In the late hours of the night, as the emperor had just offered his arm to Kang and drifted into a deep sleep, he was abruptly awakened by distant shouts of "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Kang, too, stirred from his slumber, blinking sleepily at the emperor. Still half-asleep, Kang murmured for the emperor to stay close, clutching at his sleeve.
"Come back quickly..."
Just like when he was a child, Kang, afraid of the dark, begged the emperor to return soon. Though it was likely just a sleepy mumble, the emperor, thinking that Kang still feared the darkness, lit a candle and even carried Seol, the dog, in his arms before stepping outside. The dimly lit chamber was now softly illuminated, and Seol wagged his tail lazily, as if smiling at his master. When the emperor gestured for Seol to guard Kang, the dog barked loudly and curled up beside Kang.
With these warm memories fresh in his mind, the emperor stepped outside, only to be met with the grim news of a fire at King Gyeonghye's residence. The guards, patrolling late at night, had discovered the blaze and quickly sent word. The fire was massive, and they were struggling to contain it. The emperor summoned the fire brigades from across the capital to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, the fire was eventually put out, but the tragedy lay in the fact that there were no survivors. Most had been unable to escape, trapped inside by the heavy locks meant to deter thieves. King Gyeonghye's residence, filled with valuables, had been doubly secured, and the locks, melted by the heat, had become impossible to open. Every exit—front, back, and even the servants' passages—had been sealed to prevent escapes. The walls, built high by the paranoid prince, were impossible to climb.
In short, the residence was a death trap if a fire ever broke out. This was a habit King Gyeonghye had developed after surviving an assassination attempt.
The emperor, who had just stepped out into the night with a rare sense of lightness, now surveyed the charred remains of King Gyeonghye's residence with cold eyes. The dry weather and frequent winds made it easy for fires to spread. Even the smallest spark could turn into a raging inferno.
The emperor picked up a piece of charred wood, examining it briefly, before turning his attention to the bodies brought in by the fire brigades. One corpse was missing an arm, while the other was so badly burned that identification was impossible. The other bodies were no different. Children clung to each other in a futile attempt to escape the flames, wives held their husbands, and husbands clung to their wives. All had met the same fate.
The emperor felt nothing as he looked at the remains of his son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and even the servants. The fire had taken everything. The fire brigade commander whispered in the emperor's ear that nothing had been found in the tunnels. The emperor's golden eyes flickered with displeasure.
Though his suspicions were not entirely dispelled, the evidence was clear...
The emperor tossed the charred wood aside and turned away, his guards following closely behind.
"The investigation?"
"Only six merchant groups left the capital yesterday."
"Were they all thoroughly searched?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. They were all inspected and allowed to pass, as usual."
The emperor let out a short, contemplative hum. With King Gyeonghye's entire family and servants dead, there was no one left to question. Troubled, the emperor called for the chief eunuch, who hurried over.
"Imprison Haje."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"Even a child would know something about his father. Use Haje to uncover information about Gyeonghye. Do not overlook any details in the investigation."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor was convinced that King Gyeonghye was dead. Surviving a fire of that magnitude was beyond human capability. Though Gyeonghye was a wolf and might have transformed to escape, losing an arm made even that impossible. Still, the emperor remained vigilant, refusing to let his guard down completely. Whenever things seemed to go too smoothly, he always took a step back to reconsider, ensuring he hadn’t overlooked anything. As he walked leisurely along the dirt path, he glanced at the chief eunuch following him and casually remarked, "Do not speak of this to the Noble Consort. She is with child."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Though it had been over a month since the Noble Consort had conceived, the risk of miscarriage remained, so caution was necessary. The emperor was determined to see the child born safely, and he intended to surround Kang with only positive influences. Upon returning to the palace, the emperor made preparations to send Kang away for the day. Dozens of guards and imperial soldiers were assigned to escort him, along with over ten eunuchs and palace maids. To prepare for any emergencies, physicians and medical attendants were also included in the entourage. Even Seol, Kang's loyal guard dog, was to accompany him.
Just one day. Though it was meant to be a farewell with his mother, the emperor was reluctant to let Kang go. With a sullen expression, he tightly held Kang's hand. So much so that Kang, weakened and frail, found himself comforting the despondent emperor, patting his back and soothing him.
"I will return in a day, Your Majesty. Please do not worry too much."
"Still, I will miss you."
Kang let out a light laugh and kissed the emperor's cheek.
"Tomorrow is the tea gathering. I must return in time. We cannot keep the other consorts waiting."
In fact, not only Lady Yeo but also the consorts who had grown up with Kang were participating in this farewell. Seven people in total were accompanying him. The Noble Consort had collapsed upon hearing the news of King Gyeonghye's fiery demise and was unable to attend. In front of the seven women who were like mothers to him, Kang embraced the emperor and whispered softly. Their affectionate display was so intimate that Lady Yeo nearly burst into tears but held back for the sake of her son.
"Have a safe journey."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Finally, the emperor smiled. Perhaps Kang's strong resolve to return had reassured him. Letting go of Kang's hand, the emperor watched as Kang, despite his frail body, climbed into the palanquin. Once seated, Kang used his long sleeves to cover his face and bit his lip.
The numerous guards, eunuchs, and palace maids... and even Seol, who clung to him—escaping from all of them seemed impossible. The emperor would never let him go so easily. Though Kang had felt a strong desire to flee the day before, the reality of the situation now left him feeling depressed. Escape? What a joke.
As Seol, panting and wagging his tail, climbed into the palanquin, Kang pulled him onto his lap. The large dog was quite heavy. The eunuch, who had grown closer to Kang, approached and grumbled.
"Your Highness, carrying a dog in your condition will strain your precious body."
"It's fine. Seol and I have been together since he was a puppy. This is comfortable for me."
Kang forced a smile and hugged Seol tightly, burying his face in the dog's soft fur. Escape... He had thought about it grandly, but the fear of leaving the capital for the first time weighed on him. The emperor had kept him confined to the capital, raising him like a treasure, so Kang's only experience of the outside world was the occasional boat ride during his childhood—and even then, only when the emperor allowed it.
I really haven’t done much, have I? What can someone like me even do...?
The only things Kang could use were the bow and arrows the emperor had given him for hunting and the large sword the emperor had once wielded.
Perhaps I’ll enjoy one last hunt with my mother, exchanging stories. I’ll hunt within my limits, and when the right moment comes...
"No, it’s impossible."
Kang laughed dryly as he hugged Seol tightly. Even if I run away, even if I go to Manbaeksan Mountain, nothing will change. Still, the desire to taste freedom, even just once, flowed through him like a stream.
"Such a day will come someday."
Kang let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky. Today, the sky was exceptionally clear and blue, with clouds drifting lazily, making him yearn to go somewhere.
Somewhere free from the intoxicating pleasure the emperor gave him.
"You’ll have to come with me too, understand?"
Kang burst into a wide smile and pressed his forehead against Seol's, mimicking a habit the emperor often did with him. Seol, excited to be out with his master after so long, barked loudly. Kang continued to chat softly with Seol, holding him close.
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