TMTISTBH CH 1

Chapter 1

Even the moon, said to embrace all things equally, did not appear to be on my side tonight. Not a single beam of moonlight slipped through the torn paper windows.

How did it come to this?

No one remained to answer that question.

Where did it all go wrong? Was it the moment I took the Third Prince’s hand? Or was it the day I killed someone for the first time with my own hands? Perhaps it was the very day I let out my first cry, born with the blood of the imperial family in my veins—maybe my demise had been ordained from the start.

I never desired riches or glory. I simply wanted to live. I became the Third Prince’s sharpest blade, striking down his enemies, scheming, trampling, and killing.

Harming the innocent, scheming, trampling, and killing.

Even those who loved me…

All of that desperate struggle had merely paved the way to my own grave.

*****

The footsteps of intruders drew near. The screams and sorrowful wails coming from outside seemed distant, like a fading dream. The Euihoejae(annex), which lacked even the minimum of armed forces, fell without the clash of a single blade.

Inho inhaled deeply the scent of blood that hung at the tip of his nose. He had long since cast aside any sense of guilt, yet the faces of the dying vividly appeared before his eyes whenever he closed them.

“Drag out the traitor!”

The wooden planks that had long blocked the entrance of his quarters were ripped away with disturbing ease.

Dust billowed as boots stained the floor, and soldiers in the military garb of Taeseong flooded the room.

The Taesahye, embroidered with the Azure Dragon—a symbol permitted only to princes—parted the soldiers in unison and revealed its imposing presence.

Unable to adjust to the sudden brightness, Inho’s blurred vision caught the glimmer of gemstones dangling ostentatiously.

Inho slowly rose from his half-reclined position.

“It’s been a while, hyungnim.”

“That pretty face of yours has gone to ruin. But your cursed eyes are just the same. Makes me want to gouge them out.”

“Thanks to your distant concern, no doubt.”

Inho’s faint smile and slight nod hardened Taeyul’s expression.

“Kneel.”

Despite the chilling command, Inho stared beyond Taeyul’s shoulder, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

“I expected Seon hyungnim would come.”

“He is about to become Emperor. Do you think he has the leisure to come see the likes of you?”

He was right. There was no reason for someone who had lost all value to be visited. Still, Inho had wished for Taeseon to come. He wanted him to see his loyal dog with his own eyes, to personally strangle the life from him. As if that might lessen the weight of his sins.

“…Indeed. With such a fine hound lying here, why would he sully his precious hands.”

“A traitor dares to speak so freely. What are you waiting for! Make him kneel!”

At Taeyul’s command, Inho was dragged from his tattered bed. His severed tendons rendered his legs useless, and he collapsed to the floor. As his knees were forced down onto the cold, hard ground, Taeyul sneered with satisfaction and unrolled a royal decree from his sash, reading it aloud.

“Criminal Tae Inho, a treacherous scoundrel steeped in vile plots and schemes, has harmed countless innocents and conspired in rebellion alongside Taeyeong, Seobyeokju, Jin Giyeol, and Eun Wollyeong. Thus, the Imperial House strips Tae Inho of his princely title and decrees the punishment of his entire household according to the law, confiscating all lands and properties. For the disgrace he has brought upon the honor of the Taeseong Empire and his insults to the Imperial House, he is hereby ordered to take his own life.”

“…What a farce.”

Hearing the names listed alongside his, he couldn’t help but laugh. It was by his very schemes and stratagems that Taeseon had brought down three of the four noble houses. And now they claimed he had conspired in treason with them. After severing his tendons and locking him away for years in this remote annex, this excuse was convenient.

“Is this decree truly from His Majesty the Emperor?”

“It’s as if it were delivered by His Majesty himself.”

“…”

Inho gave a bitter smile.

So, he truly has secured the royal seal.

Even the aging Emperor was now within his grasp, manipulated like a puppet. There was no one left to stop Taeseon.

A cup containing poison was set before Inho. As he stared at it, he felt the culmination of years of expectation during his confinement—his end had finally arrived. One thing was certain: there was no regret among his emotions.

He would accept his punishment without complaint.

Without hesitation, Inho brought the cup to his lips. Even the poison that would end his life was received sweetly by his parched lips.

Just as he took a sip and began to swallow, Taeyul kicked the bowl away. The cold liquid splashed across Inho’s face and soaked his robes. Glaring up through the dripping liquid, Inho scowled.

“…What are you doing?”

“No, no. That won’t do. After all the crimes you’ve committed, you don’t deserve a peaceful death.”

Taeyul leaned in close and whispered.

“Your serene face infuriates me. I have a final gift for you, little brother. …Everyone, out!”

The soldiers exited, leaving only Inho, Taeyul, and his retainer, Gaseok, in the desolate room.

“Gaseok. Bring it.”

At Taeyul’s order, Gaseok carried over a small box and placed it before Inho. Curious about what could be inside such a small container, Inho’s eyes widened in shock when he saw the contents: five jade plaques, cracked and bloodstained, revealing the fate of their owners.

“What… what did you do…?”

“There were too many watching to bring back their severed heads.”

“They were innocent!”

Taeyul unfolded his fan with a mocking smile.

“Their only crime was taking in scum like you. Do you think that’s all? Aren’t you curious about your younger siblings, Yeoseol and Jiho?”

During those three years of confinement, they were the only hope that sustained him.

Inho had believed he had evacuated them before his punishment. But now, realizing that wasn’t true, he lost control.

“You promised they’d be spared! You gave your word! Call him! Please tell the Prince that Inho begs an audience!”

“He won’t see you. And he kept his word. He spared them. But to live is not the same as surviving. Yeoseol has been sold as the Twelfth Concubine to Hwang Daeseungju. Jiho will be sent as a consort to the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom.”

Tears of blood fell from Inho’s eyes as he listened.

“I was a fool to trust treacherous vermin like you! To send a Prince to barbarians—how far the dignity of Taeseong has fallen!”

“No worse than when the likes of you wormed into the Imperial House. A half-blood without even a divine beast.”

Inho’s shoulders trembled under his lowered head. It wasn’t until Taeyul saw the fierce glint in his eyes that he realized Inho was laughing.

“That makes us the same, doesn’t it, brother?”

“What?”

“A half-blood without a divine beast. Don’t you know why you’re still in your position? It’s because you’re too insignificant to bother with.”

“You filthy wretch, how dare you!”

“How long do you think you’ll last? You might survive by lowering your head and staying silent, but… with your temperament, I doubt you’ll endure.”

A loud crack rang out as Inho’s head jerked to the side. Though the blow made him sway, the venom in his eyes did not fade. Enraged, Taeyul drew his sword, but Gaseok held him back.

“Your Highness! You mustn’t lay hands on him. There are too many watching. The Third Prince gave strict orders.”

“…Yes. I know.”

It was a bitter disappointment. He had wanted to witness the humiliation of selling the once-proud prince, severed of all strength, to be violated by lowly men.

But someone that venomous might still claw his way back if left alive. He must not leave a threat behind.

Struggling to compose himself, Taeyul crushed Inho’s kneecap beneath his silk shoe.

“Guh…”

“You were the one worth the highest price. Consider Yeoseol and Jiho as having shared your sins—be grateful to them.”

At Taeyul’s signal, Gaseok brought out the poisoned cup again. This time, two cups were placed before Inho. The smaller one contained less liquid, but it was darker and more viscous.

As Inho looked at it with suspicion, Taeyul gave a chilling smile.

“A special poison prepared just for you.”

Inho knew it well—venom extracted from Taeseon’s divine beast, the White Serpent. Its agony was incomparable to royal poison. Those who died from it turned black all over, their bodies unsalvageable.

It was a clear expression of hatred, one that intended to make his end as excruciating as possible. Just as he moved to knock it aside, Taeyul’s voice fell from above.

“I’ll show some mercy for Yeoseol.”

“…”

“The choice is yours.”

Inho hid his trembling fingertips beneath his tattered sleeves. Without a moment’s hesitation, he picked up the cup containing the serpent’s venom. As faint ripples spread across the surface, Taeyul let out a laugh.

The thick fluid slowly passed over his tongue, down his throat, through his esophagus, and into his organs. With every inch it traveled, it tore and melted him from within. Unable to bear the pain, Inho dropped the cup and writhed. His labored breaths, too broken to become screams, scattered as he convulsed. From behind his fan, Taeyul’s eyes widened slightly.

Blood dribbled from Inho’s slack mouth, his body limp and writhing no more. Taeyul turned away.

“There’s nothing more to see. Let’s go.”

In his dimming vision, Inho caught one last glimpse of the world he hadn’t seen in so long.

Beyond the tall walls and the surrounding thickets of thorns—the vast sky above.