Chapter 99
When Miyu opened her eyes, she saw Iwoon.
“Are you coming to your senses now?”
She couldn’t tell if the man before her was real or a dream. Miyu reached out to his face while nestled in Iwoon’s arms.
“So it’s not a dream?”
The soft, warm sensation of Iwoon in her hands reached her.
“Do you wish it were a dream?”
Iwoon’s gaze was pitiful.
Realizing it wasn’t a dream, Miyu, feeling embarrassed, pushed him away.
She found it strange that Iwoon was wearing Daegun’s clothes. She had no clue what was really going on.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her: maybe Iwoon wasn’t being held by Daegun, but was conspiring with him instead.
“You didn’t have to push me away…”
Iwoon pretended to be disappointed.
“What exactly is with those clothes?”
She had only wanted to be glad that he was alive, but the idea that he had betrayed his comrades to conspire with Daegun stung her heart.
“I’m sorry.”
“You really were conspiring with Daegun?”
“Conspiring? That’s impossible.”
“Then what’s with the clothes? Where did Daegun go?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you everything now.”
Miyu listened as Daegun—Iwoon, or rather, Daegun Iwoon—explained everything: from the fact that he was Daegun to the reasons he had to make her doubt him.
“You’re despicable. You’ve been deceiving me all this time…”
By now, Miyu had recovered her energy, speaking in her usual clear voice.
“I’m sorry. But if it became known that the country’s Daegun was wandering around alone, it would cause many problems.”
“That’s just an excuse! You should have told me!”
Seeing Miyu pout, pretending to sulk, hurt Iwoon deeply. He felt as if a dagger had pierced his heart, thinking of all the worry she must have endured.
“I’m sorry. It’s late, but at least I’m revealing everything now.”
“Even if it’s late, don’t say things like that. From now on, don’t doubt me—tell me everything right away!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Iwoon squeezed her hand gently, trying to console her.
“I’m sorry. I also misunderstood because I didn’t know about Choi Jaeseo.”
“If Daegun had asked me about Choi Jaeseo, how could I have answered?”
“Why couldn’t you?”
Iwoon blinked, utterly confused.
“No, think about it. I’m disguised as a man right now. If I said I was the one who led the Crown Princess, my disguise would be revealed.”
“Ah, I see. I had no idea it was Iwoon.”
“You didn’t know Daegun was Iwoon, and I didn’t know Iwoon was Daegun. I thought I’d be dragged to the Geumbu for deceiving Daegun, beaten, and thrown in jail.”
“Beaten? Jail?”
“Yes. Beaten and imprisoned.”
“It’s all my fault. I’m sorry for misunderstanding you.”
Iwoon had lost count of how many times he had said “I’m sorry,” but he truly meant it—he was sorry for making Miyu worry and for his own wandering thoughts.
“Stop apologizing. I’m also responsible for letting you misunderstand. Even though I promised Choi Jaeseo, I couldn’t answer honestly when asked about the 150 nyang.”
Miyu looked at Iwoon tenderly and added,
“If not you, who else could I trust?”
Iwoon’s large hand touched Miyu’s cheek. Their eyes glistened. Without words, they communicated everything—the long time apart, the thoughts they couldn’t share.
Iwoon wrapped Miyu’s fragile body in his broad arms. He shivered at her fresh scent and cozy breath. After wandering distant lands for ages, it felt as if he had finally returned home.
“I have a favor to ask.”
After a long moment quietly in his embrace, Miyu put on a mischievous expression.
“What is it?”
Iwoon relaxed his arms and held her hands.
“We can’t continue like this.”
“Can’t continue? What do you mean…”
Iwoon’s heart sank. It sounded as if she would not forgive his earlier deception and doubts.
“I need to sit in that spot for a while.”
Miyu gazed intently at the silk mat before the folding screen.
“Do as you wish.”
Iwoon chuckled at her bold, whimsical idea—it was so like her.
“And I want to receive this as well.”
Miyu nodded toward Iwoon.
“This… what?”
Iwoon looked at himself in confusion.
“A bow.”
“A bow?”
“You slyly accepted my bow even though you knew I was Cho Miyu.”
“I… I’m Daegun, though…”
“Impossible! Friends don’t bow to each other like this.”
“Still…”
Miyu shook off her coat and went to the mat, leaning her back against the cushion.
“No more talk. Bow. Be grateful I’m letting you off so easily. Do you know how hard this is for me…”
“Do I… really have to? There are palace maids outside…”
Iwoon’s heart ached thinking of Miyu fainting in front of Daegun to defend him.
Yet this was the palace, after all. The moment they opened the door, the maids and eunuchs could see.
“Why? Can’t do it? Should I just leave and tell Byeon Hayeon and Hwang Hee that Iwoon is Daegun? Do you want to lose your only friend—or actually, both of them?”
“Fine… I’ll do it.”
Iwoon swallowed and got up, awkwardly folding his hands.
“Wait a moment.”
Miyu raised her hand, cleared her throat, glanced around, then leaned diagonally against the long needle, saying arrogantly,
“Now do it!”
“Yes…”
Iwoon found her playful command both perplexing and endearing.
“Right hand on top! Left knee first! Finish with a head bow!”
“Your Highness, men put their left hand on top.”
“Oh? Then do as you will.”
Iwoon respectfully placed his hands together, lowered his head, and bowed fully. Despite the absurdity, he was sincerely grateful for her heartfelt gesture.
“Are you really not behind Cheonin-dae?”
Miyu asked anxiously.
“I’ll be honest. If I had no desire for the throne, that would be a lie.”
Iwoon replied without hesitation.
“But I’m not blinded by power to slander my half-brother or secretly import the extremely dangerous matchlock guns banned by the country.”
Miyu shook her head lightly.
“No, it can’t be. Daegun may be a villain, but…”
“Villain?”
“An evil person.”
“Do I seem like that?”
“No. That’s why I’m confused. For things to make sense, Iwoon would have to be the villain. Then the incidents would resolve smoothly. Honestly, if the current Crown Prince is dethroned, Daegun becomes the new Crown Prince.”
“Correct. I admit it. But it’s not me.”
“Then who is Cheonin-dae working for?”
Daegun Iwoon hesitated for a moment before answering.
“One of the two reasons I stayed hidden from you and your friends was precisely that.”
“Two reasons?”
“One was your misunderstanding of me.”
“Ah, the first is because I was petty. And the second?”
Iwoon’s face, which had briefly smiled, turned serious again.
“The one who most wants me to become Crown Prince and eventually king is someone else.”
“Who?”
“Grandmother, the Queen Dowager.”
“The Queen Dowager…?”
Miyu’s jaw dropped as she pictured the formidable Dowager. Though a loving grandmother to Iwoon, she was not gentle—she manipulated and ruled over everyone.
“Grandmother always regretted that I couldn’t become Crown Prince. Compared to the Queen and her family, she felt her power was lacking and felt sorry that I was in the East Palace with the Crown Prince Guhnho.”
“…I see.”
Miyu had no words. If these actions were for Iwoon’s sake, it was natural he couldn’t intervene.
“What should we do?”
Miyu finally asked, gathering her courage.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”
“Should we ask grandmother directly?”
“Ask if she knows Cheonin-dae? Ask if she secretly smuggled a thousand matchlocks and sulfur to stage a rebellion if things go wrong? Or targeted ministers like Kim Duryum, Park Hyukkwon, and Jeong Hyunju…?”
Iwoon trailed off.
“Why them…?”
“Eh?”
Miyu didn’t understand his surprise.
“Why were they killed?”
Iwoon asked, puzzled.
“So these three deaths have nothing to do with the Crown Prince?”
Miyu quickly grasped the situation.
“Correct. Not all of them. Kim Duryum sided with the Andong Kim clan, supporting the current Crown Prince. Jeong Hyunju, as a local magistrate, took no stance. Park Hyukkwon avoided the harsh scrutiny of the Sajeong but sided with me, the legitimate heir.”
“Really strange. Nothing else?”
“I don’t know.”
Iwoon shook his head slowly.
“If this was all orchestrated by your grandmother, it’s a huge matter.”
“….”
Iwoon’s face darkened further. Miyu felt the weight in her chest—it wasn’t just about business or solving a single case. The fate of the nation, countless lives, and power struggles were involved.
At the center of the whirlwind was Iwoon. Byeon Hayeon and Hwang Hee were also caught up, and Miyu herself might have already stepped into it.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Iwoon looked at Miyu with utmost seriousness.
“What is it?”
“I think we should stay apart for a while until our doubts are resolved and things are settled.”
He worried about her safety. Though their misunderstandings were cleared, it felt cruel.
“There’s no choice. Understood.”
Miyu’s decision was quick and resolute.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll think about what else I can do to help.”
She remembered Byeon Hayeon and Hwang Hee pursuing Cheonin-dae.
“If something urgent happens, should we contact each other?”
“In that case, I’ll send the strongest.”
“Good. I’ll… come to you.”
“What… do you mean?”
“When I come to serve the Queen Dowager, I’ll stop by often. I wanted to come frequently anyway. I’ll also observe the Dowager properly.”
“If you enter the Dowager’s quarters, I’ll send the strongest.”
“Yes.”
“Be careful.”
“You be careful too.”
Though playful, her voice carried genuine concern.
