A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 1

– CHAPTER 1 –

The night was early spring, with a gentle breeze finding its way into Changdeokgung Palace, occasionally brushing against the doors and playing pranks. Despite the persistent cold wind of late winter still lingering, it futilely tapped on the windows.

Within the screen doors of Juhapru Pavilion, a solitary figure had been sitting upright for quite some time, only occasionally flipping through the pages of a book.

As he was about to turn the page once again, this time, instead of the creaking sound, it was the sound of a door opening. Do-gyeom, who had been focused on the books the whole time, turned his gaze towards the door.

“Who’s there?”

Though the wind could rattle the door, it couldn’t open it. In case it did, Do-gyeom quietly rose from his seat to close it.

“Oh, I suppose the door of Gyujanggak (royal library) needs some repair. It’s disturbing our reading, isn’t it?”

Amidst his tension, thinking it might be someone trying to tamper with precious books or records, the figure revealed beyond the bookshelves was Prince Lee Eon, owner of the black dragon robe.

“It’s already the small hours of the morning. Aren’t you getting any sleep?”

Originally, the plaque at Gyujanggak read, “Non-scholars are not allowed to enter, and even if guests arrive, do not get up.” However, since he was already up, Do-gyeom had no choice but to offer a seat to Eon.

“Forgive me.”

“At times like this, if you had been nodding off, I could have draped the national robe over the shoulders of my subject and created quite a heartwarming scene as a ruler.”

“I had no time to nod off, as I was focused on the books.”

To Do-gyeom’s blunt response, Eon lightly retorted.

“This man, according to the log, was it not your duty to welcome guests yesterday, the day before, and the day before that?”

As Eon approached to sit down, he unexpectedly leaned closer to Do-gyeom and asked.

“Or perhaps, were you waiting for me every night?”

Finally, Do-gyeom’s gaze wavered at Eon’s sinister tone.

“… If you knew, why did you only come now?”

Surprised by Do-gyeom’s rare compliance, Eon unexpectedly narrowed his eyes.

“Did you really wait for me?”

“Yes.”

Do-gyeom had placed one of the books piled on his desk in front of Eon.

“There’s more than one topic I’d like to discuss with you.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not related to the policies we’re currently researching.”

Eon scolded Do-gyeom, who appeared to be serious about engaging in an academic discussion.

“After barely finishing the heavy tasks from the morning to the late evening, now you want me to deal with night duties as well?”

“I thought that was why you came. Unless it’s a different reason…”

Realizing that he was trying to politely dismiss him, Eon interrupted Do-gyeom’s words.

“So you’re the only one who hasn’t left. Can’t you see everyone else has gone out to enjoy the night dew? Everyone’s on the same boat!”

Despite being openly teased about not having left, Do-gyeom didn’t even bat an eye.

“Surely that wouldn’t happen, but if it were true, it would be utterly pathetic. To miss out on such a precious opportunity to read these valuable books and only end up catching the night dew.”

“That’s right! So tell me, who was it that passed on their duties to you today? I’ll inform His Majesty immediately for punishment. Well?”

Though Eon teased gently, Do-gyeom remained as stiff as if his lips were sewn shut like a rice bag.

“Shouldn’t you be punishing me instead? After all, I’ve taken over the duties of other ministers and monopolized these precious books.”

“Oh, so now you’re behaving like a treacherous subordinate. That’s the only way proper evaluations can be made during the throne’s assessment, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t clear whether Eon’s words referred to treacherous courtiers or those who dared to offer sincere advice to the monarch.

Do-gyeom had become a lone courtier who rose by exposing his colleagues’ faults, yet in the eyes of his peers, he was nothing more than a treacherous courtier.

While some of his colleagues had shown initiative and were retiring, Do-gyeom had decided to remain resolute.

“That’s right. During the day, there’s no leisure for study, and many of these valuable books can’t be taken out. So, I have no choice but to work at night.”

“Don’t you see that’s the problem?”

Eon pointed at the stack of books Do-gyeom had read and collected.

“Because you’re so engrossed, do you think other ministers can catch up to you? Everything in moderation. Being too outstanding is just as bad as being flawed.”

Eon’s exaggerated tone sounded like an inexperienced provincial official, but it seemed he had concerns that were different.

In history, some kings tolerated outspoken and capable but flawed courtiers while cautioning against overly complacent courtiers who sought comfort in mediocrity.

Although Do-gyeom deeply respected such kings, he couldn’t simply reply according to his temperament, knowing what Eon was worried about.

“I understand.”

Do-gyeom’s response was so perfect and smooth that Eon’s eyes narrowed as he sat down.

“Do-gyeom.”

As if his name was a signal, Do-gyeom’s straight gaze softened, and his stiff demeanor relaxed.

“…Yes, Eon.”

It was a name he hadn’t used in a long time. At other times, he would have responded with a defiant face, but it seemed Eon had firmly established the possibility. Eon smiled satisfactorily.

“Shall we go out to enjoy the night dew like the other ministers? The weather is nice for a walk now.”

Was this the reason why the prince had come to Gyujanggak late at night? Do-gyeom’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Haven’t we been instructed by His Majesty to refrain from unnecessary visits outside the palace gates? If we run into any guards, we’ll be facing consequences together in the morning, won’t we?”

If it were any other time, the curfew wouldn’t have applied to the prince, but since the palace officials were under strict orders from His Majesty, Do-gyeom felt obligated to intervene even against Eon’s casual remarks.

With nothing else to do, he continued with his blunt reminders to return to the Eastern Palace and get some rest if needed.

“I still have many books to see, so unless you want to talk about academic matters, I’ll head back to the Eastern Palace…”

“Oh, I see. You said you’d heed my words, yet not even a moment has passed!”

Eon grabbed Do-gyeom’s wrist as he attempted to take the books away, stopping him in his tracks.

“I knew you’d do this, so I’ve already prepared everything, you rascal.”

“…Prepared what?”

Do-gyeom, caught off guard with his wrist held, looked at Eon in bewilderment. Then, when the prince pulled out a white wine bottle from behind him, which Do-gyeom hadn’t noticed until then, he couldn’t help but flinch.

“Do you even remember where you are? Let alone the precious books getting damaged…!”

“That’s why I grabbed you. If the precious books were to be damaged, it would be unacceptable.”

Eon swiftly moved the books Do-gyeom was carrying aside. However, Do-gyeom didn’t step back.

“More importantly, with the long drought, it’s been impossible to brew any wine, so this is the last wine left in the Eastern Palace. I want to share it with you because it’s the last one.”

While Do-gyeom worried, Eon calmly transformed the table used for reading into a drinking table.

“Do you happen to know the secret hidden in this Juhapru?”

Eon placed two white wine glasses in front of each of them and suddenly lowered his tone with a serious expression.

“A hidden… secret?”

Do-gyeom could no longer hold back from stopping Eon.

“Every night, the character for ‘house’ in Juhapru changes to the character for ‘liquor’.”

“…I see.”

He regretted not stopping Eon earlier. What else could he say to the prince, who had casually undermined the noble intention of gathering all the wisdom of the universe in one place?

“Why, not taking a drink?”

Of course, this mocking joke was also an attempt to disarm Do-gyeom, who was always straightforward in everything. Do-gyeom couldn’t help but take the glass, continuing to worry about Eon until the end.

“Why? Is the prince’s seat always uneasy, so you’re trying to casually dismiss it like this?”

“If that were the case, then I would have gone out for a moonlit stroll, seeking excitement as you say, and ended up being caught by the guards, as you suggest, becoming a prince seen by the people as reckless. Well, even that wouldn’t be a bad ending.”

Eon’s eyes, light in appearance, were heavy with deep contemplation. The prince, who had been boisterously talking a moment ago, now spoke with a sigh mixed with solemnity.

“I… suddenly realized that I don’t have any secrets with you, so I was trying to create one, just to see. Please bear with me silently.”

That was Eon, with a chubby face that would turn sharp as a blade if he kept making direct remarks. Do-gyeom had to suppress the urge to sigh heavily.

“I’m just speaking because the palace is more like a battlefield.”

“Enough. Before something happens, it’s better to heed your advice.”

“If only I could stop it now.”

“That’s why you should quickly drink a sip of alcohol to avoid heeding it, right?”

With no time to object further, Eon clinked glasses and swiftly downed the drink, eventually breaking down the steel fortress-like Do-gyeom. Finally, a smile appeared on Do-gyeom’s lips as he also took a sip of the drink.