The Secret Night at Unyeon Palace (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 6
Suddenly, at the man’s voice cutting in, she and Geum Ok turned around simultaneously.
A man wearing a navy-blue robe approached them, hands clasped behind his back, smiling brightly.
Taller than the average man and fair-skinned, his face was so handsome it outshone his already splendid attire.
His slightly upturned eyes and smiling lips curving upward on both sides harmonized well with his low, gentle voice.
Slowly, his gaze followed the flower petals drifting in the wind.
“Contrary to appearances, my elder brother actually loves flowers—especially plum blossoms and magnolias.”
Catching a drifting plum blossom petal with his hand, he smiled faintly.
That sight reminded her of warm spring sunshine.
“My Lord, good day to you.”
From a short distance away, Geum Ok hurried closer and bowed respectfully to the man.
Judging by her expression, she clearly recognized him.
The man offered a faint smile and shifted his gaze.
“Do you know who I am?”
“You must be His Lordship, Prince Seongwon. I’ve had the honor of seeing you a few times within the palace.”
“I suppose my face leaves a lasting impression.”
“Y-Yes, indeed.”
With effortless playfulness, he teased before stepping toward Eun Seol and offering a greeting.
Eun Seol instinctively took a small step back to put some distance between them.
“We meet for the first time. I am Prince Seongwon. Though I saw you briefly on your wedding day, this must be our first proper meeting, sister-in-law.”
So this man was Prince Seongwon.
Though she’d never seen him in person before, she vaguely recalled hearing servants mention him.
Prince Seongwon, born to Royal Noble Consort Hye, had reportedly fallen out of favor with the Late King and left the palace early, only marrying a few years ago at a relatively mature age.
She didn’t know why he’d lost the king’s favor, but he looked vastly different from the rumors surrounding him.
Though his smiling face and gentle voice seemed amiable, something about him inexplicably made her feel uncomfortable and cold.
“I heard my elder brother went hunting?”
“Yes, he left a short while ago and said it would take several days.”
“Isn’t that excessive? He’s only been married a short time—how can he leave home for days on end? Shall I say something to him?”
“Huh?”
“Haha… just joking.”
Still smiling faintly, he quietly moved closer beside her.
A faint scent of gardenia seemed to drift from him.
“Would you like to visit the training grounds now? The magnolias should be in full bloom. If you’d like to go, I’d be happy to guide you.”
His dark eyes, unwavering and steady, held her gaze as he spoke in that low voice.
Feeling suddenly uneasy at his closeness, she sidestepped slightly and replied,
“I’ll… go see them another time.”
“Hmm, as you wish. But you should hurry—the magnolia blooms fade very quickly.”
“…Yes.”
She had never seen a magnolia before and admittedly wanted to.
If it was a flower he cherished, it must surely be elegant and beautiful.
“Do you happen to have any particular likes? Perhaps books, or hobbies you enjoy?”
“Our Lady enjoys painting.”
From a short distance away, Geum Ok answered while idly touching a water lily leaf floating in the pond.
She stood up, shook the water from her hands, and looked over toward them.
“Our Lady also enjoys reading, but she truly excels at painting—don’t you, my Lady?”
Caught off guard by Prince Seongwon’s sudden question, Eun Seol was at a loss for words and simply looked between the two of them.
“So you enjoy painting—I’d love to see your work sometime, sister-in-law, if the chance arises.”
“Oh, that’s just the maid’s idle chatter. My skill isn’t worthy of showing anyone.”
“Still, it’s true you enjoy painting, isn’t it?”
He was truly a strange man.
Seemingly warm yet somehow cold, seemingly playful yet serious in his steady, unwavering gaze.
His eloquent words were enough to captivate her completely.
In short, Prince Seongwon was a pleasant man.
He treated both her and Geum Ok without ceremony or pretense.
Because of that, the initial discomfort she’d felt quickly faded, and for the first time in a while, she found herself laughing freely and easily, without a care.
In the midst of their lively conversation, Prince Seongwon’s gaze suddenly fixed on one spot.
Following his line of sight, she turned her head—and for a moment, felt her breath catch.
Not far away, walking toward them, was Grand Prince Jinheon, as dazzlingly and breathtakingly beautiful as ever.
Judging from his informal hunting attire, he must have just returned from the hunt.
Without shifting his gaze from her, he handed his black gat hat to Seo Yeom.
His steady eyes seemed filled with cold anger and displeasure, causing her to instinctively avert her own.
Sensing the strange atmosphere, Prince Seongwon cleared his throat and called out to the Grand Prince.
“Elder brother, you said it would take a few days—I’m surprised you’re back so soon.”
“And what are you doing here?”
“‘Again’? How unfair! I came all this way just to visit my newlywed elder brother. Besides, didn’t I ask you to take me along on the hunt?”
“Do you think hunting is like taking a stroll in the hills behind the palace?”
“Why do you say that? If I really set my mind to it—though maybe not a tiger—I could at least catch a rabbit or two.”
“You? Try holding a bow first, then talk.”
For a fleeting moment, his eyes rested on her—then he turned away abruptly, as if he had nothing more to do, and left.
Silently, she swallowed a sigh.
Even winter’s icy, frost-laden wind felt kinder than he did.
“How about a drink, elder brother? It’s been a while.”
“I’m tired. Come another time.”
“You don’t look tired at all.”
“Shut up and walk.”
“Honestly, how cold-hearted you are.”
Prince Seongwon gave her a courteous nod with his eyes, then followed the departing Grand Prince until both vanished from sight.
The Grand Prince’s retreating figure always left a dull, aching chill in her chest.
* * *
The next day.
After finishing breakfast, Eun Seol stepped outside and sat in a spot bathed in sunlight, opening a book.
Though wearing these clothes still felt somehow ill-fitting, she found joy in savoring this quiet moment of leisure.
Some time passed.
Court Lady Eom appeared before her, holding out a tray.
“What’s this?”
“Flower-petal tea and yakgwa. The only sweet he’ll ever touch—despite hating sweets.”
“So why are you giving this to me…?”
“I need to take it to His Lordship, but everyone’s busy and no one’s free to deliver it. Could you, my Lady, bring it to the study?”
She hesitated.
He would surely dislike it if she brought it herself—but she couldn’t bring herself to say that aloud to Court Lady Eom.
As she stood hesitating, Court Lady Eom spoke first.
“People tend to fade from memory when kept out of sight. Whether liked or disliked, repeated exposure breeds familiarity. He always has this after training, so he’ll surely appreciate it if you take it to him.”
Clearly, Court Lady Eom worried more than Eun Seol herself, seeing how the Grand Prince hadn’t visited the inner quarters at all since returning from the hunt.
Reluctantly, she accepted the tray and headed toward the study.
Approaching the open door, she peeked inside—but the room was empty.
He should’ve been back from training by now and resting in the study, yet his absence suggested he was still at practice.
Thinking this was actually convenient, she placed the refreshments on the table and turned to leave—
Just then, her eyes met those of the Grand Prince, who stood leaning casually against the wall beside the door.
Judging by his training uniform, he had only just returned from the training grounds.
“What are you doing here?”
Startled, she stood frozen, speechless—until he moved first.
Striding toward her, his gaze remained fixed intently on her.
He glanced briefly at the tray on the table, then let out a short sigh and a hollow chuckle.
“Cease this insincere pretense of being my wife. I know you’re doing this only because you fear being cast out of this place—but rest assured, I will never dismiss my wife. Didn’t I already say it? That I’d tolerate no one laying a hand on what’s mine. So stop this charade. Once your business here is done, leave.”
“It wasn’t with any ulterior motive—I only came because I heard you usually have a light snack after training…”
“I don’t appreciate these hollow gestures. And even if you don’t do it, there’s no shortage of others willing—so spare yourself the unnecessary effort next time.”
She’d steeled herself before coming, yet hearing it directly still pierced her heart.
So much she wanted to say—yet the words swirling in her mind remained trapped, sinking helplessly down her throat.
Just as she tried to slip past him and exit, avoiding his gaze, Seo Yeom entered.
“What’s happening?”
“A guest has arrived—I’ll tell them to come back another time.”
“Who is it?”
Seo Yeom looked troubled, glancing nervously at her.
Not wanting to add to his discomfort on her account, she took a step to leave—
But at that moment, the Grand Prince’s sharp voice rang through the room.
“Who is it?!”
“Well… So Hyang of Eunwol Pavilion has come.”
She recognized the name—So Hyang of Eunwol Pavilion—from things she’d overheard before.
Though many men had reportedly spent fortunes trying to win her affection, proud, high-spirited So Hyang had never given her heart to anyone.
That she had become Grand Prince Jinheon’s concubine was common knowledge throughout the capital.
And now, So Hyang had come to Woon Yeon Palace.
His previously shadowed face visibly brightened.
“Turning away a visitor who’s come in person is hardly proper etiquette. Invite her in.”
His dark expression melted into warmth, his voice even growing gentle.
She understood, without him needing to say it, what So Hyang meant to him.
When she’d first heard rumors of their relationship, she hadn’t wanted to believe it—or rather, refused to.
The Grand Prince she’d seen in person seemed tidy, refined, and nothing like the gossip claimed.
She’d held onto a faint hope that such tales were merely fabrications spun by idle tongues.
It had been a mistake.
His gaze, resting quietly on So Hyang, shimmered with calm affection; a faint smile graced his lips.
She should’ve left when Seo Yeom did.
Only belatedly coming to her senses and turning to exit, she found So Hyang already stepping into the room.
Unlike other kisaeng, So Hyang wore light makeup and plain clothing—but to Eun Seol, her beauty was undeniable.
Her simplicity exuded grace and dignity.
What man could possibly reject such a woman?
For capturing the Grand Prince’s heart, So Hyang was undeniably enchanting.
“I had no idea Her Ladyship, Royal Noble Consort Bu, was present—my apologies. I am So Hyang.”
Her voice was as refined and clear as her appearance.
After offering a light bow, So Hyang moved toward where the Grand Prince stood.
“I’ve long wondered who would take residence in the inner quarters—and now, at last, I meet you. My congratulations, Your Ladyship.”
“Thank you.”
“How could you honor a lowly kisaeng with such courtesy? Please, speak more humbly.”
Eun Seol envied So Hyang’s calm confidence and the ease with which she carried herself before him.
At the very least, in this moment, So Hyang looked far happier than she did.
When yandere male lead believes she loves him — but she never did
“How dare you!”
“How dare you make me love you, only to cast me aside as nothing more than a friend?!?
“I will never accept that.”
“I will never let you return to him.”
“Even if I have to burn myself to ashes.”
“Even if I must shatter my purity, my dignity, my very soul.”
“I will never let you escape me!”
This was the first novel that introduced me to the matriarchal genre. I’ve read it three times already!
At first, the male lead despised the female lead. Later, he misunderstood that she liked him, so he condescendingly and reluctantly reciprocated her feelings.
Then, he suddenly discovered that she was kind to everyone in the same way, and there was already someone she cherished in her heart, and that person was not him.
The male lead couldn’t believe it, he became angry and crazy. He was determined to capture her body and heart by any means necessary.
Synopsis:
Want to see how a green tea bitch male lead falls in love with the female lead?
Want to see how he flirtatiously pursues the female lead?
Want to see how he gets slapped in the face repeatedly?
The male lead is a green tea bitch, a poisonous lotus, jealous, ruthless, unscrupulous, with a venomous heart, and he’s also a delusional maniac.
The female lead is righteous, positive energy-filled, kind, a holy mother.
Let’s see how two people with extreme personalities come together~
_____
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