Cheol had never wanted to chop a person’s head off more. The Chief of the Royal Academy marched into the Throne Hall’s courtyard with a fan in hand, dressed all in white, and followed by a company of scholars. They moved like a sea of white and pale blue, their wailing grating on Cheol’s nerves.
It would appear, as with everything, familial connections ruled the Palace. The Chief was part of the Hwang-og Ni clan, and therefore had no choice but to do as the family asked. Cheol set his hand on the hilt of his sword. He had hoped to hold off on bloodshed, but perhaps it was time to purge the corruption from this court. Even if revolt would almost certainly arise. It was the seventh year of his reign, and clearly, simply exiling a few officials wouldn’t cut it. The time for compromise was past. He could build his nation anew. Drastic measures were in order.
“Cheol,” Hye-jin hissed. She stood beside him, eyeing his weapon cautiously. “Do not be foolish.”
“I will leave that up to them,” he said, keeping his voice low.
The courtiers stood behind him. Some appeared concerned, watching Cheol like one would eye an aggressive animal. Others didn’t even bother to hide their delight. They think they’ve won. Cheol could strike them all down without a second thought. He’d start with the Chief.
Cheol took a step forward and a hand settled on his shoulder. Hye-jin shook her head. Not for something like this. Not over a man who doesn’t even love you.
Very well. He’d only scare them a little. A flesh wound would do. The bloodshed could wait for a different stage.
Cheol took long strides to the kneeling man at the front of the crowd. One of the students behind the Chief attempted to stand and defend his leader, but he was forced back down to his knees by the others.
“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!” the Chief said, bowing low. His voice might’ve been even as he spoke, but he trembled with fear. It would appear that he was not a complete fool. Slowly, as to frighten him more, Cheol drew his sword from its sheath, the metal glinting in the sun.
“Please reconsider!” the other scholars echoed, following suit.
Cheol lifted the sword. Let us see if your beloved family comes to your rescue.
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.
Dibbvilcfr ibrf lwqbgajcmf lc atf ojmf bo vfjat. Ktf mbegalfgr jii rabbv atflg ugbecv yfcfjat atf rjofas bo atf Ktgbcf Ljii’r rtjvbkr, cba j mgfjrf bg ogbkc ab rtbk atflg mbcmfgc obg atflg rjmglolmlji boofglcu. Pa kbeiv yf lc atflg ojnbg flatfg kjs. Po Jtfbi mbeiv cba xlii atf Jtlfo, atf qgbafra kbeiv mbcalcef ecali tf mjnfv. Po Jtfbi tjgwfv jcs bo atfw, tf kbeiv yf ijyfifv j asgjca. Lj, ktja j gevlwfcajgs qiba.
From the corner of his eye, Cheol saw a flutter of turquoise and teal. When did he get here? Cheol stopped his sword just short of Min-jun’s throat. His consort, dripping in luxurious blue silks, lay kneeling at Cheol’s feet. The wailing of the scholars had halted, stunned silent. Quiet whispers, questions, carried through the crowd.
“Who is that?” one of them asked.
“Look at the quality of his clothes, he must be a rich young lord.”
“What lord would be able to stop the sword of a King?”
“You fools, that’s Royal Noble Consort Hui.”
There was no fear in Min-jun’s dark gaze, despite the blade at his neck. That pretty face was set in an unfaltering mask, his rosy lips set in a neutral line, his cheeks tinged pink. Black hair was tied into a topknot on his head. A long chain of pale jade beads hung from his gat. Flowers of gold trailed up the hem of his durumagi. Cheol withdrew his sword and slid it back into its leather sheath. What a deferential pose for such an obstinate man.
“This humble subject beseeches you to spare these men your punishment,” Min-jun spoke without hesitance but made sure to keep his standard arrogance out of his voice. Had Cheol not known the true Min-jun, he’d think him the perfect epitome of a gentle, forgiving consort. A man who would show mercy even to his enemies.
Very well. If Min-jun was to play the part of the merciful, Cheol would play the part of the tyrant.
“Oh?” Cheol tilted Min-jun’s chin up to see his face properly. There were few things he found as amusing as Min-jun’s reactions. “And what do you propose I do with them? Does the simplicity of this punishment not please you, my dearest Consort?”
Min-jun lifted his brow at his theatrics, but otherwise kept to his persona. “I cannot live on knowing this is all the fault of my own inadequacies. I cannot let Your Majesty’s hands be tainted with blood.”
“Shall I send them to the prisons? Into exile?” Fear rippled over the crowd of scholars. Their fates now hinged on the very man they’d tried to remove.
Slowly, he shook his head. For the first time, a brief glimpse of apprehension flickered across Min-jun’s expression. “I wish to enter the Royal Academy.”
A murmur settled over the crowd. A consort to the King is to enter the Royal Academy? For what purpose?
“Go on,” Cheol said. He took a few steps away to put distance between himself and the crowd. On the steps of the Throne Hall, the courtiers stood growing more bewildered by the second.
Min-jun lowered his head in mock respect. “A compromise. I will spend time with the scholars and students of the Royal Academy. In two weeks, they will have changed their minds.”
Cheol caught Sun’s eye from across the courtyard. You were supposed to keep him out of this. Min-jun’s loyal guard shrugged, oddly careless. Min-jun must be rubbing off on him. Really, of all the ridiculous things, Min-jun chose to enact some sort of redemption program for these fools? Cheol should put an end to this now, but he found himself strangely intrigued by Min-jun’s haphazard plan. “And if they haven’t?”
“I will leave of my own accord.”
No. The word waited on the tip of Cheol’s tongue, close to spilling out. Instead, light laughter bubbled out of his throat, different from the sort he used to intimidate the courtiers. True amusement. They all gawked at him, save for Min-jun. He was used to this softer side of him, Cheol had made sure of it.
“Very well.” Cheol lowered himself to be face to face with Min-jun. “I give you permission to enter the Royal Academy.” Let’s see what you’ve got up your sleeve, my love.
Gently, Cheol put his hands on Min-jun’s arms, pulling him up so they stood together. From an outside perspective, they might even appear to be in an embrace.
Min-jun turned around, facing the Chief, who still remained kneeling on the ground. The crowd waited with bated breath.
“Will you agree to my proposal?” Min-jun held out his hand.
The Chief was caught between a rock and a hard place, with no possible escape. Cheol could see the cogs turning in his brain, working to find a solution. There was none. He had to concede.
Their hands interlocked, and Min-jun shook it firmly. None of the others could likely pick apart the subtle shift in his expression, but Cheol could tell his consort was feeling smug. Cheol’s gaze dipped to their joined hands. He didn’t much like the sight of other men touching his consort, even if said men were balding cowards with wiry beards and no convictions of their own. Tch, and now Min-jun would likely be surrounded by men all day long. Sun better report every minute detail to him, down to even the shortest glance.
Feeling strangely possessive, Cheol put an arm around Min-jun’s waist and began to lead him away from the crowd, back toward Sun.
When they were far enough from the crowd to not be heard, he leaned down to whisper in Min-jun’s ear. “I will visit you tonight.”
Min-jun glared up at him, returning to his normal self. Cheol couldn’t help but breathe a laugh of relief.
His consort scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m glad I finally have your attention.”
Oh yes, how long has it been? Two weeks since they last spoke.
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“You’d better.”
A/N: And that is how the entire Royal Academy started their journey to become Min-jun stans. Cheol’s so done with everyone and is feeling a bit murdery. Anywho, thank you so much for reading. If you liked it, please leave a comment down below.
We love murderous vinegar jar Cheol 👍
Wasn’t it beautiful? I hope they all saw it!
had to look up what vinegar jar means because i knew it had to be slang for something lol. Yes, we’re headed for more vinegar jar Cheol in the future heheh
Oh my gosh, that whole chapter left me breathless! Yes, they were both kind of playing at it, but the genuine connection between them made it so much more! Oh my heart. I hope we get a peek at their evening together.
Their evening together will be very interesting 😏
The tactical chemistry between these two 🥵 need more
Thank you for chapter
More on the way! Thank you for commenting!
Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you for commenting!