Royal Coup d'État - Chapter 7

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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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Chapter 7
Choi Sang-eun was not an onion that needed to be fed love to grow. Ever since that accident in childhood, she had learned through the years, bone-deep, that the world was not always kind.
But this was a bit much. What on earth had she done? Should her greeting have been more respectful?
Born and raised as a member of the Imperial Family, Sang-eun attended official duties with particular diligence and met more citizens than most, but this was the first time she had witnessed such a reaction to her face.
Even so, he was a public servant? A public servant was a servant to the entire nation and pledged loyalty to the Emperor—wasn’t it the least expectation that he hide his distaste for the Imperial Family, even if he felt it?
Keeping her lips firmly sealed, Sang-eun followed Tae-o down the corridor, yet her mind raced.
A man she had never seen before, showing her such open contempt right in front of her—it gnawed at something in her chest, a steady, nagging ache.
‘Compose yourself, Sang-eun. Not everyone loves the Imperial Family.’
Times were always changing. The Imperial approval ratings dropped year after year; there had even been surveys suggesting that once the Emperor—that war hero—died, abolishing the monarchy entirely would be better. So this was a lesson she had to accept, a burden she must bear.
And yet, no matter what, to do it so openly—
The discomfort spreading through her entire body was beyond her control.
All Sang-eun could do, as always, was offer a gentle smile and treat Tae-o with an even, unmoved demeanor, as though she felt nothing at all. But it did little to soothe her wounded heart.
The group arrived at the Investigation Conference Room on the third floor. Tae-o deftly pulled the Access Card hanging around his neck and held it to the Black Card Reader beside the door.
With a click of the lock disengaging, he turned to gesture at Sang-eun.
“Please, come in.”
“Yes, of course.”
It fell to Seok-chul to open the door. Tae-o had only unlocked it; he made no move to open it for her. Even that small courtesy seemed to offend him—or perhaps he resented that Sang-eun had bothered to use Seok-chul at all. His expression remained twisted with displeasure.
Sang-eun, feeling suddenly deflated, reached for the handle. Seok-chul, who had been holding the side of the door, shot a meaningful look at Tae-o, but if such looks could have swayed him, he would never have shamed her in the first place.
“You there—whether you’re an aide or secretary, you cannot enter.”
“Pardon?”
Seok-chul, who had started to follow Sang-eun through the doorway, froze mid-step.
“The Imperial representatives authorized for this Task Force are three: two from the Censorate and one provincial governor. That’s the count we have on record.”
“I am the aide to the governor herself.”
“Which is precisely why your name wasn’t on the approval list.”
Tae-o’s words dripped with mockery as he positioned himself between Sang-eun and Seok-chul, dividing them.
As Sang-eun stood confused, glancing between the two men, she felt the weight of watching eyes from behind. There were others present in this space.
Sang-eun swallowed silently and nodded to Seok-chul. It was their principle never to separate unless circumstances made it unavoidable. But here, now, she could not afford to dig in her heels or drag out the moment.
Seok-chul, understanding her meaning, exhaled sharply. He released the door handle he had been gripping and bowed his head to her.
“Truly loyal, aren’t you.”
The door closed behind her with a soft sound, and Tae-o brushed past Sang-eun—his low murmur, audible only to her, was unmistakably contemptuous.
Left alone in the dim, quiet conference room, she felt suddenly exposed—surrounded by hungry eyes, stripped bare and abandoned among those who seemed eager to watch her falter.
It took several seconds for Sang-eun to swallow down her distress and, as always, summon forth a smile of perfect, picture-book beauty.
‘I thought I had grown numb to how the world works. But I am still just an ordinary member of the Imperial Family, after all.’
Sang-eun turned slowly toward the interior of the conference room with a wry smile. Six people sat waiting inside, watching the scene unfold.
Their gazes held no warmth. Sang-eun offered them a broad smile, as if to say she cared nothing for their judgment.
Those who had been holding their breath finally offered her greetings, each in turn.
Sang-eun smiled easily, inclined her head, and gave a small wave. Only Tae-o, seated front and center, turned away as if the sight of her offended him.
“Please, sit with us, Governor.”
The man seated at the head of the table rose and offered her the seat beside him. His face was one she had noted in the list she reviewed last night. He was the Police Commissioner.
Before taking her seat, Sang-eun surveyed the room. In their consideration for where she should sit, only two chairs remained empty: one beside the Commissioner and one in front, near where Tae-o was sitting.
In that instant, something kindled in Sang-eun’s chest—a spark placed in the arid soil of her usually placid heart, setting something within her in motion.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I think the front seat will help me concentrate better.”
Sang-eun rose with a faint smile and moved toward the front.
Tae-o, who had been sitting at the edge of the wide table closest to the screen, furrowed his brow. As she drew closer, she sat directly across from him with a composed, knowing smile.
It was not the most comfortable position. The screen loomed large, the speakers were near enough to ring harsh, and above all, there was Tae-o staring at her with something close to menace.
It was far from what anyone would call the seat of honor, but for Sang-eun, it was perfect.
Sitting beside the Commissioner—the man Prince Yi-gu was rumored to favor—would have only made it harder to observe. It was far better to sit slightly removed and take in the whole room at once. She had no need to concern herself with the discomfort the man before her might feel.
Better to focus on what mattered.
“Ahem.”
The Commissioner, who had suggested the seat beside him, coughed awkwardly, unable to spit venom at a smiling face. He kept stealing glances at her, then turned his attention to Tae-o.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s start with brief introductions and move on with the meeting.”
Tae-o gave a perfunctory nod at the Commissioner’s words, dragging his chair back with loud, deliberate scraping—a gesture of clear reluctance.
“Inspector Tae-o. I’m serving as team leader of this Imperial Special Investigation Task Force.”
The introduction was curt—almost a defiant refusal to waste time on pleasantries. Watching the Commissioner’s face flush red, then pale, Sang-eun felt a small measure of satisfaction.
“Auditor Hong Mun-seong, detailed from the Censorate.”
“Auditor Park Tae-hwa, also of the Censorate.”
“Sergeant Yun Hee-jae, Traffic Investigation Division, Police Agency.”
“Policy Advisor Choi Sang-eun, Prime Minister’s Office.”
After that, the two civil servants dispatched from the Imperial Household Administration under the Censorate and one police officer and one representative from the Prime Minister’s Office completed their introductions.
Once the Commissioner had finished his ostentatious remarks, it was Sang-eun’s turn.
“I am the Cheongyang County magistrate, Yi Seon. I’ve been given my orders too, so I’ll ask whatever questions are necessary without reservation. If any of you have concerns you’d like to raise, please speak freely.”
“Well…….”
The moment Seon finished her greeting, Detective Yun, seated beside Tae-o, slowly raised his hand.
“Magistrate. Would it be possible to get your autograph when this is over……? Ah!”
Unable to tolerate Detective Yun’s casual request for an autograph, Tae-o drove a sharp elbow into his ribs with considerable force.
As Detective Yun let out a pained grunt, Seon replied with a faint smile.
“Members of the Royal Family cannot sign anything outside the Imperial Palace. There’s a risk of forgery.”
“Ah, yes.”
Detective Yun, still clutching his ribs and whimpering softly, let his words trail off.
Seon observed him for a moment, then naturally shifted her gaze to Tae-o beside her. He made no effort to conceal the look of utter disgust he’d worn since Yun raised his hand.
“I can arrange a photograph, though.”
Seon spoke while still watching Tae-o. His eyebrows twitched sharply as he stared at the documents before him. Again. It was clear she’d touched a nerve.
“Then when the meeting ends, please do take that photograph for us……!”
This time it was the Police Commissioner. Though rumors swirled of his connection to Prince Yi-gu, he apparently hadn’t heard the whisper that Seon was the royal cousin despised most by her second uncle.
Seon lowered her gaze for a moment. Her long, lush lashes completely shielded her eyes. Born to an actress mother, Seon possessed beauty unmatched among members of the Royal Family.
Yet Seon had not seized her current position through her refined appearance alone. Beyond her natural face, she possessed an iron will. No matter how thick the conference room was with Prince Yi-gu’s people, she would not bend.
“I wish that were possible.”
Seon spoke in a gentle tone.
“As you know, my situation is not favorable.”
Though she sat before them with a composed face, the fact remained immutable: she was the niece on the brink of losing her uncle to a terrible accident. Confronted with their transparent greed, she had only to state the truth—and the Police Commissioner’s and Detective Yun’s mouths snapped shut at once.
But there was more. For just an instant, a smile flickered across Tae-o’s lips, breaking through the discomfort he’d been unable to hide.
It would have escaped anyone but Seon, whose sensitivity to change was acute. The moment passed in a heartbeat.

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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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