Chapter 35: A Dangerous Shortcut

Haewon, entering the bedchamber, set down his heavy ceremonial crown.

“Have you prepared what I ordered?” he asked.

The eunuch standing by replied stiffly, “Everything has been prepared, Your Majesty.”

As if fearing that wasn’t enough, the eunuch added hastily, “We’ve had the maids dust every corner, replace the old bedding and furnishings with new ones, and make it cozy enough that one might imagine someone living here permanently.”

“Good. You may leave.”
The eunuch bowed deeply and hurried out as if escaping.

Haewon didn’t even glance at him as he departed.

“Now, all that’s left is for the owner of this place to arrive,” he murmured to himself, referring, of course, to Cheong.

Earlier, before entering the bedchamber, Haewon had instructed a court lady to summon Cheong. From the faint, scattered energy he felt, he knew she was still outside the palace.

Haewon smiled to himself.
“She won’t make it within an hour.”

Even if she tried with all her strength, it would take almost two hours to get from the palace gates to his chambers. True, there were hidden shortcuts, but those had long been sealed. Not exactly sealed, but no longer usable.

No matter how hard she tried, Cheong wouldn’t make it within the allotted hour.

“Should’ve tried harder from the start,” he said aloud, knowing it was petty. Yet Haewon felt justified. Cheong, despite being his royal physician, ignored him too often. Even after promising to serve him faithfully, she refused to come unless called. Even after being called, she’d treat him quickly and disappear as soon as the treatment was done, brushing off any conversation with an excuse. It was infuriating.

He didn’t mind when others treated him like a monster. But he refused to accept it from Cheong.

“Soon enough, she’ll have no choice but to be by my side.”

With that thought, Haewon changed into a more comfortable attire and headed for the bathing room. He was in a remarkably good mood, knowing Cheong would soon arrive — no matter how long it took.

Meanwhile…

“Run, court lady! Run!”
As soon as Cheong received Haewon’s summon, she bolted towards the dragon palace. Luckily, Seolcheol’s residence wasn’t too far from the dragon gates.

But the problem was…
“How am I supposed to make it to the Grand Hall within an hour?”

Gahwa came panting after Cheong, stopping just outside the gates.
“What in the world is going on?” she wheezed.

“Gahwa Court Lady!” Cheong exclaimed desperately, grabbing her attention.

“What? What is it?”
“Please… tell me a shortcut to the Grand Hall.”
“What?!”

Gahwa frowned deeply. The dragon king had called, and Cheong was running like a madwoman, yet here she was asking for a shortcut.

“Have you… offended His Majesty?” Gahwa asked sharply. Suddenly, a cold bead of sweat ran down her spine.
“Have you really done something to anger him?”

“Not a crime,” Cheong said quickly. “More like a promise.”
“A promise?”
“His Majesty said if I am called, I must arrive within an hour… no matter where I am.”

Before Gahwa could reply, she snatched Cheong’s wrist.
“Run!”

Breathless, Gahwa pulled Cheong down a narrow alley. It was a route typically used by palace staff.

But then—
“Gahwa, is that you?”

A senior court lady appeared and called out sharply. Gahwa froze and hastily pushed Cheong down a side path.
“What are you doing here? Not stealing again, are you?” the senior asked.

“No! Never!” Gahwa waved wildly, trying to block the view of the alley. Meanwhile, she winked desperately for Cheong to slip away.

If Cheong was spotted sneaking through an alley used exclusively by palace staff, it would only stir gossip — just as Gahwa herself had suffered in the past. So, despite the risk, she covered for Cheong, allowing her to slip away.

But soon Cheong stopped in confusion.
“Where am I?”

Although she felt closer to the Grand Hall, she didn’t recognize the area. Suddenly, something caught her eye — a tall, massive wall of kelp-like seaweed. It was the same barrier she had passed through before, leading to the secret garden where she met Haewon.

That garden felt like a hidden realm. Perhaps it was a shortcut? After all, the sensation she felt when passing through the kelp was akin to teleportation.

“The king’s secret garden wouldn’t be hidden behind such an unassuming barrier unless it had a special purpose. Perhaps this can lead me to him?” Cheong wondered aloud.

With no other option and no more time to waste, she clenched her fists.
“Here goes nothing!”

She dove into the kelp-like barrier. Even if she emerged elsewhere, she wouldn’t be making the deadline anyway. Might as well take a chance.

“Ugh, this feels disgusting…”
The slimy, cold kelp wrapped around her like countless slugs crawling over her skin.

Just as she was about to scream, the sensation disappeared.

“Wait… where am I?”

A strange scene greeted her.
“Is this the same garden?” she wondered aloud.

Although unfamiliar, it was clearly a meticulously cultivated space. Trees surrounded her, making it feel like she was in a forest — despite being deep underwater. The swaying leaves shimmered like ripples on the surface, making the scene almost surreal.

“Quite the peculiar taste,” Cheong muttered, brushing herself off.
“Well, not that it matters now. I just need to find a way out.”

She began walking, searching for an exit. Not long after, the sound of trickling water drew her attention.

“Is that… a spring?”

A stream flowed from between the rocks, pooling into a steaming spring. As she drew closer, the mist and rising heat intensified.

“Wait. An onsen? Here?” she wondered aloud.
“Although… it’s not impossible. The seabed can have hot springs too. The heat of volcanic activity can certainly warm the water down here.”

She smiled faintly, brushing off the thought as she approached the spring. Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

“How did you get in here?”