IBPC | Chapter 11.1

“Why is there still no news about Heegon’s selection of an Empress?” King Eulsa lamented to the elderly man sitting before him. The man looked somewhat concerned.

The man was the Left Minister, King Eulsa’s closest confidant and a member of the most powerful family in the Jinha Kingdom.

“I apologize for the delay…”

The Left Minister averted his gaze slightly from King Eulsa.

“There are no families willing to offer their daughters. Everyone is too busy gauging the situation…”

“What could be the reason for this? Heegon’s madness has subsided now.”

“However, people are still anxious that his madness might worsen again. And there’s also the issue of… the heir…”

the Left Minister trailed off, watching King Eulsa’s reaction. King Eulsa seemed puzzled.

“An heir can be born once his madness improves, or we could adopt from among the relatives… It’s hard to believe there’s not a single family willing to support Heegon.”

“I will encourage the families once more. But please, do not be too hasty. Once the Third Prince is appointed as Crown Prince, this issue will naturally resolve itself.”

“I’m saying this because it’s obvious other nobles will seize upon this as an excuse.”

King Eulsa clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. Seeing this, the Left Minister remained silent and shifted the conversation to another topic.

“Regarding your upcoming inspection of the Gangha region…”

After his private audience with King Eulsa, the Left Minister left the palace with a somewhat uncomfortable expression. A person closely following him whispered in his ear.

“What did His Majesty call you for?”

“It seems his favor is increasingly leaning towards the Third Prince. He’s trying to fill the Empress position again.”

The Left Minister organized his thoughts with a complex expression and whispered discreetly to the person beside him.

“What about the rumors I asked you to investigate?”

“They seem to be true. It’s said the Third Prince expelled Jeokbin because of his concubine.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. He’s so infatuated with that concubine lately that he shows no interest in the Empress selection.”

“That’s why there are no families willing to offer their daughters for the Third Prince’s Empress position.”

For a moment, relief washed over the Left Minister’s previously tense face.

“I was worried because it seemed his madness was subsiding… but he’s distancing himself well on his own. If it weren’t for the madness and heir issues, things would have been quiet, but now he’s suddenly indulging in male lovers.”

The Left Minister let out a scoff and then changed his expression.

“What about the First Prince?”

The First Prince, Tae Doyeom, was King Eulsa’s first son and was once considered for the Crown Prince position due to being born a Yangin. However, as he grew, his reckless personality and tendency to cause trouble led him to fall out of King Eulsa’s favor. He was now practically exiled to a neighboring country, but he was also the prince the Left Minister was backing.

Even though they were distantly related through his maternal family, Tae Doyeom’s fiery yet simple nature made him easy for the Left Minister to manipulate.

Thus, the Left Minister was steadily preparing to bring Tae Doyeom back and establish him as the Crown Prince.

He was somewhat relieved that Heegon, whom King Eulsa was strongly pushing for the Crown Prince position, had a critical weakness of not being able to produce an heir due to his erotomania. However, rumors suddenly spread that Heegon had managed to control his madness. Upon investigation, it seemed to be true, which had been a cause for concern…

But then Heegon became infatuated with a male concubine and even expelled a royal concubine, making things fall into place nicely.

“Is there any news about the First Prince?”

The Left Minister asked about Doyeom again. A cautious response came back.

“No, nothing significant. As you advised, he is being very careful…”

“Indeed, if he has any sense, he would be lying low.”

The Left Minister smirked.

“Tell him to continue lying low. I’ll create an opportunity soon.”

As he conveyed this, the Left Minister turned his gaze towards where Heegon’s residence was.

“And keep a closer watch on the Third Prince as well.”

⊹₊⟡⋆

“Your complexion has improved a lot.”

The eunuch, who had been watching Heegon work, suddenly spoke with a face full of emotion.

“In the past, every time you experienced erotomania, you seemed to struggle as if your lifespan had shortened. But these days, there’s a glow on your face.”

Heegon merely glanced at the eunuch’s quiet smile without showing much reaction. Instead, he mulled over the eunuch’s words internally.

That’s… true. In the past, even if he somehow endured the mania, he could clearly feel his body deteriorating afterward. But ever since meeting Seoyul, he managed to get through the mania more easily… No, rather, it felt like he was more energized each time he overcame it. And even in daily life…

As Heegon briefly thought of Seoyul, he noticed the eunuch still watching him and set aside his thoughts. He lowered his gaze to focus on his work. However, his mind wandered elsewhere again.

Come to think of it, His Majesty…

Heegon recalled something and calculated the dates. Then he asked the eunuch another question.

“Isn’t His Majesty going on an inspection in five days?”

The eunuch nodded at Heegon’s question.

“Yes, he is going on an inspection to the Gangha region.”

“How long did he say he would be away?”

“Ten days.”

A ten-day inspection.

And another fact in Heegon’s mind—right now, Gangmu was in a neighboring country for diplomatic matters. Since he mentioned he would visit the First Prince while there, it would take at least another ten days.

Then, five days later, Heegon would be the only Yangin left in the palace. The reason this weighed on his mind was because of Seoyul.

Seoyul was strangely fascinated by the most obvious things in the palace. He showed excessive interest in the common stone lanterns in the residence and even asked about the architectural style of His Majesty’s quarters…

Though Heegon didn’t understand why those things were appealing, Seoyul’s eyes would light up just from asking questions.

“……”

Heegon slowly tapped his fingers on the table in front of him.

⊹₊⟡⋆

“Just follow me,” Heegon said, walking ahead. Seoyul, filled with curiosity since it was rare for Heegon to take him outside, followed with a puzzled expression.

However, as Heegon crossed the threshold leading outside, Seoyul involuntarily halted. Heegon stopped and turned to look back. Seoyul hesitated, gauging Heegon’s reaction.

“Um… is it okay for me to go out?”

Despite his hesitation, there was a sparkle of excitement in his eyes. Seeing this, Heegon extended his hand towards Seoyul instead of answering. Seoyul had many questions but feared that asking might ruin this opportunity, so he quickly grabbed Heegon’s hand. With that support, he leaped over the threshold of the residence.

Of course, he had stepped out of this door before, to see the lantern festival. But back then, it was in the deep darkness, and he had only followed Heegon’s silhouette. He had never imagined crossing into another part of the palace in broad daylight like this.

“Is there a place you want to go?”

Heegon asked afterward. Seoyul’s mind raced with the sudden choice.

Why did he suddenly bring me outside? No, that’s not important. Can I really go anywhere I want right now?

Wait, then where should I go?

Seoyul quickly sifted through all the information he knew.

He wanted to see the original appearance of the Sim Palace, the residence of King Eulsa, and the northern wall with carved engravings. But more than anything…

“I want to see Yeonwon¹.”

According to the founding myth of the Jinha Kingdom, the progenitor of Jinha was born in a pond, blessed by the God of Seombaek. It was said that despite the pond’s large size, they built the palace around it without filling it in.

The pond was considered sacred, and a shrine dedicated to the God of Seombaek was built in the center. It was regarded as the most beautiful and intricate structure among all buildings up to the 10th century. Currently, it’s a restored cultural heritage that can only be viewed from afar beyond the pond, but could he possibly enter it?

When Seoyul looked up with eyes full of anticipation, Heegon nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“Let’s go there.”

With Heegon’s permission, Seoyul beamed with a wide smile.

Could he really see Yeonwon in its current state? And from the inside, too?

Seoyul was so excited that he bounced on his feet. But soon, realizing something, he swallowed the smile on his lips.

Come to think of it, Heegon was still holding the hand he had grabbed earlier. Seoyul looked at his hand, held by Heegon, and involuntarily shrugged his shoulders.

“……”

The hand held by Heegon felt ticklish, as if scratching his palm. Walking with him outside the residence in broad daylight felt strange.

This somehow feels…

Seoyul’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.

Like… a date.

Seoyul raised his free hand to cover his flushed cheeks. Lately, he seemed to have a lot of unnecessary thoughts.

⊹₊⟡⋆

The two walked along the wall and passed through another gate. As they did, the expansive scenery of the palace unfolded before their eyes.

Seoyul was quickly captivated by the view, busy looking around in awe. The palace of the Jinha Kingdom was much larger and more magnificent than he had imagined.

The buildings were so intricate and delicate that it was hard to believe they were built with the technology of the time.

Although they had been restored after being burned and lost through generations of wars, seeing them in their vivid current state was a world of difference.

On the way to Yeonwon, Seoyul stopped several times to ask about the buildings and various sculptures. What should have been a short walk took an extra hour. Yet, Heegon answered all of Seoyul’s questions without showing any signs of fatigue.

Finally, the two arrived at Yeonwon. As they entered through the large, ornate gate guarded by soldiers, a pond the size of a sports field appeared before them. Heegon’s residence was well-landscaped, but compared to this, it was insignificant.

The atmosphere here was different from the palace—mysterious and serene. In the center of the pond stood a shrine.

“……”

Seoyul paused, unable to take his eyes off the shrine, and took a deep breath.

He had only seen the shrine of Yeonwon from afar or in pictures. But now, even without any lighting, the shrine seemed to radiate its own light, exuding majesty.

And the four bridges connecting the pond to the shrine. These were only known from literature, having been lost to war and not existing in the present. They couldn’t be restored due to a lack of proper records. Seoyul looked up at Heegon, marveling at the bridges, each with a different, ornate design.

“Can we go inside?”

“There is no place in this palace I cannot enter. The same goes for you, as my person.”