The Secret Night at Unyeon Palace - Chapter 45

When she turned her head towards the sound, her eyes caught sight of Lee Woon wearing a navy blue robe.

His appearance, walking slowly with his hands behind his back, was as dazzling as the sunlight.

He touched her cheeks with his fingertips and smiled brightly.

“Your face is cold. Why are you out here risking catching a cold? Shall we go inside?”

Seo Yeom, who came with him, shook his head and clicked his tongue briefly.

“Anyone who sees would think the lady is facing bitter cold winds in the dead of winter. You won’t catch a cold in this weather. Don’t exaggerate so much.”

Lee Woon paid no attention to Seo Yeom’s rebuke.

Rather, he looked at her with an even more affectionate gaze.

Her face flushed with embarrassment.

Seo Yeom shook his head as if giving up and approached Min Seo, who was tidying up the knots.

Min Seo, who had been sitting demurely, put down the knots and looked up at Seo Yeom, who was much taller than her.

“Sir, I have a request. If you have time, could you please show me around Unyeon Palace?”

Seo Yeom’s voice came out dryly after a moment of blank staring at the sudden request.

“I’m busy. If you want, I’ll call someone else for you.”

Min Seo, who was flatly rejected, pressed her lips tightly in embarrassment.

Unable to watch any longer, Lee Woon said a word.

“You have plenty of time. It’s not manly to reject a woman’s request so coldly. Isn’t that right, my lady?”

“Min Seo has been here for quite some time, but she’s been so busy with various things that she hasn’t had the leisure to look around. If it’s alright, I’d like you to grant Min Seo’s request. Would that be okay?”

At her request, Seo Yeom’s gaze fell on the dejected Min Seo. He soon said he understood with a light sigh.

As if nothing had happened, Min Seo walked side by side with Seo Yeom, smiling brightly.

Lee Woon’s lips slowly curved upwards as he watched the two walking away.

“My lady, about Min Seo. Don’t you think she has feelings for Yeom?”

“That’s nonsense. That child is barely sixteen.”

“That’s not too young. There are people who had their first love at twelve.”

She glared at Lee Woon and said bluntly.

“You were precocious, sir, but Min Seo is not.”

“So, are you saying I’m lecherous?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m saying Min Seo is still at an age where she needs someone’s help. Even if she has feelings for Seo Yeom, it’s not the time yet.”

“How can you be so sure about human affairs? If they get along, they might marry.”

“Sir!”

She raised her voice without realizing it. He looked up at the sky, pretending not to notice.

“Don’t say such things, even in jest. When Min Seo is of appropriate age, I’ll send her to a good person.”

“What’s wrong with Yeom? He’s from a good family and passed the military exam. Above all, you know he has a good character.”

“I know. I know, but there’s such a big age difference between them.”

“What does age matter when a man and woman love each other? That’s unlike you.”

She was worried that people might think lightly of Min Seo, who had no family. She didn’t want the child to get hurt.

From what she had observed so far, Min Seo was a clever and talented child.

She was also well-mannered, praised by everyone in the palace.

She wanted to be a pillar of support for Min Seo.

“Someone like Yeom would be an excellent match for Min Seo. It might be a bit early, but think about it. Not just Yeom, but his father would really like Min Seo.”

“Seo Yeom’s father…”

Lee Woon’s gaze, which had been staring into space, slowly turned to her.

“Left State Councillor Seo Pil Woon is Seo Yeom’s father.”

She couldn’t understand why he, whose father was the Left State Councillor and who had passed the military exam, was in the Grand Prince’s residence instead of an official position.

“By the way, tomorrow is Seo Pil Woon’s birthday, so I’m thinking of visiting his house.”

He chuckled at the end of his words. She stared at him, not understanding.

“That man doesn’t like me very much because I took his son away. So, I’m planning to visit on his birthday to try and improve his mood.”

“He might act that way on the outside, but I’m sure he likes you, sir.”

“Why do you think so?”

“If he disliked you, he would have taken Seo Yeom away immediately.”

“He’s a person I greatly respect. He’s someone who doesn’t discriminate based on social status when dealing with people, and he’s deeply learned, with much to learn from.”

Looking at Seo Yeom, she felt she could understand what kind of person his father was without being told.

To Lee Woon, Seo Pil Woon must be like a parent.

“I might be very late. He’s a man who loves to drink, so he probably won’t let me leave until late.”

“Still, don’t drink too much. It’s bad for your health.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, my lady.”

He smiled mischievously and took her hand.

“Shall we go for a walk too?”

The weather was perfect for a walk, with the sun warm and pleasant.

* * *

Yoon Eun Seol, who was thinking about painting for a change, received an unexpected visitor.

Seong Won Gun, entering the main courtyard, was slowly walking towards her as she stood on the stone steps.

“I was passing by and thought of the flower petal tea I drank before, so I stopped by. Could I taste it again today?”

She asked Eom Sang Gung to prepare the tea and guided him to the guest house.

The weather was chilly, and it seemed better than the main house anyway.

“I heard about the Minister of Personnel late. When I met him last time, he looked healthy, so it’s a pity how he ended up like that.”

“Have you met my father before?”

“I happened to meet him at Eunwolgwan before and drank together. He wanted to send his second daughter to the Left State Councillor’s house. It was unexpected.”

What was unexpected?

She waited for Seong Won Gun’s next words.

“Who is the Left State Councillor? Everyone knows he’s at odds with elder brother Jin Heon. It’s strange for anyone to see him talking about a marriage proposal with such a Left State Councillor.”

It must be greed.

It wasn’t strange for her father. Her heart ached as painful memories of the past resurfaced.

After a while, the person who came in with refreshments was not Eom Sang Gung, but Yeori and Min Seo.

Seong Won Gun’s fingertips brushed Yeori’s hand as she placed the teacup. Unlike the flustered Yeori, his expression was relaxed.

“That child is a face I haven’t seen before.”

Seong Won Gun asked, looking at Min Seo as Yeori stepped back.

“Min Seo, greet him. This is Lord Seong Won Gun.”

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Jung Min Seo.”

Min Seo greeted politely and looked up at Seong Won Gun.

Seong Won Gun smiled slightly, seeming to like Min Seo who didn’t avoid his gaze and looked at him.

“The young one is quite bold and brave. Who is she?”

“She’s a distant niece who’s staying here for a while due to circumstances. Would it be alright if she joins us?”

She had Yeori and Min Seo stay here to avoid being alone with Seong Won Gun.

While the three of them were drinking tea, Yeori was organizing the messy bookshelf from a distance.

Although she looked at Seong Won Gun occasionally, he never once glanced at Yeori.

His gaze was fixed solely on Yoon Eun Seol, who was taking care of Min Seo.

“You have a clever niece. Families with sons would be eager to have her. Shall I act as a matchmaker?”

“I will marry someone I love.”

The two laughed simultaneously at Min Seo’s bold words.

“To marry someone you love, shouldn’t you meet someone first?”

“I believe if it’s fate, we will surely meet.”

“A fateful encounter… That’s nice. I’ll pray that it happens for you.”

As they conversed, darkness was slowly falling in the guest house.

Yoon Eun Seol sent Min Seo and Yeori ahead first and came out to see Seong Won Gun off.

“It’s disappointing that your elder brother is never here when I visit. Please tell him I’ll come by next time.”

“I will convey that. Be careful on your way back as it’s getting dark.”

“I say this out of concern, but there’s an old saying that you shouldn’t take in black-haired beasts.”

“…?”

“I’m just cautioning you to be careful.”

He shrugged as if it was nothing.

“I’ve said something unnecessary. Forgive me if I’ve offended you.”

“Not at all. Please be careful on your way back.”

Seong Won Gun was endlessly watching Yoon Eun Seol’s back as she walked towards the main house.

He hoped she would turn back at least once. His heart, full of desire, was shaking violently like the red skirt hem fluttering in the wind.

His footsteps headed not towards the main gate but to the annex.

She didn’t even glance at him. She didn’t smile or speak to him.

He felt her gaze on him from a distance, but he deliberately ignored it.

He needed a tamed dog for himself.

Yeori would be desperate to see him.

It wasn’t difficult to find a dull woman who would throw herself at a single touch.

He saw Yeori burying her face in her legs under a tree behind the annex.

He let out a hollow laugh at the sight of the dull woman who didn’t deviate an inch.

He knelt on one knee in front of Yeori.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah, my lord…”

Yeori, who had jumped up from her seat, tried to leave hurriedly, but his arm caught her first.

“How dare you turn your back on me and try to run away?”

“That, that’s not it…”

“You, do you perhaps love me?”

Yeori’s face turned red at the sudden words, and her eyes trembled.

“I asked if you love me.”

“No, no. How could someone as lowly as me harbor feelings for you, my lord?”

Large teardrops fell from Yeori’s eyes.

He wiped away her tears with his fingertips, pushed Yeori against the tree, and pressed his body close.

He could feel Yeori’s body stiffening.

She was looking up at him with her mouth open, as if she had forgotten to breathe.

“You don’t have feelings for me? Are you sincere?”

“Does the heart of a lowly slave matter?”

“I don’t want to embrace a woman who dislikes me. If you dislike it, say so now.”

“I, I don’t dislike you…!”

Yeori’s words were cut off by his rough kiss. Unable to withstand the forceful kiss, Yeori grabbed his arms.

He left red marks on Yeori’s neck. At that moment, Yeori’s face flushed hot and she exhaled rough breaths.

An easy woman, a base and dirty woman. The sight of her desperately clinging to his touch.

He twisted the corners of his mouth invisibly.

Unlike the heated Yeori, his body was rather cooling down.

“Let’s stop. It’s dangerous to go further.”

But now, he had to become a man desperate for her. He felt nauseated, but didn’t lose the smile on his face.

He gently caressed Yeori’s cheek.

Yeori, who had lowered her head as if embarrassed, took something out of her bosom and handed it to him.

“This is a handkerchief I made myself. It’s not as nice as the one you gave me before, my lord, but I really wanted to make it for you.”

“I’ll accept it gratefully. And, I hope no one knows about what happened here… Are you perhaps upset?”

“Not at all. I didn’t start this expecting anything, so don’t worry.”

“As you know, I’m a married man. I’ll gradually think about our relationship, so wait.”

His lips met Yeori’s again.

Yeori’s body collapsed onto him at the kiss, which was gentler than before.

Seong Won Gun, who had left Unyeon Palace, looked back and scanned the Grand Prince’s residence with his eyes.

Grand Prince Jin Heon, who had so easily obtained things that were never allowed to him.

He disliked him from the start.

Now he was prepared to take away what he had, one by one. The first would make the Grand Prince crumble.

Seong Won Gun planned to slowly drain the Grand Prince’s blood. To him, who had been preparing for a long time, Left State Councillor Song Moon Sik was a good tool to make the Grand Prince crumble.

He looked down at the handkerchief Yeori had given him. It was unsightly.

He raised his hand and let it fly away with the wind. The handkerchief that had been floating in the air soon fell into a puddle.

The snow-white handkerchief that had fallen into the muddy water was losing its appearance.