CRS | Chapter 2.1

“……”63e2d4c9b56adb56

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.e6a4450afa8913ac

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Living on the outskirts ebd083e51e of the palace, closest 90b707cbfa to the corpse gate, 2bec9b8cb6 where opening the window 445b51a888 revealed bodies, Hwi endured. He was the 88521ca84f last to sleep 62c554419c and the first 21c4af0776 to rise, waking d5278a4ddd early to watch 8b767c0237 the bodies leave 2c53d15934 through the gate ad1a9a9102 before dawn.0a4c6d5007e982fe

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.1c08fc632e4f5f24

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The palace was always like 58c52b8ec4 this. Bodies left daily, yet it 9676d9f30c was so peaceful and quiet.3410e41876d7069c

“Hoo…”a75453ba6d53ca33

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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.6b766715909179b7

Just then, one of e5b68b5f12 the eunuchs turned back. Hwi, smoking his pipe, looked eb06d2bda4 down at the old eunuch. Curious why he 7ff1cda756 suddenly reacted, Hwi 0040ac87f4 watched as the fb2670562e eunuch pushed the 37e6c9363a body deep into aec6dbcdbc the gate and b508417ee0 approached his window.b7b9634629444572

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“Why do you watch every day, Mama?”a6f46ed13226f261

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.9525fde59c538e4e

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“Does it bother you?”e9a45062d8d13ed5

“Not at all. I just worry that it’s unpleasant for your precious eyes.”aacda93034c1da4a

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“There’s nothing beautiful in this abyss.”387545f0017abe2e

“……”a3be734340c45165

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“Don’t worry. I’m not watching the bodies.”039bbd1c890fce97

“Pardon? Then…”8b30fe393b50fb4a

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The eunuch, forgetting his place, d0b070635f dared to ask. Hwi, annoyed, tapped his pipe 2ae3c4d637 on the window sill. Realizing his mistake, the eunuch b07cfb56c3 quickly bowed and ran to 561312dcc1 the gate.3fa728e42b6e5626

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.e5152d401546a29f

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“Heartless sister. Never thinking of your brother, binding him with a curse.”e98dbbcfccf2ed5a

With a faint smile, Hwi 07aaaaa498 turned his pipe upside down. The burnt petals fell, 5b90ed33bd leaving no trace. One of the 82d37d6fcb few marks Seo 4fe9929051 Hwi left in 17eb5b987e the palace, but cc96712285 the ashes would b25fe2ef24 soon be cleaned 30da41bf11 away.c3813b1728af5cc3

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“Mama, did you cough? It’s Eunuch Woo. It’s time to prepare, so I’ll come in.”cc527ab8631f4347

Hearing the announcement, Hwi a14f46dd98 stood as the eunuch ba7fb6c8e3 entered. The clothes brought 72904c9997 by the Head 43ee94867a Court Lady were dbe038de56 black, resembling mourning d568fdd32c attire, which Hwi 1cd77fc6a0 liked.b0c51010b55074ce

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Without adornments, he simply 2719b8ab90 combed his oiled hair bc02a74a82 and donned the outfit. The simple attire suited 33c398840c him, and Head Court 7706c2f7d6 Lady Choi, familiar with 16230280f9 his preference for simplicity, 387fc70309 stepped back after tying 89ebd7475f the belt over his eed1afbe4d robe.fc00bf1322b202a0

“Didn’t the Queen mention the lack of an official hat? Shall I prepare one now?”2b60df15c32d1b1d

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At her cautious suggestion, Hwi d24f84ecd2 glanced out the window, then 7c8e8d23b4 shook his head.32bf010d807dfa7a

“I have nothing to buy a hat with. I’ll apologize to her myself.”9c8d35198a7e677e

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“……Yes, Mama.”3698930657e8a7c1

Though there was surely a hat, Head Court Lady Choi didn’t argue, knowing Hwi’s stubbornness was unyielding, even to the Queen.36e261d33a8d6428

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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.a89592e5c2aa31aa

“Mama, it’s time for the morning greeting.”651ebd086a593ba3

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“Alright.”ff05cd1d7b0d71e2

At Eunuch Woo’s words, Hwi handed him the pipe and stood.00929b06dec2be05

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“What I want isn’t a morning greeting…”ab620c4f2cfe1b08

What he wanted was a 34f1462cbe farewell, not this cursed morning 4337707472 ritual.b9b54bc0b37a9e4b

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In Anhyun Palace, where the 3490eceb7a Grand King resided, gathered the 75a111dd49 most beautiful people. Rare beauties lived there, 482d94a29b hard to meet even 722e44134d once outside.ee7826c783d2162b

At the highest 663a5560d0 seat in Suryeo 1c62ec2bfc Palace sat Queen ef2466c73d Han, exuding dignity. Below her was Queen 60e28a3a31 Kim, and at the 5c3798aef6 lowest table, four concubines 9f3c5a2a9c sat. Hwi sat closest to the 1cec6a8086 door among them.1d8840671d5967ba

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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.23fccfe5dddab382

“Such a remarkable face, no matter how often I see it.”0d3f6b734c45150e

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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.4d92fa1de5a16c1d

Unlike the fierce, c72996f30e cold beauty of e847b63358 the Grand King, 573642c8d6 Hwi was a 1d09c78b11 gentle beauty. His white skin, round c51df2692a eyebrows, and long eyes 7d071ce93d beneath them belied his ea9f25eb28 past as a king f6cecf59d5 on the battlefield. His eyes, revealing no 8a83c5635e emotion, and slightly drooping a0e07b7522 corners gave a languid ddad36892b impression.ae8882e394f7500e

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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.4675f56b7fa30123

“If only I could make him my pretty servant boy.”32cc2e144594d336

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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.d6c3039325cc59cd

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.4fecd7263eab45a4

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“To think the Queen, blinded by beauty, insists on these greetings every day.”9dc5880d74d673d9

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.865b19ed8071f442

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⟡ ⟡ ⟡7bc5b0991597f0b8

“Ugh, huh, ah…”9e7f6885db73085e

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The man beneath twisted in pain, struggling with the Grand King’s overwhelming size.bf2888b401f91282

“Don’t make a sound. There are people outside. Do you want rumors of sodomy?”58fe1a5c1fa8d4ba

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“Ugh…!”d89930895fe3063b

Yoongeon, frowning, grabbed 674121b614 the neck of dce95ed7c1 the man beneath f863f72fab him. The eunuch, helplessly pinned, choked.69521b0e307b9621

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“Wasn’t it you who seduced me first?”3c6dd1d665d35a7b

“Ugh… hic!”8744708885cab317

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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.8dabb7712fa59807

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.1a06e15266e680da

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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?”9cafb67466e8bfab

“Ugh… hic, ……”0ce5d9715399fae0

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The man’s eyes rolled back. Seeing he couldn’t be seen, Yoongeon’s eyes curved further.0859967c3994d4b7

“I wonder when the royal mother will realize this is pointless.”74dd92e0f9543b27

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“……”dd6eeb52ec07f511

The struggling body went f1430dcfb9 limp, eyes wide open 791e248183 in disbelief. Yoongeon, indifferent, withdrew and shook 4ffe06ec7f himself off. The thrill was gone.db62eab5f054b81d

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“If you’re going to send someone, at least know my taste.”2f4e59292aa5f40d

With a dry laugh, b03f310713 Yoongeon turned away. Chief Eunuch Jeon soon entered ea1a010764 with a basin of clean 45ca5b0c29 water, erasing the disarray as 48fd09a2e6 if it never happened.35a1585fc65bf3d4

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“Take that to Doyeon Palace and burn it.”c41d1195b690ca21

“Your Majesty!”96cc0a071a805eaf

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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.34e61a166b9aac13

⟡ ⟡ ⟡3d4c94f75cba939f

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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.5757350e1ccf36dd

“Stay ten steps back.”8bed1a5988ed47eb

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”905e2b4996304de5

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.b0b4db71bc09362e

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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.3a637c1ac957cc0c

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.283d5f211db99c94

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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.c1f32bc326ad993f

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.a7f0df3b1b3a61eb

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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.1e84b3cca3a8ff1b

“That was just last year…”28dfd2af0b812ba4

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After acquiring Seoro Nation, 97d51ce5ca Cheongwolmok finally gained access 1c6d9e30b3 to the sea. He thought he could 45ac83f655 use the ports immediately, b156f24fae but the locals rebelled, ba51335cda disrupting his plans. Since then, disputes over port 8aafd89557 usage remained unresolved.f78023284ccc36a1

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.cf630fd1241f3095

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While walking, trying to clear da78edf16e his mind, something caught his 97f1d1e819 eye. Curious, he turned to 259ed0e606 see a familiar man.3431c19169b7f59b

“……?”bd558dc38ff84b6f

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Who is that? Where have I seen him?a14fac106c7dcc1f

Yoongeon squinted at the man b8d7f7b041 sitting on the pavilion, holding 053b36cb9a a pipe. The more he b962a91893 looked, the more c930afbc01 he seemed out e13bd5bdd1 of place.cb716e33d45f0098

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“Not here, but somewhere else…”eee19fa665113113

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.280568851dbe6944

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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.a431bc2f0acabf6c

Yoongeon, naturally diligent, despised laziness. He gestured to Chief a6ff5f2446 Eunuch Jeon, who approached 2091e4f827 quickly.8cca6188d9bd3c71

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“Who is that man? I don’t recall seeing him here.”ae7da59c18bb2c33

“Who… Ah, the one on the pavilion?”df24b07a1518e81b

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“Yes. He seems familiar, yet I can’t place him.”0fb305b983736e5e

“Ah… That is Seo Hwi, the Outer King of Seoro Nation.”01ed920ac0d94e7d

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“What?”ff00fa744e2d10f9

The Outer King of Seoro?fd5b6ed0fc3ba067

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“Indeed, the Outer King of Seoro.”c60e4146ee18311d

Ah, that’s why he seemed familiar. Yoongeon felt like hitting his head for forgetting.392b7b2af6582756

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“The persistent pest who held out for four months.”9493d0fc388eb205

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.e184bbb352d3ea7b

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“Y-yes, Your Majesty…”522155af40b8d7bc

Chief Eunuch Jeon trembled at 45dade1d72 the chilling evaluation.42324c093f8ef402

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