Those Conquered By Love

A glimpse of disgust flashed in Jin Ye’s twisted expression.

Even for her, this was not something she could simply dismiss as mere amusement.

“You are not merely insolent; you dare to flaunt yourself despite possessing nothing.”

“....”

“I despise people like you.”

She rose from the bed, moving soundlessly as she approached Mugeon.

Her sharp red eyes pierced into his.

“Allow me to offer you a word of advice, Mugeon.”

Perhaps it was the stillness of the night, but her calm tone carried a strange weight, neither loud nor soft.

“If you lack power, you should at least know how to grovel like a worm.”

Jin Ye was a delicate yet strikingly beautiful woman, smaller in stature than Mugeon.

Yet, in every word she spoke, in every action, there was an undeniable imperial dignity and majesty.

The weight of her gaze alone was suffocating.

Mugeon swallowed, taking a deep breath.

He hesitated, struggling to find his voice before he finally spoke.

“...I, this foolish man, have groveled my entire life.”

Even before the Emperor, Mugeon would not hold his tongue.

For he knew not how.

Such was the world in which Yeon Mugeon, the son of commoners, had been raised.

“When a person of noble standing passed by in a palanquin, I was obliged to bow my head. If I was hungry, I had to lower myself before passing merchants. But now...”

He paused, and Jin Ye’s expression grew sharper, her gaze daring him to continue with whatever insolence he intended to utter.

“Must I grovel even before my Soulmate?”

Sure enough, it was nonsense—an audacious statement from someone ignorant of his station.

“I have never allowed you to call me your Soulmate.”

“The Heavens have allowed it.”

A snicker echoed through the room, but it was not from Jin Ye.

It was likely from Seoyeop, who was out of Mugeon’s sight.

However, Mugeon did not turn his gaze away from Jin Ye.

“The one higher than the Heavens...”

He focused on every movement of her red lips.

“It’s ME.”

At that moment, he understood.

“I desire not someone like you.”

He understood just how extraordinary the woman before him was.

A woman who did not belong to him—yet was unlike any other in the world.

Jin Ye was the most beautiful person Mugeon had ever seen.

She stood within arm’s reach, a vision of dazzling beauty.

Thus, it was only natural for him to be drawn to her.

For the first time in his life, Mugeon felt an irresistible pull.

The desire to possess.

His chest seemed to melt under the weight of that desire, and his throat tightened as heat surged within him.

Even as he felt her disdainful gaze upon him, Mugeon could not stop himself from asking the forbidden question.

“What must I do to earn your heart?”

Upon hearing this, it was Jin Ye, not Seoyeop, who scoffed aloud.

Another foolish question.

He was too ignorant to feel even the slightest shame.

Jin Ye had never encountered anyone like Mugeon before.

Although they were fated to be Soulmates, Jin Ye was certain that she and Mugeon could never truly be as one.

Even if she told him how to win her heart, he would never be able to achieve it.

So, Jin Ye hesitated not in giving him an answer.

“If you want my heart, prove your worth.”

It was obvious that Mugeon had no idea what kind of ‘worth’ she was referring to.

“But there’s no way you can,” declared Jin Ye.

Jin Ye was neither lenient nor kind.

“You are so ignorant that I do not even wish to sully my vassal’s sword with you... Seoyeop.”

Jin Ye shifted her gaze to Seoyeop, who responded immediately.

“Give me your command, Your Majesty.”

Jin Ye raised her arm, her slender finger aimed directly at Mugeon’s face.

“Dump him in Eup-ju(泣州).”

Eup-ju.

It’s the most dangerous breeding ground for the ‘Flutter Scourge’ that appeared in Hwan Empire.

The Flutter Scourge...

It was the first calamity that appeared in this world.

That creature was born from cursed individuals who ended up devouring their lover, who had tried to refuse the fate bestowed by the gods and leave their destined partner.

Without a doubt, it is the most feared creature in existence.

This wretched creature, bearing the wings of a cursed god on its shoulders, came to be known as ‘the scourge that fluttered restlessly,’ or more briefly, the Flutter Scourge.

Wherever this calamity appeared, rivers of blood followed.

Eup-ju, the first land upon which the Flutter Scourge emerged, was no exception.

It grew so infamous that its name was changed to Eup-ju, using the character ‘泣 (Eup),’ meaning ‘crying,’ reflecting the countless sorrows endured by those who lived there.

Any ordinary person who set foot in Eup-ju would have their bodies torn apart in an instant and meet a gruesome death while suffering insurmountable pain.

Jin Ye’s command was clear—she intended for Mugeon to meet a dreadful end.

Of course, Mugeon knew all too well what kind of place Eup-ju was and understood perfectly what Jin Ye was ordering.

As Mugeon clenched his teeth, Seoyeop answered without hesitation.

“I accept your command, Your Majesty.”

Seoyeop picked up his sword and seized Mugeon’s arm, pulling him toward the door.

Mugeon’s gaze remained fixed on Jin Ye, unwavering.

As she met his gaze, Jin Ye muttered softly, almost to herself.

“Yes, should you succeed in surviving Eup-ju, then perhaps I shall recognize the value you claim to possess.”

Mugeon, defying all reason, suddenly exuded confidence.

“I will return. And if I prove my worth, Your Majesty must promise to enter into a Bonding with me.”

‘...Bonding?’

The unexpected word made Jin Ye’s lips curl into a slight smile.

‘Bonding.’

Once it is done, neither partner shall bear children with any other.

Those who are bonded have been known to lose their minds or even risk their lives if separated for too long.

Furthermore, due to ‘Resonating,’ a phenomenon that follows Bonding, they are destined to meet their deaths together.

In short, Bonding between Soulmates is an absolute form of binding.

Even if they regretted it later, they could never break the Bonding until death.

So, his idea was so absurd it almost made her laugh.

Here was a man on the verge of being sent to his death, yet he had the audacity and ignorance to declare he would bond with the Emperor.

Had he truly lost his senses?

No, he had not lost his mind—he was twisted in every possible way.

So, she replied lightly.

“Well, if you prove yourself truly worthy, I shall reward you. Perhaps not with Bonding.”

Still, Mugeon pressed on.

“Then, what kind of reward?”

“If you survive your journey, you can be my consort. Should you prove truly invaluable, I shall make you the Empress. You may even become the one man all revere, the one who is remembered in history.”

Jin Ye chuckled as the words slipped effortlessly from her lips.

It wasn’t a promise she intended to keep.

Yet, for some reason, Mugeon’s eyes brightened.

“You’ve made a promise with me, Your Majesty.”

As though that had now become his sole aim.

Jin Ye smiled with calm indifference.

It was not a dream that would ever come true.

Finally, Seoyeop dragged Mugeon out of the room.

With a heavy thud, the door to the Emperor’s chamber closed tightly.