The Tyrant's Forbidden Desire
Yeonsan-gun, the deposed sovereign. In the original history, "he" ascended the throne at eighteen and ruled competently for about ten years before purging his ministers on a massive scale twice over, descending into a tyrant of debauchery.
Among his vices, his lust was the most extreme—he coveted not only common women but even the wives of his own retainers. In the end, he faced the Jungjong Restoration and died mere months later. Aged twenty-nine.
The woman sitting before me—precisely, at a diagonal—was in her late teens, by the look of her. Yet the king's reign had already lasted at least ten years, as far as I knew. This world's history diverged from the one I remembered.
"I've heard you're the ginam the courtesans at the gilbang all swoon over. Indeed, you possess quite the beauty."
"Your gracious words of jade praise humble this lowly one beyond measure."
"And as rumored, your tongue is as silver as they come."
The sovereign crossed her legs the other way. Her pale skin dazzled the eyes.
"However, Han Seojin, I didn't summon you for your looks or your eloquence. Word has it you have a particular knack for reading people's hearts."
"I merely glance around like a scurrying rat, so more things catch my eye than most."
The throne smiled, her eyes crinkling.
"A lie. Do you know that amounts to Gigon MangSang right now?"
Gigon MangSang
Crime of deceiving and insulting the king (equivalent to treason)
Gigon MangSang. The crime of deceiving and insulting the sovereign. A capital offense on par with treason.
In my eyes, her desires were visible.
And behind those petty wants, something vast and gleaming.
"Han Seojin, I have one suspicion. If my guess is right, you'll know what's in this sovereign's heart."
The king placed a hand on her modest bosom.
"Speak it."
"...I cannot."
"Speak. This is a royal command."
I bowed my head.
"Please, have mercy."
"Even under royal command, you refuse?"
"...Please, have mercy."
My words alone conveyed enough.
Because her desire was.
Something no King of Joseon should harbor.
"...Hah."
The sovereign burst into laughter.
"It seems this unworthy one's guess was spot on. Han Seojin, no more Gokjwa—look me straight in the eye."
Kneeling before the king was basic etiquette.
But facing each other directly was forbidden.
If the sovereign faced south, those before her must sit facing west or east—not north, staring straight ahead. This was Gokjwa, one of the fundamental courtesies that must never be breached.
"...Please, have mercy."
Even alone together. Especially alone.
Yet the sovereign persisted.
"Sit straight. This is a royal command."
"...I dare commit the gravest rudeness."
I lifted my hips and sat facing her directly.
"Good, good. Not as stiff as those sadaebu—much better."
The sovereign extended her foot toward me.
"Han Seojin."
Her bare foot touched my shoulder. The soft sole traced my collarbone, then pressed against my neck as if taking my temperature and pulse. Her big toe and second toe gripped my chin.
"You will become my eyes and tongue."
Her foot moved with uncanny grace.
Did all yongin have such dexterity?
"And since you've revealed yours to me, I'll reveal mine. I possess a Cheonryepum that detects human lies."
"This fool dares ask: What is a Cheonryepum?"
"You didn't know? Don't desires float before your eyes?"
"Just as Your Highness says."
"That's a Cheonryepum. Yours sees desires; mine detects lies."
The sovereign's toes brushed my lips. They were white, soft, scented with floral oil.
"So never dream of lying to me. Or I'll have your tongue ripped out."
"Shall I show you?"
"Yes, show m—hng!?"
A giggle mixed with a moan escaped the sovereign.
My extended tongue had slipped between her toes.
"Kh, khahaha...! So bold."
"I hear it often."
"Family?"
"An orphan, knowing neither father nor mother."
"Hometown?"
"Raised in Hanyang Doseong's Hyulminseo, so Hanyang, I suppose."
"So even if you turned traitor, no three clans to punish, no hometown to bear the traitor's stigma and corvée."
The king lightly tapped my cheek.
With her foot.
Whether to humiliate or tease, neither of us knew.
"Well? Will you be my eyes and mouth?"
"How could this servant refuse Your Highness's request?"
"Then my first command: Swear to me you'll never lie."
"I swear."
"Good. Second command."
Her toes trailed up my cheek, covering my eyes.
"Go verify if the Pungyang Jo clan's daughter is human."
O Ja-yeon escorted me to an empty palace chamber, explaining along the way.
"You know His Majesty is of marriageable age yet unwed?"
"I've heard."
It was a favorite topic among the yangban who frequented the gilbang.
"His Majesty agrees she must wed, so she's scouting husbands from noble houses. Narrowed to Pungyang Jo's third son, Jangsu Hwa's firstborn, and Yeohung Min's fifth."
But there was a problem.
"Rumors say Pungyang Jo's third son isn't human—something disguised as one. His Majesty entrusts you with verifying."
"Will you accompany this lowly one, my lady?"
"Yes. We depart at Sa-si Jeong tomorrow. Tell this officer now if you need anything."
"Nothing needed, but one question?"
"What?"
"My lady, do you know a man's skin?"
"...!"
O Ja-yeon's face flushed crimson.
"Are you toying with this officer?"
"Curiosity led to rudeness. Forgive me."
I bowed deeply; she hesitated, missing her chance to scold.
"...Since you apologize, forgiven."
"You possess a gentleman's virtue."
"No more toying. This officer differs from your gilbang patrons."
"Of course."
Her hooves stamped the ground.
"No more words? Then this officer takes her leave."
"Does His Majesty know a man's skin?"
"......That question's unheard."
O Ja-yeon vanished outside.
...She's cute.
In modern Korea, men obsessed with virginity were mocked, women's purity prized.
Here, it's reversed. Men's chastity matters; women who toy with men are the connoisseurs of romance.
Eighteen years reincarnated here.
Still much unknown, but I grasped the societal gears.
The empty room had bedding laid out.
No one's around, right?
Slipping under the covers.
"Hoo..."
A long sigh escaped.
"Fuck..."
For a moment, my original speech returned.
"Flaunting charm ain't easy, no matter how much I practice... Hng..."
Not easy. Never easy.
If they were handing out isekai perks, why not give me some combat power?
I'd have swung a sword like Igokane at least once.
"Tch."
No use dwelling now.
Sleep. Just sleep.
Sa-si Jeong was around 8 a.m.
They'd feed me before departure, right?
The how and where and what were the issue.
Meat as a side would be nice.
Bang!
A sudden light pierced my sleepy eyes.
White jeogori over navy skirt. Palace gungnam.
"What's this guy?"
"New kid?"
"Tch, new and crashing here without greetings?"
"...Seems like a mix-up."
"Shut it, out. Hey, drag that one out."
Other gungnam grabbed and yanked me up.
"This isn't wise."
"You gotta do face-showing rites entering the palace!"
Slap!
My cheek stung.
A sudden slap across the face.
"Well, damn. Moonlight shows off that pretty face real nice."
"...As I said, this isn't—"
Slap!
The other cheek burned too.
"Think that pretty mug'll earn royal favor? Hmph, who hasn't dreamed that? Parade it around and see what—"
"What are you lot doing there?"