Chapter 67

It was three days later that the Song family was annihilated. And on the last day of the month, Court Lady Yoon appeared with a palanquin at the Empress Hall.

“The Empress has given you an order to keep the promise.”

That morning, Sa Heon-young was in a very good mood.

The night before, he had decided to take Young-young on a winter hunt. 

After their relationship, she listened intently when he told Young-young, who rarely had sparkling eyes, about winter hunting. Sa Heon-young brought a bow and showed her how to shoot a bow, and told a story of winter hunting, and Young-young said that she wanted to go with him. 

He hugged her from behind and taught her how to shoot her bow. Without the strength of her arms as much as her legs, she could not even pull Sa Heon-yeong’s bowstring. However, when Sa Heon-young grabbed her hand and pulled the string, she was excited and said, “Wow.”

He talked about hunting all night long. Young-young said she wants her own bow. When he asked if she could pull the string, she said she would practice. 

It was interesting and peculiar that Young-young, who had never said much even after buying all kinds of luxurious accessories, showed interest in bows, so he promised, ‘I’ll bring you a bow as pretty as the wife.’ 

He thought that if it was a children’s dragon’s bow, Young-young might be able to use it as well. If she wants to grab something she just has to let him grab her from behind. Shall he take her hand and pull the string to catch the bird? Then will she be as happy as she is now? 

On the night Young-Young was asleep, looking down at her face, Sa Heon-Young made plans to go hunting with her. On the way back, shall they go up the river? Has she ever been on a boat? Wouldn’t it be fun to ride a luxurious boat? Does she want to float lanterns at night? He’s been thinking all night.

…… promise

Sa Heon-young’s good mood faded a little.

He knew his mother very well. The elegance and cruelty of a woman who lived her life in a noble way.

“Your Highness.”

Court Lady Yoon, who was bowing her head, raised her head. As Sa Heon-yeong looked down at her with his arms crossed, she opened her mouth with a wretched face.

“Despite the insolence, I’d like to convey a word.”

“…….”

“The Empress is patient. Please do not let her mercy be in vain.”

“The Mercy of the Exalted One.”

“…….”

“You say that many times. As if I had no respect.”

It happened in the year Sa Heon-yeong turned seven.

That summer was very hot. Sa Heon-yeong was a young child and his patience was lacking. The mask on the young child’s gentle skin was painful, so Sa Heon-yeong took off his mask one day from his front door. It was just that. 

His palace was very remote and there were few of his maids and attendants. So he thought it would be fine.

But it went straight into the Crown Prince’s ears. The Crown Prince said that it is not enough for Sa Heon-yeong to be beated, saying that the goblin-like beast must be well-tamed at first, to make him remember for the rest of his life.

The two were twins, but in fact, Sa Heon-yeong was able to overcome and subdue the Crown Prince if he wanted to. 

The Crown Prince was in good health in his outer appearance, but his body was weak, and Sa Heon-yeong, on the other hand, had a healthy body. 

But that wasn’t the case. So Sa Heon-yeong was helplessly beaten under the Crown Prince and watched in horror as the Crown Prince raised his sword high into the air. 

Someone help me. Save me. He turned his head to see Court Lady Yoon, a nanny like his mother. Court Lady Yoon, save me. And Sa Heon-yeong saw Court Lady Yoon and his mother.

Court Lady Yoon brought his mother.

Sa Heon-young realized at that moment. Who informed the Crown Prince that Sa Heon-yeong had taken off his mask.

Court Lady Yoon informed the Crown Prince and brought his mother to the palace. His mother shouted, “Stop,” but the Crown Prince did not stop. The Crown Prince left a long cut on Sa Heon-yeong’s body. A cut like the stigma of a sinner. The wound was so deep that Sa Heon-yeong had to suffer at the crossroads of his life and death. 

Court Lady Yoon took care of him and demanded with a strict voice the whole time.

‘Be grateful for the mercy of the Exalted One.’

Sa Heon-yeong stared intently at the traitor’s face, whom he had regarded as his mother, with flashing eyes. The first traitor in his life. The woman who taught him betrayal still speaks of the mercy of the exalted one. His stomach is twisted.