Episode 4
Court Lady Sung Sil-an was 36 years old—ten years older than Yeon.
She had served Yeon for 15 years.
Because of that, Sil-an believed she knew Yeon better than anyone.
Their relationship could be summed up with the phrase “We understand each other without words.”
But recently, she had no idea what Yeon was thinking.
It all started exactly two weeks ago, when Yeon suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and said,
“I have to go to Korea.”
From that moment, Sil-an had been uneasy about Yeon’s sudden moves.
And today, that worry reached its peak.
“They say it’s about Assemblyman Kang Seo-jun.”
That was the reason.
“Are you really going to get married?”
Sil-an almost jumped on the spot.
Until now, she had pitied Yeon for staying single at 26.
The world had changed—women could live fine on their own—but in the strict royal family, that was impossible.
First of all, the sharp looks and constant nagging from the elders were torture.
Plus, the royal family had a duty to show the public a “healthy family image.”
So Sil-an had advised Yeon many times to marry quickly.
Yeon had always stayed silent… so what had changed?
“I think I will. But why that face? Are you upset that I’m getting married without you?”
“Your Highness, of course not. It’s just… so sudden. You always said marriage is a one-way express train to hell.”
“I did.”
“Then why all of a sudden? Did the Empress Dowager threaten you to marry?”
“Ah, my grandmother is involved, actually.”
Sil-an sucked in her breath—her signal to watch what she said.
Yeon looked around and sat on the bed.
“Everyone, leave for a bit.”
“But the cleaning isn’t finished yet, Your Highness.”
“I’ll be going out later. You can finish then. This is enough for a short break.”
The palace maids bowed and quickly left.
The large Naksonjae hall became silent.
“Court Lady Sung, come here.”
Yeon didn’t like old-fashioned ways, but there was one Joseon-era saying she firmly believed:
“Even the walls and roof of the palace have eyes and ears.”
Of all those eyes and ears, the one she guarded against most was Crown Prince Byeong.
Yeon thought, “Since I came back suddenly, there wouldn’t have been time to install bugs or bribe the new staff here… but better safe than sorry.”
Ever since she was young, Byeong had planted his people and listening devices around her quarters to catch her mistakes.
Of course, he was so sloppy that she always caught him.
And every time, he used the ridiculous excuse: “I just want to protect my little sister from danger.”
The Empress Dowager always rushed to defend him.
“Your Highness, you said you’d explain.”
Snapped out of her thoughts, Yeon looked at Sil-an.
“Court Lady Sung, what’s my dream?”
“To conquer space and bring world peace.”
“No, my high school dream.”
Sil-an’s eyes shook.
“Say it.”
“To be an emperor who puts the peace of the Korean Empire and the well-being of its people first.”
“Right. I’m going to dream that again.”
Sil-an pressed her lips together, unable to speak.
“Please tell me you’re joking,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Yeon just looked at her.
Sil-an’s heart sank—Yeon’s eyes were like steel, filled with unshakable determination.
“So, to gain some points with our old-fashioned elders, I’m going to get married.”
Yeon suddenly smiled, as if she hadn’t been serious at all, trying to ease Sil-an’s worry.
The elders firmly believed in the sayings “If the home is harmonious, everything goes well” and “Cultivate yourself, then govern the nation and bring peace to the world.”
It was too late to talk her out of it.
“Do you have someone in mind?”
“I was going to look around, but now everyone’s trying to help.”
Yeon waved the documents she was holding and explained briefly what happened earlier with the Crown Prince.
Sil-an frowned and reached out.
“These are the Crown Prince’s candidates? Let me see.”
“No need. I already looked—they’re all out.”
“Even if he dislikes you, he must’ve chosen carefully. Are they really that bad?”
“They have eyes, noses, and mouths, and all their limbs. But they’re not to my taste. One’s the heir to a defense company that gets huge government funding.”
Disqualified for being from a corruption-tainted family.
“The second one is ugly.”
“You shouldn’t judge by looks.”
Yeon handed her the photo.
Sil-an winced.
“Okay, that’s not going to work.”
He was only thirty but balding badly, with a crushed-looking nose.
“I could live with the looks, but he’s the Crown Prince’s closest aide.”
The third and fourth were similar.
“Feels like he’s picking spies to watch me, not a husband.”
Sil-an thought she was probably right.
“Then what will you do?”
“I’ll go meet someone myself.”
Yeon went into her dressing room, filled with beautifully modernized hanbok and Western-style outfits.
“Who are you meeting? Did you join a dating agency without telling me? Or some powerful matchmaker?”
“From a good family.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon scanned the clothes one by one.
“Skilled, principled, served in the military, and handsome.”
“If that man exists, he’s not on this planet.”
“He does. I’m about to meet him. Where’s that outfit… Ah, here!”
She pulled out a white silk two-piece hanbok, casual but traditional, the style royal women liked to wear—and the one that suited her best.
“Are you sure such a unicorn exists?” Sil-an asked as she helped her dress.
“Yes. He does.”
“Who is it?”
A royal car stopped near the office of the most powerful labor union in the Korean Empire.
Yeon got out.
“Is the union leader the one you’re meeting? He’s much older than you, isn’t he?”
“No. Not there.”
Yeon’s finger moved from the union office window to a nearby building.
“There.”
Sil-an’s eyes widened.
“Assemblyman Kang Seo-jun’s office?”
Yeon nodded and walked confidently toward the clean but old-looking building.
Sil-an quickly looked him up.
“Kang Seo-jun, 32. The only Assemblyman in the Empire with a fan club. From the family of the first Prime Minister. Graduated top of the police academy. Youngest ever promoted to police inspector. Was expected to become Police Chief but suddenly resigned two years ago, then ran for office. Elected in conservative Gangjeong-gu as a Labor Party member. Wow.”
She let out a stunned laugh.
“What do you think?”
“He’s amazing.”
They climbed the stairs—there was no elevator.
Yeon knew she was being impulsive, but the more she thought, the more he was the perfect choice—especially for her biggest obstacle:
The Crown Prince.
“He won’t give up easily, so I’ll have to make him step down. And Kang Seo-jun is known as a royal family sniper. He’ll be useful.”
Her eyes darkened with sudden sadness.
“And for Ji-young unnie… it has to be him.”
She shook off the memory and walked faster.
“But… did you make an appointment?”
“No.”
“Then he might not want to meet you. Most people would be thrilled to greet royalty, but… not him.”
She showed Yeon a photo of Seo-jun walking past the Crown Prince without bowing.
“They said it wasn’t on purpose, but it looks like it was. And the explanation didn’t even come from his office.”
In the photo, they were far too close for him not to notice.
“He’s clearly critical of the royal family. Doesn’t seem like someone who bows easily to power. Your Highness, he might refuse.”
“If we didn’t have an appointment, it’s not really being stood up. And don’t worry, Court Lady Sung. Kang Seo-jun will meet me.”
She said it with absolute certainty.
Sil-an tilted her head, wondering if there was some hidden connection between them.
