IBPC | Chapter 3.1

“Starting today, I, Dubo, will be serving you, Seoyul-nim.”

The next day. Standing before Seoyul, who had just woken up, was a young eunuch bowing deeply. At a glance, his face was filled with a youthful innocence, and Seoyul couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

Hah… Did I really get dragged into some kind of royal harem or something?

Seeing Seoyul’s displeased expression and lack of response, Dubo nervously fidgeted with his clasped hands.

“Is… is there something you’re unhappy with……?”

The young eunuch—Dubo—seemed to be at a loss, anxiously gauging Seoyul’s mood. Seoyul quickly softened his expression.

“No, it’s not that. I was just lost in thought for a moment…….”

But this time, Dubo flinched in surprise and immediately knelt down at the foot of the bed where Seoyul was sitting.

“P-please take back your words. How could you use honorifics with someone like me?”

“…Huh?”

“I’m overwhelmed, please show me mercy.”

As Dubo’s small body trembled, Seoyul looked utterly baffled before getting up from the bed. He then helped Dubo to his feet.

“No, I was just……!”

But Dubo refused to lift his bowed head. Seoyul groaned, rubbing his forehead with his hand before letting Dubo go.

“Alright, just relax… I mean, just be at ease.”

Seoyul awkwardly tried to speak informally, and Dubo finally looked up at him. Seeing this, Dubo seemed to let out a sigh of relief, his expression easing.

“Shall I prepare breakfast for you right away?”

“Uh… no, I’m not really hungry.”

“Then what should I prepare? Is there anything you need?”

At Dubo’s question, a sudden curiosity arose in Seoyul’s mind. Come to think of it, the servants here never spoke up, so he hadn’t thought to ask before. Seoyul glanced at Dubo, whose eyes were sparkling brightly, then subtly looked toward the door before speaking.

“Hey, there’s something I’d like to know.”

“What is it? Please ask me anything.”

“About the Third Prince… What’s he like?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t really know much about him… so I was wondering.”

At Seoyul’s follow-up question, Dubo blinked his eyes rapidly.

“Uh… how could someone like me dare to evaluate His Highness……?”

“No, I’m not asking for an evaluation, just some basic information……. Like what he likes, if he has a wife, what his usual personality is like… that kind of thing.”

“…….”

“You’re not saying anything, so I can’t figure it out.”

Seoyul pleaded earnestly, and Dubo took a few deep breaths. After carefully organizing his thoughts, he finally spoke.

“Well… the Third Prince is one of His Majesty’s legitimate sons, a Yangin, with exceptional abilities and a commanding presence…….”

“I already know that. What about his wife? How many concubines does he have?”

“The Third Prince’s Consort passed away a few years ago.”

“Passed away? So now?”

“The position is still vacant. There are rumors that the Third Prince cannot produce an heir, so the nobles are reluctant to offer their daughters for selection. The Third Prince himself doesn’t seem to be in a hurry… for now, he only has concubines.”

So, there’s no official wife. For someone of Tae Heegon’s status, you’d think people would be lining up. I guess not being able to produce an heir is a big weakness.

Well, a prince without an heir is like a kite with its string cut, so it’s no wonder no one wants to tie themselves to that. It’s no surprise that Heegon and Pacheon are so desperate about the heir situation.

As Seoyul pondered this, Dubo, noticing his silence, gulped nervously.

“I-I mean, the rumors about the Third Prince not being able to produce an heir are just that—rumors! I, of course, believe they’re baseless……!”

“What’s his usual personality like?”

Seoyul cut off Dubo’s flustered explanation and asked another question. Dubo’s eyes widened again.

“His personality?”

Dubo seemed determined not to make a mistake this time, his expression serious.

“The Third Prince is brave, broad-minded, and doesn’t dwell on small matters—”

“Be honest.”

“…….”

“Just tell me honestly.”

Seoyul interrupted Dubo’s answer, his tone firm. Dubo swallowed hard, looking at Seoyul’s gaze before speaking in a subdued voice.

“He’s not the type to mistreat those below him. Of course, when his rut hits, he loses his rationality… but usually, he’s calm. However…….”

“However……?”

“He’s… kind of… scary…….”

“Scary?”

Dubo bit his lip tightly, as if he couldn’t say more. Seoyul tilted his head slightly at this.

Scary… huh? Well, he did seem intense during his rut, but… I didn’t find him particularly scary.

Seoyul raised his gaze, looking somewhat surprised.

Is he… a scary person?

⊹₊⟡⋆

At the banquet where all the princes had gathered.

The First Prince had been sent to a neighboring country, and the Second Prince had passed away early due to illness. Thus, the seat of honor was occupied by the Third Prince, Heegon.

While it seemed like a harmonious gathering of brotherly affection, it was also a place filled with mutual wariness and suspicion. The meal proceeded with everyone carefully maintaining a delicate balance, but that balance was soon shattered by one person.

“Ah, I heard that Heegon hyung-nim managed to get through his erotomania without any issues this time?”

The new topic brought up at the table was a comment from the Eighth Prince.

“…….”

In an instant, all the hands that had been busily eating froze. The room fell silent, and the ongoing conversations came to a halt. Without hesitation, everyone’s gaze turned blatantly toward Heegon, who was seated at the head of the table. Only Heegon continued eating calmly, unfazed.

Heegon slowly chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth before lifting his gaze to look at the Eighth Prince.

“Yes. This time, it passed without incident.”

At Heegon’s response, the Eighth Prince smiled brightly.

“That’s such a relief. I guess even days like these come around. To think that hyung-nim could endure erotomania without trouble.”

“…….”

“But don’t let your guard down too much. When hyung-nim’s madness hits, the screams from his quarters never stop.”

The Eighth Prince let out a loud laugh. But no one else joined in. Only a heavier silence filled the room.

Heegon listened to the laughter and let out a small chuckle before setting down his chopsticks. Seeing this, the Fifth Prince—Gangmu—quickly stepped in to diffuse the tension.

“That’s all because hyung-nim is a superior Yangin. With such exceptional abilities, it’s only natural to endure such things. hyung-nim excels in every aspect, so……”

Gangmu tried to smooth things over, but the Eighth Prince seemed to have no intention of letting it go.

“That’s exactly it. Someone as exceptional as hyung-nim should be spreading his seed far and wide. It’s such a pity.”

“…….”

“I heard that our eldest brother, who’s in another country, has already produced his third heir. And one of them is said to be a Yangin who takes after him.”

At the Eighth Prince’s continued remarks, even Gangmu could only glance nervously at Heegon. Everyone held their breath, and Heegon clicked his tongue once before abruptly pushing his chair back and standing up. He then turned and began walking slowly toward where the Eighth Prince was seated.

“Hee…gon hyung-nim.”

Gangmu called out to Heegon, but it was no use. Everyone’s eyes followed Heegon’s movements, and the Eighth Prince also watched intently as Heegon approached.

Heegon stopped silently in front of the Eighth Prince. He looked down at him for a moment before reaching out his hand. In that instant, the Eighth Prince’s body twitched in response. Heegon used his outstretched hand to roughly pat the Eighth Prince’s head.

“Yes, our little brother is so concerned about his hyung-nim. Well then, should I show some concern for you too?”

A smile spread across Heegon’s lips. Heegon moved his hand from the Eighth Prince’s head to grip the back of his neck. As Heegon’s grip tightened, the Eighth Prince flinched, his eyes widening.

The overwhelming force on his neck. The Eighth Prince’s face turned red as he tried to rise from his seat. But Heegon pressed down on him with such force that he couldn’t move. As the Eighth Prince began to tremble under the pressure, Heegon leaned in closer to his face.

“If you ever hear that my madness is coming, you better hide so well that not even your shadow is seen. The moment I lay eyes on you, I might just tear you apart on the spot. I’m very concerned about that, you see.”

“…Kuh—”

“Before those screams of yours escape your lips, make sure not to even breathe.”

Heegon gritted his teeth and pressed down harder on the Eighth Prince’s neck before releasing him with a toss. The Eighth Prince gasped for air, his face bright red. Heegon coldly looked down at him before sweeping his gaze over the other princes, who averted their eyes.

“Everyone’s got food in front of them, yet you’re all so busy with your hands.”

Heegon brushed off his sleeve and began to leave the room.

“I’ve lost my appetite, so I’ll take my leave now. Enjoy your meal.”

The childish provocations from those much younger than him were nothing new, but that didn’t mean they put him in a good mood. Suddenly, amidst his rising irritation, Seoyul’s face popped into Heegon’s mind.

“Let’s go to that child’s room.”

His twisted mind was craving Seoyul’s scent.

“Thanks to you, the Crown Prince’s erotomania has been overcome. What a relief.”

Pacheon, who had come to Seoyul’s quarters, examined his body here and there, and upon finding no major issues, wore a very satisfied expression. Seoyul, however, couldn’t shake off his wary gaze.

“You said… I was supposed to die in the place I originally lived, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Did I really almost die?”

“I didn’t see or experience it myself, but… my divination clearly showed it. An Eumin destined to die in an unavoidable accident—someone like you, who would come here and change the Crown Prince’s fate.”

How much of this should I believe? But what’s done is done, and whether it’s all true or not, the most important thing now is…

“Will you send me back? Is that even possible?”

“If you were brought here, why wouldn’t you be able to go back? In fact, sending you back to your original place is easier than defying fate to bring you here.”

“You’re not planning to keep me here, are you?”

Seoyul’s sharp tone made Pacheon chuckle lightly, showing no sign of discomfort.

“Once the Crown Prince’s child—”

“That might not even happen. Then what? Am I stuck here for the rest of my life?”

Pacheon paused at Seoyul’s pointed question. His gaze grew slightly more serious as he looked at Seoyul, and his tone shifted.

“To be honest, I do intend to send you back. That’s the truth. But as for the Crown Prince… I’m not so sure.”

“What do you mean…?”

“The Crown Prince seems quite taken with you.”

Seoyul’s eyes filled with disappointment and disdain at Pacheon’s answer. Before it could deepen, Pacheon quickly added,

“Still, I’m not that much of a scoundrel.”

“Then what are you—!”

“—I’m trying to see if I can summon another Eumin like you.”

“…?!”

“As you said, it might not be easy for you to conceive, or something might happen to you. I’m searching the entire country for other Eumins of this era. I’m exploring every possible avenue, so don’t worry too much.”

So, he’s looking for a replacement? Treating people like objects…

“If it were that easy, this whole absurd situation wouldn’t have happened in the first place, right?”

Seoyul’s voice rose in frustration. Pacheon awkwardly averted his gaze, which only made Seoyul feel more suffocated and helpless, as if he’d swallowed a handful of sand.

Bringing another Omega? Searching the entire country? If it were that easy, I wouldn’t even be here in the first place.

After Pacheon left, Seoyul sat hunched against the wall by the window.

Even if it’s possible, how long will it take?

Records of Omegas only began to appear in the late 7th century. By the time Tae Heegon, desperate to produce an heir, becomes Emperor and dies, it’ll be too late.

So how long do I have to stay here? A few years? Decades? Or… my whole life? Surely there’s a way back… right?

The more Seoyul thought about it, the darker his mood became.

I shouldn’t just sit here. I need to come up with a plan. The one who brought me here is a sorcerer, right? Then there must be other sorcerers with similar abilities. Maybe I can find one and ask for a way back.

But how do I find such a person? Should I ask Dubo, the eunuch? But if I do, won’t it immediately reach Tae Heegon’s ears and cause a scene? Maybe I’ll wait until we’re a bit closer and then casually bring it up.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Seoyul hugged his knees and buried his face between them. The fear he had been suppressing finally surfaced.

What am I going to do? How did this even happen to me? Can I really survive in a place like this? I’m so scared. So…

“Huu…”