Clatter, clatter.
Entering the imperial palace was not that difficult. In the past, even if I had a special reason, being summoned by the emperor was suspicious; however, now I had become a renowned martial artist, making it perfectly normal to be called by His Majesty the Emperor.
Specifically, if in the past I had been called to the palace, the rumors would have circulated, “What scheme could the palace be plotting to summon a top-tier outcast like me? Suspicious!” But now it would simply be, “Ah, the Brain Knife Outcast gets some attention from the palace.”
Having gone through procedures I had already experienced once, I entered the palace.
“I never imagined I would get the chance to enter a palace in my lifetime,” I mused.
“Indeed. However, thinking of it as my big brother’s family home makes it feel strangely familiar,” another said.
“But, I wonder if this is really okay…”
My companions expressed their thoughts as they entered the palace. Eager faces, anxious faces, and even faces tinged with worry directed at me.
They had sufficiently understood, through Hyeok Gi-rin, that Yoo Gyeong is an overly devoted little sister, so their concerns were natural.
Even my mother-in-law couldn’t contain her anger when she first met the group. Therefore, it was clear how Yoo Gyeong, who was an overly devoted little sister, would react upon seeing them.
Knowing well this situation had come to be because…
“Haha, don’t worry. My older brother will greet you warmly. Besides, when else could I introduce you to him?”
This confidence stemmed from Hyeok Gi-rin firmly believing that Yoo Gyeong is nothing but a regular, understanding older brother.
My companions collectively wore wry smiles. Even Dokgo I-seol, who longed for the palace more than anyone, couldn’t help but show such an expression, so what more could I say?
“Hang in there, senior.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to work hard to stay alive.”
Well, this was the path I chose. I have to tough it out.
It was obvious that Yoo Gyeong’s eyes would widen in shock when she saw the group, but surely she wouldn’t try to kill me or anything, right?
Haha, now I worry it might seem that way.
I wanted to let out a sigh so deep it could swallow the earth, but looking at the delighted face of Hyeok Gi-rin, who had returned to the palace after a long time, I swallowed it down.
Arriving at the Queen’s Palace with all these mixed worries, we changed our clothes while receiving familiar reminders from the familiar palace ladies. Unlike before, they checked for just a few things and then freed us, just as I was about to check on my companions to see how they were doing, I found them being held up by the palace maids.
They were probably receiving training for newcomers to the palace.
Thinking from experience that it wouldn’t be over quickly, I stepped out for a walk.
Not simply out of boredom, but because I needed to organize my thoughts.
Hyeok Gi-rin.
Hyeok Gi-rin has three identities.
A cross-dressing woman and the Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction, Princess Yuya, and my companion, Hwang So-wol, who is somewhat known in the martial world.
As Hyeok Gi-rin, marrying me is entirely impossible, and as Princess Yuya, it would realistically be extremely difficult to marry me. Yet, as Hwang So-wol, a marriage could be quite simple.
But even if I married under the name Hwang So-wol, what use would it be? It would sever ties with the Jeomchang Faction and the royal family entirely.
It’s challenging. Very challenging.
Sighing deeply, I shook my head only to suddenly realize how indulgent my worries felt.
…In the distance, I saw two familiar faces wearing the attire of eunuchs.
Yoo Gyeong, with a benevolent expression, or rather… Dujak was beckoning me closer with hand gestures, but in sharp contrast to her gentle demeanor, my keen martial artist’s eyes caught the veins on her forehead and eyes that were anything but smiling…
I realized my worries from just a moment ago were tremendously indulgent.
After all, I needed to stay alive before I could worry about weddings or whatever else.
“Oh dear, Dujak!”
I quickly walked over, flashing a smile full of excitement while my mind raced with thoughts.
Yet, Yoo Gyeong appeared several steps ahead of me.
Being the devoted younger sibling, I thought she would meet Hyeok Gi-rin first, but my calculations were wrong.
In my position, this unexpected meeting felt almost like an ambush, leaving me no option but to greet Yoo Gyeong joyfully.
After all, there’s a saying that you can’t spit on a smiling face, so if I greeted her warmly, it might help ease His Majesty’s wrath a lot, right?
“It’s truly a pleasure! I hope you’ve been well!”
“Hahahaha! I have worried endlessly watching you take my sister out on your adventures, but apart from that, I suppose everything is fine!”
Our Emperor was a man whose logic defied common sense.
“I really have nothing to say about that…”
“Haha, so you admit it. But tell me, did you truly know she felt that way? Is it reasonable that the person who has now arrived at the royal palace was completely unaware?”
Cold sweat trickled down my back!
The situation couldn’t be more disadvantageous for me.
Hyeok Gi-rin had stayed away from the palace, undoubtedly due to me.
But I wasn’t entirely without an escape.
“I sincerely apologize. Princess Yuya has frequently expressed her longing for you, yet due to my circumstances…”
“…What?”
“I truly feel deep responsibility for this matter. She often spoke fondly of you, my beloved older brother…”
Curiosity rather than anger began to surface on Yoo Gyeong’s face.
It’s natural for anyone to feel curious when they hear others discussing themselves in their absence.
Especially when the person discussing them is their beloved younger sibling, and the tone of the conversation seems positive.
“To put it simply, as a member of the Huang Nation, I truly feel responsible…”
“Let’s cut the chit-chat! So what exactly did Yuya say?”
She was itching to find out.
Yoo Gyeong was trying hard to play it cool, but I could definitely sense that her ears had perked up!
I activated every brain cell I had and tried to recall any fragment of memory!
Let’s see, what did I overhear her say about Yoo Gyeong?
“She manages state affairs with great passion… She knows how to present herself with dignity in front of the ministers…”
“Hmm! Is it true Yuya spoke such words?”
Your Majesty, your smile is about to reach the skies!
I feigned disbelief, but her mouth was clearly twitching, as anyone could see she was pleased.
I had an inkling of it back at the Heavenly Tower, but it’s clear she truly loves her younger sister.
Is it that joyous to hear a few compliments?
“Honestly, how could I tell lies?”
“Hmm. Hmmm… I see…”
It was true that Hyeok Gi-rin had said those things to me.
However, rather than intending to compliment Yoo Gyeong, Hyeok Gi-rin expressed concern, saying things like, “I worry that my older brother might be too passionate and treat the ministers like prey. While standing dignified is good, exhibiting some generosity might be even better…”
Well, that should be fine! I didn’t fabricate anything, Yoo Gyeong is happy, and I’m alive, so isn’t that a good outcome for all?
As I calmed my conscience, I was interrupted.
“Is that all?”
“…Yes?”
“You clearly stated that my beloved older brother was frequently mentioned by you. Is that everything Yuya said?”
“Ah.”
“Let’s hear more about how Yuya feels about me! I am immensely curious!”
I realized with horror that I had dug my own grave. A deeply devoted Yoo Gyeong would never be satisfied with just one or two compliments!
Her gaze was burning with the resolve to extract every last detail about the compliments Hyeok Gi-rin had given!
“Hey, what are you waiting for? Come on, tell me!”
…I had to squirm uncomfortably under Yoo Gyeong’s interrogation until my companions arrived to rescue me.
*
“Greetings. I am the older brother of Yuya.”
Yoo Gyeong, dressed in eunuch attire, introduced herself. The companions, fully aware that she was the Emperor, tensed up and introduced themselves.
“I have the honor to meet His Majesty. I am So Yeon-hwa, known as the Black Cat in the Martial World.”
“I am Yeo Il-ye, a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction.”
“I am Dokgo I-seol from the Dark Dragon Sect.”
“I am Moyong Yeon-hwa from the Moyong Clan.”
“Ah. Nice to meet you all. While it’s true I am the Emperor of this nation, today I am merely the older brother of Yuya, welcoming friends, so please do not feel too pressured.”
“Thank you for such considerate words.”
“No, no. I too am feeling quite nostalgic. To be honest, I never imagined I would have to welcome Yuya’s friends.”
Gradually, my companions relaxed under Yoo Gyeong’s calm demeanor. Curious about how Hyeok Gi-rin had been, Yoo Gyeong began asking various questions, and my companions carefully shared the time they had spent with Hyeok Gi-rin.
Snap!
“Princess Yuya was incredibly fond of Seo Gong from the moment she first laid eyes on him.”
“The name Seo Gong was also given by the princess herself.”
“It’s truly astonishing that this little creature is an entity.”
Yoo Gyeong, who had never been close to pets, gushed in awe as she stroked the entity Seo Gong.
After the friendly interaction, the informal meeting came to an end, with only Yoo Gyeong and Yuya remaining.
“Wonderful companions, aren’t they?”
“Indeed. I can tell they cherish you dearly, so I assume you too demanded justice for So Yeon-hwa’s unfair treatment?”
“I merely did what I was obligated to do as a member of the royal family.”
Yoo Gyeong chuckled at Hyeok Gi-rin’s bashfulness over receiving compliments.
“By the way, I heard you had a conversation with Ho Cheon-an on the walking path? What did you discuss?”
“Ha, it was nothing too serious. I merely gave him a hard time.”
“…Older brother.”
Hyeok Gi-rin narrowed her eyes, while Yoo Gyeong burst into laughter.
Having given Ho Cheon-an more than anticipated trouble, it felt somewhat satisfying, and combined with all the compliments heard from Hyeok Gi-rin, it made Yoo Gyeong feel quite happy just dreaming about it.
“You should know, I will make it a habit to trouble him every time we meet!”
“Ha, please don’t go too far.”
Yoo Gyeong laughed, while Hyeok Gi-rin sighed. A moment of silence fell between them.
Yoo Gyeong broke the silence.
“You appear to have something on your mind.”
Hyeok Gi-rin hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
“I want to marry Ho Cheon-an.”
So, the time has come.
Yoo Gyeong was surprised she maintained her composure even when the word ‘marriage’ slipped from Yuya’s mouth.
Why is that?
As she pondered that question, Yoo Gyeong quickly found the answer.
“It’s complicated. A very complicated matter indeed.”
“…Yes.”
Yuya’s expression darkened at Yoo Gyeong’s response. Yoo Gyeong was right; the prospect of marrying Ho Cheon-an—in other words, Hyeok Gi-rin’s marriage—was exceptionally difficult.
“To marry as Princess Yuya would be hard to comprehend; it’s not a marriage of political convenience either, and there’s no known relationship between you and Ho Cheon-an, so people would doubt your marriage.”
“However, even turning my back on the imperial family and marrying as a nameless martial artist doesn’t make sense. How could one maintain a lifelong marriage with such a false identity?”
Having said that, Yoo Gyeong awaited Yuya’s response.
“Everything your brother said is accurate. Given my complex identity, the word ‘marriage’ seems unfathomable! But…”
Yoo Gyeong looked at Yuya as she uttered the word ‘but.’
There was the glint of determination in Yuya’s eyes, unyielding in the face of adversity.
“Still, I want to try! I want to attempt this!”
Seeing that depth of resolve reflected in Yuya’s eyes, Yoo Gyeong recalled that moment. The moment when she experienced the realization that she wouldn’t abandon either identity, the martial artist Hyeok Gi-rin or the royal princess Yuya.
Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes sparkled with the same strong determination as back then, and Yoo Gyeong could only smile bitterly.
At that moment, Yoo Gyeong had positioned herself as the first ally before the older brother, so how could she obstruct Hyeok Gi-rin’s fiery resolve?
“Okay. Let’s give it a try.”
“…Older brother.”
“Admiral.”
“Command me.”
Yoo Gyeong thought of Ho Cheon-an as she called Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi. That rascal trying to steal my little sister! But he himself was also a participant in this matter, so it wouldn’t do to proceed without him.
And while I didn’t want to admit it, Ho Cheon-an must have a plan in mind for this situation, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hear him out.
“Bring him here.”
The triad meeting began.
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