Minister of Personnel Koo Seung Ho and Seong Won Gun visited Eunwolgwan together.

Although they were father-in-law and son-in-law, Minister Koo and Seong Won Gun were like oil and water, not mixing well enough to be considered close.

Seong Won Gun had never been heard speaking of his father-in-law, and whenever the topic came up, his expression would change.

The minister likewise did not think highly of Seong Won Gun.

From Koo Seung Ho’s perspective, wanting to push his daughter to become a royal concubine, the powerless Seong Won Gun was unsatisfactory.

Though he had taken him as a son-in-law due to pressure from Left State Councilor Song Moon Sik, it seemed he still harbored lingering desires for a concubine position.

These two men visited Eunwolgwan together.

“Where are the others?”

“At first only the two of them came, but a little while ago the Left State Councilor arrived as well. It must be an important discussion, as all the attendants were sent out. I overheard one of the servers say something about needing to prepare countermeasures – could they perhaps be discussing preparations for the noble consort’s childbirth?”

“That must be it. What other reason would the three of them have to gather? Do they know I’m here?”

“How could they not? Don’t worry. Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

So Hyang bowed her head and quietly left. After confirming the door had closed, Woo Seop set down the wine cup he was holding and asked,

“Do you trust Seong Won Gun?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just a feeling I have. Who is the minister? He’s the closest of friends with the Left State Councilor. Given that, can we fully trust Seong Won Gun as his son-in-law?”

“Don’t worry needlessly. Just drink your wine.”

He neither doubted Seong Won Gun, nor trusted him completely.

Just that much.

After hearing Woo Seop say that visiting the merchants’ guild too often would be troublesome, he had come here, but either way the wine tasted unpleasant.

“By the way, did you know there are talks of marriage between the Left State Councilor’s son and the lady’s younger sister?”

“I wonder if that marriage will actually happen.”

“I heard they even said they’d provide household goods if the other side prepared a house.”

“That’s just the beginning. Will Song Moon Sik really be satisfied with just one house? He’ll soon demand something bigger.”

Starting small and then demanding more, those who have their weaknesses exposed will have no choice but to give in to the other’s demands.

What kind of person was Song Moon Sik, to take Yoon Tae Soo as an in-law when he’d be of no help?

Woo Seop tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“One house isn’t a small thing. What greater demand could there be… Surely not?”

“What seems unthinkable can become reality in an instant. And when there’s no more use, they’ll be discarded. Why would the Left State Councilor want to be in-laws with that trash of a War Minister?”

“Could Seong Won Gun possibly be part of the Left State Councilor’s bigger plan?”

Lee Woon quickly drained his wine cup.

That could be the case. However, he’s not one to sit idly by and let it happen.

He would draw his sword against anyone who became a threat to his elder brother on the throne.

Even if that person was Seong Won Gun.

* * *

Eun Seol picked up the last piece of dried fish and bit her lip regretfully.

Though she would scold her for eating salty foods, Lady Eom never failed to bring out dried fish for her.

As she was licking her lips while looking at the empty tray, Lee Woon’s voice was heard from outside.

She quickly hid the tray under the writing desk.

Having heard that she ate only dried fish all day, he would nag and check what food she had eaten every time he saw her.

“Stay seated. Did you eat anything today? Did you have dried fish again?”

Her eyes widened.

It would be an obvious lie to say no, so she decided to be honest.

“How did you know?”

“How could I not know? The evidence is right there.”

His eyes curved gently as he wiped dried fish flakes from her lips with his fingertip.

“Please eat more of other foods as well.”

“I am eating a lot.”

“I checked with Lady Eom. She said you didn’t eat anything again today. Are you really not feeling well?”

“It’s always like this around this time. It will be fine after a few days, so don’t worry.”

“Still, tell me if it gets worse. Illness shouldn’t be allowed to grow. Oh, take this. It’s a gift for you from the head merchant of the Tae Sung guild.”

She took the box the prince handed her and pulled out the item inside.

Something was sloshing around in a small bottle.

“What is this?”

“The merchant said it’s something used by Qing imperial women when bathing, and it’s very effective.”

“Effective?”

“Well… he said men really like it when women use this.”

Lee Woon’s eyes gazed at her enticingly.

“Would you like to try using it tonight?”

“If it pleases you, Your Highness, I will use it.”

She felt his hot breath as his lips drew near, almost touching hers.

He pulled her waist close with both hands, embracing her.

“Do you even know what it means for me to like it?”

“You taught me how to ride a horse, so I should do things you like as well.”

“Then I’ll look forward to tonight.”

Their lips met.

Eun Seol felt as if every cell in her body was awakening at Lee Woon’s hot touch.

Her heart, forgetting how to breathe, beat wildly of its own accord.

“…Your Highness.”

“Hmm?”

“I have a request.”

“Tell me.”

“I… well…”

She couldn’t bring herself to speak the words swirling in her mouth, and just rolled her eyes back and forth.

Though she called it a request, it was a bit embarrassing to say.

For days, she had been going crazy thinking about the rice soup they had eaten together on Dano.

Remembering that day brought back some unpleasant memories too, but still, that rice soup eaten for the first time with the prince was more delicious than any food in the world.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go because the rice soup was tasty or because she enjoyed the time spent with him, but she did want to eat rice soup again.

Though she knew he would grant her wish if she asked, the words wouldn’t come easily.

This was her first time making such a request to someone.

“What great thing could you be wishing for, to hesitate like this? I’ll do anything you ask. So, tell me. What do you want?”

He looked at her as if he really would do anything for her.

She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and said in a small voice.

“Rice soup, please buy me some rice soup.”

“Rice soup, you say?”

“Yes. I want to eat the rice soup we had before when we went out.”

He asked again as if to confirm.

She felt momentarily tense, unable to read his thoughts from his expressionless face.

After thinking for a while, he let out an empty laugh.

“Ha… my lady.”

“Actually, I’ve wanted it for a long time, but I didn’t say anything because I thought you might dislike it, remembering Dano. Please buy me rice soup.”

“Not a tile-roofed house, not gold and jewels, just rice soup?”

Muttering “rice soup” several times, he suddenly hugged her tightly and laughed like a fool.

“Is it not allowed?”

“Of course it’s allowed. I can take you to get some right now if you’d like.”

“Not now, but tomorrow after I visit Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, please take me then.”

“Is there nothing else you want besides rice soup?”

Eun Seol didn’t particularly want anything else besides rice soup, but she pretended to think.

She bit her lip and glanced at Lee Woon.

Just as she was about to open her mouth after pretending to hesitate and think for a while –

“No dried fish!”

Lee Woon’s voice was faster.

She closed her mouth tight.

* * *

When she opened her eyes at this early hour, the prince was already gone.

Last night, they were talking and she ended up falling asleep.

She thought she heard him saying something as she dozed off, but her eyes were too heavy to open.

Lately he’s been complaining about being lonely, so tonight she should try to stay awake and be with him.

Eun Seol hurried to prepare from early morning to go to the Queen Dowager’s quarters, and left Unyeongung.

Though she had been here several times, she still felt nervous every time.

The Queen Dowager’s face was visible through the open door of the inner chamber.

“The lady next to the Queen Dowager is Her Majesty the Queen.”

Thanks to Lady Eom’s whisper as they entered the inner chamber, she was able to promptly greet the Queen with proper etiquette.

The Queen Dowager warmly welcomed Lady Eom, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Lady Eom, welcome. You must be having a hard time at the prince’s residence?”

“Not at all. Every day is joyful, Your Majesty.”

“I’m grateful and sorry to you in many ways.”

“I’m embarrassed by your words. I went there because I wanted to, and now I like Unyeongung more than this place.”

“I’m grateful you think that way. You don’t know how reassured I feel having you by the prince’s side. Please continue to take good care of him.”

“Please don’t say that. It’s nothing compared to the grace I’ve received from you, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave now.”

As Lady Eom left, a pleased smile spread across the Queen Dowager’s face.

“My dear, Lady Eom is a trustworthy person. As you’ve experienced by now, she’s consistent. If you want to make her your person, you must also give her trust. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Your Majesty the Queen. What do you think? When I first saw this child, I thought she would be a good match for you, so I called her here.”

The Queen Dowager’s affection towards the Queen was palpable. The Queen, who had been quietly observing, nodded and looked at her.

“It seems the prince has truly found a virtuous wife. Please visit the Queen’s quarters often from now on.”

The Queen’s elegant and dignified voice was as warm as a spring breeze.

She couldn’t stop smiling brightly at Eun Seol. Even while conversing, her consideration for Eun Seol was evident.

She felt happy.

If heaven allowed, she wanted to enjoy this happiness for a long time. The Queen Dowager, who had been drinking tea, set down her cup and asked casually,

“Have you seen the scar on the prince’s shoulder?”

Was there a scar on his shoulder? She had never seen it, nor had the opportunity to see it.

“It was about 10 years ago. That was when the prince’s waywardness was quite severe. Perhaps feeling stifled by life in Unyeongung, he rode out on horseback at a young age and had a fall.”

“I remember that too. His Majesty was so worried about the prince that he couldn’t sleep all night and went straight to Unyeongung the next day.”

“He went all the way from the palace to Yongcheon Village, and there… Even now, it’s terrifying to think about.”

Yongcheon Village was where she used to live.

It’s quite far from the palace, so for the prince to have ridden there at such a young age, he must have been fearless even then.

“Yongcheon Village is where I used to live.”

“Oh, that’s right. The War Minister’s home was in Yongcheon Village. It seems our prince was destined to meet you. At that time, the former king personally came to the palace, but I heard the prince was more concerned about the wound on his hand than the one on his shoulder.”

The Queen Dowager’s eyes grew moist.

Eun Seol understood the Queen Dowager’s tears to some extent.

She must not have been able to rest easy, having to keep her young son far away.

She must have felt sorry for the prince, living alone and lonely, and regretted not being able to love him freely.

Those feelings were evident in her voice, making Eun Seol’s heart heavy.

If she felt this heartbroken, how much more must the Queen Dowager have suffered?

She wanted to offer even a small comfort, but seeing the Queen Dowager’s tearful eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“Thinking about it now, I feel like we left him alone at too young an age. I wish we had let him live in the palace a little longer. You don’t know how much I regretted it then.”

The Queen offered a handkerchief to the tearful Queen Dowager. Then she smiled gently at Eun Seol.

“Don’t be too heartbroken. Now the prince has this person by his side.”

“Yes. I hope the prince can live without heartache now.”

Knowing the Queen Dowager’s position of having to send her child away, Eun Seol’s heart ached.

After hearing the Queen Dowager’s story, Eun Seol wanted to see Lee Woon quickly.

Considering his feelings, having to get used to being alone from a young age, one part of her heart throbbed painfully.