The Lord of Namakseong accepted my marriage proposal. Since it was impossible to initiate formal procedures immediately, he wrote a temporary betrothal letter as proof. The proper method was to return to the capital later and submit an official proposal.
When I met Gaeyeohwa before leaving, she had an uneasy expression.
Her face practically screamed her thoughts, leaving me at a loss.
“To think I’d become this man’s subordinate…” That’s what she seemed to be thinking.
I wasn’t genuinely invested in the betrothal either, but her expression, as if she’d been sullied, irritated me for no reason.
However, since this was a transaction, not a heartfelt proposal, it was only natural.
If it weren’t for her ability to foresee, I wouldn’t have been so fixated on her.
With my business in Namakseong concluded, I mounted my horse.
Compared to Oro Castle, where I’d stayed before, this place was quite noisy. Perhaps because of that, my departure wasn’t quiet either.
You could say there was a bit of a disturbance.
“Han Naegwan, are you okay?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I wasn’t talking about Han Naegwan himself.
“Are you really okay?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please don’t worry.”
Han Naegwan answered confidently, a smile on his face. But he was likely still uncomfortable. No matter how much he said he was fine, he couldn’t hide his actions. I wasn’t entirely convinced.
“I’m not sure…”
No helping it. It was something I had to be mindful of. It was partly my fault, after all.
The one who caused the trouble was Gon, that guy, but I was the one who took the blame.
I glanced up at the sky. Thanks to the cool breeze, that guy was soaring through the blue expanse.
As a human bound to the ground, it was an oddly poignant sight.
“Han Naegwan, tell me if it gets tough.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness.”
“You have to tell me.”
Since we were traveling with someone in poor health, we’d likely need to rest often.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will.”
Han Naegwan closed his mouth with a shy expression.
Does he think he’s the one who needs to look after me? It’s possible. He’s a eunuch, after all.
He seemed concerned about the group’s pace. But even Heoseokgyeom, who often nagged me, wasn’t a bad person, so he didn’t bring up Han Naegwan lagging behind.
He just kept scolding me.
I must seem like the easiest target.
Since I’m already a mad prince, maybe it wouldn’t be bad to become even more approachable and get friendly. That’s what I was thinking when it happened.
Rustle.
Suddenly, I sensed a presence while we were moving. It wasn’t the sound of the fields swaying. Joking aside, it was noticeable enough to wake someone from a nap.
I wasn’t the only one who felt it. Led by me, the others in the group turned to look behind.
“What’s that?”
I was the first to speak among those looking back. The others, who had turned as well, spoke up.
“A presence was felt, Your Highness.”
“It’s not my imagination.”
“Someone seems to be following us.”
Since we were on a deserted road, it was possible some idle fools were trailing us. Bandits, perhaps.
If those presences were bandits, they’d be the unluckiest ones. Except for Han Naegwan, our entire group consisted of trained warriors.
Even if they risked their lives, there’d be nothing to plunder.
“I’ll go check, Your Highness.”
While I was pondering what to do, one of the group stepped forward. His name was Yi Gyeonui, wasn’t it?
“Do it. We’ll stop for a bit.”
As the group halted, Yi Gyeonui dismounted and walked toward the rear.
We watched him quietly. After a while, Yi Gyeonui returned with a group of merchants.
As soon as the merchants came into view, our group drew weapons and took defensive stances.
The air turned cold in an instant.
But the expected fight didn’t break out. The moment the merchants saw me, they knelt and bowed their heads.
“We greet the esteemed one.”
“Uh… yeah.”
You’d think receiving such reverence would be exciting, but it’s actually quite cumbersome and burdensome.
That aside, their bowing like this meant they already knew who I was.
Yi Gyeonui wasn’t foolish enough to reveal my identity to strangers, so that meant they knew of my reputation…
Something felt off.
Before permitting these unknowns to raise their heads, I asked about their identities.
“What are they?”
Instead of Yi Gyeonui’s answer, I heard Han Naegwan’s advice.
“Your Highness, you shouldn’t call people ‘they.’”
The group’s expressions turned odd. How to explain it? It felt like they pitied Han Naegwan.
What’s the problem? I’m a mad prince, so I’ll act like one.
To change the subject, I asked Yi Gyeonui again, “Anyway, who are they?”
They didn’t seem like an ordinary group. People scraping by in villages wouldn’t venture outside.
They were carrying loads, so they were merchants, but appearing suddenly near a prince warranted suspicion.
Especially since they knew my identity. Maybe they were guests sent by my unsightly younger brother.
“They’re merchants who stayed briefly in Namakseong…”
“Merchants?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Merchants traveling north from Namakseong.
“Let’s check them out.”
I had my group’s officers inspect the merchants’ loads.
“The inspection is complete, Your Highness.”
“Find anything? Anything strange?”
“Nothing seems out of the ordinary.”
The loads were indeed goods for sale.
There didn’t seem to be anything particularly suspicious, but my group still said they were dubious.
I raised my hand to call Yi Gyeonui closer.
“I’ll ask them something myself.”
I dismounted and approached the merchant who seemed to be the leader. From above, his appearance didn’t match anyone I knew. So why did he feel familiar?
Huh?
Wait, familiar?
I paused briefly before saying, “Raise your head.”
The entire merchant group raised their heads in unison.
“Hmm.”
Something about it.
I didn’t know why, but the atmosphere felt very familiar.
Without realizing, I leaned forward and stared at the man before me.
Not just staring, but tilting my head this way and that, examining him closely.
“Huh.”
Why did it feel so familiar?
“Who are you, and where are you from? State your name and affiliation.”
When I asked, the man answered, “My name is Go Yeongsin, and I am a manager with the Pyeonggwang Merchant Group.”
Go Yeongsin, manager of the Pyeonggwang Merchant Group…
Wait.
What?
“The Pyeonggwang Merchant Group?”
Go Yeongsin bowed his head and replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”
The Pyeonggwang Merchant Group.
The Pyeonggwang Merchant Group, you say?
Ridiculous. So that’s why I found them suspicious. I snorted. But Go Yeongsin showed no reaction.
“So that’s why you showed up like this.”
The situation was clear. Who was the head of the Pyeonggwang Merchant Group? None other than Shin Gwiryeong, my maternal grandfather’s supplier of Jongmeoki Flower.
A manager wasn’t a low position. And yet, they sent someone of that rank to follow me.
I didn’t feel too bad. Whatever the reason, it meant they thought a manager was worthy of trailing me.
It also made sense that someone from the Pyeonggwang Merchant Group would kneel upon seeing me.
“Alright. You may return now.”
I waved my hand. But having sent someone this far, it wasn’t just for a greeting. They’d probably stick around anyway.
As expected, they did.
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“I humbly request a favor.”
Ugh.
I didn’t have any ill feelings toward this guy, but Shin Gwiryeong, who likely gave the order, felt unsettling for some reason.
Even though it was just someone connected to him, it was still uncomfortable.
Even while dealing with someone other than Shin Gwiryeong, I felt like he was watching me from somewhere.
…Just my imagination, right?
Someone as busy as him wouldn’t come all this way. Surely.
I replied curtly, “What?”
Go Yeongsin’s eyes sparkled as he said, “Thanks to Your Highness’s grace, our Pyeonggwang Merchant Group is thriving. We hesitate to make any requests, but…”
Is it okay to say this? Even if the whole world were fools, Shin Gwiryeong wouldn’t be one.
He was destined to lead a massive merchant group that dominated the kingdom and expanded abroad, so he wouldn’t make a mistake here. He clearly wanted to announce my connection to the Pyeonggwang Merchant Group in front of my entourage.
Whether it was for my benefit or his own, I didn’t know, but even if it wasn’t for me now, it would eventually come back to me.
As long as Shin Gwiryeong held a grudge against Queen Woo, I was the only one he’d reach out to.
“I humbly beseech you to permit our caravan to travel with Your Highness.”
Go Yeongsin declared passionately.
It wasn’t uncommon for merchants to join warrior groups. Bandits, wild animals, or magical beasts—whatever the threat, they were dangerous to people like them.
I could feel everyone staring at me. Their gazes pricked my back.
“Where are you headed?”
I didn’t really need to ask.
There was only one place a caravan heading north from the capital would go.
The heart and center of the north.
Wolhanseong.
Beyond Namakseong, there wasn’t a single prosperous commercial city in the north except Wolhanseong. It wasn’t because Wolhanseong had great markets or special products, but simply because it was a large city.
“For reference, I’m going to Wolhanseong. You’re headed there too, right? No need to guess. I’ll stop by Guryeseong briefly, but I won’t stay long. You guys, what, selling stuff? You’ll sell, right? I can’t wait around for that.”
My destination of Wolhanseong was already widely known in the capital. They were the renowned Pyeonggwang Merchant Group, so my entourage didn’t try to stop me even after I revealed my destination.
“Our destination is indeed the same, Your Highness. We plan to spend only a night in Guryeseong, and if it displeases Your Highness, we will ensure we cause no trouble and support ourselves…”
“Alright.”
I nodded, showing my annoyance. Go Yeongsin and the merchants bowed their heads.
This reverence stuff is really inconvenient.
My nature hadn’t changed, so I still found these formalities awkward.
“Let’s go.”
I mounted my horse again. Since the merchants were traveling on foot, our group’s pace inevitably slowed. But even then, Heoseokgyeom didn’t complain.
I must be the easiest target.
As we traveled, Yu Geung spoke up.
“Your Highness.”
“What?”
“I am deeply moved by Your Highness’s kindness.”
When I looked at Yu Geung with a weary expression, his eyes were sparkling brightly.
It was an uncomfortably intense gaze.
“Nangjang Yu.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Look at that enthusiasm. What’s with him?
I frowned.
“Look ahead.”