IBPC | Chapter 14.2

Seoyul lowered his gaze, avoiding Heegon’s eyes. In that state, he tried to focus on discerning Heegon’s tone. For now, it didn’t seem like he was angry or trying to interrogate him. Seoyul pretended to be calm, taking his time before answering.

“Yes. I met him briefly during the day. …He just asked some trivial questions.”

“I heard you collapsed in front of Kangmu.”

“……”

It seemed that his every move was reported to Heegon through the court ladies. Seoyul tried to hide his anxiety, hoping that their conversation hadn’t reached Heegon’s ears.

“I’ve been feeling dizzy often lately. It’s probably because of the child.”

Seoyul thought it was cowardly, but he used the child as an excuse. Fortunately, it seemed to have the desired effect, as Heegon didn’t ask for more details. In fact, Heegon was lost in other thoughts.

Despite having said those words, Kangmu had visited without any notice, and Seoyul kept encountering him.

It was true that his nerves were on edge, but he thought it best not to create unnecessary trouble. Seoyul had only recently softened his icy demeanor, and since they had already imprinted, there was no reason for them to sense each other’s Yangin and Eumin scents.

Heegon averted his gaze from Seoyul.

“Tomorrow is the royal ancestral rite.”

“……?”

“So I’ll be away all day. You should also try not to leave your quarters.”

Ancestral rite.

Seoyul slightly raised his head to meet Heegon’s eyes at the change of topic.

The royal ancestral rite to honor the ancestors. King Eulsa especially valued ancestor worship. He considered the rite sacred, and it was said to take an entire day to complete.

The royal ancestral rite of the Jinha Kingdom. If possible, he wanted to see it in person… but it wasn’t the Lantern Festival, and he wouldn’t be able to see it from afar. It was a sacred ceremony attended only by royalty and nobility.

“…Alright.”

Seoyul gave a brief reply, thinking that tomorrow he should read the book about the God of Seombaek that Dubo had procured for him.

Unaware of what was to come the next day.

⊹₊⟡⋆

The rite must have started by now.

Seoyul, who had been reading a book, looked up, unable to make much progress. He gazed at the sky, where the sun had risen, lost in thought.

As Kangmu had promised, Heegon was still unaware of the imprint not happening. Fortunately, Pacheon didn’t know much about the imprint either.

“……”

Seoyul lowered his gaze back to the book he had been reading. Written in archaic characters, it took quite some time to interpret each page. But it didn’t seem to contain any particularly helpful information.

The content about the God of Seombaek. It was said that he was once human, ascended to the moon, and became a god, bringing prosperity and destiny to humans. Specially chosen humans, like Pacheon, were mentioned, and through these sorcerers, human desires were fulfilled, but a suitable offering had to be made… that was about it.

If the book’s content was accurate, then only Pacheon could send him back.

Seoyul flipped through the pages, resting his chin on his hand.

Ah… Reading an old book written in archaic characters after so long feels like studying for an exam.

Feeling increasingly drowsy, Seoyul leaned on the desk and lay down. Lately, he had been feeling sleepy more often, and he slowly closed his eyes.

And in front of Seoyul, the small lamp he hadn’t extinguished in the morning flickered precariously in the breeze coming through the open window.

⊹₊⟡⋆

Dressed in ceremonial attire, Heegon held the ancestral tablet in his hand and turned around.

“……?”

A strange chill ran down the back of his neck. He raised his gaze slightly towards his quarters. Of course, he couldn’t see anything from here.

“Focus.”

King Eulsa whispered softly to Heegon, who had momentarily turned his gaze. At the sound, Heegon’s attention returned to the front. King Eulsa was burning incense, looking as if he might turn around.

“Today, even the new noble families are in attendance. Be careful not to give them any reason to criticize.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“There’s been a lot of talk about how your madness has subsided lately. You understand what that means, right?”

“……”

“By next year’s ceremony, a proper Crown Prince should be presiding.”

King Eulsa gave Heegon a faint smile. Heegon simply bowed deeply, understanding the implication.

He had survived two episodes of madness without incident. So, talks of reinstating him as Crown Prince were already circulating.

Next year. Could he manage his madness safely until then? If Seoyul, that child, didn’t leave…

As that thought filled his mind, Heegon’s nerves were once again on edge.

When he asked if Seoyul could stay, Seoyul didn’t answer. He looked up at him coldly, calling it selfishness, but ultimately said nothing. But he also didn’t deny it.

Just the absence of rejection was enough to give him a moment of relief, which he found both pathetic and frustrating, yet he couldn’t help it.

Heegon stared at the ancestral tablet of the second emperor of the Jinha Kingdom in his hand.

He was a prince who inherited the imperial lineage of the Jinha Kingdom. Although the appointment as Crown Prince had been delayed for various reasons, he stood at the very center of the wealth and power of this country.

There was nothing he couldn’t have. If there was something he couldn’t possess, it was a position where it didn’t matter if he trampled and broke it.

But why couldn’t he do that with that child?

“……”

No, he had already tried once. He had forcibly held the pleading body and bitten the nape. He had crushed the child who begged and clung to him like a beast, making him his own.

So… he couldn’t do it a second time.

“No, even if it means dying after leaving the imprinted partner, it’s much better than living as an empty shell by your side for a lifetime!”

He couldn’t bear to see those eyes again.

That’s why he had no choice but to promise to let him go if he bore his child. Even after doing so, he stood here like a fool, only thinking about how to keep that child by his side. Insisting on the impossible, saying that the child had become more important than the heir, asking him to stay.

Oh, ancestors, how should I grasp what I truly want? With the power and abilities given to me, I can’t even have a shadow of what I can’t soothe.

Heegon gripped the ancestral tablet in his hand tightly, as if in agony. And just as the fourth ritual was about to begin.

“……?”

He noticed the quiet surroundings gradually becoming noisy. At first, he tried to ignore it, but as it spread, King Eulsa couldn’t hold back and turned around. Heegon also snapped out of his thoughts and turned his gaze. He saw the court ladies and eunuchs behind him whispering in agitation.

“What is it?”

Unable to bear it, Heegon spoke on behalf of King Eulsa. Then, the oldest eunuch, after glancing around, stepped forward.

“Apologies, but there is some commotion outside.”

“Commotion? They should know there’s a ceremony today.”

At Heegon’s reprimand, the eunuch looked at him nervously.

“Actually… at the Third Prince’s quarters…”

“……?”

The eunuch glanced back slightly.

“A fire has broken out…”

“……!”

At the words that fell from the eunuch’s mouth, Heegon flinched and frowned. Instinctively, he turned his head towards his quarters.

Then he saw it. Just a moment ago, there was nothing. Now, black smoke was rising so high into the clear sky that it was visible even from here. It was definitely not a small fire.

A fire… in the quarters…?

A chill settled over Heegon’s eyes like a shadow.

Wait a minute—then, what about that child…?

Heegon’s body slowly turned, and he unconsciously leaned forward.

“…Hyung-nim.”

Then Kangmu, who was standing behind him, quickly placed a hand on Heegon’s chest and whispered quietly.

“We’re still in the middle of the ceremony. …Please calm down.”

Kangmu seemed to understand Heegon’s intention but pushed him back, indicating it wasn’t allowed. Heegon looked at King Eulsa with trembling eyes.

He knew what this place was. But at the very least, he couldn’t leave until the sixth ritual was over. If that happened…

‘I’d rather do this than hold the prince’s hand.’

Heegon recalled the nightmare that gnawed at him every night. The dream that was unusually vivid. Could it be a premonition of what was happening now?

No matter how he tried to calm himself, he couldn’t shake the image of Seoyul turning to ashes in the flames.

Could it be…?

His breath tightened more and more.

In the end, Heegon gritted his teeth. After hesitating for a moment, he avoided King Eulsa’s gaze. Then he handed the ancestral tablet he was holding to Kangmu.

Heegon began to make his way through the line of princes and headed outside.

“Unbelievable.”

Watching Heegon leave the ceremony from behind, The Left Minister muttered to himself with a chuckle.

Could it be that he’s leaving this place because of a little fire in his quarters, worried about that concubine or whatever?

It was an absurd action, but it was pleasing to see Heegon act that way.

The Left Minister smiled inwardly as he looked at King Eulsa’s face, which had turned red and blue.

⊹₊⟡⋆

Seoyul opened his eyes. His head was dizzy. The smell of burning was so strong that he frowned involuntarily.

“……?”

Realizing that he was being supported and moved by someone, Seoyul lifted his head. He saw eunuchs and court ladies in a frenzy, running around the corridor.

“What…?”

Seoyul belatedly noticed Dubo, who was supporting him along with another eunuch. As he looked around in confusion, Dubo spoke urgently.

“Are you awake, Seoyul-nim?”

“Why am I…?”

“Please hurry and get out. The fire spread to your room while you were asleep.”

“…What?”

Was I asleep? No, more importantly, did he just say fire…?

Seoyul turned back, feeling the stronger smell of soot. Then he saw black smoke and heat rushing towards where he was.

“Is that… my room?”

Regaining his senses, Seoyul pushed Dubo away slightly. He stared blankly at the stairs leading upstairs. Dubo pulled on Seoyul’s sleeve.

“Please, get to safety. The flames are getting stronger.”