Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 87

Returning to Hwayeong, Hongyo found it difficult to accept what she had seen that day, as if it were all a dream, and it felt completely unrealistic. If there was any consolation, it was that except for the cell where Jang Daeho was, the others were only visible as faint outlines.

However, the person who came to mind the most among them was Gamyoung. She thought she knew everything about him, both when they were outside and within the Imperial Palace. Even when she had felt a sense of distance from the fact that he wore official robes instead of a uniform like hers, and that he was a member of the Imperial Family rather than a noble young master, Gamyoung had ultimately been the Gamyoung she knew. Yet, his appearance from a few days ago was hardly like Gamyoung at all…

Was it also Gamyoung’s doing that Jang Daeho was in such a state? Hongyo wanted to believe that could not be the case. However, the only one with the primary authority to interrogate a Hwayeong Gamhwi is Director Hwayeong. Without Director Hwayeong’s permission, no one could be recklessly dragged to the Yukho Ttongsa, let alone to the dungeon. If that were so…

Hongyo recalled Gamyoung, who had not even batted an eye upon seeing her inside. It was an appearance far too unfamiliar to be the Gamyoung she knew. Unable to sort out her chaotic mind, Hongyo pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them.

That day, seeing Hongyo in the dungeon had not left Gamyoung’s mind at ease either. It was a matter that absolutely had to be settled within his own hands. He wanted to make sure that no one else, especially Hongyo, would ever see such a thing. Not that it would have happened anyway, but even if Jang Daeho had confessed obediently from the start, Gamyoung had no intention of letting it pass smoothly this time.

Therefore, choosing this method of interrogation was, to some extent, because he needed to make an example out of him. This was already the second time Jang Daeho had caused an incident. Back during the Martial Arts Examination, even when he shot an arrow into a place where all the civil and military officials were gathered, the main reason he could get away with mere house arrest was the influence of his father, His Excellency the Grand Inspector. Still, the reason Gamyoung had generously approved that punishment was because Hongyo had suffered no harm.

However, it was different this time. When Gamyoung received the report that Hongyo had entered the Forest of Vanishing Shadows, he felt as though all his blood had turned cold. Those who know what kind of place it is would never set foot inside. It was said that those who did not receive the dragon’s power could never escape and would die, or even if they luckily escaped, they would go mad from the illusions seen there. It was fortunate that the time Hongyo stayed in the forest was short, and that she received a purification ritual from Mohyun immediately after escaping the Forest of Vanishing Shadows. Had he discovered her even a little later, he could not dare to imagine what would have happened to her afterward.

Recalling that day’s events, Gamyoung felt as though his body was still freezing cold. He couldn’t even remember how he had driven his horse toward the Forest of Vanishing Shadows. His mind was simply so full of the thought that he had to get Hongyo out of there that he could neither hear nor see anything.

He called out Hongyo’s name until his throat nearly bled. However, in the silent forest that swallowed even echoes, it was difficult to find even a trace of a person. Though he looked all around, inside the forest densely packed with identical-looking trees, Gamyoung walked and walked toward the inner depths where the Hall of the Returning Hour would be located. If the dragon bewitched a person and summoned their soul, it was highly likely to summon them to its stronghold. And fortunately, Gamyoung was able to discover Hongyo not far from the Hall of the Returning Hour.

He never wanted to experience again the feeling he had when he discovered Hongyo collapsed on the dirt ground. With that short distance of less than ten steps remaining, he didn’t know how terrified he was, wondering if he might have been too late. The steps he took were urgent yet full of fear at the same time. How long that distance felt; Gamyoung’s heart still pounded whenever he thought of that moment.

And finally, the moment he verified that Hongyo was still breathing, Gamyoung embraced Hongyo as if collapsing. After that, he couldn’t tell with what mind he had driven his horse. Until Hongyo received the purification ritual from the Chief Shaman, he could not be at ease. He had no choice but to urge the nearly unconscious Hongyo on and ride back while holding her waist firmly. Even while galloping toward the Imperial Palace, out of anxiety that the Hongyo in his embrace might disappear just like this, his heart burned even as he held her in his arms.

He felt as though his heart were freezing at the fear that she might leave him like this, that she might lose her life so vainly. The situation of almost losing the one he loved was more terrible than anything Gamyoung had ever experienced. It was an indescribable, terrifying, and frightening fear—so much so that he couldn’t control himself and his reason was paralyzed, leaving only the single thought that he must save her.

As such, the interrogation of Jang Daeho was an example and, at the same time, mixed with his personal warning. It was a warning never to pull that kind of stunt on Yeo Hongyo again, and to engrave upon his body what happens when someone touches what he treasures. By this action, he had also crossed the Grand Inspector. No matter how much the Grand Inspector treated him as an abandoned child, what father would just stand by and watch scars being left on his child’s body? And that too, scars engraved by whipping, which would only happen to slaves or criminals.

However, even so, he could not let it pass like this. Because the person who almost lost her life was none other than Hongyo. He had brought this upon himself by drawing in Hongyo, who could have lived peacefully outside like this. Was it not because of his selfishness to be closer to Hongyo that this disaster occurred? Therefore, he had a duty to protect Hongyo. Even if he was a member of the Imperial Family, interrogating the Grand Inspector’s child in this manner was bound to cause many problems, but Gamyoung was capable of doing even worse than this right now. Because Hongyo’s life could not be worth the same as a scar carried on one’s back for a lifetime.

It was then. A shadow flickered outside the office door. There was only one person who could frequent this place without announcing himself to him, the head of Hwayeong. Soon the office door opened, and the Emperor’s shadow, the Royal Guard, paid his respects to Gamyoung. As Gamyoung nodded, Kyungrak stepped inside afterward, just as expected. It was a sudden visit without a single notice. Gamyoung paid his respects.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“Ease your posture.”

Kyungrak was one who used to shudder as if it were disgusting whenever Gamyoung paid his respects. However, seeing him receive the greeting today of all days, it seemed he had not come merely to ask after his well-being. Looking around the office while keeping Gamyoung standing, Kyungrak asked,

“To think you would remain until this late. The work must be quite arduous.”

“Could it compare to Your Majesty’s?”

At those words, Kyungrak chuckled. Not without reason, for unless it was a time to visit the Empress or other concubines after ascending the throne, the main hall was the place where the lights were turned off the latest within the Imperial Palace.

“How is it now that you’ve taken charge? Do you finally recognize this elder brother’s labor?”

Seeing Kyungrak finally using a casual title, Gamyoung also spoke a bit more comfortably than before.

“It is difficult, but I believe it is not impossible.”

Kyungrak seemed to like that answer quite a bit. Snorting lightly, Kyungrak said,

“When I asked you to do it, you refused so much, but now that you’ve tried it, your sense of responsibility seems to have become heavy. Seeing you pour such heat into this matter.”

At those words, Gamyoung looked at Kyungrak without an answer. Seeing that he was in a simpler attire instead of his usual dragon robes and accompanied only by the Royal Guard, it appeared he had come in secret. That meant the matters to be spoken of from now on were by no means light. As expected, Kyungrak’s expression as he faced him was the heaviest he had seen recently.

“I hear you are interrogating the Grand Inspector’s child?”

In principle, everything that happens in the Imperial Palace is reported to the Emperor first. Gamyoung still looked at Kyungrak without a word. Asking despite knowing was by no means a good sign.

“I would like you to drop it at this point.”

At last, the words he never wanted to hear came out. Looking at Gamyoung, who was silent this time as well, Kyungrak let out a short sigh as if he knew it would be so.

“Looking at our younger brother’s expression, it doesn’t seem you will drop it easily. However, it seems this sovereign must make you drop your intention.”

Only then did Gamyoung open his mouth for the first time.

“He is one who has disrupted the discipline of Hwayeong twice. If we let him go like this, our appearance will become ridiculous. Furthermore, if he is not punished simply because his father is the Grand Inspector, a problem of fairness will arise. It will cause talk among the Gamhwi as well.”

At that, the crease between Kyungrak’s brows deepened. Kyungrak looked at Gamyoung. Seeing his younger brother, who had grown up before he knew it and was now locking eyes with him, he felt proud of his growth, yet it did not please him that he was choosing a tiring path. Looking at Gamyoung, who was staring at him with a still rigid face, Kyungrak said,

“Yes. I know, of course. How could I not know that? But Gamyoung. I need the Grand Inspector. I need the command ability and tactics he possesses, and the military officers who pledge loyalty under him.”

“……”

“Haven’t you vented your anger enough?”

Kyungrak looked at Gamyoung. There were many other ways to rectify discipline without resorting to whipping that leaves scars on the body. Especially if it were the offspring of a high-ranking official, even he could not recklessly act unless it was a felony.

Of course, luring a person into the Forest of Vanishing Shadows without a shaman’s protection was indeed a felony, but when Kyungrak was first reported the petition, he had intended to settle this incident merely as a mutiny. However, the moment he found out that the Vice Inspector was ‘Yeo Hongyo’, he seemed to understand why Gamyoung had locked Jang Daeho in the dungeon of the Yukho Ttongsa immediately that night without an investigation.

“I know you think exceptionally dearly of Hongyo. He is no ordinary friend but a child who saved your life, so I am not rebuking you for treasuring him so. It’s just that stopping here is the better side for both you and me.”

In fact, just turning a blind eye to the punishment disguised as an interrogation was, for Kyungrak, a way of preserving his pride as Director Hwayeong. But this was it. He should have understood by now. Since Gamyoung was a smart child.

“National Law Article 248 states that one who lures a victim into entering the Forest of Vanishing Shadows shall have the root of their tongue or their tendons severed.”

However, looking back, Gamyoung looked as though he had no intention of backing down at all. The pupils looking at Kyungrak were by no means those of the child who used to be just lovely and cute. Kyungrak let out a hollow laugh while looking at such a Gamyoung.

“Then you must also know the article that follows next.”

He originally had a daring side, but looking at him now, he was unmistakably a tiger cub.

“Article 249. That if one who does not possess the dragon’s power enters the Forest of Vanishing Shadows without authorization, they shall be exiled beyond the northern border.”