Chapter 15: Shadows of Secrets

“Hahaha.”

Suddenly, the other party started laughing. It was a bright, cheerful laugh, as if they’d heard something hilarious. Did I make a joke? I racked my brain, but I hadn’t said anything funny.

“I know rumors aren’t always reliable.”

They began with that, but I couldn’t grasp their meaning.

“I beg your pardon, but I’ve heard quite a few rumors. Gathering rumors is my trade, after all. To have judged Your Highness hastily based on such rumors—what is that if not a mistake?”

So, they’re saying I don’t seem like a wastrel?

Not looking like a wastrel…

This is bad. I’m supposed to be the wastrel prince.

If I don’t seem like one, I’m failing at my role.

“What nonsense is that?”

Laughter burst out again. Not from me, of course. I didn’t find this situation amusing at all.

“Hahahaha.”

As the mysterious figure laughed loudly, my grandfather shot them a glare.

“Shin Gwiryeong.”

My grandfather’s lowered voice sounded like a beast’s growl. It wasn’t just a glance—his piercing, murderous stare was intense. Even I nearly flinched. But the person in question, unfazed, continued with a sly grin. They weren’t afraid of my grandfather in the slightest.

They must have some serious guts. At the very least, they were bolder than Yu Geung is now.

“My name is Shin Gwiryeong. Please call me as you wish, Your Highness.”

“Who are you, anyway?”

I didn’t know what they did, and we weren’t exactly close, so I wasn’t eager to call them by name.

“Though unworthy, I manage a trading company.”

“A trading company? Which one?”

“If you’re asking its name, it’s Pyeonggwang.”

“Pyeonggwang.”

I nearly widened my eyes but managed to keep my expression neutral, replying nonchalantly.

“Pyeonggwang Trading Company.”

The Pyeonggwang Trading Company would later grow immensely. Its main source of wealth was war. As conflicts erupted one after another, supplying war materials allowed it to expand massively.

Its reach even extended to Seopyeong, one of the largest war fronts.

But personally, I didn’t much like Pyeonggwang Trading Company. I’d seen one of their merchants, in the midst of a battlefield where people were dying, demanding payment upfront. Having fought on the front lines and witnessed death firsthand, I couldn’t stomach the company’s calculating nature.

It probably wasn’t as massive now as it would become later.

Shin Gwiryeong smiled subtly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Nice name.”

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

I asked, tilting my head skeptically.

“So, you know me?”

“Who in this land wouldn’t know the kingdom’s heir?”

Fair point.

It was true. But it meant they didn’t know me personally.

Then why ask if I remembered them? They were just messing with me, making me nervous for no reason.

My dislike for Pyeonggwang Trading Company, combined with their teasing attitude, fueled my growing irritation.

“I don’t know you.”

Shin Gwiryeong smiled, the kind of sly grin you’d expect from someone with plenty to hide.

“I hope you’ll come to know me in time.”

My instincts are usually spot-on. That shady smile wasn’t something to dismiss as mere imagination.

I replied dryly, “You’d have to tell me something first.”

“What do you wish to know? If Your Highness asks, how could this Gwiryeong fail to answer?”

That shady face didn’t inspire a shred of trust, but…

“Really?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll answer with utmost sincerity.”

“Hm.”

So, they’re saying they have about as much loyalty to the royal family as a dog’s tail.

That’s one thing we had in common.

Normally, finding similarities with someone sparks some fondness, but even if I found a hundred similarities with this one, I doubt I’d like them.

“You’re the one who summoned me, right?”

“Indeed, Your Highness.”

“I came thinking it was my grandfather’s business.”

I put on a slight air of arrogance.

Truthfully, I came because I was called.

“My apologies for disappointing your expectations.”

“Expectations? Whatever. So why did you call me here?”

My teacup was empty before I realized it. I must’ve been sipping it absentmindedly. As I reached for the teapot, Shin Gwiryeong swiftly picked it up and poured.

“Shall I tell you now?”

“If you’re not busy, take your time. But aren’t you, a trading company head, supposed to be busy? Got enough time to lounge around?”

The teapot in Shin Gwiryeong’s hands poured tea smoothly.

“To have Your Highness care so much about my affairs… I’m at a loss.”

They’re handling themselves just fine, so what’s this about being at a loss?

Just empty pleasantries.

“Ahem.”

Suddenly, my grandfather cleared his throat. Then he spoke to Yu Geung, who’d been sitting quietly.

“Step outside for a moment. I’m about to leave as well.”

Yu Geung looked at me, as if seeking my permission.

My grandfather wouldn’t send Yu Geung out without reason. I nodded.

“Go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It hit me then—I was placing a lot of trust in my grandfather. This was only my second time meeting Generalissimo So, yet I trusted him simply because he was my grandfather.

Rumor had it that after the Deposed Queen’s death, Generalissimo So paid little attention to his grandson, which made my trust in him a bit shaky.

But then, he was also the one who’d gone as far as procuring dangerous Jongmeoki Flowers for me.

I couldn’t figure him out.

As my grandfather stood, so did Yu Geung. Was it fine to leave me alone with this Shin Gwiryeong?

It’s my grandfather’s mansion, so nothing should happen, but his cold demeanor didn’t exactly reassure me. Still, he and Yu Geung left the room without hesitation.

I wondered if I’d made a mistake drinking the tea when Shin Gwiryeong, wiping away their smile, spoke.

“In truth.”

My judgment that they were shady was spot-on. Without the smile, Shin Gwiryeong was clearly looking down on me. Even though I was taller, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being belittled.

“I requested this meeting because Your Highness declared you’d stop taking the medicine.”

I nodded a couple of times.

“Medicine.”

Where did they get the forbidden Jongmeoki Flower?

A martial man, bound by strict discipline. An old man who sent his daughter to her death in a bowl of poison to avoid the king’s disfavor, hiding in the shadows.

None other than Generalissimo So.

“You’re the source, aren’t you?”

Why would such a Generalissimo So risk procuring Jongmeoki Flowers for a wastrel prince? Where and how did he get them?

Of course, I was curious. I’d thought about it too.

If the Jongmeoki Flower was needed for an illness, there’d be no need for such secretive channels—royal physicians could’ve prescribed it openly.

“Why did Your Highness suddenly decide to stop taking it?”

“I haven’t completely stopped yet.”

Shin Gwiryeong fell silent, as if urging me to say more. It was blatantly insolent. Come to think of it, they weren’t exactly respectful to a third-rank Generalissimo either. Whether I was a prince, a king, or a king’s grandfather, Shin Gwiryeong wouldn’t fear me. Authority didn’t move them. They were insane.

So what does move a person like that?

“It’s been uncomfortable, though.”

I slightly pulled back my silk sleeve to show Shin Gwiryeong the white inner garment.

“There’s more than one thing bothering me. Still bearable, though.”

My senses were so heightened that even fabric touching my skin felt irritating. So, I’d made inner garments from the softest material I could find to minimize the discomfort.

That wasn’t the only change.

The most significant change was in movement. My body’s sluggishness had lessened. It was a slight difference, but I could feel it clearly.

Another change was the tinnitus. What I’d thought was mere ringing in my ears wasn’t just noise—it had a source. I wasn’t certain, but… it seemed like sounds from far away that I hadn’t consciously registered.

“Everyone has clothes that suit them. Farmers wear plain robes, monks wear priestly garments, the dead wear shrouds… What clothes suit Your Highness?”

I gave a hollow laugh and replied, “Everything suits me.”

Shin Gwiryeong spoke as if admonishing a naive child, as if I were some dim-witted fool who could only see what’s in front of me. But that wasn’t true. That kind of look was meant for the real first prince.

Being seen as pathetic everywhere—that’s the life of a wastrel.

“Your Highness won’t hold out.”

“What can’t I hold out against?”

Shin Gwiryeong sighed. Sighing in front of a prince? They were proving they didn’t fear me. It was absurd. I let out another hollow laugh.

“The Jongmeoki Flower isn’t an easily obtained herb, Your Highness.”

They spoke as if I’d been taking the medicine without knowing what it was. And it wasn’t just my imagination. A wastrel prince who only knows how to eat, play, and harass others would naturally be clueless about the medicine they’re taking.

“I know.”

“I hope Your Highness understands I’m not trying to lecture you.”

“It sure looks like you are.”

“Not at all, Your Highness.”

Shin Gwiryeong smiled again.

“Your Highness.”

Even facing their smiling face, I could tell Shin Gwiryeong was annoyed. I felt like a disobedient child. They were looking at me like I was a stubborn kid. But despite our small age gap, the positions of Shin Gwiryeong, head of Pyeonggwang, and the wastrel Grand Prince Ikwon were worlds apart.

Even just considering responsibility, the experiences of a first prince and Shin Gwiryeong were like heaven and earth.

“I ask that Your Highness understand that what I’m about to say comes as a friend of the late Deposed Queen.”

A friend of the Deposed Queen?

That was a shocking statement. I couldn’t hide my surprise this time. Shin Gwiryeong didn’t look like they were the same age as the Deposed Queen. But a ten-year age gap wouldn’t prevent them from being friends. I nodded. Serious talk was coming.