Chapter 18 …
Hand
“Hwaryeon, what are you doing here…?”
Even the usually composed Grand Madam seemed unprepared for the Princess’s appearance.
“How could I possibly miss a gathering where the family is together, Mother?”
The Princess replied gracefully with a smile.
Spotting Seoryeon, the Princess gave her a sly, pointed smile.
‘So it’s you.’
Seoryeon didn’t avoid the Princess’s gaze as she approached; she met it head-on.
‘That woman…’
Perhaps due to her noble blood, every step the Princess took exuded poise. She was heavily adorned with jewelry around her neck and ears, yet it suited her perfectly. Each step made her long golden earrings sway elegantly.
Seoryon watched her, dazed, as if hypnotized.
It wasn’t until the Princess’s voice drew near that Seoryeon realized how close she had gotten.
“Delighted to see you, sister.”
The Princess greeted her warmly, genuinely seeming pleased.
Yet instinctively, Seoryon knew better. Behind the Princess’s penetrating eyes lay arrogance and contempt.
When Seoryon stood frozen, the Princess gently embraced her.
Then, leaning close to Seoryon’s ear, she whispered,
“Smile. I’ve personally come all this way.”
“…….”
“Did you receive the gift I sent you?”
A sinister curve tugged at the Princess’s lips.
Even as Seoryon remained unmoved, she added sharply,
“You’re tougher than I expected.”
“……!”
Finally, Seoryon recalled the assassins who had attacked her before the wedding ceremony.
It had seemed impossible that anyone would attempt to take her life so carelessly—but if it were the Princess, it made sense.
Her father had abandoned her, presenting her without knowing where she came from. Resentment was natural.
“And that seat over there is mine. Step aside.”
She spoke quietly, eyes fixed on the spot beside the king.
Seoryon knew well that it wasn’t merely about the physical place at the table.
And so, she refused to step back.
“By the grace of His Majesty, this seat has been granted to me.”
The Princess spoke just loudly enough for Seoryon to hear, but Seoryon deliberately replied so others could catch it too.
The Princess, who intended to intimidate Seoryon, found herself on the receiving end instead.
Seoryon boldly took the seat beside Wang Hae.
The Princess’s mouth fell open at Seoryon’s audacity. Seoryon felt the sharp sting of her gaze upon her crown but ignored it entirely.
The Princess looked like she would grab Seoryon by the hair and pull her up at any moment.
Just then, the usually silent Yi Ja-gyeom intervened.
“Today is a celebration of His Majesty and Seoryon’s union. Princess, please yield your place.”
Even her father’s words seemed to corner the Princess, twisting her expression.
“Very well. Since it has been a while since you’ve come to our household, sit with your mother today.”
Had Grand Madam not intervened, the Princess would have surely overturned the table by now.
“The food will get cold. Please, eat.”
Prompted by the Grand Madam, the meal began, starting with the Duke and others.
Seoryon reluctantly lifted her spoon—but it was snatched from her hand.
The culprit was none other than Wang Hae.
Seoryon looked at him in surprise.
“Did you not hear me say not to use your hands?”
“…….”
Seoryon frowned slightly, shooting him a sharp look.
Was he implying she shouldn’t even eat now? Was he going to torment her like this…?
Then, suddenly, Wang Hae scooped some rice and skewered meat onto the spoon he had taken, holding it before her mouth.
“Ah, eat.”
The brief command drew the eyes of the Dukes’ household onto Wang Hae and Seoryon.
Lee Jimi, the eldest son of the Duke, was so startled that he nearly spat out the food he had just taken.
The Princess bit her lower lip in frustration, glaring at the pair.
Seoryon felt she might choke just from the stares raining down on her.
“I… I will eat.”
As Seoryon tried to take the spoon, he pulled his hand back and then offered it again.
“Ah.”
“…….”
He seemed determined not to relent until she accepted the food.
“It’s heartwarming to see you two get along. Don’t mind us—just eat.”
Grand Madam said kindly, though everyone was visibly stunned.
Seoryon had no choice but to open her mouth slightly. The spoon slipped in like it had been waiting for her.
The food filled her mouth, nearly overwhelming her. She chewed and swallowed with difficulty, glaring at him as if she could devour him right then.
Yet he ignored her completely and resumed his own meal.
From then on, a court lady assisted Seoryon with eating.
At least she avoided being fed by him directly, but even taking food with the court lady’s help in front of everyone felt humiliating.
Seoryon couldn’t understand his intentions—but one thing was certain:
He had deliberately plotted to make her squirm.
After finishing the awkward meal under everyone’s gaze, Seoryon returned to the annex and confronted him immediately.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“What do you mean?”
Once they were alone, he lowered his voice.
“At the table, in front of everyone. I could eat on my own. If your aim was to humiliate me, you could have…”
“Have you decided to return to the palace now?”
“Hah.”
She exhaled sharply.
So, all this humiliation because she hadn’t returned to the palace at his whim? How childish.
“It wasn’t just anyone at the table—it was the Princess.”
“And?”
“No woman would be pleased to see her man treated that way in front of another.”
His actions had only worsened the antagonism from the Princess, who already viewed him unfavorably.
“And now, you are also my man.”
Seoryon, who had been talking back so far, was momentarily speechless.
‘My… man?’
The unfamiliar yet thrilling thought lingered in her mind.
Thump, thump.
Her heartbeat sounded alarmingly loud, even though she hadn’t moved.
In contrast, Wang Hae walked calmly toward the bed, expression composed.
“Why do you think the Princess came here?”
“Hmm… I wonder.”
Seoryon pouted slightly.
“You don’t think she came just to offer congratulations, do you?”
“I am not so oblivious.”
“The Princess is no ordinary woman.”
Despite his relaxed posture, his tone was serious.
“You seem to forget, I am no ordinary woman either.”
“Then why did you act that way at the table? Your expression when you saw her—”
“That was!”
He had noticed even that brief moment, pretending disinterest.
“If you show such carelessness anywhere, you might be the first to meet your end.”
He warned as if he were enlightened, reclining diagonally on the bed with legs crossed—a demeanor far from that of a king.
“Then why do you continue to treat me with such coldness? I hear you show her great respect.”
Seoryon raised one eyebrow.
“Do you want respect from me too?”
“Not necessarily…”
From the start, he hadn’t forced formalities, so it hadn’t bothered her. In fact, his rare kindness felt more burdensome than formal respect.
“I do not mix my body with someone I respect.”
“……!”
Startled, Seoryon whipped her head toward him.
He lay calmly, eyes closed, as if saying it casually.
Seeing him speak so naturally made her feel small and flustered. Her lack of composure, which her master had always warned her to maintain, was laid bare.
“You must be tired. I will rest for a while—stay by my side.”
“Isn’t that the duty of Your Majesty’s guards?”
“Again, talking back. I told you not to oppose me. You haven’t changed your mind about giving me your trust, have you?”
Seoryon felt her neck stiffen, nearly collapsing. He was clearly the master of speaking without hesitation.
Swallowing her frustration, she placed a chair beside him and sat obediently.
A short silence followed, filled with the steady rhythm of his breathing.
He was truly asleep.
Recalling the night before, she realized she had fallen asleep at the table, yet woke to find herself on the bed.
She couldn’t have walked there herself—faint memories suggested he had moved her.
‘So he wasn’t sleeping at all.’
She felt sympathy for his fatigue early in the morning.
Seoryon gazed quietly at his sleeping face.
He looked unexpectedly beautiful for a man. The ones she had known had snored or slept in sloppy positions, yet he looked perfectly composed even while asleep.
Unconsciously, she rested her chin on her hand, observing him intently.
His face was pale, as if untouched by sunlight. Black eyebrows arched neatly over deep eyelids, his nose prominent and proud, casting a shadow. Even his firmly closed lips had a graceful curve that made her swallow instinctively.
Seoryon gently touched her own lips.
Though it wasn’t a pleasant kiss, her heart thudded violently once again.
‘It’s just surprise. That’s why…’
It was natural—first experiences. His touch, his lips.
As she reluctantly tried to look away, sunlight streaming through the window creased his brow.
Worried he might wake, Seoryon instinctively shielded his face with both hands.
Unconsciously, her wrist was suddenly grabbed with a snap!
