Startled by the unexpected words, Yeocheong blinked along with Jeong Han. He knew that Jeong Han was a soft-hearted person, but he had never expected to hear such words from him. 

Jeong Han, who had awkwardly comforted him when he cried and told him stories about the Song Empire while keeping a deliberate distance to avoid being involved in unpleasant rumours, now offered words of comfort. 

Caught off guard by Jeong Han’s unexpected kindness, Yeocheong hesitated, unable to find the words to respond. In the awkward silence, Jeong Han swallowed dryly and spoke again. 

“…I overstepped.” 

The tips of Jeong Han’s ears reddened slightly as he bowed his head humbly. He regretted letting his emotions get the better of him and blurting out unnecessary words. 

‘Foolish words…’

Jeong Han closed his mouth briefly and cleared his throat to compose himself. A moment later, he returned to his usual calm demeanour and said, 

“The punishment of this maid is, of course, within the rightful authority of Your Highness. I am merely responsible for ensuring that the formal procedures are followed. How dare I question Your Highness’s decision?” 

“Please handle this matter as quietly as possible. I do not want it to become known beyond the palace walls.

Yeocheong asked Jeong Han. Although he knew that the people who needed to know would inevitably find out, he didn’t want the matter to become a topic of gossip. 

“I will see to it that it is handled that way.”

“And make sure that Sowol and Seon leave the palace at completely different times. And for Seon… give her enough money for the hardships she’s endured. Generously, without lacking in any way. 

As Yeocheong spoke, he thought of Seon’s face, a face he would never see again. She was a hardworking child, and with enough money she could probably open a shop and secure a stable life for herself. 

“Sending a child without connections weighs on my heart. If it’s difficult, at least give her this.” 

Yeocheong took a bracelet off his wrist and held it out to Jeong Han. He didn’t know much about the value of such things, but he was well aware that nothing given to a consort would be without value. 

“If she refuses to accept it, tell her that it is my last command… no, my last request.” 

Yeocheong’s hand shook slightly as he stretched out the bracelet. Jeong Han noticed the tremor and couldn’t help but wonder: 

‘Will he be okay? He’s already struggling with life in Yeon, and now one of the guards is being expelled for disgraceful behaviour, while another is being sent away of his own free will.’

Jeong Han had no intention of questioning Yeocheong’s decision, knowing it was his own. But Yeocheong looked far too precarious at the moment. 

If he went to such lengths to ensure Seon’s well-being, there was clearly a bond there. Did he really have to send her away? 

“It’s not difficult to hand her over, but… are you sure…” 

Jeong Han stopped himself in the middle of a sentence, about to ask if Yeocheong was really all right. He knew that such a question would be an unnecessary intrusion, but something about Yeocheong made him feel unusually protective. 

Maybe it was because Yeocheong always seemed so fragile, teetering on the brink every time they met. Jeong Han’s gaze lingered briefly on Yeocheong’s still reddened eyes. 

“I will deliver him. It won’t take long. I’ll take care of everything and report back before sunset tomorrow.” 

“There’s no need to report. I’ll consider it done.”

Yeocheong replied quietly. His voice carried an exhaustion that seemed to weigh down the air around him. 

Yeocheong hesitated for a moment before answering. Even though he had already made his decision and nothing would change, he wanted to create as much distance as possible. 

Maybe it would be easier to never hear about her life again. With this thought, Yeocheong lowered his head slightly. 

“Understood. I will handle it as Your Highness wishes.”

Jeong Han replied and bowed without further questions. He didn’t want to burden Yeocheong, who already seemed so fragile, with more difficult thoughts. 

“You must be busy with palace affairs, and yet I’ve forced this upon you. It weighs on me.” 

“It’s part of my duties, there’s no need to worry. It is only natural for me to take care of it.”

For someone so delicate, who seemed to be burdened by even small things, to have to face such a series of misfortunes – Jeong Han couldn’t help but feel a quiet pity for Yeocheong. Trying to lighten the mood, he changed the subject. 

“Come to think of it, a date should be sent from Seongyugwan by tonight.” 

“A date…? What date do you mean?” 

At the mention of Seongyugwan, Yeocheong looked up curiously. 

The Seongyugwan was the department responsible for managing all of the palace’s schedules. From major royal events to minor details such as choosing auspicious dates for new attendants to enter the palace, it was their job to organise everything. 

‘What events does the Palace oversee at this time of year? Well, with spring approaching, there must be quite a few.’ 

In the past, Yeocheong’s health had often deteriorated around this time, leaving him unable to oversee things properly. But that wasn’t the case this time. 

‘At least when I’m working, I don’t have to dwell on unnecessary thoughts. Maybe that is for the better.’ 

With this thought, Yeocheong waited for Jeong Han’s answer. But the answer he got was something completely unexpected – something he hadn’t even considered. 

“I have heard that the official hapbang date for His Majesty and Your Highness has been set. They have calculated the alignment of both your yeollakgi and the auspicious date to finalise it.” 

‘Yeollakgi.’

At the mention of a word he had completely forgotten, Yeocheong froze. How could he have forgotten something so important, even with all the chaos clouding his thoughts? 

“When… when is it set?”

“It’s a matter for Seongyugwan, so I don’t know the exact details. But I imagine it will be before the next full moon, probably within ten days at the most.” 

Before the full moon. Even with a generous estimate, that only left about ten days. Yeocheong hadn’t experienced a yeollakgi since arriving in Yeon. He’d been taking medicine to delay his cycle to match Jihyuk’s, but he’d become so used to the routine that he hadn’t paid much attention. 

‘Even on days outside the yeollakgi it was like this.’ 

Remembering the night before, Yeocheong let out a bitter smile. For a Yangin and an Eumin, their scents were like a drug – one that undermined reason and made them focus solely on physical acts. 

Sweet, intoxicating and euphoric, but fleeting. When the yeollakgi ended and the effects of the scent wore off, all that was left was an aching body and an empty space beside it. 

“I heard that Seongyugwan chose a day of great happiness since it will be the first yeollakgi you two spend together.”

‘What’s the point of choosing an auspicious date if no child can come out of this relationship anyway?’ 

Yeocheong stifled a sarcastic smile and spoke calmly. 

“If His Majesty is a Geukyangin, then if there’s no problem on my part, it would only make sense for a child to be conceived during this Hapbang.

“That would normally be the case. But even if it doesn’t happen, please don’t feel burdened. After all, yeollakgi isn’t a one-time event.”

It wasn’t impossible for a Yangin and an Eumin to go through several yeollakgi together without conceiving, but it was far from common – especially if one of them had extreme traits like being Geukyang or Geukum. 

In his previous life, Yeocheong had been able to blame his lack of children on his poor health, and had found some comfort in that explanation. But this time, what excuse could he use? 

‘…Then why?’ 

While bitterly recalling the past, Yeocheong suddenly remembered a strange detail and unconsciously stopped fiddling with his nails. 

“The exact date should be announced by Seongyugwan before the end of the day.”

“Thank you for informing me.”

“Not at all. Please rest well, Your Highness.”

Jeong Han said and bowed before leaving the room. 

Jeong Han bowed deeply to Yeocheong before leaving Eunpyeong Palace. Left alone, Yeocheong sat on the edge of the bed and pondered the question that had come to his mind. 

‘In my past life and in this one, Sowol did the same thing. Her goal was clearly to deteriorate my health until it led to my death.’ 

Yeocheong remembered the moment Sowol confessed the truth. At first, he thought that Sowol might have been more careful this time. But her behaviour had clearly shown that she was aware that if Yeocheong continued to drink the tea, it could lead to his death. 

But unlike before, Yeocheong’s health wasn’t as fragile in this life. Although his heightened sensitivity occasionally caused him to fall ill, it was a stark contrast to the past, when he often suffered inexplicably. 

‘There must have been a reason for the result to change. But I…’ 

‘I haven’t done anything significant. So why does the future keep taking unexpected turns?’ 

Yeocheong revisited the moments he had missed in his emotional haze. 

Every event in the world is made up of a series of small actions that add up over time. That’s why Yeocheong hadn’t given much thought to the war between Yeon and the Song Empire or the changes in Jihyuk’s attitude. 

But now he couldn’t ignore the nagging suspicion that something crucial had changed – something he hadn’t recognised. 

But why would there be such a significant change for him if there was no change in Sowol’s actions? Could this also be part of something that could change as part of a chain reaction? 

Once the questions started, they kept multiplying, getting bigger and more complex. Then Yeocheong suddenly felt a sharp pain at the tip of his finger and looked down at his hand. 

“Ah…” 

His habit of picking his nails when he felt anxious had caused him to unconsciously overwork them again and one of his nails had broken. Yeocheong frowned as he looked at the thin trickle of blood running down from the nail. 

“…….” 

An uneasy silence hung heavy in Yeocheong’s chambers for a long time. 

It wasn’t until about an hour after Yeocheong had cleared his dining table that a palace attendant from Seongyugwan arrived with the message.