King Yeon’s prolonged illness meant that the funeral went off without much chaos. But that didn’t mean that the state funeral and coronation were without significance, and both Jihyuk and Yeocheong had a few busy days ahead of them.
“You’re going to be queen now.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
In the middle of the busy days, Yeocheong was somewhat relieved that he wouldn’t have to see Jihyuk for a while, but he didn’t feel any joy or excitement.
After all, it wasn’t a position meant for him, just a temporary role to fill the gap.
“By the way, it was quite a hassle sending back the gifts you received last time. Looks like we’ll have to go through that trouble again.”
Seon said with a sigh, looking at the pile of presents.
At first, Seon had seemed regretful, as if the gifts were his own, but now that he realised that they would have to be returned, he no longer wanted them.
With the coronation taking place alongside the state funeral, there were few overt celebrations, but the fact that the gifts were sent quietly from behind showed that Yeocheong was undoubtedly seen as a figure of power in their eyes.
‘It’s not power that comes from me anyway.’
Yeocheong let out a small chuckle before answering.
“Send them all back this time. The state funeral isn’t even over yet and I don’t think it’s the right time to receive congratulatory gifts.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
When Yeocheong ordered the return of the gifts, Seon and Sowol, accustomed to this routine, nodded without trying to persuade him.
“Is His Highness the Crown Prince still in his position?”
“Yes. Tomorrow is the coronation, so he should rest for at least a day… but he has remained at his post the whole time.”
‘Is he grieving?’
Yeocheong thought. He didn’t know what kind of relationship Jihyuk had with King Yeon. If it was a typical family, grief would be expected, but being of royal blood meant that normal emotions were often far from reality.
Even if Yeocheong’s own father, the Emperor, collapsed and died tomorrow, he wouldn’t shed a tear.
“Would you like to visit him?”
“His Highness probably needs some time alone.”
It didn’t matter either way. Yeocheong thought little of it and lay down on the bed. Today was the end of the state funeral and the eve of Jihyuk’s coronation.
It was no small feat to sit on the throne from dawn to dusk without showing any signs of fatigue. Yeocheong decided to go to bed early to prepare for the next day’s events.
“Mm…”
Yeocheong awoke in the early hours of the morning. The sound of the wind shaking the window woke him up and he slowly opened his eyes.
“Are you awake?”
“Your Highness.”
As Yeocheong tried to get up to close the window, a familiar voice called out to him. Still groggy from sleep, Yeocheong slowly sat up and Jihyuk, who was securing the window with a bolt, spoke.
“Go back to sleep. It’s a long time before dawn.”
“With you here, how can I lie down and sleep?”
“I have made another mistake. I’m leaving now, so please rest.”
Jihyuk said, his voice a little lower than usual. Yeocheong asked cautiously.
“You must be tired. Why not go straight to your room?”
“I thought of you on my way back and stopped by for a moment. I wanted to leave quickly, but my carelessness woke you.”
In the dimly lit room, the faint glow of the lights outside, meant to honour the late king, illuminated the room. But as Jihyuk sat with his back to the light, his face remained hidden in the shadows.
Could it be that their relationship was unexpectedly tender for a father and son? After all, it was said that the late king and queen were so close that they didn’t even take concubines. Perhaps it was possible.
“I just… felt it a little more.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeocheong asked, his eyes still half closed as he lowered his guard a little and spoke to Jihyuk. In the darkness, where only vague shapes were visible, he could see Jihyuk lift his head.
“…I just felt that nothing ever goes the way I want it to, it’s an obvious truth, but it’s been a long time since I felt so powerless.”
Although there was a hint of laughter in Jihyuk’s voice, it was clear that it wasn’t born of joy or amusement. Yeocheong picked it up easily.
Powerless – that wasn’t a word that seemed to fit Jihyuk. Had he ever felt as helpless as Yeocheong? He was probably just lost in his emotions, but even in his dazed state, a slight sneer escaped Yeocheong’s lips.
“There are things that cannot be achieved with human strength… Life and death are beyond human control.
Yes, even Jihyuk, as a human, must have moments when he feels powerless. No matter how extraordinary someone is, even with the best doctors, there are diseases that cannot be cured.
But that was a question of human limitations. Yeocheong smiled bitterly as he went on.
“Without power… you can do nothing.”
The difference between his powerlessness and Jihyuk’s was so great that even if he spoke those words with superficial sympathy, he didn’t want to pretend to fully understand his feelings.
“That is truly a painful thing.”
Yeocheong just let out what sounded like a false form of comfort. Without power, nothing could be done. Even after experiencing the miracle of reversing the past, he still hadn’t been able to make any significant changes himself.
“Your words are true. Being powerless means you can’t protect anything.”
Born the king’s firstborn, raised to be the heir from childhood, and with his only potential rival – a younger half-brother – dying young, Jihyuk had ascended to the throne unchallenged. So what could be wrong with him to make him speak in such a tone?
Yeocheong didn’t like his voice at all. In fact, it was almost disgusting. Jihyuk could never feel the emotions that Yeocheong had once felt.
“It sounds like you’re talking as if you’ve lost something because of weakness.”
Yeocheong said, his words slipping out without much thought. He quickly covered his mouth, wondering if it had sounded mocking. Fortunately, Jihyuk, who was still half asleep, didn’t seem to hear any sarcasm in his voice.
“Yes, there was something like that… a long time ago.”
“….”
“I was foolish to think that if I had power, everything would be solved… but in the end, there were still things I couldn’t do.”
After a short pause, Jihyuk smiled slightly, then gently helped Yeocheong back onto the bed, his touch tender.
“Tomorrow will be a busy day. I’m sorry to have woken you, Your Highness. I’ll be leaving now, so please rest.”
Lying back on the soft bed, Yeocheong tried to clear his mind, but was quickly pulled back into a state of drowsiness. He thought he had woken up, but as soon as his body settled, sleep returned as if it had never left.
‘Even if I had power, it wouldn’t make a difference. It’s just a deceit that only those who have had power can say. If I had power and authority… at least I wouldn’t have lived this life.’
As Yeocheong closed his eyes and fell into the haze of sleep, his thoughts blurred, and when he awoke, he could no longer remember if the moment was a dream or reality.
***
“Is it really necessary to dress up so much? I’m not the centre of attention today.
“Not the centre of attention? Your Highness, of course the most important person today is His Highness the Crown Prince, no… well, His Majesty the King. But you, Your Highness, will rise to the highest position in the inner court today.”
Seon’s voice replied, full of respect.
Yeocheong stared at the red rouge on his lips in the mirror. There were no expectations, so there was no tension for the event.
“To be honest, it would be nice for you to take full control of the inner court one day… but for now, it’s not too bad to enjoy the Crown Prince’s favour all to yourself.”
Seon said as she finished adjusting the hair ornaments.
With the final touches completed, Yeocheong left the Palace dressed in the ceremonial robes prepared for the coronation ceremony. He had woken up at dawn and spent a long time getting ready, and now that everything was in place, it was time to go.
“It’s time to say goodbye to Yeon Palace.
Yeon Palace was meant for the Crown Prince’s wife, and once she was crowned Queen, a new residence would be assigned.
‘I don’t want to go to Wolha Palace…’
Although he hadn’t been assigned to Wolha immediately after being crowned queen, it was the place he eventually moved to after winning Jihyuk’s favour. Initially, he had been given Boyeong Palace, and only later did he move to Wolha.
Although Wolha was known as a symbol of favour, it was also the place where Yeocheong had suffered immensely and lost himself in torment. How could he return there so casually? Trying not to show his discomfort, Yeocheong bit his lip and took a step forward.
Although his lip seemed to have split slightly, the red rouge covered it, so fortunately it wasn’t noticeable.
“The pond in Wolha is said to be so beautiful. If we were to move there, it might be quite nice. Your Highness, you wouldn’t even have to go far for a walk.”
Sowol chimed in.
Yeocheong smiled slightly at Sowol’s words. It was clear that Sowol didn’t like this place either. But with no memories of the past, it was easy for her to look forward to the new quarters.
‘I suppose that’s something I might envy.’
With that thought, Yeocheong let out a bitter smile. It was the last morning in the Yeon Palace.