SNF | Chapter 8.2

Yoon Heekang, who had responded appropriately, took the bottle from Yeon-oh’s hand and placed it on the table, then approached Lee Shinwoo, who still had his head on the table. Lee Shinwoo didn’t wake even when shaken. After trying for a while, Yoon Heekang sighed.ee8d3f396db69b93

“Have you ever seen Ja-seong wake up when he’s drunk?”89364daa9358e467

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“However.”316d6a6d723a071c

“Enough, enough. Let’s drink more today, Lee Pyeong. The court will officially resume its duties tomorrow, so today is the only chance for this. Right?”ee6004dae5b64c27

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There was no stopping the Crown Prince, who spoke as if pleading. Yoon Heekang sighed instead of trying to stop him further. With a sigh of resignation, the Crown Prince cheerfully poured into Yeon-oh’s empty cup. Perhaps worried that Yoon Heekang might intervene again, his pouring was hurried.fdf18f9a41fe6a5f

The problem was Yeon-oh. Whether it was the strong drink he had just consumed or the accumulated alcohol finally hitting him, everything began to blur. As he shook his head to clear the dizziness, the Crown Prince’s figure wavered. He felt that drinking any more would be disastrous, but his hand had already lifted the cup, and soon his tongue was wet.98810d24cbff0679

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“Are you drunk? Your eyes are unfocused. Hey, Lee Pyeong. When you take Ja-seong home, make sure to take the Right Censor too. I’d love to personally escort my precious new drinking buddy, but I’m not exactly free to do so.”f1e85d7e63132418

“…I seem to recall seeing someone who claimed to be not free outside the palace several times. Perhaps my memory is distorted.”55716c851110f0e8

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Yeon-oh spoke without d328a2cc6d realizing it.5d2c4e47ef39ad37

“You said you’d treat me like you did during the Spring Festival?”e73b958364f27ea4

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At the Crown Prince’s retort, Yeon-oh realized his mistake and closed his mouth. It seemed he was indeed drunk. He couldn’t distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said. While Yeon-oh was chastising himself for his mistake, the Crown Prince seemed to find it amusing. His face showed no signs of intoxication, unlike the empty bottles around him.9eb0ec384aa8a98e

“…It’s late. I should be going, Your Highness.”aededa845f380b63

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Feeling it 038b285112 would be 51cb2560b9 better to 6f4d5f4fc2 leave than 44c0a56475 to show 076bf6acf5 more of f63922b1a3 his drunken c59aecab35 state, Yeon-oh f0bb9834f2 spoke up, b0cbed10fe and the 3d978e3523 Crown Prince 42771f2eb9 looked disappointed.3291bbd66e2e319f

“Already? The sun hasn’t even set yet.”9d038e26626b0233

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“It hasn’t set, but the sunset has passed.”1dce364bc38bd829

“Still. It hasn’t completely set, has it? I’m reluctant to let you go like this.”94125cfa01475d7e

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The Crown Prince d95b87e155 hesitated to grant 7135c1e722 Yeon-oh permission to 98dd136a38 leave. The more 76987e0861 he hesitated, c32a17f4f6 the more b39f46f84a Yeon-oh felt ef61c64f1a the intoxication 669cae7f2b rising, so c1c11df190 he shook 74b7ed6cc8 his head. In the midst 9f2f5c2b40 of this, his 5b65136a0a gaze fell on 81d3ed768d Lee Shinwoo. He felt 740e0bbd2d an urge 594e5009a8 to collapse 3b961cc5f6 like that, ddf5efe5f9 but the 1c4fde5cc9 thought of c798d7a182 not wanting 488e69bfbe to lose 0c0f158014 composure ultimately ec5dfbb5f8 won over 3ca4046403 the impulse. Yeon-oh straightened his swaying 8601005d38 body.84c049e81fb4ef1e

“Your Highness.”900e8d9b18c3f81d

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“Alright. Once we finish this bottle, I’ll let you go. How about that?”3b6ca8b885b1e304

The Crown Prince suggested, 788b4b342a shaking the bottle of eb86206f4f strong liquor. Accepting would 638684d00d be akin 281d75cb03 to digging 93e87da472 his own 51c396d482 grave, but 5d846400b7 there was c5c498258b no other 5ab47f4e5c option. The Crown Prince b25a7f7565 seemed genuinely unwilling a9bc6bab96 to let Yeon-oh dd108bfdc0 leave. Whether it 2ffdc74da0 was because ec6b11923a he was da64703214 genuinely happy e7cf8d5c2a to have 3d13200593 a drinking e09abe5db2 buddy or 6b7a254aa2 for some 75acf4f15b other reason 2880ab657a was unclear.1380a4a93865d9e6

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“Hmm?”4ada6896395ac9c2

“…You’ll really let me go once we finish this bottle?”d0ad7dc6615aa7c6

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“I’m the Crown Prince of a nation. I wouldn’t lie.”e940d09474b11fd0

Yeon-oh wanted to ask if claiming to be the Uigwi wasn’t a lie, but he gathered his wits. However, his expression, distorted by the alcohol, was not well hidden.f7dc5b49433175e5

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“Are you trying to ask about the lie regarding the Uigwi?”545b5f2773c47296

“…”ccc83db33e8d7da5

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“The Uigwi isn’t part of the Cheomsabu, of course, but, hmm, I just changed the title a bit from a commander who once served on the battlefield. After all, it’s still a military position.”aa45f957b8aed1cd

The Crown Prince shamelessly justified his lie. It was a ridiculous logic, but instead of showing emotion, Yeon-oh focused on the word “battlefield.”37c6185d42eed63b

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The battlefield was something he had never experienced. It was something he would never experience unless a rebellion broke out in the Imperial Palace or foreign invaders breached the gates and reached the capital. Perhaps that’s why he was curious. How did the Crown Prince survive in a place where he was sent to die, and what was his mindset?51decf61430152d7

“…”651e1f391e8e6886

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However, words didn’t come easily. Yeon-oh swallowed his curiosity along with the bitter drink.42e96bd041efdc4b

“This drink is unusually strong and cheap for the Imperial Palace.”7f8076301209b0ec

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“…”07f67f8b6ac560af

“It’s the drink soldiers have on the battlefield.”f461c2a975097ee9

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The Crown Prince continued, 0fecf439f6 swirling his cup. It seemed 8a69e007e2 as if e0f16821ea he was e6e8920f9c answering the e1d57863be question Yeon-oh 6df88d857d had swallowed, 3a94a2a570 so Yeon-oh dc7c2bfd2b quietly listened.40febcb3f60b17e2

“The first time I drank was when I killed someone for the first time.”eaac95fd2ba86693

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“…”feab8d066806ed8f

“I was twelve. I was young, but considering I had been on the battlefield since I was ten, it was late. Still, as the Crown Prince, the generals around me protected me, so I never had to kill anyone myself.”afc5f58812851063

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The Crown Prince grimaced as he swallowed the drink, as if it were a bitter medicine, but soon smiled as usual. Yet, strangely, it didn’t seem like a genuine smile.0d83968a3003cec6

“It felt so strange. I couldn’t sleep. Whenever I tried to sleep, the face of the person I killed vividly appeared. I didn’t want to dream, so I drank. This is the drink, and even after returning to the capital at fifteen, I drink it occasionally when I remember. Strangely, it makes the first person I killed vividly appear.”34f215448e39506e

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The Crown Prince extended his hand. Though there wasn’t a single scar on his pale hand, it was calloused. It showed how fiercely he had lived. Yeon-oh looked at that hand, then at the Crown Prince. His smiling face remained unshaken. The Crown Prince must have made a tremendous effort to maintain that smile.11954e8576375c06

“I’ve told a story that doesn’t suit a celebratory day. Shall we continue drinking?”eb04353108130eaa

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“Your Highness.”f24d1c1e70120ba7

The Crown ed7adadef2 Prince, who 752a4fa275 was pouring ed1e596c4f into his 547ccbb91a empty cup, 0ba8ec4b1a turned his ca6574ab21 head at 72fd0a615a the voice 9697a1785c calling from d88428f67f outside.708fcf72447fce26

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“A letter has arrived.”e3ad456df8f30b1f

Whether it was the 5a8a0938c2 letter he had been 451647245f waiting for, the Crown 1314cc40dd Prince stood up without 9af1e26bad asking who it was 94e6ac86e9 from. As Yeon-oh tried to 2a24c5c4c6 stand, the Crown Prince d176fcd119 placed a hand on aa8f92f6f7 his shoulder, pressing him 5c5c71f2b1 down.7f3d60a4b34c5b62

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“I’ll be right back. Stay here.”3ddff772b401d10b

The Crown Prince, 0b6935745c who had earnestly 2682a05783 requested, left the ba42630093 room. Taking advantage 57d7665934 of his 2d7f50809e absence, Yeon-oh 535ccf7689 placed his 7241b0598d hand on 7597f8f1a4 the desk 825fd41e6e and rested 319c2f7643 his face a4c40e7eb3 on it. Though his e9714e1b0c weight leaned c7139e0816 on his 2fcfe0372f hand, the 34b2eb5fe8 position was 82a195b47f more comfortable.03dc5cc9865cc556

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“You seem tired.”772c28f072121610

Seeing this, 646b7654ff Yoon Heekang 264bfbf319 spoke.7e7947c09e9988a8

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“I’m drinking for both of you.”7e4e6f20f522ccb3

“When His Highness returns, he will order you to leave. So, rest your eyes for a moment.”3c9818a21e013f7a

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“Is it an important letter?”311616d7bb62344b

Yoon Heekang closed his 3ee2f23c91 mouth. He was clearly 5e7e003e8c not cut out 880191b9a5 for politics. If it were 6c956b4164 truly an important 442b27e602 letter, he should e5550c5dbc have denied it 505dd13e61 with a nonchalant 1c89022b14 face. Or he 6bdf0a69a3 could have 1bf6e7b49f deflected the c6bab4192a question like 293ffbc36e a sly d764cae975 fox. As it c5c39b1383 was, he f7a3605b64 might as c77c5af339 well have 7078b5966b confessed it a45d46c6f9 was an b83e698c3a important letter.d4b10e624d8e9c30

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“It’s fortunate you’re a military officer.”3be2cd4edd61d688

“I think so too.”cb202e36bab70a3c

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Once again, Yeon-oh’s words came out bluntly. Realizing that his drinking habit seemed to be revealing his true feelings, he thought he should refrain from drinking in the future. As he slowly blinked, he frowned. He felt as if his body was floating. It was as if his body wasn’t his own.867e342800c80fff

Every time he clenched and unclenched his hand, or wiggled a finger or two, the strange unfamiliarity was unsettling. He disliked this uncontrollable sensation. In this uncontrollable feeling, Yeon-oh recalled his recent nightmares. Those nightmares, which rendered him powerless, were terrifying and despairing. For a moment, Yeon-oh’s breath quickened.6045ab2680f9b720

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“Looks like you’re drunk. I might get blamed for getting such a precious son drunk.”80293f2d5b8278f7

While thinking about the nightmare, Yeon-oh didn’t realize the Crown Prince had returned. As Yeon-oh hurriedly tried to stand, he lost his balance. He tried to steady himself on something, but his hand slipped. At that moment, the Crown Prince caught Yeon-oh, preventing him from falling.5b48de95affaadd5

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“Right Censor. Are you okay?”a4b6c4db0d43752a

Yeon-oh nodded, trying to calm his startled heart. Seeing Yeon-oh’s pale face, the Crown Prince reached out. Perhaps intending to touch Yeon-oh’s face, his hand lost its way in the air as Yeon-oh leaned back.dcac7f848a2dac48

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“…Right Censor?”b7689141e63f715c

Yeon-oh was flustered, though he tried not to show it. There was no reason to lean back when the Crown Prince reached out. Yet, his body moved away from the Crown Prince involuntarily. Perhaps because he had been thinking about the nightmare, the Crown Prince’s outstretched hand overlapped with the hand in the nightmare. It felt as if that hand would strangle him, and the fear weighed heavily on him.37452ad876b20653

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“Right Censor.”5da82202989bd9cc

The Crown Prince called Yeon-oh again. He needed to say something, but his mouth wouldn’t open. It felt as if a suppressed groan, stifled by fear, would escape. Watching Yeon-oh, who was enveloped in shallow fear, the Crown Prince alternated his gaze between his outstretched hand and Yeon-oh, then brushed his hair back with his other hand.03368f5aa80c1d97

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“Did this hand seem like it would harm you?”3078b138409af015

Yeon-oh swallowed a groan c47258e25f and gathered his emotions, e2f18449a7 finally opening his mouth. The Crown 314fedf4b4 Prince interrupted beb308cb1c him.86b4b390015f7145

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“…”cd6aa4aa068a43ee

Yeon-oh had never thought the Crown Prince’s hand would harm him, but the hand reaching for his face reminded him of the hand in his nightmare. So he couldn’t say anything.50f1287abe3d7c2c

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“Judging by your expression, it seems you really thought so.”e87c8fe15b389b9b

The Crown Prince interpreted Yeon-oh’s silence as he pleased. Yeon-oh didn’t deny it.4111017420723a1a

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“Then listen, Right Censor.”50a615ef70e84f06

“…”5d6b42c18bcdbfb9

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“This hand is not one that will harm you.”513b061245966e22

Instead of being offended, the Crown Prince, with a face no different from usual, took Yeon-oh’s hand. The gentle warmth was unfamiliar. As his shoulders trembled slightly, the Crown Prince’s hand soon moved away. The warmth that had covered his cold hand receded, leaving a strange sense of longing.7baf1057f05464f6

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“Your hand shouldn’t harm me either.”403b28fdcfbc0b2e

It sounded like a joke, but there was a serious undertone. It was also something Yeon-oh couldn’t promise.b6d2c8f20970eee6

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“I’ve had enough of killing allies who tried to harm me since I was twelve.”3f98505060863e87

The Crown Prince’s face, whispering that his first kill at twelve was an ally, was inscrutable. Why did the Crown Prince tell Yeon-oh this? Was it a warning to the Hye family? If so, did he prepare this gathering and recount his experience at twelve just to give this warning? As he watched Yeon-oh, the Crown Prince turned his head at Yoon Heekang’s voice calling him.b3187957cce4515c

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“Lee Pyeong.”ab919bde9e266f3d

When Yoon Heekang 165d0aeb7c was called, he 297917b398 immediately approached the e019fb4d08 Crown Prince and 0629b0bede bowed.2e44eb6e6846ffb6

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“Yes, Your Highness.”ddfaf07f69ad7083

“Leave Ja-seong here for now and help the Right Censor leave. Seeing him so pale, it’s best to send him back to Hanam quickly.”dd586d268d85829c

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“I will do so.”ff41d220618dc947