Chapter Three: The Dragon Seal (2)
In her past life, Haneul was a straight-A student who always gets on top even without doing so much effort. She was gifted with a talent of remembering everything or we can say, a photographic memory. Even though she was being bullied and taken advantage of, she was still proud of her skills because she can adapt to new things so easily.
It is the first time that Haneul curses at herself for not remembering that the Emperor would pay his last visit today. She was about to announce Governor Mo's wrongdoings but was instead cut off by this big fellow.
'What's the point of practicing his line when the heavens won't even let me deliver it?'
Haneul remembered Wangchul confronting Jieun but just brushed off an important detail which is the 'When?'
Jieun probably didn't hear Wangchul because of the impact Haneul left her and she flirty cried and wraps herself around him, "Your majesty! Look at what that wench did to my delicate cheeks!"
Haneul mentally rolled her eyes and tried her best not to laugh and maintain a blank expression.
'Young lady, if I were you I won't do that sort of thing. Didn't you hear what the emperor just said? Why are you digging your own grave?''
Standing firmly, Wangchul looked at Jieun's swollen cheeks and asked, "My Empress did that?"
Jieun nodded, still hugging him tightly. Wangchul did not even budge while shifting his gaze to Haneul, "Empress Haneul, as to which account?"
Everyone can feel the Emperor's heavy pressure, it's just that they are coping with it in their way. Like the attendants to bow their heads, Jieun clinging to the Emperor and Haneul doing her very best to be calm and composed when she is screaming for help deep inside.
She pressed her lips before talking, "Your Majesty, I was just trying to get back the Dragon Seal which is now in the possession of Concubine Jieun."
She wants to kiss herself for not trembling and voicing out as calmly as possible. Acting Empress in front of other people but the Emperor is an easy task. As much as possible, she was determined to have small encounters with him and the other love interests.
Wangchul, "Why would an important tool such as the Dragon Seal be on her possession?"
Haneul, "She stole it."
Jieun immediately protested, "I did not!"
Haneul's lips slightly twitched, she was holding herself not to choke the snake of a Concubine Jieun if not for Wangchul's presence. But she needs to be cold and expressionless for everyone to see that she is not an easy opponent.
Coldly, she replied, "In the middle of the night you dare enter my room together with your servants. Crushing everything as if looking for something not even bothered that the person you just disturbed in her deep slumber was the Empress. Even laughing hysterically when stealing the Dragon Seal."
Jieun laughed and replied sarcastically, "Why could this lowly concubine be able to accomplish such things when her Majesty's security is the most tightened?"
Haneul tsked, "I was generous enough not to tell everyone about what happened but you just won't save your breath. Do you think I would not know how you bribed the Imperial Guards to make your way in my palace? Of course, they would dare betray their owner for they are brainwashed by the likes of you."
'Can you just please stop talking? Such low IQ, letting me reveal every malicious scheme you did is equivalent to an early execution! If you are badly digging your own grave then there! I'm helping you, you're welcome.'
Jieun was left speechless. Has the Empress been secretly looking out for her and counterattack at the right time like... now? How could she fell for that innocent face?
When Wangchul raised his hands, two guards dragged Jieun to kneel, "Truly like father, like daughter. Search for the Dragon Seal and bring that criminal along."
All Jieun can do was to cry. At this point, she can't do anything. Her wrongdoings are worth execution but she just rashly did it because everyone in the harem told her that the Empress is too kind-hearted to report them to the Emperor. She saw and done it herself and thought that the title could also be snatched that easily. If she knew that the Empress was two-faced, she wouldn't dare.
Wangchul took a glance at Haneul before he made his way out. On the other hand, Haneul bowed while holding her breath.
"Your majesty, pray pardon me but the Dragon Seal is not in her room. We will interrogate Concubine Jieun and we will bring the Dragon Seal to you as soon as possible." A guy with a warm face approached her with the utmost respect.
It was the advisor of the Emperor and one of her love interest, An Jiho.
'Ah, such a beauty. Jiho looks like one of those ukes in Yaoi Manhwas.'
She cleared her throat and smiled, "I apologize for bothering you then, Advisor Jiho."
Jiho's face turned red and said sincerely, "It is no bother at all, your majesty. This advisor is happy to be at service."
Haneul was about to tease Jiho more when she remembered that she doesn't want to associate with every male lead in this novel. She mentally sighed and calculated what would happen if she were to give Jiho an exemption.
Of course, she would lead Jiho and that would only hurt the Advisor for giving him false hopes. She honestly wants to have a brother like Jiho though.
When a light bulb appeared on top of her head she took the risk and confidently replied, "I'll be in your care then, how I wish to have a brother like you."
'That should be fine right? Let's have a brother-sister relationship! Just looking at those uke features of yours is enough for a fujoshi like me!'
Jiho flinched when Haneul made the line clear for them. 'Was I being too obvious?'
His heart throbbed and his throat was dry. Jiho knew the first time that he can't own the Empress because the Emperor already own her, but deep down he was expecting for their relationship to grow deeper.
'Well, brother it is. I won't ask for more.'
He smiled and bowed, "I can be her Majesty's brother if she wishes to."
***
"Your majesty, have you been this cool? I was astonished by how you acted today!" While brushing Haneul's long and black hair, Kyung Mi started with praise.
Haneul did not reply but instead slyly smiled in front of the mirror while removing her necklace.
She was still amazed by her new body's face. Her long lashes hiding half of her emerald eyes that would shine under the bright moonlight. Her close to perfect sharp nose and thin lips that would attract a person and even animals when it is curved into an innocent smile and her skin white as porcelain that would blush under the scorching sun.
If this kind of face is present in the future, Haneul would be a famous ulzzang.
"In any way, your majesty..." Kyung Mi paused for a bit and then continued to brush her hair.
Like a mother who is disappointed with her daughter, Kyung Mi gloomily asked, "Your majesty, why did you not mention what happened yesterday with Concubine Jieun?"
Haneul removed the last jewelry on her body and sighed, "Did you think that His Majesty would make a fuss about such trifling matter? It was best not to mention it. Besides, it was the Dragon Seal that I am after, it would be back in no time."
Kyung Mi didn't argue further and helped Haneul with her light clothes instead. After the small commotion, Haneul announced that she would be locking herself up in her bedchamber for a day. Everyone thought that she is still ill by what happened yesterday so they just silently obeyed. But deep inside, Haneul was just tired of dressing up every time she goes outside. Her hanbok is just way too heavy and uncomfortable and it also took forever to fix her hair up. She can only come up with a solution to simply wear a nightgown; to lock herself up.
Sitting comfortably on her bed, Haneul reached out a book and sent out Kyung Mi to get some refreshments.
She flinched when an unfamiliar voice spoke outside, "His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has arrived!"
And with that, the door creaked and presented Han Wangchul.