Fake Concubine 81

His ​feelings ​toward ​Moon ​Hee-yul were complex. ​To ​be ​honest, ​Moon ​Hae-min envied Hee-yul, the ​legitimate ​eldest son who ​had grown up ​showered ​with ​their ​father’s ​love. ​During his childhood, ​he ​had ​thought every single ​day, ‘How wonderful would ​it be ​if I ​were like ​Hee-yul?’ He ​had ​simply ​resigned himself to ​reality, but ​that feeling remained largely ​unchanged even now that ​he had become an ​adult.

On the ​other ​hand, Moon Hae-min felt a kind ​of debt toward Hee-yul.

It ​was ​all ​thanks ​to ​Hee-yul that he ​had learned ​to ​read and write. ​He ​had learned by listening over ​Hee-yul’s shoulder ​while ​the latter studied. ​Through ​Hee-yul, ​he ​was ​able to ​secretly ​read precious ​books in the library and borrow painting ​albums and collections ​of master calligraphy. ​It was also Hee-yul ​who had ​provided him with ​clothes ​and rare delicacies, ​hiding them from ​Lord Moon’s ​sight.

Thus, ​while Moon ​Hae-min ​could not ​purely ​like Hee-yul, ​he ​could ​not hate him ​either. ​After all, ​Hee-yul ​was ​his ​younger brother. A brother he hoped would do well, and one he would gladly help if he were only able.

“……I’ll think about it carefully.”

“Think? W-what do you mean, think?”

Hee-yul’s face turned pale. It was a clear change in expression, recognizable even though the room was dim.

“Brother, you’re not planning to confess everything to Grand Prince Byeokran, are you?”

“No.”

He didn’t know what to do yet, but at Read on Read BL Novelsthe very least, it wouldn’t be [unauthorized copy]in that manner. [visit our site]If he did, it would create problems for his own escape.

However, as if unable to believe Moon Hae-min’s words, Hee-yul shook his head, his face twisting violently.

“Please don’t do that, Brother. I—I like things just as they are now. If I just endure a little longer, everything will surely turn out fine.”

“Fine? What do you mean fine? There’s no way!”

In Moon Hae-min’s eyes, Hee-yul was currently ignoring reality. He knew his brother had a somewhat frail disposition, but to be unable to face the situation even at a time like this. Hae-min felt sorry for him and frustrated. In some ways, he found him even more incomprehensible than Lord Moon.

“I—I can handle it on my own. So Brother, please…… promise me. Promise that you won’t confess to Grand Prince Byeokran. You might be forgiven, but I won’t be.”

“Do you think I would be forgiven?”

“That’s because you and he share a deep affection…….”

Moon Hae-min pressed a hand to his forehead. He truly didn’t understand why both Lord Moon and Hee-yul thought that he and Song Seol shared a deep affection. Suddenly, he recalled something Yoon Seung-hyeok had said.

‘Why do you deny it so firmly? You two seem to share a very deep bond.’

‘Exactly what did you see between Grand Prince Byeokran and me to make such a misunderstanding? A deep bond…….’

‘Do you not always stay together like a visit our sitepair of wild geese? From the moment you enter [Read on Read BL Novels]the office until the moment stolen contentyou leave. Rumors are rife that you are together in the office the entire time.’

It was absurd, but Moon Hae-min tried to speak calmly.

“It’s not like that. I don’t share a deep affection with the Prince, and I won’t confess.”

“Really……?”

“I told you. I’ll think of a way for both of us to get through this situation safely. Of course, we’ll have to put up with some noise…… but if I rack my brains, a good plan will come to mind. Whatever it is, wouldn’t it be better than doing as Lord Moon wishes?”

“No, Brother. Just don’t do anything.”

Hee-yul spoke flatly. Despite trembling like a frightened rabbit, his attitude was quite firm.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t need your wisdom or a good plan.”

“……Hee-yul.”

“So just stay still. I’m telling you not to interfere. You don’t know anything. Not a single thing about what has happened all this time.”

‘Don’t meddle.’ The jade-colored eyes, glistening in the candlelight, were saying exactly that. It was a rejection stronger than any words.

Suddenly, Hee-yul felt like a stranger. It felt as if he [stolen content]were visit our sitefacing someone for the first time. While they had been living apart, had Hee-yul gone visit our sitethrough as much as he had? The words ‘You don’t know anything’ might have meant that.

“Fine, I understand.”

Moon Hae-min sincerely wanted to help Hee-yul.

But if the person involved didn’t want it, it wouldn’t be help, but mere interference. That was something neither Hee-yul nor Hae-min wanted.

“I can’t know what you’re thinking, but I only hope that you remain safe.”

“…….”

Hee-yul stubbornly kept his gaze lowered and did not answer. At this, Hae-min suppressed his agitation.

He truly hoped his brother would be safe, but for some reason, he had an ominous feeling that it would not be easy.

The next day, a guest arrived in the early hours of the dawn.

Strictly speaking, he was an unwelcome guest, but he was not someone who could be received carelessly. For his status was none other than a Grand Prince.

Consequently, the residence fell into a commotion. Lord Moon hurriedly tidied his official attire, the servants rushed to prepare for the precious guest, and Moon Hae-min also quickly made his way to the sarangbang.

“You’ve come.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Hae-min caught his breath and looked around.

The sarangbang was somewhat chaotic. Lord Moon had barely thrown on a durumagi and a gat, looking for all the world like someone who had just woken up, and Song Seol was dressed in mourning clothes made of hemp.

‘What on earth is this combination…….’

Neither the place nor the people were harmonious. He felt as if he were dreaming a strange dream.

Hae-min hesitantly tried to sit beside Lord Moon. At that moment, Song Seol looked up at Hae-min intently.

“…….”

Sensing the mood, Hae-min turned and took a seat next to Song Seol. Only then did Song Seol avert his gaze. He had wondered, and it seemed Song Seol really was displeased with the idea of him sitting next to Lord Moon.

‘To dislike Lord Moon to that extent…….’

If he had to walk on eggshells just over where to sit, he was already worried about how other matters would go. Moon Hae-min held his breath and silently listened to their conversation.

“The Grand Prince must be in immense grief…….”

“Indeed.”

However, the conversation was cut short before it even reached five exchanges. Lord Moon seemed to be offering condolences out of courtesy while simultaneously fearing he might inadvertently offend Song Seol. Meanwhile, true to his taciturn nature, Song Seol did not open his mouth.

“…….”

An awkward silence dragged on. No, Lord Moon and Hae-min were the only ones who found the situation awkward. Song Seol seemed completely unfazed.

Eventually, the topic of the Crown Prince’s funeral rites was brought up, but this too was quickly cut off. Just as Lord Moon was wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Song Seol gently placed his hand on the back of Hae-min’s hand.

“I ask that you take good care of Hee-yul in the meantime.”

Startled by the action, Hae-min didn’t even hear the words that followed. What was he doing right in front of Lord Moon?

‘This is why people misunderstand and think Song Seol and I are on good terms……!’

Checking Lord Moon, he found him frozen with a look of utter astonishment. Why on earth had he told him to ‘get on the Grand Prince’s good side’ if he was going to act like this? He had no intention of doing so anyway, but it was truly a mystery.

“……Ahem! Yes, please do not worry.”

“I must speak with Hee-yul for a moment.”

“Ah, yes……. You must.”

Was it just his oversensitivity that made it sound like ‘Of course you must’? Judging by Lord Moon’s expression, it didn’t seem to be a delusion.

“I shall leave you to it.”

“No, there is no need.”

Song Seol said as he stood up. Hae-min quickly stood up after him.

“I shall take my leave, Father.”

“Yes, see the Grand Prince out.”

Lord Moon spoke with a reluctant expression. It was unclear whether he actually wanted him to see the guest out or not. Moon Hae-min left the sarangbang with Song Seol, leaving him behind.

“Would you like to go to my room?”

“No. I do not have time for a long conversation right now.”

“Yes.”

Song Seol led Hae-min toward the wall. His demeanor was natural, as if he were strolling through his own home. Soon, he spoke in a low voice, audible only to Moon Hae-min.

“I will soon accompany the Crown Prince on his final journey.”

“……Is that so.”

“After I return, the O-uje must be held.”

The U-je is a memorial service held after the funeral. As far as Moon Hae-min knew, royal rites followed the Chil-uje (seven services), and scholar-official rites followed the Sam-uje (three services). Since the Crown Prince was lower in status than the King but higher than the scholar-officials, it seemed the O-uje (five services) was held.

“Can you manage to be alone until I return from the funeral rites?”

“Yes.”

After a brief silence, Moon Hae-min added.

“Please go without worry, my Lord.”

Suddenly, it felt as if a thorn had pierced his heart. The guilt he had vaguely felt since Songdo had grown, pressing down [Read on Read BL Novels][visit our site][stolen content]on his chest with a heavy weight.

‘I really am…… a wicked man.’

Trying to use someone else’s funeral as an opportunity to escape, and reassuring Song Seol even though he intended to betray him. Even if it was to survive, it was a truly wretched thing to do.

The most wicked part was that he had no intention of stopping, even while knowing this full well. Hae-min lowered his head in shame.

“By the way…….”

Song Seol suddenly reached out and toyed with the ends of Hae-min’s hair. He didn’t stop there; he smelled the hair.

“Do I smell of something?”

“No, I am smelling you because there is no scent.”

“…….”

“I taught you, but your skill in controlling your Chromatic Scent is truly impressive. Not a single scent escapes.”

“Yes…….”

“I miss your scent.”

Song Seol let it slip out casually. Unlike him, Moon Hae-min was startled as if he had just heard a grand confession.