“If a war were to break out, it would probably be a war of revenge by the Song Empire.”

“Huh? But the official sent to Yeon…”

“I don’t know the exact details of why the official died, but it’s likely that he was killed to serve as a pretext for war.”

Yeocheong blinked, struggling to understand. A pretext for war? He knew that his father, the Emperor, was an ambitious man, but he couldn’t understand why an innocent official had to die for the sake of war.

“Is the excuse really that important? My father… he’s not the type to worry about how others perceive him”.

“Just because someone has that temperament doesn’t mean we can overlook certain things. War involves the lives of countless people, long periods of time, and enormous resources. Even an emperor of a great nation cannot wage war without justification, or the consequences would be unmanageable.

Yeocheong finally understood. Even an emperor wasn’t without limits. He nodded slightly and Jeong Han took a step back and spoke again.

“Whether it’s something trivial or significant, it doesn’t matter. Even a single event that could provoke the listener’s anger, even briefly, is enough”.

“Politics is more complicated than I thought.”

Yeocheong replied, reflecting on the complexity of the situation.

“Sometimes it’s better not to know too much. Anyway, this was a carefully planned move and the seeds have been sown. Don’t think too much about it.

Although Yeocheong still didn’t understand why the future had changed and led to a war between Yeon and the Song Empire, the more pressing matter was that his mother was in no immediate danger for the time being.

Sigh.

“Are you feeling uneasy?”

Jeong Han asked, noticing the slight sigh and observing Yeocheong’s expression with concern. He truly was a kind person. Even as Yeocheong took a step back to distance himself, worried about being caught in unnecessary scandal, Jeong Han was still attentive to his feelings. Yeocheong thought, He really doesn’t seem to fit in at the palace.

“Now, the Song Empire feels like a distant place to me. It’s somewhere I can’t reach immediately… so I suppose that’s why I’m more anxious.”

Yeocheong turned his head to look at the attendants waiting for him and spoke softly. The little he knew of the future had already begun to waver and shift, making him even more anxious.

‘If only I didn’t know anything about the future, I wouldn’t be so confused.’

He thought, frustrated with himself. Having been given a chance others longed for, he couldn’t fully utilize it, and that made him feel foolish.

“It would be nice if there were only plants and trees here.”

He chuckled softly as he noticed Na Gyeong listening so intently to the conversation, as if trying to catch every word. Yeocheong knew that the palace had many eyes and ears, but had living as a shadow, as one of the invisible spirits of the palace, made her so attuned to everything?

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have to worry about what I tell General Seok, because there would be no ears to listen.”

Yeocheong remarked, looking down. Being in favour often came with many inconveniences.

“Who would dare to harbor such disrespectful suspicions against the Crown Consort?”

Na Gyeong replied with a hint of indignation in her voice.

Jeong Han took a step back from Yeocheong, as if an invisible line had been drawn between them, keeping them at a distance. The space between them was uncomfortable.

“Indeed. Neither I nor General Seok have ever done anything to dishonour heaven.”

Yeocheong knew he was not trying to romance Jeong Han. He just hoped that this man with a heart that didn’t quite fit the palace would reach out to him – if only once.

“Even if we met again by chance, it wouldn’t be strange, would it? Or am I wrong?”

“Your Highness is right.”

Jeong Han replied, bowing his head. Despite the chains that bound him, both literally and figuratively, Yeocheong had learned what he wanted to know and there was no need to burden him with more.

“As it was personally commissioned by the late king, the view from Jangnakwon is particularly beautiful. The fact that the garden can be seen from the pavilion shows how much the late king cherished his royal children.”

Yeocheong deliberately praised the view of Jangnakwon in a voice that could be heard from below. After exchanging a few dry words, he soon left Jangnakwon.

“The view from Jangnakwon is indeed beautiful, but the palace has many other stunning gardens that can be compared. Na Seonggak, near Yeon Palace, is also a very beautiful pavilion.

Na Gyeong said softly as they walked back to the palace.

Although she seemed to be merely introducing Yeocheong to the palace, her intentions were clear. She was subtly advising him not to wander too far and risk getting caught up in the gossip. While this meeting might not cause much trouble, if such ‘coincidences’ continued, it would create an uncomfortable situation for Yeocheong’s companions.

“Then perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go there tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I know the palace better than Seon or Sowol. If you ever want to take a walk outside the palace, just let me know…”

“Your Highness, have you returned?”

Another attendant called as they approached the entrance.

As soon as the voice was heard, Seon and Sowol appeared to greet Yeocheong as if they had been waiting for him. Seon glanced at Na Gyeong before turning back to Yeocheong.

“While you were away, His Highness the Crown Prince visited. I wanted to prepare a place for him, but he left quickly due to his busy schedule.”

“Really?”

Yeocheong asked, showing no sign of disappointment.

“Yes, His Highness wanted to see you, but it seems that his duties took precedence. Please don’t be upset, Your Highness.”

Yeocheong smiled slightly at Seon’s words. He wasn’t upset at all. In fact, he found it a relief.

“Come to think of it…”

Around this time in the past, the King of Yeon, Jihyuk’s father, had passed away after a long battle with illness. Since the future had already begun to change in many ways, this time might be different, but such matters concerning a person’s lifespan were probably beyond the influence of time itself.

“His Highness has many responsibilities, so there’s nothing we can do.”

Yeocheong mused aloud, his mind still pondering the possibility of how things might develop.

“That’s right. The Crown Prince is practically acting as a regent now, taking care of everything, including the tasks meant for the heir.”

Jihyuk was already the king of Yeon. Unable to get out of bed due to a long-term illness, the king had not regained consciousness since last year, and in recent months he had barely managed to stay conscious for half a day each week.

However, the king was still alive, and since Jihyuk had not formally gone through the regency process, he was fulfilling all the duties of a prince and future monarch.

In Yeocheong’s past life, Jihyuk had only found time to breathe once he had officially ascended the throne, so this must be the most hectic time for him once again.

Thinking about it, Yeocheong found it strange that Jihyuk still found time to visit him during such a busy time. His brow furrowed slightly at the thought. Seeing his expression, Seon misinterpreted it and tried to reassure him.

“There’s tomorrow, and the day after that, and the days after that – why worry so much, Your Highness?”

Perhaps it would be better to leave the misunderstanding unresolved, Yeocheong thought. He followed Seon to Yeon Palace.

Inside, Sowol handed Yeocheong something as if he had been waiting for him.

“This is a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince. He expressed his regret for not being able to meet with you.”

“This is…”

The item in Sowol’s hand looked vaguely familiar. Yeocheong stared at it in silence for a long time, studying it.

“Ah, is it because it’s empty inside? But even with that, it’s enough…”

Sowol said nervously, adjusting the jewellery box in her hands.

The item Jihyuk had given her was a small jewellery box. Judging by its craftsmanship, it was made of precious materials and the box itself was worth a considerable amount.

“His Highness said he would fill it with the most precious things in the world. Perhaps he will bring items to fill it soon…”

Sowol continued, unsure of how to explain.

“It’s not that I don’t like it. I’m just a bit surprised. It’s a really beautiful item.”

This jewellery box had also been given to him in his previous life. He couldn’t remember who it was from, but seeing it in his hands now, it seemed likely that it was Jihyuk who had given it to him back then.

“Your Highness, look here. This ring, these earrings… these are the things you cherished, aren’t they? Seeing them might lift your spirits a bit… Ahh!”

The memory of his past life flickered through his mind, stirring emotions that Yeocheong quickly pushed aside.

When Yeocheong was imprisoned in Wolha Palace not so long ago, it was Seon who had brought him this gift, hoping to cheer him up. When Yeocheong saw the items, he thought they were all useless, which only made him angrier, and he threw the jewellery box on the floor in frustration.

The box wasn’t completely destroyed, but it had suffered considerable damage, and ironically, despite the disappearance of everything else from Wolha, the jewellery box still occupied a corner of Yeocheong’s room.

‘Seeing it again makes me feel…’

“His Highness will come tomorrow as well, so it might be best to thank him then.”

“Yes. He will surely be pleased.”

Sowol, noticing where it was, said she would put the jewellery box somewhere visible. As Yeocheong watched her, he couldn’t help but think back to that time and the emotions it stirred in him.

‘I don’t know how valuable or precious the items inside that jewelry box will be, but it’s clear they’ll never be mine.’

Noticing where it was, Sowol said she would put the jewellery box somewhere in plain sight. As Yeocheong watched her, he couldn’t help but think back to that time and the emotions it stirred in him.

;After all, it’s all pointless.’