Chapter 3

 

Emperor Hee-yoon dared not take his eyes off of his desk—continuing to act as though the Empress wasn’t even in the room—and only kept doing his job, pretending like she didn’t exist.

 

“I am here because I have something to tell you.”

 

She spoke calmly. However, as expected, the Emperor was still silent, as if he heard nothing. But Lee Woo still tried her best to get his attention.

 

“Your Majesty—”

 

Annoyed, the Emperor raised his head to look at Woo. Despite his good looks, whenever he looked at her, his eyes turned cold and bitter. Woo was always discouraged by the lack of warmth in his gaze. She was used to it, but every time he looked at her this way, her heart fell deeper into despair.

 

“Tell me; who told you that you could come in here without my permission? Is the Empress above the law, now?” 

 

Woo smiled at those words. They were cold and unchanging, and yet, she still managed to smile bitterly in front of her cold husband. She felt the frustration and sadness of being unwanted by the Emperor once more—and it ripped her heart into pieces.

 

Hee-yoon never liked that smile. He always felt like the Empress only held a higher status than he did just because he owed his position to her father. He felt pathetic whenever he vented his own anger towards the Empress; although she was completely innocent. When he was angry, he’d take his anger out towards that woman again and again. Because of his pathetic reasoning, things continued this way for ten whole years without either of them realizing it.

 

“Won’t you invite me to sit down?”

 

“Suit yourself.”

 

The Emperor never bothered to ask if she wanted tea. At the very least, no noble family treated her this lowly; and no one could make her feel so pathetic. But she refused to let the Emperor see her cry. Normally, she felt passive about the cold treatment she got from him, but this time, she laughed, feeling weak and helpless.

 

“I’m thinking of forbidding Noble Consort Song from riding the palanquin.”

 

Bang!

 

As soon as she finished speaking, the Emperor’s angry fist landed on his desk. Woo simply bowed her head and continued speaking:

 

“There have been several complaints about it, especially from the concubines. This would be in the best interests of Noble Consort Song and yourself, so please allow me to forbid her from doing so.”

 

“You’re not satisfied with my words?! Who do you think you are?! It’s just a damned palanquin! What do you want me to do? Revoke an order from the Emperor?”

 

Woo kept her cool. Despite her husband’s growling voice, she kept her head bowed respectfully. She also answered him with a flower-like voice that didn’t suit the current situation.

 

“It’s not just any palanquin—it’s Your Majesty’s very own personal palanquin. Some might understand, but many would say it’s shameless of Noble Consort Song to ride a palanquin made for a king. Every other concubine would eventually demand the same kind of treatment, and that could start trouble. Not to mention, it wouldn’t be a new law; anyone other than the Emperor is already forbidden from riding the palanquin inside the palace.”

 

“I don’t want to hear it.”

 

The Emperor’s face flushed red with anger. He was a rational man, but he always became emotional when facing the Empress.  Women’s weeps always made him angry.

 

“I am not saying that Noble Consort Song is a bad person and vice versa. But everyone dislikes the attention that she’s receiving and since she came from a fallen family, everything is extra hard for her. I think it’s best if we keep her profile low for now.” 

 

The calm face with which the Empress spoke only infuriated him further. To him, the fact that he’d lent out the palanquin with kind intentions should be all that mattered—when, in reality, it had become a serious source of discontent for the other concubines.

 

“Remember—the palanquin was made for the Emperor alone. I had only said that because the palanquin does not exist for anybody except for your use, especially for someone whose rank can’t be even compared to yours.”

 

Hee-yoon stayed silent. But the hatred and coldness radiating from his eyes were very clearly felt by the Empress. The fact that he got angry and shouted while the Empress stood there in complete calmness made him feel pathetic again. Her straight face and hard stare were enough to make the color of his face turn red with anger. He felt like a child, a hopeless child that only had the title of the emperor as his shield. Hee-yoon unconsciously became a child that didn’t want to lose to the empress. 

 

“You knew it already, your Majesty. So-hwa is not a princess of any country. No, in fact, she has the lowest rank out of all the concubines that entered the palace. She’s just a mere court lady! Everyone knows that what has become of her status is a great favor already. You don’t have to do anything anymore. Sometimes, what has overflowed is no better than what is lacking.” 

 

“Is the Empress trying to teach me?”

 

The Empress smiled bitterly. She found it difficult to prevent the tears from flowing while looking at her hostile husband. Her hands started trembling. In response to this, she carefully clenched her fist and started talking again.

 

“This will be poison to her. Because of your Majesty’s actions, Noble Consort Song will have everyone’s eyes on her. Even her small mistakes will be overflowing with criticism, and this is not good. Some might even say that she’s leading you astray and perhaps has a hidden agenda. Please, your Majesty, don’t put such a burden on that young and naive girl.”

 

Lee Woo said sincerely. The Emperor was silenced with her words, not because she was spouting nonsense, but  because she was actually right. With the silence growing longer, Woo got bored and got up from her seat, leaving the Emperor to his problematic thoughts.

 

Woo came out of the Emperor’s office with a frown.

 

“I greet her Royal Highness, the Empress.” 

 

Woo was surprised to hear someone call her title. A tall man came into her view. The man looked more like a boy than a grown-up adult because of his eyes and wide smile. Despite dressing simply, by his looks alone, anyone could tell that he too had noble blood.

 

“My lord, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. Have you come to see his Majesty?”

 

Woo greeted the man with a lovely smile. Prince Hee-won and Lee Woo have known each other since their childhood. This is because the prince and Woo’s brother were very close and had a bond similar to siblings. Although in the world of politics, the two are seen as enemies,  in reality, they just didn’t care.

 

Prince Hee-won smiled again at Woo’s greeting. He also frowned playfully and held out his hand for her to take.

 

“I have seen the beautiful woman of the Noble Sun in the palace and I can’t seem to remember what I was supposed to do. If you don’t mind, can you stay with me for a minute?”

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Lee Woo smiled at his light gestures. As she was charmed, she took the hand offered to her and blushed slightly.

 

“My Lord, aren’t you planning to meet with his Majesty?”

 

At her words, he cleverly slithered his way out by saying he suddenly felt ill and being with her provided him ease, which made the Empress laugh. Unconsciously, the Empress also seemed to forget the hurtful encounter with the Emperor just minutes before. 

 

She remembered only meeting him once at a party before she entered the palace. And when she did, since she always accompanied her brother whenever he visited Prince Wang, they also inevitably became close.

 

Hee-won went with her to the Empress’ palace. Although silent, they were both comfortable with each other like it was very natural.

 

Since it was not a good idea to always meet with the Empress because of his status, Hee-won tried to limit their encounters and only went because of his friend’s request. And like a gentleman, they only meet outside to talk to prevent speculations from everyone. They discussed casual matters while being monitored by the palace’ people. The Emperor was quite understanding of this matter because he trusted his brother.

 

The Prince looked at the Empress. The way she carries herself with a straight back and a very noble posture made him laugh a little. ‘It’s very telling of her personality,’ he silently thought.

 

Hee-won was also surprised that the child he once knew grew up to be an empress of a country, and it made him feel a little unsettled. He knew how ruthless and crazy it was inside the palace, and being out of there was like a dream come true for anyone.

 

“Do you think you’re playing this role well?”

 

“Well, I don’t know. I’m just trying.”

 

Woo sighed and answered Hee-won’s question.

“It’s fine. You are doing well.”