Apart from Kim Hee Gyeom, Seong Won Gun was the first person to show such interest in me and listen to my story seriously.

Not understanding why he was curious about that, she answered his light question just as lightly.

“What I want to do most right now… I’d like to learn horseback riding. I’ve never ridden before, but sometimes I dream of riding a horse. When I wake up, it’s a bit disappointing, but I don’t feel bad.”

“Why is that difficult? Ask my elder brother about it.”

“I was just saying it, I’m not actually going to do it. Really.”

“It doesn’t seem like something to be so serious about. Shall I help you? If I ask my elder brother and he says it’s alright, I’ll teach you.”

She shook her head and said no.

It was not only inappropriate given her current situation, but learning from Seong Won Gun would be unreasonable by anyone’s standards.

She didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

Thinking she should clarify once more, she was about to speak when another voice beat her to it.

“What are you talking about teaching?”

The Grand Prince’s voice was chilly as he entered the inner quarters. His eyes were piercingly cold.

A cold wind blew across the Grand Prince’s face.

She stepped down from the porch and moved to the side.

“Elder brother, you’ve just arrived? Some good liquor came in, and I wanted to have a drink with you, so I brought it.”

“I’ll be there shortly. You go to the guest quarters first.”

“Understood. Sister-in-law, I’ll see you again next time.”

Seong Won Gun bid farewell with his eyes and left. At the same time, the Grand Prince’s cold gaze fixed on her face.

“What were you talking about that laughter could be heard beyond the wall? You seem to be in a very good mood.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Do you have any thoughts right now? Even if it’s Seong Won Gun, he’s still clearly another man. Don’t you think your behavior will become gossip for others?”

Even though they were his own words, they sounded childish and petty.

He didn’t understand why he felt so dirty and unpleasant.

When he arrived at Unyeon Palace and entered the inner quarters, the sight of Eun Seol smiling brightly at Seong Won Gun strangely irritated him.

“It seems you’re more comfortable with Seong Won Gun than with me, your husband.”

“That’s not it…”

“You pretend to be the most virtuous woman in front of me, but how can you laugh so easily in front of other men?”

Lee Woon’s brow furrowed as he spoke these reproachful words.

Even to himself, it sounded truly disappointing.

His heart didn’t mean it, but he didn’t know why such nonsense kept coming out.

Only when he saw tears welling up in Eun Seol’s eyes did he realize how cruel his words had been.

He knew he should say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

He could see Eun Seol’s hands trembling as they clutched her skirt.

He should apologize now.

While he hesitated, she spoke first.

“If my laughter seems light to you, I won’t laugh from now on. But I feel a bit wronged. It doesn’t seem right for you to say such things when you’re so crazy about women.”

Her voice was mixed with tears and barely audible, but Lee Woon was at a loss for words at her unexpected response.

With those final words, Eun Seol went into her room, causing a cold wind.

She didn’t even wait to hear his reply.

He let out a bitter laugh, dumbfounded.

* * *

As he entered the guest quarters, he saw a small drinking table before him.

“Why are you drinking in the middle of the day?”

“What does it matter if it’s day or night? Please consider my feelings, rushing here just to have a drink with you, elder brother.”

Seong Won Gun would often come to visit him like this, bringing alcohol.

Sometimes he would send a messenger to announce his visit, but more often he would show up unexpectedly like today.

He didn’t dislike Seong Won Gun or find these drinking sessions uncomfortable.

Seong Won Gun, his half-brother, had been rumored since childhood to be the abandoned son of the former king, so much that he fell out of favor with both the former king and his elder brother.

When he was young, not knowing the reason, he always took care of Seong Won Gun who was often alone.

And after some time passed, he understood.

Why the former king disliked Seong Won Gun and his mother, Lady Hye, so much.

His elder brother, the current king, would warn him from time to time as if to remind him:

-Be careful of Seong Won Gun. He’s a guy whose true intentions are unknown. Don’t get too close or show him your whole heart.

He had his suspicions as well.

Although Seong Won Gun had been particularly fond of him since their time in the palace, he wasn’t the type to reveal all his inner thoughts.

So they maintained an appropriate distance, getting along without making each other uncomfortable.

They weren’t close enough to bare their souls to each other, but he wasn’t uncomfortable enough to avoid gatherings like this.

“Have a drink. Where did you go this morning?”

“Tae Seong Trading Company.”

“It seems you’ve been visiting Tae Seong Trading Company often these days. Didn’t you say that being close to trading companies only leads to bad rumors?”

“Is there any worse rumor that could spread about me, a playboy and womanizer?”

“You know that’s not the kind of rumor I’m worried about.”

“Tsk, stop nagging and just drink.”

As he refilled Lee Woon’s empty cup repeatedly, Seong Won Gun watched his expression carefully.

“Do you have something you want to say?”

“It’s about sister-in-law. If you allow it, I’d like to teach her horseback riding. Would that be alright?”

The Grand Prince put down the cup he was about to bring to his lips and frowned.

It seems this was the conversation the two were having earlier in the inner quarters, but what nonsense is this, he thought as his brow furrowed involuntarily.

“Sister-in-law wants to learn horseback riding. If you give permission, I’ll help her.”

“Is that something I should give permission for?”

“Then, are you saying it’s alright?”

“You should say something that makes sense before I can give permission or not.”

“She really wanted to learn.”

“So why are you the one teaching her?”

His voice remained calm even as anger welled up inside him.

“Well, you’re busy, and sister-in-law seems comfortable with me…”

“When have you seen her enough for her to be comfortable with you?”

“Let’s just say we’re like kindred spirits who understand each other.”

“Kindred spirits? That’s nonsense. Go find such friends elsewhere.”

“Elder brother. We’re not like that…”

“Did you just say ‘we’?”

He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at these ridiculous words.

Seong Won Gun flinched momentarily at his sharp gaze, then quickly drained his cup while watching Lee Woon’s reaction.

Gritting his teeth, he tried to suppress the anger rising within him.

“I misspoke. I apologize. I didn’t know you would be so angry.”

“You might understand if the lady of a noble house learns something alone with another man, but I don’t. Even if that person is a brother.”

“I understand. You should teach her later, elder brother.”

“I’ll take care of that myself. Stop drinking and go now. I need to rest.”

“We’ve only just started… Are you angry?”

“…”

“I’m going. I’m leaving. I’ll visit again another time.”

Lee Woon directed a heavy remark at Seong Won Gun as he turned to leave.

“Don’t cross the line.”

He felt the other man pause, but ignored it and drained his cup. Then he quietly continued.

“You may call it friendship, but others might misunderstand. They might say you have ulterior motives.”

“…Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Even after Seong Won Gun left and he finished all the alcohol in the bottle, he didn’t feel drunk.

His mind was clearer than ever.

Until he went out and returned to the palace, his mood hadn’t been particularly bad.

In fact, he had felt a small sense of anticipation.

When he stopped by Tae Seong Trading Company, the manager Kim Woo Seop handed him a small box, saying it was a gift for his wife.

As he held the box with a puzzled expression, Kim Woo Seop slyly remarked:

-This is my wedding gift for the lady. It’s a bit late, but please pass it on to her.
-Why are you giving a gift to my wife?
-Because she deserves it. It’s a gift for the lady, but I’m sure you’ll like it more, so just take it without saying anything.

Though reluctant, he brought it along since it was a gift for Eun Seol.

The moment he entered the inner quarters to deliver the gift, sparks flew from his eyes.

Yoon Eun Seol was smiling.

Her face was free of all worldly worries, and the corners of her mouth wouldn’t turn down, as if something was so amusing.

He stood there for a long time, staring blankly at that sight.

She was a person whose smile was brighter and more beautiful than the spring sunshine.

She was easily showing a smile to another man that she had never once shown to him.

Though it was the expression he had wished for, he couldn’t understand why it made him so angry.

Even knowing that she had no feelings for Seong Won Gun, something boiling up inside him prevented his words from coming out kindly.

This emotion that had long since taken root in his heart was obsession.

He didn’t know why this possessiveness, which he had never felt before, was emerging towards Yoon Eun Seol.

Just thinking about her made him thirsty.

“Hah, that wasn’t my intention… At this rate, I wonder if there will ever be a day when your heart comes to me.”

He sighed deeply as he ran his hand over his face, then slumped back into the chair.

* * *

Eun Seol couldn’t sleep all night. No, she was unable to sleep.

What on earth was she thinking to fearlessly throw out such words?

She must have been out of her mind. There’s no way she would say such things in her right mind.

He must have been very angry, and she was worried about how to face the Grand Prince.

Unable to bear the stuffiness, she opened the window.

Along with the dazzling morning sunlight, a cool breeze poured in.

She rested her chin on the windowsill and looked up at the sky, letting out a sigh.

The deep sigh settled below the window.

“Why are you sighing so heavily this early in the morning?”

She pulled back her upper body that was leaning out the window at the sight of the Grand Prince who suddenly appeared before her.

Cold sweat ran down her back at his unexpected appearance.

He narrowed his eyes and frowned as he watched her retreat in surprise.

“I believe we still have things to talk about, so I’ll come in now.”

“I… I have nothing to say.”

“Think carefully. You do have something.”

Just as he seemed to disappear from sight, he opened the door and entered, their eyes meeting.

He passed by her standing at the window and took a seat in the place of honor.

“If you’re not thinking of escaping through the window, come here and sit down.”