Going up to the top floor, Yunseo, who had been dozing restlessly since the carriage, was sleeping soundly. The dim moonlight filtered in and lit Yunseo's face.

He looked down at the sleeping face, which appeared even more youthful with its eyes closed, and sat on the bed and lifted the hem of the blanket — and Yunseo's bare feet were revealed. The soles of his feet were blistered all over. Several had already burst, dyeing what would originally have been pale and soft skin in blotchy red.

Four hours. Hwi counted the time Yunseo had walked desperately to get away from the family home. It was a time long enough to exhaust even fairly well-trained grown men. That time — this person who had been shut up indoors and would not have walked far for a long time — had endured.

Hwi scooped the ointment with his finger and placed it on the sole of Yunseo's foot. As he carefully spread the medicine, Yunseo's toes wriggled.

"Mmm……"

Though deeply asleep in exhaustion, it seemed he still felt the pain — he let out a moan with his brow creased. Hwi paused his hand for a moment to observe Yunseo's reaction and then applied the medicine again.

The ravaged sole gleamed smoothly, covered in the ointment. Hwi closed the ointment lid and looked endlessly at the foot that only seemed small and fragile.

He had not known he was living shut away. Of course he had surmised there would be restrictions, and even if it were somewhat more strict than those of children from aristocratic households — what could be done. But to think he would be so utterly isolated……

No — had he even paid attention to this child's circumstances?

He had ascended the throne at twelve to fill his imperial father's absence. And not long after, war broke out on the border. The Zhu Kingdom to the northwest had launched a surprise attack. It was a crack running across a long peace.

Yongrin had been guarding the frontier, but even though Yongrin could deal with formidable commanders individually, their strength alone could not repel an army of tens of thousands. The existence of the Yongrin had brought long peace, but as a result, soldiers with actual combat experience had diminished.

It was a major crisis for the Realm, which also lacked someone who could command a great army. Zhu Kingdom had discerned that too and had taken advantage of the disorder of young Hwi's accession.

At that time, Gong Hwancheol volunteered to lead the campaign. A general of the Hoseowi who had risen on merit alone from the lowest rank — five years prior, when Nojin, a tributary state of the Realm, had faced a critical situation from the sudden assault of the Chohan tribe, he had been dispatched as commander, restored Nojin, and led a great victory. He was a true hero.

Gong Hwancheol concluded a ceasefire in only two years after beginning the campaign and even brought back an advantageous treaty — and so became nothing short of a legend. And the moment Gong Hwancheol returned and settled powerful authority on his shoulders, the endless power struggle with him began.

He constantly obstructed Hwi's governance on every possible matter and pressed to reduce the authority of Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa. In the battle between the hero with visible, tangible achievements in hand and the young emperor who had barely become fourteen or fifteen and sweated profusely at court audiences enduring the trials of governance — the tide among military officers turned toward Gong Hwancheol.

'Ah……. I think I'll die.'

'Your Majesty. Please recover sufficiently at Geumju Fortress today.'

Did I say that out loud? Hwi turned his head vacantly. He found himself inside the fortress, and Jeongjoo was kneeling at his side, keeping watch.

'If I leave my post, those arrogant ministers will be delighted and make a fuss.'

'……No matter how impertinently they may act, Your Majesty is not only ours but the Dragon Heir who protects this country.'

As though indignant that they did not know that fact, Jeongjoo gripped his hem with a grievous expression. Hwi examined the face of the young, yet one year older than himself, soldier.

Respectful of him and yet not particularly afraid, warm toward him when the opportunity arose yet not harboring ambition. A face burning with eagerness to be of help, with motivation and vitality. It was fascinating how he could radiate such yearning toward life.

Hwi let out a breath like a sigh and looked up at the quiet sky. He tried to think back to whether he himself had had such a time, but it was so very distant that only a faint emotion barely grazed the tips of his fingers.

He had not yet escaped the wolf's den when a tiger came crashing in. The opening of the Hell Realm became more frequent, and the days he had to vacate the imperial palace multiplied. And one day, when signal fires rose three times on alternating days for three times total and he had stayed at Geumju Fortress for six days, Gong Hwancheol raised his rebellion.

Had he thought he might die?

Had he wanted to die like this?

He had had to go straight to the imperial palace without receiving proper treatment. If his reason had remained, he might have made a different choice — but reason too came from physical strength. And so, before all eyes, he had snapped the necks of the main conspirators with his bare hands.

He had nearly gone to rampaging sacred power and had barely managed to compose himself, but he was given no time even to rest for a moment. He had to fill the void of the traitors, appease the ministers, and shore up the inner workings. In the breathlessly fleeting time that had flowed by — there had been no opportunity to look in on an unbloomed court noble.

"Mmm……"

Hwi turned his gaze to Yunseo's face as he made a small sound and shifted. The sound of his even, restful breathing tapped at his ear.

Potential.

Everything must have started from that expression. That word must have shackled this child's ankles and dropped him into isolation that was wearisomely old.

There had been a time, seized by pain like being burned alive, when he wished for the Yeongchunhwa who would become his match to appear soon. At the same time, he hoped that person was living a peaceful life and would come to embrace him once fully grown. And then at another time, he had wished for them to be absent forever.

If this child is my match.

Hwi pulled the blanket down and carefully covered Yunseo's feet before rising. He listened to the evenly spreading breathing and stared quietly at Yunseo before stepping outside.

"Your Majesty. Shall I prepare a palanquin?"

Without answering Jeongjoo's question, only continuing to gaze, Jeongjoo cautiously raised his eyes. In them, the motivation and vitality he had once carried could not be found. Hwi met the light Jeongjoo had lost, and opened his mouth.

"No. Let us go a little further."

* * *

Seven days later, morning audiences were resumed. Stepping into the main hall, a tension-filled air permeated the space. The gazes following behind him were distinctly felt. Even the expression of relief at seeing that he was still in good health.

Everyone was waiting only for Hwi to open his mouth. All of these people were gathered in one place, but that did not mean they were of one heart. Hwi looked over the faces of the officials before opening his mouth.

"It was longer and more severe than usual, but the Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa gave their heart and soul to close the gate — so do not be disturbed, do not be swept up in idle rumors, and devote yourselves to your respective duties."

"Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty."

A strict order of silence had been issued regarding the fact that the Hell Realm's entrance had collapsed. If it became known that this hell had ended, the ten-thousand subjects would rejoice — but the reverberations that would follow could not be ignored.

Calls for the disbandment of the Yongrin Guard and Yeonwiwon would gradually begin to raise their heads, and they would be in a rush to reduce the number of Hwasicheong and thereby curtail his authority as well.

He had no intention whatsoever of discarding those who had sacrificed their lives for the nation, and since it was unknown whether the closure of the Hell Realm was permanent, the current structure needed to be maintained in order to prepare for the future. The number of people who knew about the situation of the Hell Realm was large, so a leak was inevitable — but since not just anyone could set foot in Geumju Fortress, the plan was to conceal it as long as it could be concealed.

It was a place full of people who gleamed their eyes to secure their own interests even in matters of life and death. So not even the smallest gap could be given. If a gap had to be given, it needed to be pushed back as far as possible.

Suddenly he missed the Yunseo he had left behind.

He wanted to hold that child's hand and keep that warmth in his own hand. Forever.

"Your Majesty. I am in awe to report, but it is a matter of concern that the Empress has not returned to the palace, and I worry whether his condition is not well."

Hwi's gaze moved not to the minister who had spoken the question but to the Deputy Minister of Personnel standing on the opposite side. The Deputy Minister maintained an indifferent expression as though it were another's affair, even though his son had not yet returned from hell.

Hwi dropped his gaze to the Deputy Minister's hands. He scanned each thick, strong finger one by one before giving an answer.

"The Empress will remain at Geumju Fortress for the time being to recover and look after the Yongrin and Yeongchunhwa who have stayed behind."

There would be various opinions exchanged behind his back about this. It was obvious what statements would come from the court if Yunseo's absence grew prolonged, and whether his patience would hold — he could not know.

Ending the audience and heading to the office, Hwi received subjects and checked the backed-up petitions and reports. The chief ministers had dealt with and summarized affairs of state during his absence, and yet even so, matters that required his direct attention formed a mountain.

As the sunlight filtering in through the window grew fainter, an unfamiliar anxiety approached steadily. The reality of continuing a daily life that was no different from usual even while his partner hovered between life and death suddenly brought Hwi's hand to a stop.

But it was something that could not, and should not, be fully set down. Because he occupied the position of the Son of Heaven.

'……Is there anyone who has lived their whole life without once hating the king?'

A crooked smile settled on Hwi's lips. He knew what position he occupied, knew what Yunseo would have to bear, knew everything — and had brought him along.

*Author's note: 교신 (驕臣) = arrogant subject. National Institute of Korean Language, Standard Korean Language Dictionary.