Empress Handbook

Chapter Eight | Paper Heights

Gwinyeong Ceremony: The ritual of the married daughter bringing her husband back to her childhood home for him to greet his in-laws to make the woman's parents feel at ease with their daughters' marriage.

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The Imperial Household Agency forbids the media from filming inside the Imperial Castle unless there is an Imperial Wedding. Thus, their first interview as a couple is on a set at the broadcasting channel that has been elegantly furnished with a classy black backdrop and red chaise lounge chairs.

Taehyung wraps his arm around Yeoreum with a gentle smile. The stiffness of her body is palpable even with his arm only lightly hanging beside her shoulder, barely touching her. Yeoreum has been acting weird since their appearance at the orphanage two days ago, so Taehyung tries to convince her about their romantic relationship with additional physical interactions. Of course, Taehyung hasn't rested at Yeoreum's palace—that would be too far.

"Good evening, Your Majesties. It is a pleasure to host this interview," the interviewer gushes.

Taehyung wearily watches the interviewer kick off the interview, which is fated to be insipid, trying his best to keep his look of intrigue. The interviewer is a nationally renowned host who is generally quite entertaining, but even someone like him can't save an interview that is jammed with strict gag orders.

The interviewer finishes the long speech that introduces the audience to the background of the Imperial Family and gestures his arm towards Taehyung. "So, this is the first interview for you two after the wedding?" he says in an eager voice.

Taehyung nods. "Yes, and it is an absolute delight to be here with Yeoreum."

"That is incredibly cute," the interviewer gushes. He flicks to the next cue card and turns to Yeoreum with a polite smile. "Your Majesty, how are you feeling about your role as the nation's new Empress?"

Yeoreum tensely fixes her eyes on the camera angled at her. She has gotten used to dealing with microphones and cameras, but she still struggles to compose her expression in time.

"It all feels like an absolute dream. I am still getting used to the official duties, but His Majesty has been helping me a lot, and I am immensely grateful for that," Yeoreum says after a moment of hesitation. She is reciting the speech she was asked to memorise in a convincing voice, but the smile on her face is sadder than a sob.

The interviewer nods. "You were an outstanding student at Seoul Medical School. Do you think it was a good decision to give up on what you were achieving academically to marry His Majesty?"

"It was not an easy decision. Pursuing medicine was my biggest aspiration in life, and it was hard to leave that. However, I believe it was a good decision because His Majesty offers me a priceless relationship my university degree cannot get me."

"This is so sweet." The interviewer methodically looks at Taehyung. "Now, Your Majesty, what about Her Majesty caught your attention?"

Taehyung directs his mellow gaze to Yeoreum. "The second I saw Yeoreum-ssi, I felt illogically connected to her, and that magical feeling was just too miraculous for me to ignore."

"Then, Your Majesty, I have a big question for you." The interviewer drags his voice with a changed tone and looks into Taehyung's eyes. "Would you say that you are in love with Her Majesty?"

"Of course, yes," Taehyung says instantly. Flustered at the question that's not a part of the script, a quiet laugh rises to his lips to conceal his anxiety. "Whatever in love means."

Whatever in love means.

Taehyung's voice rips through Yeoreum's ears like a curse that can channel death upon her. She snaps her eyes to his mirthless smile, and her world shrinks into a hollow of utter hopelessness.