Chapter 93: A Visit to the Empress

Because of his infrequent visits lately, rumors that the Empress had already lost his influence were beginning to circulate.

Gangcheon wondered if he should show his face to prevent such talk from spreading further.

Since he had left the man alone for several days, the Empress had likely managed to compose himself by now.

To be honest, the truth of his relationship with the Empress could not be allowed to leak out yet.

The timing of the Minister of Rites’ desperate maneuvers and the period of his own visits to the Empress’s Palace were inextricably linked.

To drag that man down, he had to make the old raccoon believe his favor still resided with the Empress.

Only then would the wretch start squirming.

His head understood that it might be better to stop, considering the Empress could be placed in danger.

Inwardly, he felt a lingering sense of unease for using such an innocent person as a shield, and a part of him worried what would happen if the man actually got hurt.

However, it was a necessary evil.

He would simply have to protect him so that no harm befell him.

Not only within the Imperial Palace but also during the hawk hunt, the members of the Black Shadow Unit would be surrounding them densely, so there shouldn’t be much danger.

Of course, since he himself would be paying close attention to ensure the man wasn’t injured, nothing significant was likely to happen.

Still, the report he received today about the spy who used akisal weighed on his mind.

An akisal was not something one could easily dodge, no matter how outstanding their martial arts.

Because the sound of the arrow in flight was so faint, it was a difficult weapon to detect.

Thus, there was a possibility that Songjae had died without even realizing he had been hit.

In fact, if hit that squarely, he almost certainly hadn’t known.

Gangcheon himself was quite skilled with the akisal, but if he were the target rather than the shooter, he could not guarantee his own safety.

Therefore, he was naturally concerned for the Empress’s well-being.

Yet, it could not be helped.

He could vividly picture the Empress’s face turning dejected if he were told he couldn’t go because it was too dangerous.

‘Why did I even bring up that gods-damned hawk hunt in the first place?’

Gangcheon clicked his tongue, recalling that moment.

At the time, it had been a casual remark meant only to test the Empress.

Since the man claimed to have no memory, Gangcheon had intended to thrust all sorts of things at him and catch him in a mistake.

He could have simply said it was too dangerous because a spy was on the loose.

But just the thought of the man’s disappointed expression, with his eyes drooping, made a sigh threaten to escape.

‘How did I become so weak to this man?’

Truly, human emotions were a mystery, even when they were one’s own.

Gangcheon swallowed a sigh and strode down the corridor of the side hall.

He would have to catch that spy before they set out for the hunt.

****

When he arrived at the Empress’s Palace via palanquin, a court lady guided Gangcheon to the raised loft.

As he had during the banquet, he looked through the door connected to the inner corridor and saw the Empress leaning against the railing with his eyes closed.

Gangcheon dismissed the court lady who intended to announce his arrival and ascended the loft.

He gestured for Head Court Lady Yang, who was fanning Haeryeong with a folding fan, to remain quiet and drew closer.

As Gangcheon moved his hand slowly, the Head Court Lady took the hint and quietly vacated the area.

Drawing close to the Empress, Gangcheon looked down at him and let out a laugh.

He had thought the man was meditating since his eyes were closed.

Instead, Haeryeong was deep in sleep, his lips slightly parted.

While his body leaning against the railing was firmly anchored, his head was swaying ever so slightly, like a branch in a gentle breeze.

Gangcheon sat near the spot where the Head Court Lady had been and unfolded the fan she had left behind.

It was indeed a languid day, with no wind to speak of.

Still, he had assumed the man would be sleeping soundly at night after kicking him out, yet here he was, taking an uncharacteristic afternoon nap.

As he fanned Haeryeong in silence, the dozing man spoke without opening his eyes.

His voice was heavy and slurred with sleep.

“Iryeon-ah, stop now.”

“Your arm must be weary after doing that for so long.”

Gangcheon smiled quietly as he listened to that languid, dazed voice.

“I am not so fragile that my arm would grow weary from a few strokes of a fan.”

Startled, Haeryeong snapped his eyes open and straightened his body.

Looking at the lips parted in shock, Gangcheon let his dimples deepen.

“Your… Majesty.”

“It has been quite some time.”

“So, how have you been? I missed the cup of tea served by my Empress, so I paid a visit after all this time.”

Haeryeong, unable to hide his troubled expression, moved his body to offer his respects.

‘A truly consistent person.’

Gangcheon waved his hand to stop him and then folded the fan.

“Unless you hate me so much that you find it a waste to give me even that, please serve me a cup of tea.”

Haeryeong let out a small sigh and issued a command to the waiting Head Court Lady.

“Iryeon-ah. Bring some refreshing cold tea.”

Gangcheon watched him tidy his disheveled hair and curved his eyes into a smile.

“Do you have a fire burning in your heart the moment you see me?”

The Empress blinked his round eyes slowly.

Haeryeong stared at Gangcheon for a long moment before shaking his head.

“It is not that. My throat is simply parched from waking up…”

Judging by the way his reactions were slower than usual, it seemed he hadn’t fully shaken off his sleep.

Gangcheon decided to let it pass and waited for the man to come to his senses.

The fan made a crisp sound as he unfolded it again.

“It is a season where the body grows weary because the weather is so warm.”

“Your health is important, so do not overexert yourself and ensure you eat your meals on time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall do so.”

Gangcheon continued to fan Haeryeong gently as he spoke.

“I heard the banquet preparations are mostly settled; was it not difficult?”

Haeryeong’s body flinched as his eyes darted around, appearing unsure of what to do with the fact that Gangcheon was fanning him.

“Yes… the officials from the Bureau of Food were of great help.”

“Then starting next year, the Empress will be able to take the lead in the preparations.”

“What… do you mean by that? Are you saying your servant must prepare the Founding Festival banquet next year as well?”

“Originally, the preparations for Imperial banquets and rites were the duty of the Empress.”

“Since you have started for the first time, try to work alongside the officials from this year onward.”

“If there is anything difficult, I shall assist you with both heart and soul.”

Haeryeong did not ask since when that had been his duty.

However, his dejected expression said enough.

Gangcheon suddenly found it amusing that he could read the man’s expression so well.

How had he been so completely unaware that the man’s thoughts were so plainly visible on his face before?

Even if he had no interest in him, it was a truly puzzling thing.

Perhaps the man’s expressions toward him had become richer as they spent more time together.

Or perhaps, after sharing their bodies and conversations, Gangcheon himself had become familiar enough to recognize the nuances.

Since Haeryeong wasn’t acting like an entirely different person, it was likely more accurate to say that Gangcheon’s own eyes had changed.

As Gangcheon let out a chuckle, Haeryeong’s eyes flickered upward.

His words were contained even in those eyes that rose for a split second before dropping back down.

Only then did Gangcheon truly realize it—that he had changed.

“Will you not give me an answer?”

“I shall strive to do so.”

Haeryeong tucked a stray hair behind his ear as it was blown by a sudden breeze and bowed his head.

He shifted his head slightly as he tidied the scattered strands.

Because his hand obscured his face, Gangcheon felt a strange surge of impatience.

Was it because he hadn’t seen him in days? He wanted to see Haeryeong’s face properly.

Reaching out instinctively, Gangcheon caught Haeryeong’s hand as it was removing a hair stuck to his lip.

His hand stopped fanning as he stared into those wide, round eyes.

Haeryeong’s eyelashes fluttered.

Gangcheon interlaced his fingers with the ones tangled in the hair and pulled them down, looking at the man’s twitching hand.

An unseasonable scent of peach blossoms began to waft from somewhere.

Gangcheon realized a moment late that the scent was coming from himself.

Haeryeong shifted his body back slightly, as if trying to avoid the scent.

When Gangcheon narrowed his eyes and sent him a slight glare, the man lowered his gaze and bowed his head, muttering an apology.

“Breathe while you speak.”

When he scolded the man for holding his breath in a muffled voice, Haeryeong exhaled through his lips.

“I am breathing.”

“What are you using your nose for, then?”

‘Did he notice my intent to seduce him even faster than I did?’

Gangcheon found it fascinating that he didn’t find Haeryeong’s blatant rejection particularly offensive.

Gangcheon pulled Haeryeong’s fumbling hand toward his own lips.

Knowing full well the man wanted to pull away, he gripped it tighter, causing Haeryeong to bite his lip.

The sight brought a natural smile to his face.

While Haeryeong wore a look of distress, Gangcheon teased the back of his hand—where the blue veins stood out—with his lips and the tip of his nose.

“Please… let go.”

Perhaps due to the intensifying scent, heat seemed to be rising in Haeryeong’s face, his cheeks looking a bit more flushed than before.

Gangcheon pressed a deep kiss onto the slightly parted lips and finally released his hand.

It wasn’t so bad to see him acting so fresh and flustered, as if he were truly being toyed with.

It was truly a mystery, was it not?

Who could have imagined a day would come when this attitude of his would appear beautiful?

While Haeryeong withdrew his hand and rubbed the back of it with his other hand, Gangcheon simply watched him.

The strange atmosphere, where neither spoke while their gazes avoided one another, was only broken when Head Court Lady Yang returned with the tea.

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