Chapter 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Words Like Clear Spring Water
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All the auditions were finally over.
In the training grounds, the newly selected palace maids stood in neat ranks. Each one boasted an outstanding figure and stunning beauty, and after enduring the grueling trials, their eyes burned with venom and ambition—they were top-tier "material."
Dokgo Cheonwi looked them over with a satisfied smile. This was exactly the lineup he had envisioned.
"Congratulations. You've passed through this hellish audition."
Their eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You're no longer mere palace maids. You're the flowers of the Imperial Palace, trendsetters of the empire, idols who will hold His Majesty's heart in the palm of your hand—the empire's 'idols.'"
"Idols...?"
The unfamiliar word made the maids tilt their heads. He didn't bother explaining. Idols—worshipped icons. Soon, they would become the icons of the palace.
"Do as I say, and you'll bask in wealth and glory. I'll make the world tremble at your every gesture and glance. Can you pledge your loyalty to me?"
"We pledge it! Our loyalty to Vice Chief Dokgo!"
The maids shouted in unison. They were already captivated by his overwhelming charisma and outlandish selection process—a form of brainwashing, really.
Dokgo Cheonwi clasped his hands behind his back and gazed up at the sky. The sunset painted it blood-red.
The groundwork is solid. The members are perfect. Now, just training...
But first, there was something else. To make this massive project a success, he needed approval from his biggest "backer." And managing that backer was his job too.
Time to give Empress Yeonhwa a little "event" of her own.
Dokgo Cheonwi smirked, fiddling with the heavy box hidden in his sleeve.
That night.
The night air in the Imperial Palace was chilly, but Dokgo Cheonwi's steps burned hot. He walked a secluded path toward the Cold Palace.
In his hand was a box wrapped in fine silk. Inside lay his carefully prepared secret weapon, designed to conquer Empress Yeonhwa tonight: leopard-print lingerie.
It's no ordinary underwear. This maximizes primal allure, awakening Her Majesty's dormant instincts—a magical item.
Just imagining it was thrilling. The lofty, icy empress blushing in this outrageous outfit before him—dopamine surged through his brain.
He'd dealt with Jo Chief Eunuch yesterday, selected his maids today to consolidate power. Now, tonight was for romance... no, a rendezvous with the empress. Work, love, power—a perfect day.
The Cold Palace wall came into view. He signaled the guards to back off—they'd been on his payroll for ages.
Wait for me, Your Majesty. I'm coming.
Whistling a tune, Dokgo Cheonwi entered the Cold Palace courtyard. The moonlight was exceptionally bright.
Far off, a light glowed in the empress's chambers. A faint shadow flickered behind the paper-screened door.
His heart raced as he approached. He straightened his robes and prepared his most seductive voice. Tonight, this leopard-print lingerie would set the Cold Palace ablaze.
But as he reached for the door handle, a chill ran down his spine.
What? Did the temperature drop?
Dokgo Cheonwi tilted his head, cautiously preparing to open the door. His chest pounded with anticipation. His grip tightened on the box.
Creeeak.
The rusty hinges screamed. He eased open the Cold Palace door and stepped inside. Outside, the early summer night was cool enough, but the Cold Palace lived up to its name with an eerie chill.
Yet Dokgo Cheonwi's heart blazed like a furnace. The weight of the silk-wrapped box in his hand filled him with excitement. This was his reward for successfully completing the maid selection earlier—a supreme gift for Empress Yeonhwa.
A single candle flickered precariously in the room.
"Your Majesty, I'm back."
He greeted her with forced cheer. Normally, she'd welcome him warmly with "You're here" or pretend indifference until he approached.
But tonight, the mood was off.
Yeonhwa sat at the edge of the bed, her back to him. Her shoulders trembled faintly, surrounded by a palpable cold aura. He could sense it instinctively. She was pissed. Royally so.
Dokgo Cheonwi sidled up behind her, reaching out with his arms.
"I missed you so much I went mad. The day felt endless..."
He tried for a back hug.
Slap!
Yeonhwa shrugged him off irritably, swatting his hand away. Ice-cold rejection. She turned slowly, glaring at him. Her eyes blazed with a mix of hurt, anger, and jealousy.
"Be gone."
Her voice was frigid.
"Why come here after playing with those girls from your 'special planning team' or whatever? Is that place paradise? All those fresh, perky things swarming around?"
Ah, rumors spread here already. The palace gossip network moves faster than light. Dokgo Cheonwi clicked his tongue inwardly but kept his relaxed smile.
Yeonhwa bit her lip and continued.
"I'm old and withered now, aren't I? After seeing those girls, looking at me must rot your eyes. Those firm young things got under your skin, huh?"
Tears welled in her eyes. Exiled to the Cold Palace after losing power, her self-esteem had hit rock bottom thinking even her sole ally Dokgo Cheonwi was distracted by young maids.
But he didn't panic. If anything, he fought back a rising smirk.
Jealousy.
The surest, most primal proof a woman loves a man. Yeonhwa wanted him so badly she was sulking like this.
She's adorable.
Dokgo Cheonwi set the silk box on the floor and knelt on one knee before her. Her gaze pierced him. He took her cold hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back softly. Her hand twitched.
"Your Majesty."
He looked up at her with honey-dripping eyes.
"No matter how lush the flower garden, there's only one queen who rules it. Those girls are mere attendants to make you shine."
"Hmph. Words like clear spring water."
Yeonhwa snorted, but her expression had softened. Women are weak to sweet talk. Dokgo Cheonwi drove the point home.
"And... those girls couldn't pull this off. Only Your Majesty's noble grace and ripe beauty can handle it."
"This? What's that?"
Her curious eyes flicked to the box on the floor. She'd bitten the bait.
He grinned and stood, unwrapping the silk.
"A 'battle suit' I prepared just for you today—the empire's one and only."
Swish.
The lid opened, revealing neatly folded fabric scraps. In the candlelight, the pattern was striking: golden base with irregular black spots.
Beast hide—leopard print.
"Wh-what is this?"
Yeonhwa's eyes widened. She lifted the contents with trembling hands. A palm-sized bra, a barely-there panty linked by straps, and a garter belt of unknown purpose.
All in bold leopard print.
"Isn't this beast hide? How can you wear something so... vulgar..."
Yeonhwa flushed and dropped it like it burned. In this era akin to Joseon, it was too shocking. But Dokgo Cheonwi pressed on.
"It's not vulgar, Your Majesty. It's primal."
"Primal?"
"Yes. The pattern of the predator ruling the plains. The moment you wear it, you're no passive empress—you become a queen men crave to conquer, no, a ruler who brings all males to their knees."
He added with mock seriousness.
"Feel the material. Finest silk from the West. It'll feel like clouds on your skin."
Yeonhwa, entranced, toyed with the leopard-print lingerie again. "Ruler" stirred her suppressed desires. She glanced sideways at him and murmured.
"If I wear this scandalous thing... would you like it?"
"Like it? I'd go insane. Your porcelain skin draped in leopard print... just imagining it makes my heart explode."
Dokgo Cheonwi clutched his chest dramatically. Yeonhwa's cheeks flushed pink. She hugged the bundle to her chest decisively.
"If you really want it... I'll try it on. But if it's weird, it's coming off immediately."
"Of course. Behind the screen, Your Majesty. Shall I help?"
"Out! Peek and I'll gouge your eyes."
Yeonhwa snapped sharply and scurried behind the screen.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of clothes coming off. Dokgo Cheonwi perched on the bed, swallowing dryly. Imagination was a more potent aphrodisiac than sight. Her silhouette on the screen pumped his heartbeat. The heavy outer robe slipped off, the inner skirt cascaded down. Then, the thin leopard-print scraps enveloped her body in explicit shadow play.
Moments later.
"I... I'm dressed."
Her voice was a shy whisper.
"Come out, my empress."
Yeonhwa hesitated, then emerged from behind the screen.
In that instant, Dokgo Cheonwi forgot to breathe.
"......"
Words failed him. Fireworks exploded in his mind.
His expectations were spot-on—no, surpassed. The contrast of Yeonhwa's dazzling white skin and the fierce leopard print was beyond visual shock; it was violent.
The leopard bra barely contained her ample breasts. The print panty hugged her slim waist and hips. Below, garter belts gripped her long thighs paired with black stockings.
The shy, haughty empress was gone. In her place stood a seductive she-leopard—a predator.
Clothes make the woman—or in this case, turned the empress into a demoness.
"How is it... weird?"
Yeonhwa fidgeted bashfully. But even that gesture was lethally tempting thanks to the leopard print. Her flushed face contrasted her provocative body.
Dokgo Cheonwi stared blankly, then gulped hard. His throat bobbed visibly.
"Wow..."
The exclamation slipped out.
"Your Majesty... no, my queen. Devour me, please."
At his blatant reaction, Yeonhwa's expression shifted. Seeing her desire reflected in his eyes and his entranced face, her confidence surged back—no, something beyond awakened within her.