#123 

“Oh Jinsung.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

At the end of the long day, which seemed to last forever, an unknown tension arose in Jungcheon Palace, where Yihan was working on political affairs. This was because Yihan had been deep in thought with a serious face since he sent back all the nameplates presented by Gyeongsa-bang as usual. Eunuch Oh’s heart became heavy because he could easily guess what the emperor was struggling with. Perhaps this was a destined sequence from the time Yeonbin was given Seojeong Palace. 

“One day, the Empress said that she’s not the same as the Empress Dowager, and I’m a different person from the previous emperor.” 

“… Isn’t Her Majesty the Empress really right?” 

“Then, in your opinion… Do you think I won’t regret this choice?” 

The emperor didn’t say much and left it at that. Won’t I regret it? Won’t my heart ache when I look back on this step I want to take now? The emperor did not say what the choice was, but Eunuch Oh, who had already guessed all of his feelings a long time ago, could not pretend to not know and opened his mouth with his head down. 

“How could this little man talk about the majestic emperor’s choice?”

“…”

“However, Your Majesty…” 

Eunuch Oh’s eyes, looking at the floor, sunk deeply. Eunuch Oh stayed at the closest place for a long time watching Yihan, who suddenly rose to the throne at a young age due to the sudden deterioration of the previous emperor’s disease, and even the rebel. As the emperor, he had been so merciful to his subjects and even to the lowliest members of the palace, so it could be said that Eunuch Oh himself, had been clothed in his greatest grace.

Eunuch Oh also stayed by the previous emperor’s side. He didn’t serve him as soon as he ascended the throne like the current emperor, but the period was enough for him to learn the character of the previous emperor. Eunuch Oh knew so well how sincere, caring, and protecting the current emperor was to him. 

“You have always been so generous with your opportunities, giving them to anyone and everyone.” 

Eunuch Oh wanted such a good and benevolent emperor to be happy. It wasn’t just about him being a wise ruler, respected by the people, and leading a peaceful reign. Eunuch Oh sincerely hoped that his emperor would get personal happiness at the same time and have all the good things in the world. His emperor should enjoy it.

“So… why don’t you give it another chance this time?”

Eunuch Oh didn’t say who it was for. It sounded like he was referring to Yeonbin, but on a deeper level, it sounded like a saying to give the emperor himself a chance. The emperor, Yihan, turned his gaze to Eunuch Oh, who was bowing. It was unknown how the emperor would accept his word. 

After a long time, when the sun was almost over the mountain and the shadows began to disappear, Yihan said. 

“Go to Seojeong Palace.” 

Eunuch Oh willingly obeyed the emperor’s orders. 

***

“What brings you here at this time, Lord Oh?” 

Hwawoon asked, welcoming Eunuch Oh, who walked in person to Seojeong Palace. His smile kept trying to spread in wonder if the emperor had sent another letter, so he had to put strength around his mouth. It somewhat bothered him that Eunuch Oh came directly due to this trivial thing, but he couldn’t say no when he thought that His Majesty valued the letter for him. 

“Your Highness Yeonbin.”

However, Hwawoon, who heard Eunuch Oh’s voice, had no choice but to be nervous instantly. Eunuch Oh’s voice was too heavy to simply deliver a letter. Unable to wait, Hwawoon suddenly asked. 

“Did something happen to His Majesty?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Then…” 

Hwawoon breathed a short sigh of relief at Eunuch Oh’s answer, but Eunuch’s expression and voice, which were still stiff, caused subtle anxiety. Soon after, Eunuch Oh said,

“Tonight, His Majesty will stay at Seojeong Palace.” 

This time, not only Hwawoon but also Ahjin and So Jeong, who were next to him, turned stiff. Hwawoon, whose face turned white in an instant, stammered and opened his mouth. 

“What… what’s the meaning of that…”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. His Majesty will spend the night at Seojeong Palace, so please get ready to welcome him.” 

To Hwawoon, it sounded like a bolt from the blue. 

“Then, that, that means…” 

His head was spinning. He had to say something, but he couldn’t because the words he tried to bring up kept getting stuck in his throat. That’s how much Hwawoon was so surprised, confused, and frightened. Almost gasping for breath, Hwawoon barely managed to continue. 

“So, what you’re trying to say is…. I’m going to….” 

“Yes, Your Highness. Tonight, you will spend the night with His Majesty.”

He was worried that he misunderstood. Hwawoon was worried that he got ahead of himself when that wasn’t the meaning, but Eunuch Oh made him completely sure of it. He heard Ahjin calling “Your Highness!” in a voice full of joy, but Hwawoon couldn’t afford to hear Ahjin’s voice because his heart beat too fast and his whole body trembled. Meanwhile, Eunuch Oh added, 

“As you’ve already known, it is not often that the Emperor sends me directly.” 

That was right. Usually, when the Emperor turned the nameplate over, it was the duty of Gyeongsa-bang to tell the news to the concubine. Eunuch Oh’s visit to deliver the news in person had never happened to any concubine, and it was also rare for the Empress Palace. 

“This… This is really unexpected…” 

Hwawoon’s reaction, however, was completely different from what Eunuch Oh had predicted. Eunuch Oh, who had been bowing his head, looked up at Hwawoon because Hwawoon’s voice was completely different from just being surprised or taken aback out of happiness. Hwawoon’s pale face clearly told that he was afraid of this situation.

“Your Highness Yeonbin…?”

Surprised and confused, Eunuch Oh called him once, and Hwawoon opened his mouth, trembling as if he had become a small animal running away from a tiger. 

“I… I’m not feeling well today…” 

“… Sorry?”

“I’m… I’m very honored and… happy, but I’m… I’m not feeling well today, so…” 

Hwawoon was speaking in gibberish. Eunuch Oh was flustered, and he looked at Ahjin, who seemed surprised as well. Ahjin, who was looking at her master and Eunuch Oh alternately, hurriedly stepped forward and said. 

“Lord Oh. Well… My master hasn’t been feeling well all day today, and I was just about to call the doctor.” 

In fact, Ahjin herself didn’t know why her master was being like this or why he was refusing this good opportunity, but anyway, Ahjin had to help her master because he had already said so. She felt that cold sweat flowing down her spine when Eunuch Oh squinted his eyes, but Ahjin tried to pretend to be calm and continued. 

“I’m telling you the truth. Can’t you see His Highness’s pale complexion? So, please, please tell His Majesty nicely about this. I beg you, Lord Oh.” 

After listening to Ahjin, Eunuch Oh’s eyes turned to Hwawoon again. Hwawoon, who was sitting on a chair and biting his lips, seemed to be very sick. The strange thing was that he suddenly became like this after hearing about spending the night with the emperor. However, in this situation, Eunuch Oh could not ask Yeonbin about such things. 

“I understand, Your Highness Yeonbin. His Majesty will be worried, so hurry up and call the doctor to get your pulse checked.”

“Well, I will… Please tell His Majesty I’m sorry. When I feel better, I’ll go and ask for his mercy in person…”

“Yes, Your Highness. Then I’ll leave now.” 

Eunuch Oh greeted with an unreadable face and immediately left Seojeong Palace. 

“Your Highness!” 

Ahjin quickly caught Hwawoon’s collapsing body. Hwawoon was shaking like there was something really wrong with him. 

“Your Highness, what happened to you all of a sudden? Should I call the doctor?” 

“No. No. It’s okay.” 

Even though he said he was fine, Hwawoon kept taking deep breaths in and out. The shaking heart showed no signs of calming down. 

That was because Hwawoon had never thought of this matter. He didn’t even wish for it. Besides, recently, the emperor had not spent the night at the Empress Palace as well as the concubines’ residences, but he suddenly would spend the night at his place, so Hwawoon was really at a loss about what was going on.

His body went back and forth between bitterly cold and raging heat. Hwawoon had no idea why the shameful dream he had last time came back to mind, and he felt like he would rather faint than think about it.