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Chapter 74
Yun, who had been watching Emperor Byung’s rough hands with tender eyes all along, finally lifted her head.
Emperor Byung’s gaze was deep and dark. The worry, requests, concern, and expectations hidden within it made Yun tense.
To Yun, he might have been a father figure, but he was a remarkable man who had lived for a long time as the emperor of a nation.
And yet, the situation was so dire that even he could not hide his emotions.
“If you have anything to say, please do so. Don’t hold back from now on.”
The words of the doctor, who had said there wasn’t much time left, came to mind. Yun averted her gaze, choked with emotion.
Byung, clearly aware of his daughter’s concern, smiled faintly.
“Yunhwa, will you… protect the Empress… Nayoung?”
It was only when facing death that Byung realized that what he truly wanted to protect was Nayoung.
His intention in passing the throne to Yun was rooted in concern for Nayoung, who would be in trouble if Crown Prince Byung became emperor. Of course, the greater good and national interests were also considered.
Yun pinched Byung’s hand gently so as not to hurt him.
“Don’t waste your strength on stating the obvious.”
Those words were more reassuring than any promise.
Yun held Byung’s hand tightly one last time before letting go and stepping outside.
Courtier Jo and Seojun were waiting for her.
“We’ll head straight to Her Imperial Highness the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
“Right.”
Seojun and Yun stood side by side in front of the elevator.
“Your Highness, please wait a moment.”
Courtier Jo, who was supposed to guard the emperor’s room, followed Yun.
“Could you spare a moment? I have something urgent to tell you.”
That night, the imperial family and the royal relatives made a momentous decision.
[Empress Dowager Decides to Assume Regency]
The shocking decision of the imperial family sent the world into a stir.
“But the Crown Prince is alive. Why the Empress Dowager?”
“Isn’t it just a rumor?”
“Could it be that the online article was true? Wasn’t it just the journalists making stuff up?”
Even though the grown Crown Prince—raised to be an emperor since childhood—existed, placing the Empress Dowager as the emperor’s representative was unprecedented.
Since regencies of this sort had essentially vanished since the Joseon era, public reaction was even more heated.
Naturally, the sudden decision was like an unexpected bomb dropped on the Crown Prince’s camp, who had been aiming for abdication.
“I must see His Majesty immediately!”
The Crown Prince’s palace was in an uproar.
“Your Highness, remain calm and plan for the future. His Majesty the Emperor is still not fully recovered, so restrain your excitement, ugh!”
Byung grabbed the collar of the complaining courtier.
“Shall I tear that noisy mouth of yours?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes were half-crazed.
Mansuk quickly intervened.
“Your Highness, we’ll have a carriage ready immediately.”
Byung released the courtier as if throwing him aside.
Ignoring those bowing in respect, he bulldozed forward—but suddenly stopped.
Yun was the reason he halted.
“Where are you rushing off to?”
Unlike usual, Yun blocked Byung’s path, dressed properly in imperial ceremonial robes. Seojun followed as if part of a set.
“If you came to offer your homecoming greetings, it’s unnecessary. I’ve seen enough in the articles. Why make such a fuss when His Majesty is unwell? I have much to say as your elder, but I’ll restrain myself for now.”
“You’ll regret leaving now.”
Yun grabbed Byung’s arm as he tried to pass.
Byung’s lower eyelids twitched.
Though Yun had always opposed him, this was the first time she had directly touched him.
Byung swung his arm as if to push her away.
Yun only gripped his arm tighter.
“Yiyeon! How dare you act so insolently?”
Byung bared his teeth, ready to bark like a rabid dog.
“You intend to make noise, in my Crown Prince’s palace?”
“Escalation is the Crown Prince’s doing.”
Seojun pulled Yun’s hand down from Byung’s arm.
Yun gave Seojun a glance, signaling him not to interfere—but Seojun shook his head slightly in refusal.
Dealing with a mad dog was his task.
Seojun had the upper hand: a preemptive measure sufficient to subdue the enraged Byung and bring him to the negotiating table, even if only circumstantially.
Seojun gripped the exact part of Byung’s arm that Yun had held.
Without flinching, Seojun tightened his hold. Byung’s face twisted painfully.
“Ugh… can’t… let go?”
Seojun tugged. Byung staggered along. Seojun, pretending to support him, leaned close and whispered.
“Crown Prince, do you know Go Junhwan?”
Byung’s eyes widened. The muscles along his jaw twitched.
“You must have something to say. Or rather, something you must say. Before I make it public through the imperial speaker.”
Suppressing a trembling breath, Byung glared at Yun over Seojun’s shoulder.
“Now, do you feel ready to speak with Her Highness the Princess?”
How much do these audacious people know?
In this case, denial was the best strategy.
“Go Junhwan… hmm, I’ve never heard that name. But since the Princess seems to have something urgent, I’ll spare a moment. Come in.”
By granting permission, he inadvertently acknowledged closeness to Go Junhwan. But Byung foolishly assumed it would all blow over.
At times like this, he revealed his own foolishness.
As the Crown Prince stomped toward the palace, Seojun looked at Yun.
“Don’t provoke him too much.”
Yun smiled faintly, a calm and composed expression.
“Thank you for stepping in. But what did you say to the Crown Prince? What made him behave so obediently? He looks like he just took a tranquilizer.”
“A similar measure to a tranquilizer. Shall I go with you, or will you handle it alone?”
“Seojun, rest a bit. I’ll manage from here. No, let’s stop by the medical office first. Make sure the wound dressing is properly redone.”
After spending the night on the plane and arriving in the Empire in the morning, she had barely eaten all day. Yun was tired, but Seojun, the patient, was likely worse.
“I’ll handle it.”
Seojun smiled at Yun and looked back at the attendants.
“Chief Seong, never leave the Crown Prince and Princess alone. Even if Her Highness orders it, do not.”
Though addressed to the attendants, it was really a warning for Yun. She replied knowingly.
“Yes, I will. So, Courtier Oh.”
Yun turned to Courtier Oh.
“Take His Imperial Highness immediately to the medical office. No detours allowed.”
Seojun opened his mouth to argue, but Courtier Oh was faster.
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Seojun frowned but stayed silent. First, they had to go to the medical office.
“Teach your husband proper imperial etiquette. He’s too arrogant, not knowing his place.”
“The one who needs to relearn imperial etiquette is the Crown Prince. Kang Seojun is both my husband and the Empire’s Prime Minister. Show him proper respect.”
Yun’s pointed remark caused Byung, who was pouring drinks, to explode.
“Hey!”
“What!”
Yun shot back without flinching.
“Are you insane? Did your mind snap from the shock of Father collapsing? How dare you raise your voice in front of anyone?”
“And you? Seeing Father collapse, you thought this was your chance? Standing tall with the Ojo-ryong flag for a press conference?”
Yun had called Byung “brother” after a long time. It signified she no longer respected him as Crown Prince.
In plain words, she was stripping away all rank and meeting him as equals.
The Ojo-ryong symbolized the emperor. Only the emperor could wear robes embroidered with it and display the flag officially.
“That’s because the press conference had to be conducted as a representative of the imperial family…”
“Who are you? Why are you representing the imperial family?”
“After the emperor comes the Crown Prince. Isn’t that obvious?”
“You need to learn the law again. Article 71 of the Empire’s Constitution: When the emperor is absent or unable to perform duties, a regent is appointed based on the imperial hierarchy.”
“Exactly! So naturally, I come next!”
“No. The oldest in the imperial family is Her Imperial Highness the Empress Dowager. Next is the Empress.”
Byung twisted his mouth.
“Ah, I see now. So you’re the one whispering to go to the Empress Dowager for regency?”
