Chapter 63: Throneward Ambitions

I didn’t know when King Bonhyeon’s reply to my letter would come. But a personal letter stamped with the Lord of Wolhanseong’s seal wouldn’t be ignored long.

He acted swiftly on the request from the birthday banquet, showing how influential the Lord of Wolhanseong was.

Each time I saw his influence, I worried I couldn’t win him over. His support would make seizing the throne much easier.

I didn’t distrust my maternal grandfather’s power, but more strength is always better, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, the Lord of Wolhanseong, having informed the city that battle would begin once King Bonhyeon’s approval arrived, became busier than ever.

In contrast, I had some free time until his reply came.

“I’ll step out to the outer city for a bit.”

I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity. I didn’t know if Shin Gwiryeong was still at the Pyeonggwang Trading Company’s Wolhanseong branch, but if she was, she’d have heard of my return.

It was a trip to see the city, catch my breath, and check on Shin Gwiryeong.

But Yu Geung made a fuss.

“Please allow me to escort Your Highness.”

Just him?

“Please, Your Highness.”

Heoseokgyeom joined in, trying to tag along.

“Please, Your Highness!”

Other officers chimed in, like ministers in a council meeting.

I snorted, exasperated.

“I’m just going out. Why the commotion?”

I grumbled.

“I’m only heading to the Pyeonggwang Trading Company branch nearby.”

They were treating me like a child left by the river.

“Can’t I go alone for this?”

“No, Your Highness!”

Yu Geung shouted.

“Geez, yelling like that.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

I understood why they were like this.

Just yesterday, Wolhanseong soldiers abandoned me in an underground nest.

So I should forgive their overprotection for a while.

…But since when did these guys start “protecting” me?

Were we that close?

Questions piled up, but asking them felt awkward.

“Achoo!”

I shook my head and answered.

“Fine, I’ll take Yu Nangjang. He’s enough.”

The officers, led by Yu Geung, all looked at Heoseokgyeom.

Excluding me, Heoseokgyeom was the highest-ranking, but he also had a leader’s aura.

What’s going on?

“Do as you wish, Your Highness.”

Heoseokgyeom bowed politely.

What was this weird feeling?

“I’ll be back. Rest up.”

With Yu Geung as my escort, I headed to the Pyeonggwang Trading Company branch.

“Is Your Highness here to see the branch leader?”

Upon arriving, the branch manager, Go Yeongsin, asked while sweeping the courtyard. I nodded.

“Yes. Is she here?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll call her.”

“Take your time. Why are you sweeping?”

Go Yeongsin exaggerated his broom motion.

“It’s my humble hobby. Sweeping calms my mind.”

An interesting hobby.

Passing him, I soon met Shin Gwiryeong inside.

“Are you well, Your Highness?”

She greeted me, half in the reception room, half in the corridor. Does she even know etiquette?

Her outfit was odd.

“Why are you wearing a skirt?”

Stepping fully into the room, Shin Gwiryeong covered her mouth with her sleeve.

“This Gwiryeong is a woman.”

News to me.

But man or woman, Shin Gwiryeong’s oddity was unchanged.

“Ho, ho, ho.”

Her theatrical laugh followed. Everyone knew she didn’t laugh like that, so why bother now? I frowned and responded.

“Roughly well.”

“If you say so… you don’t seem entirely well.”

“I had an incident, so I can’t say I’m perfectly fine.”

Shin Gwiryeong placed a hand on her chest like a stage actor.

“An incident? What happened?”

“You already know.”

Pretending ignorance was annoying.

“I heard you were nearly trapped in an underground nest.”

“Do you have spies in Wolhanseong?”

“It’s basic knowledge.”

I let out a mocking laugh.

“Ridiculous.”

“I’m honored by the praise.”

“You’re good at leaving people speechless.”

“I’m honored again.”

I glared at her. She didn’t flinch.

“I’m deeply honored by your visit.”

She finally sat down.

“Enough joking.”

“It’s no joke.”

Serious?

Her claim of sincerity was genuine. After a few talks, I knew she didn’t lie. A merchant’s duty, perhaps. It’s why I didn’t keep her at a distance, despite the unease she caused. She was honest.

“I was waiting.”

“Honestly, I was waiting.”

“Why?”

Shin Gwiryeong smiled.

This time, it seemed genuine, which startled me.

“To relay General Soshang’s words.”

“…General Soshang?”

Unexpected. Why mention my grandfather out of nowhere? I hadn’t asked. I retraced our talk, but I hadn’t missed anything big.

“Why bring up my grandfather?”

She laughed aloud.

“Your Highness aims for the heavens.”

The heavens?

Oh, the throne.

I asked cautiously.

“And?”

“To reach the heavens, you need a tall ladder.”

Her eyes flashed with venom.

“The taller and sturdier, the better.”

“I suppose.”

Unhappy with my response, she narrowed her brow.

“Your Highness.”

“What?”

“You must decide firmly. The path to the heavens isn’t easy. It brings rain, snow, thunder, hail…”

She rambled, lost in her words.

I answered dryly.

“That’s what the heavens are.”

“Exactly. But why get wet? If you climb above the clouds, won’t you avoid the rain? Probably no rain up there.”

No rain above the clouds… I hadn’t thought of that. She’s definitely unique.

“Hm.”

“So I suggest climbing as high as possible with a sturdy ladder.”

I couldn’t read her thoughts. Her eyes were already scheming.

What drove her, I couldn’t tell.

I was curious. Why she needed to make me king.

But whatever her motives, she was putting on a cheerful front. I was sure it wasn’t genuine.

“Why not play a big game?”

A big game?

“How big?”

She pulled a thick gold ring off her finger and slammed it on the table.

“What rots is money.”

I scratched my chin.

“War needs money.”

“The more, the better.”

“Indeed.”

“Is this necessary? This is Bukgye. They say bloodlines matter most here. I’m not related, not even the same people…”

Wait.

I slammed the table and stood.

“You’re not suggesting marriage, are you?”

She smiled and shook her head.

“That card’s too valuable for Bukgye.”

I crossed my arms, glaring.

“The bigger the card, the longer you hide it.”

“Is that how you live?”

She answered boldly.

“Yes.”

I clicked my tongue.

“What’s with my grandfather?”

“Oh, General Soshang…”

She raised an eyebrow, sly as a fox.

“You’ve made your choice.”

“Choice?”

I sat back slowly. Choice. The word carried weight. She knew it, probably better than me.

“You’ve wasted too much time building your foundation. While your enemies grew, you faced resentment. What now?”

I twisted my mouth. Who doesn’t know that?

“I stayed quiet, thinking it was your responsibility. I thought I had no right to step in, that I shouldn’t. I thought surviving quietly was a way of life.”

She stopped smiling.

“Is that what you think?”

I shook my head.

She already knew my answer. Asking despite knowing was frustrating.

“No.”

I shook my head again.

“I’m different.”

She looked at me expectantly.

“I pitied, desired, hated. Now it’s time to decide. I pushed, and finally got an answer.”

Who said it, I wondered. Not the time to ask.

“Will you walk it? I’ll walk with you to the end.”

I had to answer. An answer worthy of her expectations. It felt like a trap, but I’d known this was coming.

“I’ll climb.”

“And?”

“I’ll win.”

“And?”

I sighed.

“In the end, I’ll be the only one left.”

A lonely seat, perhaps.

I pictured King Bonhyeon on the throne.

I overlaid myself on that image.

I’d accept it.

If that’s my fate.