Chapter 81: The Lie Laid Bare

The Emperor chuckled and placed a piece of dry, charcoal-grilled bulgogi on Haeryeong’s plate.

“Since I already know the answer, the question is futile.”

Haeryeong noticed the outcome of the bet through his words.

“Did your servant win?”

“You are only quick-witted in matters like this.”

The Emperor continued with a look of feigned disappointment.

“Think more about what you want and tell me tonight.”

“I shall do so.”

‘What I want.’

There was only one thing Haeryeong desired right now: to remove this brazen Emperor from his sight.

To have this man, who still pretended to be so tender, never appear before him again.

That was all.

Haeryeong looked at the bulgogi the Emperor had served him, found his appetite had completely vanished, and set down his spoon.

“Are you finished already?”

In response to the oblivious Emperor’s question, Haeryeong lifted a bowl of Baekbitang to rinse his mouth and offered a quiet smile.

When one has nothing to say, is a smile not the best response?

After finishing his meal, the Emperor returned to his evening duties and sought Haeryeong out again late at night.

By then, Haeryeong had already washed and was halfway prepared for bed.

“Would you like a drink?”

“If Your Majesty drinks, I shall fill your cup.”

The memory of his previous drunken antics resurfaced, and he worried that the Emperor might take advantage of his intoxication to decide the bet’s prize as he pleased.

When Haeryeong declined the alcohol, the Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he smiled.

“Do you fear I might swindle you?”

Suppressing the urge to ask how he knew, Haeryeong quietly bowed his head.

“How could your servant harbor such wicked thoughts? It is merely that my heat cycle has just ended, and I fear the alcohol might hit me too hard.”

“Indeed, that is true.”

The Emperor also agreed that alcohol might be too much and instead ordered a tea tray to be brought in.

A moment later, steaming teacups and dried persimmon rolls were placed before Haeryeong.

Before drinking his tea, the Emperor picked up a persimmon roll and handed it to Haeryeong.

As Haeryeong took it and nibbled on it bit by bit, the man spoke first.

“So, have you given it some thought?”

Haeryeong pondered, using his tongue to melt the thick persimmon against the roof of his mouth.

“To what extent is my wish possible?”

“That depends on whether it is something I can grant or not. If you ask me to pluck the moon from the sky, that would be difficult. Though, if you truly desired it, I would exert all my strength to try.”

‘What use would I have for the moon?’

Haeryeong fell silent for a moment to think carefully.

While Haeryeong was lost in thought, the Emperor simply sipped his tea in silence.

Only after a long while did Haeryeong organize his thoughts and set down the persimmon.

“Your servant begs for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

The Emperor’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he lifted his teacup.

He took a sip of tea, slowly set the cup back down, and asked.

“Asking for forgiveness makes me feel a sudden sense of dread. Tell me, what fault have you committed?”

Haeryeong rinsed his mouth, which had grown sticky from the persimmon, and finally parted his lips.

“Before I confess my sin, there is a request I wish to make.”

“Speak.”

Looking at the Emperor, who answered with such leisure, Haeryeong stepped down from his chair and knelt on the floor.

“What are you about to say that you would go as far as to kneel?”

His expression was not shaken in the least, as if he had already guessed what Haeryeong would say.

Haeryeong looked up at the Emperor, who appeared as relaxed as ever, and then prostrated himself, bowing his head to the floor.

“I shall gladly accept any punishment for my crime. Even if it does not satisfy Your Majesty… I beg you to show me compassion with a heart as vast as the sea.”

The Emperor promised he would do so without a second thought.

Even then, when Haeryeong failed to speak immediately, he urged him quietly.

“Must I write my promise as a document and apply the Imperial Seal for you to believe me?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Then speak quickly. The Empress is making me anxious for no reason.”

Haeryeong took a deep breath, his forehead resting on the backs of his hands.

Even after opening his mouth, no words came out for a moment as he agonized over how to say it.

“Your servant…”

He finally forced the words out, but his mouth clamped shut again involuntarily.

When Haeryeong could not continue, the Emperor chuckled and whispered from above.

“Lift your head and speak.”

Haeryeong pushed himself up with trembling arms and raised his head.

The Emperor was still smirking casually, but he wondered if the man would still be smiling once this story was over.

Haeryeong swallowed hard and opened his lips once more.

“Your servant has deceived Your Majesty.”

“Oho. And how exactly did you deceive me?”

Haeryeong dropped his gaze from the Emperor’s face.

He had always been terrified of the moment he would be caught, but strangely, seeing the Emperor’s smiling face made his heart settle into a calm state.

“Your servant… never lost his memory.”

“Mmm.”

The Emperor let out an indifferent hum and turned his body toward Haeryeong.

“Then, why did you pretend to have lost your memory?”

“At first, I was simply delirious from the fever. The court ladies misunderstood my silence and dazed state.”

Haeryeong pulled his parched lips inward to wet them with his tongue and slowly closed his eyes.

“Your servant simply wished to live in peace. Since Your Majesty cherishes the Noble Consort so dearly, I thought that if I stepped down after losing my memory, you might elevate him to the position of Empress. That is what I believed.”

Haeryeong opened his eyes and studied the Emperor’s face.

His face was as serene as before, as if he had known for a very long time.

‘Was it truly so? Did he see through my clumsy acting all along? Then that is even better.’

Haeryeong begged for forgiveness in a flat, monotone voice.

“I know that even giving my life would not suffice to pay for the crime of deceiving Your Majesty. However, considering our past bond, please direct the punishment for my sin only toward me. I am already a person of Yeoran, so I pray that no harm comes to my homeland, Yeonseo.”

Now that he knew the Emperor’s favor still lay with the Consort, he no longer wanted to play this puppet show.

He did not want to harbor expectations for the man’s feigned tenderness only to be disappointed again.

Every time he did, he felt wretched.

Thus, Haeryeong intended to tell the truth now.

He had no lingering attachments.

He had received a imitation of the tenderness he had once craved so much, but since it only made him feel more miserable, what more could he want?

He only hoped he could save his own life as the prize for the bet.

Even if he could not save himself, he wished for no harm to reach Yeonseo.

This was the conclusion he had reached after agonizing alone since the afternoon, when he heard the Emperor had visited the Consort’s Palace.

Haeryeong looked up at the Emperor composedly.

The Emperor rested his arms on the table, propping his chin on his hand as he stared back at Haeryeong.

When their eyes met, the Emperor let out a chuckle.

They stared at each other for a moment, and when Haeryeong bowed his head again, only then did the man extend his hand.

“Did you think I would not know? I am the one who left the Empress alone all this time, so how can I say it was entirely your fault? I understand everything, so rise. The floor is still cold.”

The Emperor waved his hand in front of Haeryeong’s eyes again.

When Haeryeong reached out, the Emperor snatched his hand and pulled.

Haeryeong was drawn by the force and landed in his embrace.

Cradling the weakly leaning Haeryeong, the Emperor rubbed his lips against his cheek and asked.

“So, have you been very sorrowful all this time?”

Instead of answering the question, Haeryeong asked something else.

“Since when have you known, Your Majesty?”

“I had my suspicions from the start, as you well know.”

Haeryeong examined the Emperor’s face carefully.

‘Has he actually grown fond of me?’

Even while discussing such a matter, the Emperor did not look particularly angry.

In the past, he would have flown into a fire-like rage.

Recalling the time the Emperor swung a sword at him, Haeryeong shivered.

“Why are you not angry?”

At Haeryeong’s question, the Emperor laughed as if the idea were absurd.

“Why, do you sound disappointed that I am not angry?”

He stopped laughing and gently rubbed Haeryeong’s cheek.

“As I just said, how can I say it was entirely your fault? It was also my fault for neglecting you for so long. So, Empress, do not take it to heart. You and I are husband and wife. Is it not right that we should cover for each other’s flaws?”

Had he ever imagined a day would come when the man would say such things?

He had certainly never expected to receive such comfort from him.

But what was this? His words did not touch Haeryeong’s heart in the slightest.

Haeryeong lowered his eyes and gave a cold smile.

“I am moved by Your Majesty’s vast heart.”

“If that is so, I shall do something even more generous. Regardless of this matter, I shall give you the prize for the bet, so if there is anything you wish to receive, do not hesitate to speak. What prize shall I give you?”

Haeryeong stared directly at the smiling Emperor and parted his lips.

“If I tell you what I want, will you grant it?”

“Speak it.”

Haeryeong rose from the Emperor’s lap and bent his knees in a formal bow.

“I wish to see Your Majesty off, so please, rise.”

Only then did a small crack appear in the Emperor’s smiling face.

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