Chapter 16
Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Boyhood ~Refusing the Engagement~
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Imperial Empire capital, Hedo.
On one side of Zhuque Avenue, centered around the Imperial Palace, stood the House of Governance, where officials handled their duties.
Symbolized by a blue hawk, the House of Governance was staffed by some of the Empire's finest talents, all dedicated to domestic affairs.
Selected through the rigorous civil service exams held every four years, they formed an elite group of particularly capable individuals.
At the top of this House of Governance was the Grand Chancellor, a high-ranking position overseeing politics and administration overall, wielding power second only to the Emperor.
The Grand Chancellor handled politics and administration.
The Martial Emperor managed military affairs.
And the Earth Lord oversaw infrastructure.
These three positions were collectively known as the Three Lords, with the Grand Chancellor holding the highest esteem among them.
The man serving as Grand Chancellor was Ri Shao, the head of the House of Governance.
Known across the Imperial Empire as the Emperor's right-hand man, he was a kindly-looking fellow with a rotund build. While his personal abilities left much to be desired, his talent for manipulating people was unmatched.
However, contrary to public opinion, Ri Shao was a man of great ambition, perfectly suited to his lofty position. His greed knew no bounds.
Having risen from a lowly clerk to the pinnacle of power as Grand Chancellor by sheer luck of catching the Emperor's eye, his gaze was now fixed even higher.
Beyond Grand Chancellor—to Prime Minister, encompassing all Three Lords!
He coveted the position abolished due to past dictatorship, and the biggest obstacle was the Martial Emperor.
Then came word of the Emperor's inspection tour to Yeon Province!
Upon hearing the news, he rejoiced and immediately began plotting a terrorist attack.
True to his genius at rallying people, he deftly gathered like-minded officials and secured manpower. His plan was to drive a wedge between the Yeon Clan and the Imperial Family to weaken the military faction.
'Once the Martial Emperor—who controls the military—is alienated from the Imperial Family, I, Ri Shao, will swallow the military whole!'
If the Martial Emperor, leader of the Empire's Ten Emperors, distanced himself from the throne, the rest of the Ten Emperors propping up the military would follow suit.
That would open the door for him to absorb the military.
That is, if the plan succeeded.
"To think the plan would fail..."
Seated in his office at the House of Governance, Ri Shao scowled at the report from his subordinate.
"The plan was supposed to be flawless."
Failing to assassinate the Emperor was no big deal.
In fact, it was all according to plan.
The real problem lay elsewhere.
"Why did the princess kidnapping fail?"
The princess was the perfect pawn to sow discord between the Yeon Clan and the Imperial Family.
With her low rank in the line of succession and none of her brother's prominence, she was a disposable card for Ri Shao—utterly expendable.
Yet her position as princess made her all the more appetizing. What better tool could there be?
"This is troubling. I planned to kidnap her and sell her off to the merchant guilds..."
With the plan in ruins, all the losses fell on his side.
"Crushing those petty upstarts is no issue, but the question is why it failed."
Since failure was the goal, the assassins were of middling skill overall.
The best were upper-grade, so the outcome was predictable. Of course the Emperor repelled them easily.
But the princess was different.
Even with the same caliber of assassins, she had an inside man. Surely she had no guards around her.
"With her chief guard—the key asset—betraying her, it should have been a sure thing..."
Yet dozens of assassins lost to a princess with no combat ability?
Even when most forces were tied up in the diversion against the Emperor?
"Did she have an accomplice?"
It happened on Yeon Clan grounds, so it was possible.
"But the subordinate said some kid got involved."
His expectations clashed with the report.
Ri Shao rubbed his throbbing temples and stood.
"I don't get it. Is the report really accurate? That the Yeon Clan's Young Clan Head took out multiple seasoned assassins?"
Unable to easily accept the conclusion, Ri Shao stared out the window with conflicted eyes.
After a long silence, he rang a bell to summon an attendant.
"Bring Han Seo-ryeong."
The attendant bowed wordlessly and vanished. Moments later, an official in civilian robes entered.
"You called for me, Grand Chancellor?"
"Come in, Han Seo-ryeong."
Still gazing out the window, Ri Shao welcomed him while watching the commoners frolicking innocently below. He continued,
"The plan failed. We'll aim for next time."
"...! Is that true?"
"An unexpected variable cropped up."
"But modifying the plan at this stage..."
"A failed plan from the start is worthless. Let it go without regret."
"...At the very least, shouldn't we target the Imperial Dragon Tournament?"
"No, pull back. With the plan failed, the Martial Emperor won't stay idle."
"If we give up now, the military's influence will only grow."
"No, it won't. Whether the plan succeeded or failed, the incident happened. The Yeon Clan will be greatly intimidated."
Though not as much as you and I hoped.
Han Seo-ryeong bit his lip in frustration at Ri Shao's words.
"We need to revise the plan. A major overhaul."
Gazing impassively out the window, Ri Shao issued an order.
"Gather intelligence on Yeon Je-seong. Leave no detail out—everything."
"Understood."
"No need to rush. Time is on our side. Stay calm."
Things were already moving behind the scenes.
The military's power would wane, and civil officials would fill the void.
Then, with a decisive incident, the scales would tip in one fell swoop.
'Yeon Je-seong, eh. Like father, like son.'
To catch a tiger, patience was key.
Murmuring Yeon Je-seong's name, Ri Shao slowly closed his eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, at the Yeon Clan's Grand Void Hall.
A rare scene unfolded in this residence reserved for direct bloodline.
"Are you serious?"
The stern-faced Yeon Clan Head asked, and the Emperor, sipping tea opposite him, replied,
"Of course."
"Hmm."
Silence hung over the room at the Emperor's immediate answer.
The matter demanded utmost caution.
Yet the gazes within held varied emotions.
The Emperor, conversing with the Clan Head while fixing his eyes on Yeon Je-seong, brimmed with endless greed.
The Clan Head watching the Emperor showed heavy deliberation.
And the princess observing them both harbored curiosity and anticipation.
How long passed before anyone spoke?
The princess, staring at the Emperor with sparkling eyes, soon felt a gaze from across and broke into a beaming smile.
"This princess approves!"
"I oppose! I oppose it!"
Yeon Je-seong's desperate cry rang out simultaneously.
The two with opposing views soon raised their voices in argument.
"Why! Do you hate this princess?!"
"That's not it! Who'd want an fiancée so soon?!"
"This princess thinks having a fiancé is fine!"
"Do you even know what a fiancé is?"
"Of course! Father told me! He said if we get engaged, I can visit you anytime without reason!"
Oh lord.
Yeon Je-seong clutched his head at the princess's words.
She already dropped by whenever bored. Imagine if they were engaged—dizzying just to think about.
'And the Emperor didn't even explain the real meaning!'
To her, it was just visiting rights.
In truth, it could mean entrusting one's entire life—a dangerous contract.
Yet the princess gazed innocently, oblivious.
'Wait, isn't this actually good for me?'
He didn't know why the Emperor hid it, but if she didn't grasp the true meaning, maybe he could persuade her out of it.
That very moment.
Somehow seeing their spat as affection, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! You two already seem close—makes me feel at ease!"
"...Pardon?"
"Hmm. Indeed, you do look close."
"Huh?"
How is this looking close?!
"Mm! Excellent judgment, Yeon Clan Head!"
"Hoho! Princess, in times like these, you call him Father."
"Father?"
Thank heavens she was still young and naive.
"Haha, what are you saying...!"
"Why not? He's to be your father-in-law. Calling him Father early is fitting."
"...Ahem. Well, either way is fine by me."
Wait, why are you enjoying this, Father?
No way?
You're not seriously selling me off, right?
Clearing his throat repeatedly, Father alternated glances between Se-hee and me, then nodded gravely.
"Very well. You don't seem at odds, so we'll consider it positively."
"Hahaha! Wise choice, Yeon Clan Head!"
"Wait───!!"
"Hooray! Now I can visit you anytime!"
"Calm down, Se-hee! Visits anytime are fine! How about no engagement?!"
"No!"
"Wh-why?!"
"I don't know! My gut just says no!"
"Urk...!"
Damn her sharp instincts...!
"Engagement! Engagement! Now I'm your fiancée!"
Chest puffed out, the princess started dancing on her shoulders, so thrilled she performed antics before the adults.
"You seem quite pleased, Princess."
"Of course! Yeon Clan Head! Finally engaged to the Young Clan Head—feels secure! Yeon Clan Head... no, Father! Thanks to you too!"
"You're too kind."
"Kehahaha! With Yeon Clan and the Imperial Family on good terms, how could I not rejoice? Forget this—let's hold a feast right now! Attendant─!"
As the Emperor barked orders summoning attendants, I sidled up to Father and whispered telepathically.
{Father! What are you thinking?!}
{What do you mean?}
{You're not seriously accepting the engagement, right?}
{I'm always serious.}
{No, suddenly getting engaged like this—what am I supposed to do?!}
{What do you mean? You've gained a lovely fiancée. Good, no?}
At Father's words, I glanced at Se-hee.
Her face flushed with excitement, eyes sparkling. Meeting my gaze, she blushed and waved wildly.
{Considering the Emperor's personality, this is definitely a leash.}
{Probably.}
{He wants me tied to the Imperial Family via the princess. Plus, she's just like him—not normal...}
{Nonsense. She's still pure.}
{No. She's definitely inherited it.}
Overlooking frequent visits, her uncanny knack for guessing my location by gut or the looks she gave when with Seon-hwa proved she wasn't normal.
Even if her personality hadn't fully formed due to youth, those chills down my spine were unmistakably from her.
Desperately explaining past incidents, Father gradually averted his eyes as he listened.
{Umm...}
{And you'll still sell me off?!}
{...It's fine. Things like that work out surprisingly well after marriage.}
{How can you be sure?}
Who knew if she'd normalize post-marriage?
What if it worsened?!
But Father dismissed my doubts with one line.
{Your mother was the same.}
....
{...Really?}
{Really.}
{But I never sensed that from her...}
{Naturally. Her personality mellowed a lot after marriage.}
{Still...}
{It's fine. I've experienced it—loyalty to one is actually a plus.}
Father's eyes were so earnest that I nodded involuntarily.
Satisfied, he nodded back and added,
{Besides, you have no choice anyway.}
{What do you mean?}
{The Emperor proposed it. What vassal refuses His Majesty?}
{You could, Father.}
You're the Emperor's favorite Martial Emperor.
If you refused, even he wouldn't push hard.
But Father's reply was unexpected.
{No, impossible. From his demeanor, even if we refuse now, he'll find a way to take you.}
{That's...}
{Better to permit it upfront than let him use harder tactics. You don't want to be suddenly taken hostage, right? And it's not bad for me either—no reason to refuse.}
{...}
{That's why you caught his eye. In all my years serving, I've never seen him so delighted.}
Pity flickered in Father's gaze.
{Listen, son. You never had a choice to begin with.}
Those words were the final blow.
"Urgh!"
I knelt with a tragic expression.
"A joyous occasion! Prepare the grandest feast!"
"Hee hee hee, now I'll stick to you all day, doing this and that!"
"We should schedule the engagement ceremony separately, Your Majesty."
They ignored me entirely.
Each brimming with enthusiasm, they left the room.
And four years passed.