Min-jun awoke the next day with a slight pain in the back of his neck. He must’ve slept wrong. Outside, the wind was filled with birdsong and rustling leaves. Letting out a yawn, Min-jun rolled onto his side. His heart trembled. He’d actually stayed the night.
The King, as always, looked disarmingly angelic while he slept, though today there was a slight divot between his brows. Perhaps he was having an unpleasant dream. Min-jun moved closer, his inhibitions having left him. It was just the two of them, with only this small gap keeping them apart. Min-jun’s hand itched with the urge to touch the King’s face, to see if his skin was as soft and smooth as it appeared, to see if that small furrow in his brow would disappear.
Min-jun forced the feeling down, opting to simply lay there, taking in the King’s handsome features. Not long after he awoke, a knock came at the door.
“Your Highness, the academy will be opening soon,” Jeong-eun said. Min-jun glanced outside and felt a chill just looking through the window. Not a single ray of sunlight had crept over the horizon yet, leaving the early morning seeming harsh and unwelcoming. Humidity hung in the air, foretelling that a storm would soon stir the land.
“You should take an umbrella,” the King mumbled, wrapping an arm around Min-jun’s waist. “The rain will likely be here until the evening.”
“Another quirk of your Gift?”
The King laughed. “Perhaps. Though I like to think I honed this particular skill on my own.”
“I suppose you’re never wrong as well.”
“Rarely,” the King replied. “I thought I’d foretell the weather when I was a child. Help people grow crops and such.”
The image of the King in farmer’s clothes surfaced, unbidden. Stripped down to only his pants, his tan skin glistening with sweat as he turned the fields. His hair was loosened in some places, escaping his topknot. The King’s lips parted slightly, as he breathed in the fresh air. Min-jun felt blood rush to his face without warning. Oh my.
“Thinking of something indecent again?” the King asked, playing with the ribbon of Min-jun’s shirt.
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.
“You don’t deserve such a face,” Min-jun mumbled. He deserved to feel a bit bitter about his lot in life.
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“That’s quite a lot,” The King said, placing his chin on Min-jun’s shoulder, despite Min-jun having put distance between them. As usual, he showed no regard for anyone that might be watching.
“Us consorts have to take care of our appearances,” Min-jun murmured. Does he think beauty of this caliber is simply hereditary? Not so, Min-jun had to put in a great deal of effort in order to reach this stage. Min-jun tried parting from the King, but an arm around his waist prevented any attempt at escape.
“Allow me,” the King suddenly announced, reaching a hand out to one of the maids who held the first serum. She quickly placed the vial in the King’s hand, not wishing to encounter the wrath of their monarch. The King stood up behind Min-jun, only to walk around him and sit back down so that they could face one another.
Min-jun took the King’s hand as it was reaching for his face. His flawless skin! He could not just let anyone have their way with it! This was years of work that could suddenly go to ruin! Lowering his voice to a whisper, he asked, “Have you ever done this before?”
“Are you afraid, my love?” the King teased, his other hand caressing Min-jun’s cheek. “Do not worry, even if my skills are subpar, your beauty will not be dulled by it.”
One of the maids couldn’t help a giggle slip by, and Jeong-eun took the opportunity to herd them away. “Come along, girls. Let us prepare breakfast.”
The King began his work, his hands gentle over Min-jun’s skin. He was skilled, of that much Min-jun could be certain, even if a part of him hated it. Was there anything the King could not do? Min-jun shut his eyes, unsure if he could stand to hold the King’s gaze. The King teasingly pinched the skin of his cheek.
“So tense, my love. Stress is not good for your health or your beauty,” the King said. That forced Min-jun to relax his muscles. He was right, that bastard.
“How long have you had such a tedious routine,” asked the King, as he applied the next cream. His tone suggested it was merely casual conversation, but Min-jun could not let his guard down. Even the most innocent phrase could be sinister when it left the King’s silver tongue.
Also, what does he mean by ‘tedious’? Hmph! “A while.”
“These products are quite expensive.”
“I used whatever I had.”
The King’s thumb glided down the length of his cheek. “I hear some can be quite harmful.”
“I know. I’ve seen them.” But never tried. Song would never let him. His face was too precious to waste on such experimental products. Song’s own concoctions, of course, were never treated with the same critical eye.
What an odd question. Why the sudden interest in his beauty routine? “Are you looking for pointers, Your Majesty?”
“Simply curious. The side effects can be quite troublesome.”
“I know.” Other kisaeng would often go to desperate lengths to preserve their beauty, knowing the competition in the brothels never ceased. They never knew the consequences, of course. The cosmetics only ever came in unassuming packages, with labels that foretold of everclear skin, cheeks that never lost their color, and eyes that shone like gems. Only later would the future put a halt to all their hopes. Burns would leave painful scars on their face, rashes would arise and drive them mad with the urge to scratch, leaving their skin in bloody patches. In the worst cases, it would lead to an infection, and the kisaeng would be left for the dead. No one was ever punished. They said the kisaeng should’ve been smart enough not to take strange cosmetics.
“I must say it’s a little unfair,” the King said. “Those scholars get to look upon this face all day, yet I only get you to myself during the night. I should interrupt you one of these days. Make sure they’re behaving themselves.”
“They’re behaving themselves perfectly well thanks to you.”
The King put a finger to Min-jun’s lips, silencing him as he smoothed a pink powder over them. The smirk on his face told Min-jun all he needed to know. He must still be feeling smug about it. Min-jun should scold him for it, show him his usual hostility.
“Thank you, by the way,” Min-jun said, once his lips were free to move again. Thank you! And it felt sincere too! What sort of nonsense was his heart playing at this time?
The King smiled so softly that Min-jun’s breath hitched. The King’s hands cupped his face, their gazes meeting at last, and then he leaned in to press a kiss to the top of Min-jun’s head.
“Be more careful today, my love.” These were the only words exchanged. “Otherwise I fear my heart won’t be able to take it.”
. . .
They were running late, of course. The King had done a fine job of distracting Min-jun all through the early morning. After applying his makeup, the King had also insisted on dressing Min-jun. Sure, he’d picked out a beautiful hanbok, but it took him at least twenty minutes to decide on an outfit. He somehow dragged breakfast out as well, ensuring that Min-jun ate a large meal before leaving for the day, claiming he was worried his ‘love’ had been neglecting his health. This man would undoubtedly drive him mad one day!
Min-jun breathed in the crisp autumn air to calm himself. Hanseong was beautiful, even on such an overcast day. Min-jun hadn’t realized how constrained he’d been in the Palace until he’d been allowed to step outside again, with no King to pester him, and no curse to break. Walking through the streets of Hanseong, he felt once more like the commoner he was. Free, in ways his role as a consort would not allow. There was nothing but the sound of people sighing awake, doors sliding open, chatter filling the air as the city came to life once more. Rain could not force it to sleep any longer.
He was pulled away from the beauty of the moment by the screeching of a man. A very angry man by the sound of it. The three of them turned around to see a young boy sprinting in their direction, his eyes wide with fear. Behind him, a middle-aged, muscular man wielding a heavy stick was hot on his heels. Once he caught up, it was over for the boy.
“Hyung-nim.” The boy reached them and immediately took hold of Min-jun’s hands. “Hyung-nim, please help me.”
Hyung-nim. Who was this boy and why was he acting like they knew each other? Min-jun noted his dark blue uniform and the hat tucked under his arm. A student?
“You brat! Stop your cowering!” the man yelled, pointing at the boy, who had by now taken it upon himself to hide behind Min-jun. Min-jun could feel the boy’s trembling hands on his sleeve. With a heavy heart, he heaved a sigh.
Looks like I’m going to be even more late than I’d initially expected. So much for not getting into trouble.
A/N: This man is about to start a whole orphanage, I swear. Anyway, hello everyone! I hope your 2022 is going well so far. We’re coming up on 100 chapters soon. I was thinking I might do a Q&A and extra chapter to celebrate 
Let me know any questions for the Q&A you have for me in the comments! This can be about the characters, the writing process, or even plot questions (which I will answer within reason. No spoilers.)
Min-jun’s too kind for hiw own good
He’s really nice for an assassin lol. Thank you for commenting!
Yikes! I posted my original comments on wrong novel.😭
Cheol assistance with Min Jun morning routine turned me into an overflowing vinegar pot
lolol everyone is drinking vinegar. I love scenes where characters help each other put on make-up/clothes, so I knew I had to put it in htkak.
Thank you for commenting!
Yikes! I posted my original comments on wrong novel.😭
Cheol assistance with Min Jun morning routine turned me into an overflowing vinegar pot
Thanks for the chapter ♥️♥️
Thank you for commenting!
Don’t feel too free! Still pretty, well dressed and new at self-defense…. and now late for school! Lol I don’t miss that at all. I would rather be old and wrinkled.
The funny thing is Min-jun doesn’t really have to worry about being late because everyone is too scared of him to say anything. He just wants to give the impression of being punctual 😂
But yes, Min-jun’s always at his prettiest.
Thank you for commenting!
Great chapter. The part where Min jun was worrying about the cream application made me lol.
Min-jun’s scared for his perfect skin 😔. I’m glad it made you laugh! Thank you for commenting!