Those who cared not for their country or people but lived drunken on power and indulged in their own desires were often called tyrants.
It was said that those born with the disposition of a tyrant showed their true colors from an early age.
The records of various emperors in the Heavenly Dragon Love Story were no exception. Most tyrants who later shook the foundation of the country had, even in their youth, displayed tendencies to manipulate others and focus solely on their desires.
However, there were also individuals who changed as suddenly as if their vision had been flipped overnight.
The reason for such drastic transformations was not always clear. After all, delving into the deepest corners of a person’s heart was no easy task.
“Vermilion Princess, once your morning training is complete, a scholar from the main palace will visit to teach you about the classics.”
“So it’s already time for that. It is only right not to spare any effort in learning the wisdom of the sages.”
Vermilion Princess Seol Ran was, at this point, the most powerful figure reigning over the inner palace.
Despite her meteoric rise, she adapted to her newfound authority with remarkable speed, as if she had always been destined for such a position.
She had been well-known since her days as a court lady for her strong and upright character.
It was thought that if Vermilion Princess Seol Ran could adapt well to her role, a period of peace might come to the inner palace. However, Seol Ran was not the kind of person to live a life of idle luxury.
At the break of dawn, with the chirping of birds, the Vermilion Princess completed her morning preparations and stepped out into the courtyard.
She spoke to her Headmaid Hyeon Dang.
“Today, I’d like to visit the Azure Princess at the Azure Dragon Palace.”
Though doubts about Seol Ran’s ability to manage her position had faded, those who knew her still harbored many worries.
If you want to survive in the harem, you need to have a certain amount of scheming and a sinister nature.
In a place where mere kindness and gentleness were not enough to survive, what did it mean to push aside all other crown princess consorts and become the most authoritative figure?
It meant pulling everyone else down, by any means necessary.
Those who knew Seol Ran claimed she could never possess such a cold-blooded nature. Everyone who spoke of her said the same.
But that was a judgment made by those who didn’t truly understand Seol Ran.
Seol Ran was indeed kind and gentle by nature, but only when she had no need to steel her resolve.
Not just anyone could become the protagonist of a romance fantasy novel.
When the situation demanded it, she had to become ruthless. When required, she had to turn cold. And when faced with adversity, she had to grit her teeth and endure.
It was a position reserved for those who could adapt even when thrown into the heart of the flames. For those who could look upward and strive for greater heights despite the odds.
If you gave someone who could achieve success with nothing but their bare hands a level of power that rivaled the heavens, what would happen?
Seol Ran brushed the lower half of her face with the sleeve of her court robe and smiled.
When necessary, she knew how to be ruthless.
And she had every reason to do so.
The brilliance in her star-like eyes proved it.
Tae Pyeong-ah, this big sister of yours will find you the perfect bride…!!!!! All you need to do is keep your mouth open and wait!
Seol Tae Pyeong needed to realize something.
Each of the mistresses of the Four Great Palaces was an extraordinary individual who could not be underestimated, but the most fearsome among them was his very own sister.
Sometimes, the closest ally could become the most terrifying enemy….
***
“I want to become the Heavenly Maiden.”
“…What?”
It was when the Vermilion Princess had wrapped up her day’s schedule and paid a visit to the Azure Dragon Palace.
The Azure Princess held the Vermilion Princess in exceptionally high regard. When Seol Ran paid her a visit, the Azure Princess instructed her Headmaid to provide the most lavish hospitality.
The finest tea from the kitchen of the Azure Dragon Palace was brought out, and as she pondered what sort of conversation they might have, a soft hum escaped her lips. With that, the Azure Princess made her way to the tearoom with her innocent appearance.
When she entered and saw the Vermilion Princess sitting gracefully at the tea table, exuding a serene elegance more refined than ever, the Azure Princess quickly hid her wide smile behind her sleeves and maintained her composure.
As soon as the Azure Princess, with her petite frame, had rolled into the room and settled at the table, what the Vermilion Princess offered was nothing less than a challenge.
“The Heavenly Maiden…?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Their light conversation had barely started when Seol Ran’s straightforward declaration pierced the atmosphere.
For a moment, the Azure Princess wondered if she had misheard, but one glance at the Vermilion Princess’s face confirmed otherwise. Her calm expression remained the same; it was as lofty and composed as ever.
When the Vermilion Princess set her teacup down, a soft laugh escaped her lips, giving the Azure Princess the peculiar impression that a sly fox was wagging its tail behind that calm smile.
Was this girl someone with a thousand faces after all?
Perhaps she was a monster at adapting and had the uncanny ability to thrive in any situation?
Though Seol Ran had only been elevated to the position of Vermilion Princess for a few months, Seol Ran was already wearing a smile so composed and authoritative that even high officials might envy it.
The Azure Princess couldn’t help but be surprised when she heard the Vermilion Princess’s words.
No matter what anyone said, the Azure Princess was the most outstanding Taoist blessed by the divine fever.
Having observed the Vermilion Princess for some time, she understood that she was not the type to cling to worldly power.
And yet, here she was, making such a bold declaration to the Azure Princess herself who was temporarily filling the role of Heavenly Maiden. Such words bordered on disrespect and could easily be considered a serious offense.
Seol Ran wasn’t someone who would act recklessly, which left the Azure Princess no choice but to ask her.
“By saying you want to become the Heavenly Maiden, do you mean you wish to become the mistress of the Heavenly Dragon Hall?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I know you well Unnie… no, Vermilion Princess. You’re not someone who would obsess over power, nor are you the type to openly declare something like this to me.”
“But Azure Princess, don’t you wish to leave the Heavenly Dragon Hall?”
Those words struck the Azure Princess’s heart like a dagger.
She didn’t ask how the Vermilion Princess had come to know.
Vermilion Princess Seol Ran often seemed to discern truths that others hadn’t even spoken.
It was only natural, considering she was the younger sister of Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong.
Seol Ran had spent many years within the inner palace and was the one who exchanged the most honest and unfiltered opinions with Seol Tae Pyeong.
She had known, longer than anyone else, that the mistresses of the four great palaces harbored personal feelings for Seol Tae Pyeong. But she had never bothered to make such knowledge public.
She was also well aware of how long the Azure Princess had suppressed her feelings for Seol Tae Pyeong. Recently, she could see clearly how much more complicated the Azure Princess’s thoughts had grown since the previous Vermilion Princess had left the palace.
In Ha Yeon had gained her freedom and joined Seol Tae Pyeong’s Hwalseong District to become one of his adjutants.
Meanwhile, the Azure Princess herself remained confined to the Heavenly Dragon Hall, spending her days practicing Taoist arts.
Occasionally, Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong would come to visit her, but his increasingly busy schedule made it harder and harder for her to see him properly.
Once the Crown Prince’s birthday ceremony concluded, and he began his new role as the commander of the newly formed Demonic Spirit Subjugation Unit, it would be even more difficult to catch sight of him.
Amidst her growing turmoil, Seol Ran appeared and whispered to her.
“Since the role of Heavenly Maiden is only a temporary position, stepping down wouldn’t cause any major issues. In fact, everyone would applaud your sacrifice and dedication to the country, Vermilion Princess.”
“But, but… even if I were to step down, there’s no guarantee that you could become the Heavenly Maiden….”
“That is something I will handle myself.”
Truthfully, Seol Ran had no particular desire to become the Heavenly Maiden either…!
What she regretted was the fact that a virtuous and noble woman like the Azure Princess couldn’t be with Seol Tae Pyeong because of her position as the Heavenly Maiden.
If one searched thoroughly through the vast imperial capital, there would surely be countless candidates suitable for the role of Heavenly Maiden.
What mattered most was figuring out how to bring this remarkable Jin Cheong Lang closer to Seol Tae Pyeong and make her his partner.
A sharp light gleamed in Seol Ran’s eyes. It was a gaze strikingly similar to that of her brother when he held a sword.
The blood of the Huayongseol family truly ran deep.
If her brother Seol Tae Pyeong saw that look, he would likely be overwhelmed, as if he was facing the embodiment of cruelty itself.
“There are times when great power becomes a weight that presses heavily on one’s shoulders, don’t you think?”
“That… may be true.”
“Isn’t that burden what the Azure Princess is feeling right now?”
A rosy vision unfolded before her eyes, one in which she would become sister-in-law to the cheerful and kind-hearted Jin Cheong Lang. Together they would do laundry, embroidery, and play in the gardens. Of course, it was a rather unrealistic fantasy considering their respective positions.
Still, the thought alone warmed her heart.
To make that vision a reality, she began the delicate process of dismantling the Azure Princess’s position, step by step, ever so carefully, like she was peeling back the layers of an onion.
“If such thoughts weigh on you, why not lean on me from time to time?”
“V-Vermilion Princess… I never expected you to say something so unlike yourself….”
“That sense of crisis you feel must be something you can’t confide to anyone. But if it’s me… I can understand. After all, I am the Vice General’s sister.”
“Vermilion Princess… sniff….”
As Seol Ran embraced the Azure Princess and held her trembling shoulders, she smiled with a bright smile as clear and refreshing as the morning air.
Watching this scene from behind, Headmaid Hyeon Dang swallowed hard.
This woman, Vermilion Princess Seol Ran…
She truly seemed intent on devouring all the crown princess consorts of the inner palace.
The mere fact that she could not only entertain such thoughts but also take concrete steps to act on them…
This set her far apart from ordinary people.
And that realization was terrifying.
***
– Tae Pyeong-ah, how are things with the Vermilion Princess? No, with Miss In Ha Yeon, I mean. It must be awkward working alongside her, considering she was once the mistress of the Vermilion Palace and is now suddenly serving as your subordinate. If it were up to me, I’d rush over to the Hwalseong District right now to see how things are going. But my position is such that I can’t even be free physically. I hope you’ll understand the feelings I’m trying to convey through this letter.
– Still, now that you have such an elegant and noble lady by your side, I hope your romantic life will see some progress. Of course, whoever you choose, what matters most is your own heart. But from this older sister’s perspective, I hope you’ll carefully consider everything and make a wise decision. It pains me that this kind of support is all I can offer you.
– Anyway, take good care of your health. This older sister will do everything within her power. Tae Pyeong-ah, if it means sending you off to marriage properly, this older sister can even become a tyrant. So, steady your heart and focus on your work. Matters like these are this older sister’s area of expertise.
At the bottom of the silk scroll from the Vermilion Palace, a postscript written in Seol Ran’s playful handwriting had been added:
– Ah, next is the Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang. Just wait a little while, I’ve already started working on it.
“……”
“Is that a letter from the palace?”
“Ah, no… Something like that.”
My adjutants In Ha Yeon and Ha Si Hwa had entered the office with the reports I needed to review today neatly organized.
Not wanting anyone to see it, I quickly rolled up the scroll and tucked it away into a wooden drawer.
When I looked up, In Ha Yeon was staring at me with her crimson eyes wide open. The elegant phoenix hairpin pinned at the end of her tied-up hair gleamed under the light.
“You don’t look well. Was there bad news written in it?”
“…I’m not sure. I can’t tell if it’s bad news or not….”
“Uhh… These are the… documents to review… today….”
Even in the middle of such routine work, manager Ha Si Hwa was trembling nervously.
As someone from the Inbong clan, she seemed unable to believe that the most esteemed lady of the Jeongseon clan was now working alongside her in this very office as an adjutant.
Objectively speaking, there was no reason for someone of In Ha Yeon’s stature to be working as an adjutant here.
And yet In Ha Yeon smiled softly and spoke as if she had entirely let go of her lofty authority.
“The adjutants of Hwalseong District are all very capable. That warrior Bi Cheon is hardworking and meticulous, which makes him reliable for any task. Black Moon Leader excels in swordsmanship and can easily subjugate intermediate demonic spirits. And Manager Ha Si Hwa is so familiar with the workings of Hwalseong District and is always willing to answer even the most trivial questions.”
“Is… is that so…? That’s good to hear.”
“I feel like I’ve learned so much more here than I did in the Inner Palace. Every day is a series of new realizations, and I can’t help but express my gratitude to the Vice General for giving me this opportunity”.
It should have been time to grow accustomed to it, but every time In Ha Yeon addressed her formally, it felt as though she were receiving a bow of reverence.
There were those who, even seated on magnificent thrones, failed to inspire a shred of respect, while others exuded an untouchable dignity simply by standing, without holding any formal position.
In Ha Yeon was the latter. She was a person born with such innate elegance that even after stepping down from the position of Vermilion Princess, that impression remained the same.
It was proof that her authority didn’t stem from her title but from the person she was.
And yet, rank was rank.
No one could deny the clear fact that In Ha Yeon was now serving under my command.
“Good. It puts my mind at ease to see how quickly you’re adapting. How is the progress on the mine development?”
“It’s almost finished. The craftsmen from the Jeongseon clan seem reluctant to yield their pride, but I plan to visit them personally this week to persuade them.”
It was known that there had been some friction between the craftsmen from the Jeongseon clan and Ha Si Hwa who was from the Inbong clan.
It was likely a deeply rooted conflict, but if even that could be resolved, In Ha Yeon’s personal intervention would likely fix it in no time.
After organizing the documents, In Ha Yeon placed them neatly on the desk and smiled faintly.
“If there’s anything else you’d like to instruct me on, please let me know.”
“……”
Watching her smile so calmly made my thoughts momentarily complicated.
Bringing In Ha Yeon into the Hwalseong District had been a calculated decision on my part.
I needed her. I intended to use her. Not for anything else, but to gain leverage over her father.
Even though I was a person who tried to control my emotions in the political world of Cheongdo Palace, I couldn’t help but think that this was a bit too much.
Could I really say it aloud? I’ll use you to bring your father down.
…No matter how disappointed In Ha Yeon might have been about the Jeongseon clan’s actions, this was something that crossed the line.
If I was going to exploit In Ha Yeon, it only seemed right to show her the respect she deserved.
Of course, the way to express that respect varied depending on the person…
“Manager In Ha Yeon, listen carefully.”
If I intended to use In Ha Yeon as a political pawn, then at the very least, I should share with her every truth I knew without holding back any information.
Both about the fate I was trapped in and about the Plague Demonic Spirit.
I should tell her everything, exactly as it was.
That was the utmost respect I could show her.
“I have something to say to you when no one else is around.”
“……”
“So, come to my room tonight, when the others are gone.”
“…Huh?”
Flinch.
Crash!
At that moment, the sound of a tea tray hitting the floor echoed from beyond the paper door.
When the surprised Ha Si Hwa opened the paper door, there was Yeon Ri who had spilled the tea set she’d been carrying.
“A-Ah… I-I’m so sorry….”
Yeon Ri glanced back and forth between me and In Ha Yeon, as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
Even Manager Ha Si Hwa swallowed hard and looked at me with an awkward expression.
Both of them seemed to doubt their own ears.
Finally, when I turned to look at In Ha Yeon, she also covered her face with her sleeve. Her cheeks were flushed as red as they could be, and her pupils were trembling.
Come to my room tonight, when the others are gone.
It was only then that I realized.
Without understanding the context behind my words, they were full of potential for misunderstanding.
“I-If that is your order… then… I understand.”
In Ha Yeon quickly bowed her head and offered her response, then turned abruptly and walked out into the hallway with hurried steps. As though she was afraid she might lose control of her expression if she stayed any longer.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
A piercing silence filled the office. The silence was sharp enough that it was almost tangible.
Words, once spoken, could not be taken back.
***
TN: Lmao!
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