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Chapter: 23

The Lord offered his greetings and King Bonhyeon, with his lifeless eyes, received them. The Lord made his appeal, and King Bonhyeon, his eyes even more vacant, listened. This series of events repeated several times.

"This is boring. When will it end?"

"You must endure, Your Highness..."

My only conversation partner was a eunuch, and even then, all he did was whisper. I was alone, writhing in boredom.

Then, around the time when I couldn't even remember which of the nobles milling about in front of me was the one who had just ascended the platform...

I spotted a familiar face and froze.

Literally froze.

Step, step. Neither slow nor fast, but with a certain heaviness, footsteps ascended the stairs. The hem of the robe swayed, filling the gaps between each step. The moment felt slow. My heart dropped with each step.

It was the most violent sight of all.

I watched those measured steps, then slowly raised my gaze. My eyes wouldn't move, as if paralyzed.

Eventually, a lump formed in my throat. I fumbled for a drink on the table in front of me, but my hands found nothing. I could have looked away for a moment while searching, but I couldn't. If this was how it was going to be, then taking the bellflower in the morning was pointless.

No, I mean...

"The Lord of Blood Cloud Fortress, Baek Heon gives his regards to His Majesty."

He's here.

He is here.

"You're safe."

I muttered without realizing it. I felt the eunuch's gaze on me, but who cares?

Even though there was tension in the air, it was still before Huawei had touched this country. It was only natural that the Fortress Lord was safe. Even I remembered those times.

But was this really natural? It was a miracle, so I couldn't calmly accept the scene unfolding before my eyes.

"It's a surprise that the Lord of the Blood Cloud Fortress accepted the invitation."

"I deserve to be reprimanded for refusing Your Majesty's invitation due to my insignificant achievements."

"No. For what reason would I reprimand a subject like you? The fact that you can attend this banquet means that Seopyung is at peace. It's a joyous occasion."

"I'm overwhelmed by your words."

All I wanted was for Blood Cloud Fortress to be safe, no matter where I was. That was all.

But after fulfilling one wish, my greed grew.

If I had to be anywhere, it should be Blood Cloud Fortress.

If I had to achieve merits anywhere, it should be on your battlefield.

But cruelly, the Fortress Lord didn't even glance this way for a single moment.

Needless to say, the conversation was shorter than with other lords.

The Fortress Lord turned away.

At that moment, our eyes met.

- Don't call me Baek Yeon.

Instead of the exhaustion and sorrow of his final moments, the Lord's eyes now held a twinkle of imminent laughter.

- You are my son now.

But right after, the Lord lowered his gaze and descended the stairs without a moment's hesitation.

The memory of that voice clung to me.

But the events that followed left no room for reflection.

* * *

The day after the banquet, I aimed for a time when King Bonhyeon would likely be free and headed to the throne room.

"I have something to report to His Majesty."

Despite my sudden visit, the eunuch at the throne room let me in without a word.

Is this the privilege of a troublemaker?

"It's Prince Ikwon."

I spoke at the door, and a reply came.

"Enter."

The eunuch guarding the door opened it.

Inside was King Bonghyeon, looking a bit more serious than usual.

Is he worried about something?

Of course he is.

"I greet Your Majesty."

I bowed my head in greeting. But no answer came.

After bowing for a while, I simply raised my head. Normally, I would need permission to do so.

Yet, King Bonhyeon remained silent.

His attitude seemed even more indifferent for some reason.

The reason for his increased indifference didn't bother me much because, to be honest, I wasn't very interested in him either.

I cared more about the health of Yoo Geung’s toes than the well-being of King Bonhyeon, so that said it all.

"What brings you here?"

Since the listener didn't seem to be in a good mood, I tried to sound friendly.

"Soon, I'm scheduled to spar with my younger brother's bodyguard..."

King Bonhyeon frowned and interrupted me.

"There's no reason to listen to this."

Well, that's one way to make a guy feel unwanted.

As I looked at him, unable to hide my surprise, King Bonhyeon continued.

"I hope you're not about to renege on your word."

His tone sounded a bit angry as well.

Indeed, his anger was evident as three deep furrows creased King Bonhyeon’s brow.

"Spilled water cannot be gathered back up."

I didn't know about anything else, but looking at the furrows between his eyebrows, it seemed like you could irrigate a rice paddy with them.

To avoid aging like that, one should refrain from creating wrinkles between their eyebrows.

Or just live cheerfully as an airhead.

"It's time you knew better."

Tsk. A clicking sound followed.

I bowed my head once.

"Your Highness, it's true that I came to make a request, but it's not that kind of request."

King Bonghyeon's face contorted even more.

"Then what is it?"

"I wish to request a wager."

"Are you saying you want to make a wager with me?"

He didn't even scoff.

"I'm not suggesting a wager with Your Majesty. How dare I?"

"Then just do as you please."

Every word was laced with annoyance and contempt.

"Isn't doing as you please what you do best and enjoy the most?"

It was the first time I felt like I was being hit in the bones by shapeless words. It didn't feel good to face the consequences of being a wastrel in this way.

It wasn't me who did it, you people...

"Will you grant my request?"

"Speak."

I spoke as calmly as possible.

"Your Highness, I will propose a wager to my younger brother. Please guarantee that the winner of this duel can ask for one wish, and the loser must fulfill it."

There were things I needed to reclaim.

First, the memento of the deposed Queen that the wastrel prince had handed over himself, and second, the honor that the wastrel prince had thrown away himself.

King Bonhyeon sneered.

"Are you confident that you will win?"

"Yes, I am."

He didn't believe me.

"How can you say you will win?"

His tone was full of disdain.

"Prince Ikwon, know your place."

"You can't know whether something is long or short until you measure it."

"If the difference is significant, even a fool can tell with a glance."

It didn't seem like he was going to agree. If that was the case, I had no choice. After all, I had a weapon. A trump card.

With this, he would have no choice but to accept my request.

"Regardless of the outcome, if you just grant me this request, I will go to Wolhan Fortress."

"...Wolhan Fortress?"

King Bonhyeon asked back, seemingly intrigued.

Tap, tap. His fingertips drummed on the armrest of the throne.

"Wolhan Fortress."

"Yes."

"Wolhan Fortress..."

Tap.

King Bonhyeon probably had to send someone there. The regional nobles served as the King's hands and feet, governing the borders, but they could also gather strength from afar and rebel against the King.

That's why, for the King, the nobles were a double-edged sword.

That's why the Lord Wolhan’s words had become a major concern for King Bonhyeon. He had to constantly prove that he, as the King, was paying attention to the nobles and, at the same time, trusted them.

So sending me to the north was the best option King Bonhyeon could have.

The King's legitimate son and eldest. Even though I was a troublemaker, I was officially the royal bloodline with the strongest claim to the throne.

That was me.

"Do you know where that is?"

"I am aware of it, Your Majesty."

"Wolhan Fortress is a place where clothes hung out to dry freeze in the winter, and even the wells freeze over, making it difficult to drink a sip of water."

Tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

The tapping on the armrest of the throne grew faster and faster, then suddenly stopped.

"It's not a place you can endure."

"I've never been there, but I know it's not a place where I can live comfortably."

"You're saying you'll go to such a place?"

"For Your Majesty and the people."

"Nonsense."

It's not working.

"You lie as easily as you breathe, so how can I trust you?"

Of course, when the time comes, I might want to quit. That's what a troublemaker prince would do.

I replied hypocritically.

"Lying about such a serious matter would completely tarnish my honor. Would I dare to lie?"

King Bonhyeon laughed heartily.

"You have honor? Since when?"

A bit harsh, don't you think?

"Then... I will do this."

It seemed he wasn't going to budge. If that was the case, I had no choice. I had to resort to extreme measures.

"If, by any chance, I throw a tantrum and refuse to go to Wolhan Fortress..."

Of course, that wouldn't happen. There was no reason for me to avoid the expedition.

I had to achieve merits, and going to Wolhan Fortress was something I had to push for, even if King Bonhyeon tried to stop me.

Since I had to do it anyway, there was no reason to refuse the opportunity to make the King owe me a favor.

"Even if you were to execute my eunuch, Han, I would accept it without a word."

Sorry, Eunuch Han.

But that kind of thing wouldn't happen anyway.

So just bear with me this once.

"You won't be able to back out."

King Bonhyeon stared at me intently.

I readily replied.

"You are absolutely right.”

* * *

And finally, the promised day arrived.

Quite a few people had already gathered before I appeared. Mostly palace staff, but some were officials.

I spotted Yoo Geung, Heo Seokgyeom, and one of the Geumo Guard commanders whose name I had forgotten.

This was entertainment for them.

They might think that the foolish prince was now acting like a clown.

Who did they think would win? Yoo Geung, who had come to Hyennyeongdang yesterday, said he hoped I would win, but it was uncertain whether he truly believed I would. Cheering and judgment were different things.

As I appeared at the training ground, tension permeated the air.

"Brother."

The Second Prince, noticing me, approached. He hid his disrespectful gaze behind a polite expression.

"My dear brother, you're here early."

"You seem to have been looking forward to this, haven't you?"

The Second Prince replied.