The Secret Night at Unyeon Palace - Chapter 39

Not long after that incident, news about Eun Joo was heard.

The Grand Prince had heard that Eun Joo and the kidnappers were caught, but he didn’t know what had happened.

The man who kidnapped her, poisoned her, and killed the person who wrote the suicide note couldn’t escape death in the end.

It is said that Eun Joo, who admitted her guilt in the face of clear evidence, was given a flogging.

As time passed, her wounds gradually faded and she slowly found stability.

Winter was already coming to Unyeongung Palace.

From the morning, the people of Unyeongung were busy moving about.

In the men’s quarters, men gathered and drank from early morning, while in the women’s quarters, they were busy preparing food.

The smell of food permeated throughout Unyeongung Palace.

Every year before winter, Lee Woon held a small feast for the people of the palace.

It was a day when those who had worked hard all year could eat and play to their heart’s content.

Eom Sang Gung, who had been busy moving about since morning, came to the women’s quarters during a free moment.

As this was her first such feast, Yoon Eun Seol had been quite excited since the night before.

“Did you prepare enough food?”

“Yes. Everything has been prepared as you instructed.”

Eun Seol had done everything from preparing ingredients to making food lists for several days prior.

She felt good and proud whenever she heard that Unyeongung was more lively this year because a mistress had entered.

Eom Sang Gung sat down, placing the food she brought on the floor.

“Lord Seong Won Gun says he will come late.”

“Are no other outside guests coming?”

“No. From the beginning, it was a feast for the Unyeongung family.”

In the courtyard of the women’s quarters, maids sat on straw mats, eating food and chatting.

Eun Seol sat on the wooden porch, watching the scene while drinking tea.

“Let’s go to the men’s quarters, my lady.”

Suddenly appearing, Lee Woon grabbed her hand and pulled.

When she looked embarrassed and glanced at Eom Sang Gung, he instead became more serious.

“My lady, wouldn’t Eom Sang Gung want to go enjoy that gathering too? How can you keep her here without consideration?”

“Ha, you should wet your lips before saying such things. You only pretend to care about me at times like this.”

Eom Sang Gung grumbled as if displeased.

“When have I ever done that? I’m saying this for Eom Sang Gung’s sake, telling her to rest a bit.”

“I’m deeply moved by your consideration.”

“Let’s go, my lady.”

The sound of Eom Sang Gung’s laughter was heard from behind.

In the front yard of the men’s quarters, sounds of regretful sighs and shouts could be heard from the gathered men doing something.

Someone called out to them as they were about to enter the room.

“Grand Prince, where are you going? What will you do inside? Instead of that, come over here and try arm wrestling with Sir Seo Yeom.”

Chief Eunuch Choi shook his head and said a word towards him as he turned around with gleaming eyes.

“You must have a lot of strength-requiring tasks these days, but can you win? Yeom’s arm strength is no joke.”

The people around whistled and joined in at Chief Eunuch Choi’s blatant provocation.

They knew the Grand Prince’s competitive personality, so they shouted even more excitedly.

In the end, Lee Woon got caught up in it.

“Well, we’ll see when we try. My lady, please stay here for a moment.”

He strode over to where people were gathered and rolled up his sleeves.

Seo Yeom, who had been quietly watching, said seriously:

“I don’t want to. I won’t do it with you, my lord.”

“Why, afraid you’ll lose?”

“Aren’t you unnecessarily competitive about these things? If I lose, you’ll surely want to keep going. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“Three times, we’ll do it three times and whoever wins twice is the victor. Alright?”

“Keep that promise.”

“I said I would.”

The arm wrestling began to the cheers of the men surrounding the two.

The two men, frowning and flexing their arms, seemed unwilling to yield.

Seo Yeom won the first round.

Eun Seol watched him with concern amidst the cheering crowd.

Lee Woon’s tense face gradually brightened as he won the second round.

The final third round began.

The noisy surroundings quieted down and only the shouts of the two men could be heard.

He glanced at her once, then took advantage of Seo Yeom’s momentary distraction to twist his arm with all his might.

Lee Woon won the third round as well.

A smile spread across Lee Woon’s face as he looked at Seo Yeom when people shouted.

“Yeom, good work. Eat a lot to build up strength in your arms.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll eat a lot and only build arm strength.”

Seo Yeom threw out a sarcastic remark as he watched Lee Woon turn away.

Regardless, Lee Woon’s expression looked pleased.

Eun Seol quietly watched him as he entered the room and emptied his cup.

Looking at him again, he was a perfect and excellent man with no flaws from head to toe.

The man who made her feel good just by looking at him was smiling at her.

“My lord, is there anything you cannot do? You ride horses well, and not only are you skilled in swordsmanship, but you seem to have deep knowledge too…”

“There is nothing.”

“Pardon?”

At his resolute words, she asked again, wondering if she had heard wrong.

He put down his cup, met her eyes, and smiled slyly.

“There is nothing I cannot do. It’s not that I can’t do it, it’s that I haven’t done it. If I do it, I do everything well. Even receiving your love, I do that well, don’t I?”

“My lord!”

Her face flushed hot.

Seeing her face turn bright red, he smiled at the corner of his mouth.

“What are you imagining to make your face so red?”

Just as he was about to put his arm around her waist, there was a sound from outside and Seong Won Gun entered.

Eun Seol greeted Seong Won Gun and quickly moved to sit elsewhere out of embarrassment.

“It’s good to see that elder brother is not alone this year.”

“Why did you come alone on a day like today without bringing the lady?”

“We will come together next time. By the way, perhaps because there is a mistress this year, the atmosphere seems brighter than usual.”

Seong Won Gun’s gaze, which had been looking around outside, stopped on her.

His unwavering eyes were directed at her even as he emptied his cup.

The gaze that seemed indifferent was somehow awkward.

She didn’t know since when, but Seong Won Gun, whom she had met comfortably before, started to become uncomfortable.

She knew there were no feelings.

However, she was uncomfortable with his lingering gaze on her, and it was also awkward how he approached without formality.

Eun Seol wanted to leave this place quickly.

“Please continue talking, you two. I will take my leave now.”

Lee Woon grabbed her arm as she tried to get up and sat her back down.

Then he pulled the chair closer to him.

“We’re not strangers, just stay seated.”

“Of course. On a day like today, elder sister-in-law should have a drink too.”

Before she could answer, a cup was already placed in front of her.

Lee Woon poured the alcohol.

Saying that a moderate amount of alcohol was fine, he held up the cup and brought it to her eyes.

Unable to refuse the offered drink, she emptied the cup.

“I’ll pour you the next cup.”

After emptying even the cup Seong Won Gun poured, it felt like her insides were on fire.

What was so good about this strong alcohol that they drank it?

She just blinked her eyes and listened to the conversation between the two men.

Meanwhile, Lee Woon filled her empty cup with alcohol and gestured for her to drink.

Thinking three cups would be fine, she drank.

Gradually the content of the conversation became inaudible and her head started spinning.

“I heard His Majesty’s headaches have worsened. Wouldn’t it be good to visit the hot springs palace at times like this?”

“His Majesty is not one to do such things. Even if we suggest it, he just says it’s fine.”

“Does he still suddenly lose consciousness these days?”

“I heard it’s not that severe, but I’m still worried.”

Lee Woon felt his chest tighten as he recalled the words he had heard from his elder brother when he recently entered the palace.

The person who had never once revealed his inner thoughts made a request to him when they were alone.

−If I depart without an heir, you must take my place. I have no one else to trust. I’ve already spoken to the Queen Dowager about this.

−As you know, elder brother, I am not fit for such a role.

−That’s enough. And, if I go first, please take good care of the Queen. She is a pitiful person.

Lee Woon felt sorry and frustrated every time he saw his elder brother, the king.

Even if everything else could be excused, he couldn’t understand his elder brother’s attitude towards the Queen.

No matter how much it was Song Moon Sik’s world, if a king couldn’t protect even one person he loved, he didn’t want to sit in that position either.

−Your Majesty must protect the Queen. If you’re so worried, please stay by her side for a long time. The person the Queen needs is Your Majesty.

−She is a person who has been hurt a lot because of me. If I had loved her moderately and watched over her from a proper distance, wouldn’t she have had at least one child? My love became poison to her instead. So, I cannot openly cherish her.

−If the king’s position is like that…

He sincerely did not want to succeed to the throne.

He couldn’t say those words and swallowed them inside.

−Woon, I’m sorry. You must have been very lonely because of me all this time, but I haven’t done anything for you. That has always made me feel sorry and weighed on my mind. Just remember that I cherished you a lot and also relied on you.

The image of his elder brother from that day wouldn’t leave his mind.

He also felt uneasy seeing his elder brother who always felt sorry towards him.

Just as he was about to grab his cup to shake off the stuffy feelings, Eun Seol snatched his cup.

“I’m thirsty. Please give me some water.”

Before he could stop her, the cup was emptied.

Thud.

Eun Seol, who had gulped down the alcohol thinking it was water, hit her head on the table and lost consciousness right there.

“My lady!”

Eun Seol’s face, having lost consciousness, turned bright red. The breath coming from her mouth was hot.

Recalling past days, a bitter laugh escaped him.

He stroked Eun Seol’s cheek and asked for Seong Won Gun’s understanding.

“I think we should stop drinking for today. Call Yeom from outside and drink together.”

“Elder brother, then please give me the book you said you’d lend me before I go.”

“Book?”

“The book you said came from Qing earlier. I don’t know when I’ll come again, so I’ll take it with me while I’m here.”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

After the Grand Prince left, Seong Won Gun stood up and slowly approached Eun Seol.

He silently looked at Eun Seol collapsed on the table, then gently reached out his hand to brush back the hair that had fallen over her forehead.

He couldn’t help but smile at her briefly frowning expression at his touch.

When he first entered this room and saw the affectionate scene between the Grand Prince and Eun Seol, an inexplicable anger welled up.

He inexplicably disliked the sight of Eun Seol smiling as she looked at the Grand Prince, and his insides twisted seeing the Grand Prince occasionally put his arm around her shoulders.

At that moment, the only thought in his mind was that he wanted to possess Eun Seol.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch her lips after trailing down her cheek, the door opened and the Grand Prince entered.

He quickly withdrew his hand and took a step back, clasping his hands behind his back as if nothing had happened.

“She looked uncomfortable so I tried to wake her, but she wouldn’t wake up even when called. If I had known she was this weak to alcohol, I wouldn’t have offered it.”

“She’s not that weak, so don’t worry. She’ll wake up soon if she gets some fresh air.”

The Grand Prince handed him the book he was holding and stroked Eun Seol’s cheek with a smile on his lips.

Once again, his insides twisted at the sight.

“Don’t leave, have a few more drinks with Yeom. Or you can stay here tonight.”

“No, don’t worry about me and take care of elder sister-in-law.”

Watching the Grand Prince’s back as he left carrying Eun Seol in his arms, Seong Won Gun felt inexplicably irritated.

Seong Won Gun picked up the cup in front of him, drained it in one gulp, and set it down roughly.

His clenched fist trembled.