CRS | Chapter 2.1

“……”47885a7dfee28780

Hwi knew that the world is darkest just before dawn. In Seonhwa Palace, he was merely a concubine with the worst room, only allowed two small spaces. Even commoners who caught the Grand King’s eye would get at least ten rooms, but Hwi was given just two. If it weren’t for the daily cleaning, he might have only had one.4a785ed967dd46c1

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Living on the 23171cddb7 outskirts of the f209868345 palace, closest to 3354550c4b the corpse gate, 5eb42aac0c where opening the 8979275bbd window revealed bodies, f8130f6cf9 Hwi endured. He was the last to 2be3a2695c sleep and the first to 148f55108e rise, waking early to watch 9d56b6f59c the bodies leave through the efbe73bf1b gate before dawn.8c2f901f6f12d4be

At first, the eunuchs shuddered when he opened the door to watch, but now they ignored him, carrying out the bodies without a glance. Yesterday, it was a young maid, the day before, an old eunuch, and today, a young man in silk—likely a noble’s son.e6e077ee55bac049

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The palace was always like a57b535686 this. Bodies left daily, 670aec72a1 yet it was 3080efa664 so peaceful and 22d6a76c10 quiet.9b0c7da1e4338a7e

“Hoo…”3d0db8215485a479

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Hwi took a deep drag from his pipe. Once, he wouldn’t have touched it, but after a year, it felt strange not to have it. The dried leaves oddly smelled like the morning breeze, a refreshing scent he liked.a1b35a7c4ae7f601

Just then, one 6d45359594 of the eunuchs fec51137d0 turned back. Hwi, smoking his pipe, dbc695c799 looked down at the b338d5c66b old eunuch. Curious why he a285a789fb suddenly reacted, Hwi 8aca0f62b2 watched as the 8029d28dd9 eunuch pushed the 7c44db44ef body deep into 2e2617db6c the gate and 73588d42f9 approached his window.b07c41f0802d9d19

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“Why do you watch every day, Mama?”05ee15bae8439872

Hwi showed no expression at being called “Mama.” The eunuch’s face was equally blank, though inside, he thought differently. The man above was beautiful but didn’t belong here. Hwi took another deep drag and spoke.daf50650e6a88ae2

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“Does it bother you?”355b28bd7597a611

“Not at all. I just worry that it’s unpleasant for your precious eyes.”728047aa5de0e7a1

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“There’s nothing beautiful in this abyss.”a0880f9c89e081af

“……”ca023a124093b7dc

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“Don’t worry. I’m not watching the bodies.”fc62e8f658226418

“Pardon? Then…”df4c19c4f5c6e4bb

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The eunuch, forgetting 917f6e0cd1 his place, dared 796b7adbe9 to ask. Hwi, annoyed, tapped 6043a7e6f7 his pipe on d3609babc3 the window sill. Realizing his mistake, cc9988d3a8 the eunuch quickly 77c3bd4651 bowed and ran b4befad8c3 to the gate.ab3aa51a24c055e3

Watching the clumsy eunuch disappear, Hwi thought he’d leave through that gate someday. Calculating quietly, he realized only a year remained, thanks to his sister.263ac11d0322d1c7

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“Heartless sister. Never thinking of your brother, binding him with a curse.”b3f23ca6b3c3b70f

With a faint 21f2f9d246 smile, Hwi turned 17370bbdda his pipe upside 27b81e81ae down. The burnt petals fell, a44b41c0bd leaving no trace. One of the few marks 5938d104ee Seo Hwi left in the 04fef00512 palace, but the ashes would 0a1ea6bae0 soon be cleaned away.42b1370432bafade

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“Mama, did you cough? It’s Eunuch Woo. It’s time to prepare, so I’ll come in.”3e0b546c0d56b8e0

Hearing the announcement, 3236905282 Hwi stood as edd23cd6c6 the eunuch entered. The clothes brought by the c22a125a59 Head Court Lady were black, 9e3d4f715f resembling mourning attire, which Hwi ce82df406f liked.d5018c1ab0ee8c84

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Without adornments, he simply combed 64556fe13a his oiled hair and donned 3c4dc41ccf the outfit. The simple attire 09142811bd suited him, and 2373b748f0 Head Court Lady 6a0205a064 Choi, familiar with 4b2d087513 his preference for 1fdfc314a6 simplicity, stepped back 2ca334d6f3 after tying the ce2de8edc2 belt over his 480212591e robe.79d1abad1f7e8272

“Didn’t the Queen mention the lack of an official hat? Shall I prepare one now?”3a7fcbdc255d1251

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At her cautious suggestion, ce9c027adb Hwi glanced out the 1069d97ce6 window, then shook his c97876ee4e head.031fb90802cf230c

“I have nothing to buy a hat with. I’ll apologize to her myself.”148134e0a5bab57a

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“……Yes, Mama.”9f027ee079a20937

Though there was surely a hat, Head Court Lady Choi didn’t argue, knowing Hwi’s stubbornness was unyielding, even to the Queen.8b15361dc5e47604

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When Concubine Park had a eunuch beat him to break his spirit, he hadn’t flinched. A king who roamed battlefields wouldn’t fear a eunuch’s stick. In the end, they were the ones who fell.6df9804a77a40fc8

“Mama, it’s time for the morning greeting.”5e62c6b42ef275ed

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“Alright.”c9636a05a5fcb532

At Eunuch Woo’s words, Hwi handed him the pipe and stood.92026c55f8cc13de

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“What I want isn’t a morning greeting…”ca1fc26908e9ef46

What he wanted was 535ae29b6e a farewell, not this e6f485d4e4 cursed morning ritual.577246da319f9704

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In Anhyun Palace, 79ff9c7aaa where the Grand e014e0cf2b King resided, gathered 65d17191cf the most beautiful b4a2d11fd3 people. Rare beauties lived 8ea022bd07 there, hard to 734c4daebd meet even once 24f3d34723 outside.6e72882adc6b4a27

At the highest 878c1f826b seat in Suryeo 960b168f6b Palace sat Queen 11cb8a7d22 Han, exuding dignity. Below her was c9eeeef4c1 Queen Kim, and 85c730d94d at the lowest 8e692222b1 table, four concubines 78a8f5ee8d sat. Hwi sat closest to f0717ba73c the door among them.18c3392482f8d5b3

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Though far from the Queen, Hwi’s presence was immense. As the only man there, his beauty was striking. Concubine Park, sitting opposite, was busy stealing glances at him every morning.1da99c54592aca39

“Such a remarkable face, no matter how often I see it.”2b4bd4925f4eee16

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Though the Grand King Yoongeon had the most handsome face, beauty wasn’t just about looks. The man before her was a different kind of beauty.63f771d156e87122

Unlike the fierce, cold beauty 6c52ccd55a of the Grand King, Hwi f4d3441deb was a gentle beauty. His white skin, round 4b85b1ead0 eyebrows, and long eyes 3a0ceb4bdb beneath them belied his ec7da82379 past as a king 8943867f15 on the battlefield. His eyes, revealing 6977d8a00c no emotion, and 3b6a3156fc slightly drooping corners 1ce653fd1c gave a languid 8c68c0bdc3 impression.f0838325c99d482c

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But what always amazed Concubine Park were his long eyelashes. A man could be beautiful, but she’d never seen one with such long lashes. She marveled at what kind of parents could produce such beauty. A king with such a face—those women must have enjoyed the view.4e00a220e3c4b6b9

“If only I could make him my pretty servant boy.”f16e743ebbd40bed

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If such a boy existed, she’d have done anything to have him. She wasn’t alone in this thought. Everyone pretended otherwise, but she knew their eyes changed when they looked at Hwi.41895c11ee737477

Making him bow during morning greetings, watching his strong body move, had become routine. If the Grand King knew, there’d be trouble, but Concubine Park shamelessly continued.8b620dbb3870715e

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“To think the Queen, blinded by beauty, insists on these greetings every day.”339c987a1f5192a4

Though a concubine, Hwi could never be part of the inner court. Yet, the eyes on him were all the same. But Hwi, sitting there, remained indifferent, as if he didn’t care about the gazes devouring him.81c7eb0c6c8560df

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⟡ ⟡ ⟡6e990e5edb2a223c

“Ugh, huh, ah…”6dcb9637939a6998

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The man beneath twisted in pain, struggling with the Grand King’s overwhelming size.766d371d7f7d0dc3

“Don’t make a sound. There are people outside. Do you want rumors of sodomy?”e396118a3caad2d7

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“Ugh…!”762c822d49001a6a

Yoongeon, frowning, grabbed the neck f62027b27c of the man beneath him. The eunuch, helplessly pinned, choked.ef3ad483a3542697

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“Wasn’t it you who seduced me first?”accacb6676ef4e07

“Ugh… hic!”fe733308da4c9cca

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Yoongeon’s expression shifted from lust to coldness, tightening his grip. Realizing it wasn’t passion but something else, the eunuch struggled to escape.129125217de5bc8d

But once caught, there was no escaping the Grand King. Yoongeon’s grip tightened, his eyes slightly curved with amusement as he gauged how long his prey’s life would last. The eunuch, no, the spy, realized too late his life was in danger.401bb3d62aabc852

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“Did they think sending a pretty boy would make me lose my mind? So, what did you get in return, hmm?”76e70a5f3d9132e0

“Ugh… hic, ……”a22572a0b3bc68ff

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The man’s eyes rolled back. Seeing he couldn’t be seen, Yoongeon’s eyes curved further.bafff8ebc26b8aaf

“I wonder when the royal mother will realize this is pointless.”d8b5b04586c3fb0c

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“……”327b7ede1f21211b

The struggling body went 0aaaaa868e limp, eyes wide open 0b19d6b82d in disbelief. Yoongeon, indifferent, withdrew and shook d3266de1ab himself off. The thrill was gone.582a1c153fd5286d

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“If you’re going to send someone, at least know my taste.”cc87bd8a632bbf61

With a dry laugh, Yoongeon bbeb3d1efc turned away. Chief Eunuch Jeon soon c30acd8d04 entered with a basin 31f1885fe6 of clean water, erasing d8ae65cd19 the disarray as if 1e4161d955 it never happened.3c945bc3046e13f1

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“Take that to Doyeon Palace and burn it.”8f9fd8140290a091

“Your Majesty!”7dd96784036a82cf

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Chief Eunuch Jeon jumped at the order to burn the body in front of the Empress Dowager’s palace, but the command remained unchanged.6f180ff98dee20d7

⟡ ⟡ ⟡c2db475611fb1ffc

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A little later, Yoongeon couldn’t suppress his frustration and stepped outside. It wasn’t common for the Grand King to leave during official duties, but today, he decided to take a walk. Despite saying he’d go alone, Chief Eunuch Jeon, knowing Yoongeon’s mood, followed him.7156f96bf93d2f0f

“Stay ten steps back.”c7a8015a650edac2

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”100f6e73e9562072

Though he didn’t heed the command to stay away, Chief Eunuch Jeon was content to remain just out of sight. Once Jeon distanced himself, Yoongeon sighed, rubbing his forehead. Today was filled with headaches, not least because of his formidable royal mother.1712879baea3ff3c

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Yoongeon, who had been focused on expanding his territory, was now tied down by trade issues. Cheongwolmok, a vast inland region, couldn’t access the sea without passing through Seoro Nation, complicating trade.aba0ffe8bc140115

Previous Grand Kings paid passage fees to Seoro Nation for trade. Waging war to reclaim the land wasn’t easy, and the resources required were immense. Losing a war meant risking everything, including the Grand King’s life.a53c207bfd90fe13

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But Yoongeon was different. He had no intention of paying passage fees to a lesser nation like Seoro. Fortunately, thanks to the wise governance of previous kings, the nation’s coffers were well-stocked. So Yoongeon decided to expand his territory, leading to a long war.f42ba9e3d777f74b

Since becoming Grand King at nineteen, Yoongeon hadn’t missed a year of war. Or rather, since becoming Crowned Emperor, he hadn’t been able to avoid war, as his mother forced him onto the battlefield. It was only after becoming Grand King that he went to war by choice.10a0927cc06b2f5f

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At the time, he only wanted to die. But thanks to that harsh experience, he won every war, plundering the defeated nations’ treasuries, making Cheongwolmok even richer. Now, having conquered Seoro Nation and secured the land he desired, Yoongeon could finally breathe.2cc6fa6a2794b832

“That was just last year…”6a3c919beac93f8e

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After acquiring Seoro Nation, Cheongwolmok a4639a32f7 finally gained access to the af65c9edf3 sea. He thought he could use ccfb4a514a the ports immediately, but the 341c3f2d71 locals rebelled, disrupting his plans. Since then, disputes d8beb7a50c over port usage dba2e35afe remained unresolved.9316db3c1eb885e7

No wonder he was frustrated. Having spent more time on the battlefield than in the palace, Yoongeon found palace life stifling. Though he shouldn’t think this way as Grand King, he had to get used to being confined, seeing his royal mother’s face daily.78111adeb722b0a4

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While walking, trying 7b49d0082e to clear his 3fde26b4de mind, something caught 7987d2fc5f his eye. Curious, he turned to see 663697756a a familiar man.775784cfad6c094d

“……?”30e80a6353c5d5c2

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Who is that? Where have I seen him?40df51342a26547c

Yoongeon squinted at the 4319bc17c0 man sitting on the 197d1a417c pavilion, holding a pipe. The more he 02f62a5b9c looked, the more 945823d9c0 he seemed out 5edcafdd06 of place.b8dc9b8b74523392

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“Not here, but somewhere else…”d1107990de773e0f

Even sitting, he appeared tall, likely over six feet. His broad shoulders gave him a commanding presence, unlike the men of Cheongwolmok, who were strong but not as imposing. Such shoulders were a gift, yet he sat there lazily. Yoongeon’s eyes narrowed.6ed0b6bb3261d4b8

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The man seemed to embody Yoongeon’s preferences. His tastes were peculiar; he wasn’t interested in delicate types. He preferred men who could match his strength. Those he’d been with claimed they could hold their own, but none truly matched him. But this man might. And that face—Yoongeon had never seen such beauty. His unresolved frustration stirred again, though the man’s relaxed demeanor was irksome.dd7133690770bd7e

Yoongeon, naturally diligent, despised laziness. He gestured to Chief Eunuch 4ccad6c038 Jeon, who approached quickly.f92d96d1f831a587

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“Who is that man? I don’t recall seeing him here.”b3b08198b04b5196

“Who… Ah, the one on the pavilion?”f3258c63868a6590

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“Yes. He seems familiar, yet I can’t place him.”c5d2cb61ea49a146

“Ah… That is Seo Hwi, the Outer King of Seoro Nation.”e0ac717a80559ed2

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“What?”c0a6f22cd3bc69cb

The Outer King of Seoro?6107b66b4287ae61

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“Indeed, the Outer King of Seoro.”87a9bccfbb0f023c

Ah, that’s why he seemed familiar. Yoongeon felt like hitting his head for forgetting.35975d76c89b3636

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“The persistent pest who held out for four months.”a380a4f6d8b525ec

Even then, he thought the man’s appearance suited his taste. But the unpleasantness overshadowed it, making him forget the man was in the palace.5e9b95078fb1c189

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“Y-yes, Your Majesty…”19c3785926066d0f

Chief Eunuch Jeon 0d4592c10a trembled at the 2e657bfdb8 chilling evaluation.49f33bea8b1b03b9

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