Camellia Permeates the Snow

Should I kill him with my own hands?

Episode 10

“What could the High Priestess possibly have to say about the offering?”

Kang-yoon smiled benevolently.

However, depending on who was looking, that smile could appear soft or chilling. Boshan, being blind, surely could not see that smile.

“First, please forgive the blindness of this humble servant, Crown Prince.”

One thing was certain: she sensed the displeasure that seeped into his voice. Kang-yoon looked at Boshan, who bowed her head, and continued speaking in a gentle tone.

“Your words are always sincere counsel for the benefit of our country, so why do you seek forgiveness from me?”

“It is because I, who am blind, cannot fully grasp Your Highness’s true intentions.”

“I cannot see even a step ahead of me. Therefore, I can only feel my way forward with my toes.”

“That is an unjust statement.”

Upon hearing that, Boshan bent her waist even deeper, seemingly in shock.

It was a respectful posture towards someone of higher status, but there was no fear in her demeanor. Kang-yoon did not take offense; it meant he trusted and relied on her.

“So, what should I do about the offering?”

Only then did Boshan straighten her back and speak.

“It will become a double-edged sword for Your Highness in the future.”

“A double-edged sword means it won’t only harm me.”

“The being in question possesses a considerable amount of chaotic energy. Just the fact that it could pose a threat to Your Highness’s safety is reason enough to keep it at a distance.”

“To catch a bird, my hand must be pressed against the bowstring.”

Boshan showed a somewhat troubled expression at Kang-yoon’s stubborn reply. Knowing that she wasn’t genuinely distressed, Kang-yoon decided to tease her further.

“Or should I kill it with my own hands before it becomes a danger?”

Though he spoke those ominous words casually, Boshan remained unshaken. She seemed to understand that he was speaking without sincerity.

“Would you prefer the answer of the priestess of Manhae-dang or the answer of an old woman?”

Boshan’s expression was kind.

Regardless of what answer awaited in the future, it seemed she was willing to provide the answer he wanted to hear right now.

Because of this demeanor, there were times when she felt more like a beloved grandmother than the Empress Dowager.

It would be shocking to anyone who heard it, but Kang-yoon often thought such things.

“I want your answer.”

Kang-yoon did not choose either the priestess or the old woman. Thus, Boshan presented an answer that he wouldn’t know whose it was.

“Then, please do not act rashly. Keeping your distance would be sufficient.”

Kang-yoon smiled briefly. He knew she chose that answer to ease his mind. He lightly brushed aside whether it was a reprimand or a joke.

“You are more than my wet nurse.”

Seeing the faint smile on his lips, it seemed she felt the latter.

“It is my duty to ensure the peace of Crown Prince and the royal family.”

Boshan’s sincerity was always transparent. Thus, even after sending Mu-heon away, Kang-yoon was able to set aside some of the heaviness that had been coiling in his heart.

“Thank you for your help.”

“I will serve with all my heart.”

Boshan understood very well what he was asking and accepted the command before leaving Taejanggak.

Left alone, Kang-yoon felt a mix of slight relief and heavy responsibility swirling within him.

It felt heavier than when he received the decree for the construction of the coronation altar.

He knew well enough from his past experiences that it would not be smooth sailing. Clearly, all sorts of obstacles would reach out from all directions.

Yet Kang-yoon had confidence.

He was determined to sweep away everything that obstructed his path and ascend to the throne with dignity.

He would win at every moment, as he always had. He would not be bound by anything or distracted by anyone.

‘This is just the beginning.’

That was the reason he had survived and the price paid for the blood that had been spilled before him on ‘that day.’ Kang-yoon tightened the muscles that had relaxed for a moment and headed toward the East Palace.

***

As news spread that the construction of the coronation altar would soon begin, Manhae-dang also became busy.

The priestesses moved back and forth, conveying and receiving messages from their superiors, and the High Priestess, Boshan, had also begun to spend many days out.

Yeon-hwa watched them busily for several days, feeling isolated.

At first, she did not understand why Manhae-dang had become so noisy, but as time passed, she naturally learned the reason.

The young priestesses were occasionally quite chatty.

Watching the preparations for the altar she would be offered upon was indeed a strange feeling.

While everyone was busy, she felt she should contribute as well.

‘To think I would help in my own death.’

Yeon-hwa smirked inwardly at the absurd thought that suddenly crossed her mind.

After spending a few days in this excessive situation, it seemed she was coming up with such nonsensical ideas.

In any case, the commencement of the altar construction meant that the date for the coronation had been set.

‘The High Priestess said she didn’t yet know how I would be used… but how nice it would be if the decision for the fallen queen were favorable.’

Rather than a trivial hope, a straightforward resignation emerged.

Now, she was truly in a position to count the days until her death.

Ari, who had noticed Yeon-hwa suddenly darkening her expression while basking in the sun, realized the direction of her gaze and felt a pang of regret.

Just a few days ago, she had felt her heart drop upon hearing from a fellow priestess that the date for the coronation had been set. The one she served was the offering.

Not just any offering, but the one to be presented at the coronation altar on the day the Crown Prince ascended to the throne.

Until the moment of the offering, she had to be cherished, yet she was also the most humble and precarious existence.

That was the strange position of the coronation offering. Nevertheless, Ari often forgot that Yeon-hwa was the offering.

Yeon-hwa was pure like a child, yet more compassionate and wise than any adults she had met.

She was so beautiful that it dazzled the eyes, yet she always tried to remain humble and unassuming.

Thus, at some point, she had stopped thinking about the end. She merely held a vague wish to be with this angelic figure for a long time.

Therefore, Ari had tried to keep the news about the altar construction a secret, but it seemed Yeon-hwa had heard about it anyway.

It was a careless oversight. Manhae-dang was more closely related to the coronation than any other place.

‘It’s all my fault.’

Now, she could not take back what had already reached Yeon-hwa’s ears.

So, Ari began to fidget and awkwardly tried to divert Yeon-hwa’s attention.

“Yeon-hwa, I heard some delicious snacks came in yesterday. Would you like to go inside and try some?

Or should I bring back that book you read last time? Oh, it’s quite chilly today. How about going in to warm your hands by the brazier?”

Ari desperately tried to shift Yeon-hwa’s focus.

The busy priestesses had temporarily disappeared, but they would soon return to handle matters for the coronation before sunset.

Seeing Ari’s flustered demeanor, Yeon-hwa offered a mysterious smile.

“Are you worried about me?”

The girl who had been chattering like a sparrow suddenly fell silent.

Though rare, this smile was one she would give when Ari had earnestly moved for her sake. It likely wasn’t a smile that Ari would find particularly pleasing. It wasn’t a smile made with good intentions.

“That shouldn’t be the case.”

It was a sense of regret, an apology, and an endlessly deep concern.

Yeon-hwa was the offering. Moreover, she was the fallen queen brought here as a captive. In contrast, Ari was a priestess belonging to Manhae-dang.

While she might not be a high-ranking official, she was in a position that wouldn’t easily be disregarded outside. Yet, here she was, working hard for an offering who could die at any moment.

Yeon-hwa felt heavy-hearted about this strange and sorrowful relationship.

From now on, she needed to create some emotional distance so that her shadow wouldn’t fall too heavily on this child.

She already worried that if she died, Ari would suffer from the shallow bond they shared. Though it was her own life at stake, Yeon-hwa genuinely worried about that.

Just as she was about to say that she should stop worrying and let things flow as they would,

“Lady Hee-gyeong has arrived!”

The sudden visit from Hee-gyeong Palace stirred Manhae-dang.

The priestesses, who had been quietly moving, set aside their tasks and hurried into the courtyard of Manhae-dang.

Though she didn’t know the circumstances of the visit, Yeon-hwa sensed she should follow suit. She and Ari bowed, standing behind the priestesses.

Soon, the main gate opened, and a woman entered.

The silk garment she wore shimmered in a mysterious purple hue, made from precious pigments, adorned with gold thread like stars plucked from the night sky.

Her already heavy-looking headdress sparkled with expensive hairpins, and her ears, neck, wrists, and fingers were adorned with jewelry, leaving no gaps.

The sound of the ornaments clashing with each step filled the air.

Even without raising her head, one could tell where she was moving. If it were anyone else, they would have been obscured by the splendor of the ornaments.

But Hee-gyeong was different. Surrounded by luxury, she never appeared excessive.

Rather, her radiant beauty made the gold and silver treasures around her seem to lose their luster.

It was said that at one time, she was favored by the Emperor solely for that beauty.

Even now, in her middle age, poems praising her appearance floated around the common folk.

Truly, she could be called a beauty capable of shaking the world.

“I have heard that Manhae-dang has been busy day and night preparing for the Crown Prince’s coronation altar.”

Her voice, as melodious as her beauty, spread over the courtyard of Manhae-dang.

It was soft and beautiful, yet strangely out of place in this atmosphere. Hee-gyeong mixed her voice with a nasal tone to appear alluring.

“Manhae-dang is the place that reads the heavens and earth of our A-hwan Kingdom.

Now that Manhae-dang is preparing for a sacred and joyous day, how great must the efforts of the priestesses be?

Therefore, I have prepared a small gift as encouragement, and I hope everyone will accept it joyfully.”

As Hee-gyeong gestured, the attendants accompanying her brought in a cart pulled by a donkey.

The cart was filled with boxes wrapped in silk, and the rich aroma of oil and the sound of clanging indicated that they had brought exquisite food and wine.

“I wish for the priestesses to prepare perfectly for the Crown Prince’s coronation.”

“Your kindness is overwhelming, Your Highness.”

Boshan and the other priestesses bowed even lower to express their gratitude.

For a moment, Hee-gyeong smiled with satisfaction as she looked at them. However, her gaze quickly scanned the priestesses.

Finally, her eyes stopped at Yeon-hwa, who was dressed differently from the other priestesses.

‘It’s that girl.’

With one corner of her mouth curling up, Hee-gyeong approached Yeon-hwa. The shadow cast by her, blocking the sun, fell over Yeon-hwa’s head.

“Are you a new priestess?”

Perhaps it was due to blocking the sun.

Or was there another reason? The alluring voice from earlier was now tinged with a chilling coldness that pierced Yeon-hwa’s heart.

She lowered her head a bit more and replied.

“This one is not a priestess, Your Highness.”

“Then what are you doing here in Manhae-dang?”

“This one is the offering.”

“The offering?”

Hee-gyeong’s voice rose sharply, like a knife.

It seemed she had come prepared to mock her opponent with the best tone possible. The smirk that twisted her lips quickly hardened into a cold expression.

“How dare such a lowly offering come out here and bow before me.”

Surprisingly, it was Ari who was flustered by the sudden reproach. Fidgeting beside her, she spoke up in her youthful naivety instead of Yeon-hwa.

“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, this person was sent here by the Crown Prince to be used for the coronation altar.”

At that response, the corners of Hee-gyeong’s eyes sharpened even further.

“Who told you to speak? Has this one’s tongue disappeared in that short time?”

“I apologize, Your Highness. I am the priestess assigned to Yeon-hwa…”

“Yeon-hwa?”

Hee-gyeong’s voice became even more menacing.

It was entirely different from the mocking tone she had used earlier to belittle Yeon-hwa.

Just then, a sharp crack echoed through the air. Hee-gyeong had suddenly slapped Ari across the face.

“How dare you elevate the likes of a mere offering in front of me? Do you truly think you can mock me?”

“I-I apologize, Your Highness… that wasn’t my intention…”

“Shut up!”

Ari, clutching her cheek, trembled, her small body curling up even more. Boshan stepped forward to intervene, but it was futile.

“High Priestess, are you really telling me to be still in this situation? When did the discipline of Manhae-dang become so lax?”

Instead, Hee-gyeong charged forward as if she had been waiting for the opportunity. Yeon-hwa quickly lowered her body, realizing that Hee-gyeong’s target was her.

“Since I have much to learn, I have committed a faux pas. If you wish to punish me, please do so to me. I will gladly accept it.”

In truth, Yeon-hwa did not know the palace’s laws well.

She had been confined to the inner palace as soon as she became the queen of the fallen nation, so the extent of her knowledge of etiquette was limited to lying flat on the floor.

However, seeing Ari getting hit because of her, she could not remain silent.

She had to do something to appease Hee-gyeong’s anger.

Otherwise, it would also bring harm to Manhae-dang, which had been taking care of her, including Ari.

“Gladly accept the punishment?”

Hee-gyeong’s eyes sparkled at the sight of Yeon-hwa lying flat.

In an instant, she grabbed Yeon-hwa’s wrist and pulled her up.

Yeon-hwa almost screamed at the overwhelming strength that was hard to believe for someone in her middle age.

“Very well. What punishment shall I bestow upon you?”

Hee-gyeong leaned in closely, her face near Yeon-hwa’s.

Was this what a furious demon looked like? Her eyes were filled with an unidentifiable rage.

“How dare a mere offering commit rudeness in front of the First Concubine? Should I bind you up and make you kneel in the snow-covered mountains for three days and nights?”

Her long fingernails dug into Yeon-hwa’s soft skin.

If the situation worsened further, it could become difficult to manage. Just then, as Boshan was preparing to intervene and separate Hee-gyeong from Yeon-hwa, someone shook the air of Manhae-dang ahead of her.

“It is the Crown Prince!”

It was Kang-yoon.