“You’re in a terrible mood,” Sun said, as Cheol tried in vain to make the flowers in the vase behind him come back to life. He now stared at them with an intensity that would scare away any mortal man, and so the flowers only shrunk back, shriveling and losing their beautiful hue. “That is odd considering His Highness was with you.”
Cheol slammed his hand down on top of a stack of ledgers, as his thoughts returned to the fearful expression on Min-jun’s face. “Do you know if your darling husband has left any prisoners in need of torturing?”
“Oh dear,” Sun said. “You know Ji-won doesn’t like it when you do that. The prisoners confess and you keep on torturing them. It’s too messy.”
Cheol’s hand formed into a fist at the memory. Those men could hardly be called men at that point. They were vile creatures. “They all deserved it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sun tilted his head to the side. “But what is plaguing you now? Perhaps it would be better to talk about it rather than take your frustration out on prisoners.”
“Min-jun.”
Sun nodded. “He can be a bit disagreeable sometimes, but isn’t that part of what you like about him?”
“It’s nothing that he did,” Cheol said, leaning back a bit, violence thrumming in his veins. He wanted badly to hurt someone. Get a hold of yourself. You’re acting like your father. “There is someone in his past that deserves to be rotting in hell and they’re running free.”
“One of his ex-lovers? That Iseul character was quite unpleasant. I even had to intervene . . . nevermind.”
The lilies’ petals fluttered off the stem, delicate and dried. Cheol took one of the petals in hand, and it shattered beneath his fingertips. He’d become far too lenient since Min-jun’s arrival. He should’ve sent that man to the chopping block the moment he’d served his purpose. It was hard enough not to gouge his eyes out for staring at Cheol’s consort in such a manner.
“What did you want to ask me?” Cheol asked. If he could focus on something else, perhaps his murderous intent would become less pronounced as well. He couldn’t go walking around with his anger on his sleeve like this.
“Oh yes,” Sun said. “I’m not sure if I should ask you now, however.”
“Why not?”
“I fear it’ll make your mood even worse.”
Cheol snorted. “I doubt that.”
“How long are you planning to keep those records a secret from His Highness?” Sun asked, in that same monotone voice, although Cheol could swear their was a twinge of judgment in his voice. “Do you think he’ll just give up if there is nothing to be found in the records room?”
Sun had been there as well, hadn’t he? As much as Cheol appreciated Sun’s loyalty to Min-jun, he had to admit he did not enjoy having someone pry into his plans. Even so, it couldn’t hurt to have Sun understand his indecision. Perhaps it would motivate him to keep quiet.
Cheol opened the drawer containing the records and set them down on the desk.
“Read it.”
Sun bent down to pick up the record and flipped it open in the palm of his hand. His eyes darted up and down the pages until he finally snapped the book shut.
“I can understand your hesitancy,” Sun said, placing the record back on the pile. “I would not want to reveal something like this to Ji-won if our situation was the same as yours, but . . . Min-jun is not someone you can fool when it comes to such matters. He is an investigator at heart, and he will grow suspicious eventually. And when he does, it might not be the information in the records that angers him most.”
It will be the betrayal.
“I will tell him once we know more,” Cheol said, placing the records back in the drawer. He swept the dried petals off the desk. New buds had begun to bloom on the lilies.
Sun did not appear convinced, but they could hear footsteps outside and neither of them wanted to have this conversation with Min-jun close by. Cheol stood as Min-jun entered the room, dressed in silk robes and his hair wet.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Am I interrupting something,” Min-jun asked.
“Rb, cb,” Jtfbi rjlv, ajxlcu atf abkfi jgbecv Zlc-pec’r rtbeivfgr jcv qea la bc abq bo Zlc-pec’r tfjv. Vec ujnf tlw j qblcafv ujhf yea vlv cba rqfjx.
For now, they seemed to agree, as Min-jun sat down behind the desk and court ladies set their breakfast spread down in front of him.
. . .
Vfgnjcar tegglfv atgbeut atf Ktgbcf Ljii’r yjgfc mbegasjgv. Ktf kfvvlcu qgfqjgjalbcr kfgf ecvfg kjs, jcv fnfgsatlcu tjv ab yf vfmlvfv vbkc ab atf ijra vfajli. Rbk atja Ojvs Yx-pfbcu tjv jgglnfv, atlcur kfgf wbnlcu jibcu delmxis. Ktf uefra ilra abajifv j tecvgfv qjgalmlqjcar, jcv yfsbcv atja, atf mfifygjalbcr kbeiv yf fnfc ugjcvfg. Ktf fcalgf Blcuvbw kbeiv yf lc j ofralnf wbbv. Qbgxfgr kbeiv yf ulnfc alwf ab gfra, ijcafgcr kbeiv yf ragecu eq bc fnfgs ragffa, jcv obbv kbeiv yf rb qifcaloei atja cba j rlcuif qfgrbc kbeiv ub atf cluta bc jc fwqas rabwjmt. Pa kjrc’a j mbwqifaf kjraf, lo Jtfbi’r qfbqif mbeiv olcv pbs lc atlr wfjclcuifrr mfgfwbcs.
The doors to the Throne Hall swing open along with a rattling cry: “The King has arrived.”
Cheol’s steps echoed in the hall. The officials did not speak as he passed them, merely bowing in respect. He sat down on the Phoenix Throne, feeling as if it still didn’t belong to him, although that was nothing new.
A eunuch comes forward and begins to read off the petitions to the King. Simple things, mostly. Tax cuts for farmers, the office of Personnel was asking for a raise, and a request from some of the outer cities for medical aid. Days like this were usually not too draining, but somehow, his head was pounding by the end of it. Cheol pinched the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes, as the officials were dismissed. Perhaps the sleepless nights had finally worn him down?
As he stepped into the cold autumn wind, a small voice, his mother’s voice, reminded him of what time of the year it was. No. It was far too early for that. The winter months wouldn’t be starting for another two weeks. Unless.
Cheol peered up at the grey sky through the edge of the umbrella held over his head. Would the winter be particularly harsh if he’s already feeling the first of his colds so early on? Perhaps they should prepare more supplies to send to the outskirts of the kingdom then. Ah, hopefully he could it fend off the fever until after the wedding.
“Your Majesty?” the Head Eunuch asked. “Is everything alright?”
Cheol glanced back at him. “Yes. I was simply lost in thought, that is all. It is lunchtime. Call Consort Hui to join me in my chambers.”
Though the Head Eunuch paled at the idea of confronting Cheol’s most disagreeable consort, he bowed his head, tearfully. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The pain that had crept into Cheol lessened somewhat.
. . .
Min-jun entered the room with his mind elsewhere. His brown eyes appeared distracted and distant.
“I suppose there was nothing today either,” Cheol said.
Downtrodden, Min-jun shook his head. “I’m certain we went through everything, but there wasn’t even a single line about them. Do you suppose someone could’ve taken the records from the room? Many investigators go through the room every day. I can’t imagine it’s that difficult to steal a document with the right uniform and attitude. Perhaps one of the investigators is on the side of an enemy?”
Indeed, they are.
Min-jun leaned back against the wall behind them, his knees bent in front of him. “Maybe it’s time to switch tactics.”
“Switch tactics?”
“Witnesses,” Min-jun replied, glancing over the desk. “It’s been a long time, but I’m sure someone would be able to remember if there was something strange surrounding their deaths. Do you have another brush? I’m going to need to draw their faces for this. Perhaps that will jog their memories.”
“Even though I only have the memory of sentencing them to an execution?”
“Absolutely,” Min-jun said. He reached for one of the desk drawers. With well-masked panic, Cheol noted the reports were still inside of it. “The last person I’d trust with remembering something now would be you, Your Majesty.”
Cheol took Min-jun’s hand in his and kisses it. “There are a few things we can be certain of.”
The hand that had a finger hooked on the ring of the drawer slipped away, and Min-jun chose to rest it on Cheol’s chin instead, tilting his head up. Min-jun’s voice came out in a pleasant, low mumble. “And what are those?”
Cheol pressed a chaste kiss to Min-jun’s lips. He got a semblance of a smile in return. Smoothly, he offered Min-jun a beautiful, ornate brush.
“Only the best for you, my love,” Cheol said.
Min-jun’s eyes glittered the way did whenever he encountered something beautiful. He took the smooth brush in his hands, running his fingers along the grain of the dark wood. The bristles were soft as silk threads.
“These are grander than the ones in my room,” Min-jun said, turning to sit with his back against Cheol’s chest. Without hesitation, Cheol wrapped his arms around Min-jun. His skin was cool against Cheol’s. Min-jun’s foot trailed over Cheol’s leg, up from his ankle to his knee, and so their legs soon became entangled. Cheol wondered sometimes what it was Min-jun sought in such proximity.
“When we go out into town, you can buy yourself an entire store of stationary if you’d like,” Cheol said.
Min-jun hummed. “Think they’ll let us go into town?”
“Is there anything they can do to keep the King from achieving his every wish?” Cheol’s hand dipped down to Min-jun’s hip, his thumb rubbing gentle circles into his bare skin. Min-jun’s brown eyes fluttered closed.
“I suppose that’s why we had to go out in disguise the last time we left.”
Cheol planted a kiss on top of Min-jun’s head, nosing his hair. He smelled like fresh roses, petals warmed by the sun. “That was a special case. We were on an investigation.”
“You were on an investigation. I was just visiting my home.”
“Is Wolgwang City what you consider home?” Cheol asked, raising a brow. Was that man what Min-jun considered home?
Min-jun paused for a moment. “I don’t know. Probably not.”
“What would it be then?” Cheol brushed his knuckles over Min-jun’s cheek, which was dusted a light pink. Cheol might’ve spent most of his life either on the streets or in the Palace, but that tiny cottage where his mother had raised him would always be his home.
Min-jun raised his head a bit, resting his chin on Cheol’s chest. “I suppose it would’ve been wherever my parents went. They were home, more than any place. And now, Su-jin is what I think of when I think of home, but . . . if it must be a place.” Min-jun pressed his ear to Cheol’s chest, as if to listen to his heartbeat. “The mountains. We lived there the longest, I suppose.”
“Do you wish to return there?”
Min-jun nodded.
“Then I suppose we know where we will go first on our tour of the country.”
Min-jun snorted, cuddling closer to Cheol. “Is that why you asked?”
“Indeed.” They laid on the floor now, the ceiling above them dappled with light from the lanterns. Even the steady rain could be heard in the silence.
They remained like that for some time, in what Cheol hoped was a contented silence. His hand threaded through Min-jun’s long hair, slightly wavy from the morning bath. If Cheol could stay like this forevermore, he would. If Min-jun wasn’t so bent on the truth, things would be easier. Of all people, he had to fall in love with the man whose heart laid with justice.
“Your Majesty,” Min-jun’s voice called. His hand brushed Cheol’s forehead. “Are you feeling ill?”
He’s worried about me. Cheol’s heart warmed at the thought, as Min-jun’s cool hand caressed Cheol’s cheek in a gentle touch that Cheol never would’ve imagined possible months ago.
“No, my love. I’m simply tired, that’s all.”
Min-jun slid off of Cheol and settled beside him instead. “Perhaps you should use this time to sleep, then. I will ask them to postpone the lunch.”
“No, no,” Cheol said, as he began to sit up. Min-jun followed suit. “Let them in when they arrive. It’s part of our deal, after all.”
“Hmm, I suppose,” Min-jun said. Again, with that uncharacteristic gentleness, he touched Cheol’s forehead. “But you should rest after. You’ll have an hour until the lesson, anyhow. It’ll help you feel more refreshed, my King.”
My King. How could he refuse when he said something like that?
The corners of Cheol’s lips tilted up in something of a smirk. “Very well. You’ve convinced me.”
And lunch was served only a few minutes later: an expansive spread full of braised meats and vegetables in sticky sauces and plates of spicy food for Min-jun and desserts for Cheol. They spoke as they ate about the events of the day. Min-jun complained of how his shoes has gotten muddied in the rain, and Cheol replied that he would, of course, get him a new pair, as, according to Min-jun, the mud would never be completely washed off. They spoke of the meeting with the officials, who all seemed on their best behavior since Cheol had agreed to marry Ok-jeong. Min-jun suggested that perhaps Cheol’s influence on the earth had also convinced them that the heavens were angered by their intervention.
“So, how are the preparations for the wedding going?” Min-jun asked, without even a hint of jealousy. Either he hid it well, or he truly didn’t care. Cheol wasn’t sure which he preferred.
“They’re going smoothly,” Cheol replied, setting down his tea cup. “Though I tire thinking of the ceremony. It will be a long affair.”
Min-jun’s lips quirked up for a moment. “You do not seem like a very ecstatic groom.”
“I have already married the one I love. This ceremony will pale in comparison.”
“We hardly had a ceremony,” Min-jun replied. “I was walked to my fate by Sun. Pushed into it, in fact. Do you remember those assassins that tried to kill me on the way there? I can’t say my wedding was uneventful, I suppose.”
That was hardly a wedding. And Cheol suddenly longed to see Min-jun in the ceremonial wedding robes of a Queen, wrapped in blue and red silk, with a headdress he would undoubtedly complain about. A wedding night where Cheol would busy himself with removing those beautiful robes. Do you dream of that too, my love?
“It was likely not the sort of wedding you dreamed of,” Cheol replied.
“I never dreamt of a wedding.” Min-jun moved his chopsticks back and forth in a horizontal line to emphasize the fact. “Too many people. Too much paperwork. I abandoned the notion of sex being reserved for married couples long ago. If I loved the person, that would be enough.”
Loved. It stung to hear that word on Min-jun’s lips, as it would never be meant for Cheol. No matter how well they deceived themselves, Min-jun’s heart remained guarded.
“Still.” Min-jun sighed, stretching out. “I must admit I am happy that you’re unhappy about your upcoming union.”
“You’re charming.”
“I know.”
Cheol shook his head, unable to keep the smile off his face. Then, just as he could tell Min-jun was about to suggest he get some rest, he plopped down to lay his head on Min-jun’s lap.
“What?” Min-jun squeaked. He did not push Cheol off, however, and that was progress.
“I’m resting, my love.” Cheol pressed his cheek to Min-jun’s thigh, earning a delightful squirm from his consort.
“Must you rest on my lap? Surely your bed is more comfortable.”
“Our bed,” Cheol corrected. “No, I think I quite prefer this. You make a wonderful headrest.”
“Tch.”
But there was another reason Cheol refused to leave Min-jun’s side now. If they were like this, he could ensure that Min-jun’s prying eyes stayed away from those reports. His instincts were honed enough to notice if Min-jun’s hands strayed. And he knew from the way Min-jun’s eyes kept falling on the drawers of the desk, that he was curious. Not suspicious. Not quite at that level yet, but certainly curious to see what Cheol was hiding. Cheol had moved too quickly to kiss his hand then. He’d have to keep a closer eye on Min-jun.
But for now, he chose to sleep.
A/N: Hi, sorry I’m late, again. Grad school is about to start up for me again so going forward we’ll see how that affects my update schedule. Between that and work, I might just pass out from exhaustion lmao. I will still do my best to make time for all my writing projects. In any case, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, please leave a comment down below!
Just take your time 👌
thank you, clozed!
Oh my gosh I thought that lily was going to explode when Sun mentioned Iseul – as one of several – and how he had to intervene! So Cheol gets sick at the same time every year – is it tied to his gift or because of what happened with his mom?
Mine is psychological – I hated school so much that it became a permanent reaction to the changing leaves lol. You should definitely allow yourself some adjustment time and obviously, if something has to give, it should be school 😂.
It’s tied to his gift. Cheol gets sick whenever winter draws near. I guess Min-jun will just have to take care of him 🤷
lmao i wish it could be school too. So far, i’ve been managing things alright. We’ll see how the rest of the semester goes.
Curious now how long Cheol can keep the records away from Investigator Min Jun
Your health comes first. Update as you can
not very long lolol. thank you for commenting!
THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE AUTHOR!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
thank you for commenting