Chapter 5
In Her Own Way
“She began to bleed before even conceiving the imperial heir—how vile and impure is that?”
Ihwa’s voice rang coldly through the air as she shamelessly hurled the accusation.
It was she who had fed Danseol the medicinal decoction meant to force a miscarriage.
“And yet, this tainted girl was permitted to share His Majesty’s bed?”
Danseol remained silent.
“Even while I, the Empress chosen by the heavens, am still very much alive?
This has gone too far—even for the Grand Empress Dowager.”
The Grand Empress Dowager did not answer easily. If Ihwa, the current Empress, and her powerful external clan accused the court of violating tradition and legitimacy, the consequences would be dire.
Even the Grand Empress Dowager herself might not survive such an upheaval.
“So, what are you suggesting? That we kill the girl?”
“Kill her?”
Ihwa smiled softly, her eyes curving like petals. The smile was beautiful—yet faintly chilling.
“As Your Majesty said, she’s someone who served the Emperor. We can’t treat her carelessly.”
At a glance from Ihwa, her court ladies moved swiftly.
“But since she is impure, I plan to have her sent to the paper mills within the inner palace.
She will serve the royal household for life—so long as she doesn’t die.”
The decoction Danseol had been given was harsh—potent enough to dry the womb and end a pregnancy, often taking the mother’s life along with it.
“Still—”
“Please respect my decision as head of the Inner Court, Your Majesty,” Ihwa cut in smoothly.
It was a veiled warning: this was as far as she would go, so the Grand Empress Dowager should step aside.
“Move her to her quarters and stoke the fires to keep her warm.”
Heat would intensify the effect of the poison—essentially, Ihwa had just ordered Danseol’s death.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At her command, the maids lifted Danseol and moved her away. Every trace was cleaned up so thoroughly that no one would know what had taken place.
Gyeom finished his state affairs and returned to Geoniljeon Hall. Without even pausing for breath, he resumed the official documents left unfinished.
“Your Majesty, shall I have the royal supper brought in?”
“Leave it.”
“But—”
“I have no appetite. Let it go.”
“Then, at least allow some tea and sweets.”
At Taeyeom’s worried tone, Gyeom didn’t refuse. He knew his attendant’s concern came from sincerity.
Gyeom rose earlier than anyone and worked later than all.
He had never once indulged in laziness, nor delayed even the most grueling duties.
It wasn’t that the burden of his life didn’t weigh on him—but he couldn’t stop. No, he mustn’t stop.
This was the only way he knew to survive the suffocating solitude of his crown.
“…Hah.”
Lost in thought, Gyeom’s gaze fell to a golden hairpin lying on the desk.
He let out a breath.
Why did he keep thinking of her?
He reached out and gripped the sharp-ended hairpin.
It wasn’t guilt. Nor pity.
That woman had tried to kill him. He had shown her mercy once—that was enough.
That her family had perished in his war was regrettable, but he had done his part.
There was no reason to feel sympathy. No need to think of her again.
“Your Majesty, the refreshments have arrived.”
At the announcement, Gyeom quietly placed the hairpin into a drawer and picked up a book as if nothing had happened.
The doors opened, and a young palace maid stepped inside carrying the tray.
His hand froze.
Shiny, ebony hair flowing like silk. Pale skin, soft as porcelain. A delicate figure like a slender flowering tree.
The girl resembled that woman. Her beauty didn’t quite compare, but the air about her was hauntingly similar.
Yet—unlike Danseol, this girl stirred no desire in him.
“Y-Your Majesty… Is something wrong?”
The maid faltered under his piercing gaze.
Her innocent question, paired with her frightened eyes, made Gyeom’s expression harden.
“Who sent you?”
“H-Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager… She said I was to bring Your Majesty refreshments…”
“If you wish to live—leave. Now.”
With a chilling breath, Gyeom stood, threw on his outer robe, and brushed past the frozen maid as he strode out of the hall.
The place he headed was the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters.
“Your Majesty! You cannot simply barge in—!”
Ignoring the eunuch’s protests, Gyeom entered the chamber.
“What brings you here at such an hour?”
Seated and reading a scroll, the Grand Empress Dowager welcomed him with a calm expression.
“That palace maid—what was that?”
Even at Gyeom’s angry tone, she didn’t flinch.
“Did my gift displease you? I selected her carefully to suit Your Majesty’s taste.”
“Please—stop this.”
At his outburst, the Grand Empress Dowager’s serene face stiffened.
But it was clear she had no intention of stopping.
“Do you still see me as the boy you once controlled at will?”
Gyeom had ascended the throne at fourteen after his father’s sudden death.
His grandmother had ruled from behind the curtain for six years.
Even now, though her regency had ended, she tried to grasp the strings again—just as she was doing now.
“Is it because she’s not that woman?”
“I told you—I will not take concubines. I meant what I said. I ask you to stop.”
“Will you let the imperial line die out, then?”
As Gyeom turned to leave, the Grand Empress Dowager slammed the table.
Had he fathered even a single heir with the Empress, she wouldn’t have gone this far.
But this—this was all for the sake of the empire and her grandson.
“Perhaps that would be for the best.”
“Your Majesty—!”
“You despise the Cheon clan, yet obsess over producing an heir. Why?”
The Grand Empress Dowager loathed the Empress’s maternal family, who slowly consumed the royal court’s authority.
Even if the Empress was the “chosen one,” her cruel and greedy nature made her a consort the old woman could never accept.
“To restore the fallen imperial authority, there is no other way.”
“If power can only be regained by producing an heir—then it means our authority is already lost.”
Turning again to the door, Gyeom shot a final glance at his grandmother.
“I will rebuild Hwangseon in my own way.
Please—stay out of it.”
He left the chamber in a gust of cold air.
“Seora, are you heading to the clinic again today?”
The familiar, gentle voice made Danseol stop in her tracks.
She turned—and saw her elder brother, Baek Danho, standing with his hands behind his back.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Just call me brother when it’s just us.”
At his playful tone, Danseol smiled faintly.
But strangely… his voice felt distant, as though coming from far away.
“…Brother?”
“I’m thinking of going out to the city today. If there’s anything you want to eat, let me know.”
No matter how closely she listened, Danho’s voice faded more and more.
His smiling face grew hazy, as if shrouded in fog.
He was standing just within reach—yet felt far away.
“Your Highness, if you’re ready, let’s go.”
Their father, dressed for travel, called out. The Queen was beside him, also ready to leave.
But their faces, too, were wrapped in mist—indistinct.
“Yes, Father. Mother, please come.”
“Of course.”
The three of them began walking away, leaving Danseol behind.
And something inside her screamed—not to let them go.
“Wait—I’m coming too!”
She ran after them with all her strength.
But no matter how fast she ran, she couldn’t catch up.
Even though they walked slowly—gracefully.
“Please… wait for me!”
She stumbled and fell. Raising her head, her breath caught.
“…No. This can’t be…”
The peaceful palace was engulfed in flames.
Familiar halls, once full of warmth, were now being devoured by fire.
And the three of them—walked calmly into the blaze.
“Father! Mother! Brother!”
Danseol screamed until her throat burned. But they never turned.
They didn’t hear her.
“Don’t… go…”
As the fire swallowed them whole, Danseol’s voice echoed, desperate and alone.
All around her, the palace began to collapse.
No—Seolhwa itself, the nation she’d once called home, was crumbling.
There was nothing left.
No family.
No country.
No future.
‘So… this is the end…’
Tears streamed down her cheeks as searing pain burned through her body.
It was unfair. Infuriating.
To die like this—powerless, without accomplishing anything.
And yet, she could do nothing but wait for death.
“Survive.”
Just as she surrendered to the dark, a low voice called out.
Warmth rushed through her limbs—her blood stirred once more.
“—Ah!”
With a gasping breath, Danseol’s eyes flew open.
