TKEP 75🔐

Chapter 75

Byung was preparing to flood the news with articles regarding the Crown Prince.

The moment the Emperor collapsed, articles would be released immediately, which would not be good for me. So, I had been waiting for the right moment—but Yeon got ahead of me.

“I’m just proceeding as things should be,” Yeon said.

“As things should be? Then all the more reason for me to act as regent, right? After all, I’m next in line for the throne after Father.”

The Crown Prince’s lips twitched.

He imagined sitting on the throne, stripping Yeon of authority by the rights of the Emperor. And Seojun, standing beside her, would be crushed as well.

Just imagining it eased his tense nerves and released a rush of dopamine.

“That remains to be seen,” Yeon sneered.

“An incompetent Crown Prince, a violent Crown Prince! Do you think the world will accept that?”

“What?”

“I came to warn you. Don’t act recklessly.”

Yeon rummaged through her pocket and threw something onto the table.

A small, black object—a USB.

“It’s the internal CCTV footage of Gangnyeongjeon. The day your father collapsed. Your greedy, ugly face is clearly captured.”

Byung froze. Goosebumps ran all over his body.

Memories of that day resurfaced in his mind.

The moment Beom collapsed, Byung had hesitated instead of calling the eunuchs immediately.

The thought of what would happen if that became public made cold sweat run down his back.

“I—I was just shocked!”

He hurriedly made an excuse, but it only drew Yeon’s mocking smile.

“That could be true. But who would believe it? I won’t let it slide.”

“You’re going to add another worry when Father’s condition is critical?”

To be honest, I wanted to release the footage immediately and make the Crown Prince look unfilial to remove him from the succession.

But Beom’s condition was delicate.

Yeon agreed with Chief Eunuch Jo’s discretion to keep the footage secret and not give it to Beom.

If Beom, who needed absolute stability, were shocked, his health could worsen.

“I’ll give it to you, brother. So don’t utter a word about the Empress Dowager’s regency. Just accept it quietly.”

Yeon had received information that some members of the royal clan were opposing the Empress Dowager’s regency. She had to act before they could unite with the Crown Prince.

“If you don’t want it, I’ll take the USB back.”

Byung’s eyes darted rapidly, calculating what would benefit him most.

But the answer was obvious from the start.

“Is that all the footage?”

By midnight, Yeon, exhausted, entered Nakseonjae.

“Good work,” Seojun said, holding her as she trudged in.

Yeon relaxed her limbs completely and leaned on him.

Seojun lightly lifted her, like handling a soft-bodied creature, and moved her to the sofa. He immediately placed a cushion under her head as she toppled sideways.

Yeon murmured with her eyes closed,

“Wow, Kang Seojun, perfect timing.”

Judging from her low, hoarse voice, it was clear how many people she had dealt with throughout the day.

“Where were you? You told me to rest immediately after visiting the Royal Clinic,” Seojun said, sitting beside her. He removed her shoes and placed her swollen calves on his thigh.

The palace attendants guarding Nakseonjae wisely retreated to the corridor to allow her to rest.

Only then did Yeon open her eyes.

“I went to see the Empress Dowager.”

“I see. How was the atmosphere in Jagyeongjeon?”

“Dark. Heavy.”

Even though the Empress Dowager appeared like an iron woman, she was still a mother. How could she not be affected hearing that her son was gravely ill?

“Outwardly, she was composed, but it was just an act.”

Seojun fell silent, silently mourning the tragedy that had struck the royal family.

“Did she accept the regency?”

“Yes. For her son’s sake. And His Majesty gave me a surprise gift.”

“Gift?”

Seojun paused his massage of her calves, looking at her in confusion.

Yeon put her feet on the floor and sat upright.

“He entrusted me with the US Forces defense cost-sharing negotiations.”

“Ah…”

Seojun exhaled in disbelief.

Since World War II, the Empire of Korea and the United States had maintained a steady, friendly relationship. After the Korean War, the Empire received aid from the US but grew into a prosperous ally on equal footing.

Still, the US continued to station troops in Korea and insisted that the Empire shoulder more of the costs. Meanwhile, the Empire consistently argued for reducing the contribution, though the level depended on which faction was in power.

Recently, the US had a pro-Korean government, but its stance on minimizing its own defense costs had not changed.

“The US President seems strict… is this even possible?”

The US claimed it was sacrificing for peace in East Asia.

Yeon pondered.

“I need to find out exactly what the US President wants. Based on that, I’ll make plans or schemes. That said, Seojun…”

Yeon looked him in the eyes.

“Can I leave the matters regarding Jangmi and Seo Yeon to you?”

It was important to remove the Crown Prince, but to become Emperor, Yeon needed her own achievements. She couldn’t handle both simultaneously.

“You married me to handle things like that, didn’t you? Do what you need to do. I’ll take care of the dirty work,” Seojun said.

Seeing Seojun so willingly take on a difficult task, Yeon felt tears well up.

The fatigue of the past few days hit her all at once. She felt the sadness she had been holding back wanting to explode, but she smiled.

Seojun frowned.

Why smile with eyes that look like they might cry? It’s heartbreaking.

He gently touched her cheek.

A tear rolled down, wetting not only Seojun’s hand but his heart.

He had no words of comfort, so he silently offered his embrace.

Their hug lingered for a long time.

Only after a while did Yeon slowly lift her head.

“I feel at ease now.”

“That’s good. But it’s late; you should wash up and sleep.”

Seeing her reddened eyes, he felt protective. He wanted to wash her dirty face, put her in soft pajamas, and let her sleep deeply.

“I don’t think I can sleep.”

“I’ll put you to sleep.”

“You’re going to sing me a lullaby?”

“If you want.”

Yeon’s face brightened slightly.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“But if you want to hear it, you need to wash up first.”

Seojun lifted Yeon effortlessly.

But she snuggled into his familiar embrace again.

“Go wash up.”

As he set her down to prepare the bed, she held onto him.

“You’ll really put me to sleep, right?”

Her anxious eyes made Seojun’s heart ache.

She asked because, during their honeymoon, they had slept in separate rooms. He hadn’t had the patience for her before.

But today, no matter what, he would comfort her.

Seojun nodded firmly.

“I’ll wait.”

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her crown.

Yeon hesitated before following him into the bathroom.

Seojun rested his forehead against the closed door, clenching and unclenching his fist, reliving the warmth of her body.

Her soft skin, slightly warm from the bath, radiated heat down to him.

Could he resist? No, he must.

As the sound of running water started, he collected his thoughts and headed back to the bedroom.

“I’ll wait,” he said in a low voice that buzzed in her ear even under the running water.

A heat seemed to rise from within her.

“Why is it so hot?”

Yeon slowly adjusted the faucet from hot to cold.

The water cooled quickly, but it didn’t take away her internal warmth.

She thought back to what had happened just before entering the bathroom.

And how she had held him, regretting kissing him at the palace, after ruining their first night and spending days in awkward tension… yet, here they were again…