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Chapter 42
“I’ve received a report. It says that one of the National Scholar candidates has a serious disqualifying factor. Do you know anything about it?”
Seojun, who had been staring out the window, turned his head.
The moonlight cast a deep shadow across his face, yet the party leader strangely felt a radiance coming from him.
Perhaps it was the ease and dignity of someone fit to be a National Scholar.
‘But that’s if he passes the test.’
The party leader prodded Seojun, who said nothing.
“Have you heard anything? Or noticed anyone acting suspiciously?”
Seojun stared at the party leader.
It was only natural for the Labor Party leader to be interested in the National Scholar candidates.
Not just the Labor Party—every politician had their antennae on high for this selection.
Even though the royal family was supposed to remain politically neutral, their words and actions always carried some hidden message.
The one who would become the next National Scholar would be no exception.
So naturally, everyone hoped a candidate with a similar ideology would be chosen.
The Labor Party advocating progressive values, the conservative People’s Party, both sides prepared in advance by gathering information on the candidates.
Businessmen did the same.
There was nothing wrong with the Labor Party leader wanting rumors about the National Scholar candidates.
‘It’s just suspicious timing.’
First, there were the rumors about Kim Mu-jeon spread by those who came to see him that morning. Then the banquet, and now this secret approach by the Labor Party leader.
All these events fell into place like a well-scripted play.
Seojun easily realized that this was a test.
And the purpose of the test, Yeon had already made clear.
‘Three years of pretending to be deaf.’
Act as if you heard nothing.
“Candidate Kang Seojun, did you hear what I said?”
“I thought about it for a moment. Have I heard anything? But no. I haven’t interacted with the other candidates either.”
“Really nothing? If you’re worried I might talk outside… don’t worry. You can speak freely, Seojun.”
Seojun only wondered one thing.
What did the Labor Party leader get in return for being a tester? Surely he received something substantial, otherwise he wouldn’t even use his friendship with Seojun.
Fortunately, Seojun wasn’t offended by the leader’s behavior.
After witnessing so many sides of humanity since Jiyoung’s death, he had realized one truth.
Humans are selfish. Without exception.
“I could help you, you know.”
The leader’s words implied he could spread negative rumors about rival candidates in the media at Seojun’s request.
If journalists picked up on this, it could be a definite advantage for Seojun.
‘A brutal test.’
It was an assignment that could ruin someone’s life.
‘Whoever devised this problem is cruel indeed.’
Tempting and dangerous. But Seojun was not a moth drawn to sweet perfume.
“I’m sorry, but I truly don’t know anything. If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.”
Seojun ended the conversation cleanly and walked out of the VIP room.
From behind, the Labor Party leader said,
“Seojun, you might be the one who suffers.”
“That’s impossible.”
Seojun grabbed the door handle.
Even if a National Scholar candidate spread rumors, he was confident nothing would leak outside.
If a candidate had a problem, it would be an admission to the public of the royal family’s incompetence.
The candidates were already filtered through document screening.
“Don’t worry about me.”
With that final greeting, Seojun stepped outside, exuding confidence and dignity.
Back in the banquet hall, Seojun first looked for the other candidates. Only Park Won-young was visible; the others were nowhere to be seen.
‘I guess they’re still taking the test.’
Perhaps Park Won-young had finished early.
Just as Seojun turned his head, Park Won-young noticed him.
Their eyes met. He smirked and started walking toward Seojun.
‘Not exactly a pleasant conversation partner.’
Seojun had already sized him up in the brief time they had met.
A man who talked too much was overly generous to himself, and most of what he said was self-praise.
The thought of conversing with him already felt exhausting.
‘I’d be grateful if anyone could help me avoid Park Won-young’s attention.’
Seojun almost jokingly sent out a silent plea for help.
“Her Highness, the princess, is entering!”
A court official guarding the entrance announced Yeon’s arrival.
Everyone’s eyes naturally turned to the door, including Park Won-young.
‘Help comes again.’
Yeon felt sorry that she couldn’t help Seojun directly, yet somehow, she always saved him.
Seojun, determined to properly thank her, turned toward the door as the music gradually died down.
And through the open doors, Yeon appeared.
Seojun forgot to breathe.
Yeon walked in slowly, as if standing under the midday sun.
Only she existed under the sunlight.
Her straight shoulders and collarbone were fully visible as she greeted people, stepping gracefully across a carpet adorned with plum blossoms.
Seojun couldn’t tear his eyes away. He stared as if etching her image onto his cornea, unblinking.
Spellbound, etched into memory, as if his entire soul had been stolen.
The palace attendants were not startled—it seemed her entrance was planned. Only a few of the National Scholar candidates were flustered.
By now, the candidates had gathered around Seojun.
“Did you know Her Highness was coming?”
Ahn Chisu asked. Park Won-young flashed a meaningful smile.
“Well…”
He trailed off, looking at Seojun.
It was as if he wanted Seojun to know that he was fully informed and had a powerful figure behind him supplying this information.
Seojun didn’t care. His gaze remained on Yeon, who was exchanging greetings with the party leaders.
“She’s coming to greet us too, right?”
Kim Mu-jeon spoke with anticipation.
“You’ve been abroad so long, haven’t you? You know nothing. Before marriage, we don’t even look at the face of our future spouse. Seeing them brings bad luck before the wedding.”
Na Hyuk-jin spouted this nonsense, glanced at Yeon, and left the hall.
Kim Mu-jeon tilted his head, then followed him.
Seojun watched the two leave.
‘Kim Mu-jeon following Na Hyuk-jin. Quite the pairing.’
“Do you believe in superstitions, Candidate Kang?”
Ahn Chisu asked. Seojun shook his head.
“Same here. Shall we go greet her together?”
Perhaps lacking courage to go alone, Ahn Chisu’s suggestion was accepted without hesitation.
“I’ll come too!”
Park Won-young followed the two in step.
Unfortunately, the three never met Yeon.
It seemed she had noticed them approaching and turned toward the women’s lounge.
The men were anxious but still retained enough composure not to follow her to the women’s lounge.
“Ah, that’s a shame. Well, since that happened, shall we have a drink ourselves?”
Ahn Chisu, the traditional culture researcher who seemed quiet at first, proved unexpectedly sociable.
He offered champagne.
“Sure!”
Park Won-young, pushing up his glasses, accepted happily.
Ahn Chisu offered a glass to Seojun, but he declined.
Seojun only fiddled with his sleeve, not responding.
Park Won-young frowned.
“Candidate Kang Seojun, what’s wrong?”
The man who had worn a gentle smile before the examiners now showed his true nature.
‘Well, this suits him better anyway.’
Seojun opened his hand to reveal a button on his palm.
“One of my buttons came off. I’ll fix it and be right back.”
“Teaching me about wardrobe management, yet your own button falls off at an important event? Ah! Could this be a signal?”
Park Won-young thought this was payback for Seojun’s earlier comment at Seokjojeon.
Seojun ignored him and headed to the men’s lounge.
Only Seojun knew that the men’s and women’s lounges faced each other directly.
Only Seojun, who had carefully scanned the banquet hall after entering Seokjojeon, knew this.
