Chapter 54 ….
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
Creak—the palace maids opened the door, and there she was, immediately in sight. At the highest and most ornate seat, the Empress sat on the throne.
Suppressing the urge to rush forward and embrace her, the Crown Prince stood politely before her.
“Have you summoned me, Your Majesty?”
The Empress glanced at the door closing behind him, then deliberately smiled gently and extended her hand.
“Why do you use such formal titles between parent and child, Yeowoon? You can speak to me more warmly.”
Yeowoon’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. But soon, as if letting out the longing he had suppressed, he flung himself into the Empress’s arms.
“Mother!”
“That’s right, my good child.”
Swish, swish—the Empress gently stroked her son.
Swayed by the touch on his head, Yeowoon felt compelled to pour out the frustrations he had felt today.
After all, it had been a long time since he had such a tender moment with his mother, and he felt it was allowed.
“Mother, today I—”
“Before that, Yeowoon, won’t you listen to what I have to say?”
Excitement to speak was instantly cut off, and the elation he had felt quickly dissipated.
“Eh?”
“They say that finally, the True Clairvoyant Sorcerer has appeared.”
“What is that?”
Startled by the unfamiliar title, Yeowoon asked, only to see her expression harden in an instant. Tsk-tsk—the scolding that followed left him no choice but to shrink back.
“How can someone so foolish and pitiful be entrusted with ruling all these people? As a Crown Prince, you should at least know this.”
“I-I apologize, Your Majesty.”
Unconsciously, Yeowoon’s voice was meek and shrinking.
The Mother of All People.
His mother had always been a source of pride, but occasionally—very occasionally—she seemed distant and strict.
Whenever that happened, Yeowoon blamed himself.
“It’s because I didn’t do things properly. If I had done well, she wouldn’t have had to scold me.”
Once again, seeing Yeowoon self-reproach, the Empress softened and spoke gently.
“No, if you haven’t learned, you might not know. Then I shall teach you.”
What came from the Empress’s lips was the tale that Dohee had once told Siyun about how the world was created.
Only this time, the Empress did not call the True Clairvoyant Sorcerer or the True Clairvoyant Daoist a “king.” It was clearly adapted to her own taste.
“For the Emperor who governs all people, two capable ministers were appointed—those were the True Clairvoyant Sorcerer and the True Clairvoyant Daoist.”
“Wow… I see.”
Having no prior knowledge of the story, Yeowoon accepted it at face value as the Empress told it.
Watching Yeowoon’s innocent belief, the Empress issued a command like a bolt from the blue.
“Then go now and meet the True Clairvoyant Sorcerer who will serve the royal family loyally in the future.”
“Eh?”
“A wise ruler knows in advance who will serve them and places them where they are most needed.”
Terrified by the Empress’s command, Yeowoon waved his hands desperately.
“B-but to send me to such a violent and unruly place? I-I can’t—”
At his resistance, the Empress’s face stiffened further, and her voice became sharper.
“Do you dare defy your mother, Crown Prince?”
The moment Yeowoon spoke against her command, the previously gentle mother vanished. Only the stern sovereign remained.
The hand that had embraced him was gone, and her eyes held not a trace of affection.
“Ah, n-no, I apologize, Your Majesty…”
Seeing her son so intimidated, the Empress sighed.
I wish he were a bit braver. After all these attempts, why is the Crown Prince I have gained so precious still so fragile?
“There should be no problem. They won’t be able to lay a finger on us.”
At her words, she took a sip from the teacup beside her, and Yeowoon hesitated. He wanted to ask why, but feared the previous scolding would fall again.
Fortunately, her next words clarified his doubts.
“We are a bloodline chosen by the gods. Their powers and divine abilities do not work on us. Remember that, Crown Prince.”
Why does her smile seem so terrifying, almost like a demon, even though she is his mother?
The smile on her beautiful face was tainted by greed.
“We were chosen before they were.”
“Yes, y-yes, Your Majesty…”
Yeowoon pressed his trembling fingertips against his nails to hide them and hurriedly left. Though he had longed to see his mother, she had been far too frightening.
In a place where even warmth seemed frozen, Yeowoon had to escape.
Looking at this, time really flies. Siyun, who had been lying down helplessly, had now risen and left Donggwan.
He looked completely recovered after lying down for four days. In fact, his body seemed even stronger.
‘Did he exercise while lying down?’
No, that couldn’t be.
Amused and amazed, I pressed on Siyun’s arm.
“Why, what’s this?”
“You’ve become more muscular even lying down, Siyun. Amazing.”
“Of course. I am this capable.”
From behind, another voice chimed in.
“No, it’s thanks to the medicine I used.”
“Hawn!”
I brightened at the sudden appearance of Hawn, while Siyun’s expression soured.
Seeing me clinging to Siyun’s arm, Hawn frowned and pulled me away.
“Later?”
“Since he was seriously injured, he still needs care, so Dohee, don’t bother your senior for now.”
Huh. I thought Siyun had fully recovered—so he’s still a bit hurt? Considering how badly he was injured, that makes sense.
I hadn’t thought it through. He looked fine on the outside, so I assumed he was fully healed.
I nodded solemnly.
“Got it. I won’t disturb Siyun.”
“Good child.”
As I promised, a voice full of disbelief came from the side.
“Ha. Hey, you big head. I’m fine, you know?”
“No, you’re not fine.”
“Who says I can’t be? Besides, holding hands is fine.”
“Hmph, you two look so cozy together.”
At first, I was anxious, but now I was used to it.
Perhaps those two were a married couple in a past life—they fight like this every single day.
Then it happened.
“Crow. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever it is, I don’t like it. Don’t do it.”
“Huh? I wasn’t thinking anything.”
Siyun seemed to catch on despite my feigned ignorance. He frowned and gestured to stop, clearly not approving.
“No way. Watching me and this big head alternate with smiles feels off.”
…It’s like facing a ghost.
‘Must be a tiger—his instincts are sharp.’
I clicked my tongue internally.
Anyway, I’m glad I can train with Siyun again. Resting was good, but after what happened, I realized I need to become stronger myself.
At least I have to protect my own body. I’m a True Clairvoyant Sorcerer, after all.
Even if I can’t live up to the title, I don’t want to be defeated so easily.
‘I might survive, but I don’t want to die multiple times. Death is always painful.’
Honestly, I had been arrogant, thinking surviving the calamity once was enough.
But facing the snake, I understood. If the calamity had been fully unleashed, I wouldn’t have survived.
‘I guess I should be thankful they underestimated my young body.’
Recalling the few advantages of my young body, I nodded. Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.
Looking up, Siyun extended his hand.
“Let’s go train.”
Training immediately after recovering? Typical Siyun. Diligent and kind. His demeanor made me smile.
“Is it okay to train right away?”
“Of course. We have a lot to make up for. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
I reached to take his hand but hesitated.
What if I hold too tightly and hurt him? Hawn said he’s not fully healed yet.
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t. Dohee, don’t grab Siyun’s hand.”
“W-what?”
“If Dohee hurts Siyun… that’s not allowed.”
Siyun froze as if struck by lightning, and Hawn’s lips twitched in amusement.
“Siyun, the patient must be careful.”
Siyun extended his hand again, frustrated.
“Hey, I’m fine! And holding hands is okay.”
“But I don’t want you to get hurt if Dohee grabs too hard…”
“Ah-hm, hmm!”
I looked between shocked Siyun and Hawn holding back laughter. Their expressions were polar opposites.
