Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: You Must Be Punished
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Eunuch Bureau, Cheonwi's private office and residence.
This place felt less like the Eunuch Bureau and more like a luxurious noble's mansion. It was filled with all sorts of magical artifacts, plush sofas, and the finest liquors on display.
"Haah, finally home."
Cheonwi tossed aside his armor and flung himself onto the sofa.
Cheolhyeol and Tira looked around the room in wonder. Tira especially was busy fiddling with all the magical artifacts she'd never seen before.
"What's this? It lights up?"
"Ah, that's the magic refrigerator. There's some cold beer inside—help yourselves."
While Cheonwi lounged about, there was a sound of footsteps from outside.
"Lord Cheonwi, are you in?"
A cold, stiff voice. It belonged to the Senior Palace Maid from the Empress's Chambers.
Cheonwi sat up.
"Come in."
The door opened, and the expressionless Senior Palace Maid entered. In her hand was a letter wrapped in red silk.
For a moment, a chill ran down Cheonwi's spine.
That red silk was used by the Empress only for matters that were "extremely important" or when she was "extremely furious."
The Senior Palace Maid swept a pitiful glance over Cheolhyeol and Tira before handing the letter to Cheonwi.
"A message from Her Majesty the Empress."
Cheonwi swallowed hard and took the letter. Tearing open the envelope revealed a single line written in red ink.
[Tonight at the Hour of the Pig (Hai), Empress's Chambers. Private audience.]
Killing intent seeped from the handwriting. The word "private" was even underlined.
"......"
Cheonwi's hand trembled faintly.
This was a fear he hadn't felt even facing thousands of enemy soldiers on the battlefield or handling two wild beasts in bed.
The Senior Palace Maid drove the nail in deeper.
"Her Majesty is greatly... looking forward to it. Be sure not to be late. Oh, and..."
Her gaze fixed on Tira and Cheolhyeol.
"It would be best to keep your new 'pets' tied up securely. Her Majesty despises anything that sheds fur."
The Senior Palace Maid bowed politely yet threateningly before leaving the room.
As the door closed, silence fell.
Cheolhyeol asked with a worried look.
"The Empress? What's going on? The vibe feels off."
Even Tira's ears perked up, sensing danger on instinct.
"Smells dangerous. Like a viper."
Cheonwi crumpled the letter and rubbed his dry face.
The joy of triumph had been short-lived.
He'd barely escaped the tiger's den, only to be dragged into the dragon's lair.
"Haha... this is something."
Cheonwi forced a smile as he stood.
"You two rest here. I... have to go meet the final boss."
His footsteps were as heavy as a lamb heading to the slaughterhouse. He could sense that tonight, in the Empress's Chambers, a battle of a different kind would rage fiercely.
Empress's Chambers.
Normally, the faint scent of incense and warm lighting would fill the air, but tonight was different.
All the windows were tightly shut, and the only light illuminating the room came from a single red lantern beside the bed. Its crimson glow cast massive shadows on the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.
"Enter."
The low, husky voice reached him before he even crossed the threshold.
Cheonwi cautiously stepped inside, where he saw Yeonhwa reclining diagonally on the bed. She slowly stroked her swollen belly, staring up at the ceiling.
No one else was with her. Even the maids had all withdrawn, leaving just the two of them.
A heavy silence descended. As Cheonwi knelt to pay his respects, Yeonhwa turned her head to gaze at him.
"You're here."
Her eyes were as dark as a deep abyss.
"Just like a hunter, you brought back two female lions in heat."
Cheonwi swallowed dryly. He'd expected it, but this was a fastball. He calmly recited his prepared, model response.
"I've brought guard dogs to protect Your Majesty. The world is chaotic these days. With the south unstable, I thought reliable force was needed to safeguard Your Majesty and the child..."
"Guard dogs?"
Yeonhwa scoffed. She sat up. Her exposed shoulders, visible through the thin silk nightgown, gleamed seductively in the red light.
"They looked like bitches in heat to me. You reek of those sluts."
Yeonhwa set her teacup down on the side table with a sharp clink. Tea splashed from the ripple.
"Come closer."
Under an irresistible pressure, Cheonwi approached the bed. Yeonhwa grabbed his collar and yanked him in. Their noses nearly touched. She buried her nose in his nape and sniffed.
"Disgusting. The musky stench of wild beasts and the tang of blood... mixed with your lewd pheromones."
Yeonhwa's nails dug into his chest.
"Bringing thieving cats to stick their spoons in my bowl without my permission? You've got some guts, Cheonwi."
Cheonwi felt cold sweat trickle down. This wasn't mere jealousy. It was the fury of a predator whose territory had been invaded.
But then—
Sniffle.
Moisture suddenly welled up in Yeonhwa's fierce eyes. Her lips began to quiver.
"I... hic... I'm waddling around with this huge belly..."
Cheonwi's eyes widened at the abrupt shift.
"And you're out rolling with young, perky bitches... I'm getting fat, my feet are swollen... hic hic..."
Yeonhwa covered her face with both hands and sobbed. The Empress who commanded the world was gone, replaced by a pregnant woman overwhelmed by grievance.
Hormonal whimsy. The most vulnerable moment for the pregnant Empress—and the most bewildering for Cheonwi.
"No, Your Majesty. Why are you crying? I was wrong. Please, stop."
Flustered, Cheonwi fumbled a handkerchief from his bosom and gently wiped her tears as he approached.
"Your Majesty is still beautiful. Nobler and more stunning than any woman in the world—how could you say such things?"
"Liar! I saw those bitches earlier—their figures were... hic... perfect... hic... You prefer them deep down, don't you? I'm just some fat preggo now, right?"
"Absolutely not! You're all I see. I swear it!"
Cheonwi cried out with sincerity (or for survival). He took Yeonhwa's hand and rubbed it against his cheek.
"Don't cry. It breaks my heart."
Yeonhwa sniffled under his touch. Just as Cheonwi was about to sigh in relief—
Swish.
Yeonhwa snatched the handkerchief and tossed it away. She slowly lifted her head.
The teary eyes from moments ago were gone. A chilling madness gleamed in them once more.
"So you must be punished, right?"
"......Pardon?"
"You made me cry just now, so you'll pay the price. Don't expect any sleep tonight."
Yeonhwa's expression flipped. Were the tears an act, or hormones? Cheonwi was confused, but had no time to think. Yeonhwa shifted to the edge of the bed and extended her legs.
"Time for prenatal massage."
"M-Massage, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. Poor blood circulation—my whole body aches. You have a knack for working out the knots, don't you, Cheonwi?"
It was called a massage, but her eyes held the gaze of a torturer.
"Start with the feet. Then... work your way up."
Cheonwi knelt on the floor by the bed. Yeonhwa's pale, delicate foot was before him. Slightly swollen from pregnancy, but still beautifully sculpted.
Cheonwi gently cradled her foot.
"If I may."
His warm hands pressed firmly into the Yongquan Acupoint on her sole.
"Hngh..."
A strange moan escaped Yeonhwa's lips.
"Harder. Yes, there. Oooh... feels good."
Cheonwi's hands moved deftly. Loosening each joint and relaxing tense muscles with a technique akin to a martial "secret art."
As his hands climbed from ankle to calf, Yeonhwa's breathing grew ragged.
"Yes... like that... right there..."
Yeonhwa gazed down at Cheonwi with languid eyes. Unable to resist impulse, she lifted her other foot and pressed it against his head.
Squish.
Her sole ground into his crown. A humiliating position, but Cheonwi accepted the pressure calmly.
"No matter how much you like those bitches, I am your master. Understand?"
Yeonhwa stroked his earlobe with her toes.
"Never forget there's your child in my belly. You are mine. From a single hair to the tip of your toenails."
Possessiveness.
The strongest emotion upholding her crumbling self. Cheonwi looked up, meeting her eyes. Passion flickered in his gaze as well.
"I'll remember. Ownership of my body belongs to Your Majesty forever. Shall I draw up a deed?"
"Hehe... you sure talk smooth."
Yeonhwa smiled in satisfaction and withdrew her foot.
"Come higher. My back hurts."
Cheonwi's hands moved from calf to thigh, then to hips. The room's air grew thick and sticky. The bizarre prenatal massage—mingling pain and pleasure, dominance and submission—continued until dawn.
After the storm passed, the Empress's Chambers regained its quiet only at dawn.
Yeonhwa lay with her head pillowed on Cheonwi's lap. A flush colored her face, and her expression was far more relaxed. The venom was gone, replaced by languid satisfaction.
Cheonwi roughly combed back his disheveled hair and massaged her shoulders. His fingers throbbed, but he couldn't stop.
"Cheonwi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Don't bring those bitches into the inner palace. It'll get noisy."
Yeonhwa muttered with her eyes closed. A pragmatic compromise. Her pride wouldn't allow making them official concubines, but she knew banishing them would put Cheonwi in a tough spot.
"There's an unused annex in a quiet corner. I'll give you that—stick them there."
"Wise, Your Majesty. I was planning to use it as training grounds and quarters anyway. Best to isolate them until they learn palace etiquette."
Cheonwi nodded along. Truth be told, it suited him perfectly. Caging free-spirited Tira and strict Cheolhyeol within inner palace rules was like living with a ticking bomb.
"And..."
Yeonhwa cracked one eye open to look up at him. Her lips curved playfully.
"Sometimes, you can bring all three. I get bored."
Cheonwi's hand froze in midair.