In the central part of the outer palace, moving westward, one would encounter the Hwabijeon4, where princes, royal relatives, and princesses were received. Positioned above the palace, which symbolized the nose of a wolf, the Hwabijeon represented the eyes, embodying both the concept of meetings and the emperor's gaze. The footsteps of King Gyeonghye, walking through the corridors of the Hwabijeon, were light and graceful. With legs as long as a crane's, he moved silently, step by step, until he turned his head. In the distance, he saw his son waving enthusiastically. The sight of his son, oblivious to his impending fate and smiling brightly, left King Gyeonghye expressionless behind his mask.
"Foolish boy. What's there to smile about so happily?"
King Gyeonghye, his inner self dark and resentful, silently chastised his young son as he removed his mask. Today's mask was one of sorrow, though he felt no sadness. Since that day, only anger remained in the depths of his heart, leaving no room for grief. Occasionally, when the wind blew and his face ached as if it were being torn, or when phantom pains surged in his missing arm, he thought of his mother. The mother who had lived solely for him. Now abandoned by his father, the emperor, and pushed aside by his son and the new concubine, she had become a forgotten old woman in the rear palace.
He felt guilty for not telling her the truth.
"Mother, I killed your father with my own hands. But it wasn't my fault," he wanted to say. "All of this is because of that greedy father sitting on the throne in the Hwabijeon."
"If he had intended this from the beginning, why didn't he just make Kang the empress and cherish him? Why keep him as a prince, fearing the eyes of others, and wait until he was ripe for the taking? Who could have dared to touch Kang when he looked at him with such ravenous eyes, coveting his entire being?"
King Gyeonghye knew the look in the emperor's eyes when he gazed at Kang. He also knew the look in Kang's eyes when he looked at the emperor. Those black eyes, like a young wolf chasing after the emperor, though Kang was no wolf himself. What was even more astonishing was that he alone knew this truth. Even the ministers and concubines couldn't be certain, as the emperor had hidden his emotions behind the mask of a father, dark and insidious.
He was truly a madman. No matter how much he invoked the name of heaven, he was still a mad father. A father who lusted after his own son. And Kang, who had clung to him and moaned in delight, was no different. They were two of a kind.
"Pathetic fool."
"Huh?"
The eunuch, hearing King Gyeonghye's muttered words, stupidly asked for clarification. With a dismissive wave of his hand, King Gyeonghye handed him the mask. The eunuch flinched upon seeing the torn left side of King Gyeonghye's face. In response, King Gyeonghye gave him a grotesque smile and casually remarked, "Don't worry. This face will meet its end today."
"Y-Your Highness, I have committed a grave sin."
"Then will you die for it?"
"Huh?"
"If you've committed a sin worthy of death, then die. Why are you still standing here? Go and die."
The eunuch's face turned pale. However, since the final decision rested with the emperor, King Gyeonghye's words were not carried out. "Just a joke," King Gyeonghye said with a sly grin, patting the eunuch's shoulder before standing before the doors of the Hwabijeon. Two eunuchs, their hands tucked into their sleeves and their backs bent, announced King Gyeonghye's arrival to the emperor. After twelve rounds of formalities, the doors finally opened one by one. King Gyeonghye walked in with the calm demeanor of someone well-versed in protocol, stopping before the dais. He knelt, placed his hands on the floor, and bowed deeply.
"Your servant, King Gyeonghye, humbly greets the noble Emperor."
"Raise your head."
The emperor's languid and elegant voice pierced King Gyeonghye's ears like an arrow. It was a voice so deep and resonant that it sent chills through his chest every time he heard it. The sound echoed richly through the Hwabijeon. King Gyeonghye exhaled as if weighed down by that voice, then slowly raised his head. He saw the emperor seated not too high above, smiling. The emperor's silver hair, bathed in light, was tied back and cascaded over his shoulders, covering his chest. His translucent pink robe, the color of azalea blossoms, hung loosely and swayed around his calves. Beneath it, he wore plain white garments embroidered with flowers, butterflies, and bees, symbolizing the harmony of a married couple. Dressed in the beautiful attire of spring, the emperor looked every bit like a youth in love.
The emperor, with his sons and daughters, and even grandchildren, possessed a beauty so striking that it was hard to believe. King Gyeonghye unconsciously swallowed hard, captivated by the emperor's stunning appearance. His masculine voice, strong and long limbs—everything about him was flawless, save for his temperament. He was the epitome of a sage king. The emperor, noticing the envy and resentment burning in his son's eyes, smiled like a fox, his eyes narrowing with amusement. King Gyeonghye lowered his gaze, his heart pounding.
Yes, you have everything. So it wouldn't matter if I took something precious from you, would it? King Gyeonghye thought bitterly, bowing his head.
"Your Majesty, I am no longer in a position to serve you with loyalty. Thus, I have come to bid farewell and take my remaining family to the southwestern province."
"I have already read your letter and am aware of your decision. You may go. However, you must leave behind your most cherished son, Haje."
Though the emperor claimed it was to appoint Haje as an official, both King Gyeonghye and the emperor knew the truth: Haje was to be a hostage. Even Haje's betrothed, his future daughter-in-law, was to remain. One misstep, and they would all meet their end together.
King Gyeonghye wasn't afraid of this, but he couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness. Not only had the emperor never acknowledged him as a son, but he had also never embraced Haje as his grandson. The only son and grandson the emperor recognized were Kang and the child in Kang's womb. The humiliation and anger resurfaced, and King Gyeonghye struggled to suppress his rage.
"You have worked hard for the emperor. I am grateful. Your loyalty will be well received by your son, Haje, so do not worry. After all, is it not the children who inherit the merits of their parents?"
"Do you truly believe that?"
King Gyeonghye blurted out, unable to hide his true feelings. The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled, and King Gyeonghye quickly added, "My contributions have not been insignificant. Though I have served Your Majesty with sincerity, I have also suffered from madness and poor health, becoming a burden to the court."
"Your mere survival has pleased some, and that is enough."
King Gyeonghye fell silent, suffocating under the emperor's veiled threats. The emperor was relentless, making it clear that the lives of King Gyeonghye's family were in his hands. King Gyeonghye bowed his head, thinking of his wives and children. He felt sorry for them, but there were some things he couldn't change. Steeling himself, he forced a smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand. I will strive to serve the court even from the southwestern province."
"Good. I understand."
The emperor made it clear that the audience was over. The matter had already been discussed in several letters, and everything regarding Haje's residence and position had been settled. There was nothing left to say. Yet, King Gyeonghye had come to bid his final farewell, and still, the emperor refused to look at him.
Not once did the emperor ask if he was in pain or if he had suffered. He didn't even apologize. As the emperor rose to leave, King Gyeonghye mustered the courage to ask, "Father."
The emperor slowly turned at the rare address, smiling leisurely as if inviting King Gyeonghye to speak. He was always so composed, so lazy, and it irked King Gyeonghye. The emperor never showed anxiety unless it concerned Kang. There was something King Gyeonghye had always wanted to ask.
"Was there ever a time, even once, when you truly considered me, Jinyeong, or the deposed Jeong as your real sons?"
"Why are you asking this now?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes, as if puzzled. He calmly descended to where King Gyeonghye stood, his pink robe fluttering like flower petals. King Gyeonghye raised his head to meet the emperor's gaze. The emperor, as beautiful now as he had been in King Gyeonghye's childhood, gently cupped his chin and said, "Didn't you already know the answer?"
"Could it not have been my delusion?"
The emperor sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck as if annoyed. His eyes wandered to the ceiling, then to the pillars supporting it, before finally settling on King Gyeonghye. There was no warmth in his gaze.
"If I had known Kang would grieve, I would have spared myself the trouble of having other sons."
The pain in King Gyeonghye's chest was unbearable, as if someone had driven a knife into it and twisted. The emperor looked coldly at King Gyeonghye's pale face and spoke.
"Sons are merely rivals fighting for a share of power. The emperor cannot afford to show them favor."
"And Kang? What makes him so special that you dote on him?"
King Gyeonghye's voice trembled. What was it about Kang that had brought him to this state, that had led to Jinyeong's tragic death, that had forced Sohyeon to kill his own mother to prove his innocence?
"Because he is Kang."
The emperor's answer was swift and decisive. King Gyeonghye stared in disbelief, feeling as if an arrow had pierced his chest and left a gaping wound. The dead were perhaps the lucky ones.
"That child is the emperor's son. He is not like you. Does that answer your question?"
King Gyeonghye swallowed his misery and nodded. The emperor laughed and turned away, his robe billowing like a flag.
"Send word to the dead Jinyeong and the deposed Jeong in the mountains. Let them know why they met their fates. There are many dead children, so you will have many messages to deliver. Gyeonghye, you have much to do."
King Gyeonghye's teeth chattered with rage at the emperor's mockery. He wanted to leave a scar on the face of the man who had never acknowledged him as a son.
"...Thank you for your answer, Father. I have always wondered if it was just my own thoughts. But now that you have given me your answer, I will accept it and depart for the southwestern province."
"Head well."
The emperor extended his hand, signaling for King Gyeonghye to take it. Hesitant, King Gyeonghye grasped the emperor's hand for the first time. The emperor's hand was warm, soft, and bore the calluses of maturity. When was the last time he had held it like this? Once King Gyeonghye stood firmly, the emperor released his hand without hesitation. His gaze was devoid of emotion as he turned away. The emperor's pink robe lingered in King Gyeonghye's vision. He remained in place until the emperor had left, then bowed deeply and exited the Hwabijeon. Outside, Haje was playing with the eunuchs, laughing carefreely.
"Father!"
Haje ran toward King Gyeonghye. For the first time, King Gyeonghye took Haje's hand, just as the emperor had done moments before. Haje looked up at him in surprise. King Gyeonghye, his face unmasked, spoke to Haje.
"You must behave until I return. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father. But will you really come back soon?"
"Yes."
King Gyeonghye couldn't bring himself to tell Haje the truth—that they might never see each other again, that Haje was to remain as a hostage. All of this suffering was because of the emperor. Even knowing this, King Gyeonghye couldn't help but yearn for his father's affection, and he despised himself for it. What was the point of a father like this? Why had he struggled so hard to survive? Perhaps it would have been better to die on the battlefield, as the emperor had once said.
Why had he survived with this ruined face and broken body? It was all because of Kang and the emperor. Everyone who had worked hard to live had died because of those two.
As the emperor rode in his palanquin, he rested his chin on his hand and thought about King Gyeonghye. Thinking of Gyeonghye always left a bitter taste in his mouth. He was a child who brought an unpleasant feeling, and the emperor wanted to forget the discomfort of their meeting, but it clung to him like a stubborn imprint. He called for the chief eunuch walking beside him. The eunuch turned his smiling eyes toward the emperor.
"Make sure Gyeonghye makes it safely to the southwestern province."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor couldn't kill Gyeonghye recklessly, not until Kang had found stability. If Kang hadn't personally saved Gyeonghye, brought him to the royal residence for treatment, and cared for him so diligently, the emperor wouldn't have given him a second thought. If it weren't for Kang's desperate pleas, he would have killed Gyeonghye outright.
Life rarely went as one wished, but whenever Kang was involved, the emperor felt an unusual urgency. Would Kang find out? About what? That he had killed his own brothers?
"Haha."
The emperor covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed beautifully. The eunuchs shivered at the sound of his laughter. When the emperor laughed like that, it was either because he was extremely pleased or deeply displeased. As he elegantly stifled his laughter within his sleeve, the emperor rested his chin on his hand, closed his eyes, and thought of Kang.
What would change if he knew? They're already dead. They won't come back to life. But Kang had a true sibling growing in his womb. That was what mattered. The dead were silent, but the living had finite lives. Kang would, of course, choose the latter. A half-blooded sibling versus a sibling with more than half his blood—what better chain could there be to bind Kang?
Truly, it had been the right decision to kill them one by one. Once Kang gave birth, or even just found stability, Gyeonghye would have to be killed as well. With the crown prince already decided, the remaining children were nothing but stumbling blocks.
They were a nuisance. They had to be removed.
The emperor, having made his decision with ease, leapt out of the palanquin before it even touched the ground, tossing aside his ceremonial robe. Now dressed in simple, dignified attire, he entered the Yewol Palace. Deep within, in the private chambers where the emperor and Kang spent their intimate moments, he arrived.
As he stepped inside, he saw Kang lying on the bed as if lifeless. His hair clung to his sweat-drenched face, resembling seaweed floating in water. The emperor gently peeled the strands of hair away, wiping the sweat from Kang's face. Kang groaned softly, tossing and turning in discomfort.
"Baby," the emperor murmured, resting his head against Kang's belly, where the child lay. Though it was still too early to feel any movement, his heart trembled with anticipation.
"My children," the emperor whispered, clutching Kang's slender hand tightly. Kang let out a faint sound, turning his head as if struggling in his sleep. The emperor slowly lifted his head and patted Kang's chest, just as he had done when Kang was a child. Miraculously, Kang's tense body relaxed, and his breathing evened out. His breaths were still heavy, and his body was feverishly warm.
Kang had always been emotionally fragile, like tofu. The emperor, having raised him personally, knew this well. Kang was particularly sensitive to the emperor's words, gaze, and gestures, always careful not to displease him. He lived with the constant fear that if he made a mistake, his mother would suffer.
Kang had seen his brothers die one by one, and he knew all too well what happened to concubines who fell out of the emperor's favor. He had witnessed it all. Watching the concubines and his siblings beg for their lives with pale faces, Kang had unconsciously begun to mold himself to the emperor's whims. When this started to work, even the palace maids, eunuchs, and concubines began to use Kang to soothe the emperor's anger.
Kang was the only one who could control the emperor. If Kang realized this, he could wield the emperor as he pleased, but he remained oblivious, struggling under the weight of his own ignorance. If only he could break free from the simple framework of father and son, it would be so easy.
Yet, the sight of Kang suffering, in pain, and trembling in distress was also endearing. The emperor wished Kang could just stay by his side like this. He didn’t need to do anything. All the emperor wanted was for Kang to remain with him. Why did Kang keep talking about loyalty and trust, as if such things mattered?
The emperor closed his eyes and pressed his cheek against the back of Kang's hand. It wasn’t just warm—it was burning hot. After nuzzling against Kang's hand for a while, the emperor felt a sharp gaze and looked up. Kang had awakened, his half-lidded eyes gazing at the emperor with a mix of embarrassment and something else.
"When did you arrive?" Kang asked, his voice hoarse with pain.
The emperor sat beside Kang, patting his thigh. Kang slowly moved to rest his head there. As the emperor massaged the back of Kang's sweat-soaked neck, Kang closed his eyes and let out a soft moan of relief. The emperor brushed aside Kang's hair, revealing the marks he had left the previous night. Some were bruises, others bore the clear imprint of teeth. The emperor felt a surge of pride at the sight of these marks, a smile tugging at his lips.
"I came as soon as I missed you."
"Have you finished your duties?"
The emperor nodded with a smile. Kang, his eyes still closed, absently traced the muscles of the emperor's thigh with his palm and murmured, "You've worked hard. I should be serving you in the bath, but my body isn’t well enough..."
"Shall the emperor wash you instead?"
"Huh?"
"We bathed together when you were young. There’s no reason we can’t do it now."
Without waiting for a response, the emperor loosened the sash of Kang's robe. Kang's body was soon bare, save for his hands and feet. There wasn’t an untouched spot on him. His nipples, in particular, were red and raw from the emperor's attentions. Kang flinched as the emperor's fingers brushed the still-bruised skin around his chest. His face flushed, and he shyly curled his legs. The emperor watched him with amusement before scooping him up in his arms. Kang sighed quietly, resigned to his fate.
When they were younger, the emperor hadn’t so much bathed Kang as played in the water with him, splashing around. As Kang closed his eyes, trying to endure the situation, the emperor carried him to the bath. He placed Kang in the wooden tub first, then climbed in after him. The water, heated to the perfect temperature in advance, sloshed over the sides as they settled in.
Kang sat on the emperor's thigh, leaning against his chest, and began to doze off. The warm water the emperor poured over him felt soothing. Half-opening his drowsy eyes, Kang finally mustered the courage to speak.
"Your Majesty, I have a request."
"Hm? What is it?"
The emperor's voice was sweet as he asked. His wet fingers brushed against Kang's smooth lips. Heat rose to Kang's face as the emperor's touch lingered. Kang, blushing, took the emperor's hand and lowered it.
"Just once would be enough."
"What is it?"
The emperor leaned his forehead against Kang's and smiled. Kang, accustomed to this habit of his, closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the emperor's neck. Now was the time. Kang lowered his arms and used his hands to touch the emperor's wet cheek and hair. It was incredibly soft. The emperor's hair, well cared for, felt like strands of silk, and his cheek was as smooth as the mystical robes often worn by immortals. The emperor closed his eyes, savoring Kang's affectionate touch, before gently taking Kang's wrist and pressing a kiss to his palm. A shiver ran through Kang's veins, and he turned his head, resting it against the emperor's firm shoulder.
"Abamama..."
Every time the emperor pushed him like this, Kang was reminded of the ethics he tried to cling to. Hanging onto the emperor's shoulder, Kang made his plea.
"Just once would be enough. Could you grant me and my mother even a single day outside the palace? Just a little time to sort things out. This place is too suffocating. The way people look at me is too much, and my mother is struggling too... Even if you tell me not to think of her as my mother, how can I not? She’s the one who gave birth to me."
Kang did not cry. His voice was weak, filled with deep melancholy. The emperor, irritated by the pervasive sense of defeat and resignation in Kang's words, tapped his fingers impatiently on the edge of the wooden tub. Let Kang and his mother be alone together? The thought was deeply unpleasant to him.
"She only gave birth to you," the emperor said coldly.
Kang stammered, "S-Still, she is my mother. She gave birth to me, so shouldn’t I repay that debt of gratitude?"
When Kang brought up the most basic filial piety, even the emperor had no retort. The debt of being born. The emperor groaned, sinking into thought. Kang sat obediently in the tub, looking at him with those clear, pleading eyes. It was impossible to refuse.
"Your Majesty, just one day is enough. I won’t go far. There’s an open-air hot spring not far from the palace, reserved for the royal family, isn’t there? I’ll go there. It’s close to the palace, so you can come whenever you wish..."
"Are you sure one day is enough?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Finally, the emperor agreed to Kang's request. Overjoyed, Kang threw his arms around the emperor. The emperor, caught off guard by Kang's sudden embrace, simply stared at him. Kang looked up at the emperor, smiling softly, then closed his eyes and mustered the courage to press a brief, light kiss to the emperor's lips. The emperor, unable to resist, cupped Kang's face in his large hands and kissed him back roughly.
"Ah... Ah!"
Kang tried to protest, saying it was too fast, but he was already consumed by the emperor's lips. The emperor's hands held Kang's temples and ears, not letting him pull away. His other hand gripped the back of Kang's neck, keeping him firmly in place. Kang couldn’t breathe, gasping for air whenever their lips parted, only to have the emperor claim his mouth again.
"Hng... Nn..."
Kang frowned, trying to catch his breath, but eventually wrapped his arms around the emperor's back. Their tongues tangled, saliva mixing with sweat and dripping down their chins. When Kang finally couldn’t hold his breath any longer, the emperor pulled away. His eyes were already dark with desire.
"Abamama."
Kang called out, his breathing ragged. The emperor laid Kang face down over the edge of the tub. The wet wood pressed against Kang's elbows. Though his body was still warm, Kang stared blankly at the water droplets on the floor.
His legs spread apart in the water. The emperor parted Kang's buttocks, observing the entrance before inserting a finger. The hot water seeped into the tight, heated passage.
"Ah, ah... The water’s coming in... Ah..."
Kang let out a wet moan, twisting his hips.
"It’s not painful, so don’t worry."
The emperor, watching the water flow, lifted Kang's waist higher so only his calves remained submerged. Kang, dazed and unsure of what was happening, looked around with glazed eyes. When he felt the emperor's breath against his swollen entrance, his eyes widened in shock.
"Ah, ah...! W-What...! Abamama, no, I don’t want this...!"
The emperor, his father, was spreading Kang's plump buttocks and licking between them. Not like a wolf, but with deliberate care, he licked the swollen area and sucked at the perineum, causing Kang's member to stiffen instantly. The emperor's tongue briefly pulled away. Kang's thighs trembled as he tried to escape, but the emperor held his waist firmly, not letting him go.
"Ah, ah, no! It’s weird, it’s weird! Abamama, stop...! Ah, ah...!"
The emperor forced Kang down, pressing his face back into the cleft and sucking at the entrance. His tongue licked upward from Kang's scrotum to the entrance, causing Kang to tremble uncontrollably. His strong shoulders tensed, every muscle in his body taut. Sweat dripped down his back, glistening beautifully.
"Ah, it’s weird... I don’t like it, abamama, please... stop..."
Kang finally broke down, scratching at the floor and sobbing. The wet sounds grew louder, and as saliva pooled in the hairless area, Kang felt like he was going insane. The thought that the saliva there belonged to the emperor made Kang burn with shame.
"Ah, no..."
Kang's lower body felt scorching hot. He had clearly felt the emperor's tongue without anything being inserted. Before he could process the shock, the emperor lifted him and sat him back in the tub, gripping Kang's erection with one hand and stroking it roughly. When the emperor's hand moved down to fondle his testicles, Kang threw his head back and moaned. His fists clenched, his toes curled, and his body trembled with pleasure. The sight of Kang so overwhelmed with desire only heightened the emperor's own arousal. Kang's cheeks, flushed red from the heat of the bath, were streaked with sweat and tears. He clenched his eyes shut, his mouth hanging open as he struggled to breathe.
"Ah, ah...!"
The emperor gripped the head of Kang's member, rubbing it so hard that the delicate skin threatened to tear. Kang's thighs quivered with pleasure, his body shuddering from the intensity. The emperor didn’t stop there. He dragged his own hardened length along Kang's perineum, the water making the friction frustratingly insufficient. Eventually, he flipped Kang onto his stomach again and pressed his erection against the cleft of Kang's buttocks.
The emperor gripped Kang's reddened buttocks, now as ripe as an apple, with one hand. Kang moaned. Despite having already climaxed once, his member twitched back to life, straining against his lower abdomen.
"Shall I put it in?"
Kang silently wept, tears dripping down his face. Truthfully, his inner walls had been itching since earlier. It was strange. He felt itchy, yet he wanted to run away. He was terrified. He wanted something to scratch the itch inside him, to plunge deep into him. It didn’t feel like his own body anymore. Just the emperor's tongue licking and rubbing him had done this. Why did it feel so good? Why was it so terrifying?
He really wanted to run away. His body felt strange. His mind was spiraling out of control.
He knew it clearly now. He felt it as a son. His body wanted his father. His inner walls were desperate, aching to clench around the emperor's member.
Kang closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. Even as he cried, his erection stood stiff, craving more stimulation, while his inner walls begged for something deeper, more intense.
"Nngh...!"
The emperor's member pressed against his entrance again, rubbing insistently. The massive shaft, nestled between Kang's buttocks, glistened with moisture. As the emperor began to move slowly, Kang twisted his shoulders, overwhelmed by the sensation. He was too sensitive.
"Shall I put it in?"
The emperor asked again, his voice tender and low. Kang, who had been scratching at the floor and moaning, finally gave in to the unbearable itch inside him and answered in a tiny voice.
"Yes..."
The emperor's member pushed in, stretching Kang's insides painfully wide. Kang's lips moved silently, forming words that went unheard. Sadly, the emperor was too preoccupied with gripping Kang's hips and thrusting to notice, and Kang himself couldn’t hear his own voice. The faint words dissolved into nothingness.
I have to run away.
Kang began to feel terror from something he couldn’t quite name. His stomach ached with a sharp, burning pain. He moaned from the intense discomfort but couldn’t bring himself to say it hurt.
He was just too scared. Tormented by the overwhelming pleasure he had never felt before.
But could he really run away? Two conflicting fears collided violently, creating friction in his mind. His head throbbed as if it might split open.
Hwabijeon - Palace of the concubines