The Secret Night at Unyeon Palace (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
Eun Seol opened her eyes only after the sun had climbed high into the sky.
She wondered why no one had woken her, retracing the events of the previous day.
Someone had called out to her as she lay collapsed and unconscious, startled by thunder and lightning.
It had definitely been the Grand Prince—but nothing after that came to mind.
She had been here only a short while, yet showing such weakness yesterday was deeply embarrassing.
He already disliked her—how disgraceful must she have appeared to him?
Her face burned with shame.
She cooled her flushed cheeks with both hands and let out a long, heavy sigh.
Just then, Court Lady Eom’s cough sounded from beyond the door.
“Madam, this is Court Lady Eom.”
“Come in.”
Court Lady Eom entered, carrying a small low table, upon which sat a bowl of porridge.
“Anticipating your stomach might feel unsettled, I prepared *tarakjuk*. Please finish it all—don’t leave any behind.”
“Was it His Grace who brought me here yesterday?”
“Yes. They said you’d collapsed unconscious at Doyeon Pavilion. A few moments later, and it could’ve turned dire. Are you feeling well?”
Court Lady Eom gazed at her with concern, but Eun Seol remained silent, fidgeting only with her spoon.
Gathering her courage, she finally asked the question that had been weighing on her since she woke.
“By any chance… did you change my clothes, Court Lady Eom?”
It *had* to have been her—any other possibility was too dreadful to consider.
Yet Eun Seol was immediately struck speechless by Court Lady Eom’s reply.
“No, not me.”
“Then… who…?”
“I’m not entirely sure—whether His Grace changed them himself, or perhaps another maid. You’ll have to ask His Grace directly.”
How could she possibly ask *him* that?
She already felt she owed him a proper thank-you in person—but just the thought of facing him now made her cheeks burn again.
“It might not even have been His Grace. Don’t trouble yourself over it beforehand. And really—even if it *was* him, so what? You’re not formally husband and wife yet. He didn’t mention going out today, so try visiting the *sarangchae*. But before that, finish your porridge.”
Instead of replying, Eun Seol simply nodded and, listening to Court Lady Eom’s gentle scolding, barely managed to finish the entire bowl.
.
.
.
After dismissing the tray, she had spent hours mulling over the same dilemma.
She needed to see the Grand Prince—but courage wouldn’t come easily.
More than anything else, she wanted to thank him in person for yesterday’s kindness, looking him straight in the eye.
Yet, contrary to her resolve, her body refused to cooperate.
Realizing the entire day might pass if she delayed further, she steeled herself and rose from her seat.
“Yoon Eun Seol, this isn’t something to hesitate over.”
She muttered the words like a mantra, then decisively headed toward the *sarangchae*.
Upon arriving, Seo Yeom, standing outside, greeted her and directed her toward the study.
Pausing briefly before the open study door, she slowly stepped inside.
He sat deeply reclined in his chair, head tilted back, eyes closed.
If he was sleeping, she didn’t want to wake him—somehow, he looked utterly exhausted.
“What is it?”
Just as she took a step back, ready to turn and leave, his low, weighty voice stopped her.
Their eyes met as she lifted her head.
He gazed straight at her, silently asking what she needed.
“I came to thank you. Truly, I’m very grateful for what you did yesterday.”
Her voice barely rose above a whisper as she offered her thanks, then waited for his reply.
He sat up slowly, dragging both hands down his face.
“When it rains, you must come to the inner quarters—even if you get drenched. Did you really stay beneath that pavilion until so late at night, trying to avoid the rain? And in that state—unconscious, no less.”
“It wasn’t to avoid the rain… I was just frightened—of the thunder and lightning.”
“You hid in such a place because you were afraid of thunder and lightning?”
“I—I’m sorry.”
“Do you realize how dangerous what you did was? That spot is the *most* perilous during a thunderstorm—you could’ve lost your life. Honestly… did you truly expect to survive, hiding under a rain-soaked tree?”
Though his words were sharp, strangely, they didn’t upset her.
Because, just a little—only the faintest bit—it felt as if he actually cared.
The gaze he’d kept fixed on her ever since she entered the room no longer felt frightening—especially not at this very moment.
“Yesterday, in all the confusion, I couldn’t properly check on you. Are you feeling well now?”
“…Yes.”
Taken aback by his sudden concern for her wellbeing, she could only stare at him blankly, unable to formulate a proper reply.
Was she imagining things?
Somehow, his eyes looked unusually gentle.
To hide her blushing face, she lowered her head and bit her lower lip.
“Why are you so afraid of thunder and lightning?”
“Well… I suppose I’ve just been afraid of them since I was little.”
“Since you were little?”
“Yes. I tried to overcome it, but it never quite worked… Though I do feel a bit better when I’m in a well-lit place.”
It wasn’t better at all.
No matter how hard she tried, the memory refused to fade.
She’d been about five years old. That day, just like always, after being beaten by her stepmother, she’d been locked in the storeroom.
Her stepmother always vented the anger she harbored toward her father onto the young girl.
The beatings themselves—though unjust—were almost bearable; but being locked alone in the dark storeroom was sheer terror, enough to make her wish for death.
That day, just like yesterday, the rain poured down relentlessly.
After losing consciousness from the severe beating, she awoke inside the pitch-black storeroom.
That night, surrounded by total darkness while torrential rain poured and thunder roared deafeningly, she pounded on the door and screamed until her voice gave out—but no one came to save her.
Trembling in terror all night, she repeatedly slipped in and out of consciousness—until she finally collapsed entirely.
She hovered between life and death for ten days before regaining consciousness, and ever since, on nights when thunder and lightning struck, she had to stay awake all night with candles lit in her room.
She couldn’t possibly tell him such a wretched story—couldn’t bring herself to confess the truth.
He already regarded her with such disfavor; she didn’t want to burden him further with this.
“Everyone in Woon Yeon Palace exists to protect you. Thunder and lightning will never harm you here. Try to remember that, no matter how difficult it feels. And never again do something so reckless as yesterday.”
“Yes, I’ll try my best. Then… I’ll take my leave now.”
His unwavering gaze, fixed on her from the moment she entered, made her uncomfortable—and above all, she dreaded the awkward silence.
Turning to leave, she’d taken only a few steps before stopping, turning back again.
“I… have something I’d like to ask.”
He rose from his chair and approached her, gesturing for her to speak.
“About my clothes yesterday… Did *you* change them? Court Lady Eom said it wasn’t her—and told me to ask you directly.”
“It wasn’t me either. But why does it matter so much?”
“Oh—nothing. Never mind, then.”
Not wanting him to see her redden further, she quickly turned away.
Yet before she could take even a single step, his next words froze her in place.
“If *I* had changed them for you… what would you do?”
Heat flooded not only her face but all the way down her neck.
Utterly unable to meet his eyes, she spun on her heels and fled.
She didn’t see the Grand Prince’s lips curl upward behind her—
nor the soft chuckle that followed.
* * *
Eun Seol sat on the wooden veranda, grinding ink in preparation for drawing.
The rich scent of ink filled the inner quarters, matching the cheerful brightness of the fine weather.
The clouds resting along the distant mountain ridges looked especially lovely today.
“What are you thinking about?”
Startled by the sudden, unannounced voice of a man, she turned toward the sound.
Prince Seongwon approached, holding something in both hands.
He’d dropped by before, engaging her in lengthy conversations before leaving.
As visits to see the Grand Prince grew increasingly futile, Prince Seongwon naturally became her regular conversational companion.
Though awkward at first, they’d grown comfortable enough now to exchange light banter.
“The weather’s truly lovely today. Were you about to draw?”
Seated beside her on the veranda, Prince Seongwon glanced alternately between her and the blank paper.
“I was just thinking. The sunshine’s warm, and the breeze is just right—I felt like drawing.”
“How delightfully romantic of you. On such a beautiful day, may I trouble you for a cup of tea?”
“I’ll have them bring out the tea we had before.”
She summoned Geum Ok, ordering simple tea and light refreshments.
Of all the people here, it was none other than Prince Seongwon with whom she’d shared the most conversation.
He often dropped by unexpectedly, either to talk with the Grand Prince—or, if the Grand Prince was absent, to share tea with her.
If Court Lady Eom had helped her adjust to this unfamiliar place, Prince Seongwon had brought vitality to her otherwise monotonous days.
“Next time, please send word ahead. You keep making wasted trips like this.”
“It’s not urgent—why bother? If Hyung Nim’s here, I see him. If not, I’ll come again later. Besides, it gives me a chance to chat with you, Hyung Su Nim—I rather like it.”
“What brings you here today?”
“Some excellent liquor just arrived—I came to share a drink with Hyung Nim. He’ll show up if I wait.”
He set the bottle he’d been holding down on the veranda, his gaze drifting slowly toward the distant hills.
“Did you know? Every time I see you, your eyes are always fixed far away. What on earth occupies your thoughts so deeply? You know, thinking too much only invites worry.”
He tilted his head slightly, studying her face.
Then, lips quirking upward, he gave a faint, amused smile.
“We’ve grown quite close by now—I hope you’ll tell me anytime something troubles you. Who knows? Perhaps I can help.”
“There’s truly nothing troubling me. I was just admiring how beautiful the sky looks.”
“There’s something far more beautiful right here—you just don’t seem to realize it yet.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Oh—by the way, I brought a small gift. I wonder if you’ll like it.”
Inside the box he offered lay an inkstone and several neatly arranged brushes.
The glossy, straight bristles looked soft to the touch, even without handling them.
Such a gift was entirely new to her—she could only stare blankly at the box, unsure how to respond.
Something welled up inside her chest.
Back at her birth family’s home, she’d been nothing but a burden—but here, she was receiving kindness far beyond what she deserved.
Sometimes she wondered if it was all just a dream—and if it was, she hoped never to wake.
“I heard you enjoy drawing, so I prepared this. Consider it a commemorative gift for your arrival at Woon Yeon Palace—please don’t feel burdened by it.”
“Such a precious gift… I’m truly grateful. I keep receiving things like this, and yet…”
“If it truly weighs on your conscience, then paint me a picture sometime later.”
“My skill’s too embarrassing to show anyone—certainly not good enough for a gift.”
“Well, it’s surely better than *mine*.”
His hearty laughter filled the inner quarters.
As his laughter subsided, he tilted his head and met her eyes.
“A person who knows how to smile like that—why do you always wear such a sorrowful expression?”
“Do I really look that way? I don’t think so.”
“…You do.”
Though she denied it in response to his teasing remark, her expression betrayed her.
Prince Seongwon let his lingering smile fade, then fixed his gaze firmly on her and asked, as if casually tossing the words out:
“Besides drawing, is there nothing else you truly wish to do?”
“There’s much I’d like to learn, much I’d like to try. But… those are just dreams—nothing more.”
“So what if they’re only dreams? Tell me—what is that dream?”
Setting down his teacup, he looked intently into her eyes.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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