Fake Concubine 88

Meanwhile, ​Hee-yul ​prattled ​on ​about circumstances he ​hadn’t ​even ​been ​asked ​about.

“Grand Prince Gwang-han is ​quite ​an expert in ​pharmacology. He is ​truly ​a ​versatile ​man.”

“……Do ​you ​like him that ​much?”

“Of ​course. ​Brother, did you ​know? Grand Prince Gwang-han ​says I ​am lovelier ​than any ​Eumin he ​has ​ever ​seen. He doesn’t ​even mind ​that I’m a Scentless ​Eumin. He says it ​would be boring if ​I were ​perfect ​in every way, and that the ​lack of scent makes ​me ​even ​more ​charming….”

Chattering ​away like that, ​Hee-yul was ​the ​spitting image of ​a ​younger brother desperate to brag ​about his ​romance. ​It was almost ​possible ​to ​understand ​why ​Grand Prince ​Gwang-han ​found Hee-yul ​lovely. Even Hae-min, who knew his true ​nature, found him ​cute in those ​moments.

‘The problem is that ​it’s only ​on the surface….’

Hee-yul’s ​boasting ​continued without pause. ​It was all ​about how ​much ​Grand Prince ​Gwang-han ​loved him ​and ​how dearly ​he ​cherished ​him.

“Grand Prince Gwang-han ​treats ​me like ​I’m ​the ​Queen.”

It ​might have been an exaggeration, but since the subject was a Grand Prince, it couldn’t be simply brushed aside. Hae-min asked with a serious expression.

“Do you really intend to become the Queen?”

For a moment, Moon Hee-yul shut [unauthorized copy]his mouth. He, who had been chatting away so effortlessly until Read on Read BL Novelsnow, stared at Moon Hae-min in a terrifying silence.

Eventually, the corners of Moon Hee-yul’s mouth curled up.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“…….”

Even if there were no other listeners, it was an excessively bold statement. However, Moon Hae-min was not shaken.

Perhaps, deep down, he had already been certain. Certain about what Grand Prince Gwang-han was plotting. That was why, though he felt complicated, he wasn’t surprised.

Hae-min’s lips parted.

“……The books.”

“What?”

“You said you would bring me some novels.”

“What? Do you really want to read novels in this situation?”

Hee-yul asked suspiciously.

“Of course. Do you know how agonizing it is to be [unauthorized copy]locked stolen contentup alone for days? That man doesn’t even answer when I try to talk to him….”

“……Hmm.”

“If you aren’t going to bring me books, at least bring me someone to talk to.”

“Fine, I get it. I’ll make sure you’re not bored,” Hee-yul answered readily. He likely judged that this was a reasonable request. But Moon Hae-min’s demands didn’t end there.

“And I’m cold. Bring me a thick cotton quilt. And some snacks, since my mouth is bored.”

“Ha, really now….”

“Candles and flint, too, please. Winter days are short as it is; do you know how scary it is to be alone in the pitch black? I’m locked up because of you, so you can at least do this much.”

“You’re really asking for everything,” Hee-yul clicked his tongue. His face was full of disbelief, but he gave his consent.

“Fine. I’ll prepare them.”

“Mm.”

Moon Hee-yul turned around. Before he left completely, Hae-min spoke impulsively.

“Hee-yul, stop now while you still can. Whatever you’re thinking, all of it.”

“……I appreciate the advice, but I’ll pass, Brother.”

Hee-yul answered without even looking back at Hae-min.

He left the room. As the door closed, Hae-min regretted it slightly. He felt he had said something unnecessary. Hee-yul wouldn’t listen to a word he said anyway, and besides, what was so lovely about him that he deserved such advice?

But Moon Hee-yul had, at one time, been his brother….

This advice was for himself, not for Hee-yul. Advice so that in the future, he wouldn’t regret not having tried to stop his brother.

‘This is enough.’

Though feeling bitter, Hae-min shook off the remaining remnants of brotherly affection.

In his heart, he wanted to storm into the Moon family estate and meet Hee-yul right this instant. However, Song Seol was a Grand Prince known for his prudence and discernment. Since the funeral rites for Crown Prince Sohae had not yet concluded, visiting a concubine would be improper.

Instead, he secretly summoned the steward of the Hanseong residence.

“Rumors are fine. Find out everything regarding Moon Hee-yul, and uncover the truth behind them.”

After giving the order, Song Seol pressed his temples out of habit.

A chronic headache plagued him. The pain itself was negligible, but the problem was that his heart fluttered anxiously at the same time.

It felt as if a monster were trapped in his chest. A monster so dangerous that he had isolated unauthorized copyit, yet [unauthorized copy]too powerful to kill. Song Seol could neither completely ignore it nor open the cage where the monster was imprisoned.

All he could think of was ‘Moon Hee-yul’s’ bright face. And the seductive Chromatic Scent he emitted.

Now, following the hallucinations, he began to experience olfactory hallucinations. A futile scent of plum blossoms tried to lead Song Seol somewhere, only to scatter.

“…….”

Like a man who had lost his guide while wandering an unfamiliar place, Song Seol stood frozen, his face contorting.

Clang.

Hae-min looked up at the sound of the door opening. He saw a man entering the room. Unlike usual, he was carrying a load of belongings.

After unloading the cotton quilt draped over his shoulder, he set down the bundle in his hand. Hae-min watched the man unpack and spoke.

“Thank you for your hard work. But may I ask one more favor?”

“…….”

“Please bring me some water. I’m quite thirsty….”

The man left the room without acting as if he had even heard.

However, a short while later, he returned with a [unauthorized copy]large Read on Read BL Novelswater bottle along with dinner. Hae-min greeted him in a small voice.

“Thank you.”

The man left the room without a word.

He was alone once again. Only then did Moon Hae-min begin to move. First, dragging his chains, he sat before the dining table.

“Looks delicious.”

Hae-min chuckled as he checked the side dishes. Perhaps it was because he had complained to Hee-yul about his mouth being bored; precious dishes like soy-braised beef and seasoned cockles were served. It was a feast that didn’t suit the location.

‘This is good. That I can eat something delicious one last time.’

Hae-min first picked up a piece of braised beef with his chopsticks. He chewed and swallowed slowly, as if savoring the taste. A salty sweetness spread through his mouth.

Though it looked as if he were enjoying a gourmet meal, Hae-min’s mind was racing.

‘Was Bok-deong-i’s death a simple accident?’

At first, he thought Bok-deong-i was simply born with a short life. He was deeply resentful, but as a human, how could he change the lifespan decreed by heaven? Thus, Hae-min had no choice but to resign himself.

But it didn’t seem to be the case. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious Grand Prince Gwang-han became.

If he had been eyeing the throne, a suddenly appearing royal would have been a thorn [unauthorized copy]in his side. Since Grand Prince Gwang-han was skilled in [visit our site]pharmacology, there was a possibility he had used some means on Bok-deong-i, just as he had fed Hae-min strange medicine.

Of course, this was merely Moon Hae-min’s speculation. It would be difficult to find evidence now. However.

Hae-min intended to dig into even a single point of suspicion.

“…….”

He placed kimchi on his rice and ate the seasoned cockles. He didn’t forget to drink the seaweed soup. This might be his last meal, and even if things went well, he wouldn’t be eating proper meals for a while.

After swallowing the last bit of rice and soup, Moon Hae-min picked up the water bottle.

He tilted the bottle over the cotton quilt. Water poured out, soaking the quilt. The already heavy quilt sagged further as it absorbed the water.

Then, Moon Hae-min picked up the flint.

“Ha.”

Exhaling a short breath, he struck the flint. Clack, clack, clack. After several attempts, a spark flew. Hae-min pressed it against the books.

The edges of the paper began to burn black. The novels, which likely contained steamy scenes of passion, began to burn truly hot.

Any sane person would have put out the fire at this point. However, Moon Hae-min intentionally grew the bright red fireball. He threw all the books the man had brought into the fire.

The pile of books blazed, emitting acrid smoke. It was as if unauthorized copya [stolen content]bonfire had [visit our site]been lit in the corner of the room.

“Cough, cough.”

Moon Hae-min quickly covered himself with the cotton quilt. He didn’t know how much this would block the smoke and heat, but he had nothing else to rely on.

‘If I don’t do this, there is no way to escape this place.’

Hee-yul, and by extension Grand Prince Gwang-han, had imprisoned him, but they didn’t intend to kill him. Hadn’t Hee-yul said it himself? ‘Why would they? If they wanted to harm you, they would have used a more certain method.’

They needed him. He had no way of knowing what value he held to them, but that wasn’t important. The key was that Grand Prince Gwang-han would not leave him to die.

“It’s hot….”

The fire grew frighteningly in size. The books had almost turned to ash, and even the small dining table caught fire. The flames spread to the floor and walls.

His ankles felt hot as the shackles heated up. Hae-min wiped the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Around this time in the past, he had suffered from the cold, but this time he was suffering from the heat. He didn’t know why he was like this, even after finally getting a chance to start a new life.

But there was no regret. If he could uncover the injustice of Bok-deong-i’s death, Hae-min was willing to gamble as much as necessary. Even if it meant putting his own life on the line.

‘……Bok-deong-i.’

The image of Bok-deong-i crying faintly flickered through his mind. He wished he could remember the child’s beaming, smiling face, but it didn’t go as he hoped. Perhaps it was because the last time he saw the child, he was crying….

His breath hitched. Just as he buried his face in the wet cotton quilt.

Bang!

The sound of the door being violently thrown open echoed. Along with it, a spat-out curse.

“Damn it all. I knew something felt off!”

Someone ripped the quilt away. It was undoubtedly that man. Even as the man pulled at his ankle, Hae-min stubbornly refused to lift his head.

“Why the hell is this not coming loose, I’m in a damn hurry….”

The man unlocked the shackles with rough hands. The moment the iron mass binding his right ankle fell away, Hae-min immediately turned and pushed the man.