CH 17.1

Even the emperor knew Yeonbin had a weak body. Just by looking at how he had a thinner body than women, he could know that he had a weak constitution.

However, Yeonbin was someone who always exaggerated his sickness a thousand times in front of the emperor. In addition, he usually made trouble more actively than healthy people, which later made the emperor forget he had a weak body.

Suddenly, he was reminded of Yeon Hwawoon standing under a magnolia tree—looking fragile as if the blowing wind would break him. Rather than making him look unattractive, his pale skin was more close to transparent. His thin body, which thanks to the exposed neckline and thin clothes could be seen more clearly, looked like it couldn’t even fill Yihan’s arms.

“He deserves it anyway.”

The emperor spoke with a blunt voice. Yeon Hwawoon’s sudden appearance was unfamiliar and irritating for him. Yeonbin was the one who did wrong, so why did he show his protest by prostrating and now get sick.

Eunuch Oh replied, “Yes, you’re right, Your Majesty.” However, Yihan somehow felt that he wasn’t being sincere, so he glared back at the eunuch and raised his voice.

“What? Are you saying that I was being mean to Yeonbin, huh?”

“I’m not, Your Majesty. How could this person dare to have such a thought? What you do is the law and the right thing, Your Majesty.”

Still, it was a very strange thing. Eunuch Oh was clearly saying the right thing. He didn’t show any sign of being sarcastic or blaming the emperor, but it was such a wonder why the emperor’s heart was so uncomfortable like in a bed of thorns after hearing the eunuch’s answer.

With his effort to shake his mind turned in vain, once again he recalled the smiling face of Yeon Hwawoon under the flower. At the same time, Yihan felt a light shiver crept on his spine. It was because Yeonbin’s face that he recalled back was terrifically unfamiliar for him. 

It wasn’t just simply about whether he had ever seen Yeonbin’s smile or not. Yihan guaranteed that it could never be a face Yeon Hwawoon had in the past. It couldn’t simply be explained as a smile that was hidden because of his vicious nature.   

It was a face that had never existed. It was like something that Yeon Hwawoon never had even once before. Although he couldn’t explain it with words, Yihan was certain about it.

Then, what about that face? What about that smile? Where did today’s Yeon Hwawoon come from? What kind of trace should that Hwawoon left in Yihan’s heart?

“… Shall we go to the empress palace, Your Majesty?” 

The eunuch asked because the emperor was looking gloomy while being quiet, and the emperor gave no answer.

“Do you want to go to Unhwa Palace?”

The eunuch asked again. Alas, the emperor was still silent.

“……Then, how about Jeong-”

“Forget it. Today, I will stay at Anjeong Palace.”

However, even before the eunuch could finish his last question, Yihan hurriedly opened his mouth like someone who was running away from something. Meanwhile, Eunuch Oh only bowed his back.

The emperor was lost in thought—step by step—he took a very slow step to the bedroom.

How much can death affect people? Is it really possible to become a very different person after experiencing death?

Sung Yihan. 

He was the high and noble son of Heaven in this big nation. He also rose to the emperor’s position amidst many dangers. However, because he had never returned from the brink of death, he stayed all night alone without being able to find the answer.