Chapter 21
Unknown Emotions
“What do you think you’re doing!”
At the sudden closeness, Danseol flinched, her shoulders stiffening as Gyeom’s hand reached out. If he wished, he could easily seize her. No—he would.
Hadn’t she already experienced it?
The memory of being trapped in his arms, powerless as he devoured her, still lingered vividly—haunting her even in dreams.
Despite her sharp resistance, Gyeom did not withdraw his hand.
Swish.
His fingers plucked the hairpin fastened in Danseol’s bun.
“I cannot allow the same mistake to be repeated.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Danseol realize he was referring to the time she had tried to kill him with the golden hairpin. Her face flushed hot, shame burning through her at her foolish misunderstanding.
“What thoughts led you to react so?”
“I… I don’t know what you mean.”
“Your face is red—as if you were a bride on her wedding night.”
The low, intimate tone made Danseol’s hand fly to her face. It was scorching. The chilly air that had seeped through her thin garments now felt strangely cool against her heated skin. Even her breath came uneven, shallow.
“This is…”
“What is it? Do you wish I would bestow the favor I withheld that night?”
Swish.
Another pin was drawn free, and her lustrous black hair spilled like a waterfall around her shoulders. The purity of her appearance, contrasting with the revealing state of her thin garments, only made the sight more alluring.
Damn it.
Gyeom’s throat bobbed.
A dangerous impulse surged within him—the urge to claim her, to taste her fully. That fleeting sample he had taken before was the root of his torment. Had he never known that taste, he would not be suffering now.
At first, he had only meant to tease her, annoyed at the way she trembled like a frightened deer before a predator. Yet the way the situation was unfolding unsettled him.
“It was merely a jest. Ease your expression.”
Gyeom withdrew after removing the rest of her pins. Danseol bit her lip, glaring at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. That sight threatened to stir his darker desires again, but he restrained himself with difficulty.
“There’s nothing unusual about these hairpins.”
He spoke with feigned nonchalance, as if his approach had been purely to check for danger.
“Or… would you prefer me to undress you myself?”
His mocking glance cut toward her. Offended, Danseol wordlessly turned, pulling the blanket over herself.
When she didn’t move again, Gyeom lay down beside her.
Yes. This is better.
With her body hidden beneath the blanket, there was no longer the temptation of her scent or form.
Tired…
Closing his eyes, he listened to her quiet breaths. But sleep would not come.
Meanwhile, under the covers, Danseol berated herself.
Why did I blush like that…?
Her heart pounded violently, as though it might burst.
“Your face is red—as if you were a bride on her wedding night.”
His words had been true. She had not flushed from fear or anger.
It was because of him.
When Gyeom had leaned in, her thoughts had vanished. All she could sense was his voice, his breath, his warmth.
The memory of being pinned beneath him—helpless, overpowered—would not fade. Even now, it lingered, twisting her insides.
What is this feeling?
Her hand clutched her chest, struggling to calm the erratic beating. Never before had her body reacted this way.
Am I afraid? Or is it…
Her face hardened coldly.
Baek Danseol, what are you thinking?
This disorder in her body, this betrayal, could only be explained as remnants of fear and disgust. It had to be. Otherwise, she would never be able to kill this man.
The next morning.
“You are already awake, Your Majesty?”
As Gyeom stepped out of Chwiyuljeon in his dragon robe, Taeyeom approached, surprised. He had expected his master to sleep late, yet Gyeom rose as usual.
“Your Majesty, your complexion does not look well.”
Though dawn had not yet broken, Taeyeom immediately noticed the difference in his sovereign’s face.
“I am simply tired.”
“Did you not sleep well last night, sire?”
Indeed, the shadows under his eyes betrayed a sleepless night.
Could it be because of the noble consort?
Rumors still spread through the palace. It was the first time Gyeom had ever kept a woman so near, and the court had yet to recover from the shock of a new consort’s presence.
“We go to Geoniljeon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You have not entertained useless thoughts, have you?”
Startled by the sharp glance, Taeyeom quickly bowed.
“Of course not. To Geoniljeon, then.”
Gyeom’s suspicion lingered, but he turned his gaze to the star-dusted sky. His neck ached as he rubbed it.
Tired…
He had not slept because of her.
She had pretended to sleep, but her restless movements betrayed her. The rustle of silk against bare skin, the soft sighs—such sounds were hardly fitting for the silence of night.
They had kept him awake until dawn.
“Your Majesty, should you not rest for a while—”
“Enough. Bring me today’s memorials.”
Arriving at Geoniljeon, Gyeom immediately resumed state affairs without pause.
Not long after, an urgent audience was requested.
“His Majesty will now receive Jung Hyul, Junior Secretary.”
The young official bowed deeply as he entered.
“Your servant greets the Emperor. Forgive my discourtesy for disturbing Your Majesty so early.”
“It is fine. Sit.”
Gyeom’s sharp gaze fixed on him.
“If you have come at such an hour, the matter must be grave.”
“I have completed the investigation into the poisoning incident at Hwayeongjeon.”
At that, Gyeom’s eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary crime—it had been an attempt on the life of the Grand Empress Dowager, his grandmother.
“Report everything you have learned.”
“There is evidence, but no mastermind.”
“…No mastermind?”
Puzzled, Gyeom rubbed his chin.
“Do you mean the ones who could have been considered ringleaders are all dead?”
“Yes, sire.”
His frown deepened.
The hidden hand had cut off its own tail.
“What was strange, however, was that all those implicated were powerless, lowly palace maids.”
“In other words, the true culprit hides behind the weak.”
“Yes. It is cowardly, yet effective. Interrogating ignorant servants will only tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”
The scheme was precise—clever enough to both erase traces and restrict the Emperor’s actions.
“Then this is no simple ploy.”
It could be someone holding high office. Perhaps even within the imperial clan itself.
All signs pointed toward the Cheon family.
“…Your Majesty.”
Pulled from his thoughts, Gyeom fixed Jung Hyul with a steely gaze.
“The investigation ends here.”
“Your Majesty… do you mean—”
“There will be no further pursuit.”
The secretary’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could the Emperor set aside such a crime, especially against the Grand Empress Dowager?
“Instead, round up every single person connected, however minor, and execute them.”
The chill in Gyeom’s eyes was unmistakable.
“Palace maid, official—it makes no difference.”
Silence.
“This time, they will learn what it means to mock the throne.”
His words, weighted with imperial authority, crushed the air itself. Jung Hyul bowed low.
“By your command, sire.”
Later that morning.
“Mmm… when did I fall asleep?”
Danseol stirred awake under the bright sunlight.
“Ah!”
She bolted upright, looking frantically around.
“He’s gone…”
The space beside her was empty, cold. He had left long ago.
“To think I slept so soundly beside that man…”
She ruffled her hair irritably. Staying awake all night would not have changed much, but the fact that she had shown him her defenseless state grated on her pride.
“I must be more careful.”
Her robe had loosened in sleep, exposing pale skin. Just the thought of Gyeom seeing her like this made her cheeks burn.
At that very moment—
“Her Majesty the Empress approaches!”
Danseol’s blood ran cold. Panic seized her limbs. With her disheveled bed and half-bared state, if the Empress saw her like this…
“Wait—”
But before she could finish, the doors burst open.
And Cheon Ihwa, the Empress herself, entered.
