Surviving the Romance Fantasy

As if answering a question, a boy holding an iron sword was talking.

The weight of the life he had cut off with his own hands was weighing on the shoulders of the boy who committed the first murder.

Not one or two, but sixty. The fear and pain in each and every one’s eyes is too much for the first murderer to bear.

In the middle of the sea of blood, White Line lowered his stance to examine the boy’s condition closely. And then I had no choice but to swallow a dry saliva.

There is not a single wound on the body. All the blood that was covered was the bandit’s.

Traces of heat that could be seen sneakily at the tip of the arm.

And the chill you feel in your gaze. An innate sense that feels the sword’s energy as it is. I can’t control it, but I’m aware of it.

Ringworm was intuitive. There is no middle ground in this boy’s life.

There are two paths——to become a swordsman, or to become a murderer.

– ‘I will never wield a real sword at a person again…’

However, the obsessively repeated words seemed to be telling Baekseon.

I will live a normal life

I want to work less and earn more. Occasionally eat delicious food or treats.

Sometimes I look up at the sky, admire the scenery, chat with old friends, and fall asleep while looking at the moon while thinking about what to do tomorrow. I want to draw such a leisurely life.

That’s the life I’m dreaming of.

*

“The match is decided with a real sword, but the one who cuts off the collar first is the winner.”

“…Then, isn’t the noble lady in a fancy palace at a much more disadvantaged place?”

“To put it plainly, it doesn’t really matter.”

Breathing in the clean air of Mt. Baeksak, it seems to become clear all the way to the top of your head. As it is a mountain standing tall alongside the imperial palace, it was a place leading to a famous mountain in Qingdao.

Time passed and passed, and the day of the birthday party had dawned.

The cold of winter is in full swing, but with hundreds of people gathered, the heat is quite formidable.

The scale of the podium in the spacious and scenic open space on the hillside, and the numerous banquet tables in front of it, is astonishing. In the pavilion built at the end of the cliff, Emperor Unseong was already sharing a drink with the dignitaries.

Taehwajeong, a large pavilion built at the foot of Baeksaksan Mountain, is a large pavilion built exclusively for this event. It was only a pavilion built for pleasure, but it was larger than the anchae of a moderately powerful family.

In it, the banquet dishes filled with Manmanjeon Seat seemed to last for a long time even if eaten for three days and nights, and the abundantly prepared alcohol was so precious that even the world’s favorite drinkers were drinking it for the first time.

When I think of the hard work of Nine and the courtiers who brought all this up to the middle of the mountain and prepared it, I feel like my eyes will close.

“Well, yes.”

That’s how I answered Hyeondang, the maid of honor at the Palace of the Emperor.

Anyway, my role was to deal with In Gwi-bi, who showed off her sword dance skills on the podium. It is a role that can be moderately conscious, giving and receiving about 20 sums and then losing.

“…”

“Do you have any more questions?”

Hyeondang, with his short hair down, lowered his head with his sleeves folded together and said.

It’s a little strange, but the lady-in-waiting of the Suzaku’s Palace I know is not this person. The lady-in-waiting I saw in The Song of the Celestial Dragon had almost no importance, but it felt more calm and had a completely different name.

Then who the hell is this person?

“By the way, would it be okay if I ask you since when did you start working at the Suzaku Palace?”

“I first entered the palace as a nine at the age of nine. It’s been over 20 years since I decided to dedicate myself to the Suzaku Palace. But, why is that?”

“no.”

There was no way he would take anyone with him if he was a lady-in-waiting, and even if he was the closest aide to the lady-in-waiting.

Am I misunderstanding something?

“Why did you decide to put me on the podium?”

“…”

“…”

It was a question thrown without much thought, but the head lady-in-waiting of the Hyeondang shook her head for a while and thought about it before answering.

“How can I understand the will of the queen? I’m just speculating whether it’s not to get rid of the delusion.”

“Are you delusional?”

“Seol Mu-in is a pragmatic speaker.”

It stabs the core out of nowhere and comes in. Indeed, the people of the Palace of the Suzuki said that their words were unpretentious and cheerful, and they certainly seemed to be like that.

“Princess In is a wise man who embraces and counts everything and worries about the people… but she can never take into her heart only those who are pragmatic. After the death of my uncle, whom I trusted and followed as the teacher of my life, the gap has widened to such an extent that I can no longer close it.”

And, the chief lady-in-chief of the Hyeondang, who follows the royal family like limbs, will not be very different.

The head maid of the county doesn’t show anything more than a businesslike attitude when dealing with me. As if notifying that it was a minimum courtesy.

“So, you probably think that subduing Seol Mu-in, a man of pragmatism, with a sword is an act of completely cutting off your own delusion. I don’t know if it’s just self-satisfaction that doesn’t mean much, but…”

“…then that’s really strange. Doesn’t the princess understand better than anyone else that the dance on the podium is just for show? What’s the point of winning a battle that unfolds like a play? I don’t think you’re the kind of person who doesn’t know that, but…”

“I think so too…”

There will be an idea for something. The Hyeondang seemed to think so.

In fact, it didn’t matter what the Ingwibi’s intentions were.

“Well, don’t worry anyway. This is my specialty.”

“yes?”

“To the point of being surprised… I will lose clearly and cleanly. After giving and receiving moderately, you will look like a guy who can’t use his strength properly and has fallen out. Whoop whoop…”

….Social Life!

Even if times change and places change, the essence of social life does not change in the end.

And, as a person who lives in the original world, what everyone should learn is the art of living.

Whether it is the crown prince of a country, the head of the same department, or whoever it is in any era, it is a person who has no choice but to live with someone higher than himself. Because humans are creatures that live in harmony with humans!

Of course, vague flattery makes people look cheap. In particular, those who are upright and upright like nobles must be the most hated type of person.

Then what about… That’s my purpose!

It is a way to buy the antipathy of the noblewoman without being moderately punished.

I’ll show you what real flattery is.

If you are a boss, you should not be obsessed with cheap flattery and flattery, but if your life depends on it, isn’t it a completely different story…

As I thought so, the wind band on the podium started playing their instruments.

The high-ranking officials who were sitting in the pavilion drinking rice wine and chatting looked at the place with oh-oh-oh sounds.

The most beautiful flower of Qingdao Palace. It was time for the crown princesses of the four palaces to show off their genius.

*

The birthday celebration of the crown prince was an opportunity to see the normally inconsequential high-ranking officials up close.

Emperor Unseong is sitting in the most splendid place in the grand Taehwajeong Pavilion.

Wearing a dragon robe and sweeping his beard in a humble manner, it seems as if the energy of the Emperor of Heaven flows through him.

And beneath it, Crown Prince Hyunwon, who is sitting in the seat of the next emperor.

Those eyes were clear, but on the other hand, they were empty.

‘It’s just as I imagined.’

I sighed inwardly as I looked at Prince Hyunwon, who appeared as the main character of this event at the young age of 14. The emptiness in those eyes was not something that could be seen in a fourteen boy’s eyes.

Hyeon-won, the crown prince of Qingdao, cannot distinguish colors.

Since I was a child, I have been clinging to the scriptures, and at some point, I stopped seeing any color other than the white of paper and the black of ink.

Nevertheless, living like a puppet in accordance with the laws of the imperial family, I became a person who did not admire the beautiful scenery of Qingdao and could not even find meaning in life.

The prince’s life was splendid, but it was far from happy.

And it was Seolran who found the color in Prince Hyunwon’s eyes.

Was it about the third volume of Cheonryong Sonata?

It was a scene where Seolran, who escaped from behind the palace, led Crown Prince Hyunwon by the hand and climbed up the tiled roof of the Hwangjagung Palace to show the whole view of Cheongdo Palace.

There, Crown Prince Hyunwon realizes for the first time that this Qingdao Palace, where he has lived his whole life, was a truly beautiful place.

When the cherry blossoms fluttering in the outer palace were captured with one eye, the world was finally dyed in color.

Looking at the smiling Seol-ran there, he finally realizes that this girl is the one he has been searching for all his life.

Seolran was the one who became the new direction of his life, which he lived like an empty puppet.

I say it every time…

Certainly, being a romantic heroine… not just anyone…

The same goes for this birthday celebration.

Baeksaksan Mountain, where the spirit is blurred. Did they say that because of the demons’ attack that eventually happened, Seolran and Seolran, who were carrying refreshments, were caught in a landslide…

During the three days of being trapped in the space between the rocks and waiting for rescue, Seol-ran succeeds in somehow securing the life of Crown Prince Hyun-won, who is in a dying state.

At this time, Seol-ran does not reveal his name… I think Prince Hyun-won’s faint image of silently recalling the Nine in his memory was one of the fun points in the beginning of Cheonryong’s love story.

…This composition seems somehow familiar, but…

“hahahaha, there will be another good day like today! Hello! As it is such an auspicious day when the prince was born, serve better wine! ha ha ha!”

‘Below them are high-ranking officials… Central Seogwan Choo Beom-seok, Sangseo-gwan Inseon-rok, Munhagwan Shim Sang-gon. And the bookmaker Hwa-an and the general Seong Sa-wook… Did the future of the commander-in-chief come directly from the escort?’

It is rare to find a place where people who want to be precious gather to this extent.

The more people like this are gathered, the more nervous it is to go up on the podium.

however…

– ‘Wow… He’s definitely the owner of the Palace of the White Tiger.’

– ‘Just by standing there, it seems that the fairy came down directly.’

– ‘It’s amazing… It’s like a person from another world…!’

The sound of the nine people humming came to my ears.

Deokbi Ha-wol, who was dancing the Cheonryongmu on stage, was completely attracting people’s attention.

Deokbi Ha has been the hostess of Baekho Palace for less than a month.

She must have been distracted just by grabbing the ladies-in-waiting and examining the atmosphere of the concubine, but in that short period of time, she had completely mastered the Celestial Dragon Dance for the birthday ceremony.

Deokbi Ha’s graceful movements permeated the lofty scenery of Mt. Baeksak.

The sight of the pure white royal robe, embroidered with gold thread, fluttering in front of the mountain, looks like clouds flowing along the mountainside.

The color of her flowing hair was white, paler than silver. Since it was tied up behind for the Celestial Dragon Dance, the graceful neckline was clearly exposed.

Even the moment when I fix my posture and open my eyes slowly passes by. The bluish eyes reveal a complete form. Looking at the pure white hair and clear blue eyes, it is as if a white tiger that has lived for a thousand years has appeared in human form.

The performance of the orchestra gradually becomes stronger, and the Cheonryongmu draws people in more deeply.

Then, it was neatly finished as if the thread was being cut, leaving a lingering impression in the middle of the room.

When Ha Deok-bi bowed her head in a graceful motion and expressed her gratitude, the high-ranking officials had no choice but to put down their bodies and applaud. There were even standing dignitaries among them.

If a fairy arrives on earth, it will most likely take the form of Ha Deokbi. It was so highly praised, and the applause did not stop.

“It’s amazing. There is a treasure in Baekho Palace. your majesty.”

“Sukbi, who has to step up to the podium next, must be having a hard time.”

“You are still young, so just the experience of standing on the podium will be a great treasure. Let’s encourage them a lot and give them a loud round of applause. You should be able to receive the Taegeum hairpin next year.”

For the crown princes of the four palaces, the birthday ceremony is a place where they can show off their skills to the fullest in front of high-ranking officials.

The crown princess, who showed the noblest appearance, was directly gifted with a golden hairpin from Emperor Unseong, and it was known as one of the most valuable treasures in the concubine. There were many cases in which the rain worn with a golden hairpin until the next year’s birthday ceremony led to the most authoritative rain.

At the point where the seat of the Hyeonbi was still vacant, the dignitaries thought that the most dignified noblewoman would receive the golden hairpin. However, Deokbi’s heavenly dragon dance made me admire, and even if I picked up the hairpin right away, no one seemed to complain.

However, the master of the successive Sukbi was a point-in-the-wall.

When Sukbi Jin Cheong-rang stood on the podium, he did not bring anything with him. Just like princesses do, she just came up with her beautiful court attire hanging down.

He sat discreetly on a straw mat in the center of the podium, covered his mouth with his cuffs, and spoke slowly.

“I really do not know what to do with you gathering all the way to Mt. Baeksak to see Socheop’s lack of talent.”

“Please, even if it’s just a daydream, I hope it can shine on this auspicious day.”

The moment I said that, flowers bloomed.

The season is winter. It was the time when the branches of the trees were dry and waiting for the next spring.

However, starting from the trees around Taehwajeong, flowers began to bloom, and eventually, the procession of ignition began to spread throughout Mt. Baeksak.

Vegetation rejuvenates, and the sky rises high. As if it had been a cold and harsh winter, the butterfly flapped its wings and the deer began to play.

Baeksak Mountain behind the podium looked desolate. However, when I came to my senses, the vegetation was green and colorful flowers were blooming, making it a warm spring day.

The dignitaries couldn’t believe it even when they saw it with their own eyes. Sukbi Jincheongrang brought spring to Mt. Baeksak.

“Hey, how did this happen…!”

“What happened!”

The drinking officials looked around in amazement.

The view of the peaceful Baeksak Mountain was so dazzling that I felt like I was in paradise. The panoramic view of Cheongdo Palace spread out under Baeksak Mountain is much wider than you know.

The prestige of Qingdao Palace, which extends to the end of the horizon, seems to command the whole world.

The procession of spreading petals embraced the world even more beautifully.

If there is everlastingly happy and peaceful land, this is it.

It was such a distant sight that I thought so.

The moment when all the high-ranking officials opened their mouths like that…

When I came to my senses, I was back at Baeksak Mountain in winter.

Silence hung over the left.

“I thought that the kingdom of Qingdao, under the benevolent reign of His Majesty Unseong, would one day become a paradise in spring like this.”

“My wife, I wanted to show you that piece.”

Sukbi Jincheongrang’s voice calmed down again.

The dignitaries couldn’t believe what they had been through. All of these landscapes were hallucinations created by Sookbi’s pilotage.

Shubi showed the same scene to hundreds of people present at once. No matter how much he was taught by Baekseon, it was a tactic that Baekseon himself could not easily show.

It is said that those who overcame the fever are said to wear extraordinariness.

Those who live ordinary lives do not even have a chance to realize it.

Sitting still in my seat, covering my mouth and bowing my head as usual… To dye hundreds of people with delusion.

It meant the same thing as being able to walk out alive in front of hundreds of troops.

That’s why, even the dignitaries who cheered while clapping their hands at Deokbi’s Cheonryongmu… this time they just kept their mouths wide open. Sweat dripping down the back of their necks is clearly visible.

Even after a long time, there was no sign that his mouth would close.

The audience was so quiet, it was as if time had stopped.

*

I was mingling with the escorts and looking at the nobleman of Deokbi and Sukbi.

All I could do was swallow dry saliva.

Does this make sense… The skills of the crown princes who did not have any coming-of-age ceremony are such that even the artists who have worked for decades can fold. Do you have to do this to be able to become a crown prince?

No matter how good Ingwibi is at sword dance, I don’t think she can overcome these talents. How could wielding a sword be more miraculous than the magic that turned Baeksak Mountain upside down?

This is why the order of the stage is important. If it were me, I would have been unable to breathe and would have just declared my resignation.

“Are you ready?”

The Hyeondang has come to call me. I nodded and picked up the sword I had parked near the podium.

It looked like a real sword, but it was a sword with no sharp edge. I’m not going to cut the crown prince anyway, so any sword will look similar from a distance.

In Gwibi climbed onto the podium and greeted the audience. Indeed, the appearance of a podium certainly deserved the position of a noblewoman.

I climbed up behind him, clenched my fists, and bowed to the crowd. Here comes Seol Tae-pyeong, an apprentice warrior belonging to Baek Seon-gung. I spoke so dignifiedly, but no one listened carefully.

Everyone knew that it was just a supporting character who came up to show off the sword dance of Ingwibi in moderation anyway.

“On such an auspicious day, I am very happy to have the opportunity to show off my swordsmanship skills.”

“Since it is a birthday celebration that even the heavens are delighted with, I hope that Socheop’s skill will reach the will of the Heavenly Emperor and that the future of Qingdao will be peaceful forever.”

Well, no matter what, you don’t have to worry about Ingwibi. In any case, she was the daughter-in-law of the Kwon Moon family and the most authoritative crown princess in the concubine.

It wouldn’t be the first time he’s been to such a gathering of dignitaries. The background of life itself is different.

With that thought in mind, it was the moment when I was about to pull out the sword after saying hello.

I trembled while holding onto the handle of the sword. I couldn’t help but doubt my eyes at what I saw at the end of my gaze.

‘…they are shaking.’

Because it was right in front of me, I could clearly feel the fingertips holding the sword.

Consort In Ha-yeon’s fingertips holding the sword were trembling.

Looking at his expression, he is relaxed and elegant as always. The appearance in harmony with the red palace clothes is comparable to the loftiness of the suzaku who is resting with his wings folded.

However, the fingertips continued to tremble.

“…”

That’s right… He was only nineteen at that age.

In the middle of the magnificent Suzaku Palace, with numerous maids at her disposal, she is standing upright while wearing fancy court attire. With her burning eyes and young spirit, she was worthy of being a heroine, and all the maids of the Qingdao Palace who looked up to her had admiration for her.

However, that age. only nineteen

Even Concubine In Ha-yeon, the flower of the concubine, couldn’t escape from the universal emotions that all humans feel.

Were you afraid of being expected, burdened by having to prove something, and afraid of failure?

Only then do I feel as if I understand why the gwibi is a person who symbolizes bravery.

Courage is not the absence of fear.

Even if you are afraid, just doing it is courage.

From being born as a member of the Jeongseon Family to coming here, this girl has given up on countless proofs.

The sight of him casually thinking about the trembling of his fingertips was proof of that.

The trembling of his hands was very similar to that of a boy who was trembling in the middle of a bandit’s den.

The misery and fear that trembled with the shock of killing a person for the first time. Those who have overcome such heartaches over and over again have a unique sense of nobility.

That is the young spirit in those red eyes.

‘…’

I quietly bowed my head.

‘I’m embarrassed.’

that being a man.

The guy who was born with a stick in his groin.

He had only thought of using that noble spirit. Moderately flattering, moderately cheating, and using it to save my life.

Things like getting entangled in your accommodation are entirely my own problems. While treating the noble princess’s sincere resentment toward the psalmist as a tool. Am I going to survive, have I abandoned my respect for those who have lived every moment with sincerity?

Can this be called a man?

At least I, Seol Tae-pyeong, did not live that way.

I, Seol Tae-pyeong, lived a miserable and unsightly life as a man.

And I lived it proudly with my chest open.

I looked up. In the field of vision, I saw In Gwibi holding a sword.

What do you need right now? In the end, it was a stage where I could look better than anyone else.

“What are you doing? Come in.”

“All right.”

– Kang!

Before he even finished speaking, the sword had already been drawn.