35. This tooth is greedy.

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dedicating an entire day to comforting Moae, Aran summoned Wangso himself the next day.

Considering that Wangso always came to him for an audience, this was an unusual move.

 

‘This time, I’ll definitely be able to secure the Potion Lane.’

 

 

Wangso, having no idea what Aran was thinking, was just getting ahead of herself.

She thought Aran would offer some kind of apology due to the series of incidents.

This thought was largely influenced by the fact that she was completely unaware of the whole story, as Wangyi had fainted immediately after receiving treatment and had not woken up since.

 

 

 

Soon, the order to enter was given, and she neatly arranged her clothes and went inside.

 

 

“I greet His Majesty the Great King.”

“….”

 

 

Despite her greeting, Aran said nothing.

While finding it strange, Wangso was also letting her imagination run wild.

She thought he was too sorry to even speak properly.

 

 

‘That’s right. If he’s a person, he should be like that. This has happened not once, but twice. Surely this time….’

 

 

“Wangso, was it?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

 

Aran’s mouth opened.

 

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

 

He said, fiddling with a stack of documents piled on one side of the desk.

 

 

“How does Goryeo punish a woman who rapes a man?”

“Pardon?”

 

 

An unexpected question.

Why is he suddenly asking this?

 

 

‘What is it? Is he trying to frame me for sexual harassment again?’

 

 

Even while thinking that, she answered diligently.

 

 

“We impose 70 strokes of the cane and 6 years of imprisonment…”

“Then, how do you punish someone who attempts rape but fails?”

“We punish them the same way.”

 

Aran expressed doubt.

 

 

“Why is that?”

“Whether successful or not, the victim suffers a great shock, and in many cases, the attempt is abandoned not voluntarily, but due to external factors or unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, although rape did not actually occur, our country considers the ‘intent’ and ‘will to commit’ as if a rape crime had occurred and imposes the same punishment. This applies not only to rape but to all heinous crimes.”

 

 

A kind of pride was evident on her face as she explained at length.

She seemed to like that law quite a bit.

 

 

“Do you also think so?”

“Yes. I also believe that is right.”

“I see. Then, would you take a look at this case?”

 

Aran handed over a document.

 

 

“This is…?”

“It’s a case that happened about a month ago. A criminal named ‘Melia’ attacked a victim to rape them, but failed due to the victim’s resistance, and instead suffered severe injuries. For reference, in my country, Habsburg, rape is punished with the death penalty. What do you think?”

“Um…are you asking me…to make a judgment?”

“You may do so. I will follow your opinion.”

“….”

 

 

Why is he suddenly entrusting me with this?

For a moment, the Wangyi incident flashed through her mind, but she tried to shake it off, thinking, ‘Surely Wangyi wouldn’t try to rape the King’s wife?’

 

 

 

 

“In Goryeo, as I mentioned earlier, the punishment would be the same as for rape, that is, 70 strokes of the cane and at least 6 years of imprisonment…but since the Great King’s country punishes it with the death penalty, I think it’s right to follow that law and impose the death penalty.”

“Even though the criminal suffered severe injuries and didn’t even succeed in the crime?”

“That’s true, but that’s their own fault (自業自得). It’s not something the judiciary should consider.”

“I see. Well, I think similarly.”

“What about the Great King’s country? Is the punishment reduced for an attempt?”

“It is now. But I’m planning to apply the same punishment as Goryeo soon. Yes, starting today.”

 

Aran handed over another document.

 

 

“I’m cautious because it could develop into a diplomatic dispute, but recently, a Goryeo citizen committed attempted rape in my country. It’s a similar case to the one I just mentioned.”

“?”

 

 

She received the document with great anxiety.

 

 

As expected.

The names ‘Wangyi’ and ‘Moae Yueun’ were written there.

Of course, the perpetrator was ‘Wangyi’ and the victim was ‘Moae Yueun.’

She felt the blood draining from her entire body.

 

 

“T, this…”

“This is the whole story of what happened yesterday. Your brother, Wangyi, apparently attacked my wife. In order to avoid him, she had no choice but to use her powers, which resulted in half of his body being torn off. I see this case as similar to the Melia case above. What do you think?”

“W, wait a minute. No matter how stupid, ugly, and useless that guy is, there’s no way he would attack a woman, logically speaking!”

“Well, according to rumors, Prince Wangyi was said to have coveted many married women…Did I hear wrong?”

“He had the power to suppress them back then. The power of authority. But how could he suppress His Majesty’s wife with power and authority? This doesn’t make sense! No matter how stupid he is, there’s no way he would do something like this!”

“That impossible thing happened yesterday. Not everything in this world runs rationally, does it?”

“….”

 

 

Wangso lost her words and gritted her teeth.

Of course, at Wangyi.

 

 

She said there was no way he would do that, but in reality, she thought Wangyi was capable of anything.

Especially since Moae was so beautiful that even she was captivated. It was entirely possible that Wangyi, obsessed with women, would use strange delusions and threats to attack her.

 

 

‘That idiot! He’s blocking my path again!!!’

 

 

If the whole story of the incident was really as Aran said, with Wangyi trying to rape Moae, it would create repercussions that couldn’t even be compared to the Seorae incident.

 

 

First of all, Moae is the First Princess of the Mei Empire and also the wife of the Great King Aran.

This means she is a married woman, and Wangyi, who coveted and tried to attack that married woman, would be socially buried.

 

 

And that Wangyi is a member of the Goryeo royal family.

Moreover, just the day before, he had sexually harassed Seorae.

How could Goryeo, with such a trashy scoundrel as a member of the royal family, even hold its head up?

 

 

And that arrow will come to her as well, beyond Wangyi! For failing to manage him properly!

 

 

‘How am I supposed to manage that stupid bastard! I have work to do!!’

 

 

She screamed in anger inside.

He’s not helpful at all.

 

 

 

“Well, I’m not judging all the circumstances based solely on my wife’s words. We need to hear both sides of the story. I will postpone the judgment until he wakes up and we can hear his side. However, please keep in mind that once the judgment is made, it will be based on the strict national law, and even a prince from another country cannot avoid it.”

“….”

 

 

Wangso felt anger in Aran’s words.

Well, who wouldn’t be angry if their wife was almost raped?

 

‘He’s crazy…that bastard is crazy!!’

 

 

“Ah, for reference, in my country, the death penalty means being placed in a pot alive and roasted.”

“!!”

“If he tried to rape her, that’s what will happen to him too.”

“If that happens…a war might break out…!”

“I wouldn’t have become king if I was afraid of war.”

“…Okay…I understand.”

 

She gave a rough bow and staggered out.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

 

 

 

After she left, Aran quietly called a few priestesses.

As soon as they entered, they bowed deeply to him and shouted “Manse!” three times.

 

 

“My Lord God, give your command.”

 

Now that the Terra Order had completely taken over, all the priestesses were acting as his hands and feet.

The women in front of him were also such individuals.

They didn’t have the slightest doubt about Aran’s intentions.

They were truly followers.

 

 

“There’s something I need you to do.”

“Anything!”

“I heard that Wangyi brought two wives here.”

“No way!”

“Since he coveted my wife, I have to repay him in kind. Any complaints?”

“No! How could such lowly beings like us dare? We will carry out your orders.”

“Ah, and that woman named Wangso,”

“Shall we bring her too?”

“No, wait. But be prepared. It will happen soon.”

 

Wangso is a woman who will be his anyway.

That’s what the agreement with Wangyul is about.

 

Wangyul will be raised to the emperor, and Aran will get his hands on the two princesses.

And finally….

 

 

‘Wangyul, you will eventually be mine too.’