The Secret Night at Unyeon Palace - Chapter 25
Every day was boring and frustrating for Woon.
It was the same even after he moved from the palace to Unyeongung.
The days spent in the palace residence were not much different from life in the palace.
To avoid going crazy, he had to do something new. So he thought of riding a horse and galloping far away anywhere.
He rode a horse aimlessly.
He just galloped without knowing where he was going.
Then he lost control of the reins and fell off the horse.
Thanks to his training, he wasn’t badly hurt, but his shoulder hit a rock as he fell.
With his body drained of strength, he leaned against a tree and looked around.
It was evening, so there was no one passing by.
Blood flowed from his injured shoulder, and the pain worsened as time passed.
His palms were also scraped and bloody from the ground.
As he clung to his fading consciousness, a young girl approached him.
“Are you hurt?”
Her startled eyes were brimming with tears. She seemed to have been crying even before coming here.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it and go.”
His voice was gruff, as he hated crying.
Yet the child crouched down in front of him and stared at him intently.
She didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.
“Does it hurt?”
“I told you to just go!”
He raised his voice in annoyance, but the child didn’t leave and grabbed his hand.
“You’re bleeding from the wound.”
“Let go! I said just go. Can’t you hear me?”
As he tried to shake her off, the child took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wrapped it around his hand.
Tears fell from the child’s eyes.
Her face was covered in tears, as if the small wound on his palm was so sad.
“It doesn’t hurt… don’t cry.”
“How can it not hurt? It hurts me.”
“You’re small, so it might hurt you, but it doesn’t hurt me.”
“That’s not possible. There’s no wound that doesn’t hurt.”
He didn’t understand what she was saying.
The child wiped her tears and sat with her face buried in her knees.
“Hey, aren’t you going home?”
“I’ll go a little later. If I go now, I might get scolded even more.”
“Oh, you ran away because you’re afraid of getting scolded. If you did something wrong, you should ask for forgiveness instead of running away like this.”
“I didn’t run away. I came out because my mother dislikes it when I’m around.”
The child mumbled in a small voice.
Once again, large teardrops fell to the ground. Seeing her like that, he couldn’t say anything more.
“Still, they’ll be worried at home. Go back.”
“It’s okay. Are you alright now, elder brother?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Your name is…”
Before he could ask her name, someone came running, calling for the child.
“Young lady, Young Lady Eun Seol!”
“Yes, I’m here.”
The child ran towards the woman calling her, smiling brightly.
“Let me see. Where did you… oh, our poor young lady, what should we do?”
“I’m fine. Don’t cry.”
“Get on my back. Let’s go home now. I’ve brought lots of rice crisps you like to your room.”
The older-looking woman cried for a while as she examined the child’s body.
Then she carried the child on her back and slowly walked down.
The child being carried away was barefoot.
A child who came out barefoot without shoes, a child whose face was covered in tears as she looked at him, Woon had never forgotten that child.
Even now, the vivid memory of the child’s bare feet made his heart ache.
* * *
Eun Seol was sitting on the wooden porch, watching the clouds drifting leisurely in the breeze.
As the summer heat disappeared with the cool autumn wind, her pain also faded and her appetite returned.
Judging by the coolness of the wind on her cheeks, it seemed winter would come soon.
“The wind is cold, why are you out here?”
The grand prince, wearing a purple official robe, entered the inner courtyard with his hands behind his back. He stopped right in front of her and tilted his head.
“Were you waiting for me, by any chance?”
“I came out thinking you might arrive around this time. Did you resolve the matter you went for?”
“Yes, I took care of everything and visited the Queen Dowager on my way back. His Majesty has bestowed this on you. Please go inside and take a look.”
She took his hand as he stepped onto the porch and went into the room.
As she untied the wrapping cloth and opened the box lid, neatly arranged yellow ripe fruits were inside.
She picked one up and held it to her nose, but couldn’t smell anything.
She wasn’t sure if it was really a fruit, but it looked interesting as she had never seen it before.
“What is this? It looks strange.”
“It’s called a tangerine. They say the taste is so good, two people could eat it and one could die without the other noticing. Let me have it. I’ll peel it for you.”
“How delicious could it be…!”
He peeled the tangerine and put a piece in her mouth. It was sweet and slightly sour.
It wasn’t so delicious that one wouldn’t notice if the person next to them died, but it was tasty.
As he fed her one piece at a time, he touched his own lips while giving her the last piece.
“Is it delicious?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. You should try some too, sir.”
“I’m fine. You eat more, my lady.”
Despite her saying it was okay, he insisted and she ended up eating a few more before stopping.
He pushed aside the remaining tangerines and stretched out his arm to pull her close.
Then he wrapped his strong arm around her shoulders and buried his face.
“My lady, I think I’ll have to be away from the residence for a few days. His Majesty specially requested this of me, so I couldn’t refuse.”
She tried to suppress the feeling of disappointment at the mention of the royal command.
Come to think of it, this would be the first time they’d be apart since they got together.
“Are you going far away?”
“Some business has come up in Dongnae, Busan. It will take about two weeks. Will you be alright alone?”
“I’m not alone, so I’ll be fine. It’s a long journey, it must be tiring. When are you leaving?”
“I’m set to leave in two days.”
She turned her head at the words ‘two days later’. She didn’t expect him to leave so suddenly.
“Should I not go?”
“It’s His Majesty’s command, so you must go. Don’t worry and have a safe trip.”
“Will you really be alright without me?”
She nodded instead of answering, trying to appear calm.
He turned her to face him and looked at her quietly.
His eyes narrowed and his expression darkened.
“Why does your ‘it’s okay’ sound so disheartening today?”
“Please be careful on your journey. I’ll be waiting.”
“Just tell me once that you’ll miss me.”
“I’ll miss you a lot. I might lie awake at night missing you. So, don’t look at other women.”
“Ah… my lady, this jealousy drives me crazy.”
His hands cupped her cheeks as he kissed her lips with a sound.
“My body remembers and feels only Yoon Eun Seol, so no one else catches my eye.”
Her heart seemed to stop at his affectionate gaze.
She stayed in the grand prince’s embrace for a long time, listening to the sound of his heart beating for her.
* * *
About ten days after Woon left, Seong Won Gun came to visit.
He always visited when the grand prince was away, which made her feel rather awkward.
“Where did elder brother go so far away?”
“An urgent matter came up with an acquaintance, so he left the residence for a few days.”
“What kind of urgent matter would make him leave you alone for so long?”
No one knew about the grand prince’s whereabouts except for her and Lady Eom.
It was His Majesty’s secret order, and even if it wasn’t, she didn’t want to talk about it.
Seong Won Gun didn’t seem to suspect anything and changed the subject.
“About the painting I mentioned before. Please draw it for me now. I really want to see your painting, elder sister-in-law.”
He paused for a moment, tilting his teacup as he looked at her.
“I’m sorry, but a portrait won’t be possible. I don’t have that level of skill.”
“Then, could you draw plum blossoms for me? Or even an orchid would be fine.”
“If you want a painting, there are many skilled artists other than me.”
“What I want is your painting, elder sister-in-law. I feel your painting would be warm.”
Eun Seol looked at Seong Won Gun with puzzled eyes.
She wondered why someone who could easily obtain excellent paintings if he wanted, specifically desired her painting.
His reason that it would feel warm was incomprehensible; he was a man whose intentions were unclear.
“Since you want it, I’ll draw for you, but you mustn’t criticize it.”
“Of course not. That will never happen.”
She hesitated, then had Geum Ok bring paper and a brush.
It was her first time giving a painting as a gift, so it felt awkward and burdensome, but also enjoyable.
As the painting was nearing completion, an exclamation of admiration burst from Seong Won Gun’s lips.
“This is excellent. I was unsure, but I didn’t expect it to be this good. It’s even better than most professional artists.”
She put down the brush and handed the painting to him. Seong Won Gun couldn’t take his eyes off it for a long time.
“What should I give you in return for the painting?”
“Payment? That’s unnecessary.”
“Still, I can’t just receive such a wonderful painting without giving something in return. Please, tell me anything.”
Seong Won Gun’s lips curled up in pleasure as he watched her wave her hands in embarrassment.
He folded the painting and put it in his breast pocket, then stood up from his seat.
“Thank you for the painting gift. Next time, I’ll bring you a nice present.”
Despite her saying it was fine, Seong Won Gun said he would visit again and left the inner quarters.
* * *
Seong Won Gun sat in the outer quarters and spread out the painting Eun Seol had drawn for him on the table.
It wasn’t just empty words. The painting was excellent, with impeccable skill.
However, what really captivated his gaze wasn’t the painting, but Eun Seol’s fair face and clear eyes.
The look in her eyes, devoid of any wariness towards him, momentarily made him forget his status.
“Haa… you crazy bastard.”
He muttered a low curse and roughly rubbed his face.
He folded the painting again and tucked it into a book, then buried himself in the chair’s backrest.
At that moment, the door opened and Ja Hyun entered.
“Madam, don’t you know manners? I’m sure I told you not to enter without permission.”
“I called but there was no answer, so I came in. What were you thinking about that you didn’t hear someone calling?”
“What’s the matter?”
“They say today is an auspicious day. I’ll prepare and wait for you.”
“Don’t wait. Isn’t it about time we stop this!”
He spat out the words irritably and stood up from his seat.
His breath caught in his throat.
He had married unwillingly and slept with a woman he didn’t want.
He had spent a few nights with Ja Hyun.
Each time, he was never in his right mind, always drunk.
On the wedding night, he hadn’t drunk much, but when he woke up, it was morning.
He really couldn’t remember anything about how he spent the wedding night.
After that, on the days his mother received as auspicious, he tried to get drunk first so he wouldn’t remember the nights spent with Ja Hyun.
He wanted to stop now.
Every time he saw Ja Hyun, something welled up inside him.
She’s a wicked and sinister woman, just like her father.
He wanted to drive her away immediately, but she didn’t even know he was holding back, saying it was an auspicious day and that she would wait for him.
It was horrible and disgusting.
“Isn’t it because you don’t seek me out that mother sets these dates? Or, do you have another woman?”
“What did you just say?”
“If even the grand prince can have affairs, why can’t you, sir?”
Seong Won Gun mercilessly swept the books on the table onto the floor.
Along with the clattering noise, his cold voice echoed in the room.
“Koo Ja Hyun, know your limits! This is the last time I’ll tolerate this. Are you doing this because you’re longing for a man?”
His arm ruthlessly pulled Ja Hyun’s waist. Ja Hyun’s eyes wavered.
“Do you want me to take you right here, right now?”
“My, my lord.”
“Your body is already aching for it. Tell me, do you want me to embrace you?”
The back of his hand caressed Ja Hyun’s face.
At his touch, a heated moan escaped between Ja Hyun’s teeth.
It was disgusting. Her behavior was worse than that of a lowly slave.
Ja Hyun leaned against him with half-lidded eyes.
Vulgar and filthy. The corners of his mouth twisted as he looked down at Ja Hyun.
“But what can I do? My body doesn’t react to you, madam. There’s no response at all, I mean.”
“My lord! If you treat me like this, you will surely regret it!”
“We’ll see who regrets it in the end.”
Seong Won Gun left Ja Hyun screaming and went outside.
The sound of things breaking and Ja Hyun’s shouts pierced his ears from behind.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
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