Fake Concubine 80

“……Brother.”

This ​was ​a ​meeting ​not between a ​monarch ​and ​his ​subject, ​but between brothers. In ​any ​case, there was ​no one present ​to ​point ​out ​Song ​Seol’s ​lack of formality. ​As ​he ​spoke comfortably, as ​if returning to their ​immature childhood, ​the King ​continued.

“Song Woo ​was a ​kind ​child.”

“…….”

“He ​was the kind ​of child ​who felt the pain ​of others as if ​it were his own, ​respected his ​elders, ​and never treated those below him ​with disdain.”

“Yes. I, too, ​am ​well ​aware ​of ​His Highness the ​Crown Prince’s ​benevolent ​nature.”

Crown Prince Sohae, ​Song ​Woo, was two years younger ​than Song ​Seol. ​Being close in ​age, ​the ​two ​had ​been intimate. ​In ​truth, Crown ​Prince Sohae had been like a brother ​to Song Seol.

“That ​a prince with ​the qualities of a ​sage king ​should leave this ​world…… ​Heaven is truly ​heartless.”

“…….”

Had someone unfamiliar ​with the ​inner ​workings of ​the ​royal family ​heard ​this lament, ​they ​might ​have said, ‘But ​is ​there not ​still ​one ​prince ​remaining?’ However, Song Seol knew that this ‘one remaining prince’ was precisely the source of the King’s distress.

Grand Prince Gwang-han was the troublemaker of the royal house. He had caused all sorts of incidents since he was young. From ordering palace servants to plunder the family heirlooms of others, to picking fights with those he disliked and sending them to the execution grounds, to spending lavishly while indulging in drinking and dancing both inside and outside the palace.

Thus, it was only natural that everyone suspected Grand Prince Gwang-han when the Crown Prince met his sudden death.

Furthermore, it seemed the King himself suspected Grand Prince Gwang-han. Although there was no evidence, that suspicion would only grow larger; it would never fade.

The brother Song Seol respected would, in the end, spend his entire life in agony and anguish.

“I heard you came to Hanseong with your concubine.”

The subject changed. Though somewhat puzzled, Song Seol answered obediently.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“You truly are something, taking in a son as a concubine just to spite his father. Isn’t that a bit too much?”

The corners of Song Seol’s lips curled up slightly. Why wouldn’t it be? He, too, had [unauthorized copy]regrets about it. [stolen content]However, it was a matter that could be resolved by holding a formal wedding in due time.

“To think you held such a grudge against Lord Moon……”

“Do you not feel the same, Brother?”

“I did. When I think of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, I have no choice.”

In the past, Lord Moon had persistently petitioned the late King to select a concubine. This was not merely because he had a rigid temperament regarding etiquette. It was to bring an Eumin from the faction he supported into the royal family.

“Looking back now, he was simply saying what he had to say as a subject, but……”

The royal family was, in reality, a household. As a son, it was impossible for him to feel good about an outsider telling his father to take a concubine. For that reason, the King and Song Seol had looked upon Lord Moon with distaste.

That was not all. The current King also loved and longed for the Queen, and so he had not taken a new Queen even after she passed away.

Lord Moon had persistently urged the King once again to ‘take a Queen.’ Because of this, he had incurred the King’s ire, but Lord Moon remained steadfast. In terms of such conviction, he was more formidable than any other official in the court.

“Seol, as you know, I did not like Lord Moon. Since my partner had left this world, how could I welcome a new partner? Moreover, with two princes under my care, what was the need to produce more royal descendants?”

“It is as you say, Brother.”

“But Seol, now that things have turned out this way, I find myself thinking that Lord Moon might have been right.”

“……Brother.”

“If there had been more royal descendants, Grand Prince Gwang-han would not have acted so recklessly. Now that he is the sole prince, how will he behave from now on?”

Each word felt as heavy as a falling boulder. Song Seol could feel that the King had agonized deeply over this issue.

As a younger brother before being a subject, he felt pity, but Song Seol could not bring himself to answer. This was a problem that had no answer from the start.

What could be done about Grand Prince Gwang-han’s violent nature? Now that he had become the sole prince, it was difficult to govern him strictly.

“Seol.”

“Please speak.”

“Do you intend to remain in Songdo in the future?”

It was a question containing several implications. At this, Song Seol dared [unauthorized copy]to lift his head [Read on Read BL Novels]and [visit our site]meet the King’s gaze.

“Yes.”

“I understand your intention. However, since the current situation is unstable, should you not return to Hanseong?”

“Because the situation is unstable, it is all the more reason why I cannot return to Hanseong.”

“Seol, since when have you been deterred by the misunderstandings of the world? Do not be like that and return to Hanseong now.”

“……Is this a royal command?”

“I do not wish to force you. But would I not be more at peace if at least you were by my side…….”

There was no strength in the fading voice. It was the first time he had seen his brother, who had always been like the sky, look so weak. Even when the late King passed away, his brother had fulfilled his duties without wavering…….

“……I will consider it.”

That was why Song Seol could not bring himself to refuse firmly. He lowered his head heavily.

After finishing a conversation that was less of a dialogue and more unauthorized copyof a lecture with stolen contentLord Moon, Hae-min unauthorized copyleft the guest room. Just as he was heading toward his own room, Hee-yul stopped him.

“Hae-min hyung, you should sleep in my room.”

“What? Then what about you?”

“I’ve been staying elsewhere lately.”

Hee-yul said, shrugging his shoulders lightly. He thought he couldn’t be more surprised, but Moon Hae-min was horrified once again.

“Wait a minute, Hee-yul. Are you telling me you’re living in hiding even inside the house?”

“Uh-huh.”

Hee-yul answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His celadon-colored eyes, without a single speck of stain, looked so clear and pure that Hae-min’s heart burned even more.

“Let’s talk.”

Moon Hae-min grabbed Hee-yul’s wrist and led him into the room.

The place was exactly as Moon Hae-min remembered it. It was strangely [Read on Read BL Novels]desolate, visit our siteconfirming Hee-yul’s words that [stolen content]he had been hiding even within the house, but the furniture was well-organized.

“Sit down.”

Hae-min sat facing Hee-yul. With a single candle lit between them, he began to question him in earnest.

“What are you thinking?”

“What do you mean, what am I thinking……. Hyung, what thoughts could I possibly have? I’m just doing as Father says.”

“Hee-yul, does that make any sense?”

Out of sheer frustration, Hae-min thumped his own chest with his fist.

“Then do you intend to secretly take in a bride and have children, just as the Lord said? Do you think such a thing is even possible?”

“I didn’t know either, but it turns out nothing is impossible. Hyung, did you know? Father is already secretly searching for a bride.”

“What……”

A memory from the past suddenly surfaced. The time when Song Seol returned after discovering the Read on Read BL Novelstruth in visit our siteHanseong that ‘Moon Hee-yul’ was actually Moon Hae-min. He hadn’t known the full circumstances then, but now he understood. Surely, the visit our sitenews that Lord Moon was secretly searching for a bride had reached Song Seol’s ears.

“If that’s the case, then soon…… Ah, no. Let’s put that aside for a moment.”

Moon Hae-min grabbed both of Hee-yul’s hands and spoke.

“Hee-yul, I really think this is absurd. To put it bluntly, how is this any different from being a stud? Is it just that as long as the family line continues, it doesn’t matter what happens to the son’s life?”

He thought that while Lord Moon might despise him, he truly cherished Hee-yul. Had he not pampered him since childhood, calling him the only legitimate eldest son and the only grandson of three generations? Partly because Hee-yul was a good son, but he had been treated like a precious jewel, to the point where he had never once been scolded.

“What is so important about that damn family line! I’m suffering in my own way, and you’re suffering in yours. I knew long ago that he was a man who manipulated his children’s lives as he pleased, but this has gone too far. We have to find a way to survive now……!”

“Hyung, I’m okay.”

Hee-yul pulled his hands away from Moon Hae-min’s grip. Hae-min looked down at his empty hands in bewilderment.

“Hee, Hee-yul.”

“Our family’s fortunes have declined. You know that, right?”

“That may be true, but……”

“I’m different from you. I have no talent for writing, I’m not smart, and I have no confidence in passing the civil service exam to obtain a government post. So, I won’t be able to revive the family.”

“Why are you talking like that? You……”

Even though you are qualified to take the exam.

Hae-min swallowed the rest of his words. Now was not the time to say such things.

“Hee-yul, who told you to revive the family? You can just live as you have been until now.”

“Hyung. Surely you don’t think we can be forgiven if we just confess everything to Grand Prince Byeokran?”

“…….”

“‘Just live as we have been’? Why don’t you understand that even that is difficult right now?”

Hee-yul continued, his voice trembling. His tone was quite sharp, but since the speaker was Moon Hee-yul, it wasn’t particularly threatening.

“Grand Prince Byeokran is someone who might be appointed as the Crown Prince soon. If such [stolen content]a stolen contentperson becomes enraged, our family will be torn to pieces.”

He couldn’t deny it. Even in Moon Hae-min’s opinion, Song Seol did not have such a lenient disposition.

“That’s why this kind of thing should have never……”

“What use is saying that now? What can we do. It’s already happened, and you can’t gather spilled water.”

“Then what do you plan to do? Are you going to live according to the Lord’s wishes like this? Hiding as if you’ve never existed in this world, having children with a bride the Lord chooses for you?”

“I don’t know.”

“…….”

“I said I don’t know…….”

Hee-yul lowered his head. Seeing him like that made Hae-min’s heart feel even more turbulent.