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Chapter 57
The “Your Highness” mentioned by Yoo Seoyeon in the recording could be interpreted in multiple ways.
It could refer to the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, the princess, and now even Seo Jun.
Of course, considering the various circumstances, anyone would recognize that Yoo Seoyeon’s “Your Highness,” who worked at the Eastern Palace, must be the Crown Prince.
Still, one could argue that it was all just speculation.
Moreover, Yoo Seoyeon’s recording didn’t include concrete details of any harm. She only begged to be spared—there was no way to know what specific damage she suffered.
“The Crown Prince’s name should be mentioned clearly, or he should be referred to directly as the Crown Prince. At the very least, there should be testimony saying ‘don’t hit me’ or ‘don’t throw things at me’… I need specific evidence.”
Finally, there was her mental state. Yoo Seoyeon was so unstable that she might not even be recognized as an official witness.
And a testimony recorded while talking in her sleep?
“If this were submitted to a trial, the judges would just scoff.”
So this recording couldn’t serve as decisive evidence to bring down the Crown Prince.
Still, it could be used as a reference.
“I need decisive evidence. Proof that the Crown Prince is unscrupulous.”
I will find it, no matter what.
Yeon’s gaze sank heavily.
Unlike the cloudy, dreary weather outside, the Eastern Palace had come alive after a long time, thanks to politicians and business figures visiting.
Crown Prince Byeong regularly summoned political and business leaders to the Eastern Palace.
It was to flaunt his power and, in preparation for when he became emperor, to tame them in advance.
Whenever these figures visited, they never came empty-handed. This time was no exception.
Luxuriously wrapped gift boxes and branded shopping bags filled one side of the Eastern Palace.
“Every time you come, you bring something like this. It’s really embarrassing. I can’t even refuse your sincerity.”
Byeong spoke words he didn’t truly mean.
The visitors waved their hands dismissively.
“It’s a modest token of our respect. We are simply glad to express our feelings to Your Highness this way. Please accept it without any burden.”
“Well, if you insist… Make sure to take care of it. Ah! Don’t forget to make a list.”
Byeong looked meaningfully at the gathered guests.
A few of them frowned. They knew exactly what the list would be.
Byeong recorded every gift he received—by giver, item, and price. He then ranked them by price. Using money, he measured loyalty and incited competition.
The politicians and business figures despised Byeong’s behavior.
“If he acts like this before becoming emperor, what will happen when he actually takes the throne?”
The thought alone was terrifying. He might even try to restore absolute monarchy.
In these times, when citizens were increasingly conscious of democracy, such a thing was impossible—but it was clear that many rights and interests would fall under the emperor’s control.
“Tch, if only His Majesty had one more son, I wouldn’t have had to bow to that guy.”
They all worried about the future with heavy hearts.
“I’d rather it be the princess.”
They even contemplated alternatives.
However, among them were those who willingly chose to become the Crown Prince’s dogs.
“Your Highness, I have something urgent to discuss privately later.”
Today, it was a senior member of the Minjung Party who brought a hefty golden turtle as a gift.
The Minjung Party was the party where Seo Jun’s father, Kang Bae-sim, had worked, serving as a conservative cornerstone in the Korean Empire.
Recently, the party narrowly defeated the Progressive Union in the elections and became the majority party.
“Very well.”
It was not proper to refuse a private meeting with someone who had brought a golden turtle.
After agreeing, Byeong tidied the space roughly.
The politicians and business figures, who drank the hot tea as if it were iced Americano, all left in a hurry.
Soon, only the senior Minjung Party member remained in the Crown Prince’s reception room.
“You have something to say?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Speak freely.”
“It concerns Representative Kang Seo-jun…”
The lawmaker glanced around and slid his seat closer to Byeong.
“Kang Seo-jun?”
Byeong’s eyes sharpened.
“Please understand that I am not attempting to slander a member of the royal family, but I speak solely for the preservation and advancement of the royal family.”
What could be so important that it concerned the preservation of the royal family?
“Understood.”
Only then did the senior lawmaker speak, hesitating slightly.
“As you know, Representative Kang was never particularly favorable toward the royal family. During the state audit, he even pointed out royal privileges and such.”
“Skip what I already know. Just hearing it annoys me.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please don’t be too surprised. Apparently, Representative Kang actually prepared a specific ‘royal abolition bill.’”
“What?”
Despite being warned not to be surprised, Byeong jumped up in shock.
It was well known that Seo Jun had advocated reducing and abolishing royal privileges.
He had prepared concrete bills for reducing royal privileges and even gathered co-sponsors.
But regarding royal abolition, there had been no clear action.
So Byeong assumed Seo Jun’s abolitionist stance was a mere show to gain extreme voter support.
But it wasn’t?
“Repeat that? What… what did he prepare?”
Byeong’s face turned from red to almost black with fury.
Veins bulging in his neck, he shouted like a wild beast.
Even the experienced senior lawmaker shrank a little at the sheer ferocity.
“A, a… royal abolition bill…”
“Enough! Don’t utter such disgusting words. It’s unlucky.”
The lawmaker bowed his head, chastised for speaking.
“I knew he was hostile to the royal family, but he actually prepared an abolition bill?”
In the Korean Empire, the idea of abolishing the royal family had always existed in public discourse.
It had been minor at first, but as democracy spread worldwide and the Empire achieved remarkable economic growth, the opinion gained slight traction.
Still, it wasn’t enough to directly affect the royal family’s survival.
Nonetheless, the royal family carefully managed public opinion and proved its value through contributions to diplomacy and various other fields.
“After everything we’ve done, these fools don’t even appreciate it…!”
Damn equality and wretched democracy were limiting his power, Byeong thought.
“I have to kowtow to dogs, pigs, and cattle like them, and now… royal abolition?”
This was the consequence of weakened imperial authority. Subordinates were overstepping their bounds, eyeing the throne.
“I’ll crush them all. They won’t utter a word.”
Byeong dreamed of strong imperial authority. Abolition shouldn’t even be mentioned.
Yet why had Seo Jun, a royal abolitionist, become a national secretary?
“Who did you hear about Representative Kang from?”
“From a secretary working in his office. I didn’t hear it directly; it was mentioned casually at a drinking gathering among the secretaries.”
“Tell me specifically. What did they say?”
“They wondered why someone preparing a royal abolition bill would become a national secretary, sacrificing their convictions—perhaps out of love for the princess… something like that.”
“Love? Ha!”
Byeong snorted.
“And what do you think?”
The senior lawmaker shook his head, recalling what Seo Jun had sacrificed to become national secretary.
“It’s absurd. More likely…”
The lawmaker clicked his tongue.
“He has awakened to power.”
Byeong’s lips curled in disdain.
If it was about power, Seo Jun should have sought favor with the Crown Prince, not Yeon.
He would become the emperor of the Korean Empire.
The national secretary was nothing more than the princess’s prop and trophy.
If he craved power, he would have tried to secure the prime minister position at least.
“It’s not about power. Another motive… Could it really be love for Yeon? No. Impossible.”
In Byeong’s world, taking a loss for love was inconceivable.
And the situation Seo Jun would face would be far beyond a mere loss.
“He’s doomed. I’ll make sure he fails.”
A cunning man like Seo Jun would know this.
Was he foolish enough to walk into ruin knowingly?
Byeong’s mind was in turmoil.
The euphoria from earlier bribes had instantly plummeted.
“You may go. Call me again later.”
Byeong dismissed the lawmaker without a glance.
He needed quiet to think.
But rest was not to be.
Someone had arrived in place of the senior lawmaker: Go Jun-hwan.
Through a slightly opened door, the heavy rain could be heard.
The sky, gray all day, finally started pouring.
Byeong’s face darkened.
“What is it?”
“One slippery fish has escaped.”
Go Jun-hwan’s brief report made Byeong tremble. Blood vessels popped from the sudden spike in blood pressure, reddening his eyes.
In a fit of stress, Byeong threw the golden turtle he had been holding.
Bang!
“You bastard, say that again. What? Slippery fish? You weren’t watching properly? Capture it immediately!”
