bizarre sensation—as if he had woken from a long dream that lasted days, yet could remember nothing of it.

Even though it wasn’t particularly early and the lingering unease of a dream should have dissipated by now, a corner of his heart remained unsettled. He felt as if he were missing something vital, something that could fundamentally alter the course of his entire life.

Strangely, whenever Yeo Jae Won tried to recall what he had forgotten, his vision would darken as if the world were losing light, followed by a throbbing headache. It was as if his own mind were actively hiding the truth from him.

“Ah, and starting today, workers will be coming in to repair the annex,” added Eunuch Seok, who had briefly stepped away after answering the time.

Strict protocol dictated that even the smallest occurrence within the residence be reported to the Prince of Myeong, though the staff would naturally adjust their movements to avoid disturbing their master’s peace.

It had been over ten years since Yeo Jae Won received this residence and left the Imperial Palace. In truth, the person who had most wanted him out of the palace was the late Empress Mok.

Empress Mok did not wish to see the Third Prince stand in opposition to the Eastern Palace—she could not bear the thought of biological brothers pointing swords at one another. Thus, she had petitioned the Emperor to send Yeo Jae Won out since he was a young child, even making it her final wish.

Granting him a fief and a residence early was her calculated move to save both her sons. However, the Crown Prince, pitying his younger brother who would be sent out after losing his mother at a young age, delayed the departure. Consequently, Yeo Jae Won left the palace at the age of twelve.

Since then, every minor and major affair of the residence had been reported to the Prince through Eunuch Seok and Lady Lee.

This time, Eunuch Seok was merely following that rule, but Yeo Jae Won’s reaction was uncharacteristically sharp.

“The annex?” Yeo Jae Won questioned shortly, one thick, straight eyebrow arching in confusion.

Between serving the three-year mourning period for the late Crown Prince on behalf of his young nephew and his general lack of interest, the annex was a place he never set foot in. Unlike the study or the training grounds, the annex of this vast estate sat isolated, far removed from the main building and other structures.

“Is it not already a month since the imperial marriage gifts reached Baekya-bu? They informed us that the bridal party would depart on the ninth of this month. Since today is the twelfth, we must hurry the preparations.”

“Ah, the bride… Right, that was happening.”

Only then did Yeo Jae Won recall the imperial command—a decree that had felt more like a warning shot fired across his bow the moment he returned to the capital.

His Imperial Father had not offered a single kind word about his labor in the mourning hall or his haggard appearance. Instead, he had simply said:

—I intend to send a marriage proposal to the King of Baekya.

The fact that the Emperor mentioned this during Yeo Jae Won’s first formal greeting in three years meant he had already selected which child to marry off to Baekya-bu.

By legitimacy alone, Yeo Jae Won was more than qualified for the Eastern Palace. The prestige of being a legitimate prince of the blood was difficult to overcome. To add to that, by spending three years in the mourning hall for his late brother, he had demonstrated both fraternal devotion and the loyalty of a subject.

Of course, many whispered that this was a calculated move. Critics argued that while three months of mourning were sufficient for a brother, insisting on three years was a blatant attempt to secure the position of Crown Prince.

Perhaps conscious of these rumors, the Emperor offered no praise. Instead, he declared that since Yeo Jae Won had completed his coming-of-age ceremony, it was time for marriage—and he intended to tether him to a Queen Consort from Baekya-bu.

Baekya-bu might not be a shackle, but it was a heavy weight on Yeo Jae Won’s ankles. A Queen from the “Barren Lands,” as Baekya-bu was known, would provide zero political leverage for his journey to the Eastern Palace.

The Emperor’s message was clear: Just because your brother is gone, do not think his seat will be easily handed to you.

“Since the King of Baekya does not have a separate villa in the capital, there will be no suitable place for the bridal party to stay upon arrival. However, if Your Highness finds it uncomfortable, I shall look for an appropriate temporary residence,” Eunuch Seok added quickly.

He had already sought permission for this previously, but seeing his master’s displeased expression, the eunuch elaborated, fearing the Prince might have forgotten his earlier consent. Back then, Seok had even suggested using a suburban villa owned by the Prince rather than having the bride stay within the main residence.

Yeo Jae Won listened and, just as before, shook his head.

“The residence is large enough, and I have no reason to visit the annex. Since the wedding will be held here anyway, there is no need for the fuss of moving back and forth. Just prepare the annex for their stay.”

Leaving the command in a casual tone, Yeo Jae Won gave a faint nod. One of the court ladies stepped forward and handed the Prince’s Samo (official hat) to Lady Lee.

After donning the stiff, winged hat and finally grasping his ivory tablet (Sanghol), the preparations were complete. The long, dark purple robe draped elegantly over his jade-like face and commanding physique. He looked every bit the peerless royal.

As he stepped outside, the dim light of dawn was slowly staining the sky. A gentle spring breeze blew softly. It was a day that might make anyone hum a pleasant tune, but as Yeo Jae Won climbed into his carriage, he continued to chew on that mysterious, suffocating unease that sat in his chest like indigestion.

The morning assembly was not a Grand Audience where major affairs were debated, but a routine session. As the season was calm, so was the state of national affairs; the meeting consisted mostly of progress reports and minor agendas.

The biggest topic of conversation, in reality, was the Prince of Myeong, who had returned after three years.

Even the ministers of the “Crown Prince Faction”—who once guarded against him as a potential threat to their master—had changed their tune after seeing him observe the full mourning period for his nephew. Now, not only his secret supporters but also the late Crown Prince’s former allies were beginning to subtly push him forward.

“By personally practicing filial piety and fraternal love, you have set a new example for the officials and the people,” said Hyeon Sang-eun, a Hallim Haksa (Imperial Scholar) who approached him first.

As a traditionalist who believed the succession should follow strict legitimacy, he viewed the Third Prince as essentially the next heir to the throne.

“You flatter me.”

Hyeon Sang-eun was a central figure who could move the academic-minded bureaucrats. However, Yeo Jae Won merely replied casually, as if he read no hidden motive in the scholar’s approach.

“Now that you have returned to the capital…”

“I must prepare for the wedding.”

Yeo Jae Won cut him off with a nonchalant mumble, preempting the scholar’s likely suggestion that it was time to begin his formal political maneuvers.

“Pardon…? Ah, yes. I heard you are to take an Eumin from the King of Baekya’s household as your primary consort. Congratulations.”

“It is somewhat embarrassing to be taking a wife so late, but I thank you.”

In truth, Yeo Jae Won didn’t mind Hyeon Sang-eun’s approach. In fact, it was quite welcome. But they were still within the Imperial Palace. With his Imperial Father already trying to stall his momentum by tethering him to Baekya-bu, it was safer to remain low-key for now. He could always send a private messenger to the scholar’s home later.

“Prince of Myeong, it has been a long time. There is an order from His Majesty to enter Seonghwa Hall.”

A eunuch from the Emperor’s main hall approached with the message. Yeo Jae Won acknowledged the scholar with a glance and followed the eunuch.

Seonghwa Hall, used as the Emperor’s private office, was always submerged in a heavy silence.

As he walked, the white flowers blooming on a pear tree in the front courtyard suddenly caught his eye. Once again, sharp fragments of that forgotten dream pricked at his consciousness. An unpleasant pain began to spread from his temples.

—…So, I would like to plant a pear tree in the residence.