Facing Each Other Again (6)
I was at a loss for words for a moment.
What? Make your brother die? What on earth does that mean?
Young Master Maeng Cheon's words continued.
"The Minor Palace Lord I saw seemed like someone who keeps secrets well. And she's also the type who won't let go if you don't tell the truth... That's why I'm telling you this."
"I'll listen carefully."
"Truth be told, I'm the younger of the twins. And in our palace, one of the twins born cannot be raised in the main palace."
Ah...
Come to think of it, I'd heard about this before from Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin during my lessons.
According to one theory, twins mean two fires.
Two fires make inflammation.
It signifies a great blaze, but also suffering.
That's why in the Chukyung Palace, when twins are born, they select trustworthy people to raise one outside.
Usually, it's the younger one who's raised outside.
"My brother was a very kind person. He would often come visit me and play with me."
"......"
"But about seven years ago, his complexion started getting worse and worse. I asked him many times, but he never told me."
"......"
"Then five years ago—right when my eldest brother went to the North Sea Ice Palace for talks—I was suddenly summoned to the main palace. And there, I heard thunderbolt news from Father. That my brother was dead... and that I was to take his place."
So, when he said he killed his brother, does that mean...
"Suicide?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"Father didn't tell me the details, but I learned through the people in my residence. Including who drove him to that choice."
"......"
No words of comfort came to mind.
Any consolation would feel like pretense or deception.
"My eldest brother's torment killed my little brother. And Father called me to keep it secret. As you know, suicide in the main palace is a grave disgrace."
"Do you resent your father at all?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"Though I couldn't live in the main palace and had to stay outside, my life was comfortable and abundant. Father and Mother didn't visit often, but when they did, they doted on me and took good care of me."
"......"
"And it was to spare my brother the dishonor of suicide. Why would I object? In fact, it's what I wanted."
"Then you don't actually hate the idea of becoming Minor Palace Lord?"
"As I said, I just don't want to honor that man's request."
"So it's not the position itself you dislike."
"Yes."
"Then the solution is simple."
At my words, he tilted his head, looking at me.
"If Father commands it, you'll obey. Because it's not Young Master Maeng Hyeon's request, but Father's order."
He blinked at my words.
"Uh..."
"That's right, isn't it? You said you have no feelings for Father."
"That's true, but..."
"To be honest, when I said I'd persuade Young Master Maeng Cheon... well, is it okay to call you that?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter. Twins in the main palace share one name."
"I see. Anyway, I said I'd persuade you not for that man, but for the good of Chukyung Palace."
In truth, it was for my benefit too, but saying that would be awkward.
"Isn't Chukyung Palace the North Sea Ice Palace's rival? Losing a rival is sad."
"......I see."
"By the way, I thought Young Master Maeng Hyeon had made mistakes, but nothing deserving death..."
I smiled bitterly.
"But he did commit a capital crime."
And did the Palace Lord, his father, not know that his eldest son's bullying led to the second son's suicide?
He must have known.
Yet he kept it secret because exposing it would only tarnish the second son's name.
In other words, removing Young Master Maeng Hyeon from Minor Palace Lord wasn't a snap decision.
The Palace Lord endured a great deal.
I said to him,
"Young Master Maeng Hyeon probably won't live much longer. Still, I think he should die knowing the sins he committed."
He nodded at my words.
"I feel the same."
The next day.
I received a reply from Master.
Master was pleased with what I'd uncovered, but also showed many emotions.
Regret and longing for the Chukyung Palace Lord.
Relief and anger at revealing the Blood Cult as the culprits...
But since we don't know what force the Blood Cult is disguised as or who they're allied with, he urged continued caution.
And he said he'd visit Chukyung Palace soon.
Looking forward to their reunion.
.
.
.
A few days later.
The Chukyung Palace Lord returned.
Of course, it was a great victory.
On the spear held by External Chief Supervisor Haedalman was the head of the Black Lotus Gang's leader.
Thus, the Black Lotus Gang that terrorized the Yun'nan region in my previous life was gone.
"You've worked hard."
He nodded slightly at my greeting and Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's.
"Thank you for your consideration. We'll start the talks as soon as possible."
"Yes."
And a few days later.
I heard that Young Master Maeng Cheon had become Minor Palace Lord.
Good for him.
.
.
.
Mid-April.
Finally, the talks began today.
Sitting before me were Young Master Maeng Cheon—no, Minor Palace Lord Maeng Cheon—and Young Master Haehong.
Young Master Haehong also looked gaunt, as if he'd suffered greatly.
Having been forced into secluded training, and hearing of past events, it must have hurt.
"Minor Palace Lord. Here's today's agenda."
Seeing him calmly attend to Minor Palace Lord Maeng Cheon more than expected, it seemed he had little loyalty to Young Master Maeng Hyeon.
"Then let's begin the talks."
At Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's words, Minor Palace Lord Maeng Cheon replied.
"First, on the initial agenda..."
The meeting flowed smoothly like water.
If Young Master Maeng Hyeon had been there, it wouldn't have gone so well.
Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin looked very satisfied.
Through these talks, both North Sea Ice Palace and Chukyung Palace reaffirmed territories and proceeded with the truce memorandum as is.
Well, nothing changes without incident.
After the talks, Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin and I headed to our residence.
"Such a smooth process! It's great."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Five years ago's talks were tough, nitpicking unreasonably. Honestly, he delayed just to see my face more... it was so annoying."
"Hahaha. I see."
"By the way, that young master had it rough."
I just smiled without replying to Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's words.
Had it rough...
I thought so too, but after hearing Young Master Maeng Cheon, those thoughts vanished.
It felt like karma returned intact.
We soon arrived at the residence.
"See you later."
"Yes. Rest well."
A banquet was planned that evening to celebrate the successful talks.
"Gareung?"
"Ku-i!"
"Keureung..."
Animal—no, spirit beast sounds from my room.
I sighed and opened the door.
"What are you doing here?"
As expected, my room had... Huh? What's that?
A tiger cub?
I was momentarily startled, but sensed it was Hwasik from the cub's aura.
So he usually stays in tiger cub form.
I'd heard he performed amazingly in the Black Lotus Gang subjugation.
And Geumryeong seemed to be explaining something to Hwasik?
"Ku-i! Ku-i!"
"Keureung?"
"Ku-i!"
Geumryeong was bragging to Hwasik about all he'd seen.
Well, Hwasik stayed only in Chukyung Palace, but Geumryeong traveled the empire with me.
Anyway...
"Why are you here of all places?"
"Ku-i!"
"Safest and most comfortable?"
Couldn't argue with that.
Hwasik, seeing me, quickly rolled over, panting happily.
I chuckled, picked him up, placed him on my lap, and stroked his belly. Hwasik went wild with joy.
Like a puppy?
And Geumryeong...
Heh, not jealous anymore... nope, still is.
I could tell even if he pretended otherwise—his tail wasn't calm.
I took out some silver coins from my bosom.
"Here, eat."
"Ku-i!"
Now his tail settled.
.
.
.
Evening came.
I headed to the rear garden in front of Chukyung Palace for the banquet.
It was large enough for all North Sea Ice Palace delegates and Chukyung Palace elders.
I sat at the head table with Minor Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin and Seo Hyang Sojeo.
"May the friendly ties between our palace and North Sea Ice Palace last eternally."
The banquet began in earnest with the Chukyung Palace Lord's toast.
Before each was Boycha, a Yun'nan delicacy.
Chukyung Palace bans alcohol.
Why? They know their fiery tempers.
Drunk mishaps would be huge, so they ban it outright.
And in the hot region, it hits fast.
Different from North Sea Ice Palace.
Seolpung Palace and North Sea Ice Palace love liquor enough to brew their own like Bingryeonju.
Probably to endure the harsh northern cold.
They've struggled under prohibition these years.
But soon the famine ends, and the ban lifts.
I ate my fill and enjoyed.
Of course, Young Master Maeng Hyeon wasn't present.
Hm?
As I felt during talks, Minor Palace Lord Maeng Cheon and Young Master Haehong seem close.
I thought Young Master Haehong would hate him, as an associate who drove his brother to death.
As the banquet ended and we returned, I quietly asked Minor Palace Lord Maeng Cheon.
"Ah... Young Master Hae is a grateful man."
"Pardon?"
"Even while bullied by Eldest Brother, he cared for me. And... my brother received his help too."
So no hard feelings.
The next day.
We prepared to depart.
Bid farewell by the Palace Lord, Great Lady, and many others, we left Chukyung Palace.
Finally heading back to North Sea Ice Palace.
But I'm going to the Hubei headquarters, not there.
Soon the fleet sails for foreign trade; much to do.
After Eun Seo-ho's party left.
Chukyung Palace quickly returned to daily life.
And Maeng Cheon was formally appointed Minor Palace Lord.
He'd represented as acting Minor Palace Lord for swift talks, but official now.
"Be a wonderful Minor Palace Lord to uphold our palace."
At the Great Lady's words, he replied.
"Yes, Mother."
"I'm always sorry to you."
At the Palace Lord's words, Maeng Cheon shook his head.
"Don't think that. I don't resent Father."
"That's thanks enough."
Maeng Cheon suddenly recalled Eun Seo-ho's words.
Spot on.
And his sincerity.
In the end, he resolved to become Minor Palace Lord at Father's command.
What a strange guy.
After the investiture, he headed straight to Maeng Hyeon's residence.
"Oh? You're here."
Maeng Hyeon greeted him smiling.
But Maeng Cheon found it repulsive.
Smiling now? What nerve?
He replied anyway.
"Yes, Brother."
"Heard it was your investiture today? That robe suits you."
"Thank you."
Sitting before him, he said,
"But Brother, do you know?"
"......?"
"I'm not your first younger brother, but the second."
"What are you talking about?"
"Common tale. Twins born in Chukyung Palace, younger raised outside..."
Maeng Cheon continued.
"And I'm the one raised outside."
Shocking news to Maeng Hyeon.
"Wh-what? Then the other one?"
If one was outside, the other was raised in the palace.
"You killed him."
"What? Killed who?"
"Couldn't endure your torment, so he suicided. Father kept it secret and called me in."
"......"
"Think I was in the library to avoid your bullying? I just didn't want my identity revealed."
"......"
"I considered keeping it secret forever, but someone said even in death, one should know their sins. I agree. So I'm telling you."
The blow left Maeng Hyeon speechless.
I... killed my brother!
"I-I just bullied him a little..."
"A little to you, hell to him."
"......"
"So Brother, don't think suicide. Spend life begging forgiveness from our brother. That's your best atonement."
He rose and left.
Slam!
"Aaaargh!"
Desperate wail from behind.
Maeng Cheon's chest felt unburdened.
Brother, are you watching?
It was a sunny mid-April day, like the smile of his always-grinning twin brother.