CH 51

#51 

The news about the emperor forgiving Yeonbin and putting back his nameplate was naturally heard in Jeongan Palace as well. The news made all people in Jeongan Palace excited as if the emperor would come to spend the night at Jeongan Palace right away, but Hwawoon did not give much meaning to that news. He regarded that it was only because of His Majesty’s friendly nature, which could not mistreat those who made efforts for a long time.

However, apart from that, the emperor personally visited Jeongan Palace last time, and there was also this matter, so Hwawoon had to thank him. Therefore, he said that he should go to Anjeong Palace where His Majesty was staying. When Ahjin heard that, she jumped up and said that he could never go like this, so she held onto Hwawoon and dressed him up anew.

“Your Highness, how about we go now?”

Hearing Ahjin’s voice, which sounded more excited, Hwawoon left his brown study and finally moved his body. As he recalled, this was his first time to visit the emperor on his own feet ever since he became Yeon Hwawoon. 

What will His Majesty see of me, who suddenly came to thank him? Will he scold me for making such a fuss about this? 

Hwawoon, who was heading to the palanquin, had a lot of thoughts that he didn’t even know that the girls of Jeongan Palace were mesmerized by his face.

***

“Your Majesty, why don’t you take a break for a moment. I’ve told the courtiers to bring in some snacks.”

Hearing the word ‘snacks’ that was said by Eunuch Oh, Emperor Yihan, who was doing his work after having lunch at the Empress Palace and didn’t even take a nap, opened his eyes wide and said,

“Snacks? Did Jeongan Palace send them?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Well, I mean… I… I’m asking which palace sent it. Ahem khm.” 

Eunuch Oh was confused and lost what to say at the sound of Jeongan Palace, which popped out of nowhere, so even though Yihan added urgently later, the desolate silence could not be easily erased. After a long time, Eunuch Oh continued.

“It’s not from Jeongan Palace, but made from the Imperial Kitchen, Your Majesty.”

Without answering, Yihan left the desk where he was doing political affairs and murmured as he sat on a chair in the middle of the room.

“How shameless …” 

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. This person didn’t hear what you just said.”

“I said how shameless.” 

Eunuch Oh was shocked as he heard the emperor’s sudden words. He tried to bend his knees and ask for forgiveness for daring to act shamelessly, but Yihan quickly waved his hand and stopped Eunuch Oh. 

“Not you, but Yeonbin.” 

“His Highness Yeonbin…?”

“Yes. Last time, he only sent snacks once and now he is being ungrateful. I’m sure by now he knows that I returned his nameplate.” 

As he talked more, Yihan’s voice was subsiding like a child’s voice who was at a loss for words because he was upset rather than angry. He seemed to have forgotten his pledge to give no meaning to each of Yeonbin’s actions and not to pay attention to them anymore. Eunuch Oh then said,

“I think His Highness might think you still don’t want to see him because you just walked past him last time, Your Majesty.”

Actually, Eunuch Oh knew that Yeonbin wouldn’t think of it even for a bit. However, for some reason, the Emperor nowadays aroused the desire to tease like a young boy. Therefore, Eunuch Oh couldn’t stop his mouth from doing an irreverent act toward the Emperor.

“No way…”

When the Emperor looked confused at the remark from Eunuch Oh, a eunuch from outside strode inside and announced, 

“His Highness Yeonbin came.” 

Eunuch Oh thought that it was a shame that he alone saw the Emperor’s face, which quickly smiled when he just looked down and grumbled. 

***

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Yihan stared blankly at Yeonbin, who greeted him by kneeling. The white clothes with a subtle blue color matched his translucent skin so well. In addition, fortunately, his body seemed to have improved a lot, so he obviously looked more colorful than last time when he was very pale, which led Yihan unable to take his gaze off Yeonbin’s face. 

“Your Majesty…”

“Ah…! Khm khm. Get up.”

Yihan managed to get back to his senses after Eunuch Oh’s voice when he unintentionally made Yeonbin kneel for a long time. Yeonbin then raised his body with his eyes gracefully looking down. Yihan checked Yeonbin’s face, wondering if he had a wrong thought of him making him kneel for long on purpose, but there was no particular emotion seen on Yeonbin’s face.

Feeling a strange disappointment at that calm face, Yihan said,

“What brings you here?” 

He didn’t mean to talk with a firm tone. He was now convinced that using such a tone meant he was being aware of Yeonbin, so Yihan wanted to talk to Yeonbin with a normal tone as if he felt nothing.

However, the reason he let out a cold voice without realizing it was merely because he was very nervous.

The great Sung Yihan knew that it was unreasonable for the proud emperor of the great nation to feel nervous in front of a concubine. However, Yihan had no other words but was nervous to express the emotion he was feeling. Without any excuse, Yihan was feeling nervous about the sudden encounter he faced, Yeon Hwawoon, who visited him in person.

However, it seemed as though Yihan alone was the one who felt such a fragile emotion, which would break if it was touched. Yeon Hwawoon, who still had a composed face, opened his mouth with a calm voice.

“I dared to come here to express my humble gratitude for the limitless grace you showed me, Your Majesty.” 

Saying that, Hwawoon glanced at Ahjin behind him. Ahjin walked and handed the big food basket she was holding to Eunuch Oh. Yihan’s gaze moved toward the basket in Eunuch Oh’s hands. When the eunuch opened the cover, there were snacks with a savory smell and steam. Hwawoon continued,

“It’s not a big deal, but it’s a good time to eat snacks soon, so I hope you like it.” 

“You’ve prepared this carefully, Your Highness Yeonbin. All of this is His Majesty’s favorite.” 

When Eunuch Oh made a comment from the side, Hwawoon lowered his head slightly as if he was shy. Hwawoon could not remember, obviously, but the snacks could be prepared thanks to Ahjin. She, as the close aide of the concubine, had already known what the emperor enjoyed eating.

Hwawoon was completely oblivious about the palace food, so he didn’t prepare it himself, but all the snacks were touched by his earnest desire for the emperor to enjoy at least one of them.

Simultaneously, Hwawoon kneeled before the emperor again and said,

“Thank you very much for coming and consoling me for not taking good care of my body, and for forgiving me of my past mistakes, Your Majesty. I will never take the generosity shown by you lightly and be more vigilant and careful in the future so that I do not act rashly again.”

Looking at the contents of the basket, which contained his favorite as what Eunuch Oh said, Yihan’s lips twitched and his gaze quickly turned to Hwawoon. Every word directed at him was simply impeccable and neat. It was a remarkably different appearance compared to his past appearance, which was doubtful whether he knew about etiquette and the law or not.

Strangely, however, Yihan was not happy to see it. The lips, which twitched after seeing the snacks, become straight again. Why—Yihan thought. He wondered why it felt like cold water had been poured on his excited heart when there was nothing wrong with Hwawoon’s attitude.

Yihan’s gaze landed on Hwawoon’s lashes that fluttered softly. He didn’t touch it, but his palm was ticklish. After looking at Hwawoon’s expression, which didn’t sway even for once, Yihan realized where the strange displeasure he felt earlier came from. 

Yihan didn’t want Yeon Hwawoon to return to his past self. He didn’t want to see Yeon Hwawoon, who always put a facade in front of him, lied, and acted to him with tears and evil every time.

However, Yeon Hwawoon in front of him now; Yeon Hwawoon, who changed his way of speaking, acting, and dressing, all of him—even making his face look like an unfamiliar person—was overly calm to him. Even the polite attitude he showed didn’t look like the attitude of a concubine but of the ministers or military officers. 

As if there were no personal feelings left; like someone who didn’t expect anything else from Yihan anymore.

It strangely gnawed at Yihan’s heart, and Yihan soon said,

“I didn’t do it for you. I only did it in consideration of your father’s face.”

Listening to that, Eunuch Oh immediately looked at Yihan with a surprised gaze. Eunuch Oh, who could guess the emperor’s movement far ahead of anyone else, never knew that the emperor would say that among the many other remarks he could choose.