IBPC | Chapter 6.2

Come to think of it, he had heard that Heegon’s principal wife had passed away, and only his concubines remained. He hadn’t given much thought to the concubines, though. Since he couldn’t leave Heegon’s residence, he never expected to run into one. And certainly not for one to barge into his room like this…

Seoyul hesitated for a moment, flustered, but soon pulled Dubo behind him.

“But what’s the matter? Why are you hitting someone like this?”

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Seoyul tried to remain as calm as possible, but his tone was still sharp as he addressed the woman—Jeokbin. The older court lady beside her spoke up again.

“That vile creature stole the lantern Her Highness hung in the garden to pray for the Third Prince’s safety. We’re here to punish him for his crime.”

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Lantern?

Hearing this, Seoyul turned his gaze toward the window. Seeing the lantern hanging there, Jeokbin also noticed it and smiled bitterly. She then stepped forward and spoke for the first time.

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“Now I see. It was you who ordered this.”

At this, Dubo, standing behind Seoyul, frantically waved his hands.

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“No, that’s not true! It was me…!”

But as Dubo tried to step forward, Seoyul bit his lip and stopped him. He then looked at Jeokbin and replied.

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“I’m sorry, but I didn’t know. If I had known it was something you hung up, I wouldn’t have taken it. I’ll return it to its place right away, so please let this go.”

Seoyul shielded Dubo behind him again. Seeing this, Jeokbin trembled with anger and raised her hand. The same delicate hand that had struck Dubo now swung toward Seoyul without hesitation.

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“……?!”

But as the hand flashed before his eyes, Seoyul instinctively stepped back. He caught Jeokbin’s hand as it came down. It wasn’t something he had planned—just a reflex. However, Jeokbin, whose hand was now caught by Seoyul, jumped in shock.

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“How dare you…!”

Jeokbin tried to pull her hand free, but Seoyul, unsure of what to do, didn’t let go. Jeokbin finally let out a sharp cry.

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“Let go of me this instant!”

“But… you were going to hit me, weren’t you?”

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Seoyul stood his ground, looking equally aggrieved, and Jeokbin’s face turned bright red with fury.

“What are you all doing?! Drag him out at once!”

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She shouted at the eunuchs and court ladies behind her, but none of them moved quickly. They were too busy gauging the situation, and even so, they couldn’t easily approach Seoyul. After all, he was someone Heegon had brought into his residence.

As everyone hesitated, Jeokbin trembled and glared up at Seoyul. She stared at him with all her might.

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“Drag him out! I will restore order in the palace today!!”

By now, Jeokbin was practically spitting with rage. At this point, the older court lady finally stepped forward, unable to withstand her fury. The other eunuchs reluctantly approached Seoyul as well, but just then, a deep voice interrupted from the open door.

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“What’s going on here?”

It was Heegon.

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Heegon stepped into the room and first scanned the scene inside. The gathered court ladies and eunuchs. Jeokbin and Seoyul.

“What’s all this commotion?”

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Jeokbin’s hand was still caught by Seoyul. The tense atmosphere in the room was palpable as Heegon looked at Jeokbin, waiting for an explanation.

“…….”

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At Heegon’s arrival, Seoyul awkwardly let go of Jeokbin’s hand. Jeokbin, her face flushed with anger, immediately teared up and rushed toward Heegon.

“Your Highness! How could such a thing happen?”

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Jeokbin looked back at Seoyul with a look of disgust, shuddering.

“That wretch not only stole the lantern I hung in the garden, but he also humiliated me. Look at this!”

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She held out her wrist, which bore a clear handprint, and sobbed. Heegon glanced at Seoyul, who fidgeted and then spoke in a small voice.

“I didn’t know about the lantern… And I only grabbed her hand because she was going to hit me…”

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“Hit you?! I was merely trying to bring the eunuch who stole the lantern to justice!”

Jeokbin wailed to Heegon, as if Seoyul’s words were utterly ridiculous. Seeing this, Seoyul could only click his tongue in disbelief.

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Heegon stood silently, listening.

He had a rough idea of what had happened. While it was likely unintentional, Seoyul had taken the lantern Jeokbin had hung in the garden for personal use. It wasn’t a big deal, but if Jeokbin made it an issue, it could become one.

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After all, Seoyul wasn’t officially anything in the palace. He wasn’t given a title, nor had Heegon made any public declaration about him.

This was getting troublesome.

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Heegon frowned slightly, finishing his thoughts. For now, he decided it was best to resolve the situation quickly.

The best outcome would be for Jeokbin to quietly back down.

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Heegon raised his hand and gently pulled Jeokbin into his arms, embracing her tenderly. Jeokbin, startled, leaned into his embrace. Heegon spoke in a voice much softer than usual.

“Oh dear, your heart must be so hurt.”

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“…….”

“I know how hard you work every year for the Lantern Festival. How could such an unfortunate incident happen?”

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Heegon’s hand slowly stroked Jeokbin’s back. At this, a faint smile began to form on Jeokbin’s lips.

“However…….”

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Heegon leaned closer to Jeokbin’s ear and whispered softly, in a voice only she could hear.

“Do you think it’s appropriate to barge into my residence and cause such a scene?”

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In an instant, Heegon’s voice turned icy cold.

Heegon had hoped Jeokbin would quietly leave, but he had no intention of calming her down while suppressing his own displeasure.

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Jeokbin’s eyes shook uncontrollably. Heegon continued to whisper into her ear.

“It seems there’s someone else who needs to learn the hierarchy of the palace.”

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“…….”

“Before I drag you out like a dog in front of the servants, leave quietly. …I won’t be so lenient next time.”

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With those final words, Heegon smiled faintly and lightly kissed Jeokbin’s ear. As he released her, Jeokbin looked up at him, her face pale.

Heegon was…

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Though he had pretended to comfort her in front of the servants, it was clear he was angry. Angry that she had entered this room and tried to punish that man.

Jeokbin wanted to scream right then and there, but she too was a woman who had lived in the palace, learning to read the room and survive among the royals.

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At this moment, in this place, she quickly realized what she could and couldn’t do.

Feeling the gazes of those behind her, Jeokbin forced a smile, though her lips trembled.

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“Your… Highness, for comforting my heart like this… I am deeply grateful.”

Looking into Heegon’s cold, unfeeling eyes, Jeokbin swallowed dryly.

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“Then… I shall take my leave now.”

Jeokbin struggled to maintain her composure, keeping the smile on her face. She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly and began to exit Seoyul’s room. But as she turned away, her face was filled with unexpressed frustration and humiliation.

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I’ll definitely…

Struggling to hide her anger, Jeokbin retreated.

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“…….”

Now, only Seoyul, Dubo, and Heegon remained in the room. Seoyul stood there blankly, watching Heegon’s expression.

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“I….”

He tried to say something, but Heegon glanced at the lantern hanging by the window and let out a sigh.

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“I’ll get you a new lantern, so return that one to its place.”

Without another word, Heegon also left Seoyul’s room.

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“…….”

Seoyul watched Heegon’s retreating figure, feeling an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

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He couldn’t understand why.

⊹₊⟡⋆

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“It looks like this won’t work anymore.”

Pacheon, who had come after hearing the news, faced Heegon with a troubled expression.

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“No matter how much you keep him confined to his quarters, there are just too many eyes watching inside the palace. Not only Her Highness Heerang, but also the Fifth Prince, and now even Her Highness Jeokbin… Hiding him any longer is impossible.”

“Then do you have an alternative?”

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At Heegon’s question, Pacheon seemed to already have something in mind.

“As long as no one finds out that the boy is Eumin, isn’t that all that matters? Since Your Highness has been masking his scent consistently, why not take this opportunity to make an official announcement—that he is your concubine?”

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“But…”

“I understand your concerns, but there’s nothing to worry about. Since he’s a man, he wouldn’t be granted the title of Royal Concubine, so His Majesty won’t pay much attention either. Just say that Your Highness picked him up while wandering outside the palace.”

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“……”

“If Your Highness keeps holding onto him like this without making it clear, it will only spark more curiosity. And once his position is officially established, no one will be able to lay a hand on him so carelessly. Right now, he’s not even receiving any formal status, is he?”

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Pacheon’s words made sense. As long as Seoyul remained in his quarters, there was no way to avoid the watchful eyes within the palace forever. Rather than keeping him hidden, presenting him as a mere concubine—something the royal family often took in and discarded—would likely help lessen the scrutiny.

After a long moment of contemplation, Heegon finally lifted his head, his decision made. Then, looking at Pacheon, he gave an order.

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“There’s something I need you to prepare.”

⊹₊⟡⋆

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“What is this?”

It had been about four days since Jeokbin caused a commotion and left. Around evening, Heegon came looking for Seoyul. When Heegon handed him a small silk bundle, Seoyul looked at it curiously and asked. Instead of answering, Heegon simply gestured toward it, prompting Seoyul to untie the bundle with a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

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“……?”

Inside, neatly folded, was a single earring—one that Heegon always wore.

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“It’s an earring?”

Seoyul’s expression became even more puzzled as he glanced at Heegon’s ear, where the matching earring was still in place. Heegon picked up the earring from the silk bundle Seoyul had unwrapped.

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“Put it on.”

“This? Me?”

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