Soone within the palace was the reincarnation of the Plague Demonic Spirit.
The mont that possibility ca up, Yeon Ri’s mind grew impossibly tangled.
The manifestation of the Plague Demonic Spirit… that would an they’ve been watching everything unfold over all these cycles, right?
For countless ages, Yeon Ri had observed everyone while undergoing endless reincarnations within Cheongdo Palace.
Except for Seol Tae Pyeong, on whom she had personally exerted influence, most people tended to act in the sa patterns each ti they reincarnated.
If soone had moved differently than Yeon Ri expected, she would have noticed it at least once over the countless cycles.
Yet, aside from Seol Tae Pyeong, she had never seen anyone aware of the existence of this cycle.
The fact that this incarnation of the Plague Demonic Spirit was aware of Yeon Ri, yet continued to act similarly each ti, while pretending to be completely unaware of the reincarnation, was frightening.
The realization sent a cold shiver through her mind.
Yeon Ri felt like a blade was pressing against her neck and swallowed dryly.
“Headmaid, your expression doesn’t look so good. Is it hard handling the Vice General’s mansion all on your own?”
“Oh, no, Manager. I was just lost in thought for a mont. I’m sorry about that. Haha.”
Yeon Ri who had been kneeling on the floor scrubbing looked up as Ha Si Hwa, who was carrying an armful of bamboo slips as she approached and asked her.
Even with her tangled thoughts, she didn’t stop working; this was a habit she couldn’t quite shake.
From the exalted Heavenly Maiden to the lowest maid… hers was truly a life of rises and falls.
Who on earth could it be…?
Regardless, what was most urgent now was discovering the identity of this incarnation of the Plague Demonic Spirit.
Yet, no clear thod ca to mind.
If it wasn’t a fool, then it would know that the mont its identity was discovered, its head would be taken by Seol Tae Pyeong’s blade.
Therefore, they would have to catch it off guard.
***
“The Vice General hasn’t moved for nearly three full hours. He’s declared that he won’t budge from the gate until Your Highness the Vermilion Princess agrees to see him…”
“……”
The Vermilion Princess sat alone in the library of the Vermilion Bird Palace deep in thought, when Hyeon Dang approached to deliver the report.
From what she had heard, Seol Tae Pyeong was truly kneeling outside the gate and waiting without so much as a twitch.
This protest, which had begun when the sun was high in the sky, was continuing now as the sun set and the moon rose.
By now, not only passing maids but even high-ranking officials had caught wind of the situation.
According to the rumors, the Vice General must have committed so grave wrongdoing and was pleading for the Vermilion Princess’s forgiveness.
“What… what on earth is going on here…?”
“Your Highness…”
To speak the truth, Seol Tae Pyeong had done nothing wrong toward the Vermilion Princess.
If anything, it was the Vermilion Princess herself who harbored feelings of guilt toward Seol Tae Pyeong.
This situation, which seed completely upside-down, could only feel deeply uncomfortable for her.
For the upright and honorable Vermilion Princess, it was an unbearable poison of a situation.
In a sense, Seol Tae Pyeong’s actions had proven to be the most effective way to pressure her.
“This humble servant Hyeon Dang dares to risk her neck to offer her sincere counsel to Your Highness.”
Then, Headmaid Hyeon Dang knelt down, bowed her head, and spoke with solemn determination.
“The current Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong already commands imnse respect in the palace; his authority is sky-high, and he’s admired by many military officials…. The faction he leads is also quite considerable.”
“I… I know that much.”
“But the sight of soone like him, apologizing as if he’s wronged the Vermilion Princess… I can’t imagine this situation will reflect well on you.”
What exactly could this distinguished Vice General have done to offend the Vermilion Princess? And why would the compassionate Vermilion Princess refuse to forgive him?
It seed that such curiosity had started to spread throughout the palace. And that was far from ideal.
Because… Seol Tae Pyeong had, in fact, done nothing wrong.
The reason the Vermilion Princess avoided seeing Seol Tae Pyeong was because of the overwhelming sha, guilt, and awkwardness stirring within her.
It was this unresolved emotional turmoil that was at the heart of the matter. If only she had a little more ti and space, she might have been able to compose herself and face Seol Tae Pyeong.
However, the way Seol Tae Pyeong charged forward like an iron horn showed no trace of patience.
…And this was because he too was desperate in his own way.
Anxious and confused maids.
Officials whispering amongst themselves around the palace.
Headmaid Hyeon Dang voicing her counsel boldly.
And Seol Tae Pyeong, without fault, bearing the sha and sitting outside the palace gate.
Amid this swirling chaos, the Vermilion Princess could only sweat in distress.
“…Ugh… ah…”
In the end, the Vermilion Princess had no choice but to raise the white flag.
She had never faced a man who pressed forward so relentlessly.
***
It was only after almost five hours that the Vermilion Princess allowed to enter the middle gate of Vermilion Bird Palace.
I had co prepared to stay for three days and nights if I had to, but surprisingly, the gate swung open within half a day. Seeing the situation unfold like this, I felt certain my initial intuition had been right.
Indeed… I should handle this my way. It was a mistake to think of relying on White Princess’s sches.
Go your own way… Seol Tae Pyeong…
– D-Did you hear? The Vermilion Princess has allowed the Vice General to enter the palace.
– What grave offense could the Vice General have committed for the kindhearted Vermilion Princess to go this far…?
– Shh! They’ll hear you!
No matter where you go, there are bound to be careless people.
In the distance, a few maids were whispering, thinking they wouldn’t be overheard. I decided not to bother with them.
I kept my head down. Then I followed the guidance of Headmaid Hyeon Dang and entered the Vermilion Bird Palace.
I had heard that the grounds of Vermilion Bird Palace were rather vast, but having visited the Heavenly Dragon Hall several tis, even its grandeur was beginning to feel ordinary.
They said that when one’s position changes, so does their perspective. Still, I never imagined a day would co when such a luxurious palace would look so commonplace.
Anyway, after steadying myself, I entered the tea room.
Clatter
“Vermilion Princess, I apologize for my grave discourtesy.”
As I stepped inside and offered my apology, I saw the Vermilion Princess seated at a large table in the center of the room. She was dressed in a red court robe.
Her faintly hesitant manner was such a stark contrast to her usual dignified presence that I found it difficult to adjust.
I swallowed nervously and took a seat across from her.
“I heard that you haven’t been well, Vermilion Princess. I knew it was a serious breach of duty to press for a eting at such a ti, yet I had an urgent matter that I could not bring up if not now…”
“That…”
“…Yes…?”
“Yes… Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong…”
The Vermilion Princess couldn’t et my eyes.
The formal court robe she wore, as always, was elegant with its phoenix-like feathers, but the woman who wrapped herself in it seed completely different from her usual self.
Could this truly be the Vermilion Princess?
Was this really the sa fearless woman who could raise her head and speak frankly before His Majesty? The sa woman who would laugh heartily even in front of a horde of demonic spirits and wield her sword without hesitation?
“I… I am not… in a place to… face you… not right now…”
“Vermilion Princess…”
“……”
“If it’s about what happened when you were under the influence of the White Demonic Spirit, please don’t let it weigh too heavily on you. It was an accident, after all…”
“Ugh…!”
The Vermilion Princess twisted her body as if she had been hit with a stick, then sighed and said.
“I can’t quite tell if you have courage or if you lack tact.”
“You know well enough that this is just the way I am, don’t you? If I were to show so unfitting kindness, it would only backfire on … please forgive .”
“Very well… hoo… seeing your face now, I think I understand a little. I know what kind of person you are, so what was I so worried about….”
Only then did the Vermilion Princess relax her shoulders a bit before her expression hardened again, and she spoke.
“I know exactly what it is you want to ask . You wish to refuse the position as commander of the newly ford unit that His Majesty is establishing, don’t you?”
When she said that, I couldn’t help but tense up.
Though I knew she was well-inford about palace affairs, I hadn’t expected her to so bluntly hit the nail on the head like this.
“However, you should know that the Jeongseon clan strongly supports His Majesty’s decision to create this new army.”
“Of course. The Jeongseon clan is His Majesty’s strongest ally…”
“Therefore, if His Majesty insists on this matter, it won’t be sothing you can openly oppose.”
The Jeongseon clan was Emperor Woon Sung’s most trusted circle of supporters.
While it might be possible to suggest that soone else fill the role, there wasn’t any compelling reason to push for such a change.
“I want to help you, but the Jeongseon clan won’t act without gaining sothing in return. There are too many people in their ranks who won’t be persuaded by re logic or moral argunts….”
Then, with a darkened expression, she added,
“My father… included….”
“I see….”
“More than that, aren’t you soone close to the Inbong clan? At the very least, you should make an effort to get closer to the Jeongseon clan.”
“Knowing you would say that, I held my ground outside the main gate.”
“…What?”
I lowered my head and spoke.
“I was aware that you might feel uncomfortable eting with . I knew that if I tried to co see you, I’d be turned away at the door. That’s why… our kindhearted Vermilion Princess left standing outside for five full hours.”
“……”
“Normally, you’re not one to do such a thing. Now, because of that, the rumor has spread all over the palace that you kept the Vice General waiting outside as if you were holding so leverage over .”
After all, I hadn’t survived the political arena of Cheongdo Palace for just a day or two.
No matter how much the Jeongseon clan claid to stand for justice, I knew well that they wouldn’t act without a proper pretext. In the end, those with power all tended to behave according to a similar playbook.
“This will bring great benefits to the Jeongseon clan.”
“……”
“Vermilion Princess, right now, you are wielding control over Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong.”
That perception—the idea that Vermilion Princess In Ha Yeon could direct the Vice General at will—was exactly what I intended to create.
This impression would serve as a basis for the Vermilion Princess to make her voice heard within the Jeongseon clan.
The Vermilion Princess looked at with wide eyes for a mont before she seed to gather her thoughts and then broke into laughter.
“Kahaha.”
“……”
“So, is that how it is? The once-proud warrior of the Red Palace now knows how to place even their pride onto the bargaining table.”
Then, after briefly lowering her gaze, she looked up with a complicated expression.
“You too… have beco a politician.”
“I couldn’t stay an apprentice warrior forever.”
“Yes… true. This palace is full of people who would love to see the Vice General bow and be controlled. If I am seen as the one who rejected and managed to direct you, then my own influence would surely rise even further.”
The Vermilion Princess was an ally.
And if she was an ally, I only needed to strengthen her position.
Warrior pride, and authority… these things held no currency here, nor did they contribute much to calculating political gain or loss.
Giving up what was unnecessary and securing what was necessary was the basis of any successful deal. By giving her the weight of authority in exchange for a minor amount of work, everyone would co out a winner.
Just as I had fully brought the White Princess of the Inbong clan under my influence, if I could elevate the Vermilion Princess to the key position within the prominent Jeongseon clan…
It would be like gaining control over the two most powerful families that held sway over Cheongdo Palace.
It was still an ambitious plan, but one could never achieve a grand design without first sketching out the basics.
However, in ti, the Jeongseon clan would surely co asking.
So, are you with the Jeongseon clan or the Inbong clan?
“Very well. Let’s say that you have wronged .”
“Yes… I’ll take it that I’ve made a great mistake and that the Vermilion Princess is right to be angry with . That way, your voice will carry more weight, and from my position, it is beneficial to have soone who can speak to the Emperor on my behalf.”
I spoke with a happy raised voice.
“I would be grateful if you would at least submit a brief statent at the next council eting.”
The Vermilion Princess did not look well, and she didn’t seem inclined to continue our conversation for long.
I decided it was best to leave things at this point and make my exit; that way, I could give the impression that I had been turned away at the door.
“Then… I’ll take my leave.”
As I bowed respectfully and prepared to leave, the Vermilion Princess spoke.
“You may seem like a straightforward warrior, but when it cos to assessing situations and acting accordingly, you’re like a fox with a tail full of tricks.”
“If you’re disappointed in as a scher… then I have no choice but to apologize.”
“Who knows….”
The Vermilion Princess sighed and added with a slightly more relaxed expression.
“Regardless, you are indeed a man impossible to pin down.”
I hurried away from Vermilion Bird Palace, but the rumor stayed behind like a small spark waiting to ignite.
Apparently, Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong had committed a grave offense against the Vermilion Princess and had co in person to apologize.
It was said that the Vermilion Princess had refused at the door for a long ti and that I, who was unable to utter a single word of protest, had apologized and quickly slipped away.
***
The Vermilion Princess, who sat alone at her tea table with her head bowed, heard the rumor and wore a complicated expression on her face.
“Seol Tae Pyeong… wronged …?”
The image of the young Sword Master who had lost his parents flickered before her eyes.
It was his own political decision to make, but the situation that had now branded him a sinner felt like a weight dragging at her chest.
And then, the following day.
“I heard that the Vice General ca to Vermilion Bird Palace.”
The head of the Jeongseon clan.
Chief Councilor In Seon Rok had arrived at the Vermilion Bird Palace.
As soone so busy that even seeing his face was rare, it was obvious why he made the ti to co all the way to the palace.
He wanted to confirm whether his daughter In Ha Yeon might have any hold over Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong.
“Yes, Father.”
To In Ha Yeon, his actions seed like those of a wild dog sniffing out for the at of a rotting corpse.
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