* * *
Hearing that Hyunwook—who had always been so healthy—died so suddenly was nothing short of shocking.
He had a body that even Seojoo would envy, often saying he wanted to be like that.
But just days after my death, he fell apart… no, it probably started even before that—after Seojoo passed.
His health must’ve steadily declined.
Neither of them ever said anything, but I knew they had feelings for each other.
Thinking back to Seojoo’s cryptic words, it wasn’t hard to guess.
It wasn’t my place to get involved, so I stayed quiet.
But it’s true—our deaths had a massive impact on Hyunwook’s life.
Still… to die from malnutrition, pneumonia, and fever?
That’s just heartbreaking.
“He was already malnourished, and then he got drenched in the rain, so his fever spiked. It lasted several days and wrecked his lungs. After that… he just didn’t make it.”
“And you’re talking about it like it’s someone else’s story? How can you say it so lightly?”
“I meant that I’m happier now. When I opened my eyes, I was here. And even here, I must’ve been sick—because the people here, my parents, were nursing me so tenderly.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. But it was so different from the other side. Do you know how it was there? My real parents didn’t even make it to my deathbed because they were busy teaching classes. Can you believe that? Not even for their dying son.”
“Wait, what? You were alone? In the hospital? That sick and no one was with you?”
On the day of my death—Hyunwook was the one beside me.
He held my hand, told me I’d suffered enough, that I didn’t need to worry anymore, and whispered that I could let go peacefully.
He stayed with me until the very end.
But on his last day, no one was there for him.
All for a stupid class?
While their son was dying?
Just thinking about how Hyunwook must’ve closed his eyes alone… it made my chest ache.
I held his hand and cried.
“But the parents here? They really love me. Never left my side, and all their attention was on me. So I adjusted pretty fast. It feels like I’ve always lived here. Though I nearly passed out when I realized this place was that novel world.”
Hyunwook forced a smile, trying to play it cool. But seriously… how did we all end up here?
“I kept wondering about that too. Maybe we were pulled into the place we loved most. Seojoo always said he wished he was born in a place like this. Maybe he wanted it so badly that it became reality.”
“I thought the same. Maybe our souls got pulled here because we left something strong behind in that story. But isn’t it crazy? We look and sound exactly the same.”
Hyunwook nodded solemnly.
It would’ve been less confusing if even our names were different—but no, everything matched too perfectly.
“I saw you yesterday and couldn’t sleep. You’re that psycho Grand Concubine from the West Palace. Normal people don’t even get to see a royal face, so I never imagined it. The Emperor’s consort, seriously?”
“You think you were shocked? I nearly fainted. Look at this face. This body!”
“Dude, but you’re gorgeous. Is this what being an Omega is like? Honestly, more shocking than dying and meeting again.”
“I can even have kids now. You’re gonna be the godfather, right?”
“What the hell! You’re having kids now?”
Hyunwook looked horrified, covering his mouth like he was going to be sick.
Can’t blame him—seeing your childhood friend prettier than most girls and now talking about having babies? That’d rattle anyone.
“But you’re nothing like the original Grand Concubine. You’re just Cha Haejoo through and through. The book’s version was cold, sharp—her cruelty was her charm. But you? You’re like a soggy cabbage.”
“So what? You read the book. You know how it ends if I act like her—massacre ending, everyone dies. No thanks. And besides, I don’t even like the Emperor. He doesn’t like me either. My plan is to get out of here with my brother before all that crap starts.”
“Your brother? The one who leads the coup in the story?”
“He’s still okay for now. From what I’ve seen, he’s just trapped between our grandfather and the Emperor. Got twisted by being used and learning all the wrong things. But deep down, he’s not that kind of person… Hey, come closer.”
I leaned in and told Hyunwook in detail how I’d been surviving here—keeping my head down, taking beatings from my grandfather, pretending to be invisible just to stay alive.
How the Emperor almost caught me getting hit last time, and everything since.
“That old man was vicious in the novel, and he’s no different here? What the hell does he think he’s hitting? You’re so scrawny now, a single punch could snap your ribs.”
“Because of that, the Emperor keeps checking in. I’m grateful for the help, but it’s… uncomfortable. He scares me.”
“Hmm? But yesterday, it looked like he really liked you.”
I scoffed at Hyunwook’s earnest nonsense.
Probably regurgitating the novel’s narrative.
In the story, no matter how cruel the Grand Concubine was—harassing the other concubines out of jealousy—the Emperor always forgave her.
Or rather, pretended not to notice.
It was just a performance to maintain face with her powerful family.
Even when Younghwa Palace arrived, the Emperor went out of his way not to upset the Consort.
So everyone believed he favored her deeply.
But it was all an act.
Just thinking about what my grandfather and our family did—there’s no way he could love me.
He probably hates even being near me.
“I really thought he loved you. The way he looked at me yesterday? Like he wanted to kill me.”
“It’s not love. It’s just… once he realized the enemy’s right-hand man was getting beat up by that same enemy, maybe he felt some weird camaraderie. That’s probably why he’s been dropping by more often.”
“Nah. Doesn’t seem like that kind of vibe. I’m telling you, that was something else—”
“Ugh, stop. Yesterday, he fed me medicine while holding my face and then bit his own arm like it was nothing. Who even does that? Said it was to stop himself from hitting me. You know how this world works.”
I clicked my tongue at Hyunwook, who tilted his head in confusion.
I already knew that, according to the setup, Joo Minhyuk would never truly love me.
So I never even bothered to expect any kind of warm, fluttery feelings.
More than that, I needed to talk about what we’d do after leaving the palace and what to make of seeing Hyunwook again.
We needed to plan out realistic ways to survive in this place.
The Emperor could just stay cozy in the Yeonghwa Palace and live his lovey-dovey life, so my best bet was to keep him in a good mood and maintain a decent relationship.
I’d already managed to stir up some pity, so hopefully, he’d feel sorry for me.
When I saw him in the evening, I’d start by apologizing for touching him yesterday—and if he brought it up again, I’d just pretend I didn’t really remember much.
“Consort, a message has arrived from the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
“The Empress Dowager?”
While I was catching up with Hyunwook, one of the palace ladies approached and informed me that the Empress Dowager had sent a message.
Why would she contact me? Since I came here, she’s never reached out personally.
“She asked that you join Her Majesty, His Majesty, and a few relatives for dinner at the Seokjo Hall dining room by six this evening.”
“Me too?”
Tonight was supposed to be dinner with Joo Minhyuk.
Was this a last-minute gathering?
But why was I invited?
I’ve never been called to one of these before.
A wave of tension and unease washed over me.
The court lady reassured me, saying the Empress Dowager had specifically requested my presence, so I absolutely had to attend.
I didn’t want to, but I knew better than to ignore someone that high up.
Still, I really didn’t want to go.
No one in the royal family even liked me.
Why was I being summoned now?
It’s not like I could refuse, so I just decided to keep my head down, avoid drawing attention, and quietly make it through the evening.
By the time I arrived, the grand dining hall was already filled with people.
As I walked in, the guests all stood and bowed in greeting, and the Empress Dowager gave me a warm, welcoming smile.
“Consort, you’ve just arrived? We should have come together.”
A familiar Alpha’s voice sounded from behind me.
I turned to see Joo Minhyuk entering with his usual immaculate appearance, smiling brightly at me.
Huh? He’s smiling?
Seeing that smile, I figured he must be letting the whole groping thing slide.
All that time I spent looking up how serious a harassment charge might be seemed kind of pointless now—Minhyuk looked totally unbothered.
“Let’s head over and take a seat, Consort.”
Minhyuk led me toward the center, where his seat was.
The guests, who had stood to greet the Emperor, watched us with intense curiosity.
I couldn’t blame them.
This was different from how we usually acted.
“The Consort’s seat is prepared over there,” the Empress Dowager said.
“Your Majesty, don’t trouble yourself and enjoy your meal.”
Minhyuk and I halted at her sudden words and turned our heads in the direction she pointed.
It was near the entrance I came through—far from Minhyuk’s seat, at the very end where the guests sat.
The very last, most tucked-away seat.
If I sat there, I’d be out of sight and likely forgotten.
Everyone’s attention would naturally be on the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
The message behind that seating arrangement was clear as day.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
So that’s what this was.
She invited me just to humiliate me.
Cursing silently, I started to head for that seat—only for Minhyuk to grab my hand.
“The Consort is my spouse. Of course he should sit beside me. Why was he placed over there?”
Minhyuk’s tone was calm, but his words were sharp.
Yet the Empress Dowager didn’t even flinch.
Instead, she beamed at the Emperor as if she had expected this.
“That’s exactly why I placed him there. As your one and only consort, shouldn’t he properly entertain the guests? I thought it would be nice for him to chat with them and get to know everyone. Or does Your Majesty not approve? I’m sure the Consort himself thinks differently.”
What a joke.
Of course I feel the same.
If anything, I’m more offended.
Still, what can I do?
I have to keep my head down and play along if I want to survive.
This is my fate.
A consort stuck in the corner.
Might as well eat and hope I don’t get indigestion.
* * *
