The Emperor’s eyes were illuminated by the moon. The moon that rose in the eyes filled with spring water was a radiant gold. His gaze crawled across the floor of the great hall. His gaze fell on a shadow that had entered through the window. He sensed the person standing at the edge of the shadow, who was boldly approaching him.
“We are on the same boat,” the Emperor spoke, his words flowing calmly and elegantly, almost like a song. The high priest clasped his hands and lowered his head in respect.
“Your Majesty is the child chosen by Heaven, and as one who takes on the work of the gods, how can I refuse? All of this is the will of Heaven.”
The Emperor leaned back in his chair. His hand idly traced the wolf’s paw engraved on the armrest. Blood was dripping from it. His white sleeves fluttered. The delicate sleeves, which moved lightly like a flickering candle flame, suddenly stopped moving. The Emperor slowly moved, carefully placing his feet one step at a time on the stairs. His white sleeve rustled near his calves.
The Emperor, in his masculine beauty, placed his beautiful hands on the high priest’s shoulders. He applied slight pressure, and with a smile, he spoke.
“When the heavy rain ends, prepare for the wedding. The most beautiful day should see the Emperor’s lover come in.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
The high priest did not respond further. He looked up at the Emperor, his eyes sharp. The priest’s once dull, black eyes were now shining clearly, even in the nighttime.
“Heaven is always watching over you, Your Majesty. The moment you abandon the kingdom, Heaven will abandon you as well. You must always consider the nation. The lives of the many who do not love you are more important than the lives of those few who do. You understand which weighs more, do you not?”
The unshakable principle of Heaven’s choice of the Emperor was that the one chosen would protect the people, maintaining cold rationality in the face of all personal desires. The Emperor had followed that principle, prioritizing his people, even accepting the unwanted women’s tokens and bearing children with them, all to create another ruler like himself.
But this time, things were different.
“…Heaven must know,” the Emperor said, smiling as he removed his hand from the high priest’s shoulder.
“Heaven knows that the Emperor must have Kang by his side to rule well. That’s why Heaven is watching.”
He then gently cupped the high priest’s cheek and murmured with a smile on his face.
“Did you think the Emperor did not know?”
“All the Emperors knew this. However, the end was never good,” the high priest’s eyes seemed to say, implying the Emperor’s father among others.
The Emperor smiled innocently, placing his hand on his chin.
“This Emperor is different.”
He opened his arms wide. Blocking out the moonlight with his body, he grinned widely, showing his teeth. The wolf’s fangs gleamed eerily.
“This is the Emperor’s country. The Emperor’s world. And soon, this will be the land of the Emperor’s son, the crown prince.”
Twisted feelings of affection flow in a distorted way, like the moonlight pooled at his feet. What is gathered there is none other than the Emperor himself.
The rain stopped, and after a long time, the welcome sun rose. Kang, confirming the pattern of the window lattice reflected in his wide-open eyes, quickly jumped up and opened the window wide. Though cold and frozen, a refreshing breeze blew through, brushing against his hair. As he roughly fixed his messy hair, Kang grunted as he hugged the now bigger Seol and showed her the outside.
“Look, Seol. The rain has stopped. Let's go hunting together today. The guests are coming along too, so it’ll be fun.”
Seol barked a loud “Woof!” With her cuteness, Kang couldn’t help but laugh and rubbed his face against Seol’s head.
“You’re so cute. No matter how beautiful your pups are, you’re still the prettiest to me. Is this what a parent's heart feels like?”
Seol barked again, hitting Kang's face with her front paw. Despite being unexpectedly slapped by the puppy, it was so cute that Kang kissed her nose.
Kang was dressed for the hunt. The hunting attire made from silk given to him by the Emperor suited him perfectly. It was cut short to avoid interference during the hunt, with the sleeves tied up and arrows and a bow prepared as Kang, along with his beloved horse Barami and dog Seol, headed to the hunting grounds. It was a hunting trip with Seol, his favorite puppy, so he was in an excellent mood. Kang hummed a popular tune from the market as he carefully rode through the capital.
On the way, a woman carrying water almost stumbled. Seeing her unsteady form, Kang rode after her, eventually dismounting to help her hold the water jar on her head. The woman, initially startled and about to curse, blushed upon seeing Kang’s tall and handsome figure. Soon, she kneeled and bowed in respect for the noble appearance of the man. Kang smiled and gently took her wrist.
“The road’s muddy, so be careful not to ruin your clothes.”
“Your Majesty, the lady will carry it. Please let me take it. I can carry it.”
“Then, just until over there. I’m going that way anyway.”
Kang’s gentle words made the woman’s face turn as red as a persimmon. The sight of such a handsome man speaking so sweetly was enough to make her heart race.
Seeing the woman unable to look at him properly, Kang glanced ahead. The water was fairly heavy. How could such a small and delicate woman carry something so heavy? Kang walked a little further than he had intended. The woman, unsure what to do, covered her face with both hands, unsure how to repay the kindness of the Crown Prince. She was worried that she might be punished for this kindness. Understanding her worries, Kang stopped at the fork in the road leading to the hunting grounds.
“Here, let me put it back on your head…”
With a smile in his voice, Kang spoke, and the woman shyly lowered her head. Kang fixed the thick bundle of cloth on her head and slowly placed the water jar on top. The wooden jar precariously perched on the cloth, but the woman expertly held it with her hands and, lifting her skirt, bowed respectfully.
“Have a safe journey.”
At Kang's tender and serious voice, unruffled by the wind, the woman’s eyes wavered. As she gazed at his steady back with eyes full of affection, she lowered her head with a melancholy expression. It was a love that could never be realized. He was the Emperor's son, and she was the daughter of a humble family. While walking the road together, the woman sighed, adjusting her gaze, and hurried back home.
Kang, heading leisurely to the hunting grounds from the fork in the road, loosened Seol's leash. When they reached this place, Seol could run freely across the field. After running for a while, Seol, noticing that Kang wasn’t coming, turned back and barked loudly. It was a signal to hurry up.
Whether a wolf or a dog... Seeing Seol, who watched him like the Emperor, Kang urged Barami on.
“Let’s go! Since the rain has stopped today, we can run freely!”
Seol, running like a whirlwind, was chased by Barami, with Kang on top cutting through the wind in the open field. The arrows in Kang’s hands flew toward the necks of the animals scattered across the hunting grounds. Among the cheers of the people, Kang shone brightly. His white, even teeth were revealed as he smiled. His exposed neck gleamed brilliantly. Even the sweat dripping down seemed to sparkle as Kang smiled brightly, feeling pure, almost like a jewel. Or like a sculpture made by a craftsman from a gem, he shone even in the shade of the field.
On the day when the sun hung at the highest point in the sky and Kang shone brilliantly, he became the Emperor’s consort.