Surviving the Romance Fantasy

“…”

In Gwibi remained silent for a while, then caught her breath and spoke.

“The reason I didn’t like the situation was because Mu-sin Seol felt uncomfortable with the current situation.”

“…yes?”

“They said that Deokbi Ha couldn’t have planned something so crude. The first thing I questioned was that this may not have anything to do with Deokbi Ha.”

Gwibi In trusted a warrior named Seol Tae-pyeong. To the point where he would hand over the main plate himself.

“He is trustworthy. I will trust Deokbi Ha, whom he trusts.”

Deokbi Ha’s eyes trembled at those words.

In other words, Gwibi In, who is the most authoritative secretary and the victim of all these incidents, will take her own side.

“…”

Ha Deok-bi felt as if his throat was choking.

In Gwi-bi’s eyes, looking straight at Deok-bi, were straighter than those of military officers who had fought on the battlefield for decades.

“However, I am not sure how much I can defend Deokbi Ha in front of the emperor. As I said, I can’t tell lies to the emperor… but if I had time to prepare something…”

– Woe!

It was then.

Two members of the demons flying in the night sky spurred down the fence and landed in front of them.

Surprised, the deputy general pulled out his sword, but the nobles did not seem to have any intention to be hostile. It’s because they figured out the identity of those gathered.

– Percussion!

The gwisu members who landed on the road were those who were separately taken out by Unbaek and sent to the pursuit team.

He kept his head down and spoke in a firm voice.

“In Gwibi-nim. Deputy Chief. It is an honor to meet you.”

He spoke politely, but his movements were clumsy.

The members of the nobles who were performing their duties could not be forced to withdraw, even if they were nobles or deputy generals.

This is because they are the ones who directly carry out the orders of the emperor or the three great dignitaries.

Ha Deok-bi’s fingertips began to tremble.

Geary, the gwisu members caught up with Ha Deok-bi.

“We are moving under the command of the main palace. We have to take Deokbi Ha to the emperor. Please consider our situation.”

“…”

“…”

The messenger of death came to snatch Deokbi by the neck.

There was nowhere to run.

Originally, death often came without even giving time to prepare.

*

Just like that, Deokbi Hawol is brought before the emperor.

Running out of the burning White Tiger Palace, my legs broke and my efforts to run again and again went to shame.

As if the struggle to survive was nothing.

Since the Celestial Dragon Festival was in progress, Emperor Unseong was in a luxuriously set tent at the innermost part of the tomb site.

After hearing the news of the Baekho Palace fire, they put the drinking table away, but the fever of the festival was still not going away.

All the high-ranking officials run out to check the situation of the concubine.

Inside the tent, Ha Deok-bi, her hands tied behind her back, is guided by the demons.

As if representing the authority of the emperor, inside a tent full of splendid jewels.

The figure of Emperor Unseong, who sits firmly on the innermost seat of power, catches Ha-wol’s eyes.

Those eyes that can be seen through the crown are as always intelligent and lofty.

The eyes of the emperor who rules Qingdao always see straight through the people.

Is Ha-wol, the daughter of the sealing family, also just a citizen in front of the emperor?

The person with the most authority over anyone else in the Qingdao Palace is just looking down at everything with eyes that say nothing is wrong.

While several high-ranking officials are sitting together, the appearance of the descending seat of the head of the sealing house can also be seen.

From now on, the figure of Ha Chae-rim, the heavyweight who arranged the work, was also clearly visible.

“your majesty. As I posted in the letter, I have captured Deokbi Ha, who was fleeing from the concubine.”

“Stop by.”

When Deokbi Ha appeared, there was a strange buzz among the dignitaries inside the tent.

The owner of the Palace of the White Tiger, who always proudly boasted of beauty, had a terrible appearance with his entire body covered in burns and soot.

It was not difficult to imagine how much he struggled to escape.

So, I knelt down and sat down.

I looked around, but there was no one on Ha-wol’s side.

‘Will it come to this in the end…’

With her head down, Deokbi Ha gently closes her eyes.

Isn’t it a fitting ending for a venomous villainess?

The time has come to accept the end.

‘…This is… what…!’

In order to defend Ha Deokbi, Consort In was sent running to the royal tomb site, and Deputy General Jeong Seo-tae entered the courtyard of Baekho Palace.

The place was filled with the warriors of the Red Palace who ran to put out the fire, as well as the ghosts who had passed out.

The warriors of the enemy palace were also surprised to see the demons moaning as they were all suppressed. It was like seeing an unbelievable sight.

‘The demons who were dispatched… they said they were all subdued…? Does that… does that make sense…?’

I didn’t even have to ask who did it.

No matter how much it was, did it make sense to beat up the nobles of the main palace like third-class jobbers?

The person in question was nowhere to be found even after looking around Baekho Palace. I wondered if he had been killed while fighting the demons, but it was strange that he couldn’t even see the corpse.

‘Where did he go…?’

The deputy general swallowed dry saliva and ran around.

However, Seol Tae-pyeong was nowhere to be found.

As if there was a place I had to go to urgently, I immediately left the White Tiger Palace.

‘This… this…’

While wandering around the warriors of the enemy palace who were busy putting out the fire, they found bloodstains heading towards the back door.

The traces of blood that dragged on were heading toward the royal tomb where the emperor was to be.

Duckby (2)

The image of Deokbi Ha-wol sitting in chains in the emperor’s tent, which was more grand than any building, was etched in the eyes of the high-ranking officials.

It was a shock in itself to see Ha Deok-bi, who always boasted of a noble figure as the owner of the Palace of the White Tiger, being captured with scars all over her body.

The emperor had already been briefed on the details.

In fact, this place was more like a place to punish Ha Deok-bi’s sins than a place to reveal the facts in detail. It was because all the circumstances made known that Deokbi Ha was guilty.

That’s why, the first words the emperor uttered at the scene where there was only silence were simple.

“Make an excuse.”

Emperor Unseong’s solemn voice permeates the scene.

Deokbi Ha was well aware that any excuses made here would be meaningless.

Everything has already been sorted out. If he hadn’t been caught, he might have been able to come up with some other means, but if it turned out like this, there was no other way.

It will look like the ugly struggle of a wicked woman driven into a corner as if she were saying something.

No matter how proud she may be of herself, Deokbi Ha is also the owner of the Palace of the White Tiger and the Crown Princess of a country.

It was too miserable even for myself to remain as an ugly and pitiful struggle.

It is only after standing on the threshold of death that one seems to understand why so many death row inmates quietly accept their end.

They wanted to face the end confidently in front of the world, without being ugly just before they died.

“…”

Deokbi Ha closed his eyes for a moment and thought.

As much as when I left, as the owner of the Palace of the White Tiger, I wanted to keep my back straight and confident.

Heavyweight Ha Chae-rim, who had driven herself into a trap, must have been imagining herself crying ugly and disappearing into the dew of the executioner. Then, at the end of the day, accepting this fate in a dignified manner would be the greatest possible resistance.

“…it’s unfortunate.”

However, different words came out of Deokbi Ha’s mouth.

Like everyone who is about to die. Even though I knew it was futile, I tried to resist as much as possible.

A person must struggle to survive in any situation. That was the belief of Deokbi Ha.

“This is all a trap…! your majesty! They framed me for plotting against the Queen Princess…!”

So, Deokbi gritted his teeth and shouted.

The dignitaries closed their eyes and shook their heads. Even Emperor Unseong was the same.

Even after all the circumstances are over, the human figure struggling uglierly is uglier. However, what if it is ugly? Will you die like this?

It is natural for humans to struggle to live as long as possible.

“your majesty!”

It was then.

Ha Chae-rim, who was sitting in the seat, jumped out in front of the dirt floor of the tent that served as the referee.

As if it was completely unexpected, not only the high officials, but even the Emperor Unseong opened his eyes as if he was embarrassed for a moment.

“Aren’t you heavy rain?”

“Yes, it is. For all of Ha Deokbi’s vices… I can’t say I’m not responsible…”

Ha Deok-bi opened her eyes wide and looked at Jung-bi.

Jung-bi realized that Ha Deok-bi had not yet stopped resisting, and jumped out to strike first.

“How can Deokbi Ha’s atrocities be forgiven! However, you may not be able to understand how strict the concubine’s laws are because you are still young. Those who tried to disrupt the law with such insidious tricks should be dealt with with severe punishment…! It’s not only Ha Deokbi’s fault!”

Ha Chae-rim lowered her head and continued to speak while shedding tears.

“I, too, was once the owner of the four palaces and had a personal relationship as a woman from the same family of seals. I should have been more stern in observing Deokbi and teaching the royal court more strictly. This… is my fault.”

“…Raise your head in heavy rain.”

“No. Please… please… Please take into account this ugly heavyweight’s fault. Injustice done is great, but in the end the disloyalty of those who fail to teach is far greater. Please forgive Ha Deok-bi’s sins more lightly, and allow this ugly Jung-bi to share the guilt…”

Joong-bi cried out for Ha Deok-bi’s sentence to be commuted, bowing her head and weeping.

The sight was truly repulsive, but Deokbi Ha couldn’t even raise his voice.

Ha Deok-bi tried to cry out that all these schemes were the work of Jung-bi.

However, as the heavy rain came out first and wrapped around the lower rain, I was confused about how to judge it.

The wailing of the evil heavy rain is surely nothing more than prudence.

However, it seems too disloyal to point out the heavy rain that surrounds oneself as the culprit of everything. At least in the eyes of high-ranking officials, she will only be seen as a villain who tries to take advantage of even the heavy rain that surrounds her.

I’d rather stay here… The emperor might feel sorry for Jung-bi’s appearance and commute his sentence a little. That… might be a bit more realistic.

“…”

However, Deokbi Ha shook his head and shouted.

“All of this is the work of the Empress Dowager! The queen who appeared on the run and tried to catch me…!”

“…!”

At that moment, there was a buzz in the middle of the room.

In the middle, you can also hear curses. You went until you finally went. You’re trying to get out of the situation by framing even the heavyweight who defends you. A voice full of contempt was also heard.

However, Deokbi Ha gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Why did the royal consort serve the nobles! I saw it with my own eyes! The demon will never move unless the emperor directly orders it, or the top 3 superiors direct it!”

“That, it is…”

“Is that serious?”

The emperor’s voice permeated once more.

The wise Emperor Yunseong had an accurate insight into the situation. It was a story completely out of the question whether it was justified that Jung Joong-bi was acting as a nobleman.

“But, Your Majesty! It’s so strange! Right after the incident, they appeared to arrest me as if they had promised…!”

“Hawol-ah… how can you… can you do that to me…!”

The heavy rain said while shedding tears.

“It’s just… I was just trying to correct you as a woman of the same sealing house…! The nobleman… Hearing my circumstances, the mercenary gave a special order and gave it to me…!”

As Joong-bi wept in a tone that said the world was sad, silence once again hung in the audience.

“Is that true… Sergeant Major?”

When the emperor said that, the senior secretary, Inseon-rok, who was watching the situation among the dignitaries, raised his head.

And spoke in a quiet voice.

“That’s right. Empress Dowager asked me to inform her of the situation and capture Deokbi Ha quickly.”

“…Since the situation was urgent, it was an acceptable decision.”

Saying that, the Sergeant Major sat down again.

There was no need for unnecessary intervention. From his point of view, being a thorough bystander was the cleanest course of action.

Deokbi Ha closed his eyes and shook his head again. There must be another way.

“However…! I have never sent such a sachet as a gift!”

“Wow…! You better stop telling pointless lies…! please…! Let’s beg the emperor for mercy…! If you tell any more lies from now on, things will only get worse..!”

“The sachet… was sent as a gift by the Empress Dowager, using a person disguised as a lady-in-waiting of the Palace of the White Tiger. I have never instructed my ladies-in-waiting to do anything like that.”

Deokbi Ha straightened her back and spoke only the truth.

Even if everyone in the world was looking down at Ha Deok-bi with contempt, he should never be discouraged. This was the final stage where they could struggle to survive.

“Stop by In Ha-yeon, the queen.”

At that time, the emperor summoned Ingwibi.

In Gwibi, who had been watching the situation from inside the tent, stepped forward, wondering if the time had finally come.

Consort In Ha-yeon, dressed in a red royal robe, bowed her head once in front of the emperor.

The dignitaries all bowed their heads and watched her with bated breath.

She, who suffered the most damage from this incident, seemed to be finer than expected. It must have been because he was drunk enough to take a break.

“Is it true that you received the sachet as a gift?”

“Yes, it is. I have attached the sachet that came as a gift through the maid of honor to the tip of the sword.”

You cannot lie in front of the emperor.

And, it was an obvious fact that Gwibi In received the sachet as a gift. And the fact that it was a sachet received as a gift from the Palace of the White Tiger could not be denied.

“Then, you must be saying that you must have received that sachet from the Palace of the White Tiger, right?”

“I heard that Deokbi Ha of the Palace of the White Tiger sent it as a gift and received it.”

It was a completely unfavorable testimony to Ha Deok-bi. However, the facts could not be misinterpreted and conveyed. It is because this factual relationship is already clearly grasped by many people, not just Ingwibi.

There is no means to defend Ha Deok-bi at all.

Even though she felt helpless, In Gwibi continued to roll her head.

I don’t think Deokbi Ha is the culprit. I needed a reason to say that.

However, there is no evidence to support the claim that Ha Deok-bi is not the culprit. Unsubstantiated claims only make things worse.

“But…”

That’s why, the defense that Ingwibi could do was only this much.

“I thought that the number was too crude to be what Deokbi Ha did.”

“…Tell me more.”

“It is a very clear fact that, conversely, Deokbi Ha will be cornered when the number is not properly worked out. I never thought that you would have performed such a trick without considering the number of cases.”

It’s just speculation.

It’s just that Deokbi Ha might have gone mad with envy and jealousy, and he didn’t know what to do.

Even so, Ingwibi talked about it for now. It was important to bend the story in a direction that could move in favor of Ha Deok-bi.

“Indeed it is! your majesty! The situation is so unnatural! It’s as if someone… has set up the situation with the mindset that they will turn you into a high-ranking criminal!”

Deokbi Ha raised his voice and talked about it at this time.

“Surely, all of this is the work of the Empress Dowager! If it had been possible to freely enter and exit the Palace of the White Tiger, it would have been possible to design all of this!”

“Wow…! How could you say that…! How could you…!”

“Clean up your false tears, Empress Dowager! There is no way that the great Qingdao palace dignitaries would nod at the words of a woman who only appeals to emotions!”

“You are the one appealing to the emotions! Wall!”

Joong-bi stood up with tears in her eyes and shouted as if everyone was listening.

“There was poison in the sachet sent as a gift from the Palace of the White Tiger! After the fact is revealed to the whole world, belatedly pointing out me and trying to pass the blame on, how persuasive would that word be!”

“your majesty!”

Ha Deok-bi ignored the words of Jung-bi and went to the emperor and knelt down again.

“Let me take a closer look at the sachets on the podium! If it’s a gift that I would have personally sent to a noble lady, it would be natural for me to embroider it myself. I know best what I can do. If I could see it myself… I could prove that the sachet was not made by me!”

“…is that true?”

Deokbi Ha momentarily held her breath at the emperor’s cold gaze.

It’s something I threw away in order to survive. This is because there must be room for anything to lead the discussion.

However, if you can’t take responsibility for your words… you will disappear with the dew of the executioner.

Can you really risk your life here?

From noble mtl dot com

The question crept into my head coldly.

“…commissioned by commander-in-chief.”

At that time, the emperor called in the future who was in charge of escorting around the podium.

Warrior commander Mirae, who was standing guard beyond the throne, knelt in front of the emperor with his head bowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You inspected the podium. Did you secure the sachet hanging from the handle of the Ingwibi…?”

“…What a shame. I searched all around the podium, but I couldn’t find the sachet.”

If you can see the sachet in person, you can prove that it is not a sachet made by you.

Ha Deok-bi insisted, but the scent bag itself had disappeared from the scene.

“…”

How should we interpret this fact?

Before he could say anything, Ha Chae-rim raised his head and raised his voice first.

“Somehow he confidently asked me to show the sachet, and you took the sachet away yourself!”

The scene was so urgent that no one could afford to pack a scented bag at the time.

However, it was strange that he couldn’t find it after all, even though he went back and tried to find the sachet again.

Did someone intentionally remove the sachet… If that’s the case, the high officials couldn’t help but suspect Ha Deokbi the most.

Confidently saying that he would prove his innocence if he showed me the sachet, he must have said it because he couldn’t find the sachet anyway.