Toxin

Due to a restless night, my eyelids felt heavy. Although I had rushed out of the chamber yesterday, I couldn’t bring myself to cross the bridge. I cleared up the misunderstanding with Garon who had followed me out, but I couldn’t confess the jealousy I hadn’t even anticipated.

Upon arriving at Byeolwon, I immediately wrestled with the painter’s list along with Naro. Naro assigned painters to suitable positions while I jotted down the names. I only now understood the reason behind his request for the list.

“The painter with a dynamic style, Daewoong, will take on the imperial ceremonies, and Jaeul, who is good at painting the four gentlemen, should handle the ceramics. I didn’t know there were so many imperial painters since I never saw them around.”

Naro glanced at me while catching his breath.

“Why are you smiling?”

“No one would have expected this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought the Chief Painter would use the list as a death list. That’s why other painters were so scared.”

“What?”

Naro, who had looked astonished, soon adopted a mischievous expression.

“You see, you can’t help but see what’s right in front of you. It’s a regret I never saw those fellows trembling in fear. I’m still thinking about how to pay them back, so be careful of getting stabbed in the back!”

As I continued to sort the list, a familiar name came up from Naro’s mouth.

“Painter Dongha doesn’t have any particular traits. Should we assign him to painting spring flowers? Since he lived in the pleasure quarters before joining the imperial court, he should be familiar with male and female figures. There are always upper-class people who demand secretly drawn figures.”

“The storekeeper can stay as he is. He seems to manage the storage well, and it’s better to have someone doing a respectable job since he might be getting married soon.”

Naro’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Painter Dongha getting married? There’s no concubine to grant permission… Oh, wait, you’re here?”

Naro, who had just recently tried to sever ties with me after learning about my relationship with Garon, now treating me as a concubine seemed strange.

“Chief Painter Naro, you didn’t accept romantic feelings among men, did you?”

Pungbaek, who had been sleeping on one side of the room, lifted his eyelids. Naro, not knowing this, continued hesitantly.

“Looking back, the romantic entanglements between men and women were much more fierce. Seeing the imperial court at peace now makes me wonder if it’s a good thing…”

Rather than feeling happy about Naro’s change, my heart sank. Naro, smiling with a smirk, seemed like a naive young master from a wealthy family. With his fair skin and delicate features, he would be loved by anyone.

At that moment, a portly painter wandered nearby. He had been among those who had recently packed their things. The portly painter stealthily handed a bundle to Naro.

“It’s nothing special, just something my mother made by hand. I thought it would be nice for your younger siblings…”

“What is this?”

The bundle Naro unwrapped contained dried meat and ginseng. The painter bowed and revealed his true colors.

“I want to be assigned to ceramics, but how can I make it happen? No one can match me in handling calamities!”

It seemed he had quickly prepared this after seeing us sorting the list in the morning. Ceramics painters were highly sought after outside the imperial court, so once a name was established, one could rake in money from collectors.

Since assignments could make a huge difference in earnings, the painters held their breath, waiting for Naro’s decision.

Suddenly, Naro entered the room and threw variously colored bundles into the yard.

“See, I told you so! Everyone come out and see!”

The painters, who had been hiding in the room, sluggishly came outside. Naro pointed at them, scolding them.

“Why aren’t you all picking up your bundles? Painter Daewoong ! Don’t come to me and badmouth Painter Jaeul! Why do people who share the same pot of rice act like this?”

Daewoong gave an awkward smile at Jaeul, who was glaring at him. Daewoong had been the most aggressive in tormenting Naro. With a comrade turning into a scoundrel, the other painters frowned.

Naro issued a stern command to the painters as they gathered their bundles.

“From now on, bribery, flattery, fighting, and snitching are all banned in Byeolwon! I don’t know how many positions have been held through bribery, but I will only judge by skill.”

Naro, who had been subdued not long ago, now seemed capable of dropping a flying bird. With the support of the Baedal Emperor, he had nothing to fear. As the painters fell silent, Naro cleared his throat and added.

“And from now on, each of you should leave your own seal on your paintings. If you don’t have a seal, you can write your name. Even a tiger leaves its skin behind, so shouldn’t a painter leave his name? And I know everyone has had a hard time entering the imperial court. I will be an open Chief Painter who listens to your hardships, so don’t hesitate to come to me.”

The painters were touched by the new Chief Painter’s leadership. I was equally surprised. My mother once said that power reveals a person’s true nature. Naro used the sword he held not for revenge but to root out rotten practices and reorganize the neglected Byeolwon.

I still couldn’t determine if the current Naro was his true self or if the image that had maligned me was the real one. Since I would see him every day from now on, it seemed better to express my feelings honestly rather than suffer in silence. I wanted to believe that the times I laughed and cried with Naro were not lies.

As the commotion settled and the list organization neared completion, I cautiously began.

“After finishing today’s work, I would like to see Chief Painter for a moment, if that’s alright.”

“Why is that?”

“I have something to discuss with you.”

“Well, with work piling up, I don’t know if I’ll have the time. Let’s leave it at that for now, and we’ll talk later.”

Naro avoided eye contact and busily darted his eyes around. The expression that had once been merely cute now seemed to indicate cunning. My situation was serious, and I needed to make a decision today.

I gathered my paint supplies and descended from the platform.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go see the Grand Chamberlain.”

“Oh, by the way, I was meaning to tell you… From today on, you’ll be assigned to something other than portraits. How about drawing architectural structures or ceramic patterns? Anything but portraits.”

“Why the sudden change…?”

I was taken aback by the abrupt shift. Naro awkwardly smiled and stuttered.

“It’s just that, being alone with the Grand Chamberlain in such a confined space isn’t ideal, don’t you think? It’s better for you to draw things like stones or plants. Imagine how much more enjoyable it would be to paint in an open and scenic place. Ah~.”

It seemed like a form of exile rather than just a change in task.

“The Grand Chamberlain is not an easy person, but I don’t mind just painting. I’ve finished the underdrawing, so I’d like to finish the coloring myself.”

“It’s not just about whether you’re okay with it… Well, let’s use the underdrawing as it is and have another painter handle the coloring. But make sure your seal is engraved on it!”

At that moment, my composure finally snapped.

“Do you have any idea how humiliating this is for a painter?”

Naro bit his lip, looking regretful. But no excuses from Naro would reach my ears now.

“Even though Byeolwon matters are under the Chief Painter’s jurisdiction, does that mean you can impose your will arbitrarily? Especially targeting a specific painter. Where did your promise to judge by skill alone go?”

“Well, I meant to assign it to a painter with similar skills to yours… No, I misspoke. Anyway, don’t be stubborn and listen to me!”

“Don’t just brush this off. Explain why you’re suddenly doing this!”

When I shouted sharply, Naro was stunned into silence. At that moment, Pungbaek stood up quietly.

“Shall I take a look at your hand?”

“Who are you going to take a look at?! If you keep this up, stay away from Byeolwon!”

When Naro argued vehemently, Pungbaek withdrew his hand from his sword.

I didn’t want to know Naro’s intentions right now. It was disheartening to think that even those who had once comforted each other could fall out so suddenly.

In truth, Naro wasn’t entirely at fault. In the imperial court, where life was as fragile as a fly without powerful backing, anyone would need a lifeline. My jealousy, despite knowing Naro’s situation, was my own fault.

“Chief Painter, it seems I’m unnecessary. Please ask His Majesty to assign a more skilled and generous painter.”

“What, what are you saying? Where are you going?!”

Even at Naro’s call, I immediately dashed out of Byeolwon.

***

After leaving abruptly, I had nowhere to go. Should I abandon the Grand Chamberlain’s portrait? It was the first real assignment I received as a formal painter, and the time I had invested seemed wasted. I walked aimlessly, touching the city walls with my hands.

The soldiers on the city walls were frantically waving their flags. The officials I had encountered on the way were unusually busy.

When I arrived at Yongjeon, I saw an inn rushing somewhere. I quickly called out to the inn.

“Why is the atmosphere at the imperial court so strange today?”

The innkeeper bowed and replied.

“People who drank from the river have died. They said they ingested charcoal.”

“How severe was the stomachache that it led to death…”

“The ones who had stomachaches have all recovered, but those who died drank water with charcoal. The officials have gathered to ask His Majesty to severely punish the painter…”

Drinking water with charcoal and dying from it made me break out in a cold sweat. Without a second thought, I ran toward the Central Hall.

***

I arrived breathlessly at the vast courtyard in front of the Central Hall. Over a hundred high-ranking officials were kneeling on the dirt floor with solemn faces. Garon stood where their bowed heads were collectively directed. The Emperor’s guards and the elite troops were also in a standoff. The pressure they emitted made it difficult for me to approach.

The elderly officials, who had been battle-hardened since the previous Emperor, did not lose their spirit even in front of the notoriously cruel Garon. The voice of the head of the punishment office, Guga, rang loudly in the open space.

“You must expel the Imae Tribe from Yongjeon immediately. Lately, there have been continuous ominous events at Naragaon Fortress. Why is His Majesty turning a blind eye? This time, it’s just the death of a family, but who knows how many more lives will be lost next time?”

As someone who had attempted to poison the Emperor, I had no grounds to refute the hostility of the Baedal people toward me. Despite the earnest pleas of the officials, Garon yawned lazily, seeming bored. It must have been a frequent occurrence.

The Grand Chamberlain, who was behind Garon, quickly intervened.

“Why are you suddenly bringing up Imae Painter here? Is there evidence that the charcoal caused the deaths?”

“The Imae Tribe is the one that urged the use of charcoal. I had my own investigation done, and there’s no tradition of purifying water with charcoal among the Imae Tribe.”

Guga was indeed lying. The Imae village had a tradition of using charcoal, and it had proven effective. However, only the Imae chief knew the secret techniques, which might have included poisonous woods.

The Grand Chamberlain, hiding his fluster, cleared his throat.

“Guga, please don’t make things up. You only said that Imae Painter used charcoal for purification but never urged it. His Majesty, being wise, commanded to use charcoal based on your statement. Are you doubting His Majesty’s decision?”

Even Guga, who was usually unyielding in front of Garon, was at a loss with the Grand Chamberlain’s stubbornness. Ignoring the Grand Chamberlain, Guga pleaded again to the Emperor.

“Why are you not finding the culprit who smashed Suryeong’s head? I heard that the Imae Tribe suffers from somnambulism and wanders around the city at night. Many soldiers have seen the Imae Tribe near Suryeong, so the truth must be revealed.”

With even Naro now under suspicion, I wondered if the officials felt the same. I was curious if Garon shared their thoughts. After remaining silent for a long time, Garon finally spoke.

“What does it matter if that guy smashed Suryeong’s head? Suryeong is a joint project completed by me and him.”

The officials’ attempts to pin the blame on me for ruining Suryeong were less surprising than Garon’s demeanor, which suggested he knew more about the situation.

Guga seemed to be someone who had resolutely risked his life today.

“A great dam collapses from a small crack. Isn’t this situation, where His Majesty and my officials are at odds, already a sign of such a crack?”

“So you’re saying you’re at odds with me. I thought we were having an open and honest discussion.”

As Garon muttered, the officials shrank back. Seeing the officials starting to get anxious, Guga hurriedly signaled someone with his eyes. A soldier from the watchtower was brought forward. The terrified soldier, unable to even lift his head, was ordered by Guga.

“What are you doing? Report to His Majesty immediately what you saw. If you lie, I’ll annihilate your entire family.”

The soldier, trembling and bowing deeply to Garon, said,

“I saw Imae Painter… drawing a map of the inner fortress. When I caught him, he hid it in his clothes. I swear on my life that it is not a lie!!”

Garon’s eyes turned cold at the soldier’s testimony. Guga did not miss the slightest change in the Emperor’s demeanor.

“He must have been instructed to steal the map by colluding with the traitor Raonhiljo. You know that those who have defied Baedal are gathering around Raonhiljo. Even now, soldiers are bleeding on the front lines while the Imae Tribe hides in seclusion, blocking the Emperor’s eyes and ears. Expel the Imae Tribe swiftly and raid the traitor’s stronghold.”

My heart was heavy, as I was responsible for Raonhiljo’s fall from grace. It was no longer a time to just watch; I approached Garon.

“It’s just a rough sketch. I drew it for myself because I kept getting lost.”

I pulled out the crumpled piece of paper from my chest and handed it to Garon. Then I looked at Guga.

“The village where my lord lives has only children who lost their parents to war and farmers. my lord would want to live in harmony with them, never thinking about war. You must have already checked the information book. Why do you keep inciting war?”

Garon’s gaze was like a blade against my cheek. Slowly retracting his gaze, Garon scrutinized the rough sketch.

“It looks like a rough sketch to me.”

Guga did not back down.

“Do you trust the words of someone who tried to poison His Majesty? Drawing a map of the inner fortress means being skinned alive and fed to the dragons, no matter the reason.”

“But this is just a rough sketch.”

Garon folded the sketch in half and dismissively said.

“It’s true that charcoal purifies water. I tested it myself.”

When did that happen…? He was not someone who blindly followed my words. The officials’ faces darkened with defeat.

Garon drew a sword from the waist of one of the guards. He shoved the sharp blade into Guga’s mouth, causing blood to drip down. The officials, who had been so confident moments ago, took a sharp breath. Garon leisurely watched Guga’s suffering.

“The most treacherous here are you. Your tight-knit group is a result of your own insecurity. If the imperial court runs smoothly, there’s no place for you.”

Garon’s gaze shifted to me, frozen in place. After a long time, holding a sword, his eyes were itching with anticipation.

“Is it getting tiresome hearing the nagging? Should I just cut out your tongue? Or strip you naked and throw you to the frenzied dragons?”

It seemed he would carry out either option immediately if I made a choice out of anger. Although I denied it, realizing the weight of a single word was not trivial was sobering. It was a clear mistake to speak without certainty. There was no confirmation that the deaths were caused by charcoal, and the true culprit behind the destruction of Suryeong was still unknown.

But I wanted to leave a warning to those desperate to expel me.

“If you’re going to throw me to the dragons, then give me a choice. I’ve only been eating raw chicken lately and am getting itchy. The tongue is a delicacy, but if it’s wounded, the texture will be off, so please be careful.”

Garon seemed to appreciate my response and smirked. I began to understand why he made such bitter remarks. Seeing the horrified faces of the officials, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Garon returned the sword he had taken from Guga to Usa.

“Send them all to the Suragan.”

“P-Please, Your Majesty! Forgive us!”

The officials, surrounded by Guga, wailed loudly. Guga’s face, dripping with blood, looked devastated.

Garon handed the rough sketch back to me. I hesitated to take it, only watching the tip of his fingers.

“I really drew it because I was confused about the path. The intention to steal the map of the inner fortress…”

“I understand.”

His nonchalant response eased my sense of injustice and sorrow, as if it were a lie. I wondered how many more times he would dismiss things so casually.

“How often do I suffer from somnambulism?”

“Almost every night. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to join in for a night walk.”

“……”

Once again, I was left speechless in shock. I hadn’t known that even the guards and attendants kept silent about its frequency. Sometimes I found unfamiliar wounds on my feet. When possessed by the somnambulism spirit, I had no memory of what I did while wandering around. The thought that I might be the culprit solidified in my mind.

“Did I perhaps destroy Suryeong?”

I stared at his ceremonial robes, waiting for the verdict. But the answer he gave was unexpected.

“Rather than destroying it, you petted it. I had a hard time stopping you from taking Suryeong to your chamber.”

Relief finally washed over me. I had watched every moment from the initial design to the completion. My heart had soared with pride just seeing my painting come to life on paper, thinking that having a child would feel like this. If I were the culprit, I had planned to never draw any more designs. Garon led me, still standing blankly, and turned his steps.

While I was struggling with guilt daily, Garon must have been fighting alone, against so many seasoned warriors. I realized that the peace in the imperial court was solely due to Garon’s patience.

From afar, the officials’ screams echoed painfully. The direction they were being dragged to was the real Suragan.

“His Majesty’s skill in making jokes that don’t sound like jokes comes in handy in such situations.”

Garon’s gaze slid over to me.

“I’ve never made a joke once.”

He uttered a chilling remark and calmly headed toward Yongjeon.

***

The news of the officials’ plea spread quickly throughout the imperial court. When I returned to Yongjeon with Garon, even the attendants were cautious with every step I took.

After dinner, I opened a rare book that had been kept in reserve for some time. The book, acquired from a foreign land, featured various gods depicted in illustrations. It was filled with all sorts of scandalous and salacious content, enough to rival the most obscene pamphlets one might find in a marketplace.

Despite enemies lurking outside, I found myself engrossed in the indecent stories, which seemed to be a reflection of my own misfortune. The portrait I had been reluctant to part with was still left untouched.

Garon was sitting on a bed, examining the rough sketch I had drawn. He always came up with extraordinary ideas from the most trivial details.

“Since we’re on the topic, should we also revise the internal layout of Naragaon Fortress?”

At this unexpected suggestion, I closed the book I had been reading.

“Are you talking about the entire fortress?”

“If possible.”

The idea of capturing the vast expanse of the fortress on paper was daunting, but it seemed more enjoyable than dealing with the gods’ scandals.

I spread large sheets of paper across the floor of the side room and picked up some charcoal. This time, I would draw based on the fortress’s structure as envisioned by Garon. The fragmented drawings would be assembled to complete the picture.

Before starting, I listened to Garon’s description of the layout and was astounded. Naragaon Fortress was an intricate stronghold.

“I thought the reason for my frequent disorientation was the aftereffects of having my horn broken. It turns out that it was unusual for Your Majesty to navigate so easily.”

“The Crown Prince must learn to grasp the entire structure of the fortress immediately after learning to read. In the event of a siege, knowing how to escape first is crucial.”

“Is it really possible for a child just starting to learn to memorize something this complex?”

“That’s why many people’s calves were injured. The previous emperor, who had residual effects from that time, used to wear many layers of ceremonial robes to avoid revealing his limp.”

“And Your Majesty’s calves?”

When I provocatively asked, Garon curled the corners of his mouth.

“It seems the rumor about a prodigy bestowed by heaven didn’t reach Imae Village.”

The only rumor I had heard was that wherever the Black Martial Emperor went, only grass and stones remained. I must have been oblivious, receiving only education as a Crown Prince from birth and knowing little about anything else. It was natural I had no interest beyond war.

We spent several hours absorbed in the task without moving. Drawing what he had envisioned was surprisingly enjoyable. Seeing my hands and pants stained with charcoal, I could imagine how disheveled I must have looked. I briefly set down the charcoal and meticulously wiped the sweat from my forehead and my soiled hands with a towel.

As I straightened up and looked around the room, I couldn’t help but admire the view. The detailed fortress spread across the entire room, giving the feeling of overlooking Naragaon Fortress from above.

From the spiderweb-like secret passages to the hidden underground fortifications… the vast scale left me speechless. The most astonishing part was that Garon had all of this in his mind.

“But why are you giving such detailed information if you really plan to steal it?”

Although I spoke, even with the map, it was not an area that could be easily accessed. Garon had a look that seemed to say, “Try if you can.”

“The distance on the map is about ten ri from the tip of your hand. Remember that.”

Now I understood why he had been observing my hand closely while drawing the map. I spread my hand and gauged the distance from Yongjeon to Suryeong.

“I don’t know how you managed to walk such a long distance in that state.”

“Sometimes going in the wrong direction and frequently bumping into pillars, it took a lot of effort.”

“I thought the bumps on my forehead were from accidentally hitting the cabinet while tossing around in my sleep… It seems there was another reason.”

I rubbed the bump on my forehead from recently. Then I remembered the state of my hands and fiddled with the towel.

“I’m not sorry for forcibly making you take nightly walks. Even if you protected me from unseen places, I wouldn’t be grateful.”

I repeated it like a chant. My somnambulism had begun after my mother’s death. Such a small effort couldn’t possibly alleviate the despair I felt.

However, over time, I stopped examining my mother’s horn. I tried to find some reason for Garon to become a murderer. Even as I forced myself to push away the fading guilt, I kept making excuses for these wicked feelings.

A moment later, his voice broke the silence.

“I thought every time you ran out in a somnambulistic state, it was because you wanted to escape. But that didn’t seem to be the case. I followed you because I was curious where you wanted to go. You’re watching where I go too.”

I raised my gaze to look at Garon. His black eyes, deep as an abyss, were fixed on me. It felt like a space where a misstep could lead to a death from which I could never escape.

In this room, filled with my greed, it was okay to be selfish. With external noise blocked out, nothing could shake me. I disarmed my defenses and replied.

“Yes.”

Garon’s gaze darkened even more than the color of the night. His warm lips clung to mine like a leech, and our tongues entwined. I gasped and pulled away.

“The map…”

“It’s alright. The purpose was never the map anyway.”

With malicious intent, his fingers traced circles around my nipple. His other hand explored the inner thigh. During this time, I had been unable to move, worried about wrinkling the map I was lying on.

My buttocks parted, and a stiff tongue pushed into the hidden crevice. The hot breath and slippery sensation made my vision blur. Garon had learned how to bring me to climax with frequent intercourse. As my waist tensed, he promptly thrust his member into me. I knew he couldn’t endure the moment when the wet hole tightened to its fullest.

Garon panted like a beast and moved urgently. His hard member scraped the climax and pounded quickly. I writhed and twisted my waist.

“Ah…! Ugh…!”

The evidence of climax splashed onto my rounded chest. The softened hardness, dissolved in saliva, was crushed by Garon’s tongue and disappeared into my mouth. As we breathed and heated up together, our union reached a point where it could not go deeper. He forcefully thrust his hips and climaxed. The carefully drawn internal map was torn and soaked.

***

The next morning, I woke up late. Garon was gone, having gone to the office, leaving the bed empty. I hurriedly packed the stove and finished preparing to go to Byeolwon.

The place where one could most definitely feel the imperial atmosphere was Yongjeon. After the charcoal incident, the officials in Yongjeon had once again become wary of me. The attendants who used to visit my quarters frequently to chat avoided me. It seemed I had become accustomed to a life surrounded by others.

I brought the processed meat from the inn to my room. I lifted the lid to check and confirm it wasn’t the officials’ tongues, then sighed in relief. Instead, the inn reported that throughout the night, the sounds of mourning continued from the dragon’s pen. Normally, Ara would keep me company during meals, but today the inn had taken her place.

“Ara’s status… what happened?”

“I haven’t reported to Your Majesty yet.”

It was a relief that Garon hadn’t heard. I felt resentful toward the innkeeper for offloading such a life-and-death matter onto me. I gripped my hair and spoke with effort.

“Just marry Ara to Painter Dongha. He’s at an age where he shouldn’t rot away in the imperial court for the rest of his life.”

“Even for someone like me, rotting away in the imperial court isn’t so bad. Especially when the income is decent these days, it feels quite rewarding.”

“……”

It seemed that the decision on Ara’s marriage was open to bets. I would wager my remaining horns on the fact that the innkeeper had bet on me agreeing. Despite gathering all the stakes, she maintained her calm demeanor.

“What should we do about the tea party with the officials’ wives?”

“Let them drink tea as they please. I’d like to get rid of all the cumbersome formalities once and for all.”

“I will convey that to the ladies.”

Even after the business was concluded, the innkeeper showed no sign of leaving.

“If you’ve finished speaking, please go about your duties.”

The innkeeper looked at me with dark, penetrating eyes.

“Since you are so accommodating, the maid and attendants have temporarily forgotten their duties. Please punish me first for neglecting the management of those below.”

It seemed that the Yongjeon officials’ avoidance of me was bothering her.

“Why punish anyone when no one has done anything wrong? In a precarious situation, it’s natural to be cautious about even minor matters.”

“That is also something those below must endure. I beg you to punish the officials who have disrupted the imperial discipline. You must maintain your authority to survive in this harsh place.”

“Why do you keep giving a mere painter a sword?”

To my ongoing refusal, the innkeeper poured out stern words like a switch.

“If you were just a painter, Your Majesty would not have personally brewed the medicine. The wives of high officials would not be so eager to please. It was you who chose that attire, not someone who twisted your limbs to force you into it.”

I came to my senses. Just as she said, no one had pushed me to come here. Even though I knew what it meant to be with Garon in Yongjeon, I had denied it. I couldn’t lift my face, remembering my constant complaints.

“Since the first day I entered here, you have silently looked after me. I am always grateful.”

“Those who came through here before were also driven out of competition in similar ways. I served them with all my heart, so there is no need for you to thank me. In this imperial court, you should not give your heart to anyone. Do not trust even me. As the mistress of Yongjeon, discipline the lower ranks and restore order.”

The innkeeper seemed unwilling to leave without hearing a response. I had heard she had served countless concubines from a young age. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the hardships she must have endured while burying herself in this isolated imperial court.

I stood up and slung the stove over my shoulder.

“I will follow your instructions. I will administer punishment to the maid and attendants who disrupted the imperial discipline.”

I pronounced clearly to the innkeeper, who awaited the judgment with somber eyes.

“Each will receive one blow to the palm, and since you are the highest-ranking, you will receive ten. I will carry out the punishment myself this evening, so prepare the switch.”

I confirmed the quivering of the innkeeper’s lips and left the quarters.

***

When I entered Byeolwon, I was at a loss for words at the absurd scene. Naro, who was completely drunk from the afternoon, was clinging to Pungbaek and complaining. Pungbaek was refilling Naro’s cup every time it was empty and diligently feeding him beef jerky. The painters were absent, probably out working.

I set aside a liquor bottle lying around and sat down at the end of the room. Naro had been glaring at me with bleary eyes. His appearance had become even more haggard in just two days.

“How can you say you want to sever ties when you’re the only one I can lean on here? Since you left, I haven’t slept a wink, and I can’t focus on my work…”

Holding on to the drunkard and talking about trivial matters had already drained my energy. But there was one thing I had to address.

“Not long ago, I saw Chief Painter meeting with His Majesty alone. I also heard that you were talking about me.”

“How do you know that? Why, why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

Naro, flustered, had a face that showed the effects of the alcohol fading away.

“If you had met His Majesty, shouldn’t Chief Painter have given me a heads-up first? I only didn’t act like I knew because you were hiding it. It even sounded like you were badmouthing me at that time.”

Since I had already started, I detailed what Naro had been gossiping about that day. Pungbaek, who had been listening quietly, added his comment.

“It seems the rift in friendship was largely due to you, Naro. One shouldn’t speak ill of friends behind their backs.”

Naro, with tears welling up, asked me,

“So, was that the reason you’ve been harboring ill feelings toward me?”

Feeling guilty from the accusation of holding a grudge, I couldn’t come up with a reply. It was true that I had kept things inside that I should have just revealed. Naro hesitated for a long while before speaking up.

“Do you remember the day you painted the folding screens for me when I was bedridden with a cold? I happened to meet His Majesty when I went to Yongjeon to get the folding screens from you. After that, His Majesty became curious about your life in Byeolwon, so I reported in detail. But why did I only talk about the weather and paintings? I’m frustrated!”

“Did His Majesty assign a significant task to Chief Painter, or was it to me?”

“To be precise, it could be seen that way. Hehe….”

Naro looked so innocent that it was almost pitiful.

“But why did you speak ill of me? To anyone who saw it, it seemed like Chief Painter was framing me.”

Before I could retort, Naro began sobbing uncontrollably.

“I was so scared of His Majesty that I don’t even know what I was babbling about! When asked to paint a portrait, I feared my head would be on the chopping block if it was known it was me, so I threw you under the bus! I felt like I was possessed when talking about Suryeong! Whenever your name came up, His Majesty’s gaze changed, so I ended up framing you to avoid trouble. I thought I had to prove my worth to His Majesty to survive, so I wanted to highlight myself by digging up your faults….”

Every excuse was so absurd that I couldn’t even get angry. I sighed and asked,

“Knowing that His Majesty would punish the culprit who destroyed Suryeong, why did you frame me?”

“Because I thought you wouldn’t be punished! Is that enough?!”

“…….”

It seemed that all this tragedy was brought about by Naro’s desperate desire to survive and excessive loyalty. Even though I understood Naro’s situation, I still couldn’t feel at ease, which made me realize I wasn’t in a much better state.

I poured some liquor into an empty glass and took a sip. It was so bitter and strong that it made my face scrunch up.

“From now on, stop conveying messages about me to His Majesty. I’ll speak directly.”

“If you do that, I’ll lose my place in the imperial court! Can’t you turn a blind eye just this once if I make sure not to be seen?”

“That’s even less acceptable.”

“Have you always been this heartless? I’ve struggled all my life and finally managed to improve my lot….”

“I don’t like the fact that Chief Painter is meeting with His Majesty in secret.”

“Then what should I do…!”

Suddenly, Naro looked at me with bleary eyes.

“Wait, you don’t like me meeting with His Majesty in secret? Could it be… you’re jealous?”

Naro’s intuition had sharpened significantly, probably due to dealing with Garon over the past few days. As I remained silent, Naro’s expression became one of certainty.

“I see, I see! Then, tell me in detail when you started feeling jealous. It would be even better if you specify who you were jealous of.”

It seemed Naro was ready to rush off to Garon as soon as I gave an answer. Garon must have chosen the wrong informant. As we bickered, we somehow ended up reconciling. Naro, finishing the remaining alcohol, said with a hint of generosity,

“Finish the portrait of Grand Chamberlain yourself! His Majesty was displeased, so I was scared and only showed my inept self. But let’s just say you stubbornly took it on! I’m sorry for being so inadequate… sniff, sniff…”

Pungbaek helped Naro, who had collapsed on the floor, back up. I glared at Pungbaek with blurred eyes. As I drank and exchanged words with Naro, the alcohol was loosening my tongue.

“Don’t try to deceive Chief Painter. Do you think I don’t know about your scheming around here? Neither you nor your brothers are normal…”

I was the one who wasn’t normal, clinging to an enemy. Pungbaek looked at me indifferently and muttered,

“Naro needs to quit drinking, and you need to drink more.”

I frowned at the unexpected comment.

“I used to find you annoyingly old-fashioned, but now you’re finally acting your age.”

Pungbaek carried Naro off to a room. With my time spent with Naro, it seemed my drinking capacity was increasing more than my painting skills. Even as I sat on the floor and felt the cold breeze, the drunkenness was slow to fade. Remembering the day I was to meet the Grand Chamberlain, I headed toward the Central Hall.

***

I began preliminary coloring on the sketch that had been pre-coated with glue. After roughly applying the colors, detailed brushing would complete the portrait. Even though I had only had a few drinks, the brush kept appearing to me like a dog’s tail.

The Grand Chamberlain, sitting opposite me, pinched his nose and scowled.

“How much have you drunk to be emitting such a strong smell of alcohol? Can you still hold a brush?”

“I’m not drunk at all, so don’t worry.”

The Grand Chamberlain, with a doubtful expression, fiddled with his dark blue headwear.

“I got a new headwear because the old one was too small. I hope it’s okay. I asked for it to be made as similar as possible since you’re so particular about authenticity.”

“It’s fine to make it suitable. It’s a painter’s job to make do with what’s available.”

“It’s something I plan to pass down through generations, so it’s not just a matter of suitability. Are you planning to do a shoddy job just because it’s my portrait?”

“I’ve never cut corners with any painting. But if it’s known that it’s painted by the Imae Tribe, won’t future generations be ashamed?”

“Even those who painted the Emperor’s portraits did not receive such comments.”

For some reason, it felt like the Grand Chamberlain was approving of me. In the few days since I had seen him, his chin had become noticeably thicker, so I had to touch up the sketch again. Perhaps what needed touching up was my intoxicated state of mind.

“Are you… sincere about that?”

At my question, the Grand Chamberlain’s eyelids twitched.

“About what you said, calling me a blessing.”

“No, why are you eavesdropping on others? It seems being a spy is not something just anyone can do.”

The Grand Chamberlain cleared his throat and proudly stroked his chin.

“I never say anything unless it comes from the heart. It’s true that seeing how you’ve been taking care of His Majesty has eased my feelings somewhat. I thought you’d become arrogant with the Emperor’s favor, but seeing how you treat your subordinates, you seem to be a person of good character… Ahem. That doesn’t mean I fully trust you with His Majesty.”

I thought it was only because my work had made his pockets fuller. Perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol, the Grand Chamberlain’s words all sounded sincere.

The essence of a portrait is to truthfully capture not only the appearance but also the life of the person. This belief will remain unchanged until the day I die.

I quickly touched up the sketch on the paper spread out on the floor, burying my nose in it. Maybe because of the alcohol, it felt like the brush was flying. After hours of sitting still, I presented the preliminary portrait to the Grand Chamberlain.

The portrait depicted a handsome man with smooth skin, clear eyes, and a prominent nose. It also captured his abundant hair and the veins in his arms. The Grand Chamberlain looked bewildered.

“This… this isn’t how I look! I thought a portrait should be painted truthfully…”

“That’s exactly what I’ve done. The portrait you’re seeing is indeed you.”

The Grand Chamberlain, deeply moved, couldn’t take his eyes off the painting for a long time.

***

The true culprit behind the destruction of Suryeong was never found. It was concluded that either they had fallen by their own weight or it was the work of someone who had tried to trap me. Perhaps Garon had already identified the true culprit.

The mystery of the charcoal incident was resolved surprisingly easily. It turned out that a family suffering from debt had committed suicide by poisoning, and the rumors had become distorted. There was no change in the soldiers stationed at the watchtower.

I finally completed the Grand Chamberlain’s portrait after working on it for fifteen days. When I went to deliver the painting to the Grand Chamberlain’s office, a grand banquet had been prepared.

“Thanks to you, we will leave behind a portrait that won’t be a disgrace to future generations. If you could leave your signature on the painting, it would be an honor for our family.”

The sudden request took me by surprise. Although Naro had ordered each person to leave their signature on their paintings, I wasn’t prepared with a seal or a pen name. Since there were many days I painted without any name, adding a signature felt awkward.

“I don’t have a seal with me yet, so would it be alright if I write it instead?”

“Of course!”

The Grand Chamberlain nodded vigorously, causing his cheeks to jiggle. After hesitating for a while, I wrote the characters with a thin brush on the edge of the paper. The Grand Chamberlain, seeing this, subtly asked,

“I see you use a pen name as a painter. May I ask what it means?”

“Ah…”

I bit my lip, pondering where to engrave it. Eventually, I decided on a corner that was not very noticeable. I quietly captured the characters in my eyes.

“It means ‘a faint purplish sunset.’”