TKEP 04

Chapter 4

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Court Lady Seong Sil-an was thirty-six, ten years older than Yeon.

And she had been with Yeon for fifteen years.

Because of that, Sil-an prided herself on knowing the princess better than anyone.

Their relationship could be summed up in the saying, “A glance is all it takes.”

But lately, she couldn’t read Yeon’s mind at all.

To be exact, it started two weeks ago—
when Yeon had suddenly bolted upright in bed in the middle of the night and said, “I’m going to Korea.”

From that moment on, Sil-an had felt uneasy about her lady’s impulsive actions.

And today, that unease had reached its peak.

“They’re saying you’re on the shortlist for the state marriage candidates?”

It was because of that.

“Are you really planning to get married?”

Sil-an actually hopped in place.

For years, she’d pitied the fact that Yeon was still single at twenty-six.

Sure, the world had changed, and a woman could live perfectly well on her own—but not in the harsh world of the imperial court.

For one thing, enduring the elders’ sharp gazes and endless nagging was torture enough.

Moreover, the royal family was expected to present the model of a healthy family.

So Sil-an had advised Yeon many times to marry without delay.

Each time, Yeon had kept her silence. So what wind had suddenly blown her this way?

“I think I will. But what’s with that face? Is it because I’m getting married without bringing Court Lady Seong along?”

“Your Highness, how could I possibly feel that way? It’s just so sudden. Didn’t you once say marriage is like an express train to hell?”

“I did.”

“Then why all of a sudden? Did Her Majesty the Empress Dowager threaten you into it?”

“Ah, well… my old lady does have something to do with it.”

Sil-an sucked in a sharp breath.

It was a signal to watch one’s mouth.

Yeon glanced around, then sat down on the bed.

“Everyone, leave us.”

“But Your Highness, we haven’t finished tidying—”

“I’ll be going out shortly, so you can resume then. For now, this is plenty enough for a break.”

The palace maids bowed their heads and streamed out in a rush.

In moments, the spacious pavilion of Nakseonjae was empty.

“Court Lady Seong, come here.”

Yeon disliked old-fashioned fuss, but there was one piece of Joseon-era advice she believed in completely:

The palace walls and roof have eyes and ears.

And of all those countless eyes and ears, the one Yeon was most wary of belonged to Crown Prince Byeong.

Since I came back so suddenly, he wouldn’t have had time to plant listening devices yet, and the maids assigned to Nakseonjae wouldn’t have been bribed this quickly… but it never hurts to be careful.

Since childhood, the Crown Prince had often planted his own people and bugs around Nakseonjae to find Yeon’s weak points, since she wasn’t exactly obedient to him.

He was too stupid, though—I always caught him.

Each time, he’d spout the absurd excuse, “I just wanted to protect my younger sister from danger.”

And Her Majesty the Empress Dowager always hurried to shield her precious crown prince.

“Your Highness, you said you’d explain.”

Pulled from her train of thought, Yeon looked at Sil-an, who had stepped closer.

“Court Lady Seong, what’s my dream?”

“World domination, world peace.”

“No, my high school dream.”

Sil-an’s pupils wavered violently.

“Go on, say it.”

“To be an emperor who puts the peace of the Empire of Korea and the welfare of its people first… ma’am.”

“Right. I’m thinking of dreaming that dream again.”

Sil-an pressed her lips together, unable to respond right away.

“Please… tell me you’re joking.”

When she finally spoke, her voice trembled faintly with fear of something she couldn’t name.

Yeon didn’t answer—she simply looked her in the eye.

Sil-an’s heart dropped at that gaze.

Yeon’s eyes were like forged steel—unyielding, unwavering.

It was a look that carried a will that could neither be bent nor broken.

“And to that end, I need to earn a few points with our old fogies. That’s why I’m getting married.”

Yeon suddenly brightened, as if she’d never been serious at all.

It was an effort to ease Sil-an’s worry.

The elders of the royal family were devoted believers in the proverbs, “A harmonious home leads to success in all things,” and “Cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the state, bring peace to the world.”

It was too late to talk her out of it.

Sil-an sighed and asked,

“Have you thought of who your partner will be?”

“I was going to take my time, but everyone’s clamoring to help.”

Yeon waved a stack of papers she’d been looking at and briefly explained her earlier encounter in the corridor with the crown prince.

Sil-an grimaced and held out her hand.

“These are the candidates His Highness the Crown Prince gave you? Let me see.”

“Nothing worth looking at. I already went through them—they’re all out.”

“No matter how much His Highness dislikes you, surely he picked carefully. Are they really that bad?”

“They all have eyes, noses, and mouths. Limbs too. But they don’t suit me. One of them’s the third-generation heir to an arms manufacturer that gets massive government subsidies.”

Disqualified for cozy government-business ties.

“The second one’s ugly.”

“You can’t judge a person by looks.”

Yeon handed over the paper anyway.

One glance at the photo, and Sil-an squeezed her eyes shut.

“Never mind, I see the problem.”

He was only thirty, yet already looked well on his way to baldness, with a flattened nose.

“I can overlook looks. But he’s also one of the crown prince’s closest aides.”

The third and fourth candidates were no better.

“It’s like he’s not recommending a husband, but a spy to keep tabs on me.”

Sil-an thought that sounded exactly right—but she kept that agreement to herself.

“So what will you do?”

“I’ll go meet someone myself.”

Yeon stepped off the bed and headed for the dressing room. Inside were rows of modified hanbok and Western-style suits designed for comfort.

“Who are you meeting? Did you secretly join a matchmaking agency? Or one of those society power-brokers who arrange marriages for the elite?”

“Good family.”

“…Pardon?”

Yeon inspected the clothes on the rack, moving from right to left.

“Capable, principled, served in the military, and handsome.”

“You’re describing a husband? Sorry, but that man doesn’t exist on Earth.”

“Why not? I’m about to go see him. Now, where is it… ah, found it!”

Yeon pulled out a sleekly modified hanbok, made of white silk with a subtle sheen—a two-piece style with a short jacket and a skirt to the knees.

It was casual for formal events, but closer to traditional dress than Western suits, and a style favored by royal women.

And it was the outfit that suited Yeon best.

“You’re saying that kind of unicorn actually exists?”

Sil-an took the outfit automatically and began dressing Yeon.

“Yes. He does.”

“Who is it?”

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In front of the office of the most hardline labor union in the Empire, a royal car came to a stop.

Yeon stepped out.

“You’re meeting the union leader? He must be quite a bit older than you.”

Sil-an followed her gaze upward at the building that housed the union office.

“No, not there.”

Yeon’s finger, which had been pointing at the union office window, shifted sideways and stopped.

“I’m going there.”

Sil-an’s eyes widened.

“Assemblyman Kang Seo-jun’s office?”

Yeon gave a light nod and walked confidently toward a tidy, though somewhat old-fashioned, building in the middle of the city.

Quickly, Sil-an began searching Kang Seo-jun’s profile on her phone.

“Kang Seo-jun, thirty-two. The only member of the Assembly with a fan club in the Empire. Impressive résumé—descendant of the Empire’s first Prime Minister, top graduate of the Police University, youngest ever promoted to Senior Constable. Was considered a future Commissioner General, but abruptly resigned two years ago. Then he ran for office and won—Labor Party, in the conservative stronghold of Gangjeong-gu. How is that even possible?”

Sil-an let out several incredulous scoffs, as if she’d just spotted an alien.

“What do you think?”

“What do I think? He’s incredible.”

As they climbed the stairs—there was no elevator—Yeon nodded.

She agreed completely.

Thinking of him as a marriage candidate, and actually coming here, was impulsive, yes.

But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

Especially considering the hurdles she’d have to clear to become emperor.

The Crown Prince will never yield willingly. I’ll have to make him step down.

Kang Seo-jun was known as the royal family’s sharpest critic.

He would certainly be useful.

And Ji-young unni…

Yeon’s eyes deepened.

A wave of grief rose in her chest.

For Ji-young’s sake, her match had to be Kang Seo-jun.

She firmed her lips and climbed the steps with renewed resolve.

“But… did you make an appointment with him?”

“No.”

“Then it might be hard to meet him. Most people would roll out the red carpet for royalty, but I doubt he would.”

Sil-an waved her phone in front of Yeon’s face.

On the screen was a photo of Kang Seo-jun walking right past the Crown Prince without so much as a glance.

“They say he even ignored His Highness. There was a follow-up article saying it wasn’t intentional, but looking at the photo? Seems intentional to me. And that clarification didn’t even come officially from his office.”

Indeed, in the picture, the two men were far too close for it to be an accidental oversight.

“I also skimmed his past statements—he’s definitely critical of the royal family. Not the type to bow easily to power. Your Highness, you might get stood up.”

“It’s not standing me up if we never made plans. And don’t worry, Court Lady Seong. Assemblyman Kang Seo-jun will meet me.”

Yeon spoke with absolute certainty.

Did they have some unknown connection?

 

Sil-an tilted her head again and again, baffled.