* * *
Today’s gathering was a meeting to discuss future operations.
To an outside observer, the group was composed of members that might make it look like a casual social gathering.
However, Minhyuk wondered why the Queen Mother had invited Haejoo and Han Heeseong to such a place, creating this kind of atmosphere.
He understood her desire for an apology, but the result was entirely displeasing.
The sight of Han Heeseong fearlessly clinging to Haejoo’s arm and asking to be fed was… well, it made him want to rip the boy’s mouth apart.
How dare he touch the body of the Emperor’s concubine?
Minhyuk felt as though he had been struck by an attack of unimaginable impact.
What felt even worse was that Haejoo, fearing Heeseong might get hurt, took him outside to have a private conversation.
“Chief Prosecutor. How does it feel to witness your son’s attempted infidelity right before your eyes?”
“Yo—Your Majesty, I am so embarrassed I don’t know what to do with myself. How could such a disgraceful thing happen…”
“I clearly told you to manage your son well. To perform such antics right in front of me, his husband? How many times has this been?”
A gloomy voice leaked from Minhyuk’s lips, his eyes never leaving Haejoo.
Then, his gaze shifted toward the Queen Mother.
“Why did you invite that and turn my stomach like this?”
“…Do you think my stomach isn’t turning as well? The position of Empress would have rolled right into his lap if he had just stayed still, yet he made things turn out like this. This situation is a first for me too, so I am quite flustered.”
Minhyuk was frustrated.
His mother’s attitude was always like this—starting something and then acting as if she had nothing to do with it.
If she wanted to apologize to Haejoo, the Chief Prosecutor could have come alone; inviting that madman was clearly intentional.
The Queen Mother’s plan was likely this: use the apology as an excuse to arrange even one more meeting between Minhyuk and Heeseong.
Knowing the full context of the situation, she still refused to give up.
In the end, it was Haejoo and Heeseong who were stuck together, and Minhyuk was forced to witness it.
“I never imagined a situation like this either. I am truly ashamed on many levels. I will ensure Heeseong never appears before the Palace Master again.”
“…I am letting this go today only for the sake of the Great Consort. If this happens again, Chief Prosecutor, you should consider your son lost to you.”
Minhyuk’s chilling, sincere voice echoed quietly in the room.
As the atmosphere grew cold again due to the couple’s issues, Minhyuk expressed his apologies to the friends he had invited.
He watched Haejoo talking with Han Heeseong with a serious face, then unbuttoned his shirt to calm his heart.
Those invited by Minhyuk waited for him to speak, carefully gauging his mood.
Having settled the atmosphere, Minhyuk revealed the purpose of today’s meeting.
“As you all know, I will be leaving for the United States with the Queen Mother next week. On paper, of course. I will not actually leave the country; I will stay and monitor the situation. Everyone, stay sharp. Once they realize the palace is empty, those people will certainly not miss the chance to push their way in.”
“They will surely test the waters, observe the situation, and then seize control of the palace. This is a usurpation of the throne that has been prepared longer than one might think. The Prime Minister probably firmly believes that the person he prepared will become the new Emperor.”
“Right. He has no idea that everything is already in my hands. How happy he must be, thinking his plan has succeeded. He’ll even send assassins to the place where I said I’d be going. Not knowing that agents are there instead of me.”
The Prime Minister and his followers are currently surrounding Minhyuk, looking for a crack to break him down.
They are unaware that Minhyuk’s army is watching them, ready to exert pressure.
He knew the Prime Minister had been preparing this treason for about two years now.
It was quite meticulous and surprisingly solid.
If he hadn’t noticed it, even Minhyuk would have been defenseless.
He truly thanked the heavens for finding out in advance.
This was also the perfect opportunity to clean up the Prime Minister, who was like a thorn in his side.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, so they will definitely push in. However, to prepare for any contingency, Sungyoon, you stir the pot well.”
The person Minhyuk directed to “stir the pot” was the one Heeseong had earlier called a recessive Omega.
He nodded with a smile at Minhyuk’s words.
“Don’t worry. I’m good at that. But is it really a good idea for the Great Consort to be alone in an empty palace while Your Majesty is away? Even with preparations, it seems dangerous.”
Sungyoon watched Minhyuk with a slightly worried look.
During an internal rebellion, for an Emperor’s person to be caught alone meant certain death.
Even if it was his own blood, the Prime Minister would not forgive the Great Consort for turning toward the Emperor.
“…I have no choice. To strike at the moment of treason so they cannot deny it, I must use the Great Consort to distract them and make them let their guard down. I can only hope the work proceeds as quickly and safely as possible.”
“But if they capture the Emperor’s Omega, they won’t just leave her be—”
“That’s enough, Lee Sungyoon. Why are you creating anxiety over things that haven’t even happened yet?”
“I’m just speaking the reality. Because I’m worried.”
As Sungyoon repeated his anxious thoughts while worrying about the Great Consort, another voice scolded him.
“If you’re worried, spend your time thinking of ways to succeed without error instead of saying such useless things. Don’t worry too much, Your Majesty. We have calculated all of that into the plan, so the Great Consort will not be hurt.”
Minhyuk could not react. In truth, he was most worried about Haejoo’s safety.
He thought about taking her with him, but that would be too unnatural.
The two of them had never moved together for unofficial domestic or international schedules.
They weren’t fools; they would think something was wrong.
He mustn’t create such a situation. He had to move as naturally as possible, just as he always had.
If Minhyuk was gone, they wouldn’t treat Haejoo kindly.
That was his greatest concern. However, just as this was an opportunity for Minhyuk, it would be an opportunity for them as well.
Minhyuk intended to leave the palace intentionally, and once the coup forces entered, he would use the chaos to suppress them.
He would strike the Prime Minister’s people waiting outside and tighten the net from the inside.
Since he was setting a trap and waiting for them to bite, anything natural was best.
He cherished the Great Consort, but he had to project a nuance of keeping her at arm’s length.
Haejoo would understand.
Minhyuk’s clasped hands tightened and grew damp.
Recalling the reality made him feel nervous for no reason.
A tension so thick it felt suffocating swept over him.
For the sake of Haejoo and his own future, he had to make this succeed.
“Shall we go somewhere nearby to play tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?”
I sat up in bed at Joo Minhyuk’s sudden suggestion to go out.
Lately, he had been occupied with meetings and work every spare moment he had.
He seemed very busy; was this okay?
“Work ends at 4:00 PM tomorrow, and I thought we could go out and have some fun.”
“Is that allowed?”
If work ends early, it would be better to rest quietly.
I’m a bit worried because he seems to be overdoing it lately.
Even if he is a dominant Alpha in his twenties with good stamina, I was concerned he might get sick if he continued to push himself like that.
“Why wouldn’t it be allowed? It’s been a long time since you’ve been out.”
“But Your Majesty, you haven’t been able to rest at all lately. Why don’t you rest early?”
“Resting isn’t a big deal for me. Smelling your pheromones and lying next to you is my rest. I’ll send Kang Hyunwook back starting tomorrow, so why don’t you go to a convenience store or something until I’m finished with work?”
‘Eh?’
Why is this man being so generous?
If I so much as sent one text to Han Heeseong, he would inspect it and check the reply with such a fuss, but today he is strangely lenient.
Still, I can’t just pass up the offer to go out.
“Really? Is it really okay to go out with Bodyguard Kang Hyunwook?”
At my question for confirmation, he propped his head up with his hand and turned on his side.
With Joo Minhyuk, it’s best for everything to be clear.
If not, my quarters might get destroyed again, and if everything gets smashed a second time, then truly…
“Yes. Just don’t meet Han Heeseong. End it with just texting him. I’m already being very patient with that. I wish you’d give up on being friends or whatever even now, but…”
“He promised me he wouldn’t act like that anymore. Trust him. More importantly, how long can Your Majesty play with me?”
My eyes sparkled as I lay down next to Joo Minhyuk, resting my chin on my hand.
Joo Minhyuk readily pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair.
“Tomorrow is Friday, so we can be together through the weekend. I won’t be able to see you for a few days once I go to America. If there’s somewhere you want to go, tell me.”
Ah, that’s right. Joo Minhyuk is going to America, isn’t he?
No wonder he’s being so lenient today.
Is it because he’s anxious about leaving his post?
Since the Queen Mother is in poor health, it’s an unavoidable situation.
He mentioned yesterday that she’s still staying in bed.
“What if I ask to go overseas then?”
“Overseas? We can just go. Japan or Hong Kong are quick to get to. What’s the problem with that?”
I was joking, but he’s being serious again.
It’s so boring when nothing in the world is impossible.
As if I would actually demand such a thing.
I said, “Hmm,” there is something I want to do.
I’m not sure if it’s possible, so I’ll think about it more until tomorrow, and if nothing else comes up, I’ll say it. Still, this sudden change wasn’t bad.
I’ll get to see Hyunwook after a long time.
Then, since I’m going out tomorrow, should I go see Seojoo for a bit?
I heard he goes to exercise during the day lately.
Thinking of seeing Seojoo and doing something with Joo Minhyuk, I suddenly felt very good.
* * *
