Chapter 121
Chapter 121
The Imperial Seal (3)
(The Princess Couple, Quietly Dating for Three Months. Will They Be Reborn as the Couple of the Century?)
Lee Seo-eun and Seong Hyeon-woo’s contract dating continued. The places they went became popular date spots, bustling with people. Favorable articles even poured in, analyzing how the “Princess Couple” was revitalizing the domestic market.
“Damn it...!”
In the palace, passing court ladies flinched at the sound of someone causing a ruckus. They soon confirmed it was the prince’s palace and pretended not to notice as they walked by.
“Does this make any sense? Her approval ratings go up just because she’s seeing some guy?”
“It’s not entirely nonsensical. The two of them had a good image from the start.”
“Head Eunuch Hwang.”
“I was merely stating an objective fact. You should have conducted yourself better on a regular basis.”
Despite the somewhat disrespectful words, Lee Kang said nothing to him. Head Eunuch Hwang was the son of his nanny, a court lady, making their relationship like that of brothers.
“But why do you dislike the princess?”
“She’s insufferable! That girl doesn’t know her place, running wild like that.”
In truth, Lee Kang’s inferiority complex had exploded upon seeing how everything seemed to come so easily to Lee Seo-eun, while he struggled with everything he did.
“Even so, the throne of the next emperor is yours anyway, Your Highness. Is there any need to get so worked up?”
With a snake-like face and a soft tone, Head Eunuch Hwang reassured Lee Kang.
“Isn’t it amusing to watch her suffer from false hope, deluding herself into thinking it’s her place and making futile efforts?”
“...I suppose you’re right.”
It made sense when he heard it. Seeing Lee Kang’s mood soften in an instant, Head Eunuch Hwang watched him with a peculiar gaze.
“Your Highness, how about this?”
He whispered in Lee Kang’s ear with a cunning expression.
And so, Lee Seo-eun, having fallen for Lee Kang and Head Eunuch Hwang’s scheme, was trying to enter the palace while avoiding the reporters.
“Is it true about the assault incident that occurred this morning?”
“The victim’s side says they will sue you, Your Highness. How do you feel about that?”
“Speculation is growing that the victim is a former lover of Cheono Group’s Seong Hyeon-woo. Was this a crime of passion?”
It’s a cliché for a budding couple to face trials and tribulations. Head Eunuch Hwang, having bribed a woman who had a secret crush on Seong Hyeon-woo, had cleverly set the stage.
The bribed woman provoked Lee Seo-eun by mentioning Seong Hyeon-woo. The patient Lee Seo-eun had only tried to catch the woman who was about to fall, but the CCTV angle made it look exactly as if she had assaulted and pushed her.
The person claiming to be the victim was giving interviews to all sorts of media outlets, stating she would sue Lee Seo-eun.
“Are you all right?”
Having finally made it to her room, Lee Seo-eun sighed as she looked at Court Lady Choi, who was cautiously asking after her well-being.
“It wasn’t me.”
“Of course, I know it wasn’t. Don’t worry. Our people are still investigating.”
But people don’t believe that. Lee Seo-eun trudged over and flopped face down on her bed. The media was in a constant debate over the existence of the royal family, and in the process, incidents that Lee Seo-eun had nothing to do with were continuously brought up. She was exhausted from having to maintain her public image while worrying about it.
“It really wasn’t me...”
“The truth will come out soon, so don’t worry too much. Shall we watch some TV?”
Court Lady Choi pressed a button on the remote, speaking in a deliberately exaggerated tone to lift Lee Seo-eun’s spirits.
(Regarding the assault incident involving Princess Lee Seo-eun in Cheongdam-dong this morning...)
“Change the channel.”
“Oh? Just a moment.”
Court Lady Choi actually turned up the volume on the TV.
(What are your thoughts on the assault incident involving your partner, Princess Lee Seo-eun?)
(It’s not worth responding to.)
Lee Seo-eun, who had been hiding under the covers, shot up and fixed her gaze on the TV. A neat suit, hair slicked halfway back—the only difference was that his usual, proper smile was replaced by a frighteningly grim expression.
(We heard you knew the victim. Was this a crime of passion?)
(Did the princess always have a violent streak?)
He, who had been ignoring them and walking on, suddenly stopped and turned around. The reporters thrust their microphones forward.
(She is not that kind of person.)
(But the victim’s side has already...)
(So you’re just going to believe their side and bother me like this? I said it wasn’t Seo-eun. Do you need any more explanation?)
(But the evidence...!)
(Have you even properly analyzed the evidence? Numerous experts have found issues with the video, so what are you all basing this on? Did you get paid off by someone?)
Some of them had indeed received money from Lee Kang. But the blunt question silenced the reporters.
(I believe Ms. Lee Seo-eun. She is not that kind of person.)
His eyes, staring straight into the camera, were filled with faith and trust. Soon, his expression turned icy.
(Get these things out of here.)
Ordering the bodyguards waiting nearby as if telling them to clear away trash, he started walking again.
It wouldn’t be surprising if someone with a history of bad behavior acted that way. But to see a man who was the epitome of proper and upright conduct lash out like that left both the reporters and the onlookers staring at him blankly.
(Gasp...!)
(If it’s not enough, send the bill to Cheono Group.)
He even snatched a camera from a persistent reporter and threw it on the ground. He pulled all the cash from his wallet and threw it at the reporter. It was a deeply insulting act.
“Wow...”
Court Lady Choi let out a small gasp of admiration at the sight, while Lee Seo-eun furrowed her brow. Acting like that toward a reporter would only hurt Seong Hyeon-woo. For someone in his position as an illegitimate son to pull a stunt like that...
Just then, Lee Seo-eun’s phone chimed with a notification. It was a text from Seong Hyeon-woo, asking to meet at their usual spot.
Heading to the meeting place, Lee Seo-eun quickened her pace when she saw Seong Hyeon-woo in the distance.
“I told you not to do anything foolish!”
A dull thud was heard, and Lee Seo-eun hid behind a wall. Seong Hyeon-woo’s father, Chairman Seong, was fuming, yelling at him to get his act together before getting into his car.
Lee Seo-eun pretended not to have seen anything and went up to the building’s rooftop, their meeting spot.
“Why did you do that?”
On the rooftop with a small garden, there was a wooden platform in the center, and string lights woven through the trees and railings glowed brightly. It was a key location in ‘The Imperial Seal,‘ a hideout Seong Hyeon-woo often visited.
“...I wonder.”
Lee Seo-eun sat down next to Seong Hyeon-woo, who was gazing at the night sky.
“Since we can’t turn public opinion around immediately, it’s better to take the fall together.”
“How can you say that...!”
“I kept my promise.”
Recalling the day he’d said, ‘Even if the world doesn’t believe you, Ms. Seo-eun, I will,‘ Lee Seo-eun was momentarily at a loss for words.
“...”
Her gaze was on the sky, but all her attention was focused on the person beside her. Feeling like she would suffocate if this continued, Lee Seo-eun spoke, her voice thick with emotion.
“Why are you going this far?”
Seong Hyeon-woo stood up, moved in front of Lee Seo-eun, and knelt on one knee.
“Because I’ve fallen for my princess?”
And he looked up at Lee Seo-eun. Was it the effect of the lights? His eyes sparkled. Lee Seo-eun turned her head, avoiding his gaze.
“Don’t joke around.”
“I’m serious.”
Seong Hyeon-woo lowered his head for a moment before looking up at Lee Seo-eun’s face again, his expression utterly sincere. He wanted to hold her hand, but fearing even that touch might startle her, he clenched his fists and held back as he poured out his feelings.
“I like you.”
“...”
“Probably since long ago, a time you wouldn’t remember.”
For as long as Lee Seo-eun could remember her childhood, her parents were not there. She had to endure her uncle’s subtle disapproval and Lee Kang’s constant checks. But she thought she could navigate it all on her own.
The first unconditional affection she had ever received was sweeter than she’d imagined, but she felt she would fall apart if she gave in to her emotions.
“...Just ice your face yourself.”
So she ran away.
“Cut!”
Seong Hyeon-woo stared intently at Lee Seo-eun’s retreating back. And for a long while, he gazed at the door she had left through. When the director’s “cut” was heard, Yu Yeon-seo closed his tired eyes.
Hyeon-woo (sitting in front of Seo-eun, looking up at her face): Because I’ve fallen for my princess?
As a simple stage direction, the line might seem cringey by today’s standards. But it was the actor’s job to bring such lines and situations to life. When delivering this line, it needed to be half-wrapped in a playful charm and half-mixed with sincerity.
The director and Shin Ye-won, who were watching the monitor, looked satisfied, but Yu Yeon-seo frowned slightly. It hadn’t come out as he’d intended, and he felt he could do better with one more take.
“Should we go for one more take?”
The assistant director glanced at the clock. As a semi-pre-produced drama, the schedule was flexible, and there was still time left for shooting. The director glanced at Shin Ye-won.
“It’s really good as it is... but if Ms. Ye-won and Mr. Yeon-seo want to, let’s go one more time.”
“Sorry, Noona. Let’s do it one more time.”
Shin Ye-won readily nodded.
And so, Lee Seo-eun, along with Court Lady Choi, began investigating the scene of the incident early in the morning to clear her name.
“That car... it was on the CCTV too, right?”
“Yes, ah! The dashcam!”
After pleading with the car’s owner, Lee Seo-eun and Court Lady Choi secured the footage and uploaded it to a video platform.
(Malicious Smear Campaign Against Princess Lee Seo-eun: Who Is Responsible?)
(Princess Lee Seo-eun’s Assault Was False. It Was a Good-Faith Attempt to Catch a Falling Person)
The “victim,” who just yesterday had been telling the media she would sue the princess, had vanished. And public opinion shifted.
There was condemnation for those who had framed it as an assault, sympathy for Lee Seo-eun, and a favorable response toward Seong Hyeon-woo, who had believed in her until the end.
Having resolved the whole affair, Lee Seo-eun hastily answered a call that rang for the first time in a while.
“What’s wrong? You haven’t been answering.”
(Ah, sorry. I was taking care of something urgent. But weren’t you the one who didn’t answer after that, Ms. Seo-eun?)
Left with nothing to say, Lee Seo-eun’s face turned red.
“So, what happened to that woman?”
(Don’t tell me you’re jealous?)
“...What if I am?”
Surprised by the unexpected answer, Seong Hyeon-woo’s eyes widened before he broke into a pleasant laugh.
(Ha... were you?)
“What, why are you laughing?”
(...Actually, I was busy with that.)
“If you’re worried about being framed, don’t be. I’ve taken care of everything.”
(Then did you find out who was behind it? I found out something interesting.)
While they were out of touch, Seong Hyeon-woo had investigated the connection between the person claiming to be a victim, the reporters churning out malicious articles, and Lee Kang. Lee Seo-eun, without hesitation, revealed the truth.
(Prince Lee Kang Was Behind the Malicious Smear Campaign Against the Princess.)
(Who is Lee Kang? The Royal Family’s Notorious Prodigal Son... Approval Ratings Plummet Below 10%)
“Did you have to do that to Kang?”
“I don’t like being blamed for something I didn’t do.”
“Seo-eun... he’s your brother.”
“Then are you going to condone my brother attacking me?”
And so began the confrontation between the Emperor and Lee Seo-eun.
Just as Lee Seo-eun and Seong Hyeon-woo, having confirmed their feelings for each other, began a real relationship instead of a contractual one, another crisis arrived.
“Wow, look at my dear sister. You’re blooming now that you’re in a relationship.”
“Is that all you have to say? I’m leaving.”
“Don’t trust that bastard Seong Hyeon-woo too much.”
“What?”
Having successfully captured Lee Seo-eun’s attention, Lee Kang grinned and delivered the final blow.
“You didn’t know? That our father and Seong Hyeon-woo made a deal over your marriage proposal?”