The prey used in the original hunting competition were typically gentle creatures. The attendants brought deer, foxes, and other prey raised specifically for this day to various hunting grounds. Animals raised in spacious areas roamed the hunting grounds freely, and occasionally, if they strayed too far and didn't return, attendants intentionally called them back by releasing bait. Noble hunters drew their bows without any sense of guilt as the animals, raised for this purpose, extended their heads to eat the bait, and arrows swiftly cut off the breath of the prey.
Kang openly expressed discomfort with the hunting, which seemed to arised effortlessly. He couldn't understand why they had to assert their authority by killing innocent animals. Being in a position where he raised many animals himself, Kang felt distressed whenever the dying animals made eerie sounds, reminiscent of helpless children. Especially when he saw their eyes fading away, tears flowed from his heart, and anger rose in his eyes. The emperor did not force Kang after realizing his useless sentiment. He became Kang's shield, covering his eyes and ears when Kang flinched at the sight of the prey.
Now he didn't want that anymore. He didn't need his protection. Kang wanted to show the truth of being a respectable adult to the emperor. Pressing down on the saddle with one foot, Kang bounced up and sat on the saddle. It was a clean and neat movement. Watching Kang's firm determination and conviction, the emperor stiffened his face and stepped back.
"Your Majesty, the hunt is about to begin. Where shall we go?"
The Empress Dowager, who had come up from the provinces to celebrate the Emperor's birthday, asked softly. Though she was well past fifty, she still had the smooth and beautiful face of someone much younger. The Emperor quickly turned his head away at the sight of her. Even King Jihong, who had been playing with his young child, sensed the peculiar atmosphere spreading between his mother and older brother and approached slowly. The Emperor dismounted his horse and entered the specially prepared tent. The Empress Dowager stood at the entrance, gazing proudly at the back of her imposing son.
"Your Majesty," she called, but there was no response from the Emperor. He maintained his silence, staring ahead for a long while. Even in the tent, where darkness had settled thickly without a lit candle, the Emperor's silver hair shone brightly. It was a pure silver with not a hint of dullness. The Empress Dowager, watching her son's straight back, strong thighs, and long calves with proud eyes, finally spoke in her alluring voice.
"Is it because of King Yeonghyeon again?" she asked, referring to Kang. The Emperor slowly turned his head to look at the Empress Dowager. Dressed in men's clothing, she had the commanding presence of a female general. Her graying hair hinted at her age, but her face, free of many wrinkles and clear in its beauty, made one forget she was quite advanced in years. She possessed a serene beauty befitting the mother of the Emperor.
As the Emperor gazed at his mother's face, he looked down at the bow Kang had given him. True to his skill with the bow, Kang had not given a careless gift. It was a rare bow, even in Yeon-guk, where spears and swords were more common. The most efficient weapon was the spear, followed by the sword. The now-destroyed kingdom of Ju-guk had been famous for its archery; their last king was known as the divine archer. The Emperor, recalling the face of the Ju Emperor hanging on the gate of Eunwoo Gate, swung the heavy longbow with the ease of a child's toy. The menacing sound of the bow cutting through the air stung the Empress Dowager's ears.
"King Yeonghyeon always had a way to control His Majesty’s mood."
The Empress Dowager, who disliked what she was hearing, briefly flashed a sharp smile before erasing it when the Emperor turned to look at her. King Jihong, knowing full well that the Empress Dowager harbored a deep dislike for King Yeonghyeon, shrugged his shoulders. The Empress Dowager favored none but her two sons.
"Did the Prince displease Your Majesty?" she asked, pretending to be magnanimous. The Emperor, who had been drawing the bowstring in a proper stance, let out a hearty laugh and responded.
"Of course not. King Yeonghyeon is gentle and soft as silk; he would never upset the Son of Heaven. In fact, he comes to comfort me when I'm in a foul mood."
"Comfort you...?" The Empress Dowager repeated, her face showing disbelief at hearing such an outlandish statement. The Emperor merely laughed without bothering to explain. It was King Jihong, adept at reading and resolving tense situations, who stepped in to clarify.
"King Yeonghyeon often embraces His Majesty. When he does, His Majesty calms down," he explained.
The Empress Dowager, astonished, interjected, "His Majesty? Surely not. His Majesty has always disliked being embraced, even by me. He was infuriated when the wet nurse tried to hold him."
"But you just witnessed it," King Jihong continued, a smirk playing at his lips as he addressed the Empress Dowager. "You saw King Yeonghyeon embrace His Majesty and act affectionately. What you, Mother, could never do, King Yeonghyeon can, and His Majesty enjoys it greatly."
The Empress Dowager lamented not being able to dethrone Kang, a thought King Jihong, already aware of the Emperor's true feelings, refrained from voicing as he entered the tent. The Emperor, with a listless expression, took a seat in the luxurious chair prepared by the eunuchs, crossing his legs and resting his elbow on the armrest while propping his chin on the back of his hand. He looked up at King Jihong, who smiled deeply, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, resembling their mother. The Emperor frowned at his younger brother's teasing smile.
"Your Majesty, do you really love King Yeonghyeon that much?" Jihong asked.
"Is that so strange?" the Emperor replied.
"If you love him, keep him by your side," Jihong suggested slyly.
"Restrain yourself," the Empress Dowager scolded, but Jihong continued unabated. He grasped his brother's shoulder and leaned in to whisper so the Empress Dowager couldn't hear.
"If you love him that much, keep him close. You wouldn't want to see him acting that way with someone else, would you?"
"Are you suggesting I dethrone him?" the Emperor asked.
"Well... that's one way. You can always fabricate a reason. Do you think the low-born King Yeonghyeon would dare refuse Your Majesty's command? He'd probably cry and beg for forgiveness without even realizing his mistake," Jihong insinuated.
The Emperor's golden eyes darkened, a sinister, oppressive atmosphere seemingly envelope the entire room. He imagined Kang, disheveled and crying on the floor, large black eyes filled with tears, clinging to the Emperor's hem and sobbing. His pale skin would flush red and glisten with moisture. Clad only in a thin, flimsy garment, his slender legs would be exposed. His body, both firm and soft, smooth and fragrant, tantalized the Emperor. The sweetness lingering on his tongue from every kiss and bite drove the Emperor mad.
‘Abamama, I have wronged you.’
The desperate voice, tinged with tears, caressed his ears.
‘Abamama, I don’t like being in pain. Please, do not hurt me….’
As the slender arms were outstretched, the sleeves slid down, revealing the white, tender skin underneath. In the fantasy, Kang was a grown adult, yet strangely...
Despite it being just a vision, his head filled with heat, his mouth grew parched, and his loins felt as if scorched by a hot iron. Moving aside the cascading black hair, he saw a face biting its lower lip. The eyes that always smiled beautifully were now wet with pain and tears. As he wiped away the tears clinging to the eyelashes like dew, Kang lowered his eyes and buried his face in the palm of his hands.
“Ah…”
The Emperor’s face flushed red. He covered his mouth with his hand and abruptly stood up. The sudden change in atmosphere made King Jihong step forward, but the Emperor, without turning around, shouted at the two of them.
“Get out!”
“Your Majesty?”
This time it was the Empress Dowager who entered, startled. She hurriedly asked, “Your Majesty, are you alright?” as she approached. The Emperor, covering his heated face with both hands, shouted again.
“Leave!”
“Your Majesty.”
“Leave, Mother. If you do not go, I will call the guards.”
The Emperor, face red with heat, threatened with a chilling tone. The Empress Dowager, looking at her son who commanded her with such authority, felt a pang of disappointment but left with King Jihong. As she stepped out, she whispered sharply, her eyes now cold and piercing.
“What did you discuss with His Majesty?”