* * *
Just as I expected, once the waterworks started, everyone’s eyes instinctively shifted to my wrist.
The Empress Dowager saw the bruise and fell silent, her eyes narrowing.
The bruise was too dark to miss, and I could instantly feel the change in the room as people noticed it.
Murmurs broke out among the crowd.
“Wait, what’s with the bruise on the Grand Concubine’s arm? That looks serious.”
“Looks like someone grabbed him real hard—who dared lay hands on the palace lord?”
“Good heavens, was he hit or something?”
Feigning confusion, I glanced around and looked at my wrist, pretending to be shocked.
Then I hurriedly pulled down my sleeve, like I was trying to hide it.
It was an Oscar-worthy performance—as if I were possessed by a fox spirit.
I was even impressed by myself.
To finish the act, I subtly looked at Joo Minhyuk, as if I were trying to gauge his reaction.
When our eyes met, I quickly looked away, acting like I was utterly cowed. Perfect.
Just then, an Alpha—whom I knew to be the Empress Dowager’s older brother—and his mate, clicked their tongues in disapproval.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, that was far too harsh today. We’ve been dropping hints this whole time, but if you won’t take the cue, what are we supposed to do?”
“His Majesty is here, yet the palace lord was brought to tears? What does that make the rest of us? Tsk.”
I trembled like a leaf, feigning anxiety as I tried to quiet those taking my side, all while casting nervous glances at the Empress Dowager.
Then, visibly displeased, Joo Minhyuk suddenly stood up and strode over to me.
His face was hard as stone, and he didn’t take his eyes off me as he walked.
Did he figure out I was faking it?
But luckily, that didn’t seem to be the case—he simply draped his jacket over my shoulders and gently helped me to my feet.
“Let’s go. Mother, I’ll be leaving with the palace lord. Please enjoy the rest of your meal.”
Though he was smiling, his voice was dry as sandpaper.
After a cold glance at the Empress Dowager, he barely offered a farewell before leading me out.
Wait—this escalated more than I expected.
Did I just cause some serious tension between mother and son?
Hyunwook, who had been waiting in the drawing room, was surprised to see us come out together—me, in a strange atmosphere, and the Emperor himself, earlier than expected.
But Joo Minhyuk waved even him off and kept walking.
Despite the sounds of the palace maids and attendants scrambling to follow, he ignored them completely.
Wait, Hyunwook’s going to be left behind at this rate!
To be honest, I hadn’t expected Joo Minhyuk to react this way, and I had no idea what exactly had upset him.
Was it, as the Empress Dowager said, that I failed to read the room?
Or was it because I ruined the dinner gathering?
Or maybe… did I embarrass him by crying like a fool?
If he would just say something, I wouldn’t be so terrified.
But the silence as he pulled me along was unnerving.
I turned to check if Hyunwook was still following.
A few steps behind, he was trailing us calmly.
Seeing him helped me calm down a little.
“You met that bodyguard just yesterday. Why are you so worried you had to look back?”
“Huh? Oh, I just…”
Joo Minhyuk’s sharp tone made me realize how careless I’d been.
I needed to be more careful.
No one would believe we were just acquaintances if I kept acting like this.
Better avoid any misunderstandings.
Right—officially, to Joo Minhyuk and everyone else, Hyunwook and I only met yesterday.
But I kept unconsciously acting familiar with him, probably because I’d gotten used to having him around.
Joo Minhyuk led me to a pavilion near the lake.
After sending the attendants far away, he examined my wrist and face, then let out a sigh.
He gently wiped away the tears still lingering on my cheeks.
I flinched at his touch, and he hesitated briefly at my reaction, but continued to wipe my face with care.
Why is he being so… kind?
Is he really letting me off the hook for what happened?
He never used to care when I left the palace, or when I came back.
He wasn’t interested in me at all.
His sudden tenderness threw me off completely, and I couldn’t hide how shaken I was—my eyes darting nervously, practically audibly.
We used to be so indifferent to each other.
Did that incident with my grandfather change things?
Or was it because he caught my pheromones?
Whatever it was, one thing was clear—something in Joo Minhyuk had shifted.
“…I’m sorry about earlier.”
Maybe my fox act had worked.
Joo Minhyuk apologized without hesitation.
I didn’t know exactly what he was apologizing for, so I simply stared at him.
“I should’ve been more attentive. It was my fault you had to hear those things. Please don’t take what Mother said to heart. She talks to me the same way, harshly.”
“…It’s okay.”
“She crossed several lines today—with the talk of first wives and concubines, and everything else.”
“I wasn’t without fault either. I shouldn’t have cried. That was inappropriate for my position. I just didn’t know how to handle a setting like that. It was my first time.”
“I should’ve been more mindful… about your trip too. I’m sorry. When I’m overseas, I usually just hole up in the hotel after work, so I didn’t think of sightseeing. Next time, let’s go explore together.”
Oh—so Joo Minhyuk didn’t go out either.
Well, yeah.
An emperor casually strolling around would be a nightmare.
Even if he tried to be discreet, bodyguards would follow, and the press would sniff it out.
Staying inside was probably the best option.
“Um… but can we go to an amusement park together sometime?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Wait, what the hell did I just say?
Was the fox act too fun earlier or something?
I do want to go, but why did I say that to him?
I wanted to stuff the words right back into my mouth, but it was too late.
This time, it was Joo Minhyuk whose eyes widened.
He stared at me in silence for a beat, then smiled.
And it wasn’t the formal, practiced smile he always showed—it was a warm, genuine one.
It was kind of amazing.
That a single smile could show so much emotion.
“Sure. Let’s go. In fact, a whole theme park tour sounds nice.”
I wasn’t unhappy—but this atmosphere was too fluffy, and I had no idea how to deal with it.
What now?
Just keep smiling at each other forever?
In stories, this is the part where the scene fades out.
But this was real life, and we had to wrap it up ourselves.
Thankfully, Joo Minhyuk broke the awkward silence.
“Did you feel okay when you woke up this morning?”
“Huh? You mean…?”
“It was your first time releasing pheromones yesterday. I heard it can cause fevers or body aches, so I wanted to check.”
“…Ah.”
Oh… so that’s a thing.
But I actually felt great?
Even better than usual.
I told him I was fine, deliberately avoiding mention of last night’s contact.
But now I was remembering his pheromones again.
The scent was… incredible.
So fresh it felt like it cleared my mind.
I wonder if I’ll get to smell it again?
…Did he think my pheromones were unpleasant?
I was starting to wonder what he thought of them.
“The palace physician will teach you how to control your pheromones. And I’ve warned him to keep his mouth shut, so he won’t say a word without my order. For now, it’s best that only we know about this. I didn’t even tell the Empress Dowager on purpose. So you need to act like nothing’s going on.”
“Is it because of my grandfather?”
Even without asking, the reason for secrecy was obvious.
It must be because of his grandfather’s misdeeds.
If he found out, he’d rush here, forbidding access to the Daebin Palace and draining my blood dry.
He’d scream at me to produce an heir immediately.
That way, the world would fall into the Prime Minister’s hands.
But with all the birth control pills I’ve taken, I don’t even know if I can get pregnant anymore.
Not that I’ve ever wanted a child anyway.
Still, it’s clear this would cause all kinds of complications, so from my perspective, it’s actually a relief that he brought it up first.
“Both the Prime Minister and your mother, yes. And until we can safely isolate your brother from the Prime Minister’s influence, I don’t think we should allow the Prime Minister near the Daebin Palace at all.”
It seems Minhyuk was still concerned about his brother.
That was a relief. If our relationship stays this stable, when the time comes, we’ll be able to part with a smile.
I’ll wish Minhyuk and Yeong Hwagung happiness, and he’ll let me go without hatred.
That kind of clean future didn’t seem so far off.
* * *
