“The night of the third day next week. It is an auspicious date, chosen after days of purification rituals and prayers, so surely there will be good news”.

The low-ranking official said, kneeling before Yeocheong. The third night of the following week was less than ten days away. 

“Surely there will be good news.” 

“Surely there will be good news this time.” 

The words, repeated to the point of exhaustion in his previous life, echoed in Yeocheong’s ears once more. This time there would probably be no such news, even though he had shared tea with Jihyuk several times in this life. 

Nevertheless, an uneasy feeling crept into his heart. In a situation where he couldn’t even understand what had changed to alter the course of the future so drastically, could he confidently say that there would be no child this time? 

“It’s not possible to change the date, is it?” 

“Prolonged use of medication to delay yeollakgi is not recommended. Especially since His Majesty is a Geukyangin… suppressing it for too long could lead to unforeseen circumstances that could become uncontrollable.”

The officer spoke with a slightly worried expression on his face. It was an understandable reaction, but Yeocheong couldn’t help but feel a little stifled. 

“Unless there’s a special reason…” 

“No, it’s nothing. It’s just that it’s been so long since I experienced a yeollakgi… Forget I said anything.” 

“Please don’t worry, Your Highness.”

As the official had mentioned, the medication to delay the yeollakgi was not a perfect solution. It was more of a temporary suppression, and both Eumin and Yangin were required to experience at least one yeollakgi without medication every year to maintain balance. 

Enduring three days and nights of intense heat, with the air thick with the scent meant to ease arousal, was never a pleasant experience. 

“This is your first yeollakgi with a yangin, so it’s natural to feel a bit tense. But please don’t worry too much. His Majesty will make sure that it’s a time without any discomfort for you,” the official said reassuringly.

Although his body would be experiencing it for the first time, his memories told a different story. It was still a situation he wasn’t looking forward to. One small relief, however, was the overlapping of their yeollakgi, which would make the scent so overwhelming that it would drown out any unnecessary thoughts. At least his mind wouldn’t be consumed by intrusive worries. 

But unlike before, when he desperately hoped to conceive a child, this time Yeocheong found himself wishing for the opposite. 

‘If only Seon was still here… I could have quietly asked her to get me some contraceptive tea.’

If it had been Seon, she would have helped with even a flimsy excuse. Thinking of her face, Yeocheong bit his lip slightly. Although it was unlikely, the mere thought of the current situation made him feel uncomfortable. 

The thought of carrying Jihyuk’s child now was something he couldn’t bear, not even as a remote possibility. 

“Then I will take my leave.”

The low-ranking official from Seongyugwan said and bowed deeply to Yeocheong. His only purpose had been to deliver the date and there was no reason for him to stay any longer. 

“Seven days. Isn’t that a bit tight?” 

“An auspicious day does not come easily, Your Highness. We’ll do our best to prepare, so please don’t worry.”

From behind, Na Gyeong and Munhee, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, began to chatter excitedly. 

Their lively chatter, full of anticipation for the preparations ahead, was in stark contrast to Yeocheong’s growing anxiety. 

The yeollakgi of a Geukyangin and an Eumin – while the likelihood of conceiving a child was lower under such circumstances, Na Gyeong and Munhee acted as if Yeocheong had already confirmed a pregnancy, their excitement palpable. 

“If Your Highness is going to have a yeollakgi… we must prepare dishes to increase your stamina.” 

“And perhaps bring plenty of scented oil as well?” 

“Oh, you. Once the yeollakgi deepens, none of that will matter.” 

“…….” 

Their cheerful chatter, more animated than Yeocheong’s own mood, came to an abrupt halt when they noticed his silence. Taking his calm demeanour as a sign of nervousness, they decided not to question him further and quietly left his chambers. 

‘There will be no child. He doesn’t need a child now any more than he did before. But… can I really be sure that everything will go as I expect?’

Unease gnawed at Yeocheong, and he scratched absentmindedly at the table with his broken nail. The sharp sting made him look down at his hand, a faint red colour seeping through the thin bandage. He quickly lowered his hand under the table. 

‘If I can’t get a proper contraceptive, I’ll have to find something with a similar effect.’ 

Yeocheong’s resolve hardened as his discomfort continued, his mind racing with thoughts of what measures he could take to avoid the uncertain future that lay ahead. 

A few herbs came to Yeocheong’s mind. Fortunately, the herbal texts he had read so carefully came in handy. 

‘It doesn’t have to be strong. Something subtle, inconspicuous… Something whose effects aren’t widely known.’ 

To obtain it through the royal physician would probably arouse suspicion. Everything documented in the texts of the palace library was probably already known to the physician. 

But few palace attendants knew the properties of individual herbs. If he claimed that it was a folk remedy from the Song Empire, he might be able to obtain some herbs discreetly without raising any eyebrows. 

‘It won’t have a significant effect, but… it should help, if only a little. No, no, it won’t come to that. There’s no way I’m going to conceive a child. Even if I did, it would only be an obstacle for him.’

Yeocheong shivered as he remembered the feeling of sitting across from Jihyuk and drinking tea. It was a taste he had barely been able to tolerate, suppressing the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. 

At least this time he knew what he was drinking. And he didn’t want to carry Jihyuk’s child – not at all. With that in mind, he put up with it. 

“It will be alright. It has to be okay…”

Yeocheong muttered to himself as he thought about contingency plans. A changed future and an unchanged one – what was the difference? 

Even if he still didn’t know the answer, one thing was clear: nothing could be taken for granted. Yeocheong brought his fingers, which had been tapping on the table, to his lips in thought. 

* * * 

“Your Highness, I have procured what you requested.” 

“Good.” 

Time passed quickly. Fortunately, as Yeocheong had planned, he was able to obtain a contraceptive tea under the guise of a traditional remedy from the Song Empire. 

“Please don’t mention this to anyone. People are already worried enough about me – I don’t want to give them any more to worry about.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Na-gyeong said and bowed deeply. 

With the departure of Yeocheong’s two former attendants from the palace, Na-gyeong had seized the opportunity to secure the coveted position of Yeocheong’s personal attendant – something she had wanted for a long time. 

“I’m more worried about whether you’ll be able to withstand the yeollakgi. You’ll be confined to the bedchamber for three days…”

Na Gyeong remarked, looking at Yeocheong’s frail wrist. 

Over the past few days, Eunpyeong Palace had been flooded with all kinds of precious medicinal herbs and nutritious foods in preparation for the yeollakgi. 

It was far more than any one person could consume in seven days, and while much of it would inevitably go to waste, Yeocheong’s unspoken unease had caused his already modest appetite to dwindle even further. 

Na Gyeong frowned. The one who needed to put on weight had become even thinner, while the palace servants who had been sneaking bites of the discarded food out of reluctance to waste it had visibly brightened in complexion over the past few days. 

Na Gyeong hadn’t resisted tasting the leftovers herself, but as someone who had served closely, she couldn’t be entirely positive about the situation. 

“It’s okay. Eumins are practically born for yeollakgi. There’s no eumin who can’t handle it.”

Even when his health was worse than it was now, he had never failed to endure yeollakgi. 

Though he had fallen ill afterwards, even the weakest body could survive those three days. Though his mind might have been clouded during the ordeal, his body had never faltered. 

‘Truly, this body seems made for nothing more than bearing children.’

Yeocheong smiled bitterly. Despite the consumption of all sorts of precious foods over the past few days, his body remained so gaunt that even he found it unpleasant to look at. 

“Still, you must take care of your health. Even if you say that you’ll manage the yeollakgi without any problems, being so thin is bound to take a toll on your health. I’ll have to make sure you eat better.

Although Na Gyeong’s concern wasn’t driven by the same motives as Seon’s, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear her scolding with concern. Yeocheong simply let her fuss over him without interruption. 

“His Majesty wants to see you.”

A voice suddenly announced, pulling Yeocheong out of his thoughts and back to the present. 

The unexpected visit from Jihyuk brought Yeocheong back to reality as Na Gyeong’s voice faded into the background. 

“It’s been a while since we last spoke. I’ve been busy with things.” 

“…….” 

Jihyuk’s face looked a little strange. Just moments ago, Yeocheong had been told that he looked too thin, but the man in front of him also seemed thinner than usual. 

‘It seems he wasn’t lying about being busy.’ 

“It seems that Seongyugwan hasn’t been keeping track of Your Majesty’s schedule.”

“Seongyugwan is only in charge of setting auspicious dates. There’s nothing to worry about. Most of the important things have been taken care of.”

Jihyuk replied casually, smiling slightly as he approached Yeocheong. 

“You’ve lost some weight.”

Jihyuk noticed and looked at Yeocheong intently. 

“As have you, Your Majesty.”

Although Jihyuk’s physique was still solid, Yeocheong couldn’t find any other words to reply and pointed it out. 

Jihyuk brushed his own face lightly with his hand and replied in a nonchalant tone.

“Is that so? Don’t worry about it. I just slept a little later than usual while I was wrapping things up.” 

Jihyuk’s eyes remained fixed on Yeocheong as he spoke. Feeling burdened by the intense gaze, Yeocheong turned his head away and said.