Chapter 3 - Uncovering Rumors

“Are you all right?”

The emperor wheezed laboriously and spoke, his voice hoarse and reedy, “Yeonhwa… Yeonhwa is calling me…”

Beads of sweat formed on the emperor’s forehead. His voice was so tiny that Geonwoon barely made it out by leaning in close. Yet he was saddened by the words he heard.

“Please do not say that. You will recover soon.” Geonwoon forced himself to smile.

The man before him was once sitting at the seat of absolute authority with many looking up at him, but much like his grandson, the emperor’s life was not without difficulties.

As one of many imperial princes, the emperor was the sole prince to become an Extreme Yang, thus rising to sovereignty. Yet, every child of his predeceased him. He at least had Imperial Princess Yeonhwa, but she ultimately died. He faced misery even in his final years. He was the most miserable man in the most prestigious position in the empire.

As soon as the emperor fell ill, the civil and military officials all jumped at the chance to cut down their ruler’s power and authority and use him.

Geonwoon could not bring himself to mention the insolence within the palace. He thought it would have been better if he died instead of his grandfather. That seemed to be the only way for him to find peace.

“The physician… When will the physician arrive?!” Geonwoon yelled, pushing back his tears. He squeezed the emperor’s hand and was about to yell again when the emperor’s pained coughs stopped him.

“No, it’s useless. Don’t call for them.”

“But Your Majesty!”

“It’s… too late,” the emperor inhaled deeply and said with difficulty, meeting Geonwoon’s eyes. The emperor looked so frail that he could shatter spontaneously into dust.

Geonwoon gazed at the emperor for longer, reflecting the desperation in his eyes—it wouldn’t change his situation, but it only felt right. If the emperor at least officially acknowledged him as the heir to the throne…

“I believe… I must tell you this now.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I leave Shin Empire to you, Woon.”

“Your Majesty!”

“You… resemble Yeonhwa very much. Thus, the name on my plaque will not change. You must become the sovereign of this country.”

“You should get well soon instead of saying something like that.”

“I leave… Shin Empire to you.”

The emperor sounded more desperate than ever. Geonwoon took the emperor’s earnest request to heart and in a flurry of emotions, tears spilled from his eyes.

He didn’t want to show his tears to the sick emperor, but when he heard that his name would be on the emperor’s plaque, he felt the weight of many burdens and responsibilities pressing down on him.

Even if his plaque has my name in it, at this rate…

He should have felt better, but rather, he saw only bleakness. Did he want to take the throne in the first place? Geonwoon shuddered at how pathetic he was to cling to the unattainable despite never wanting it and it never belonging to him. He bit his quivering lips. He had many things to say, but he kept silent. The impending fate of his withering grandfather and his own were stifling—there seemed to be no solution. Perhaps it was because he was born into misfortune as often said.

Still, his grandfather was one of the few people who treated him with fondness and supported his unlucky destiny. The emperor was the only one to protect Geonwoon in his twisted world. To Geonwoon, the emperor was an affectionate grandfather, father figure, and perhaps more than that. But now, such a man was leaving the world of the living.

There was still a long way to go, and everything was like treading on eggshells.

“I am tired,” the emperor said, and Geonwoon stood from his place.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Geonwoon showed his respects to the emperor and backstepped out of the quarters. When he came out, he saw the physician. He was about to reprimand the distressed physician, who was bowing his head, but instead pursed his lips and returned to Wei Palace.

Gyeonghwi… Gyeonghwi, he said. How dare that man attempt to push me aside and take over the throne when I am the rightful heir?

The more he thought about it, the more ludicrous it felt. It was absolute nonsense. How could an Extreme Yang prince jump out after being in the shadows for so long? Did he truly hide his constitution? If that wasn’t the case… Geonwoon anxiously bit his lips.

“Seon.” Geonwoon stopped in his tracks and called Seonkang, who was silently following his liege. Geonwoon’s heart was so heavy that he didn’t want to stay in the palace any longer.

How could he become the emperor when it was difficult to withstand this amount of pressure? Still, he craved something to distract him from his suffocation. Plus, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t have another chance to step outside the palace if not now.

“If I say I will leave the palace, Ryeon will make a fuss, right?” Geonwoon asked.

Seonkang jumped up in alarm and asked, “Pardon? Are you leaving the palace? This late?”

“It’s not that late. You’re exaggerating.”

“That’s true… but it will be soon. His Majesty is sick, so wouldn’t it be better for Your Highness to remain in the palace?”

Seonkang was making a big deal out of it, so Geonwoon started to take his whims seriously. “It will be fine.”

“Still…”

“Are you hoping that something will happen?”

“N-no, I don’t… Your Highness.”

“Or are you looking down on me too?” Geonwoon hissed, on edge.

“Your Highness! How could I do that?” Seonkang fell to his knees. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I misspoke.”

“You’re noisy, so stop that.”

“Your Highness.”

“You’re making me want to leave the palace even more.”

“…”

“Prepare to exit the palace as soon as we reach Wei Palace.”

Seonkang shot the most pitiful look at Geonwoon, but the prince was blind to the gaze and had only grown more resolute. With no other choice, Seonkang had to assist Geonwoon’s venture.

Of course, Ryeon’s nagging from the sudden preparations almost wore down Geonwoon’s determination. If it were the usual, he would have given in and listened to Ryeon, but he was obstinate today.

Eventually, Geonwoon changed into ordinary clothes and left the palace. He bade farewell to Ryeon, telling her he would return before the day passed, and with Seonkang and a few bodyguards, he absconded from Wei Palace. He had merely stepped out of the doors of the palace, yet he felt his heart growing lighter.

“You saw Ryeon’s vicious glare. Let’s return after a few hours.” Seonkang fussed as soon as they stepped out of the palace, but Geonwoon clicked his tongue.

He said, “I don’t know who’s the master here.”

“I only say this in concern for Your Highness.”

“Quit it. I’m not a Yin. Nothing will happen, so do not worry.”

Seonkang finally shut his lips. The two then headed to the main streets. The sun had just set and people were swarming in the streets. Unlike the thin ice of the palace, Geonwoon looked around the brouhaha of a completely different world.

“People are stealing glances of Your H—no, Young Master.”

“I told you to ignore them.”

Geonwoon was completely engrossed in looking around the shops, ignoring the gazes of others. However, Seonkang was sensitive to his surroundings. Even in ordinary clothes, Geonwoon’s appearance could not be hidden, attracting the attention of passersby.

This was why I was against His Highness leaving the palace… Seonkang waved his hands to obstruct the view of Geonwoon as best as he could. Geonwoon smirked at Seonkang’s feeble attempts and then looked at the paintings displayed in one shop. The displays ranged from abstract and messy paintings to calligraphy with refined strokes.

“Is there something you’re looking for?”

“I’m just…”

Geonwoon picked up an eye-catching painting and nodded to Seonkang. The eunuch paid for the painting deftly. Geonwoon said to the shop owner, who was pleased to have sold an item, “Keep the change.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Anyway, how are sales these days? I haven’t visited in a while, so I have no idea what the city atmosphere is like.”

The shop owner replied on cue. It was probably because Geonwoon put money in his pockets. “Don’t even mention it. It’s so horrible these days. There’s a rumor that something big will happen in the capital soon.”

“A horrible rumor?”

“Yes, yes. They say there may be a rebellion. Rumors like that. Perhaps that’s why, but I have fewer customers… not as many as before, at least. If it were before, the streets would have been teeming with people.”

“…A rebellion, you say.”

“Well, how would a mere civilian like me know? That’s just the story going around these days. I am merely carrying on with business regardless of the rumors because I need the money.”

Geonwoon frowned at the shop owner’s remarks. He was at the palace, and he knew that a lot of the outside rumors and news did not reach him. However, he didn’t think he was this ignorant.

“Are you from a different region, good sir?” the shop owner asked.

Geonwoon grinned awkwardly. “I was in the countryside for personal reasons. I had no idea that such horrendous things were happening within the capital.”

“I don’t know much about the workings of the nobility, but His Highness of Wei Palace of the late crown princess is a bit…”

The shop owner started to blab about Geonwoon’s rumors. Seonkang was about to step forth to stop the man, but Geonwoon motioned for him to yield.

“What about him?”

“I heard that he has experienced unfortunate incidents since he was born and is called Lord Misfortune. Of course, I would be worried if such a person would become the emperor.”

“…”

“Although I guess it doesn’t really matter to the small folk like me.”

Geonwoon felt mixed. Rumors about him were circulating outside of the palace, and he was deaf to them. He could tell that his opponents were operating in utmost care and secrecy. At the same time, he felt betrayed by his close confidants, which complicated his thoughts.