Heegyeong’s complexion turned not just white but sickly pale, filled with shame and humiliation.
On her bruised lips, redder blood than the plum blossom seeped out.
Even though it was late at night, the light from Donggung Palace showed no signs of going out. Hwan had not been able to sleep until late due to preparations for the celebration of Heegyeong’s birthday.
Lately, noticing Heegyeong’s rapidly deteriorating condition, Hwan thought that this celebration would be a good opportunity to boost her spirits.
While it could have been entrusted to someone else, Hwan wanted to personally prepare and make Heegyeong happy this time.
Due to taking care of affairs as a proxy regent, Hwan was always pressed for time, and there wasn’t even time for proper sleep. However, for the sake of seeing Heegyeong’s smiling face, this level of effort was worth enduring.
At that moment, Hwan’s voice was heard from outside the door.
“Mama, Jungjeon Mama has arrived.”
“What did you say?”
At this late hour, what could be the reason for his visit? Hwan felt both surprised and excited at the unexpectedness of her visit.
It wasn’t a common occurrence for her to visit Donggung Palace herself.
The news of Heegyeong’s arrival dispelled even the fatigue that had accumulated, and Hwan, brightening up, quickly rose and called Park Naegwan, who was next to her.
“You!”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Prepare the desserts that Her Majesty likes right away. Quickly!”
“Yes, Mama….”
Before Park Naegwan could respond, Heegyeong’s voice was heard.
“There’s no need for that.”
“Mama!”
Heegyeong’s sudden appearance at the entrance surprised Hwan, but at the same time, she felt elated.
It was not common for her to visit in person.
Heegyeong’s sudden visit seemed to dispel even the fatigue that had built up. Hwan, with a radiant face, stood up and called Park Naegwan, who was next to her.
“You!”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Prepare the desserts that Her Majesty likes right away. Quickly!”
“Yes, Mama….”
Before Park Naegwan could respond, Heegyeong’s voice was heard.
“There’s no need for that.”
“Mama!”
Heegyeong’s sudden appearance at the entrance surprised Hwan, but at the same time, she felt elated.
“It’s been a while. I have something to discuss about the celebration for your birthday. Shall we talk?”
“I was contemplating what kind of chihwa (flower decorations made by artisans with silk, jade, etc.) to use to adorn the palace. Should I use chrysanthemums to commemorate Her Majesty’s noble sutures? Or should I use peonies, symbolizing beauty and longevity, to wish for both? What flower would be in Her Majesty’s heart…”
“Whatever about the banquet is not my concern. What I am curious about is Prince Gwangho’s affairs.”
As Heegyeong interrupted and brought up the proposal, Hwan’s face lost the excited expression and disappointment took its place.
Hwan, pushing away the court ladies and officials nearby, let out a voice weaker than before.
“…Is it just because of that?”
As expected, it was about Prince Gwangho again.
Heegyeong’s steps towards Donggung Palace made her happy, but it seemed that her purpose was not just to see Hwan.
“Only? Do you still not know how significant this matter is?”
“Is Her Majesty not talking to me about anything other than Prince Gwangho…?”
“Didn’t you say you would please this mother? But how can there be no progress at all?”
Kim Tae-seok was introduced by Minsangju as Hwan’s predecessor. He was considered the best in Hanyang, but recently, Hwan had not heard any news about him.
“I have yet to receive any special report.”
“How can the Crown Prince be so calm? Are you willing to leave a woman tormenting your mother, the seed of that woman, as is? It’s like deciding to let the mother kill the seed that sucks her blood!”
“Her Majesty!”
At Hwan’s first shout in front of her, Heegyeong was surprised and closed her mouth.
“Do you not see a son in the eyes of Her Majesty…?”
Like his trembling gaze, Hwan’s fist, full of discontent, shook.
“Every time I stand in front of Her Majesty, I feel like I’ve become nothing. It’s like becoming someone who exists but doesn’t exist.”
When Heegyeong visited Hwan, there was always a reason.
Even if only once, was it a desire for him to come with a pure heart, hoping he wanted to see her?
“Do you know what comes to mind when I see Her Majesty? It feels like I’m living trapped in the shadow of a woman who died several years ago.”
“Prince! How dare you!”
“Isn’t it time for you to come out?”
When the story of Jeongbin came up, Heegyeong’s eyes turned as if flames were about to burst.
Like a thread of a gem, her pale and delicate hand struck Hwan’s cheek.
—Crack!
Over Hwan’s white cheek, hit by Heegyeong, a red aura rose.
No matter how much she was a mother, the Crown Prince’s dignity could not be touched lightly.
Unintentionally, Heegyeong, who struck Hwan, seemed frozen in a state of surprise.
Amidst this, Hwan, with his head thrown back, slowly brought up a determination that had been harbored for a long time.
“…Isn’t there a son by Her Majesty’s side? If I become king, I will not abandon Her Majesty like my father. I will make Her Majesty happy, giving her the share she should have received from my father.”
Hwan spoke with an earnest gaze and a tender voice. If someone else had heard it, just listening would have made their hearts feel the sincerity in his voice.
“So, can you trust your son…?”
Perhaps that was the reason, Heegyeong’s momentum softened a bit.
“…Then, show me the head of Prince Gwangho if you want me to trust the Crown Prince.”
“What should your son do?”
In response to Hwan’s question, Heegyeong, who had regained her usual dignified attitude, spoke firmly.
“Bring me the head of Prince Gwangho.”
Prince Gwangho, the last shadow left by Jeongbin.
Even if he hadn’t existed, Heegyeong wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.
“He must die for us to live. Don’t forget that for the life the Crown Prince desires, he must cease to exist.”
“If I bring the head of Prince Gwangho, will you trust me?”
“Yes. As long as you keep the promise, I will trust the Crown Prince.”
In Heegyeong’s promise to trust him, Hwan’s eyes were filled with a resolute determination.
“Understood. Leave it to your son.”
“Make this mother feel at ease as soon as possible.”
Prince Gwangho Lee.
If only he hadn’t existed, my mother wouldn’t have to suffer so much.
If only he hadn’t existed, my mother would have bestowed complete love upon me.
Even if just for a moment, eliminating him would make Mother’s life perfect.
In Hwan’s calm eyes, determination towards Gwon took root.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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