I asked Choi Yuna for a favor.
I asked her to show me the materials she had organized about the Imperial family.
To begin with, there were roughly twenty-odd Imperial family members living within the Imperial Palace.
However, the number of people I actually needed to watch out for wasn’t that large.
First.
Lee Hwan, the First Prince of the Korean Empire and the Crown Prince.
He was an elite who had been educated as the successor since childhood, and he was recognized both inside and outside the Imperial family as the next Emperor.
That said, his confidence was equally excessive.
It was said that the combination of his position as Crown Prince and his outstanding abilities had given him a tendency to look down on others.
To sum him up in one line: an arrogant person who merely had the luck to be born as the Crown Prince.
And the second was the Second Prince, ‘Lee Hyeon.’
A Prince currently enrolled at the Imperial School, known for his excellent social skills and a seemingly bright personality.
He was even said to have almost no ambition for power, and he was a figure who showed no particular political moves within the Imperial family.
Well… looking at the materials alone, there seemed to be no reason to be wary of him.
Naturally, the last one was the current Emperor of the Korean Empire.
‘On the surface, he certainly has a strong image of being a gentle and benevolent monarch.’
The materials actually say the same thing.
In the first place, would there ever be negative materials about the Emperor?
At least, it would be hard to find any within the Korean Empire.
But I know the truth behind that image.
If the Emperor in a world like this heavenly drama has a publicly kind image, then the odds are high that his true nature is the complete opposite.
Either he’s someone who smiles on the outside while calculating profits and losses on the inside, or he’s just an extremely insane psycho.
I’m not certain, but at the same time, I am convinced.
Because.
‘…Lee Serin.’
It was because of her existence.
A figure with a massive grudge against the Imperial family, and what’s more, she shares the same surname, Lee, as the Imperial family.
I’ve only seen up to two episodes, but…
With just this information, I felt I could roughly guess her true identity.
And through this inauguration ceremony, I’ll be able to confirm my suspicions.
Thanks to that, I feel a little excited?
But before that, there was one problem I needed to solve first.
“…Makeup?”
“Yes.”
Choi Yuna nodded with a look that said it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“We managed to let it slide last time since the live broadcast was so chaotic, but this is the Chairman’s official inauguration ceremony. And the Chairman’s face is the face of Seonghwa Group.”
“……”
“Since this event is being held at the Imperial Palace, I believe we need to pay extra attention. So, for today at least, Chairman, you must cooperate quietly.”
The more I listened, the more right she was, and I couldn’t argue.
But I didn’t expect to be getting makeup done for two and a half hours.
It’s not like I’m some celebrity…
And while I was getting my makeup done, I was able to hear about today’s schedule.
“When the Chairman arrives at the Imperial Palace, a simple banquet will be held first.”
“A banquet?”
“Yes.”
Choi Yuna flipped through the prepared materials and continued her explanation.
“It’s a gathering where the attendees and the Chairman exchange brief greetings before the official inauguration ceremony begins.”
The attendees here would naturally be the Imperial family members and the business elite.
And a brief greeting?
‘The reality will be different.’
In one word, it would be close to a time for the attendees to evaluate and probe the young Chairman.
“In simple terms, you can think of it as the moment where the Chairman’s first impression is decided.”
Just as Choi Yuna explained.
I nodded and asked.
“What about the inauguration ceremony?”
“It follows right after the banquet. His Majesty’s congratulatory address will come first, followed by the Chairman’s inaugural speech and the official declaration.”
And at the end, there was supposedly a reception prepared…
‘Just hearing the schedule is already exhausting.’
Maybe it was because of the first makeup session of my life.
Feeling like a long day had already begun, I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh.
***
Seonghwa Group’s vehicle slowly came to a stop in front of the main gate.
As I got out of the car, the first thing to catch my eye was the massive statue of the First Emperor standing tall as if guarding the entrance to the Imperial Palace.
Past that statue, an entrance road stretching beyond the horizon revealed itself.
On both sides, flowers and trees, beautifully maintained regardless of the season, created a harmony, and in a small fountain crossing the garden, clear streams of water sparkled as they caught the sunlight.
Warm sunlight settled gently over the vast grounds, and the golden palace seemed to hold a soft glow, as if it had received heaven’s blessing.
This place was the heart of the Korean Empire…
I could understand why people said their first reaction upon seeing the Imperial Palace was pure admiration.
That was when it happened.
“Chairman Kang.”
A man who had been waiting for us in front of the main gate bowed politely.
“I sincerely welcome you to the Imperial Palace. I am Park Doyun, an etiquette officer from the Imperial Protocol Office. I will be guiding the Chairman until the inauguration ceremony concludes today.”
With those words, he took a broad look around me, and his gaze stopped on the bodyguards who had followed along.
“However, the bodyguards will not be able to accompany you inside the Imperial Palace.”
The expressions of the bodyguards standing behind me hardened in an instant.
Park Doyun continued calmly, as if he had expected that reaction.
“There’s no need for concern. The Imperial Palace is the safest place in the Korean Empire. As it is the residence of His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial family, there is no need for external security. Absolutely none.”
A declaration full of confidence.
It’s such a cliché for someone that arrogant to get completely wiped out one day…
Let’s just pray that today isn’t that day.
“Then my secretary can accompany me, right?”
“Of course.”
Park Doyun replied immediately.
“Secretary Choi is part of the Chairman’s retinue, so she may enter with you.”
At that, Choi Yuna quietly took a step closer to my side.
“Then, I will guide you in.”
Park Doyun took the lead, and Choi Yuna and I followed him into the Imperial Palace.
Once inside, a different atmosphere unfolded from what I had seen from outside.
It was quiet.
Even though it was a space where countless people passed through, every footstep and every voice felt restrained.
As if breaking that silence, Park Doyun, walking ahead, spoke up.
“As today’s main character, the Chairman has been invited to the Imperial Palace. But since this is the Imperial Palace, I will briefly go over a few points of etiquette.”
“…Etiquette, you say.”
“It’s nothing too difficult.”
Park Doyun turned his head toward me with a bright smile and continued.
“When you encounter members of the Imperial family, a simple nod of greeting will suffice. His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress will make an appearance at the end of the banquet, and when you have an audience with His Majesty, I will guide you separately, so you only need to observe formal etiquette at that time.”
Hearing about formal etiquette brought back memories of when I first watched “The Emperor’s Men.”
Kneeling before the Emperor while shouting ‘Cheoncheonse,’ bowing their heads low to showcase the authority of the Imperial family.
‘My blood pressure spiked just watching that.’
Actually, ‘Cheoncheonse’ is correct for a king, and ‘Manmanse’ is correct for an Emperor.
But that drama skipped over even those basic historical details.
Then again, what does it matter once the word ‘heavenly’ gets attached in front of ‘drama’?
In the first place, the setting was the Korean Empire, yet the tone shifted from a historical drama to a romance fantasy whenever the author felt like it.
What was lucky, though, was that they had borrowed the romance fantasy settings for the etiquette.
Instead of kneeling or bowing your head before the Emperor, you simply place your right hand over your heart and bow at the waist.
It’s a heavenly drama, but it looks like they tried to maintain some dignity in that aspect.
As we talked, we soon arrived in front of a massive door.
A pair of doors with intricate golden patterns engraved upon them.
Imperial attendants in full ceremonial uniforms stood on both sides of the door.
Park Doyun stopped and turned to face me politely.
“Are you ready?”
I nodded, and with a heavy sound, the massive doors slowly began to open.
At the same time, a booming voice echoed from inside the banquet hall.
“Chairman Kang Geon of Seonghwa Group is entering!”
For a moment, the air in the banquet hall, filled with hundreds of people, came to a standstill.
Those who had been chatting.
Those who had been raising their glasses and sharing laughter.
And even the nobles, one by one, turned their heads.
I felt almost every gaze in the room land on me.
They were looks mixed with all sorts of different emotions, but there was one thing I could tell for sure.
Who the main character of this gathering was.
Maintaining a composed expression, I slowly stepped into the center of the banquet hall.
And before I had even taken five steps, someone approached me first.
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Seonghun, Chairman of Taeseong Group.”
A quick hand offered for a handshake.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
“I’m Choi Seongmin of Hanbaek Group. I’ve been wanting to exchange greetings with you.”
“I’m Park Jeongwoo of Myeongjin Chemical.”
“I’m Oh Sehun of Daeseong Heavy Industries.”
No sooner had one person approached than others followed.
As if they had all been waiting their turn.
And every one of them was an owner leading their own company, all famous figures in the business community.
The problem was…
“Heh heh. I’m quite sure I said I would be the first to greet Chairman Kang, didn’t I? Do you all not know the saying about respecting one’s elders?”
“I believe if you wanted respect for your elders, you shouldn’t have tried to throw your weight around beforehand, Chairman Kim.”
Kim Seonghun, the Chairman of Taeseong Group, burst into a hearty laugh.
Ignoring the veiled jab aimed at him, he turned back to me.
“Chairman Kang, let’s have a meal together sometime soon. I’d love to have a good long talk with someone so young.”
“I’m sorry, but we’ve already reserved the meal with him.”
“When?”
“Just now.”
“Hahaha. That’s quite a funny joke.”
“It’s not a joke. After all, we at Myeongjin Chemical have far more to discuss with him than Taeseong Group does. Hahaha.”
The owners of major corporations, all flashing friendly smiles and exchanging laughter with each other.
The chairmen of major groups are fighting over me!
‘I guess this is roughly the situation.’
Of course, there’s not a single ounce of affection here, just pure business.
But honestly, that’s better.
What would I even do with the affection of those sly old foxes?
Whoa… just thinking about it gives me chills.
That was when it happened.
“Hey, you rich old men? The banquet just started, aren’t you all being a bit too hasty?”
A bright, cheerful voice cut lightly through the space between us, and a young man from deeper inside the banquet hall was walking toward us.
A deep navy ceremonial robe bearing the golden emblem of the Imperial family.
It was a flashy outfit, but perhaps because of his friendly smile, the atmosphere he gave off was comfortable rather than intimidating.
Thanks to the materials Choi Yuna had given me beforehand, his face was familiar.
The Second Prince of the Korean Empire.
Lee Hyeon.
Looking at me, he spoke.
“Why don’t you save the complicated business talk for the reception later? This is a banquet, after all, it’d be a shame to ruin the mood.”
With a sly grin, as if he had just found someone interesting.