Chapter 32: The Royal Family’s Greetings

When Wonbeom decides something he becomes unstoppable…and maybe a bit too diligent. At least this is what his wife told him at one point in her second pregnancy. She had asked him to go all in and not skip anything related to the prenatal activities, but she still ended up complaining he had overdone it. His never-consistent wife sometimes reminds him of a cat, one that asks for a pat and then bites the hand.

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Chapter 30: A Man and a Woman on a Mission

The scarlet Gonryongpo1Gonryongpo – Scarlett dragon robe. slips off Wonbeom’s shoulders…

The crown is placed on the table.

The white, almost see-through hanbok2Hanbok – a general word for clothes. covers Wonbeom’s bare chest.

The knot ties his clothes together.

Wonbeom’s steps are slow.

He feels the refreshing cold of the wooden floors as he steps barefoot down the hallway to the bath chambers. He whistles some silly song, locking his hands behind his back.

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  • 1
    Gonryongpo – Scarlett dragon robe.
  • 2
    Hanbok – a general word for clothes.

Chapter 29: My gift for you

The rays of the morning sun light up the room where Wonbeom and Soyong are getting ready for their day. They are separated by the screen and on either side servants help both of them to dress. On one side the King stands, his arms parted sideways as the eunuchs place the gonryongpo1Gonryongpo – Scarlett dragon robe. on his shoulders. On Soyong’s side, her maids help her with a complex hairstyle and Hong Yeon ties the knot on her dangui2Dangui is an upper garment with a white collar tied together by ribbons. The other name for this garment is jeogori., completing her attire.

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  • 1
    Gonryongpo – Scarlett dragon robe.
  • 2
    Dangui is an upper garment with a white collar tied together by ribbons. The other name for this garment is jeogori.

Chapter 28: This is our first day (again)

The nights in Wonbeom’s life had been painted in horrors of his countless nightmares and fears which only grew worse when he stepped foot on the inner palace grounds for the first time.

The following mornings started with headaches Wonbeom had to soothe with calming jasmine tea.

His days were full of humiliation from the people who executed his whole family under false accusations of treason. Those horrible people sincerely thought he must be grateful to them for becoming their puppet King.

Plotting against the people in power who led Joseon to poverty and destruction was a challenging task, but Wonbeom did not give up. From a boy who had to run away, he grew into a man who stayed and fought.

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Chapter 27: Misbehaved royals

When Soyong hears “His Majesty” and “training field” in one sentence, a mix of worry and anger rises in her.

It is too soon for any training activities… What is Wonbeom thinking?

Considering how her friend is concerned too, it must be very serious, but Soyong doesn’t bother to hear the end of the sentence. She runs across the palace yard, between various hanoks1Hanok – a house., taking the shortcut to the training field. She used to spy on Wonbeom’s training all the time, and she knows the shortest path there by heart.

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    Hanok – a house.

Chapter 26: Thorns on the delicate flower

Inner court business keeps Soyong busy the whole morning and by noon she already feels completely exhausted.

Her day started with waking up next to Wonbeom, and as a worried wife, the first thing she did was carefully check his heartbeat and whether he had a fever or not. Only after making sure he was alright could she peacefully observe his sleeping features, which she could not resist as a woman in love. Time passed slowly and Soyong wished to wait until he woke up; however, she had too many plans and she reasoned that the sooner she started, the sooner she would be finished and able to meet her husband again. Giving him the sleep he needed, Soyong briefly kissed his cheek before she quietly left his chambers to attend to her plans for the day.

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Chapter 25: My strange wife

Wonbeom’s dream is a mix of pain and confusion. His heavy chest suddenly struggles to breathe, and every movement echoes painfully through his whole body. As time passes, even more dizziness comes, but the pain mercifully slowly dulls down.

In his dream, Wonbeom sees his future wife, the Destined Highness, tenderly taking care of his wounds. Her kind voice softly assures him everything will be alright soon.

She is plotting something, he initially thinks. Probably trying to win his affection to help her clan claim complete control over him.

Wonbeom wonders if he has gone mad for wanting her constant presence beside him even if it is a part of her cunning scheme.

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