By Zephyria 
Today’s gathering was intended to discuss future plans. To the casual observer, the composition of the group looked like a social get-together to avoid drawing suspicion. However, Min-hyeok wondered why the Queen Dowager had invited Hae-joo and Han Hee-sung, creating such an atmosphere.
He understood her desire to apologize, but in the end, he didn’t like any of it. The sight of Han Hee-sung fearlessly clinging to Hae-joo’s arm, asking him to feed him food… it made him want to rip the boy’s mouth open.
How dare he lay a hand on the Emperor’s concubine. It was an unimaginable act, and Min-hyeok felt as though he had been hit by a devastating attack. What felt even worse was that Hae-joo, fearing Hee-sung might be harmed, had taken him outside to have a cozy conversation.
“Chief Prosecutor. How does it feel to witness your son’s attempt at an affair right before your eyes?”
“Your… Your Majesty, I am so embarrassed I don’t know where to put myself. How could such a heinous thing happen…”
“I clearly told you to manage your son well. To commit such an eccentricity right in front of me, his husband? How many times has this happened now?”
A gloomy voice leaked from Min-hyeok’s lips, his eyes never leaving Hae-joo. Min-hyeok then turned his gaze toward the Queen Dowager.
“Why did you call him here just to turn my stomach?”
“…Do you think my stomach isn’t turning? If he had just stayed still, the position of Empress would have rolled right into his lap; I don’t know how he manages to make things this disastrous. This situation is a first for me as well, so I am quite flustered.”
Min-hyeok felt frustrated. His mother’s attitude was always like this. She would cause a problem and then act as if she had no part in it. If she wanted to apologize to Hae-joo, she could have just brought the Chief Prosecutor; inviting that lunatic was clearly intentional.
That must have been the Queen Dowager’s plan. Using the apology as an excuse, she wanted to create even one more opportunity for Min-hyeok and Hee-sung to be together. Despite knowing all the circumstances, she refused to give up until the end. In the end, it was Hae-joo and Hee-sung who ended up stuck together, and Min-hyeok had to witness it with his own eyes.
“I did not imagine a situation like this either. I am truly ashamed in many ways. I will make sure Hee-sung never appears before the Palace Lord user again.”
“…I am letting this slide today only because of the Grand Imperial Concubine. If something like this happens again, the Chief Prosecutor can consider himself to have lost a son.”
Min-hyeok’s genuinely chilling voice echoed quietly in the room. As the atmosphere turned cold again due to the couple’s affairs, Min-hyeok expressed his apologies to the friends he had invited. Looking at Hae-joo, who was engaged in a serious conversation with Han Hee-sung, Min-hyeok unbuttoned his shirt to calm himself. Those Min-hyeok had called waited for him to speak, cautiously gauging his mood. Once the atmosphere had settled, Min-hyeok revealed the purpose of today’s meeting.
“As you all know, I will be leaving for the United States next week with the Queen Dowager. On paper, of course. I won’t actually depart; I’ll stay behind to monitor the situation. Everyone, stay alert. Once they realize the palace is empty, they will certainly seize the opportunity to push their way in.”
“They’ll likely test the waters and assess the situation before seizing control of the palace. This usurpation of the throne has been prepared for longer than we thought. The Prime Minister must firmly believe that the person he prepared will become the new Emperor.”
“Right. He’ll be so happy thinking his plan succeeded, unaware that everything is already in my hands. He’ll probably send assassins to the place I said I’d be. Unaware that it’s not me, but agents, who will be there.”
The Prime Minister and his people were currently surrounding Min-hyeok, waiting for a gap to tear him down. All while remaining oblivious to the fact that Min-hyeok’s army was pressing down on them. He knew that the Prime Minister had been preparing this treason for about two years.
It was quite meticulous and surprisingly robust. Had he not noticed, even Min-hyeok would have been helpless. He was sincerely grateful to heaven for finding out in advance. Furthermore, this was the perfect opportunity to dispose of the Prime Minister, who was a thorn in his side.
“Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, they will definitely push in. But just in case, Si-yoon, you feed them the right information.”
The person Min-hyeok instructed to “feed” them was the one who had mentioned earlier that Hee-sung was a recessive Omega. He nodded with a smile at Min-hyeok’s words.
“Don’t worry. I’m good at that sort of thing. However, is it really a good idea for the Grand Imperial Concubine user to stay alone in an empty palace while Your Majesty is away? No matter how many preparations have been made, it seems dangerous.”
Si-yoon looked at Min-hyeok with a hint of concern. During a civil war, for the Emperor’s person to be caught alone meant immediate death. The Prime Minister would not forgive the Grand Imperial Concubine for turning toward the Emperor, even if he were his own blood.
“…Still, it can’t be helped. To strike at the moment of treason so they can’t deny it, I have to use the Grand Imperial Concubine as a decoy to divert their attention and make them let their guard down. I can only hope the process goes as quickly and safely as possible.”
“But if they capture the Emperor’s Omega, they won’t just leave him—”
“Stop it, Lee Si-yoon. Why are you creating anxiety over something that hasn’t even happened?”
“I’m just stating the reality. Because I’m worried.”
As Si-yoon repeated his anxious concerns for the Grand Imperial Concubine, a rebuking voice was heard.
“If you’re worried, spend the time you’re using for such idle talk thinking of a way to succeed without mistakes. Don’t worry too much, Your Majesty. I’ve planned everything, including those variables, so there is no way the Grand Imperial Concubine user will be hurt.”
Min-hyeok couldn’t respond. In truth, he was most worried about Hae-joo’s safety. He had considered taking Hae-joo with him, but that would be too unnatural. The two had never moved together on unofficial domestic or international schedules. They weren’t fools; they would find it strange.
He couldn’t allow such a situation to arise. He had to move as naturally as possible, just as they had been doing. Without Min-hyeok, they wouldn’t treat Hae-joo kindly. That was his greatest fear. However, just as this was an opportunity for Min-hyeok, it would be an opportunity for them as well.
Min-hyeok planned to intentionally leave the palace empty and then suppress the coup forces while they were in chaos after entering. He would strike the Prime Minister’s men waiting outside and then tighten the noose inside. Since he was essentially setting a trap and waiting for them to bite, everything needed to be as natural as possible.
He had to show a nuance of cherishing the Grand Imperial Concubine but keeping him at arm’s length. Hae-joo would understand. Min-hyeok’s gripped hands tightened and became sweaty. Reciting the reality of it made him unexpectedly nervous. A tension that felt suffocating washed over him. For the sake of his and Hae-joo’s future, he had to make this succeed.
∗ ∗ ∗
“Shall we go somewhere nearby for fun tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?”
I sat up in bed at Joo Min-hyeok’s sudden suggestion to go out. Lately, he had been preoccupied with meetings and work every chance he got. He seemed incredibly busy; was it really okay?
“My work ends at 4 PM tomorrow, so I thought we could go out and play.”
“Is that okay?”
If his work ended early, it would be better for him to rest quietly, but I was a bit worried because he seemed to be overworking himself lately. No matter how much of a Dominant Alpha with great stamina in his twenties he was, I was concerned that he might get sick if he continued to push himself like that.
“Why wouldn’t it be? It’s been a long time since we’ve gone outside.”
“But Your Majesty, you haven’t been able to rest at all lately. Why don’t you just rest early?”
“Rest isn’t anything special to me. Smelling your pheromones and lying next to you is resting. I’ll send Kang Hyun-wook back tomorrow, so until I finish work, feel free to go to the convenience store or something.”
Eh? Why is this man being so generous? If I so much as sent a text to Han Hee-sung, he would check the sent messages and make a huge fuss, but today he’s strangely lenient. However, since I was told I could go out, I couldn’t just let it pass.
“Really? I can really go outside with bodyguard Kang Hyun-wook?”
At my confirming question, he propped his head up with his hand and rolled onto his side. With Joo Min-hyeok, it’s best to be clear about everything. If I’m not, and my quarters get smashed again and everything gets destroyed, then really…
“Yes. Just don’t meet Han Hee-sung. End things with him via text. Even that is me being very patient. I wish you’d just cut ties with him, friend or not, by now…”
“He promised not to do that to me anymore. Please trust me. More importantly, how long can Your Majesty play with me?”
My eyes sparkling, I lay down next to Joo Min-hyeok, resting my chin on my hand. Joo Min-hyeok readily pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair.
“Tomorrow is Friday, so we’ll be together until the weekend. I won’t be able to see you for a few days once I go to the US. Tell me if there’s anywhere you want to go.”
Ah, right. Joo Min-hyeok is going to the US, right? No wonder he was so lenient today. Is it because he’s anxious about leaving his spot? But it’s an unavoidable situation since the Queen Dowager’s health is poor. He said yesterday that she was still bedridden.
“What if I suddenly ask to go abroad?”
“Abroad? We can just go. Japan or Hong Kong is a quick trip. What’s the problem with that?”
I was joking, but he’s being serious again. With nothing in the world being impossible for him, it’s almost boring. As if I would actually demand such a thing. Though, well, there is something I want to do. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’ll think about it until tomorrow and tell him if I find something. Still, this sudden change wasn’t bad.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Hyun-wook, too. Then, since I’m going out tomorrow, should I stop by to see Seo-joo for a bit? I heard he goes to exercise during the day lately. The thought of seeing Seo-joo, and the thought of doing something with Joo Min-hyeok, suddenly put me in a great mood.