"…"
A hush fell over the room as everyone present gasped in sheer disbelief, their eyes widening in stunned astonishment. The emperor and prince found themselves staring on with expressions of utter incredulity etched upon their faces. They simply could not fathom the reality of what they had just heard. The empress, previously frozen in her position, suddenly erupted into outrage.
"I-Impossible! You're lying! This just can't be!" she vehemently denied, refusing to accept what was being presented before her eyes. Everything she had done, all those years she had endured of his disgusting resistance, all that time she'd spent so carefully organizing his downfall piece by piece to ensure that the bastard son of that bitch could never return to the political world, had been for naught. Here he stood now, looking at her as if nothing had even happened to him.
Joonghyuk, unfazed by the empress's outburst, responded calmly. "No matter how you try to deny it, Your Majesty, the answer is right in front of you."
The empress clenched her fist as she glared at him. "I… I won't believe it. I won't believe it until you give me proof."
"That invitation in your hands is more than enough proof, is it not? What more do you want from me, after all you've already tried to steal everything away from me.
Was she not careful enough? But how could she have foreseen this? Perhaps this was punishment, punishment for her hubris. When that wench of a former wife had finally died off in her own filth, she'd thought that it was only a matter of time until she secured the throne for herself. A few years of plotting and pulling strings behind the scenes would be nothing compared to the lifetime of wealth and power that her family line would be insured once the throne was attained. It had been a triumphant time, ripping away everything the previous empress had held dear, her ego, reputation, and finally her beloved husband, all while knowing that it would go to someone more deserving of it, herself of course. But she should've known that filth wasn't easily washed away once it found a place to fester. By the time the previous empress had passed, her contaminated soul had already attached itself to her children.
Ousting Joonghyuk from the palace had been an act of mercy, a foolish one at that. She should've killed him off from the very beginning, him and his brat of a sister. Because even now, she was being haunted by their mother, the ghost of her visage hiding in Joonghyuk's piercing eyes, laughing at her misery.
That wench had done nothing for the empire, she wasn't even competent enough to give the palace proper heirs, her children's lack of golden eyes a clear sign of inferiority. Even after years of hordes of physicians, doctors, and even religious fanatics trying everything in their power to cure her of whatever was afflicting her, nothing had worked. She had made the palace expend piles and piles of resources and efforts just in the hopes that they'd find a cure for her inferior self, and in the end, she had the gall to up and die after cursing the palace with another useless child. While that woman was six-feet-under, she was doing everything in her power to build a better future for her son and the empire.
And now, all that effort, all the pride she'd sacrificed on the way, crumbled to dust.
"Tell me, Yoo Joonghyuk, exactly how did you manage it. To come so proudly crawling back here just to call yourself a duke?"
"The Saintess," she mused aloud, through gritted teeth. "She does not possess the authority to bestow titles upon individuals without proper merit. Does she really have so much pity for you that she frivolously granted you the title?"
Joonghyuk blinked at her, followed by a short exhale that escaped his lips. As familiar as he was with the empress's behaviors, Joonghyuk didn't think she'd fall this hard into denial at the revelation. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "I have already provided an answer to that question, although perhaps the shock has clouded your recollection. The answer lies in three simple words: the Kaizenix Duchy."
The formerly abandoned duchy's reputation had spoken for itself, eliciting more whispers and speculation from the row around him. It was once a flourishing land, but the former duke's inexplicable decision to abandon and destroy it left a lasting mark of devastation. For the former prince to come here in the name of a fallen duchy…
The whereabouts of the manor were supposed to be a well-guarded secret amongst, everyone wanting a piece of its secret wealth for themselves. Behind closed doors and under hushed whispers, the Kaizenix Duchy was a shining standard of the power and beauty that all nobles sought to achieve. No noble would be satiated until they could handedly declare themselves as the successor to the Kaizenix Duchy, whether in literal terms or in spirit.
So how did Joonghyuk manage to reclaim a manor that was lost to time and legend? What powers were backing him to make the dream of all nobles his reality? The influence associated with the Kaizenix Duchy was so immense that even the royal family harbored a certain fear towards it, it was the spark leading to the arranged marriage between the former empress, Joonghyuk's mother, and the emperor. The story of the Kaizenix Duchy is one that spanned generations, going untold for decades as its previous duke had disappeared and its daughter had been abandoned to die.
The emperor's shock was apparent as he grappled with Joonghyuk's connection to the elusive Kaizenix Manor. He'd always seen his son fighting tooth and nail for the palace, for the throne. He lived most of his life without his mother's presence, so it never occurred to the emperor that Joonghyuk would decide to take up his mother's mantle once his claim to the throne was moot. The emperor had dedicated countless resources and efforts to locate the manor, driven by the rumors of a hidden treasure that could grant him control over the once-powerful Duchy.
"How... How did you find the manor?" the emperor's voice trembled as he gazed upon his son.
Joonghyuk's eyes hardened as he directed his attention towards his father, a surge of disgust coursing through his veins. The depth of his hatred for the man before him was almost suffocating, his fingers inching toward the sword around his waist to end his life right then and there. However, Joonghyuk restrained himself, acutely aware of the presence of numerous onlookers around him. He only just established himself as duke and had a lot more to do before solidifying his power, it would have to wait until later.
Forcefully relaxing his face and unclenching his jaw, Joonghyuk addresses his father. "Your Majesty, there are certain matters that are best left unknown to you," he stated vaguely, his words dripping with restrained contempt.
"Yoo Joonghyuk! As the emperor of the Seoul Empire, and I command you to answer me properly!"
Joonghyuk was unyielding as he met his father's eyes, a flicker of defiance burning in his eyes. He drew in a deep breath, his voice steady during his next words.
"Your Majesty, while I understand your position over me, I am the Duke of the Kaizenix Duchy. As the rightful ruler of my duchy, I have the authority to make decisions regarding its affairs and the information released about it—"
"I am not just the emperor, Joonghyuk, I am also your father, and I command you to speak!"
Joonghyuk's eyes widened in disbelief. Unable to contain his incredulity, a scoff of bitter amusement bubbled up within him. The room grew uncomfortable as the echoes of his laughter filled the air, a stark contrast to the tension that had gripped the space moments before.
"Your Majesty, since when were you my father? You never spared me an ounce of acknowledgment or showed any semblance of care. Now, all of a sudden, you want to say you're my father? Spare me the hypocrisy."
The emperor was left with his mouth open, grasping at straws for anything to respond with while Joonghyuk shifted his attention to the rest of the room. It must've been quite the show for everyone here, getting front row seats to the dysfunctional family everyone revered as the empire's shining stars.
"I hope all of you have a pleasant night, Your Majesties and Highness. As much as it pains me to say this, I have better matters to attend to for tonight. " With a heavy sigh and a bow Joonghyuk and strode away from them, not sparing a second glance as everyone was left to stare at his retreating back.
Just as he was about to reach the door, his steps paused, a person amidst the crowd catching his attention in particular. Smoothly changing his course, Joonghyuk's gaze remains fixed on one individual.
"Kim Dokja..." For the first time that evening, Joonghyuk's countenance softened into something genuine.
"Yoo Joonghyuk," he returned, the pair silently sharing a connection that would never be understood by anyone else. "You look so cool there, Joonghyuk~ah. I'm sure my heart skipped a beat." he said with a lopsided smile. Dokja had been watching from the crow as the entire exchange went on. Needless to say, he was just as amused as Joonghyuk was at everyone's reactions.
"Really?"
"Mhm!"
A gentle smile graced Joonghyuk's lips as Dokja patted his head, running his fingers through the other man's soft locks. He could practically see Joonghyuk preening at the gesture as a subtle shiver ran down the man's spine.
"Then I'm glad," Joonghyuk replied softly, intertwining their fingers together. "Let's head to the garden, it's too stuffy in here." With a soft kiss to Dokja's temple, they made their way out, leaving a bewildered audience in their wake.
As Joonghyuk and Dokja slipped away, the whispers among the remaining guests grew louder. The room was left in just barely contained chaos, the attendees wanting to express their full incomprehension at what happened before their eyes but still needing to maintain some level of decorum. It would be a hard task to find anyone who actually remembered that the purpose of the gathering was for the crown prince's birthday, the new Duke of Kaizenix occupying everyone's minds. Not even a glance could be spared for the royal family as everyone went on with their questions and speculation.
"I can't believe what just happened," one voice exclaimed.
"I know, right?! I never expected His Highness... I mean, His Grace to grace us with his presence. And to think he's become a Duke!"
"…But how did he find the Duchy?" At that specific question, the room fell into a momentary silence.
It wasn't until a few moments later that someone spoke up again "That's something His Grace alone knows. The Kaizenix duchy is known for their widespread connections, maybe one of those people took a liking to him…?"
The empress's anger simmered beneath the surface as she took in the whispers circulating amongst the guests. Unable to bear their speculation any longer, she rose from her seat, her fists clenched. With a forced smile, she addressed the emperor and her son.
"Your Majesty, I am feeling quite exhausted and in need of rest. If you would excuse me..."
Ignoring their concerned looks, the empress turned and walked away, determined to find solace from the prying eyes and murmurs of the nobles. As she navigated through the crowd, guests attempted to engage her in conversation, only for the empress to refuse to acknowledge their presence, feigning obliviousness.
On the way back to her room, she encountered numerous maids and servants who, sensing that the empress was on one of her tempers again, quickly bowed to her before scurrying away. They were all too familiar with how violent she got during these times and wanted no part in it. Finally reaching her room, she closed the door with a soft click, slowly letting out a breath into the still room. The empress leaned heavily back on the now closed door and took in the calm silence of the room. Reaching to her right, her fingers found the rim of a porcelain vase, tightening around it before hurling it across the room with a loud crash. She let out a blood curdling scream as she did so. No object in the room was safe from her rampage; shelves were knocked down, tables were overturned, and everything else was destroyed.
"Why can't you just die?!" she screeched desperately. By the time she was finished, it looked like a tornado had just blown through the room. Her chest heaved from the effort inhaling and exhaling as she tried to regain control of herself. Her hands, covered in cuts and blood from her reckless rampage, trembled. Whether it was from the adrenaline or her pure, unadulterated anger, even the empress couldn't tell. In contrast to the loud cacophony that the chamber had experienced moments prior, the air stood still save for the empress's heaving breaths.
As she stood there, fixated on her bloodied hands, a previously concealed entrance opened soundlessly. The air itself seemed to shift as a figure stepped into the room, their presence palpable. Even with her back turned to the newcomer, the empress didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Your Majesty," they softly, being sure to mind her rather tender state of mind. Slowly, the empress turned her body to face them, her expression a blank cover to her whirlwind of emotions. The figure before her was otherworldly in appearance, their ethereal white skin seemed to glow softly, crimson red eyes that held an incomprehensible depth of knowledge, and a single horn protruding from their head.
"Bihyung..." she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. In that moment, the room was charged with an unspoken understanding between them, both sharing a history that transcended all boundaries.