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Chapter 41
The palace maid brought over a mirror.
“How do you like the dress?”
The off-shoulder dress, made of sky-blue silk, had a subtle phoenix pattern woven throughout the fabric.
Yeon wore a deep navy belt to accentuate her slender waist.
“I like it. Everyone’s really skilled.”
Even though she hadn’t designed it herself, the palace staff looked proud.
“What kind of accessories shall we prepare?”
“Prepare a samjak norigae. I’ll keep the earrings and necklace simple.”
Since the belt’s norigae was already ornate, Yeon opted for simple accessories to achieve harmony. Understanding her wishes, the staff quickly got to work.
“By the way, His Majesty allowed you to attend the banquet?”
Surian asked, surprised, and Yeon smiled.
“I threw a little tantrum after a long time.”
Of course, she hadn’t really thrown a tantrum as a child; it was clear she had used some other method.
“How?”
Yeon shrugged. She didn’t want to create secrets for Surian, but there were many listening ears around. She handed over the finishing touches to the staff and recalled the conversation she had a few days ago with Beom.
“No matter the results of the selection, you must accept them. Even if it’s not the outcome you expected.”
“Does His Majesty think Kang Seojun will be eliminated?”
“He’s capable. He’s definitely a strong candidate for the national secretary. But people like him, when focused on their goals, often ignore everything else. They only care about winning and obtaining what they desire.”
“Kang Seojun isn’t like that.”
“Yeon, people change depending on circumstances. If Seojun is that type, he should not become the national secretary. So promise me—you’ll accept the results.”
Because she trusted Seojun, Yeon promised Beom. In return, she requested permission to attend the banquet. In hindsight, it was an excellent negotiation.
“It’s almost time to depart.”
“I’m ready.”
Yeon’s face flushed slightly as she made her final adjustments to her dress.
In front of Deoksugung Seokjojeon, a long limousine stopped.
The polished national secretary candidates began stepping out one by one.
Everyone wore identical suits, which dulled individuality, except for one striking figure: Seojun.
He stood out as if he were the only one wearing a different outfit.
“Is this a runway or a banquet hall? Let’s show off our faces in the right place.”
Nahyeokjin sneered at Seojun.
Seojun smirked. Barking without being provoked meant the other person felt intimidated.
He silently thanked his parents for his looks and looked at Nahyeokjin.
“Nahyeokjin, I think you’re in the wrong place. Is this a banquet hall or a club?”
Seojun pointed at the glittery handkerchief in Nahyeokjin’s pocket.
Nahyeokjin’s face immediately turned red. He opened his lips to argue, but Seojun was faster.
“By the way, I’m curious. Who gave you that handkerchief? If it’s a subordinate, fire them immediately. It looks cheap.”
Seojun tapped Nahyeokjin’s shoulder.
Nahyeokjin grabbed Seojun’s arm as he walked past.
“Hey! How dare you talk like that?”
He growled, unable to hide his anger. The loud commotion caught the attention of nearby people.
Seojun brushed off Nahyeokjin’s hand.
“There are many onlookers. Let’s all be careful.”
“Why? Scared? This isn’t even a test. What’s there to worry about?”
Nahyeokjin tried to provoke Seojun.
But Seojun’s carefully maintained expression didn’t falter. Unlike Nahyeokjin, he anticipated that a real test would take place today. Public opinion on the national secretary selection was not favorable.
“People are saying, ‘What kind of national secretary selection is this in the 21st century? Is this the Joseon era again?’ Some even say it diminishes men’s rights.”
Seojun recalled the call he had with Detective Bojoan a few days before entering the palace.
“According to royal sources, the royal family knows that dragging out the selection is pointless. They’ll finish it swiftly.”
Seojun respected Bojoan’s information-gathering skills. Therefore, the sudden royal banquet on the second day of the selection seemed highly suspicious. The reasoning was absurd: a banquet to welcome the national secretary candidates into the royal court?
The timing was off, too. If it were truly to welcome them, it should have been held on their first day of arrival.
This could either be part of the test process or the test itself. But he couldn’t explain this to his competitors.
“Think whatever you like,” he said politely, then turned away.
Park Wonyoung, a candidate endorsed by the Crown Prince, observed Seojun with visible irritation at his clean, gentlemanly demeanor.
“Let’s have a brief check.”
It seemed important guests were arriving; security inspections were thorough.
After a quick baggage check, Seojun passed through the security gate and entered Seokjojeon.
The first things to greet him were the soft fusion of traditional Korean music and the hum of people.
Seojun slowly looked around the interior of Seokjojeon.
Built by Emperor Gojong for work and receiving foreign envoys, Seokjojeon was later converted into a banquet hall when the emperor moved residence to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Yet, its beauty and antique charm remained.
The remodeling, which preserved furniture and window frames with plum blossom patterns while opening up the central hall and reception rooms, was highly praised in architectural circles as a “harmony of old and new.”
Seojun somewhat understood his grandfather’s pride in saying Seokjojeon embodied Emperor Gojong’s spirit of overcoming hardships. It felt like preserving history.
But there was no time to dwell on patriotism. He needed to find out why the national secretary candidates had been called here.
He couldn’t just block the entrance… so he first checked if he knew anyone at the banquet.
‘They’ve called everyone in key positions.’
To impress or flaunt royal power, the ministers, vice ministers, and well-known lawmakers were all present. Among them were a five-term lawmaker who had been close to Seojun’s father, party officials, and the leader of Seojun’s former Labor Party.
‘The princess isn’t here.’
Even as he tried to gauge the banquet’s purpose, Seojun instinctively looked for Yeon and clicked his tongue.
‘She’s not coming. I thought I’d meet her here.’
A wave of disappointment washed over him.
“Kang Seojun! Ah! You’re no longer a lawmaker. What should I call you? Should I speak formally?”
The Labor Party leader loudly acknowledged Seojun, who had been quietly trying to observe the situation. This drew everyone’s attention.
“Representative, since there are many onlookers, it’s best to speak formally for convenience.”
Seojun smiled gracefully and extended his hand.
The party leader, expecting Seojun to speak casually, flinched but quickly shook his hand.
“Yes, long time no see, Candidate Kang Seojun. You’ve been well?”
“Thanks to your concern.”
They exchanged brief pleasantries.
“Then enjoy the evening.”
Since he had already caught people’s attention, Seojun decided to make a good impression around the room and excused himself.
The party leader stopped him.
“I have something to discuss. Shall we go over there briefly?”
“If it’s not urgent, I’ll contact you later.”
The royal court maintained political neutrality. Lingering with one party leader would not look good.
Seojun declined, but the party leader leaned closer and whispered,
“Seojun, it’ll just be a moment.”
Seojun narrowed his eyes at the informal use of his name, rarely used even during candidacy.
“I won’t take long. It’s all for the country.”
What grand discussion requires invoking the country?
“All right.”
Seojun let the relieved party leader stand while he called Courtier Oh.
“Is there a place where we can talk privately?”
“Follow me.”
Courtier Oh led the two to the second floor, avoiding the crowd.
“You can speak here,” he said, opening a guest room used for visiting dignitaries.
Previously the emperor and empress’s bedroom, study, and office, it had been converted into a guest room, retaining its former grandeur.
The frugal party leader marveled at how even moonlight made the room shine brilliantly, imagining how dazzling it must be during the day.
Seojun finally spoke:
“Representative, is there something you wanted to discuss?”
