Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 32

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

32.
When the drums resonated loudly three times, the doors of the Grand Hall slowly opened.
A sharp, piercing scent of plum blossoms brushed the tip of her nose, causing Eun-oh’s eyebrows to twitch subtly.
‘…I feel dizzy.’
The sunlight streaming through the open windows on both sides of the vast Grand Hall scattered across the floor.
Incense was rising from a large censer placed in front of the Royal Throne. The scent was so thick that it made her head spin.
Perhaps thinking that it was because her clothes were heavy, Court Lady Shin firmly supported Eun-oh’s swaying body.
“Your Majesty, the Queen is entering!”
As the eunuch’s shout echoed inside the Grand Hall, All Officials stood up simultaneously, and the palace attendants prostrated themselves on the spot.
“We greet Your Majesty the Queen!”
Eun-oh soon regained her senses.
And gently pushing away Court Lady Shin’s support, she lifted her head high.
‘Now, this is my world.’
Eun-oh muttered to herself.
The whole world bowed its head toward her. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her.
As Eun-oh took a step forward, her pearl-colored hem brushed against the floor. With every movement, the gold thread gleamed dazzlingly. A peculiar light flickered in the eyes of those who looked at the robe embroidered with the seal of the Royal Family.
Eun-oh was delighted that the eyes of ten thousand people were locked onto her. Her heart swelled so much that goosebumps broke out all over her body.
‘I’ve always wanted a moment like this. Such a brilliant moment, a moment when the heads of these countless people are all bowed before me.’
For the sake of this very moment, she had endured all the humiliation and insults until now.
To finally see the light, to stand so magnificently. It was a dazzling reward for all those past days.
‘Doesn’t the protagonist always face trials?’
Eun-oh curled the corners of her mouth slightly and looked around.
This was the very place where she had stood for the Gantaek. On that day, too, she had been under everyone’s gaze, but many things were different between then and now.
If she was the one being evaluated back then, this time, conversely, it was her turn to evaluate everyone. To see whether they were worthy of catching her eye or not.
“Your Majesty, please be careful when you bow.”
Court Lady Shin, who was following behind Eun-oh while holding the long, trailing hem of her skirt, whispered quietly.
Eun-oh’s ceremonial robe was layered with multiple sheets of fabric to make it look voluminous, and it was densely studded with pearls and gold thread, making it incredibly heavy.
Instead of answering, Eun-oh nodded and looked straight at the Jade Throne ahead.
‘Two.’
For a moment, Eun-oh’s gaze stopped there.
‘Two Jade Thrones.’
Joy flickered in Eun-oh’s eyes. Ecstasy washed over her.
Where once only a single Jade Throne had stood, there were now two. It was her seat. And Jinpyeong was sitting right next to it.
He sat there with the exact same face he had during the Gantaek, when announcing the results of the selection, and when having lunch with Eun-oh.
“Your Majesty.”
It was fine even if his eyes were cold and indifferent. Even without a welcome or affection, she could feel it. She knew that he was thinking of her.
Eun-oh bowed gracefully. As she bent her body, the countless pearls attached to her clothes clattered against each other like abacus beads, making a rustling sound.
“Thank you for hosting this banquet for me.”
Then, Jinpyeong spoke briefly.
“It is only natural, so please take your seat, Queen.”
It was an indifferent tone, but Eun-oh could not hide her joy. Her heart pounded wildly.
‘He said it is only natural to host a banquet for me. And he called me the Queen.’
Eun-oh bit the inside of her lip slightly. Otherwise, she felt like she wouldn’t be able to restrain the corners of her mouth from rising limitlessly.
The fact that the King called her the Queen in front of these countless people made her feel as if she were flying in the sky.
‘It feels entirely different from when I am called by the palace attendants.’
With the help of Court Lady Shin, Eun-oh firmly stepped on the platform one by one. She stepped up and stood proudly upon it.
Then, she tightly gripped the dragon head of the Jade Throne and slowly sat down.
“Ha…”
Her held breath escaped like a laugh. Court Lady Shin neatly arranged the hem of Eun-oh’s robe and stepped back.
Eun-oh sat proudly and looked down.
Sitting on the Jade Throne, she could see the brilliantly decorated Grand Hall and the heads of those who had been bowing and bending their waists until now. Ten thousand people were looking up to her.
‘…But.’
Even amidst that overwhelming joy, Eun-oh felt an unexplainable emptiness.
‘It is such a brilliant and perfect moment, so why do I feel so hollow?’
She had received both the King’s recognition and the greetings of All Officials, but an unquenched thirst still remained.
‘Ah.’
Eun-oh soon realized the reason.
‘It is because of the one who is not in this place.’
The person from whom she most desired to receive a greeting was not here. The person whose kneeling and bending figure she wanted to see was still not present. She had not submitted to her yet.
‘Why hasn’t Lee Yeon arrived yet?’
Eun-oh’s pupils shook momentarily.
‘His Majesty said he sent a letter, so why hasn’t she come?’
Eun-oh glanced slightly at Jinpyeong. He was also scanning the Grand Hall. A subtle look of displeasure was washed over his face as he looked toward the tightly closed doors.
Seeing that, Eun-oh swallowed a smile.
‘What will you do, Lee Yeon? Whether you don’t come or do come, it will be hell for you.’
Eun-oh turned her head and smiled softly toward All Officials.
“Everyone, please rise.”
At those words, the people lifted their heads all at once.
Eun-oh continued gracefully.
“Thank you all for gathering like this for me. I hope you enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”
Then, Chae Mun stepped forward with a face full of smiles.
He bowed his head to Eun-oh and shouted.
“We thank the Queen for her grace as vast as the sea.”
“We thank you!”
As the King’s Father-in-law, the one who had become the Queen’s father, shouted first, the ministers including Lord Seo shouted in succession. Their shouts hit the ceiling of the Grand Hall and echoed back.
Eun-oh smiled brightly and nodded. It felt as though her world was being completed.
It was then.
“…….”
Jinpyeong’s gaze turned toward the doorway.
His eyes, which had been soaked in boredom, changed.
‘…What is it?’
Eun-oh followed his gaze and turned her head in that direction.
The ministers who had been whispering and chatting in the hall also began to shut their mouths one by one.
“What is going on?”
When Eun-oh asked quietly, Court Lady Shin, who stood behind her, bent her waist and whispered in Eun-oh’s ear.
“I am told that the Grand Prince and his wife will arrive shortly.”
For a moment, Eun-oh’s pupils shook subtly. But soon, a smile spread across her lips.
“Is that so?”
It was a relief that she came.
Since she had been waiting only for her, only for this moment.
This banquet was for herself, and it was a stage for Lee Yeon’s humiliation.
“How insolent of them to be even later than me.”
At that mutter, Court Lady Shin bowed her head and stepped back.
It was somewhat unpleasant, but she intended to generously forgive them just for today.
‘Since just having the courage to come to this place is commendable.’
It was right when Eun-oh was tapping her palm with a fan.
The doors of the Grand Hall slowly opened, and sunlight poured in. Every gaze turned to one place.
Eun-oh narrowed her eyes. Because their backs were against the sunlight, she could only discern the silhouettes of the two people standing at the doorway.
“Grand Prince Jinyul and his wife are entering!”
The eunuch’s shout resounded inside the Grand Hall.
At that moment, all sounds, including the flutes and the drums that had been echoing through the hall, vanished.
The moment the two people, who received everyone’s gaze upon themselves, took a step forward side by side, the doors closed from both sides with a snap.

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