1.

As the year Wonlyeok 4100 approached its end, Jeyang Calendar reached its 1100th year.

Among the many nations that had changed names and forms through countless wars in history, Jeyang had begun as a small country in the eastern part of the continent.

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Despite facing relentless invasions due to its fertile land, Jeyang had endured for over a thousand years, going through six dynastic changes before reaching the current Je Dynasty. Over time, it expanded in size and grew into one of the continent’s wealthiest nations.

The Je Dynasty, which had ruled for three hundred years, was the longest-lasting dynasty since Jeyang’s founding. However, the monarch delegated all governing matters to the Parliament, leaving the actual political power and responsibilities in its hands. As a result, the king’s influence was minimal. Even so, the people of Jeyang deeply loved and respected their royal family, for they had never hesitated to sacrifice themselves in times of national crisis. Therefore, the authority of the royal house was by no means insignificant.

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Jeyang was home to several prestigious noble families, who had served the royal family and contributed to the nation’s governance since the beginning of the Je Dynasty. Among them, the Hyun family was one of the most distinguished, particularly in politics and the military.

During the decades-long war against Songal Kingdom, which bordered Jeyang to the north, the Hyun family played a critical role in the Great War 21 years ago. It was no exaggeration to say that every person bearing the Hyun surname had staked their lives on the war. Their remarkable achievements on the northern front cemented their reputation as one of Jeyang’s top three noble families.

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Currently, the Hyun family boasted numerous talents across various fields, including the Prime Minister himself. However, the person who garnered the most public attention was Hyun Tae-oh, the Prime Minister’s youngest son and heir to the Hyun family.

The youngest of four brothers, he stood out even among his exceptionally intelligent siblings as a brilliant prodigy. He was not only sharp-minded but also possessed extraordinary physical prowess—by the time he was a cadet, none of his peers could surpass him. His strong and unyielding personality made even the elders of his family struggle to handle him.

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Seven years ago, when another conflict with Songal erupted, Hyun Tae-oh’s outstanding performance led Jeyang to a decisive victory. That same year, he was appointed as the Governor of Pyeonghang, a border province and frequent conflict zone with Songal.

At just twenty-five years old, his appointment shocked the entire nation. Pyeonghang was known for its rough and unruly officials, and many doubted that a mere twenty-five-year-old could establish authority over them. However, it took him less than a few months to solidify his rule and bring them to heel. During his seven-year tenure, conflicts in Pyeonghang significantly decreased, and its already fertile lands flourished even further.

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Yet, as autumn began this year, a bombing incident forced him to return to the capital for six months of medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Hyun Tae-oh’s return to the capital—temporarily replacing his eldest brother as acting Governor of Pyeonghang—immediately drew widespread public attention.

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Now that his safe recovery had been confirmed, the biggest talk of the town was no longer his injuries but rather his impending marriage.

No one questioned whom he would marry.
Why? Because his betrothal had been decided since childhood.

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His fiancée was none other than Je Sang-ah, the youngest daughter of the royal family, and the third daughter of the King of Jeyang.

She rarely appeared in public due to her limited involvement in external affairs, but her presence was seen every New Year in the front-page royal family photographs of the newspapers.

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She had grown into a beauty that made countless young women envious, possessed intelligence that amazed even her tutors, and displayed remarkable kindness through her charitable efforts for the less fortunate. In every aspect, she was flawless.

A man of his caliber deserved a woman of her stature.
A woman of her stature should have a man of his caliber beside her.

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Everyone unanimously agreed—they were the perfect match.

After years of engagement, the long-absent groom had finally returned to the capital, even if temporarily. It only seemed natural that their marriage should soon follow.

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Rumors were already circulating that the real reason for his six-month stay in the capital, instead of continuing his rehabilitation in Pyeonghang, was to proceed with his wedding.

It was that very moment—when everything seemed to be leading toward their blessed union.

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“Extra! Extra!”

The sky had been overcast since dawn, and by late afternoon, the first flakes of sleet began to drift down.
Amidst the biting winter wind, bright yellow sheets of paper swirled through the capital, scattering startling news across the streets.

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* * *

The gatekeeper, Park Sang-bok, let out a long yawn and shivered.

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The sleet, which seemed like it would stop at any moment, unexpectedly continued to fall.

There was a stove inside the guard post, so it wasn’t cold, but looking at the gloomy sky and the falling snow made him feel cold inside.

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On a day like this, a steaming bowl of soup would be perfect.

He glanced inside the walls, wondering if there might be anything bestowed upon them today, but there was no sign of anything. Since there was no word even though his shift was almost over, it seemed unlikely that anything would come today.

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The owner of Jeonghye Palace, Je Sang-ah, was generous to her subordinates. On scorching summer days, she would often send iced fruit punch, and on freezing winter days, steaming nourishing soups.

The soup she sent last week was delicious too.

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Licking his lips, Park Sang-bok checked the time. Just a little longer, and his shift would be over. He should stop by and buy some seolleongtang on his way home. Maybe he should get a bowl for his wife too, since she was coughing from a cold.

Feeling better as his shift neared its end, Park Sang-bok stepped outside the post. The cold wind rushed in immediately, but his body, warmed by the stove, could endure it.

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“Ah, the fresh air is nice… huh?”

Stretching his arms and taking a deep breath, he suddenly tilted his head and looked toward the outer wall.

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Beyond the outer wall of Jeonghye Palace was the city streets. Though people passed by, it was not a particularly noisy area. Yet, for some reason, today, the atmosphere seemed a bit restless.

He listened for a moment, then shook his head. “Must be my imagination.”

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It did seem slightly bustling, but there were no particularly loud noises. If something serious had happened, he would have received word by now.

Maybe it was just his mood. It could be because the visitor who entered Jeonghye Palace earlier had an unusually stiff expression.

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That visitor was a scholar and frequent guest of the princess. Normally bright and cheerful, the young man had a mischievous nature despite having passed the high-ranking official exams at a young age. He was already working in a prestigious position within the government. It was puzzling how someone so talented had the time to visit Jeonghye Palace so often, but in any case, he was a pleasant person, well-liked by everyone working in the palace, including Park Sang-bok.

Yet today, he had entered the palace with a stern face, barely greeting anyone. He usually exchanged warm greetings and jokes with the guards, but today, he had simply rushed in without a word. What could have happened?

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Tilting his head in curiosity, Park Sang-bok pulled out his phone from his pocket. He was bored and also curious if anything was happening in the world, but before checking, he glanced around cautiously. If a superior caught him using his phone while on duty, he’d be in serious trouble.

After confirming no one was around, he stepped back into the guard post and was just about to lower his gaze to his phone when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

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Hurriedly stuffing his phone away, he straightened his posture.

Since it was this late, he assumed it must be someone from within the palace. But contrary to his expectations, the person who arrived was another familiar outsider.

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Rounding the corner, the visitor appeared—a priest, neatly dressed in a white clerical robe.

The young priest was a close friend of the princess and visited two or three times a month. He was also the older brother of the official who had entered the palace just earlier.

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The two brothers were both close to the princess, and it was common to see the three of them together. Perhaps today was another one of those days.

But…

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“It has been a while, Priest. Have you come to see Her Highness?”

He doesn’t look well either…

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Park Sang-bok greeted him politely while thinking to himself.

The priest gave a slight bow in return and handed over a sheet of paper. It was a personal summons from the royal family.

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After confirming the invitation, Park Sang-bok called over an attendant standing inside the walls and sent him to announce the guest’s arrival.

Waiting for someone to come and greet him, Park Sang-bok secretly glanced at the priest, who was lost in thought with a heavy expression.

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‘Still as handsome as ever.’

He was such a well-groomed and proper-looking man that every time he visited Jeonghye Palace, the women working there would brighten up and steal glances at him. The jealous men would always grumble, saying, “So what if he’s handsome? He’s a priest! What do you expect to do? You dare cast impure glances at someone who has taken a vow of chastity?” But the women never paid them any mind.

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Yet today, something about his face seemed darker. No, rather than dark, it looked pale and worn. It was hard to pinpoint exactly what was different since, unlike his younger brother, this priest was always composed and serious in demeanor. But still, he looked different.

Normally, they would exchange at least a few words while waiting, but he seemed so lost in thought that Park Sang-bok didn’t dare to strike up a conversation.

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It wasn’t as if he could just blurt out, ‘Is something wrong? You don’t look well.’—especially when, truth be told, Park Sang-bok found this priest a little intimidating.

The younger brother, who had entered earlier, was already a promising young official despite his age. But this priest was also on the fast track in his own field. People said he was already a Deputy Priest and would likely be ordained as a High Priest next year. Some even speculated that within a decade, he could become the youngest Archpriest in history.

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Without thinking, Park Sang-bok reflexively made the sign of the cross.

‘Both brothers are on a fast track to success. Their parents must be proud, watching from the heavens. They lost them so young, yet they still managed to grow into such remarkable figures.’

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Perhaps because of his exceptional status, the priest gave off an air of unapproachability. He rarely smiled, was always calm and quiet, yet there was a certain sharpness to him that made people hesitate before speaking in his presence.

Now that he thought about it, he had once brought this up with a fellow palace worker who had been around longer than him.

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‘That priest… He doesn’t seem like a bad person, but don’t you find him a bit difficult to deal with? I feel like I’d get scolded if I said the wrong thing in front of him. Is it just because he’s a priest?’

‘Nah, not all priests are like that. That one’s just… a difficult person.’

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‘Right? It’s not just me?’

‘Of course not. Do you even know who he is? That man once stood up to the Governor of Pyeonghang without flinching.’

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That was when Park Sang-bok finally remembered.

‘Ah, right… That rumor.’

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There had been a time when stories spread like wildfire.

The young governor of Pyeonghang—who never hesitated to bare his claws like an old tiger lying in wait—had once visited Jeonghye Palace just before departing to take office.

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That man, the young war hero who had won a decisive victory against Songal, had stopped by to pay his respects to his fiancée, Je Sang-ah.

At the time, this priest had also been there, making it a gathering of three.

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For some reason, rumors said that the priest disliked the young governor. Whenever they happened to be in the same place, he would remain stiff and silent before quickly leaving. That day was no different.

Apparently, the moment he had greeted the governor with the bare minimum politeness, he had turned to leave without another word.

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But just then, the princess had spoken.

‘Now that he is leaving on a long journey and will not return for some time, would you offer a prayer for his safety?’

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It was likely nothing more than a polite, customary request.

The priest had glanced at the princess, then at the governor. And then, without hesitation, he had shaken his head.

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‘No.’

That was all he said.
The spacious reception room of Jeonghye Palace turned cold in an instant. Everyone froze in place, except for the priest, who casually put on his outer robe as if nothing had happened.

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And the tiger—who had been sitting at ease, leisurely flicking its sharp claws—its eyes suddenly turned cold.

Well, a man who had walked above others since birth, a young war hero who had only ever seen people bowing their heads and trembling before him, where would he have ever received such treatment?

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The princess blinked in confusion for a moment before hurriedly speaking, as if making an excuse.

‘Ah… right, you haven’t been ordained as a Deputy Priest yet. I heard that means you cannot offer blessings outside the temple.’

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Perhaps to smooth things over, the governor nodded as if it was nothing and looked at the priest.

‘It shouldn’t matter, should it? Even ordinary people pray for others. It doesn’t have to be as a priest—just a simple prayer would be enough.’

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‘I refuse’

‘…….’

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‘…….’

The entire reception room froze. The ladies-in-waiting standing by shivered for some unknown reason and clutched their collars.

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The tiger’s gaze sank into an icy stillness. His expression remained unchanged, but it was the kind of look that wouldn’t seem out of place if he were to strike down his prey in the next moment.

The princess, who had been frozen with a smile on her face, clenched her teeth slightly before speaking in a stiff voice.

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‘Priest Yoo Hyun-jin…?’

Perhaps realizing that he had disrespected the princess, the priest finally softened his expression somewhat, glancing at her hesitantly as he muttered,

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‘Since I have chosen to take priesthood, I am no longer like ordinary people. While it may be common for others to bend the rules in such ways, and while the merciful Hanaram would surely be understanding, I do not wish to do so.’

The princess, knowing all too well that once the priest said no, nothing could change his mind, simply nodded and waved her hand as if to dismiss him, telling him not to ruin the mood any further.

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However, just as the priest bowed slightly and was about to turn away—

‘I would like you to pray for me.’

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The tiger spoke.

His tone and expression were calm, but his low voice was eerily clear. The way he spoke sent a chill down the spine of everyone present, unmistakably a threat in itself. Even the princess, who was always composed, momentarily stiffened.

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But—

‘No. I refuse.’

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With a completely indifferent face, this time the priest rejected him twice, right to his face.

In the deathly silence where even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard, the priest simply turned and walked away without hesitation.

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Fortunately—or unfortunately—the tiger who had just been slapped across the face did not move from his seat. He later left for Pyeonghang without retaliating against the priest, remaining there for seven years without returning. But that incident continued to be whispered among the ladies-in-waiting for years to come.

(Later on, it was said that the princess had scolded the priest as if she were catching a rat, but who knows if that was true.)

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When Park Sang-bok first heard the story, he had been genuinely impressed.

The Governor of Pyeonghang was a man to whom even the royal family showed utmost courtesy. Park Sang-bok had seen him once before—just a single glance from the man had been enough to nearly make him piss himself. It was as if an ancient tiger had merely put on a human disguise.

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‘That priest is something else… He doesn’t look it, but he’s no ordinary man.’

When Park Sang-bok clicked his tongue in amazement, the worker who was chatting with him nodded in agreement.

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“Right?”

“But I heard that the Governor of Pyeonghang and the priest never got along in the first place.”

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“Why? Did they fight?”

“Fight? Who could possibly fight someone like the Governor of Pyeonghang? That’d be like throwing an egg at a rock. No, it’s not like that, but… whenever they’re in the same place, they barely exchange words, like they don’t even acknowledge each other. Apparently, it’s always been that way.”

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“What? Why?”

“Who knows? They lived in the same house when they were younger, so maybe something happened between them. …There’s also a rumor that their bad blood has something to do with Princess Je Sang-ah. The governor has been her betrothed since childhood, but the priest has always been close to her, constantly visiting Jeonghye Palace, so maybe…”

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“But we’d be in deep trouble if we were caught gossiping about this, wouldn’t we?”

Mid-sentence, the worker lowered his voice and leaned in close to whisper the rest into Park Sang-bok’s ear. Park Sang-bok nodded and pressed his lips together tightly.

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If they spoke carelessly about this, it wouldn’t end with just a slap on the wrist.

The princess already had a betrothed. And to make matters worse, the person rumored to be involved in a scandal with her was a priest. Just thinking about it, even without speaking it aloud, felt like enough to invite divine punishment.

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For most people in Je-yang, including Park Sang-bok, Hanaram was a living deity.

Though invisible to the eye, His grace and miracles could be found everywhere.

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One didn’t have to look far—priests, once ordained, received Hanaram’s divine blessings and protection. Many, upon becoming official priests, developed abilities. Some could heal the sick, while others could make barren lands bloom with greenery. Their existence was proof that Hanaram was truly watching over them.

At the same time, there was another belief: that from the moment of ordination, priests bore undeniable signs of Hanaram’s divine favor.

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So, a priest—who must remain chaste and pure for life—could not possibly be involved in anything improper with the princess. The idea that he would even argue with her fiancé over her was absolute nonsense.

There were always wicked tongues spreading groundless rumors, but may they be struck down by divine retribution.

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Regardless—

Even the indomitable Governor of Pyeonghang had been unable to faze that priest. He was always so composed and unwavering. But today, something was clearly wrong.

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This was not normal.

Park Sang-bok was curious. So curious he could barely stand it.

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“Now that I think about it… your younger brother, the official, came by a little while ago, too…”

After sneaking countless glances at the priest, Park Sang-bok finally spoke, pretending to gaze absentmindedly at the sky.

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At that moment, the priest’s expression noticeably darkened.

“Se-jin is here as well…?”

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Muttering to himself, the priest looked momentarily lost in thought before quickly turning on his heel.

“On second thought, it might be better for me to come back later—”

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And just then.

A clear, ringing voice called out from behind him.

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“Priest Yoo Hyun-jin, I have come to escort you. Her Highness has requested your presence.”

Thunk.

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As if something had grabbed hold of his ankle, the priest’s steps faltered.

Then—

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“No, I just remembered something urgent. Please inform Her Highness that I will visit at a later time—”

He hastily said, trying to turn away when—

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Grab.

A hand shot out like lightning, clamping down tightly on his shoulder.

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“Hyungnim, where do you think you’re going…?”

The chilling voice seeped through gritted teeth, reaching him from over his shoulder. In that instant, the priest froze solid, like a block of ice.

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“No matter how urgent your business may be, since you’ve come all this way, you should at least show your face before leaving. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

As if he had expected this all along, the young man, who had followed closely behind the attendant, held onto the priest’s shoulder with a painted-on smile. Without loosening his grip, he began to drag the priest inside.

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* * *

Yoo Hyun-jin’s younger brother, two years his junior, had always been a child who smiled easily.

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Since childhood, and even now as an adult, his expressions had always been lively. He smiled easily, got angry easily, talked a lot, and even cried just as easily.

But keeping a smile fixed on his face like a painted mask was never a good sign. It wasn’t even a real smile. The proof was in his eyes, glinting sharply above the curve of his lips.

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“Hyungnim…? Don’t you have something to say?”

Yoo Hyun-jin clenched his teeth and mumbled, avoiding his younger brother’s gaze.

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“Se-jin… why are you here?”

His brother’s smile widened. A vein bulged at his temple.

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“Why am I here? Well, a couple of days ago, I got dragged to a drinking party with high-ranking officials and ended up downing so much liquor that I had to take the entire next day off. I even used half a day’s leave this morning and only went to work late in the afternoon. And what do you know? The moment I stepped into the office, I heard the most ridiculous, unbelievable nonsense I’ve ever encountered in my life. Naturally, I had to see you right away, so I went to the temple—only to be told that you had left for Jeonghye Palace. So, of course, I rushed over here. I ran so fast my eyebrows nearly flew off, and would you look at that, I arrived even earlier than you.”

That made sense. Even though Yoo Hyun-jin had been summoned urgently to Jeonghye Palace, he had dragged his feet the entire way.

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While Yoo Hyun-jin stared at the ground gloomily, his younger brother’s voice grew sharper.

“I already thought something was strange. That night, you were supposed to come and pick me up, but when I woke up, I was still sprawled out in the back room of that restaurant. I wondered what had happened. Why didn’t my brother come for me? Something felt off, but my head was pounding too much to think, so I just stumbled home and passed out. But who could have imagined that in the time I was sleeping off my hangover, something like this would happen?”

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“…Something like what…”

Mumbling with his head still lowered, Yoo Hyun-jin could only chew over his words.

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Finally, the smile disappeared from his brother’s face.

Slam—!

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A thin sheet of paper was flung harshly onto the ground before him. The yellow newsprint, the wretched publication spreading all over the capital.

Right at the top, in enormous letters—”Royal Betrothal Broken?!”

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Below the headline was a heavily blurred-out photo, though anyone could recognize the figures. Underneath, line after line of tiny text.

The thirty-year engagement between the royal family and a prestigious noble house had suddenly been called off, the article drowning in all kinds of speculations and rumors. And toward the end—vague but unmistakable—the suggestion that a certain clergyman had been deeply involved.

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“Hyungniim?!”

“…This… it’s not like my name is in here… it doesn’t even say anything specific….”

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Yoo Hyun-jin’s voice was barely a whisper, like the sound of an ant crawling. But it was completely drowned out by a thunderous shout that shook the entire hall.

“Is that what you think the problem is right now?! You’re saying your name isn’t mentioned?! So what if it’s not written here?! What does it matter when Hyun Tae-oh himself submitted a formal petition to the royal family stating, ‘I must annul my engagement with the princess because I slept with Priest Yoo Hyun-jin and must take responsibility’?! Everyone who needs to know already knows!!!”

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Yoo Hyun-jin’s vision went blank.

A high-pitched ringing echoed in his head, and his mind felt like it was slipping into fog. He barely managed to snap back to reality when his gaze accidentally met Je Sang-ah’s.

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“S-Sang-ah, it’s not like that, no, I mean, I was in the wrong, but it’s really not what it seems, this is all just a huge, no—a massive misunderstanding—”

As Yoo Hyun-jin scrambled to string words together, Je Sang-ah, who had been silently watching him, slowly crossed her arms. As if telling him to go on, she lazily waved her fan in one hand.

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Thinking about it, from her perspective, she had just suddenly lost her fiancé—to her male friend, no less.

In other words, Yoo Hyun-jin was an absolute scoundrel who deserved to be grabbed by the hair and beaten.

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“No, listen. I just—I swear I just threw out a joke. A joke that was completely unlike me, totally inappropriate for a priest to say, but it just slipped out before I even thought about it. I don’t even know why I said it myself! But still, how was I supposed to know he would take such a ridiculous joke so seriously?!”

Je Sang-ah continued to watch him in silence, tilting her head as if inviting him to keep talking.

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Looking at her, Yoo Hyun-jin nearly burst into tears. He slumped his shoulders, bowed his head, and started explaining everything that had happened that night.

Even now, he couldn’t fully understand what exactly had gone wrong or where it had all started unraveling.

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But he still did his best to recount the events as precisely as possible, down to every word and every detail he could remember. Finally, he reached the part where Hyun Tae-oh had walked out, leaving him dazed and collapsing in shock.

“…….”

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“…….”

“…….”

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And then—nothing.

No one spoke.

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A dead silence filled the room, stretching on for nearly a full minute.

Yoo Hyun-jin, his head hung so low he looked ready to bury himself in the ground, seemed on the verge of tears.

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“…I thought I was about to get severely scolded for making such an insolent joke at the Governor’s expense…”

Just then, an image flashed through Yoo Hyun-jin’s mind—the fleeting smile Hyun Tae-oh had worn just before walking out of the room.

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He had felt something was off at the time, something deeply unsettling.

And now, it was clear.

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‘So you dare to act so arrogantly toward me? You’re finished. Just wait and see.’

That had been the meaning behind his smile.

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And the realization sent a chill down Yoo Hyun-jin’s spine.

Today, without a doubt, there was no one in the world more utterly devastated than Yoo Hyun-jin.

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It felt as if his very soul had been thrown into a threshing machine and ground to dust.

After that early morning disaster, he had somehow managed to stumble back to his quarters at the temple—completely forgetting about the fact that he had originally set out to pick up his brother—and spent the entire day buried under his blankets, curled up in bed, refusing to come out.

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He wasn’t stupid enough to actually believe that man had meant what he said. No, surely he had just been lashing out, wanting to put him in his place. Of course, he must have really pissed him off, but what could actually come of it?

With that thought, the day had passed without incident.

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Only then had Yoo Hyun-jin finally let out a sigh of relief, thinking, Well, he probably won’t let this slide completely. I should brace myself for some trouble.

And then, the very next morning—

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He never could have imagined things would explode like this.

Never in his wildest nightmares did he think Hyun Tae-oh would go straight to the royal family that very night and submit an official request to annul his engagement.

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That the royal family had been so shocked by the sudden petition that they had triple-checked whether it was serious.

That the Hyun family had practically been set on fire with outrage.

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That the scandal-hungry yellow press would catch wind of it and descend like vultures, reveling in the chaos.

None of it. He had never seen this coming.

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It made no sense.

No matter how he thought about it, this made absolutely no sense.

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“Has Hyun Tae-oh lost his mind?! How the hell did he turn this into this?!”

His younger brother, who had been staring at him in disbelief, suddenly slammed his fist onto the table. He was so agitated that he struck blindly—his knuckles cracking against a teacup saucer, shattering it. A sharp edge cut into his skin, and blood began to drip onto the table.

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Only when he saw the blood did he seem to realize what he had done.

Before he could react, Yoo Hyun-jin immediately grabbed his brother’s injured hand.

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“Don’t. Just stay still… Ah, I said don’t!”

His brother tried to yank his hand away, still fuming, but Yoo Hyun-jin held on firmly.

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A soft, silver glow flickered over Yoo Hyun-jin’s palm.

Within seconds, the wound on his brother’s knuckles disappeared—vanished as if it had never been there.

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And in its place, the exact same wound appeared on Yoo Hyun-jin’s own hand.

“I told you not to do that!”

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Scolding him, his brother quickly pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped it around Yoo Hyun-jin’s hand.

All the while, Je Sang-ah, who had been fanning herself quietly as she watched, finally spoke in an offhanded tone.

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“Well, since your divine power is working fine, I guess you really didn’t sleep with him.”

“I didn’t! I didn’t do anything! I really didn’t! I didn’t even lay a finger on him!”

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Still fuming, Yoo Hyun-jin shouted, leaving the palace maids to tend to his injury.

Not one to be outdone, his brother raised his voice just as much.

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“Even if you had slept with him, how does that justify this?! Is Hyun Tae-oh insane?! Just because someone had a one-night stand, he thinks he can annul a royal engagement?! One that’s been in place for nearly thirty years?! And not even because he was caught committing infidelity—he was the one who requested the annulment?!”

“Did he get shot in the head or something?!”

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As his younger brother clutched his head and roared in frustration, Je Sang-ah spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

“He might mean exactly what he said. He’s ruthless when it comes to others’ mistakes, but when he himself makes a mistake, he seems like the type who would take full responsibility no matter the cost. So if he believes he broke a priest’s chastity, this kind of drastic sacrifice is something he would do.”

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She wasn’t wrong.

No one had ever heard of Hyun Tae-oh committing an injustice against someone and being punished for it. But at the same time, he wasn’t the type to hide his own faults or deceive others.

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That only made Yoo Hyun-jin feel worse. Because in this case, there was no crime.

Je Sang-ah, who had been observing him with a sidelong glance, furrowed her brows.

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“But even if that’s the case, he seriously believed that? He doesn’t know whether he slept with you or not?”

“Uh… yeah, I guess? He was really drunk that night, completely unconscious, but… would someone really not know even if they, you know, did sleep with someone?”

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How would I know?

Yoo Hyun-jin, who had lived a perfectly chaste life, instinctively turned to look at his younger brother. His brother, who had been glaring at him like a hawk, widened his eyes even further when their gazes met.

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“Why are you looking at me?! You think I’d know?!”

With his chin lifted as if to say, Do I look like someone foolish enough to have made that kind of mistake?, his brother rolled his eyes, deep in thought. Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, he spoke.

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“Oh! But that night, the Governor really did drink an insane amount. I swear, after watching him, I was convinced that guy isn’t human. The place was packed that night for his homecoming celebration and recovery banquet. There must have been at least thirty people. And everyone was determined to get him completely wasted. They kept pouring drink after drink, but in the end? Every single person blacked out while he was still sitting there, perfectly sober. Like, what the hell? He’s not human. No way.”

Yeah… if he drank that much, he probably wouldn’t remember even if he committed a crime, let alone had a one-night stand…

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His brother shuddered at the thought, then quickly snapped out of it and turned back to Yoo Hyun-jin with sharp eyes.

“But still! You should’ve explained things right then and there! You should’ve told him before he left the room that it was just a joke!”

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“I tried to…”

He really had.

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But the truth was, he had been terrified.

Yoo Hyun-jin had always known that Hyun Tae-oh was an overwhelmingly intimidating man. But with the weight of his guilt pressing down on him, the sheer oppressiveness of that moment had left him unable to breathe.

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They said that when the Governor of Pyeonghang so much as glares, an entire monastery falls into dead silence. He had always assumed that was an exaggeration.

It wasn’t.

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His entire body had trembled from the inside out.

“What are you going to do now? You’re not even a priest anymore. Officially, you’ve lost your chastity, which means you no longer qualify as a priest. You’re excommunicated. What now, huh?”

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“What else… I have to go to him. Apologize, tell the truth, and fix this mess.”

As soon as Yoo Hyun-jin gave his heavy answer, Je Sang-ah let out a long sigh.

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His younger brother sighed too.

Actually, now that he looked at them, they weren’t just sighing. They were looking at him like he was completely hopeless.

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While his brother pounded his own chest in frustration, Je Sang-ah simply glared at him, fan still lazily flicking in her hand.

“Yoo Hyun-jin. Get a grip. Do you even understand the situation you’re in?”

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Je Sang-ah’s voice was sharp.

“It’s official now. Governor Hyun Tae-oh himself declared it publicly. He said that since he slept with you, he must take responsibility and annul his engagement. And now, after all that, you want to go to him and say it was just a joke? That man put his own name on the line. He even bowed his head in front of you. Do you think you can smear Hyun Tae-oh’s name and still walk away with your life?”

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“It’s not just smearing his name—it’s straight-up shitting on it. And not just regular shit, either. The kind that’s been rotting in an outhouse for three years—”

His younger brother spat furiously, adding fuel to the fire.

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Yoo Hyun-jin felt himself slipping into despair all over again.

He couldn’t understand.

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Hyun Tae-oh.

Why? Why would he go this far? Had he lost his mind?

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“Either way, I’m now a woman who’s been cast aside.”

Je Sang-ah’s words snapped Yoo Hyun-jin back to reality.

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“Sang-ah, I— I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would turn out like this… I’ll find Governor Hyun Tae-oh and explain everything, no matter what happens to me.”

“If you had foreseen this outcome in your dreams, that wouldn’t make you a person, that’d make you a literal ghost. I get it, I get it. Enough of that.”

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Je Sang-ah waved her fan lazily, as if shooing away a nuisance, then locked eyes with him.

“You can carry all the guilt you want, but think carefully. The damage is already done. Even if you prove that Hyun Tae-oh was deceived, it’ll only humiliate him even more. If anything, the public sees him more favorably now—because instead of clinging to his engagement, he’s stepping up and taking ‘responsibility like a man.’

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And regardless of whether he was tricked or not, the scandal is already out there. Now, calling off the annulment would just make things even messier.

And most importantly—”

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She suddenly stopped fanning herself.

Then, lifting a single delicate finger, she pointed directly at him.

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“You will die. No question about it. I guarantee it. Even if Governor Hyun Tae-oh himself doesn’t make a move, his fanatics will. Right now, there are hundreds of people who would happily serve time in prison just to ‘defend his honor. They’ll drag you into an alley, and within two weeks, your corpse will be floating in the river. I’d bet money on it.”

“…….”

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Yoo Hyun-jin thought of Hyun Tae-oh’s zealous followers—his loyal subordinates, his admirers, the countless people who saw him as a hero.

She was right.

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There were far too many people willing to kill for his sake.

If they found him guilty of tarnishing their lord’s name, there was no way he’d make it out alive.

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“Then… what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Why are you asking me? You’re the one who caused this mess in the first place, so you should figure it out. And honestly, Yoo Hyun-jin—doesn’t it seem a little shameless for the culprit to be asking the victim for advice after stealing her fiancé?”

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Yoo Hyun-jin flinched.

There was nothing he could do but bow his head and mumble, “…I’m sorry.”

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For a long while, no one spoke. When he finally mustered the courage to glance up, he saw her sharp, slender eyes peering at him from behind her fan.

Having known her since childhood, he recognized that look—it wasn’t anger, but exasperation.

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At least she wasn’t furious.

“I called you here because,” Je Sang-ah suddenly tapped her fan against the table,

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“I figured I should start by thanking you.”

“…Huh?”

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Yoo Hyun-jin blinked, dumbfounded.

She must have noticed his confusion, because she shrugged lightly and continued.

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“I mean it. You know I never wanted to marry him. I didn’t expect things to fall apart this way, but honestly, this works out well for me. And maybe, just maybe, I can use this as an excuse to enjoy some freedom for a while.”

She mused, fanning herself with a dreamy expression. If she played the role of a tragic, abandoned woman and cut down on her meals out of sorrow, her father, the king, might take pity on her and let her travel for a few months.

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