Chapter 46

To Our Hongwi, Yunseo Is…

Though Yunseo had responded to Lady Yun's threat with defiance, her steps felt heavy as she returned to the Eastern Palace.

A selection decree could be issued.

Just the thought that a sudden royal decree might be announced—and that "a proper, virtuous young lady from a prestigious noble family" could be chosen as Crown Princess—made her chest tighten, as if she couldn't breathe.

She had always believed that, with the merit of saving Hongwi and warning of Lee Hyang's early death, she was more than worthy to be his partner—more so than any noble lady.

But as her feelings for Lee Hyang grew deeper, that confidence shrank in equal measure.

To sort out her thoughts, she needed to run and write—but lately, she had been unable to do either. Yunseo recognized this as a side effect of her current state.

So when Hongwi ran into her arms shouting, "Gaga Nain!" she hugged him tightly and said,

"Let's fly a kite, Your Highness. When Princess Pyeongchang comes the day after tomorrow, you'll need to teach her how to fly one."

Under the pretense of kite flying, she forced herself to run—creating an opportunity to shake off her heavy worries.

That evening's meal, however, Hongwi ate alone in the warm ondol room.

Lee Hyang had sent word through Head Court Lady Eom that he would dine with the King, discussing the scale of relief grain to be distributed across the country and, in particular, who should be dispatched as royal inspector to oversee the relief of wandering refugees in the northern regions.

Of all days, it had to be the very day Yunseo heard Lady Yun speak of selecting a Crown Princess.

It felt like an omen, and her mood grew even heavier.

Meanwhile, Hongwi was far more interested in flying the red long-tailed shield kite that Yunseo, Maegum, and the eunuch Jaseon had made together. He wiggled impatiently, barely paying attention to his meal.

"This one's for Nuna—the tail is longer."

He said this after opening his mouth like a baby bird to receive a bite of fish.

"Nuna will like it when it waves like a snake."

Ever since seeing a water snake in the grass near Gyeonghoeru, Hongwi had taken to dragging around ropes, shouting, "Snake! Water snake!" as he played.

Though he liked things that fluttered like snakes, he still insisted on giving the kite with the longer red tail to his older sister.

Our Hongwi had grown more considerate.

He needs playmates.

His excitement for his sister wasn't just affection—it was proof that he needed companions his own age.

Recently, he had been playing a great deal with Princess Jeongui's sons in the Queen's courtyard, and had grown especially fond of six-year-old Yeodal. Once he was formally invested as heir next year and given attendants of his age, he would grow into an even more lively and confident boy.

No longer the baby who clung to Yunseo's skirt and whimpered "Carry me,"

but a proper young boy who would explore the world with friends, then return to Yunseo's arms to seek love and reassurance—

And at the same time, one who would gradually learn the distance between friend and ruler, blossoming into the qualities of a future king.

"Then let's eat just three more spoonfuls and go play."

As she fed him a strip of mushroom into his eager mouth, Yunseo felt her nose sting.

It was a quiet sorrow—for how short the carefree days of childhood were for a royal child.

So that day, Yunseo herself held a kite and ran, demonstrating how to fly it.

"Your Highness, when there's no wind like this, you have to hold the string short and run hard. Once it rises this much, then you let out the string while continuing to run."

Following her example, Hongwi ran with his short legs, trying to fly the kite.

But his tiny proportions made it difficult.

"It's too hard…"

He panted, on the verge of tears, as Jaseon caught him when he nearly tripped.

"Jaseon… it's hard… the kite won't go up…"

Watching him bury his face in Jaseon's chest in frustration, Yunseo's heart tightened again.

Exceptionally bright, Hongwi was already learning to treat the people around him differently.

Jaseon was his loyal attendant,

the Queen was a warm and steadfast grandmother,

Lee Hyang was a role model he admired and sought approval from—yet also a slightly intimidating father.

And Yunseo—

"Gaga, carry me, carry me."

Hongwi stretched out his arms toward her as she approached, winding down the kite string.

To him, Yunseo was something absolute—

a safe haven he could always return to after joyfully exploring the world.

Though Yunseo needed at least an hour of running—aside from water breaks—to feel proper exercise, she had barely run for even half that time.

Her body wasn't even warmed up yet.

Still, she set down the kite and lifted Hongwi into her arms.

"I can't teach Nuna how to fly the kite…"

Hongwi pouted, on the verge of tears.

Holding him close, breathing in his warmth and the faint scent of sweat unique to children, Yunseo thought to herself—

I may never become a 'proper noble lady from a prestigious family'… unless I'm reborn again.

But I've already become a good caregiver to our Hongwi.

Our Hongwi will grow into a strong young man—and become a long-reigning king!

"Your Highness, kites don't fly well without wind. Remember the first time? The wind was very strong."

"Yes… the wind went whoosh whoosh."

"For a while, it'll stay hot and windless like this. So even if you teach Princess Pyeongchang well, it'll be hard to fly them. Instead, let's make the tail longer and drag it like a snake."

At once, Hongwi's face lit up.

"Like a water snake? Wiggly wiggly?"

"Yes. I'll make the tail longer with red cloth. Then we can float it in the pond and pull it—it'll swim like a big water snake instead of flying in the sky."

"A big water snake! A big water snake! Nuna will like it too!"

His eyes still glistening with tears, Hongwi bounced with excitement.

Giving up on her run, Yunseo took his hand and returned to Jaseondang, bathed him with soap, washed his hair, and dried him thoroughly with a towel.

Then, leaving him briefly with the newly arrived Lady Shim, Yunseo washed herself, changed into comfortable clothes, tied her hair in a simple ponytail instead of braiding it, and returned.

Hongwi was already lying in bed, dressed in a thin sleeping robe.

"Your Highness, shall we play the investiture game again today? I'll flip through this book instead of counting rods and ask you questions—will you answer?"

With the investiture ceremony approaching, Hongwi himself wasn't particularly concerned—but his tutor, Seong Sam-mun, seemed extremely nervous. So Yunseo had promised to prepare him by asking a few questions each night before bed.

For Yunseo—who couldn't read Chinese characters—Lee Hyang had even compiled and bound a version of the Thousand Character Classic with explanations for her.

So lately, she would close her eyes, open to a random page, and ask Hongwi questions—turning learning into a game.

"Yes, ask anything."

Sitting snugly on Yunseo's lap, Hongwi bounced his legs confidently.

Just then—

"Our Hongwi, are you asleep?"

At that moment, the door opened with a voice calling out, and Lee Hyang entered.

He was still perfectly dressed in his crimson dragon robe and official headgear.

"Abam-ma!"

Hongwi sprang up from Yunseo's lap and ran straight into Lee Hyang's arms.

"Abam-ma, let's play the Thousand Character Classic game with Gaga!"

"The Thousand Character Classic game?"

"Yes! Gaga closes her eyes and picks something, and Hongwi answers!"

After tossing Hongwi lightly into the air a few times and catching him, Lee Hyang turned his gaze to Yunseo.

She was wearing a thin sky-blue skirt and jacket, tied casually for comfort, her hair loosely gathered—

Standing like that in front of him, fully dressed and composed…

"..."

Yunseo lowered her head, her face flushing red.

She had already been exhausted from dealing with Lady Yun that day, and the words "a proper noble lady from a prestigious family" still weighed heavily on her mind. She had planned not to go to Bihyeongak that night.

She had only intended to put Hongwi to sleep and rest beside him in simple clothes—

"Shall Father ask you a few questions, then?"

Lee Hyang asked, sitting down with Hongwi in his arms.

"Yes! Ask anything!"

Hongwi bounced his legs confidently as he sat on his father's lap.

Lee Hyang drew Hongwi close, letting him lean against his chest, resting his chin lightly on Hongwi's shoulder—while his eyes remained fixed on Yunseo.

"Y-Your Highness. I should change into proper attire—"

"It's fine. It's warm anyway, just stay as you are."

"No, but still—"

As Yunseo tried to move, Lee Hyang shook his head and teased,

"I've already seen everything."

"!"

Hongwi didn't understand their exchange, but seeing Yunseo blush and lower her head, and Lee Hyang laugh softly with his chin resting on his shoulder, he widened his eyes and asked,

"Abam-ma, are you teasing Gaga?"

"No, not teasing. I'm just telling her to relax, since she's worked hard taking care of you."

Hongwi, who trusted Lee Hyang completely, nodded and leaned back comfortably again.

"Ask me!"

"Hmm… Can you explain goru-gwamun (孤陋寡聞) u-mong-deung-cho (愚蒙等誚)?"

Hongwi answered immediately, reciting and explaining its meaning fluently—

That those who have seen and learned little are criticized as ignorant and foolish.

"Do you know where this phrase comes from?"

"Yes, Abam-ma. From the Book of Rites…"

Oh.

Every time Yunseo heard Hongwi recite and interpret the Thousand Character Classic, she felt as if she were witnessing the living proof of genius passed down—from Sejong, to Lee Hyang, and now to Hongwi.

Remarkably, Hongwi didn't just memorize—he understood the context and could apply it appropriately.

Lee Hyang, who had been watching Yunseo with his chin resting on Hongwi's shoulder, now spoke seriously, explaining in simple terms the context from the Book of Rites about why one must guard against ignorance.

Hongwi, who had been listening eagerly, gradually grew drowsy.

His bouncing legs slowed, then stilled.

His breathing softened, becoming slow and steady—

Until he finally drifted into deep sleep with soft, gentle breaths.

"…Your Highness."

At Yunseo's quiet call, Lee Hyang finally realized Hongwi had fallen asleep.

"Oh my, our Hongwi must be tired."

He gently laid him down on the bedding.

As if by habit, Hongwi reached out and clutched Yunseo's skirt.

"Your Highness… I'm quite tired today as well. I think I'll sleep early."

Yunseo whispered softly.

Lee Hyang nodded.

But instead of leaving for the adjoining room, he remained seated beside her, staring intently at her face before asking in a low voice,

"What is it? Why do you look so troubled?"

"!"

"Are you worried about meeting Suyang at Hyeminseo the day after tomorrow? Don't worry. I'll send Head Court Lady Eom with you."

"No, that's not it!"

Hah, as if Prince Suyang were the issue!

"Rather than Head Court Lady Eom, please assign me a skilled physician. I plan to develop ointments using various medicinal ingredients to treat boils and possibly create remedies for other infectious diseases. I need someone knowledgeable to experiment with the components alongside me."

"A physician… hmm. But Yunseo, that doesn't seem to be the real issue. What is it, truly? Why are you avoiding what's in your heart and speaking of something else instead?"

Lee Hyang asked quietly, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"..."

Until now, Yunseo had proudly believed that Lee Hyang loved her more.

But now she realized—

Even if the conditions were unequal, she was the one far more disadvantaged.

In the modern world too, relationships this unbalanced often ended with being handed an envelope of money and told to leave—or worse, humiliated outright.

Ah…

I need to run.

This was all because she was absorbing negative emotions without releasing them—because she couldn't run, couldn't sweat, couldn't breathe it out.

It was the suffocating stress of living confined within the palace.

Yunseo's face grew darker.

"Yunseo."

Lee Hyang's voice dropped dangerously low.