If it were any other time, she would have jokingly moved closer to sit next to Jwa Woo first.

But Hong Woo Geon did not do that.

After the incident in the library, strangely, whenever he was with Jwa Woo, small tremors ran through his body.

Hong Woo Geon subtly moved his body back to maintain distance from Jwa Woo.

“Do you know that the gahabin here have gathered to become secret royal inspectors?”

“I heard about that roughly from the eunuch.”

“To become a gahabin, one must meet several conditions…”

“What exactly are those conditions?”

“First, one must be a low-ranking official.”

“What’s the reason for that?”

“It’s to select those who haven’t yet tasted power and are less tainted by the world as secret royal inspectors.”

“Ah, so it’s a method to choose those who are incorrupt and honest, is that what you mean?”

Indeed, teach one and you know ten.

Hong Woo Geon continued with a satisfied expression.

“Next is someone with high loyalty to the country.”

“Unfortunately, please exclude me from that condition.”

“Well, there are exceptions sometimes. Next… each must have a recommender. Depending on who that recommender is, it can determine how many horses the gahabin’s inspector’s plaque will have.”

“What? So after choosing the incorrupt and honest, you’ll ultimately select underlings based on power? This is absurd.”

“However, if that power comes from His Majesty, wouldn’t it be different?”

“His Majesty?”

Jwa Woo, who had been thinking for a moment, looked at Hong Woo Geon with new eyes.

“So your words about being in cahoots with His Majesty weren’t a joke.”

“If I had joked about such a thing, my family would be exterminated for three generations.”

“Wait a moment. May I ask one question?”

“What is it?”

“What about those who came in on the eunuch’s recommendation?”

“Eunuch’s recommendation?”

Jwa Woo pointed to herself with an embarrassed smile.

“I was guided in here by the eunuch when I entered. Isn’t that the eunuch’s recommendation?”

At Jwa Woo’s naive words, a chuckle involuntarily escaped Hong Woo Geon’s lips.

“Hehehe.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“You’re the clever one from Myeongye-bang, right? The genius who knows a hundred things when taught one?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

As if telling her to think a bit, Hong Woo Geon lightly flicked Jwa Woo’s small forehead.

“Try to think about who gave orders to that eunuch.”

“The one who gave orders to that eunuch…”

Jwa Woo recalled the beautiful figure of the king who had smiled faintly at her. Suddenly, goosebumps rose all over her body.

Jwa Woo’s already large eyes grew even wider.

“Then… are you saying my recommender is His Majesty?”

Hong Woo Geon remained silent.

Though it was clearly an affirmative silence to anyone watching.

As if determined to hear an answer, Jwa Woo grasped both of Hong Woo Geon’s hands.

“Tell me. Am I really a gahabin recommended by His Majesty?”

“Do I need to say it out loud for you to know?”

Hong Woo Geon spoke as if it were no big deal. But in his heart, an intense battle was raging.

How could he escape from Jwa Woo, who had boldly grabbed his hands?

How could he avoid those clear, transparent eyes?

How could he suppress this tingling sensation near his heart?

Unaware of Hong Woo Geon’s deepening anguish, Jwa Woo was rejoicing like a child.

To think that His Majesty was her backer.

Her heart felt like it would burst with surprise, joy, and humility.

While Hong Woo Geon’s heart watching her felt like it would burst for a different reason.

It was truly a case of different dreams from the same bed.

Hong Woo Geon gazed at the distant sunset. Despite his yearning heart, the red sunset was painfully beautiful.

[This is the timeline separator]

The predawn stars flickered like a blinking oil lamp.

A blue light seeped through the pitch-black darkness.

The gahabin, who had not yet fully washed away last night’s sleep from their eyes, crowded into the dining hall for breakfast.

If they didn’t eat within the set time, they would never be able to find that meal again.

For these vigorous young men in their prime, food came before sleep.

Jwa Woo slipped in among the gahabin who were pouring in like the tide.

Lee Gyo Young was still confined to his room.

Fortunately for Jwa Woo and unfortunately for Lee Gyo Young, no one was curious about his whereabouts.

At least not yet.

But it seems Jwa Woo’s luck might come to an end today.

As Jwa Woo sat down with her breakfast tray in front of her, the short Yoo Chi Sung approached.

He looked around for a while as if searching for something.

While Jwa Woo turned her head to look around as well, Yoo Chi Sung sat down across from her.

As if they had been waiting, a servant brought over the tray with his portion.

Though it was just a few simple vegetable side dishes, a nicely grilled fish, and a clear soup, the appetizing smell made her stomach rumble.

Just as she was about to put a spoonful in her mouth.

Yoo Chi Sung asked in a rather strange tone.

“How come he’s not visible?”

“Who do you mean?”

“That illegitimate son who was hanging around with the eighth gahabin. He hasn’t been seen for several meals now. Don’t you know anything?”

“Haha, is that so?”

She casually blurted out as if she hadn’t paid attention.

That attitude must have seemed even stranger to the other person.

“Are you not close? Or are you keeping your distance because he’s illegitimate?”

“…”

That’s what I should be saying.

She swallowed the words that had risen to her throat along with a piece of fishy fish.

“I don’t know about other things, but he was someone who always showed up for mealtimes…”

Was it an illusion that Yoo Chi Sung’s voice seemed tinged with worry?

“Do you have some business with him?”

“Even a dog raised at home would be searched for if it disappeared, that’s human nature.”

Jwa Woo frowned at Yoo Chi Sung’s words.

Lee Gyo Young wasn’t a dog.

Wasn’t that too harsh a comparison, even for an illegitimate son?

Her gaze toward Yoo Chi Sung must have unconsciously turned fierce.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Others might think you’re talking behind the back of someone you’re quite close to.”

Each of Yoo Chi Sung’s words strangely pricked at her heart.

Though they couldn’t be called close, the fact that his absence was her fault was undeniable. But she couldn’t tell the truth, so.

“Hahaha, how could I do that?”

When concealing one’s true feelings, simply laughing it off was best.

With an artificial smile, Jwa Woo hurriedly shoved the food from her tray into her mouth.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Leaving behind Yoo Chi Sung, who had not even finished half his meal, Jwa Woo got up and left.

Judging by the heat on the back of her head, Yoo Chi Sung’s gaze was surely following her the whole time.

[This is the timeline separator]

After leaving the dining hall, Jwa Woo made her way to the kitchen where the cooks and kitchen staff were. Some who had already become familiar with her face greeted her.

After exchanging greetings with them, Jwa Woo went straight to the cook in charge of rice.

“Oh my, you’ve come.”

“You’re working hard.”

“It’s nothing much. This is my calling. But for someone with such a small frame…”

The cook, who had been looking Jwa Woo up and down, handed her a container with several rice balls he had prepared in advance.

After glancing around, Jwa Woo slipped a few coins into his hand.

The cook’s face bloomed warmly like perfectly cooked grains of rice.

“I’ve added a side dish as well.”

“Thank you.”

Having procured food for Lee Gyo Young, Jwa Woo hurried back to the lodgings.

Worried the food might get cold.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead from rushing.

When she opened the door, pitch-black darkness greeted her.

From beyond the darkness, blue eyes stared at Jwa Woo.

It was Lee Gyo Young.

“I’ve brought food.”

Lest anyone hear.

Jwa Woo whispered softly as she entered and closed the door.

Lee Gyo Young, with his hands tied behind his back, didn’t even glance at her.

Paying no mind, she opened the container the cook had prepared.

Inside were several freshly made, fluffy rice balls and some pickled radish.

First, she held out the water container she had brought to Lee Gyo Young.

“I’m fine.”

Lee Gyo Young rejected Jwa Woo’s kindness in his characteristically indifferent tone.

“You’ll harm your body that way.”

At Jwa Woo’s concern, Lee Gyo Young gave a mocking smile.

“That’s not something the person who tied me up like this should say.”

“I truly feel sorry about that.”

“If you’re that sorry, untie these ropes first.”

“…I’m sorry.”

After a moment of conflict, Jwa Woo shook her head.

She remembered Hong Woo Geon’s words not to trust anyone.

Sometimes Hong Woo Geon could be annoying, but at other times his advice wasn’t entirely wrong. Especially in difficult situations like this.

Jwa Woo offered a rice ball to Lee Gyo Young, who had rejected the water.

“It’s made with freshly cooked rice. The flavor is quite savory, please try some.”

She said as she brought the rice ball to his mouth.

Suddenly, Lee Gyo Young stared intently at Jwa Woo.

“Why… are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m curious.”

“What are you so curious about?”

“If I ask, will you answer?”

“If it’s an answer I can give, I will.”

Silence fell for a moment.

Lee Gyo Young was the one to break the silence.

“Why are you doing this?”

“…?”

“Couldn’t you live normally like others?”

“…”

Jwa Woo gave a dry smile.

Even if she were Lee Gyo Young, she would have been curious.

It must be incomprehensible why a woman would voluntarily put herself in such a dangerous situation and endure this hardship.

“That is…”

After hesitating for a moment, Jwa Woo steeled her resolve.

She couldn’t go on like this forever.

Though Hong Woo Geon called it a trite and old-fashioned method, she believed nothing had greater power than sincerity.

After taking a deep breath, Jwa Woo opened her mouth.

And she recounted everything that had happened to her, without adding or omitting anything.

The decision was entirely up to Lee Gyo Young.

By the time the once-warm rice balls had grown cold, the story came to an end.

Lee Gyo Young’s expression held no emotion whatsoever.

Perhaps Hong Woo Geon was right.

It must have become a world where sincerity no longer resonates.

As she watched Lee Gyo Young’s indifferent face in silence, a thousand thoughts flashed through her mind.

But one thing.

She didn’t regret opening up. It had been a long time since she felt this unburdened.

If this didn’t work, she would have no choice but to use the method Hong Woo Geon suggested.

With power and force…

Just as her thoughts reached this point.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

An unexpected question came from Lee Gyo Young.

“It must feel like walking on thin ice every day. Even looking at the current situation. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Why wouldn’t I be afraid? I’m human too. But this is what I must do. If not me, who would clear my father’s unjust death?”

She answered with a forced bright expression.

After staring at Jwa Woo for a while, Lee Gyo Young said abruptly.

“I envy you.”

“What?”

“I said I envy your father.”

“…”

“Give me the rice ball.”

“Huh? Yes.”

With a face mixed with surprise and gladness, Jwa Woo brought a rice ball to Lee Gyo Young’s mouth. It was a considerate gesture to make it easier for him to eat.

However, making her consideration meaningless, Lee Gyo Young’s hand suddenly shot out and snatched the rice ball.

It happened in an instant.

She couldn’t even comprehend what had just occurred.

Looking at the surprised and bewildered Jwa Woo, Lee Gyo Young smiled faintly.

“Did you think you could restrain me with such flimsy ropes?”

“Then why have you been captive until now?”

“To see how far you would go.”

“…”

What?

You’ve been pretending to be caught from the beginning?

“See? I told you there’s no one to trust.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

How long had he been there?

Hong Woo Geon was leaning against the corner of the door, looking down at Jwa Woo and Lee Gyo Young.