* * *
It seemed Han Heeseong had been controlled and suppressed in an environment different from that of the Great Consort.
Even if it was high-quality education meant for a noble dominant Omega, it must have been exhausting and suffocating.
If parents do not treat their son as a child but instead force upon him only the virtues and conduct of a future Emperor’s spouse, that is not love.
“Great Consort, what you said to me back then… was it sincere? Until now, I had never heard a story filled with someone’s true heart. I was surprised and fascinated that I could have such a conversation with someone. Actually, I’d never really had a proper talk before, so I didn’t even know if speaking like that was the right way to do it.”
“I was sincere. There was no lie in what I told you then, Heeseong. It had been a very long time since I opened up my inner thoughts to someone else, too. It felt strangely comfortable and good.”
“Really?”
Whenever he feels a positive emotion directed toward him, he lights up like that.
Han Heeseong was much more innocent in expressing his emotions than I expected.
I could roughly guess what kind of life he had lived.
Going to academies on a strict schedule, taking lessons, and being forbidden from making friends so that no “bad habits” would form.
He probably had acquaintances—other “excellent genes” from similar backgrounds and positions.
It would have been nice if they had become good friends, but it seemed Han Heeseong didn’t fit in.
Seeing how he couldn’t hide his emotions and reacted instantly, he likely hated pretension and couldn’t understand people who spoke in circles.
I don’t know how Han Heeseong defined someone in the position of “Great Consort,” but since I was different from the standards he had built up and lacked anything particularly “special,” he must have felt a human connection.
That turned into a crush, he became curious, and our conversation at the convenience store became the deciding factor in him seeking affection from me.
“If you already knew who I was, what I said back then must have sounded absurd, right? Since I don’t have a younger brother.”
“W-well, that’s true, but I thought there must be a reason. It didn’t feel like a lie.”
“You’re right. There is a reason. Unexpectedly, I ended up pouring my heart out to someone. But even His Majesty doesn’t know that secret.”
“Gasp!”
Hearing my words, Han Heeseong covered his mouth and looked around.
He seemed worried that someone might have heard.
We were speaking quietly so there was no way anyone heard, but Han Heeseong lowered his voice even further.
“Really? I won’t tell anyone. I promise. If you were worried, please rest easy.”
“You are very considerate, Heeseong. Thank you. I had a feeling you would be.”
“Great Consort, then… did you find your brother? You haven’t met him yet, have you?”
Han Heeseong’s eyes were full of concern. How should I explain this?
Should I say I found him, but he doesn’t remember me?
It’s a very difficult thing to answer.
Since Seojoo doesn’t remember me, I am not his “older brother” right now.
In fact, since Seojoo is currently a year older than me, it’s even more awkward to explain.
And as of now, even if Seojoo’s memory returned like a miracle, I don’t know if that would be good for him.
It might be a better choice to leave Seojoo alone so he can be faithful to his current life while remembering nothing.
I gave Heeseong a lonely smile and shook my head.
“It’s a matter that takes time, so I’m trying not to be impatient. Like I said then, waiting every day isn’t so bad. Because there is a sense of anticipation.”
I decided it was time to let Han Heeseong, who was nodding along, know the reality.
I had to tell him that his current behavior was too dangerous.
He needs to learn to judge a situation before acting.
This innocent emotion of his could be felt as an attack by someone else, potentially putting both of us in danger.
“I don’t know in what form your heart is directed toward me, but I know your affection is sincere. However, the way you express that affection is very dangerous.”
“…Yes.”
Oh? He understands immediately?
It seems he had also felt that his actions lately were reckless.
“I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I thought that, anyway, His Majesty would eventually… the Great Consort…”
Han Heeseong hurriedly trailed off, but I could guess the rest.
He probably thought Joo Minhyuk didn’t need me.
Having been raised with the promise of becoming the official spouse, he grew up learning that the “Great Consort” was someone who would eventually be brushed aside.
But after seeing the Emperor’s reaction, Han Heeseong realized that wasn’t the case.
“His Majesty and I are a married couple. I am a person who must not be touched carelessly. Originally, no one is even supposed to look at the Emperor’s concubine’s face. Touching is, of course, forbidden. It is a crime for which His Majesty could send you to prison immediately, and you would have no excuse.”
“…Yes.”
“Your family could be put at risk because of your actions. You shouldn’t make things difficult for your father. He is someone very necessary to His Majesty and the country. Don’t make the relationship between those two awkward. You might end up being pushed away. His Majesty is much more obsessed with me than you think.”
I glanced at Joo Minhyuk, who was unable to focus on the conversation inside and was staring this way, as I informed Heeseong of the severity of the situation.
Han Heeseong flinched at the mention that the relationship between his father and the Emperor could be damaged.
When we talk one-on-one like this, he’s a perfectly sane kid.
I had worried he might be a stubborn person who wouldn’t listen to reason.
It seems he just didn’t know how to approach me and acted blindly, but Joo Minhyuk won’t let it slide anymore.
This truly is the last time it can be brushed off as a joke.
“The first time, he was flustered so he let it go; the second time, he was overseas so he let it go; and this time, he’s letting it go because he has guests and business. Don’t push your father to the edge. I’m telling you this for your sake.”
“Yes… Your Highness, thank you for the advice.”
Heeseong answered sheepishly, looking dejected.
Feeling pity for him, I gave him a more realistic warning about Joo Minhyuk’s temper.
“Have you heard the rumor that His Majesty destroyed all the rooms in my pavilion?”
“What? Yes. I thought it was just a rumor.”
“It’s not a rumor; it’s the truth. I slept in a different room without telling His Majesty. Because I wasn’t in the bedroom, he went around smashing everything to find me. He made the servants stand outside and watch. Your behavior toward me is not something that will end simply.”
Hearing my words, Heeseong’s face turned pale.
He shook his head and glanced briefly toward Joo Minhyuk.
“T-then, what if His Majesty does something to you? No matter how I think about it, His Majesty’s heart is too small to hold someone like you.”
“Heeseong. You must never say things like that anywhere else. Do you understand? Don’t do anything that could cause a misunderstanding. It makes things difficult not only for your family but for me as well.”
I don’t want to see Heeseong die at the hands of Minhyuk.
After all, Heeseong is the only person here who has expressed good feelings toward me and told me he likes me with such affection.
Even Joo Minhyuk hasn’t said he likes me once yet.
Heeseong just made a mistake because he’s clumsy at expressing affection.
“…I can’t tell you the details, but I know. His Majesty is the type of person who can discard someone whenever something better appears.”
I know what he means even without the details.
Joo Minhyuk must have been prepared to discard me at any time.
In the novel, he actually did.
He killed the Great Consort and Hanbin and drove out their family.
Since the Prime Minister had lived a far-from-upright life, listing his crimes alone was enough for a death sentence.
In the novel, the family collapsed like that.
Now, my grandfather is so quiet that I can’t even get a sense of what will happen.
I think I need to look into this. It’s strangely calm, which makes me incredibly anxious.
Anyway, what Heeseong is saying likely refers to my deposition and the preparation of a new master for the palace.
If it were the Joo Minhyuk until now, he was a man more than capable of throwing me away for gain and obtaining a new concubine or spouse.
I can’t say for certain that isn’t the case now, either.
He is an unreadable person.
Even if he is obsessed with me like this now, he hasn’t said it’s love.
Even when we had that argument before, there wasn’t a single mention of it.
That’s why I must always be prepared in my heart to survive.
Still, I want to trust the current Joo Minhyuk.
The words he says to me, the way he looks at me, and his actions.
I want to believe that his obsession with me won’t change.
If a situation like the novel occurs, I don’t know if I can handle it.
I was so, so careful not to let these feelings grow, but in the end, it happened.
“Don’t make such a gloomy face, Your Highness. I was wrong. I won’t make things difficult for you again. I’ll be careful. So…”
“I will be your friend. How about that?”
“What? A friend?”
At my suggestion to be friends, Heeseong’s eyes went wide. He clearly hadn’t expected it.
“I think I understand the nature of the affection you have for me. Shall we be friends?”
Heeseong wants me.
He likes me and wants to be with me.
But I don’t think it’s a sexual feeling.
If so, it wouldn’t be bad to teach him what friendship is.
Even though his family background is a concern, Heeseong came straight to me knowing all that.
So, I couldn’t reject Heeseong, who approached me with such courage.
* * *
NAWW THIS IS SO SWEET