IBPC | Chapter 13.3

Once I return… it’ll be okay. There must be a way to break the imprint. With all the advancements in science and medicine. It’ll be fine, especially in a world without alphas.

However, Seoyul’s face darkened again. Even though he tried to lead his situation positively, his chest felt tight, and he couldn’t shake it off.

Once I truly have the child and return, I can escape from Tae Heegon and reclaim my life. But at the same time, everything from my world will completely disappear.

I don’t know why my heart swings back and forth several times a day. Even with the situation being this dire. Even when I’m cornered and suffocated, I can’t completely shake off Heegon’s presence.

Seoyul frowned in distress.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

While Seoyul was deep in thought, Heegon had entered the room without him noticing. At Heegon’s voice, Seoyul flinched as if caught in his thoughts. When he turned his head, he saw Heegon approaching.

Seoyul turned his head away, avoiding looking at him properly.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Seeing Seoyul turn away from him, Heegon lowered his gaze silently. He sat facing Seoyul, observing his condition.

Fortunately, Seoyul’s body, which had been growing thinner, was starting to gain some weight, and his complexion had improved significantly. The wound on his torn ear had healed, and the scab had fallen off.

For now, that seemed enough.

“If there’s anything you need, tell Dubo. If there’s something you want to eat or anything you desire, even if it’s not in the palace, I’ll get it for you.”

“……”

His tone was gentle, though slightly subdued. Listening to this, Seoyul clenched the hem of his clothes with his fingertips.

“That’s fine, just keep your promise.”

It was a statement seeking confirmation from Heegon, but also a vow to himself.

I will definitely return.

The man in front of me is only treating me well out of necessity. If I let my heart waver and fall for it again, I’ll end up getting hurt. If Tae Heegon no longer needs me or if I act against him, he’ll suppress me with the same force as before. To him, I’m just that kind of existence.

I don’t want to repeat that again.

“……”

Seoyul’s completely closed-off heart was visible to Heegon as well. So Heegon didn’t say anything further. He just continued to look at Seoyul.

Feeling uncomfortable with the silent gaze, Seoyul considered getting up first. He intended to ask Heegon to leave, saying he wanted to rest…

“Your Highness!”

A voice urgently calling for Heegon came from beyond the room.

When Heegon was in Seoyul’s room, the eunuchs usually postponed delivering messages. But the urgency in the voice suggested a situation that couldn’t be ignored, making both Heegon and Seoyul look on with curiosity. Without waiting for permission, a eunuch entered the room.

“Your Highness…!”

The eunuch, looking flustered, approached Heegon and bowed his head. Heegon glanced at Seoyul before turning to the eunuch.

“What is it that you…”

“―Princess Heerang…”

At the mention of Heerang’s name, Heegon flinched. Seoyul reacted similarly, sensing the ominousness in the eunuch’s serious expression.

The eunuch struggled to continue, bowing his head even lower.

“It seems you should go to Princess Heerang immediately.”

“What do you mean, why Heerang?”

“Well…”

“Can’t you tell me quickly!”

Heegon’s voice trembled with anxiety, rising in volume. Under the pressure, the eunuch spoke in a timid voice.

“Since yesterday, she has been complaining of heat all over her body and collapsed. The palace physician says… it seems like an emergence.”

“Emergence?”

Heerang was twelve this year. It was the typical age for an alpha to emerge in this era. But the eunuch’s demeanor was strange. An alpha emergence wasn’t a big deal, nor was it uncommon in the royal family.

“But why―”

“―It’s said to be an emergence of an Eumin, not a Yangin.”

At the eunuch’s difficult words, Heegon’s eyes widened. His dark pupils trembled.

Eumin. Omega emergence. In the 6th century of the Jinha Kingdom, an omega emergence meant something close to death. Omegas of this era often died during emergence or their first heat cycle.

Heegon unknowingly stood up slowly. His face had already turned pale.

Suddenly emerging as an Eumin, Heerang…

“Why… Heerang…”

Heegon’s fingertips trembled as he leaned on the table. Seeing this, Seoyul also looked up in confusion.

Did Heegon’s sister emerge as an omega? If so… they said most omegas of this time lost their lives…

Seoyul felt his heart sink, wondering how Heegon would cope. Seoyul stood up, following Heegon. He spoke to the eunuch on behalf of the dazed Heegon.

“When did the emergence start? Was it from yesterday?”

“She said she felt unwell since yesterday afternoon and collapsed early in the evening…”

An omega emergence wasn’t much different from a fever. But the difference was that although the face flushed and the body felt hot, it wasn’t a fever. It was due to pheromones, so no antipyretic could reduce the heat.

“Were the medicines ineffective?”

“Even after taking decoctions to reduce the fever, it was useless. The palace physician, a Yangin, said he smelled the scent of an Eumin and suspected an emergence…”

“Not just fever-reducing medicine, but something for emergence!”

Seoyul looked at Heegon with frustration.

“Regular fever medicine is useless, don’t you know that? Aren’t there any suppressants?!”

“There are no specific decoctions for emergence.”

The eunuch answered Seoyul’s question with a puzzled expression. Seeing this, Seoyul realized something belatedly.

Right, in an era without suppressants for alphas, who are relatively numerous, there wouldn’t be any for omegas.

Omegas were at risk during emergence due to high fevers, but it could be resolved with suppressants. The country even provided suppressants for free when omegas had their first emergence.

But… if they can’t reduce the fever from emergence…

“If the fever doesn’t go down during emergence… they need suppressants.”

Seoyul murmured worriedly, and the eunuch, glancing at Seoyul, added.

“Fortunately, we have a stock of Eunmul. We will offer it to the princess.”

“Eunmul?”

“Yes, it’s a miraculous remedy for when the fever can’t be reduced.”

“What is Eunmul?”

“It’s a silver liquid said to grant immortality.”

Silver liquid? Silver… liquid? Immortality―

A chill ran down Seoyul’s spine.

No way, that…

“Isn’t it mercury?”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t it mercury, that stuff!”

Seoyul, with a shocked expression, grabbed the eunuch. Heegon, who had been in a daze, composed himself and looked down at Seoyul, trying to calm him.

“Calm down. Eunmul is known to control all fevers and is a precious remedy given to nobles or the royal family when they emerge as Eumin.”

“That’s nonsense…! Mercury isn’t like that. You can’t give that to someone!”

Seoyul rushed at Heegon this time, clinging to his clothes.

“……”

Heegon couldn’t take his eyes off Seoyul, who was looking up at him desperately.

Eunmul was a precious substance that ancient emperors sought for immortality. Although it didn’t grant eternal life, it was proven to invigorate the skin and provide strength. Why was this child so…

In Heegon’s experience, giving Eunmul to the ailing Heerang seemed right. But…

“Order them to withhold the Eunmul.”

Heegon looked away from Seoyul and addressed the eunuch. The eunuch reacted as if it was unthinkable.

“What do you mean, Your Highness? You must give the Eunmul to reduce the princess’s fever immediately.”

“…Let’s wait a little longer. I’ll take responsibility, so order them to withhold the Eunmul for now.”

With Heegon’s decision, Seoyul seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, calming down. He then released his grip on Heegon.

“I’ll go see Heerang for a moment.”

Heegon gently pushed Seoyul aside and slowly turned his body. With a still grim face, he began to leave the room.

“……”

Seoyul watched Heegon’s retreating figure, clasping his hands anxiously.

Please, let her endure the emergence safely.

Recalling Heerang’s bright smile, Seoyul hoped and hoped again.

Reflecting on his memories, Seoyul bit his fingertip in puzzlement.

But it’s strange. Tae Heegon’s sister emerging as an omega wasn’t part of the history I know.

Of course, King Eulsa was recorded to have three alpha sons and one omega daughter. But I know that daughter as Princess Jihee. It’s a famous story that King Eulsa, feeling sorry for Princess Jihee who died young, built a shrine at her residence. That shrine is also preserved as a national heritage.

But why did Tae Heerang emerge as an Eumin? Was there another omega daughter not recorded in history?

“Don’t worry too much. She’ll get through it.”

Pacheon, who had come to check on Seoyul, spoke gently, seeing Seoyul’s dark expression. Seoyul asked Pacheon with a lingering sense of unease.

“King Eulsa… I mean, His Majesty, is known to have one Eumin daughter, right?”

“Eumin?”

“Yes. I’ve heard His Majesty has three Yangin sons and one Eumin daughter.”

“Hmm.”

Pacheon didn’t agree with Seoyul’s question and frowned.

“It’s true there are three Yangin princes, but there are no Eumin princes or princesses.”

“But… I heard there was someone called Princess Jihee who was an Eumin…”

“Jihee?”

When Seoyul mentioned another name, Pacheon seemed surprised and finally nodded.

“You know about that? That name is Princess Heerang’s courtesy name.”

“…What?”

Seoyul’s face hardened at Pacheon’s unexpected answer.

“Tae Heerang is… Princess Jihee…?”

Then, the only omega daughter of King Eulsa is indeed Tae Heerang.

With that, knowledge flashed through his mind.

Wait a minute. Then… what does this mean? There’s a record that Princess Jihee died exactly four days after emerging as an Eumin. Today is the second day. So, the day after tomorrow, that child will die? Unable to withstand the emergence…

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Seoyul’s unusual expression, Pacheon asked curiously. But Seoyul couldn’t bring himself to speak the words lingering in his mouth.

He couldn’t reveal the future event that Heerang would soon die… No, even if he did, would anything change? It would be an unavoidable event.

“…This is absurd.”

Seoyul looked frustrated.

Is that child really going to die just because she can’t withstand the emergence? A life that could be saved with just one small suppressant pill?

Seoyul, disheartened, ran his hand over his mouth. Pacheon, who had been silent, tried to change the atmosphere.

“The princess will be taken care of by the palace physicians, so why don’t you focus on taking care of yourself? Have you noticed any changes lately?”

“―!!”

Seoyul, suppressing his heavy heart, suddenly looked up at Pacheon. Something came to mind.

Come to think of it… back then…

Seoyul, struck by a thought, reached out and grabbed Pacheon’s arm.

“Did you really not find my belongings?”

“……?”

“The bag I brought when I came here, are you sure you didn’t find it?”

Seoyul suddenly asked about his belongings, and Pacheon awkwardly smiled.

“Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden…”

“There should be suppressants in there, and with those, we can save Tae Heerang―”

He quickly swallowed the words that were about to come out unconsciously. Seoyul hesitated, then carefully chose his words again.

“There are medicines in that bag. Medicines that can lower Princess Heerang’s fever and help her safely get through the emergence.”

“―?!”