Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 7

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“You may relax.”

Only then did Mohyun raise her head and look around the room. A dragon was carved across the entire wall behind the altar. The woman who had been laughing moments before had vanished without a trace. As if she had never been there, the room held no warmth of human presence, only the Emperor and Mohyun. Yet, both Mohyun and the Emperor knew the woman’s voice they had heard in this room was no auditory hallucination.

“It seems the Dragon God has come.”

“Indeed. The Imryongje is approaching. It seems they are excited to come out after so long. Just like a child, they act like a spirited young boy.”

There was only one dragon, but its appearance manifested differently to each person who encountered it. To some, it appeared as a close friend, to others as a beloved, a lost child, sometimes as a dog or a cat, and to still others, as the embodiment of a lifelong guilt.

The commonality, however, was that it always appeared in the form of a deceased loved one. Wearing the visage of the most deeply missed, the most painful illusion.

It was said that to those who hadn’t experienced such loss, the dragon appeared as a mere beam of light. But even this light might be an illusion conjured by the dragon. No one knew the dragon’s true form. The people Mohyun envied most were those to whom this cruel dragon appeared as a simple beam of light. And the Emperor must feel the same.

Mohyun, her eyes downcast, said,

“The preparations for the Imryongje are proceeding smoothly. All the priestesses of Hyunjingwan are devoting themselves to the task, so there is nothing to worry about.”

“I have no worries, knowing you are in charge. However, the Crown Prince must win the dragon’s favor.”

“He is the most qualified among the princes.”

“Indeed. He seems to be an even more suitable vessel for the power than I was.”

“Your Majesty is too kind.”

Mohyun bowed her head so low that her forehead touched the floor. No matter the importance of appointing the next emperor, the current Emperor took precedence. The Emperor met Mohyun’s gaze for the first time since she had entered the room. The passage of time was etched onto his face in wrinkles. His hand, stroking his white beard, was also wrinkled.

But unlike the rest of his aged countenance, his blue eyes remained unchanged. The blazing blue eyes, a mark of the emperor chosen by the dragon. But even they had lost the vibrant light of his youth.

He thought of the child he had just spoken with. The boy, his firstborn son, a memory now fading from his younger days. The child who would forever remain six years old, visible only when he met with the dragon.

“How cruel a god can be. It must be the same for you.”

The Emperor looked down at Mohyun. Mohyun remained prostrate, unable to rise. Only her fingertips, pressed against the floor, trembled slightly. The Emperor spoke to Mohyun.

“After this Imryongje, I hope you can finally let go. Whether it’s serving the dragon…”

The Emperor paused, gazing at the mural of the dragon on the wall, then continued,

“…or that child.”

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

“Senior Brother Kyungrak, I heard today is your last day. Are you returning to your hometown?”

“Yes. I wish I could stay longer, but circumstances dictate otherwise. It feels like just yesterday I first came to this training hall. Time flies.”

The preparations for the Imryongje were nearing completion. This meant that Kyungrak would soon become the master of the imperial palace. And not just the palace; he would become the ruler of the vast empire of Won’guk, making it difficult for him to freely venture outside the capital as he did now. Gamyoung looked at Kyungrak, who was bidding farewell to the children at the training hall.

The master of an empire, yet unable to freely meet a friend outside the palace walls.

Everything in this world would be his, and he could bring everyone to their knees before him, but the weight of the empire was equally heavy. In truth, Kyungrak, the Crown Prince, had come to this training hall because of Gamyoung. Kyungrak had tagged along, saying it sounded fun, when Gamyoung had mentioned wanting Hongyo to learn proper martial arts. Even though he trained separately in a much larger and finer training ground with the Captain of the Royal Guard, renowned as the best swordsman in the country, he had insisted on coming outside with Gamyoung, to where the common people lived. It was his last act of rebellion before becoming emperor.

Gamyoung smiled faintly, watching the younger children crying and clinging to Kyungrak, begging him not to leave, and his peers asking him to stay in touch even after he moved to the countryside. When would they ever have another chance to speak with the future emperor of an empire? Unless they rose through the ranks and became prominent officials, they might never see Kyungrak again.

Thinking this, Gamyoung glanced sideways. As expected, Hongyo, unaware of Kyungrak’s true identity, was overflowing with disappointment, just like the others. Looking at the silk pouch in Hongyo’s hand, Gamyoung said,

“You won’t be able to give it to him if you don’t do it now.”

Startled, Hongyo looked back at Gamyoung, fiddling with the silk pouch. Inside was the hair ornament he had bought as a gift for Kyungrak’s future wife, upon hearing news of his impending marriage. Usually, he would have given a gift to Kyungrak himself, but his friend had his quirks.

“I know, but it’s hard to give it to him.”

Indeed, it wouldn’t be easy to give a gift amidst so many children. Gamyoung was wondering if he should deliver it on Hongyo’s behalf later. Just then, Kyungrak spotted them, excused himself from the children, and walked over. Hongyo quickly hid the silk pouch. Gamyoung, observing this, offered a feigning farewell to Kyungrak, who had arrived before them.

“Brother. Don’t forget us even after you return to your hometown. Well, once you’re married, you’ll be so busy enjoying time with your wife that you’ll probably forget about us right away.”

“Judging by your tone, it seems your tears have already dried up. Hongyo, how did you become friends with this guy?”

Since Gamyoung could see Kyungrak anytime at the palace, there was nothing sentimental about their parting. But it was different for Hongyo. Gamyoung looked down at Hongyo, who was fidgeting with his pants pocket where he’d hidden the silk pouch. It looked as if steam might rise from the top of Hongyo’s head, a whole head shorter than Gamyoung.

“Senior Brother Kyungrak….”

“Yes? Hongyo.”

“I, c-congratulations on your marriage! Stay healthy there, and…”

Just then, the Master called for Kyungrak, and Kyungrak looked apologetically at Hongyo.

“I’m sorry, but I have to excuse myself for a moment.”

Hongyo, struggling to continue, nodded absently. Kyungrak, feeling apologetic, ruffled Hongyo’s messy hair and said,

“You guys should come to Myungwol House later… No, I can’t bring you, who haven’t even come of age, to a gisaeng house.”

And with that, he left before Hongyo could say another word.

“Ah…”

Unable to stop the departing Kyungrak, a disappointed sound escaped Hongyo’s lips. Gamyoung watched him, unable to take his eyes off Kyungrak’s retreating figure, clutching tightly at the pocket holding the gift. It was uncomfortable to watch. Hongyo, who had once admired Kyungrak so much, had become shy around him and now seemed to struggle even to speak to him.

Is it admiration…?

Kyungrak commanded the respect of everyone, not just Hongyo, and most boys Hongyo’s age wanted to be like him. Gamyoung, having grown up in the palace, had seen Kyungrak in all his forms, but judging solely by his appearance, abilities, and hearty personality, it was enough to inspire admiration in men and romantic feelings in women. The reason Hongyo had been so visibly dejected when he heard about Kyungrak’s marriage was probably because Kyungrak, a father figure to him, was leaving.

But if it wasn’t that…

Gamyoung stopped that train of thought and shook his head. Hongyo was a man, and Kyungrak was undoubtedly a man. No matter how pretty Hongyo was, he was still a boy. Just look at how he acted with Sujin…

Anyway, seeing Hongyo’s disappointed expression made Gamyoung, his closest friend, feel uneasy.

“Should I help you?”

“What?”

“You… need to give that to him, right?”

Gamyoung gestured towards the bulging pocket, and Hongyo’s eyes widened. Seeing his unspoken question of ‘How?’, Gamyoung replied,

“Let’s go to the gisaeng house.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Why, Hongyo? I’m not saying let’s drink. Let’s just sneak in, give your gift to Senior Brother Kyungrak, and come right back out.”

“Still, isn’t that a bit much? Th-there will be women there.”

Ah, so that was the problem. Seeing Hongyo blush and lower his gaze, Gamyoung felt a strange excitement and a mischievous urge.

“Even Yeo Hongyo, who knows so much about women’s hearts, gets scared because he’s a man.”

“…That’s not it.”

Teasing him with a grin, he seemed about to get upset again. Gamyoung ruffled Hongyo’s hair playfully.

“Haha, you’re cute, Yeo Hongyo.”

“Stop it! Anyway, I’m not going. Go by yourself if you want.”

As Gamyoung expected, Hongyo turned and walked away. Gamyoung chuckled and followed him.

˖°⛩️⋆˙️

“Are you sure we won’t get caught if we go in here?”

Despite his adamant refusal, Hongyo was now hiding behind the wall of Myungwol House, peeking inside. And beside him, like a shadow, Gamyoung kept watch.

“I told you, it’s fine.”

Hongyo nodded at Gamyoung’s reply, but then asked with a puzzled look,

“But how do you know this place?”

Gamyoung observed the movements of the guards watching over the gisaeng house, then answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“This is one of the fabric shop’s regular customers.”

Since it was one of the places that needed the most luxurious fabrics, he couldn’t avoid coming here, being in charge of deliveries. At Gamyoung’s words, Hongyo finally dropped his suspicious look.

“Oh, I see.”

“…What were you thinking? Do I look like the kind of guy who frequents gisaeng houses?”

He deliberately put on a hurt expression, and Hongyo waved his hands.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that you always seem so comfortable. I just wondered.”

Embarrassed by his words, Hongyo scratched his cheek. Gamyoung looked at Hongyo and suppressed a laugh. Teasing Yeo Hongyo was the most fun thing in the world. But he had to stop here, considering that Hongyo might really get upset and leave.

“Anyway, that back door is the passage used by the people of Myungwol House and deliverymen. We’ll go in there, quickly find Senior Brother Kyungrak, give him your gift, and leave.”

“Alright.”

Hongyo nodded and checked behind them. The guards had all gathered in the front yard to greet a large group of customers who had just arrived. Gamyoung signaled, and Hongyo effortlessly climbed over the wall. Light on his feet, he landed almost silently and beckoned to Gamyoung. As Gamyoung followed Hongyo over the wall, one of the guards who should have been in the front yard spotted them hiding behind the wall and shouted,

“Hey, what are you doing?!”