Chapter 3. The One Who Killed Me
Before anyone could stop her, Hua Jyeok-yeon called the crown prince “you.”
Rage flared in her eyes, burning fiercely.
The courtiers in the room froze with their mouths agape.
Prince Ju-gun’s brows knit tightly, his forehead twitching.
“Hmm…”
Normally indifferent to most matters, even Ju-gun let out an involuntary breath of disbelief at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Seeing his reaction, the eunuchs shifted nervously, unsure what to do.
But Hua Jyeok-yeon saw only Ju-gun.
The man who killed her at Sanpyeonggwan.
The Blood Executioner, Ju-gun!
Why is that man here?
Her voice trembled.
“Sa… Sal… Salje…”
“Salje,” meaning indiscriminate slaughter, was the title Ju-gun hated the most.
His gaze turned ice-cold, and he immediately gave an order.
“Everyone, leave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Following the crown prince, Chief Eunuch Pung led the withdrawal. One by one, the attendants exited after paying their respects.
Soon, only Hua Jyeok-yeon and Ju-gun remained.
A strange tension filled the room.
Ju-gun broke the silence first.
“So you call me Salje? Interesting. I didn’t expect you to know my title.”
“……”
Hua Jyeok-yeon said nothing.
A distance of five steps separated them.
In that range, even an expert could not easily dodge a thrown teacup.
She resolved to kill him.
One strike would be enough.
Just then—
“Your Highness, Consort Yeong will soon arrive at Yeonhwa Palace with a message.”
“Consort Yeong?”
At the report from outside, Ju-gun’s attention wavered for a split second.
That was the opening.
With a swift motion, Hua Jyeok-yeon flung the teacup like a spinning blade.
Whoosh.
The cup cut through the air toward Ju-gun’s neck—
Clink! Ting! Crash…
But instead of piercing his throat, it struck something unseen, deflected midair, and fell uselessly to the floor.
What…?
Did I lose my martial arts?
Panic surged through her mind.
“No… I can still regain it. I must!”
“You’re doing something rather unseemly.”
Ju-gun’s voice deepened.
“…”
“You seem quite angry. Go on, try again.”
“…”
“Why are you silent? I told you to continue.”
Hua Jyeok-yeon felt deeply humiliated.
From Ju-gun’s perspective, she must have looked like a furious woman throwing a teacup in anger.
Maybe I should have thrown a teapot instead…
But the attempt had ended so pathetically.
“Forgive me,” she said quickly, switching her tone. “I momentarily lost my senses and failed to recognize Your Highness. I have committed a grave offense.”
Her attitude had changed completely.
Ju-gun’s brows furrowed.
Has she hit her head after surviving death?
He asked flatly, “Do you remember your name is Won So-ye?”
Won So-ye?
The name rang familiar.
Daughter of General Won San-baek of Gangdong.
But something was wrong.
The Ju-gun she met at Sanpyeonggwan had been a prince.
Now he stood as crown prince.
Time… must have shifted between my death and rebirth.
One thing was certain—everything had changed.
Ju-gun, displeased by her distracted silence, spoke coldly.
“Does my presence make you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
She denied it quickly, but her discomfort was obvious.
Ju-gun saw through her instantly.
“Is that so?”
“Y-yes…”
Mocking her weak denial, he said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter anyway.”
His expression turned completely emotionless, cold as frost.
So this is how the crown prince truly is.
A man known as the Blood Executioner who feels nothing.
No emotions were necessary.
Only revenge mattered.
Hua Jyeok-yeon asked formally, “Why have you come?”
“Nothing special. I merely came because the crown princess who was at death’s door has regained consciousness. If I didn’t show my face, rumors would spread in the palace.”
“So you didn’t come out of concern?”
“Why would I?”
A perfectly expected answer.
Just as she was about to dismiss him—
“I’m leaving.”
Ju-gun turned and walked out.
No hesitation. No warmth.
Hua Jyeok-yeon felt nothing personal about his departure—but the original owner of this body, Won So-ye, seemed painfully pitiful.
Only moments later—
“Consort Yeong has arrived!”
Another visitor.
Yeong-bi, consort of the emperor.
A woman from the prestigious Je-gal family, known for her ambition and sharp nature.
She entered loudly, immediately filling the room with tension.
“How is the crown princess? I came as soon as I heard.”
Her voice was sweet—but twisted underneath.
Yeong-bi looked down at Won So-ye with subtle displeasure, as if her survival itself was inconvenient.
“She truly recovered. The imperial physicians must be skilled.”
Her tone was polite, but her meaning was sharp.
Then she introduced a girl named Jin Seong-yeo, assigning her to “assist” the crown princess.
A spy.
Hua Jyeok-yeon understood immediately.
So this is how it is.
Even here, they want to watch me.
After Yeong-bi left, the palace quieted.
Seong-yeo remained.
Hua Jyeok-yeon reached out and took her hand.
The moment they touched—
Her eyes sharpened.
She knows martial arts.
Not a top expert, but skilled enough.
Interesting.
Then Seong-yeo suddenly asked, “May I ask something?”
Her tone had changed.
At that moment—
The crown prince returned.
Ju-gun stood at the doorway, tall and imposing, his presence cold and overwhelming.
Hua Jyeok-yeon slowly lifted her gaze.
And when she finally saw his face clearly—
Her breath stopped.
“…You… you are!”
