Chapter 105: Battle to Seize the Vice General Part 3

Working as the headmaid at the Crown Prince’s Palace was truly a good job.

Many maids looked up to her, and perhaps because she had the Crown Prince’s support, there were no inconveniences in her work, and she had a lot more personal time compared to when she had been a maid at the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

The increased responsibilities were a bit of a headache, but for the ever-confident Seol Ran, it wasn’t much of a drawback.

In the end… she felt like she might work at the Crown Prince’s Palace until the day she left the palace for good.

It was really tough when I was at the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Having finished her day’s work, Seol Ran sat on the porch at the back of the Crown Prince’s Palace to catch her breath.

“You worked hard today too, Headmaid!”

“Headmaid, would you like me to bring you some tea?”

“Mm… Sure, please do so.”

Seol Ran who was always used to serving others didn’t feel entirely comfortable with so many maids watching her every move.

Still, as the saying goes, the position makes the person, and after working for a while, she found herself getting used to it.

She hoped her smooth work routine would continue like this, but Cheongdo was not exactly a place where one could let their guard down.

– A competition has started among the mistresses of the four palaces for the position of the next Heavenly Maiden.

– The Crown Prince, who remains holed up in his palace with no intention of stepping outside, doesn’t seem to have any desire to mediate between them.

– In the end, it seems most likely that the Azure Princess manifested the power of the Heavenly Dragon and will end up taking the position of Heavenly Maiden.

– Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong has been assigned to assist the next Heavenly Maiden.

Having risen to this position, Seol Ran now received the major decisions made by the high-ranking officials.

And lately, the content of these reports has been unsettling.

What made her feel particularly uneasy was seeing the name of her beloved younger brother mentioned frequently.

“…….”

Seol Ran sat on the porch and was quietly lost in thought. Judging from the recent reports, the Azure Princess’s movements were anything but ordinary.

If things continued like this and she secured the position of Heavenly Maiden, her brother Seol Tae Pyeong would end up serving under her and following her every move.

What did that mean…?

From the beginning, the Azure Princess who never seemed to have much ambition for power now clung to the position of Heavenly Maiden with an unnatural tenacity.

Like pieces falling perfectly into place, the scattered information started to come together.

Yes.

Seol Ran, who had closely watched Seol Tae Pyeong since his days at the White Immortal Palace…. she could easily draw a conclusion when she heard these kinds of stories.

The mistress of the Azure Dragon Palace, the Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang.

That young immortal who always had a mysterious look in her eyes and walked around the palace like a fairy with her flowing sleeves.

The reason she insisted on becoming the Heavenly Maiden.

Tae Pyeong-ah … is in danger…

With a hardened expression on her face, Headmaid Seol Ran looked up at the tiled roof of the Crown Prince’s Palace.

The moment the roles of Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang, who was to become the mistress of the Heavenly Dragon Hall, and Seol Tae Pyeong, who would serve under her as the Vice General, became clear, Seol Ran instantly sensed that her younger brother was in danger.

If the Azure Princess were to exert her authority and take any action, how much could one resist under the orders of the Heavenly Maiden?

It was clear that Seol Tae Pyeong would need help from someone fully aware of the entire situation. However, how many in the Azure Dragon Palace could truly grasp the cold, calculating heart of the Azure Princess beneath her flowery exterior? Perhaps not even one.

“…….”

Seol Ran glanced around with a hardened expression on her face; this was the Crown Prince’s Palace where the current Crown Prince resided.

Her days working at the Heavenly Dragon Hall were long past.

She was now bound to the Crown Prince’s Palace.

***

“It seems like everything is proceeding according to plan!”

As soon as Yeon Ri entered the office, she spoke with a bright expression on her face.

The current situation was that the crown princess consorts of the four palaces were eager to devour me. Yeon Ri’s beaming smile prompted me to open my eyes halfway.

“Tae Pyeong-ah… How could you look at a person with those eyes? No matter what, it’s hurtful….”

“What do you mean by ‘according to plan’?”

“I heard about the palace news. You’ve been so busy dealing with the crown princess consorts and meeting high officials. It’s all going according to plan…!”

“Please, if you’re going to stir up trouble, could you at least give me a heads-up?”

“W-Wait… This time, I really had a reason why I couldn’t say anything.”

When I stood up and glared at her as if I was about to devour her, Yeon Ri couldn’t withstand the killing intent and frantically waved her arms before speaking up.

“The Azure Princess becoming the Heavenly Maiden has been influenced a bit by me. I sent her a gift before my dethronement, so she could properly embrace the Heavenly Dragon’s energy.”

“What?”

Now that I thought about it, it was something I had already heard.

Before Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun was dethroned, that wooden box had arrived from the Heavenly Dragon Hall. As the inner palace inspector, I had been informed about it….but I dismissed it, thinking it was just a customary gift.

“You… don’t tell me, the reason the Azure Princess awakened to the Heavenly Dragon’s power was….”

“I gifted her an incense burner filled with Dragon Incense, which is used when absorbing energy in the Heavenly Dragon Hall. Since it was a gift for the Heavenly Maiden, she must have placed it somewhere where it could be seen.”

“…….”

“Normally, receiving some help from Dragon Incense wouldn’t make it so easy to awaken to the Heavenly Dragon’s power. But since the Azure Princess is skilled at handling such energies, I figured it wouldn’t be long before she manifested the Heavenly Dragon’s power.”

In short, Yeon Ri had secretly helped the Azure Princess in mastering that power.

Listening to her, it seemed she wanted the Azure Princess to become the next Heavenly Maiden.

Even though, in front of me, she had claimed not to know who would become the next Heavenly Maiden.

“Tae Pyeong-ah, I couldn’t tell you beforehand… no matter what, I have a conscience too, Tae Pyeong-ah.”

“Conscience? What conscience?”

“Well… It’s because, in a way, this was an act of using you as a card to draw Maid Seol in.”

When I heard that, I finally began to see Yeon Ri’s true intentions.

From the beginning, it was something she had constantly talked about during her time as the Heavenly Maiden. About how we had to bring Seol Ran back to Heavenly Dragon Hall no matter what.

“Now that she’s become the headmaid of the Crown Prince’s palace, there’s no way Crown Prince Hyeon Won would easily let Maid Seol go. So, extracting her through political maneuvers isn’t realistic.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“We have to make Maid Seol leave the Crown Prince’s palace on her own. That is, by her own will.”

Rumors were spreading throughout the palace and beyond that the Azure Princess would take the position of the Heavenly Maiden.

And since there was talk that I, as the Vice General, would take the role of her aide, Seol Ran would quickly realize that I was in danger when she heard the news.

What kind of person was Seol Ran?

She was a bold protagonist, someone who would take action as soon as it was necessary.

“If she just makes up her mind to leave the Crown Prince’s palace, getting her into the Heavenly Dragon Hall wouldn’t be difficult.”

“She’s favored by the Crown Prince Hyeon Won. Would he really allow her to leave so easily?”

“The method itself is simple. She just needs to get sick.”

— We’ll make Maid Seol … suffer from divine fever.

Back when Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun still had her position, she definitely said something like that.

Had she been planning this for a long time since then?

Indeed, if she were to come down with divine fever—which nearly always led to death if contracted—she wouldn’t be able to continue her role as a headmaid in the Crown Prince’s palace.

“Divine fever?”

“Mhmm. You’re quick to catch on. Specifically, we just need it to appear as though she’s suffering from divine fever. That part’s not hard. There are plenty of techniques that can make spots appear. The important thing is that Maid Seol herself must have the desire to leave.”

Now, I finally understood why Yeon Ri had been acting without giving me any hints.

It was because she was trying to bring down Seol Ran, who was already on her own path to success.

Of course, it was a necessary step to elevate her to a higher position. Specifically, to the rank of Heavenly Maiden of Cheongdo Palace.

Looking at the results alone, she would end up being even more successful, but still, openly participating in a scheme that would strip my sister of her status left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

Yeon Ri seemed to have some understanding of how I felt.

“More than anything… I didn’t think you would be pleased with actions that would directly deceive Maid Seol. From the start, it’s important for the Seol siblings of the Huayongseol family clan to maintain their strong bond.”

“…….”

I rested my chin on my hand and quietly listened to Yeon Ri’s story.

Since it was Yeon Ri’s plan, I figured there would be some loose screws in it somewhere…

But surprisingly, what she was saying made sense.

…Was she actually right?

“Of course, there’s still the drawback that Tae Pyeong would have to serve under the Azure Princess ….”

On second thought, it was just harsh words.

“Anyway, Maid Seol will officially ascend to the position of Heavenly Maiden soon enough. You just need to hold on until then. Tae Pyeong-ah …!”

“…….”

“Remember how we were always at each other’s throats when I was the Heavenly Maiden? Every time you glared at me like you were ready to devour me whenever I messed up, you have no idea how terrified I was inside!”

Yeon Ri-ah, that’s just because you’re easy to deal with.

…Though I probably shouldn’t say that out loud.

“Tae Pyeong-ah, if the Azure Princess tries to suppress you with her authority and push you around, you can just slip out of it with your clever words and smooth tactics! You’re good at that kind of stuff, aren’t you? You’re not just some apprentice warrior like before. You’re now a Vice General!”

With that, Yeon Ri chuckled in satisfaction.

That’s right. Back when Yeon Ri was the Heavenly Maiden, I never backed down and always spoke my mind, so her argument was that even if the Azure Princess took that position, I could still easily protect my so-called purity.

Yeon Ri-ah.

Let me say it again. That was only possible because you were easy to deal with.

But saying that out loud would be too much, so I held back.

……

….

“Just like when you dealt with me back when you were the Heavenly Maiden, you can completely take control of the Azure Princess too, Tae Pyeong-ah. I’ve experienced it myself. You’re not an easy guy to deal with. You’re more than capable of handling someone like the Azure Princess!”

“Yeon Ri-ah, that was only possible because you were easy to deal with.”

“..….”

“..….”

Yeon Ri fell silent after hearing that, then she walked up to my office desk, leaned her arm on it, and sniffled as she spoke.

“No matter what, that was way too harsh, Tae Pyeong-ah!!!!”

“What am I supposed to do? It’s the truth…!!”

I pressed my temple and nodded my head slowly.

Anyway, I understood her intention to bring Seol Ran who is under the Crown Prince’s protection to the Heavenly Dragon Hall. It’s something that had to be done sooner or later, in some way or another.

“No, I mean… at first, they were just planning to select a temporary Heavenly Maiden, but by now, it seems like the Azure Princess could officially take the position without anyone finding it strange. She’s handling the power of the Heavenly Dragon so skillfully; how is Ran-noonim supposed to find a way in? Wouldn’t that be a bad move?”

“That’s… not the case.”

Yeon Ri lowered her hand from the table and spoke seriously.

“The Azure Princess may be skilled at handling energy, but she’d still have to bow before Maid Seol, who’s been awakened to her full power.”

“……..”

“Heavenly Maiden Seol Ran is the most powerful shaman of the Azure Dragon in Cheongdo’s history; she would reach a level no one has ever attained before. Even the gifted Azure Princess, who was born with talents that were like gifts from the heavens…. will have no choice but to take a step back.”

Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang was by no means an easy opponent.

Since she was young, when she had yet to mature, she was already a prodigy so exceptional that the Taoist priests training at Seon Mountain said they had nothing left to teach her.

Yeon Ri spoke with unwavering confidence. As if she was fully aware of this fact.

It was not mere speculation; she spoke as if she had seen it with her own eyes.

The image of Heavenly Maiden Seol sitting quietly on the Heavenly Jade Pavilion and gently placing her teacup down seemed to flicker before my eyes.

“The history of the Heavenly Dragon Hall is long, but there has never been, and likely will never be, a Heavenly Maiden with greater talent than Seol Ran.”

“……”

“That’s who Seol Ran is.”

Heavenly Maiden Seol Ran.

We’ve confirmed time and again that she is a figure born with extraordinary talent. After all, the story of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story is practically her own stage.

“Anyway… for now, let’s focus on successfully getting her settled in the Heavenly Dragon Hall. Everything else is secondary.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

“Right. Even if she wants to leave the Crown Prince’s Palace, it won’t be easy. We just need to help Maid Seol find a way to leave the Crown Prince’s Palace.”

And so … my conversation with Yeon Ri reached its conclusion.

All we had to do was set things up so that Seol Ran could escape from the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Since it made perfect sense, I felt we should quickly start preparing.

***

“I left the Crown Prince’s Palace, Tae Pyeong-ah.”

And the next morning.

Seol Ran, who had packed up her belongings, appeared at the Hwalseong District. She was so small, yet she was draped with so many things. She was practically buried under all the luggage she had brought along with her.

“…….”

“…….”

Seol Tae Pyeong and Yeon Ri, who greeted her at the Hwalseong District’s mansion, were left speechless with their mouths agape.

It’s often said that extraordinary people stand out in every little thing they do…

But even so, this was extreme, and her decisiveness was beyond belief.

A headmaid of the Crown Prince’s Palace. This was a highly coveted position among all the maids in the palace.

It had taken just one day for her to leave the position that everyone coveted.

And the reason was simple. She wanted to help her younger brother.

“W-Wait… Ran-noonim. How could you do this without even discussing it…?”

“You’re going into the Heavenly Dragon Hall, right? I know exactly what’s going on, Tae Pyeong-ah. Now that I don’t have an affiliation, if I speak well with headmaid Lee Ryeong, she’ll accept me back as a maid in the Heavenly Dragon Hall.”

Seol Ran set down all the luggage she had brought into the yard, brushed off her hands, and let out a long sigh.

“Did the Crown Prince actually grant your resignation? H-How… how did you…?”

“I begged him to understand that I would definitely return to the Crown Prince’s Palace. I begged him all night long, saying that there was something I absolutely had to do, and I kept begging until my hands and feet were worn out….”

Indeed, protagonists of romance fantasy stories often commit extraordinary acts that no one could have predicted, all without batting an eye.

Although she didn’t explain everything to Seol Tae Pyeong, Seol Ran went all the way to the Crown Prince’s inner chamber and spent the night on her knees begging him. She cried and begged him to allow her to leave, even if it meant taking away all her position and authority.

This was in front of the Crown Prince. It was not something that could be done without considerable courage, and no ordinary maid’s request would be granted in such a manner.

But in the end, Crown Prince Hyeon Won showed his softer side to Seol Ran.

In politics, it was standard to first establish a justification before taking any action, but this girl casually ignored such basic principles. And yet, she still managed to produce results.

She was very different from the apprentice maid she had been during her days at the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Just as Seol Tae Pyeong, who had once been an apprentice warrior, had now become a Vice General, Seol Ran had also taken on various tasks and hardened her resolve in the process.

Seol Ran let out a sharp breath and rolled up her sleeves. She was ready to help her brother.

“Do you have a room I can stay in for the time being?!”

She was so bold and decisive that there wasn’t even a trace of hesitation.

She looked like a troubleshooter who had come to settle the chaotic battle raging around Seol Tae Pyeong.