* * *
The grand, rectangular marble table was surrounded by cheerful faces.
Everyone was smiling, fussing over the Emperor and Empress Dowager—these were the Emperor’s maternal relatives.
They were from the Empress Dowager’s side, and among all the families, they had the worst relationship with mine.
The fact that she called me here, knowing that full well, was basically a textbook example of royal family politics at its pettiest.
Just as I expected, they all turned their backs on me and focused on the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
An invisible wall separated me from them.
Giddy over the rare dinner with the Emperor, they flaunted their recent lives, trying to get Minhyuk’s attention.
I didn’t even try to join the conversation.
I didn’t know what they were talking about, so I couldn’t join even if I wanted to.
They chatted about past vacations or shared memories I had no part in.
None of it had anything to do with me.
Come to think of it, I’ve never even gone on a real vacation.
In my past life, I was always sick and had to avoid overexerting myself.
Here, the only times I’ve gone out were for official business.
I’ve never taken a trip just for me.
Maybe I should try it sometime—now that I’ve met Hyunwook, maybe I could go to Jeju, Busan, or even Japan.
That should be fine, right?
I quietly observed their warm, affectionate interactions.
Even the Empress Dowager, who always looked cold when facing me, was smiling brightly at her people.
I guess everyone’s kind to those they consider their own.
As they should be—but it still felt strange.
Why is everyone always angry with me?
I haven’t done anything, but people here are constantly cold.
The royal family hates me because I’m the Prime Minister’s grandson.
My grandfather, despite being related to me by blood, constantly loses his temper because I’m not what he wants me to be.
There’s no one here who genuinely loves me.
Not that I want to be part of their world—it’s just, I felt a sudden, deep loneliness.
Why did I have to end up as the Consort?
If I’d been born into an ordinary family and married a regular husband, life wouldn’t be like this.
I’m not exactly sure why the Empress Dowager called me here, but maybe it was to remind me—loud and clear—that I’d never belong.
That I should just stay quiet and invisible.
Even if I do stay low, my family is still seen as a threat, so they have no choice but to keep me in check.
‘Ugh. I hate all of this. I wish Yeonghwa Palace would appear soon, so the Emperor can finally let me go.’
The plot here has already veered far from what I remember anyway.
It wouldn’t be strange if that development came a little early.
With enemies on all sides, this place felt overwhelmingly lonely and terrifying.
Even in this dining hall, I couldn’t relax.
I sat silently, watching their warm little world, until I locked eyes with Joo Minhyuk—who was watching me with a neutral expression.
Hah.
How awkward.
Just then, the main course—steak—was served, and I decided to just focus on eating.
“Consort, do you have a favorite travel destination?”
Just as I was cutting into my steak, a sudden question made me turn my head.
It came from a young Alpha sitting next to me.
A cousin of Joo Minhyuk, maybe?
He looked like a high schooler, his eyes sparkling as he tried to make light conversation.
“A travel destination?”
“Yes. I was curious. Where have you traveled that left the strongest impression?”
There was no trace of suspicion in the polite question, asked with cheeks flushed red.
He must’ve really been curious, just innocently so.
But it wasn’t a matter of whether a place was memorable or not—I really hadn’t gone anywhere.
I gave an awkward smile, a little embarrassed.
“I’ve never been on a trip before, so there’s nowhere that stands out.”
“You’ve never traveled? What about when you went abroad for official duties?”
“I just stayed at the hotel and attended the events. I couldn’t go out alone, and there wasn’t anyone to go with either.”
Whenever I went abroad, they wouldn’t let me go out, saying it was too dangerous.
And it’s not like I had anyone to accompany me.
If something happened to a royal consort in another country, it would cause a diplomatic mess.
Plus, everyone was too busy to look after me.
“What about His Majesty? I mean, didn’t you go around with him?”
“No, His Majesty is always busy.”
We’d just appear together at official events.
Once they were over, Joo Minhyuk would go off to his own engagements or return to the residence.
I simply smiled faintly in response, and the young alpha looking at me gave me a pitying gaze.
Did I really look that pathetic?
I mean, I did order lots of good food and got plenty of rest.
“Then, have you at least traveled around domestically? Like Busan or Jeju? They’re supposed to be really nice.”
“…No.”
“No way! You mean you haven’t even been to places like that? What have you been doing all this time?”
“…Just stayed in my palace.”
“Wha—why?! If His Majesty didn’t take you, you could’ve gone with friends.”
“I don’t have any. I never leave the palace.”
“Oh my god… Consort…”
The young alpha raised his voice, clearly unable to bear how pitiful I sounded, and his questions were as pure and earnest as his age.
But an emperor’s consort can’t just go anywhere.
Even if I wanted to travel, I’d need to go through an arduous process—get permission not just from the Emperor and Empress Dowager but my grandfather too.
So I just never bothered.
I thought, ‘if it’s that much hassle, I’d rather not go at all.’
And that’s how it’s always been.
It was then I realized the room had fallen completely silent.
At some point, everyone had stopped their conversations and was listening to the exchange between the young alpha and me.
Even the Empress Dowager. How embarrassing.
If only I’d just said, “I’m not interested in traveling. I hate crowded places and don’t want to mingle with commoners,” then I’d at least have sounded cold instead of pitiful.
Like the original reputation of the Grand Consort’s palace.
“Then is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
Was it because he was still young?
He didn’t seem to notice the shift in mood, continuing to ask questions.
Still, thanks to him, the tension eased a little, and I was even grateful he kept talking to me.
“Hmm… I want to go to Disneyland. Or just a theme park in general.”
“Really? I love theme parks too! Let’s go together, Consort. I’ll show you around. Disney World, Universal Studios—whatever you want!”
Wow.
He’s… kind.
No judgment.
While the rest of his family looks at me with sharp eyes like I’m something to be wary of, this is the first time in a long while someone’s treated me with such warmth.
I couldn’t help but smile brightly.
“Thank you.”
Of course, there’s no way we could actually go together.
But even just the offer was touching.
That was the first real smile I’d shown since arriving here.
Maybe that’s why, or maybe because I’d said thank you, the young alpha blushed and scratched his head, dazed.
“Ahem, to think the Royal Consort’s never even taken a proper trip… That’s really unfortunate. We were talking about all our travel stories without knowing… Sorry.”
The middle-aged alpha woman sitting next to the boy awkwardly cleared her throat.
I hadn’t said any of this to make people feel guilty.
“It’s fine. I can always go later.”
“Exactly! Come with me, Consort!”
The young alpha’s voice rose, genuinely excited.
Sorry, but that’s not possible.
Royal protocol forbids it.
An omega—especially one who is the emperor’s consort—can’t do things with other alphas, period.
“Why would the Consort go with you when I’m right here?”
A cold voice came from across the room.
Joo Minhyuk, face stiff with displeasure, snapped at the boy.
Why take it out on him?
I was grateful he even talked to me.
“Even if we can’t actually go together… wasn’t he just being considerate? He’s so sweet, isn’t he?”
I gently spoke up for the kid, who must have felt awkward.
At that, his sulking face brightened again.
“I’ve been too neglectful. I didn’t even notice something this simple. Before it gets colder, let’s plan something. Going out isn’t that hard.”
Joo Minhyuk didn’t seem to care about the boy’s reaction, speaking directly to me with a sincere look of regret.
His apology quieted the whole room.
“Consort.”
Cutting through the tense silence, a deep voice reached my ears.
The Empress Dowager put down her glass and called me.
Why… Why does she sound so scary?
“As your elder, I apologize for not being more attentive.”
“Pardon? Oh, no, Your Majesty, please don’t say that…”
I frantically waved my hands, startled by her sudden apology.
“But do you not realize that speaking like this, in front of everyone, tarnishes His Majesty’s image?”
“…Mother?”
There it is.
So much for the apology.
And it’s not like I lied. What’s the big deal?
“The emperor’s position doesn’t allow for such trivial matters to be managed. Especially not for a concubine, and not even the primary one. A grown adult should be able to plan a trip if they wanted to. Blaming the emperor just feels unfair.”
‘Just a concubine.’
That word alone told me everything about how the Empress Dowager really saw me.
“Your Majesty, the Consort was only answering my question. I don’t believe he meant to cause any discomfort.”
“That’s exactly the issue. An adult should have the sense to respond appropriately to a child’s question. Look how it changed the whole mood of the gathering. Someone in your position should be more aware.”
Wow. She really twisted it that far?
I stayed silent.
Anything I said would just be picked apart.
“You’re too blunt, Consort. You have no charm. You’re like a bear—what alpha would be drawn to that?”
“…Mother, please. There are many eyes watching. What of the Consort’s dignity?”
Seriously?
A fox or a bear?
I’m not some kind of animal.
Joo Minhyuk’s voice had grown lower, more somber than usual.
One of the Empress Dowager’s sisters gently tried to stop her.
“Your Majesty, the Consort looks quite distressed. It’s hard for us to watch. Please let it go, even if you’re displeased.”
“Distressed? I’m just speaking facts. No wonder His Majesty still hasn’t chosen him officially. Talks of appointing a formal consort have already started.”
“Mother!”
Joo Minhyuk slammed the table, raising his voice.
The Empress Dowager looked at him, startled.
With that, the gathering spiraled into chaos.
Everyone went silent, eyes bouncing between the three of us.
Damn. No way to fix this mess now.
In that case… I can’t just sit here.
You wanted to see my fox-like side? I’ll show you.
I lowered my head for a moment, drawing every ounce of emotion I had into one performance.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to upset everyone…”
Then, I looked up with tearful eyes and a trembling expression.
The trick is not to let the tears fall right away—just fill the eyes, biting my lip to hold them back.
That’s how you maximize tragic beauty.
Joo Minhyuk’s brow furrowed as he saw my expression, and I knew the timing was right.
I let the tears fall, then quickly raised my hand to wipe them away as if surprised.
As I did, the wide silk sleeve of my blouse slipped down, fully revealing the bruises on my wrist—left by my grandfather’s grip.
So? What do you think, Empress Dowager?
Is this the fox-like side you so desperately wanted to see?
* * *
