Fake Concubine 28

His ​consciousness, ​which ​had ​plummeted into a ​faint, ​slowly ​returned.

“…….”

Moon ​Hae-min ​struggled to lift his ​eyelids. ​Even amidst the ​lingering haze, worry ​for ​Bok-deong-i ​surged ​within ​him.

Bok-deong-i…. ​His child, who ​deserved ​nothing ​but love. This ​was the first time ​the baby ​had been ​separated from ​his father; ​he ​worried ​if the child ​had eaten ​well or slept soundly.

From ​there, all sorts of ​anxieties flooded in. What ​punishment the ​servants ​had received, what had become of ​the merchants already struggling ​because ​the ​sea ​had ​frozen over, and… ​whether the ​owner ​of the book ​rental ​shop was safe.

“Heuu….”

The more he ​thought about ​it, ​the greater his ​sins ​felt. ​Just ​as ​Song Seol ​had ​said, this ​had all happened because of his own ​foolish impulsiveness. He ​did not know ​how he could ever ​make amends ​for this crime.

Overwhelmed ​by ​hopelessness, tears streamed ​down his face. ​As he ​wiped ​them away ​with ​the back ​of ​his hand, ​Moon ​Hae-min ​suddenly realized something. ​He ​was in ​the ​guest ​house.

Given ​that he had been dragged here last night, [visit our site]it was only Read on Read BL Novelsnatural. However, Hae-min [Read on Read BL Novels]had subconsciously expected Song Seol to throw him into a dungeon.

Come to think of it, what would happen to him now? This, too, was a problem with no hope in sight, and a wave of fear washed over him. Hae-min clasped his trembling hands together.

Just then, the sliding door was flung open roughly.

“…….”

Bright sunlight poured in. Because of the glare, the face of the man standing in the doorway was invisible. Nevertheless, Moon Hae-min recognized him as Song Seol instantly. Not only were men of such height rare, but he could sense that characteristic Chromatic Scent.

“M-My Lord….”

Moon Hae-min pushed himself up from the floor. His head spun from the sudden movement, but he knelt demurely.

“My Lord, what has happened to Bok-deong-i?”

“Are you curious about the child’s disposition?”

Disposition. At that heartless choice of words, Hae-min swallowed hard. As expected, it seemed Song Seol was not the type to love a child simply because they shared his blood.

“The child has been sent to Hanseong.”

“H-Hanseong? Why…?”

“Are you aware of the affairs of the royal family?”

“……I do not know well.”

“Originally, members of the royal family are not permitted to leave Hanseong. According to the laws, I too should be residing there.”

Back when the current King was still the Crown Prince, Song Seol had lived in Hanseong. To avoid any misplaced misunderstandings, he had intentionally refrained from participating in central politics entirely. Despite this, he could not escape the misconception that ‘Grand Prince Byeokran covets the throne.’

In truth, for anyone born a prince, such misunderstandings were inevitable, differing only in degree. Furthermore, Song Seol had shown early brilliance in both scholarship and martial arts, earning a reputation for possessing excellent qualities. The general public believed that such a man would naturally desire the throne.

However, Song Seol truly did not want it. Rather, what he hoped for was a life away from the bustling city of Hanseong, where he could exercise his abilities.

Thus, Song Seol left Hanseong behind to reside in Songdo, his mother’s hometown. There, he contributed to the stability of the royal family by focusing on local administration and exchanges with foreign nations. This eventually quieted the misplaced misunderstandings. However, other problems arose in their place….

“The royal family is short on hands. The late King had two princes, and the current King also had two. But since the Crown Prince passed away, only one prince remains.”

The second prince, Song Jeong, Grand Prince Gwang-han, was famous for his cruel temperament. He [stolen content]was even suspected of assassinating his elder brother, Crown Prince Sohae. Naturally, the [stolen content]court was in turmoil; it had reached a point where whispers were circulating that ‘it would be better if Grand Prince Byeokran ascended the throne instead.’

“Given the situation, is it not only right to take the child to Hanseong?”

Of course, Song Seol did not explain the detailed circumstances. There was no need for Moon Hae-min to know the secretive and dark inner workings of the court.

“My Lord, Bok-deong-i is a newborn, not even fifteen days old. Even if he must be sent to Hanseong, could he not be sent after he has reached at least a hundred days? Moreover, this is the coldest time of the year….”

“Did I not tell you he has been sent to Hanseong?”

“Does that… mean you didn’t mean you planned to send him, but that you have already sent him?”

“You finally understand correctly.”

“…….”

“By now, he should be passing through Pojoo.”

He spoke as if he had simply sent away some object. At that, streaks of tears carved paths down Moon Hae-min’s pale cheeks.

Having carried Bok-deong-i constantly, the unauthorized copysensation and weight [visit our site]of the child were still etched into his unauthorized copyarms. Yet, he had been sent to Hanseong. He was already passing through Pojoo….

It was devastating to have been separated without even a farewell. He should have told him he loved him one more time. The fact that the last sound Bok-deong-i heard from him was a scream made Moon Hae-min’s heart feel as if it were being ripped apart.

“……Is it possible to see Bok-deong-i again?”

“The child will live in Hanseong from now on, and you will spend the rest of your life here, so you will not encounter him even by chance.”

“M-My Lord….”

He felt that pleading would be useless, yet he could not resent him because his own sins were deep. Unable to do anything, Hae-min wept, his shoulders shaking. He trembled uncontrollably, as if he had been cast out into the dead of winter. Unable to watch Moon Hae-min any longer, Song Seol spoke.

“The child will grow up in a mansion in Hanseong without wanting for anything. So there is no need to worry.”

“…….”

“It would be more beneficial for you to worry about yourself.”

The blunt words might have actually been a form of consolation. However, they provided little comfort to Moon Hae-min.

“I apologize for speaking out, My Lord, but I also grew up stolen contentin a mansion in Hanseong without wanting stolen contentfor anything. As I grew, I never lacked visit our sitefood, clothing, or shelter, and I was able to read precious books.”

Although Lord Moon had not treated him well, he had at least never worried about starving to death. He had studied by watching and listening over his younger brother Hee-yul’s shoulder. It was a life far more affluent than that of an ordinary commoner.

“But I was always lonely.”

“…….”

“My Lord, a child does not grow simply by being fed and given a roof to sleep under. A child—Bok-deong-i—must be loved.”

Of course, the one giving that love did not necessarily have to be himself. The child could grow up happy under the care of adoptive parents or a warm-hearted wet nurse. But he didn’t think Song Seol would care for Bok-deong-i to that extent.

This was not a baseless worry. No matter how naive Moon Hae-min was about the ways of the world, he knew that the life of a royal relative was not purely happy. How would those in high positions treat a child born to a father of low birth…? Because he knew all too well the wounds Bok-deong-i would suffer as he grew, he couldn’t help but be anxious.

“That child must not grow up like I did…. My Lord, I know this is a shameless request, but please, let me raise Bok-deong-i. Please….”

“Since a moment ago, you have spoken only of the child and not of your own concerns. Do you not realize that you deserve severe punishment?”

“I do. I am prepared.”

“Normally, you should be executed for the crime of deceiving a Grand Prince.”

“…….”

“However, in consideration of the affection we have shared, I shall provide a way for you to live, Moon Hee-yul.”

Moon Hee-yul. At that name, Moon Hae-min was simply stunned.

“From now on, you are Moon Hee-yul.”

“……Pardon?”

“Furthermore, my intention to take you as my legal spouse remains unchanged.”

He had no idea what the motive behind these words was. Hae-min’s already confused mind became even more tangled.

On one hand, the thought flashed through his mind that this was a relief. If he became the legal spouse, Bok-deong-i would become the legitimate eldest son. But….

“……Do you mean that you want me to continue living as ‘Moon Hee-yul’ from now on?”

“Yes.”

Song Seol added one more thing in an utterly indifferent tone.

“I have already concluded a deal with Lord Moon.”

“The Lord….”

Of everything he had heard today, this was the only thing that wasn’t surprising. He didn’t know what the man had received in exchange, but if it were Lord Moon, he would have sold him off without hesitation.

“My Lord, I understand what you are saying. However, I am Hae-min, not Hee-yul. Asking me to live as Hee-yul is no different from asking a dog to live as a cat. This is an impossible task beyond my capabilities, so please, withdraw your words.”

“You underestimate yourself. If I were to use an animal analogy, you are a fox, a master of disguise. Can you not simply do as you have been doing all this time?”

“My Lord, I….”

“Not ‘My Lord.’”

Song Seol cut him off.

“From now on, call me ‘Husband.’”

The voice was gentle, but it did not sound that way to Moon Hae-min. A cold shiver ran down his spine. He barely managed to squeeze the words out.

“……Hu-Husband.”

“Good.”

Song Seol nodded.

“Stay here until the inner quarters are prepared.”

It was a stern command that he didn’t even dare to refuse. While Moon Hae-min remained silent, Song Seol turned around.

He left the room, and the door closed firmly. This time, Moon Hae-min did not pull or shake the door handle. It was certain to be locked anyway.

“…….”

He was alone once again. That fact hit him with bone-chilling reality.