Episode 10
Different Plans
“Did you not hear me? Or are you disobeying the imperial command?”
When Danseol remained still, Gyeom rebuked her in a solemn tone.
“My apologies.”
Danseol quickly bowed her head and sat down. Her scalp tingled with cold sweat.
She could feel the weight of his gaze. Just like before, his stare was indifferent on the surface but carried an overwhelming presence.
Whenever his eyes landed on her, it felt like a heavy boulder pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe or even move.
The sheer force he exerted with a single glance was immense.
Though young, he was indeed the ruler of a nation.
‘Can I really succeed against someone like him?’
Suddenly, fear crept over Danseol.
She had experienced it once and knew exactly how strong and unyielding he was.
Even a skilled assassin would struggle.
‘No. This time, it’s not about physical strength. There’s no need to be scared already.’
Clenching her fists under the table, she silently encouraged herself.
Poison didn’t require strength or skill.
She only needed to lie low in the pharmacy and wait for the right chance.
It would be best if Gyeom didn’t even know she worked there—it would make it easier to move in secret.
“This is the girl who discovered the poisonous herb among today’s ingredients.”
Breaking the awkward silence, it was the Empress Dowager who spoke first. She introduced Danseol to Gyeom, whose sharp gaze remained fixed on her.
However, she deliberately left out the fact that Danseol had once been a court lady in Gyeom’s chambers.
‘Better not stir up trouble. His Majesty doesn’t seem to recognize her anyway.’
It was a pity to let Danseol go, but that was all.
She couldn’t risk turning the palace upside down over a mere maid.
If the Empress were to find out she was trying to reassign Danseol to Gyeom, not even the Empress Dowager could escape the consequences.
That was why she kept Danseol’s identity hidden.
“She’s rendered great service.”
As he responded, Gyeom turned his head toward the Empress Dowager. With his piercing gaze finally lifted, Danseol quietly sighed in relief.
“If not for her, I’d be crossing the Samdo River by now.”
“She saved the highest elder of the imperial family. She deserves a reward worthy of that deed.”
“That’s exactly why I summoned her here.”
Danseol clasped her hands tightly beneath her sleeves.
Please—please don’t say anything unnecessary, she begged silently.
Just then, Gyeom, who had been watching her out of the corner of his eye, opened his mouth.
“What does Your Highness intend to do with her?”
“I’m thinking of sending her to the pharmacy.”
Danseol’s heart sank. This didn’t sound good.
“The pharmacy? That’s unexpected.”
“I’ve heard she studied medicine and healing. She requested a reward that would allow her to serve the sick, so I intended to grant it.”
At the Empress Dowager’s words, Gyeom’s lips curled ever so slightly.
“Very well.”
Even though she received permission, Danseol felt no joy.
Only unease and nervousness surged within her.
She feared this plan would end just like the last—crushed before it even began.
And it was because of those eyes—eyes that seemed to see right through everything.
“Since it’s been a while, I’d like to share some tea and conversation with Your Highness.”
Understanding his intent, the Empress Dowager waved her hand toward Danseol.
“You must be tired. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Danseol bowed to them and quietly rose from her seat.
‘He wouldn’t bring up that night… would he?’
The sound of the folding door closing behind her felt strangely ominous.
“Shall I have some tea brought, Your Majesty?”
Once Danseol left, the Empress Dowager’s voice and tone softened.
After all, before he was the emperor, Gyeom was her grandson.
She was happy he had come to see her.
“That won’t be necessary.”
But unlike her warmth, Gyeom coldly rejected the offer.
“A new batch of fine medicinal tea just arrived from the west…”
“Considering poisonous herbs were just found in Hwayeongjeon, I don’t think tea is a wise choice.”
“Ah… I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
The Empress Dowager looked a bit embarrassed at his reply. Watching her indifferently, Gyeom opened his mouth again.
“What scheme are you up to this time?”
“What do you mean…?”
As she blinked innocently, Gyeom let out a faint sigh.
“Are you trying to push that girl onto me again?”
Gyeom believed the Empress Dowager still hadn’t given up on the idea of royal heirs.
“So, Your Majesty did recognize her.”
A flicker of interest crossed the Empress Dowager’s eyes. Gyeom’s face tensed. She gave him a small, reassuring smile.
“I have no such intentions. Don’t look at me like that.”
“Truly?”
“She’s someone Your Majesty already cast aside. Why would I bother bringing her back?”
If he had truly cared for Danseol, he would’ve made her a concubine long ago.
But he didn’t. And since then, he never looked for her again.
“That doesn’t sound like Your Highness.”
Unable to withstand his subtle pressing, the Empress Dowager finally admitted the truth.
“I simply want to avoid any further chaos in the palace.”
“Chaos?”
“The day Your Majesty returned to Geoniljeon… the Empress came to see me.”
At the mention of the Empress, Gyeom’s gaze sharpened. Anything regarding her always put him on edge.
It wasn’t just because their union was forced—it was also because she came from the Cheon family.
“The Crown Prince keeps asking questions about his mother. You don’t think he suspects anything, do you?”
“I handled it carefully. There won’t be any consequences.”
Gyeom had learned the truth about his birth when he was twelve.
He had overheard a shocking conversation between the empress and one of her confidantes.
His birth mother hadn’t died from postpartum bleeding.
She had been murdered—by the Empress and her powerful external relatives.
That faction belonged to the very Ceon family that the current Empress, SeoIhwa, came from.
From the beginning, Gyeom had no choice but to hate her.
No matter what fate said or what prophecy claimed, to him, Seo Ihwa was simply the daughter of his enemies.
If it hadn’t been for that ridiculous tradition, he would never have made her empress.
“Did the empress threaten to kill that girl?”
“Not quite… But she did slap her without warning. That was unexpected.”
The Empress Dowager deliberately left out the part about SeoIhwa forcing Danseol to drink a harmful decoction.
A slap was one thing—but feeding poison to the woman who once served the emperor? That crossed a line.
Even though she didn’t like Ihwa either, she kept silent—for the sake of peace in the palace.
‘It’s not time yet.’
It was still too early to move against Seo Ihwa.
A misstep could cost everything.
The Cheon family’s influence was immense—there wasn’t a single official in Hwangseong who wasn’t somehow connected to them.
That’s why any matter involving her had to be handled with extreme caution.
“I can imagine how it went.”
At her explanation, Gyeom let out a crooked smile and stood up.
“It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave.”
“Take care, Your Majesty.”
“No need to see me out.”
He stopped her from rising to escort him.
“You must’ve been shaken today. Please rest.”
After leaving Hwayoungjeon, Gyeom slowly raised his head to gaze at the night sky.
The dark veil above reminded him of a certain woman’s ebony-black hair.
‘Who would’ve thought she’d be useful like this? I was right not to kill her.’
His lips curved into a subtle, meaningful smile.
“Your Majesty, shall I escort you to your chambers?”
Gyeom turned toward Taeyeom, who had quietly approached him, and gave a slight nod.
“Yes. Let’s go.”
His steps toward the sleeping quarters were noticeably lighter.
TO BE CONTINUED….
