Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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103.
Implicitly, everyone knew. Though they had not given voice to it, he had always occupied a place in a corner of their hearts.
In the minds of All Officials, and in the memories of the people.
‘Jinyul.’
He had plunged without hesitation into the countless, perilously dangerous tasks ordered by the older brother who had snatched the throne.
Though he was royalty, his figure always standing tall at the absolute vanguard toward the lands of death became an exemplar and role model for all soldiers. And everything he accomplished became beneficial to the people. For he took the lead to firmly establish national power and eliminate dangers within and outside the country.
Thus, when the king’s seat became vacant, his was the only face that naturally came to mind in everyone’s heads.
Without any alternative whatsoever, completely.
“I never knew I would end up wearing this thing on my head.”
In the dim dawn, Jinyul, who was staring out the window at the brightening sky, casually tossed out the words, and Lee Yeon, who was adjusting the fit of his clothes, slowly raised her head.
“……Is that so.”
She looked toward the place Jinyul was staring. Over there, resting upon a red cloth, was the Myeonryugwan. Radiant yet cold, beautiful yet heavy, it was the king’s authority and responsibility.
Lee Yeon had continued to stay at the Seo Family Residence even after Jinyul publicly announced he would succeed the throne. It was her own will that she could not reside in Daehee Palace when she had not yet become the Queen.
“In truth, I always thought it was an object that would go to you eventually.”
Lee Yeon said as she firmly tied the knot of his robe.
This kind of task was something for a Palace Maid or an eunuch to do, but Lee Yeon had come to the palace before dawn to prepare for Jinyul’s enthronement. As she entered the palace while harboring her swollen belly, all the Palace Attendants of Daehee Palace and Geonhwijeon came out to greet her with utmost care.
Lee Yeon raised her head and looked up at Jinyul. It was a resolute gaze filled with warmth.
“It has merely returned to its original master; this crown must have been waiting for this moment as well.”
“I.”
Jinyul muttered.
“I did not want to become king. What I wanted was…….”
He looked at Lee Yeon. Reflected in his deep-colored eyes was Lee Yeon.
“For you to become the most noble woman in this country.”
He reached out his hand and lightly touched Lee Yeon’s cheek.
“To ensure that you never have to bow your head to anyone.”
The hand that left her cheek hovered over her belly, which was hidden beneath the voluminous folds of her skirt, before dropping away, unable to bring himself to touch it.
“For our child to live safely and without worries.”
It was not for his own honor or authority, but purely for the sake of the person beside him.
To protect, to cherish.
“And I only wanted freedom.”
Jinyul looked at Lee Yeon.
“I wanted to spend time with you, free from any pressure or duty.”
He muttered. It was a slightly somber voice.
“Even though we are husband and wife, we haven’t spent much time together…… and now that a child is on the way, along with the burden of a nation placed upon me, I’m utterly ruined from ever playing the loafer.”
“Don’t say such things.”
At her sturdy and firm voice, Jinyul let his shoulders slump a little.
“Indeed. Since this is a stage where I can no longer back out, I must steel my heart and…….”
“Once the child grows up, we can just leave it to them and depart.”
“……?”
Jinyul snapped his head up and looked at Lee Yeon. Then, with an expression as if he had just received a profound realization, he nodded his head repeatedly.
“We can just leave it to them and depart?”
“Handing over that crown, the Dragon Robe, the seat, and all the weight of a king.”
As Lee Yeon spoke with a smile, Jinyul’s eyes sparkled as if just the thought of it pleased him.
“So, until then, lay down a good foundation. So that we can depart with peace of mind.”
At Lee Yeon’s words, Jinyul nodded his head firmly. It was a serious expression quite different from when they were exchanging half-jokes a moment ago.
“For the child, and for you. I will surely do so.”
Before they knew it, the sun had fully risen above Geonhwijeon. It was now time to step forward.
To Jinyul’s place, and to Lee Yeon’s place.
The two shared a brief kiss.
* * *
The sky was strangely clear. An open, clear sky without a single speck of cloud unfolded above the eaves.
Upon the wide Bakseok in front of Jeongjeong Palace, the Ministers had already lined up. On the faces of the civil and military officials who were fully dressed in their formal attire, a tension and anticipation that could not be hidden was swirling.
The deposed Queen had assassinated the king. And the one who had settled that tragedy was now about to ascend the throne.
“The Grand, no…….”
Someone who saw Jinyul standing beneath the platform started to correct their form of address but let their words trail off.
The majesty swirling around Jinyul’s entire body was already that of a king.
“The time has come.”
When Sangseon announced in a low voice, Jinyul nodded his head.
“Begin.”
The moment his words fell, the drums rolled loudly.
Boom— Boom—
It was a heavy sound that seemed to make the entire palace vibrate. Simultaneously, all Palace Attendants and Officials straightened their postures and bowed their heads. Hong Ran and Lee Yeon were also watching that sight from beneath the platform.
Jinyul slowly moved his steps and ascended onto the platform.
Rustle. Rustle.
Stepping one step, and then another, his footsteps were neither fast nor slow.
The Officials held their breath and bowed their heads while he climbed the stairs. And finally, the original master of the throne stood in his place.
Because it was inheriting the throne during a State Funeral, Jinyul’s attire was still mourning clothes. To him, Sangseon presented the Daeryebok.
“…….”
The gaze of ten thousand people pierced into Jinyul. Over his mourning clothes, he draped the Myeonbok handed to him by Sangseon.
It was a scene publicly demonstrating that he was donning the clothes of a king while harboring a heart of mourning.
As Jinyul lit the incense toward the direction where Jinpyeong’s body was enshrined, an official placed the king’s crown upon his head.
It was simultaneous.
“Long live the king!”
At the shout of the official in charge of conducting the ritual, all attendees raised both hands and shouted.
“Ten thousand years!”
“Long live the king again!”
“Thousands upon thousands of years!”
The loudly roaring sound echoed across the Bakseok. It was a booming sound loud enough to be heard throughout the entirety of Jeongjeong Palace and even beyond it to Geonhwijeon.
It was a shout proclaiming the enthronement of a new king, wishing for that king’s long life, and announcing the joy of the nation.
“Hurrah, hurrah, long live the king!”
An enthronement ceremony during a State Funeral was usually bound to be a sight filled with grief. However, there was not a single person weeping bitterly, nor anyone yearning for the late king.
It felt as if the blood-reeking incident that had occurred not long ago was completely forgotten.
It was at that moment. Listening to the shouts of long live the king echoing from all directions, Jinyul turned his body and slowly took a step forward.
“…….”
He stepped down the stairs he had climbed while wearing mourning clothes, one step by one step, while wearing the clothes of a king. The shouting voices of the people gradually died down.
Sangseon also showed a hint of bewilderment at first, but soon grew quiet.
And before long, the place where Jinyul stopped his steps was beneath the stone platform.
“Lee Yeon.”
Lee Yeon slowly raised her head. Because he stood against the light, Jinyul’s face was cast in shadow and could not be seen properly. His expression and his eyes were the same.
The only thing that could be properly seen was his lips drawing a half-arc.
“You are my entire reason and purpose.”
Jinyul slowly placed both hands upon his head. Then, he lifted the crown and placed it upon Lee Yeon’s head.
“My Queen.”
It was an instant.
Led by Hong Ran, all Ministers and Palace Attendants deeply bent their waists and bowed.
Lee Yeon looked up at Jinyul while placing her hand upon her belly. Her straight gaze left him, reached Hong Ran, and then reached the ten thousand people who bowed their waists to her, and reached the sky.
She slowly bent her knees slightly and replied.
“I accept your immense grace.”
The title of Queen, which she was meeting for the second time, was no longer terrifying. It was not heavy.
Because in this life, she had her people. Because she had become able to protect those people.
At last, everything became complete.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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