The 21st Century Grand Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy - Chapter 27

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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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A Twenty-First Century Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy
The Most Peaceful Era
As Hwan’s reign surpassed four years, the Royal Relatives began to stir. No word came of an heir, which troubled them. Though the King and Queen were young enough that concern seemed premature, the scarcity of Royal Family members capable of performing state duties posed a genuine problem.
Consequently, Prince An, as the King’s sole brother, found himself shouldering an ever-increasing burden of work and responsibility. Should he refuse, the Royal Relatives and maternal relatives would step forward instead.
The Yoon Family already enjoyed considerable privileges as the Royal Family’s maternal relatives. Beyond the operational rights to the Royal Hospital they had possessed since before the royal marriage, their influence within the Palace grew more formidable with each passing day.
Most notably, Queen Consort Yoon held the position overseeing Royal Family finances. This meant that the Palace’s private assets, the operational budget allocated by the Cabinet, and the management of the Royal Foundation all lay beneath Yoon Irang’s authority.
Yet despite their relentless ambitions for greater power, Hwan tacitly permitted the Yoon Family’s machinations. Even in a marriage devoid of affection, it was his effort to respect the authority and standing his wife Yoon Irang possessed.
However, he refused to strip Prince An of his title as first in the line of succession, thereby keeping them in check.
Whenever certain irreverent individuals appealed that the number of Royal Family members capable of performing state duties must increase—
“Shall I appoint my brother Prince An as Crown Prince?”
Hwan reminded them of his brother’s existence. Even when pressured about producing an heir, he countered by asking whether his successor must necessarily be a son. Furthermore—
“I should look into arranging a marriage for my brother.”
He made subtle threats by speaking of finding Prince An a bride. It was his way of saying: know your place while you remain the sole maternal relatives. Should the Prince take a wife, her family would also become the Royal Family’s in-laws, forcing the Yoon Family to share their power.
Hwan, who despised appearing in public, delegated most state affairs to Wan. Consequently, Wan and Yoon Irang found themselves meeting quite frequently. Observing the two exchange warm smiles, people believed they witnessed an ideal image of the Royal Family, yet the reality was far more complex.
As the relationship between the Yoon Family and the Prince’s household deteriorated, so too did the bond between Queen Consort Yoon and Prince An.
“Prince An.”
In particular, Yoon Irang found her brother-in-law, who was becoming the Palace’s pride, increasingly distasteful. She resented how he performed more duties than her husband and monopolized all the glory that should have been his. Each time her husband showed weakness, she bristled at the sight of Prince An standing steadfastly beside him. She feared that by constantly providing such shelter, her husband grew comfortable surrendering to his own frailty.
“Your Majesty.”
Wan’s gaze toward Yoon Irang was equally unkind. For the already privileged Yoon Family to advance their ambitions for greater power required Yoon Irang’s tacit consent—without it, nothing was possible.
Each time his brother’s condition faltered and she prioritized the dignity of the Royal Family, Wan felt only revulsion. At times, one might say she was the reincarnation of Mother herself.
“What brings you to the Central Palace?”
“I brought back some gifts as a memento of my trip to Germany.”
Yet Wan wished to be kind to Yoon Irang. He did not understand all of her actions, but he never doubted that they represented her best efforts. He knew that a loveless marriage made her lonely, and that to endure such loneliness, she had become harsh in all things. He understood this.
So he wanted to be kind to her. In this Palace where she had nowhere to lean, she needed at least one person to depend upon, lest her unhappiness become unbearable.
“A gift?”
As Yoon Irang’s cold expression filled with questions, Wan withdrew a small box from his breast. With an awkward smile, she untied the ribbon and fell momentarily silent upon seeing what lay inside—a music box shaped like a grand piano.
“….”
“Does it not please you?”
When Yoon Irang offered no response, Wan grew anxious, prompting her to quickly shake her head.
“No, it’s beautiful. You must have had a busy schedule… thank you.”
“I didn’t bring a gift for my brother, so this is our secret from him.”
Watching Wan lower his voice and speak playfully, Yoon Irang nodded.
After Wan finished recounting stories from Germany and rose to leave, he offered careful words of caution.
“If… if any difficulties arise, please contact me anytime. Freely.”
It seemed he had heard about the panic attacks her husband suffered while Wan was in Germany. Yoon Irang smiled without changing her expression.
“How could difficulties arise when His Majesty is present?”
A perfect Queen’s answer. Wan stood there with a worried expression for some time before adding further.
“Still.”
“….”
“Still, if any difficulties arise, please contact me. I will be your ally.”
It was not easy to hate Wan. I understood why my husband grew weak so easily. When such a steadfast wall stood before one’s eyes, it was only human nature to lean against it.
“I shall do so.”
Only then did Wan leave the Central Palace with a lighter step.
That August.
“Brother! Prince An, brother!”
Hyun, returning from school, shouted as he crossed the garden of the Private Residence. At twenty-two years old, he could no longer be called a boy, yet he remained as loud and ingenuous as befitted “the Prince’s younger brother.” The retainers could not hide their concern whenever they saw Hyun, wondering whether his university studies were progressing well and whether he was preparing adequately for the Royal Family civil service examination.
But—
“Now, now, I told you not to run.”
As long as Wan stood there offering reproach while never losing the smile from his lips, Hyun could never truly grow up.
“Brother, you heard about it too, didn’t you?”
Hyun’s face, as he asked this of Wan who sat playing the zither on the veranda, was alight with excitement and anticipation. Finding his expression endearing, Wan shrugged his shoulders with a playful air.
“Heard what?”
“Well, I just spoke with Choi Sanggung on the phone?”
“And?”
“Really!”
Hyun, who had been watching the retainers’ expressions, finally climbed onto the veranda. Then he leaned close to Wan’s ear and began to whisper.
“The Queen Consort is with child.”
Though the words of caution about discretion until official announcement came to mind, Wan could not possibly be unaware of what he himself knew. Maintaining an air of indifference, the corners of his mouth rose beautifully. Only then could Hyun rejoice completely.
“When is the expected date?”
“Is this such a joyous thing?”
“Of course it is. It is a blessing for the Royal Family.”
As someone who would one day become a Royal Family official, it was only natural to celebrate such an auspicious occasion. All the more so when thinking of Wan, who always worried about the relationship between His Majesty and the Queen Consort.
“It seems it shall be next April.”
“A fine time for arrival. So many flowers, and the breeze so gentle.”
“Indeed.”
Wan nodded, his face suffused with contentment.
When he first heard the news, it had felt somewhat strange. He had felt bewilderment too. He had never witnessed warmth between his brother and sister-in-law, and yet a child? Perhaps this was why one could never presume to judge the bonds between husband and wife.
His brother’s reaction had been rather dramatic. At first he seemed more surprised than Hyun himself, but gradually joy began to show. The fact that he smiled more frequently than usual had become the subject of Palace gossip that even reached the Private Residence. Whenever Hyun called—
— I shall become healthy for the child’s sake.
Such words,
— If I am to be a father, I must quit drinking.
And such words too, he spoke without hesitation.
It was a sight to behold. The cold distance between his brother and sister-in-law had begun to warm considerably, and the vigilance of the Yoon Family toward him had noticeably diminished. Perhaps it was because with the birth of a son, there would be no danger of Hyun becoming Crown Prince, but it mattered not.
It was good not to engage in pointless power struggles, good to see his brother’s transformation, good to see his sister-in-law’s stability. Most of all, it was good that the family would grow.
I shall have to play with him endlessly.
Whenever Hyun imagined his nephew—bearing the features of both his brother and sister-in-law—the warmth that filled his heart was like spring itself. Whether boy or girl, the child would surely be beautiful, and if such a child were to run through the Palace, there could be nothing but happiness.
It was the most peaceful time since his brother’s enthronement.

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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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