Carrying the Child of the Man Who Killed Me

Chapter 15

“In Seonguk, there is a tradition where the bride and groom are not allowed to see each other for a week before the wedding.”

The palace attendant, who was showing Yeoncheong to his room before the wedding, explained. After Yeoncheong nodded without much emotion, the attendant added another comment.

“It’s only because of this tradition that the Crown Prince couldn’t greet you. He has been eagerly looking forward to the day he can meet you, so please don’t feel upset.”

“…The Crown Prince?”

It sounded ridiculous. Nothing had changed from the past, but the way people treated Yeoncheong had shifted, simply because he hadn’t been the one pushing for the marriage.

‘I wonder if this is really the same wedding with the same person, considering they’re even concerned about my feelings.’

Yeoncheong found it rather amusing that he was feeling guilty and overly cautious about something as easily offered as kindness.

“I will ensure everything is perfect for the wedding. You must be exhausted from your journey, so I’ll prepare a bath for you. Please rest while I take care of that.”

The sight of the attendant bowing so respectfully was so reminiscent of his past life that Yeoncheong felt almost confused. During his time here, his mind had been completely filled with thoughts of Ji-hyuk, so he couldn’t even remember the faces of the palace attendants who had once disregarded him.

However, the attendants who greeted him now were likely the same ones who had welcomed him after the staff at Wolha Palace had been replaced. There was a slight familiarity, though just a little.

“I will do my best to ensure that everything is comfortable for you until the wedding day. If there is anything inconvenient, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

Yeoncheong realized that, despite being the same person, the way he was treated changed depending on who was seen as the one pushing for the marriage. He silently smiled bitterly as he watched the attendant bow deeply.

Unlike the rushed wedding in his past life, this one was being carried out with thorough preparations and careful attention.

Though he had been too nervous to remember much of his last wedding, having spent just over a year as the favored queen seemed to have improved the way people viewed him.

‘The flowers that were prepared before weren’t unattractive, but they were the kind you could find anywhere. These flowers… even though Seonguk is warmer than Song Empire, they aren’t the sort you could easily find in this season.’

Yeoncheong lowered his head slightly as he was guided by the palace attendants, walking while glancing around. The veil over his head obscured his view, but he felt confident that he wouldn’t lose his way, even without assistance.

The familiar paths of the Seonguk palace, which he had occasionally walked before being imprisoned in Wolha, were still etched in his memory. He could find his way to Wolha even with his eyes closed.

“Be careful, there’s a staircase ahead.”

The attendant walking beside him gently steadied him to prevent him from stumbling. Yeoncheong, struggling to maintain his balance under the weight of the decorations tightly affixed to his head, felt his body sway slightly.

“Once we reach the top of this staircase, we’ll be at the platform. Just a little more effort, please.”

The attendant whispered softly. Below Yeoncheong’s slightly lowered eyelids, he saw twelve or thirteen steps.

Once he climbed these steps, the face he would never forget, not even in his dreams, would be waiting for him.

He didn’t want to face him again, but since he had no choice, he was determined to bring down that man’s life. The person he had loved so deeply, to the point of losing his mind.

The man who had killed him was waiting at the top of these stairs.

His heart started to race rapidly. The pounding of his heart was so fast and loud that it drowned out all the sounds around him.

‘I’ve really come back. Really…’

This was the moment Yeoncheong truly felt that he had returned to the past. In an instant, his forehead became drenched in cold sweat.

But retreating was out of the question; this was just the beginning. Clenching his teeth, Yeoncheong began to climb the stairs, one step at a time. He couldn’t afford to show weakness, as that would mean giving in to himself, so he tensed every muscle in his body and continued forward.

By the time he reached the top of the platform, Yeoncheong was so exhausted that he felt he might collapse if he relaxed even slightly.

‘I feel like I’m going to collapse, but at least I didn’t stop or turn back. For now, that’s something to be grateful for.’

Instead of feeling ashamed of himself, Yeoncheong chose to feel proud. Not running away, not sitting down—those actions alone gave meaning to this new beginning.

“Ha…”

Yeoncheong let out a quiet sigh. He could feel the veil above his head flutter slightly.

“Groom, bride, please raise your heads and face each other.”

Yeoncheong slowly lifted his head to meet Ji-hyuk’s gaze. In that brief moment, he had to steady his emotions several times—something no one could truly grasp.

Though the veil blocked his full view, it was clear enough to make out Ji-hyuk’s expression. Yeoncheong struggled to calm his trembling lips, trying to prevent his face from contorting.

He clearly remembered Ji-hyuk’s expression from that day in his past life. Despite the veil partially obstructing his view, he could unmistakably see that cold, indifferent face.

It was a face that showed no attempt to hide dissatisfaction with the situation, with no intention of masking his indifference. It was in that moment that Yeoncheong, almost instinctively, assumed a submissive role, watching his every move carefully.

‘How foolish I was… this marriage was never something I had any say in from the beginning.’

Yeoncheong scoffed to himself. Thinking that way seemed to ease some of his tension. However, it was still difficult to face him directly. Thump, thump. His heart was pounding so loudly it felt like it might burst out of his chest.

He raised his head but kept his gaze as low as possible. The officiating official continued speaking at length, but not a single word reached his ears.

Yet, despite everything, the moment inevitably came when he had to meet his eyes.

“Exchange the goblet…”

The attendant, who had been supporting him, spoke softly. It was time for the ceremonial drink exchange, but Yeoncheong hadn’t moved, and the attendant looked uneasy.

This was one of the most important rituals of the wedding, and there was no way it could be skipped. Slowly, Yeoncheong raised his hand and took the goblet in front of him.

His nervous expression could be hidden by the awkward performance and the veil, but his trembling hands were impossible to conceal. Trying to appear unaffected, Yeoncheong extended the goblet toward Ji-hyuk. His unsteady movements made it seem like the drink might spill any moment.

‘I’m going to spill it…’

“Wait.”

As Yeoncheong’s anxious thoughts ran through his mind, a familiar voice echoed in his ear. A steady hand gently supported his trembling one from below, ensuring that the goblet stayed steady.

Only then did Yeoncheong lift his gaze to meet Ji-hyuk’s eyes. Though partially obscured by the red cloth, he could still tell that his expression was clearly different from what he remembered from that moment in the past.

Ji-hyuk took Yeoncheong’s hand and guided the goblet to his lips, never once looking away from him since their eyes met.

The intense, almost suffocating gaze seemed to pierce through the veil, and Yeoncheong nearly pulled his hand away from the Crown Prince in front of everyone.

Fortunately, Ji-hyuk’s grip on Yeoncheong’s trembling hand was strong enough to prevent any such mistake. After finishing the ceremonial drink, Ji-hyuk finally let go of Yeoncheong’s hand carefully.

Rough hands, calloused from experience. They were the same hands that had once brushed through his hair and touched his delicate skin. He remembered that every time those hands made contact, his heart would race, and he would feel a sense of happiness.

‘This is eerie…’

At that moment, it was just a cold, unsettling hand. However, Yeoncheong felt relieved knowing that once he drank Ji-hyuk’s wine, the long and tedious ceremony would end, and there would be no further physical contact.

He just had to endure this moment. With that thought, Yeoncheong focused his mind. Unlike his own trembling hand, Ji-hyuk’s hand held the goblet firmly, without the slightest shake.

Carefully, Yeoncheong took the goblet that Ji-hyuk offered, being cautious not to let their hands touch. Closing his eyes, he quickly drank the wine, its bitter taste lingering on his tongue, causing him to slightly wrinkle his face.

But perhaps due to his nerves, Yeoncheong became so focused on getting through the moment that he forgot one important detail.

Once the ceremony was over, and the wedding feast had finished, he would be left alone with Ji-hyuk in the bridal chamber, just the two of them.