TKEP 66🔐

Chapter 66

“Acting?”

“We can’t just jump into an investigation recklessly. The other party is the Crown Prince. There needs to be a surge of public opinion demanding an investigation. Your Highness must not step forward yet. When you finally draw the sword, it must be revealed as an act to resolve the controversy at the most crucial moment.”

“Wow.”

Yeon let out an exclamation.

Now she understood why Kang Seo-jun had managed to get elected as a National Assemblyman in a district known as the heart of conservatives.

He was a man who created a board favorable to himself.

It struck her again how impressive he was. And it reassured her deeply that he was on her side.

“Are you going to leak an article to a gossip magazine?”

“There’s a more effective way. I’ll spread rumors in the stock market. There’s no group easier to move than people who worship money. And once the rumors circulate there, they’ll flow into the media and become solid news articles.”

Those who valued money above all else were fast and relentless.

A moment later, Seo-jun called Reporter Bong-uri.

While the two spoke on the phone, Yeon opened her laptop and recalled her earlier conversation with Jang-mi.

“Miss Jang-mi, would you be willing to come to Korea and testify?”

“If I enter Korea, His Highness the Crown Prince will know immediately.”

“I’ll guarantee your safety.”

Jang-mi had hesitated, but eventually accepted Yeon’s proposal.

Yeon, searching for a way to bring her back safely, suddenly stopped.

There was a method much simpler, easier, and safer than sneaking her into the Korean Empire on a fake passport.

She snapped her laptop shut.

The sound made Seo-jun glance at her just as he finished his call.

Yeon turned to him with a wide smile.

“When we return to Korea, we’ll need to take one more passenger on the private jet.”

Jang-mi would return to Korea with her, under the secret protection of the princess.

During the two days of leave they had been given, the pair didn’t enjoy sweet rest but buried themselves in work.

Yeon soothed Jang-mi over the phone whenever doubts wavered her resolve to testify, while Seo-jun carefully polished the rumors with Reporter Bong-uri for release into the stock market.

“How about this? ‘Conflict between Royal B and palace maid A.’”

— That’s too bland. It needs to be more sensational. What about: ‘Screams echo in the Crown Prince’s palace’…

“That’s too vague. It needs to be specific.”

Yeon watched with curiosity as Seo-jun and Bong-uri poured painstaking effort into crafting even a single rumor.

Seo-jun explained,

“This single line will become a news article that threatens the Imperial Family. It must be enticing enough to move the public, and plausible enough to catch reporters’ eyes.”

And it had to spread naturally, without seeming deliberately planted.

Impressed by his professionalism, Yeon left the matter of the rumors entirely to him.

A short while later, the finalized content read:

[Palace maid A from the Crown Prince’s household rushed to hospital in dire condition]

[Imperial VIP notorious for sticky fingers]

[Abusive fists wielded under the cover of power — explosive temper at any time]

[VIP’s violent tendencies assessed as dangerous by closest aides]

It was an open secret that the lowercase “vip” referred to the Crown Prince.

“Wow, that really sounds convincing.”

When Yeon marveled, Seo-jun relayed it to Reporter Bong-uri.

From the other end of the line came a loud “Yes!” of excitement.

Two days later.

Their brief rest ended, and official duties resumed.

Yeon and Seo-jun prepared to attend a dinner banquet with the Korean expatriate community at the embassy.

Yeon wore a white dress made from traditional hanbok fabric, while Seo-jun donned a black suit embroidered at the collar and cuffs with the imperial crest.

Though their outfits were opposite in color, both were adorned with subtle phoenix patterns woven into the fabric.

“Here, wear this watch.”

Yeon handed him a box.

Seo-jun raised his brows as he opened it.

“It’s new?”

“Yes. It’s a gift for you.”

Yeon smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling.

Sometimes her gaze was noisy — now it was urging him to hurry and try it on, her eyes practically shouting that she wanted to see how well the watch she had chosen suited him.

Adorably so.

Unwittingly murmuring, Seo-jun took out the watch and put it on.

It fit snugly on his wrist, as though tailored, from a brand he often wore.

“I’m always the one receiving things. I haven’t even given you a ring.”

In fact, Seo-jun had already bought a ring for Yeon.

It felt out of order — proposing after marriage — but he couldn’t just skip it, so he had prepared it anyway.

It was the last day of their honeymoon-cum-tour.

He had planned to propose tonight.

But Yeon had beaten him to the punch.

A watch as a gift wasn’t the same as a proposal, yet since both were usually prepared as part of marriage tokens, the overlap nagged at him.

He thought of the ring tucked in his jacket pocket and chuckled.

I’m always a step late.

He only hoped he wouldn’t be late when it truly mattered.

Seo-jun was pulling his gaze from the watch when—

“Your Highness, I have urgent news.”

Sil-an spoke urgently, her face set in a grim mask.

Sensing something serious, Yeon and Seo-jun exchanged a brief nod.

“Only Eunuch Oh and Lady-in-waiting Seong stay. The rest of you leave. We’ll go down in ten minutes.”

At Yeon’s order, the attendants bustled out, leaving the room soon quiet.

Sil-an handed over a tablet.

“An official statement from the Crown Prince’s household has appeared on the front page news.”

In just two days, the rumors of the Crown Prince’s violence and anger issues had spread widely.

Of course, the Imperial Family was informed.

The Crown Prince’s household had erupted in chaos.

They rushed to issue a statement.

Phrases like “groundless,” “strong response,” and “complete denial” jumped out.

“It’s said His Majesty rebuked the Crown Prince sternly over this false news issue.”

“How about the Empress Dowager’s side?”

“I’ve heard Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and the Empress summoned the Crown Princess. The three had tea together, but no details of the conversation are known yet. The only report is that the Crown Princess’s expression was dark when she left. Should I investigate further?”

“No, that’s enough.”

For now, it was sufficient that the Empress Dowager and the Empress had reacted at all.

“Eunuch Oh, how’s public opinion?” Seo-jun asked.

“The Crown Prince’s past conduct is being recalled, and there are calls for a thorough investigation.”

“There must also be voices defending the Imperial Family.”

“Indeed, Your Highness. Some insist it’s mere rumors, pointing out that no victim has come forward and the authorities remain silent.”

“Which side dominates?”

“It’s evenly split, for now.”

Seo-jun nodded, while Yeon’s face fell with disappointment.

Then Seo-jun gripped her shoulder.

“This is just the first strike. As we reveal our cards one by one, the tide will turn completely.”

They had prepared a witness. And they would find undeniable evidence.

Yeon nodded.

Nothing had happened yet. This was only the beginning.

“Seo-jun, please check the political circles. I’m already monitoring the Crown Prince’s household closely.”

Yeon’s people had been set into motion.

They were ordered to record and report immediately if the Crown Prince’s household showed unusual activity.

So far, aside from the official statement, it remained quiet.

The Crown Prince isn’t the type to sit still.

She was pondering whether to increase the intensity of their offensive when—

“Let’s stop the investigation for now and go do diplomacy, Your Highness.”

Seo-jun pulled her back to reality.

Yeon smiled, taking his extended hand. It was large, firm, and reassuring.

The banquet unfolded in a cheerful atmosphere from beginning to end.

“It’s an honor to meet Your Highness the Princess!”

The representative of the Korean residents gushed as though welcoming a deity.

“You two look so good together!”

Congratulations on their marriage came so frequently Yeon’s ears almost grew calluses.

They also exchanged words about a few support projects for the expatriate community.

For people who were outsiders in Korea and outsiders again in the Czech Republic, material aid mattered less than attention.

What they needed was warm interest from their homeland, and the assurance that if trouble arose, the Korean Empire would be firmly on their side.

“In the past we were often ignored. Racism here is also severe. But when my friends heard that Your Highness was coming, they suddenly showed so much interest.”

That even a single visit from the princess, even a single photo with her, could change the treatment they received — it pained Yeon, but also filled her with pride.

So she shook hands with everyone present and posed for countless pictures.

“Um, may I also get a photo with His Highness the Consort?”

A young girl shyly asked.

Yeon readily agreed and called Seo-jun over as she prepared to pose with the girl.

“Let’s take it together.”

True to his politician roots, Seo-jun put on a pleasant smile and stood by the girl.

But the girl slipped away, leaving only the two of them.

“What I want is a picture of you two! You look amazing together! Isn’t this exactly what people mean by a perfect couple?”

Suddenly forced into a couple photo, Yeon froze for a beat.

Seo-jun, meanwhile, stood close beside her, wearing his polished public smile.

“Smile, Your Highness.”

He brushed lightly at her side, showing the practiced touch of a politician in public.

“Sorry, but could you two make a heart with your hands?”