CH 15.2

As soon as Hwawoon’s words continued, appalling silence spread in Jeongan Palace. Everyone who was present there had never seen Yeon Hwawoon, who composedly replied to the Emperor, who already stated that he didn’t want to see him. 

Not only his voice but also the content he calmly spoke out. Everyone who stepped their feet inside Jeongan Palace at this time would have never imagined Yeon Hwawoon saying he would take responsibility for all his wrongdoings. 

Again, the ‘however’ words that came from Hwawoon made everyone turn even stiffer. While bowing his head, Hwawoon said,

“I want to tell you one thing. It isn’t a lie that I want to change. I swear I’m not doing this because I want to avoid my responsibility. I only…”

Hwawoon repeatedly adjusted his voice so that it didn’t tremble. That was because if he let himself off the leash even for a moment, he thought he would unseemly beg in spite of himself. 

Now, he had no desire to get loved by the emperor. He didn’t think that the emperor’s perception of himself would change overnight. No matter how different he would live compared to the previous Yeon Hwawoon, perhaps for all his lifetime, the emperor wouldn’t stop despising him.

Still, even so—even if that were bound to happen.

“Your Majesty… I want to change.”

Even if this couldn’t make the feelings the emperor had for Yeon Hwawoon to change even for a bit, 

“I don’t want to harass others anymore, and I don’t want to keep being a rude person to you, Your Majesty.” 

Even if there was no one who knew that this were Hawoon’s sincerity not Yeon Hwawoon—even so.

“I know this is hard for you to believe. It’s fine even if you don’t believe me. But still I… I want to be a loyal person for you from now on, Your Majesty.”

Hwawoon sincerely wanted to live as the emperor’s person. 

Another kind of silence, which was different from when the emperor spoke coldly, engulfed the surrounding once again. The weight of the atmosphere that could not be explained at once seemed to block everyone’s breath.

Yeon Hwawoon. 

The only concubine in this imperial palace, who was hated by the emperor.

A man with a terrible personality, who was always violent to his subordinates and audacious to his superiors.

An existence who was not close to anyone, was not respected by anyone, was not loved by anyone.

The very person who seemed to never change no matter what. 

Yeon Hwawoon, the one who said he loved the emperor but never changed as the emperor wanted. 

Right in this place now, he was prostrating as he talked to the emperor. Saying that he didn’t want to behave like that ever again. Saying that he didn’t want to live like that ever again. Saying that he didn’t want to keep being such a person to the emperor. 

No one could open their mouths. They couldn’t move, nor could they let out their breathing sound. As the emperor was silent and just looking down at Hwawoon’s prostrating figure, no one dared to behave rashly. After a moment of silence that felt eternal, the emperor slowly parted his lips.

“I don’t believe you.”

It was a cold yet apathetic voice. It even made those, who understood the emperor’s coldness because they knew what Yeonbin had been doing so far, gulped down their breaths.

“Do you think you can just erase everything you’ve done in the past with a few smooth words? If you make an excuse that you don’t remember, then everything becomes something that never happens?” 

“…”

“All dogs in this capital will laugh when they hear Yeon Hwawoon wants to change.”

The wind blew. The spring breeze that blew weakly made the purple magnolia flower, which Hwawoon was smelling a little while ago, fall off in front of Hwawoon’s hand, and the emperor, who was looking at the tips of his pale hands and petals, looked up and said while looking at everyone.

“From this moment on, Yeonbin is allowed to freely enter and exit Jeongan Palace.”

Surprised by the unexpected words from the emperor, Hwawoon finally raised his head a bit and stared up at the emperor. Meanwhile, the emperor who met his gaze spoke to Hwawoon with a voice filled with a ridiculing tone. 

“Do your best. I won’t get fooled.”

After saying that, the emperor turned firmly as if he didn’t need to hear more. 

Soon after, Hwawoon’s voice said, “Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.” was heard from behind his back. Even so, the emperor never looked back until he climbed into the palanquin because he didn’t like the way Hwawoon was grateful for his mercy when he clearly had given him sarcastic words.