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Chapter 73
Getting out of the airport wasn’t easy.
After dealing with the chaotic crowd of reporters and onlookers gathered to catch a glimpse of the Crown Princess and her husband, Seojun and Yeon were finally able to get into the car.
“Your Highness, thank you for coming.”
Knight Kim managed to shake off the following reporters and safely parked the car at A University Hospital, supported by the royal family.
Thanks to notifying the hospital in advance, there were no people on the way from the parking lot to the VIP room.
As a result, they quickly arrived at the room where Emperor Beom was admitted.
“Your Highness, you’re here.”
Choi, the eunuch, bowed deeply. He looked worn and aged over the past few days.
“Choi, you’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”
Yeon patted Choi’s hand reassuringly.
“No, Your Highness. Weren’t you quite surprised?”
“Well, I…”
Yeon already knew about Beom’s illness. She had secretly been receiving updates from his attending physician.
The last update had said the disease was progressing slowly, so he could hold on a bit longer…
“It was sudden, though.”
Yeon ended her sentence with a bitter smile.
“Have you met the attending physician?”
“No. I wanted to see Father first. Can I see him now?”
“I’ll check shortly.”
Choi went into the room and opened the door from inside a moment later.
“Both of Your Highnesses may enter.”
Seojun firmly held Yeon’s hand as she moved to enter. She had looked unstable since earlier.
Though invisible to others, Seojun, who had been watching her closely since Prague, could clearly see it.
Yeon took a deep breath.
“I-I’m okay.”
Not that she was truly okay—just pretending to be.
Seojun brushed her shoulder gently.
“Hold on until here. After that, even if you collapse, I’ll cover you somehow.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Her heart felt lighter because of him.
Yeon faintly smiled.
After exchanging a last determined look, the two entered the hospital room side by side.
As the door clicked open, the attendants and security lined up outside stood at attention, bracing themselves.
Seojun scanned the tense figures in the corridor and spoke to Choi.
“Your Highness and the Crown Princess will talk a bit longer.”
Seojun bowed and stepped aside for the father and daughter.
“Yes, understood.”
“Is there a quiet place to make a call?”
“The next room is empty. I’ll take you there.”
“I’ll go alone. It’s more comfortable this way for now.”
Seojun left even Eunuch Oh behind, entered the next room, and locked the door.
He then called Jo-an, who was currently in Prague.
“Have you found out?”
Seojun asked without greetings, getting straight to the point.
Jo-an grumbled about the lack of recognition, but Seojun ignored it.
The situation was moving faster than expected. At this rate, they’d be fighting the Emperor’s illness, not just the Crown Prince.
“So, did you find out or not?”
-Of course, I found out. Yakub. Ah! The guy who stabbed Your Highness? He has a family, his mother. I managed to get information by coaxing the mother gently.
“How much?”
-That Yakub received orders to assassinate the Crown Princess, and the person who issued the orders.
A faint, tense smile appeared on Seojun’s face.
“Who?”
-Go Junhwan. He’s a small-time errand boy in this circle. I haven’t had any contact with him. Should I fly to Korea now?
Jo-an had done everything possible in Czechia. The rest was for investigators sent there on Seojun’s recommendation.
Yakub would face punishment befitting his crimes, and in front of investigators, he would reveal his backers.
“Bring him here. As soon as he arrives, deal with Go Junhwan.”
After finishing the call with Jo-an, Seojun called Hanyong-un.
“Yong-un, report.”
-I’ve hinted to the first-term lawmakers of the Labor Party that the “Raccoon Hunt” is starting.
The “Raccoon Hunt” was a codename used by those in favor of abolishing the royal family. “Raccoon” referred to the royal family itself.
Yong-un, one of Seojun’s closest allies, supported the abolition for personal reasons.
Yong-un had grown up with a well-off life thanks to his parents’ small business. During the global economic downturn, the family business faltered.
A wealthy investor promised to help, but at the last moment, pulled out. Without the investment, the small business failed. Overwhelmed by debt, Yong-un’s parents took their own lives when he entered high school.
Yong-un had been harassed by creditors, unaware of the full situation at the time. Later, as an adult, he discovered that the royal family had influenced the investor to back out.
From that moment, he called for the abolition of the royal family.
Dirty and corrupt, the royal family could not protect the people.
However, people ignored Yong-un’s abolitionist stance—until Seojun reached out to him.
Yong-un, a political novice, joined forces with Seojun.
-Is the Crown Princess alright?
Yong-un asked cautiously. Though he disliked the royal family, he was favorable toward Yeon. After all, she wasn’t the one who ruined his parents.
Yong-un’s target was the absolute power of the royal family itself.
“She’s not okay. More importantly, how’s the reaction to the ‘Raccoon Hunt’?”
-Most believe now is the right time. Removing the Emperor would provoke public backlash, but leaving the throne vacant shouldn’t stir much controversy.
The two discussed things that could never be reported to Yeon.
Seojun envisioned the future rise of gradual abolitionist ideas and slowly nodded but paused. The words “perfect timing” stuck in his throat.
-Should we proceed, Lawmaker?
Yong-un maintained the title “Lawmaker” for Seojun, despite his position as Chief Secretary. They had planned for the abolition long ago, though timing and official roles were flexible.
Yong-un suggested gently releasing abolitionist opinions into public discourse via academics, journalists, and influencers to sway political circles.
Seojun thought about the current vacant throne due to Beom’s illness. He finally replied:
“Let’s approach this carefully. There could be a backlash.”
By the time Seojun finished his call, Yeon and Beom’s conversation was wrapping up.
“Alright, I’ll do as you said.”
Beom’s voice was hoarse.
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“Since I promised, I’ll keep it even if it’s hard. I guess this makes me the second person helping you.”
“You’ve been counting? You could’ve helped a couple more times secretly.”
Yeon puffed her cheeks in mock disappointment—a small gesture to lighten the heavy mood.
The gesture worked. Beom’s previously dark expression brightened.
“I’ll consider it after the third time.”
“In that case, you need to take your treatment seriously.”
“Of course.”
Though he had long refused treatment, seeing the Crown Prince unable to manage and the Crown Princess prepared for emergencies made him want to live longer.
His change of heart could be from parental responsibility or guilt as Emperor.
Yeon held Beom’s hand. Once, it had seemed large, but today it felt small.
She caressed his rough hand. Beom covered hers with his other hand.
“You’ve grown a lot, our Yeonhwa.”
He wasn’t just commenting on hand size.
“When you were young, you’d tear up even when I coughed.”
“I’m just holding back tears now.”
“Yes, hold them. Never show your tears easily.”
Beom imparted his teachings as Emperor.
“And Yeonhwa…”
There was warmth in his voice, yet a grave seriousness lingered.
