SNF | Chapter 6.1

The servants were surprised by Yeon-oh’s earlier-than-expected return home. Yeon-oh passed them by and went back to his room to change out of his formal attire. His wet nurse seemed eager to ask questions, her lips twitching, but she kept silent. For Yeon-oh, who had no emotions left to expend, it was a relief.

As he sat in a tub filled with warm water to calm his mind, the outside became noisy. Instead of asking about the commotion, Yeon-oh stood up. The servant attending him wiped the water droplets off his body with a towel and dressed him in a dark blue robe.

Perhaps because he had soaked in the unexpectedly warm water for too long, steam rose from his body. Yeon-oh paused as he was about to enter his bedroom. The prime minister was standing by the window with his hands behind his back.

“You’ve come. I was going to greet you after tidying up…”

The prime minister turned around. His expression was as unreadable and ordinary as usual.

“Yes. I see you’ve just bathed.”

As the prime minister sat down, releasing his hands from behind his back, Yeon-oh also took a seat. With his hands neatly folded, Yeon-oh waited for the prime minister to speak.

“The banquet ended on a rather good note, even though the absence of the Yeon delegation displeased the Emperor.”

“Is that so.”

The prime minister started with the events at the banquet, which Yeon-oh wasn’t particularly interested in, so he responded appropriately and waited for the main topic.

“Yeon-oh.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know why the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs was established?”

“Wasn’t it created because of the deposed emperor who was dethroned for his tyranny hundreds of years ago?”

“Yes. The Grand Emperor Yongan, who ascended the throne after deposing the emperor through a coup, established many frameworks. The legitimate heir succession, sending all imperial relatives except the Crown Prince to distant lands… He set countless precedents.”

And over the centuries, these became untouchable laws. Or rather, they became outdated customs. Even though people knew they were unreasonable, no one dared to change them for fear of causing chaos.

“Not satisfied with that, he created the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs to check the Emperor’s power. Though now, it’s used more for the Crown Prince to keep close those he plans to employ in the future.”

Yeon-oh listened patiently, even though he already knew all this from studying Anra’s history.

“In any case, the point is that the personnel authority of the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs lies with the Crown Prince, and neither I nor the Emperor can interfere with whoever the Crown Prince appoints there.”

“…I thought when you asked me to choose, you wanted me to enter the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs. Because, as you said, you have no one there. Was I right?”

“You’re not wrong. But if you don’t want it, I won’t force you into the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs. I left the decision to you. Just because I have no one there doesn’t mean I’ll compromise my principles.”

The prime minister’s words seemed arrogant at first glance, but they were actually confident.

“But I’m curious. Why did you insist on taking the special exam?”

“So it wouldn’t seem too easy.”

“…What?”

“If it’s not easily obtained, it’s valued more. Besides, if I had accepted without hesitation, the Crown Prince might have found it suspicious.”

The prime minister laughed at Yeon-oh’s answer. Yeon-oh waited in silence until his laughter subsided. After a while, the prime minister stopped laughing and returned to his usual demeanor.

“The Crown Prince is more resilient than he seems. Despite being out of favor with the Emperor and having a weak position, he manages the Eastern Palace well and supports the Emperor without giving him any reason to criticize. He’s not someone to be underestimated.”

“……”

“But he’s still just an eighteen-year-old boy. Yeon-oh, just create a small gap.”

“…A gap.”

“Yes, a gap. Of course, it doesn’t matter if you can’t. Just having you in the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs is significant.”

Sending the legitimate son Hye Yeon-oh to the Crown Prince’s side was indeed significant. It would show that the prime minister wasn’t trying to undermine the Eastern Palace by putting forward his maternal grandson, the prince, but rather showing respect by sending his own son. At least on the surface.

And if Yeon-oh managed to create a gap as the prime minister intended, he would use it to bring down the wall and eventually cut off the roots. Yeon-oh understood his father’s intentions immediately. When he nodded slightly, the prime minister looked satisfied.

“And also…”

“Young master, it’s me.”

The words he was about to add were interrupted by a voice from outside.

“That’s enough. This conversation…”

When Yeon-oh looked at him as if asking what he would do, the prime minister nodded, allowing the wet nurse to enter.

“Alright.”

The wet nurse entered, holding a tray with both hands.

“I brought you some medicinal tea.”

“Are you unwell?”

Seeing the prime minister’s concerned gaze, Yeon-oh took the tea and replied.

“No, it’s something I drink regularly.”

“Is that so? Well, there’s nothing more important than taking care of your health. You know why, don’t you?”

“You mean my body isn’t just mine. I always keep that in mind.”

The prime minister nodded. Yeon-oh drank the medicinal tea calmly under the prime minister’s watchful eyes. The tea brewed with medicinal herbs was bitter but also familiar. After slowly finishing the tea, Yeon-oh handed the cup back to the wet nurse.

“You’re always working hard because of our youngest.”

“Please don’t say that, Your Excellency. Watching the young master grow is my only joy.”

“I’m glad to hear that. It seems the child relies on you a lot, so please continue to guide Yeon-oh. Make sure he walks the right path. After all, he’s my child.”

“Of course, I will.”

Yeon-oh’s gaze lingered outside for a moment before dispersing.

“Then I’ll take my leave so you can continue your conversation.”

“No, it’s late, so I should be going. Yeon-oh needs to rest too.”

The prime minister stood up, and Yeon-oh followed to see him off.

“Rest well.”

“Yes. Please rest well too, Father.”

“Alright. And Yeon-oh, I heard you handled yourself quite well against those sly people at the banquet today. I look forward to seeing how you’ll grow with more experience.”

“You’re too kind.”

“I’m curious to see how fragrant and beautiful the flower you nurture will be. Can I look forward to it?”

Yeon-oh nodded slowly. The prime minister’s smile deepened. A child’s talent is a source of joy for a parent. Moreover, a talented child is the future heir responsible for the family, and he didn’t go against the family’s wishes. There was nothing more gratifying for the prime minister.

“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.”

The prime minister, who had been holding Yeon-oh’s hand, let go as if he was about to leave.

“Father.”

The sudden call made the prime minister look puzzled.

“Don’t you think I might fail the special exam?”

Throughout the short conversation, the prime minister hadn’t mentioned the possibility of Yeon-oh failing. In response to the question, the prime minister chuckled.

“Yeon-oh, do you really think that’s possible?”

The brief answer was filled with confidence in Yeon-oh. Or perhaps it was a determination not to let him fail the special exam. Whatever it meant, Yeon-oh saw the prime minister off without asking further.

After seeing the prime minister off, Yeon-oh instructed the wet nurse to dismiss everyone guarding his bedroom. Even his bodyguard, Hasung, was no exception. The wet nurse, though puzzled, complied obediently, having noticed that Yeon-oh was unusually sensitive today, even though nothing had been said. Once assured, Yeon-oh lay down on his bed, and the wet nurse turned off the lights and left.

“……”

Though he had maintained his composure since returning, his mind was in turmoil. As he calmly reviewed his tangled thoughts, Yeon-oh recalled the root of his current feelings.

The Crown Prince. …Yeshin.

Yeon-oh couldn’t understand why his mind was so troubled because of the Crown Prince. Was it because the Crown Prince had deceived him? That was something he could shake off. Yeon-oh would deceive the Crown Prince many times as a member of the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs, following his family’s wishes, so he could consider it a debt repaid in advance. But why was he still dwelling on the Crown Prince’s deception? Why?

Tossing and turning in his bed, Yeon-oh eventually leaned his upper body and listened for any sounds outside. There was no sound. It seemed the wet nurse had dismissed everyone as Yeon-oh had instructed.

Good. Yeon-oh removed the blanket and groped through the darkness to grab a cloak. Lying down and mulling over things wouldn’t yield answers. When things were complicated, it was better to clear his mind by getting some fresh air, even for a short while.

He walked quietly through the corridor and stepped outside. The night air was particularly cold, brushing against his still-damp hair. The chill from his hair touched his neck, making Yeon-oh unconsciously shrink his neck.

“If you go out without drying your hair, you’ll catch a cold.”

Startled by the warmth that settled on his shoulder, Yeon-oh turned his head. No, to be precise, it wasn’t the warmth that surprised him.

“Your Highness?”

It was the familiar voice that startled him.

“…How did you get in? The guards should have been tight.”

Yeon-oh managed to pull out a voice that was stuck in his throat and took a step back. Though it was dark, the Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothes instead of the attire he wore at the Golden Palace, was looking down at Yeon-oh, faintly smelling of alcohol.

“I wanted to surprise you, but you don’t seem surprised at all.”

Of course, the Crown Prince no longer used honorifics.

“I…”

“Shh.”

The Crown Prince placed a finger on Yeon-oh’s lips and winked.

“The first time is hard, but the second time isn’t, right?”

The Crown Prince shrugged his shoulders and replied casually. Listening quietly, Yeon-oh bit his lip and removed the finger still on his lips.

“…Did you enter like this the first time we met?”

“You could say that. As the Crown Prince of a nation, I wouldn’t have attended a private banquet hosted by the prime minister. Ah, of course, the prime minister wouldn’t have invited me in the first place.”

“…Follow me.”

Hearing the playful tone, Yeon-oh lowered his voice and turned his back. He didn’t care about the footsteps behind him. Whatever reason the Crown Prince had for coming here, whether he followed or turned back, it was up to him.

Without looking back once, Yeon-oh headed to his bedroom. The warmth of the room quickly thawed his cold body. Instead of lighting a candle, Yeon-oh stood by the window where the moonlight shone. The pale shadow cast by the moonlight was visible.

“Why did you come all the way here?”