Late at night in Hanseong.
The residence before the Gwansangam, known as Unhyeon because of its location, was no different from other elite residences on ordinary days.
But tonight was different.
It felt as though every official in Hanseong had gathered, all trying to meet the master of this house.
The man who would become the foundation of the state.
Rumors spread that the residence would soon be directly connected to the palace, that its grounds would expand, that now was the time to secure land nearby.
For the first time in his life, Heungseon Daewongun witnessed such blatant flattery and gifts piled high before him.
This was the power of authority.
An ordinary man might have been swept away by such a sudden rise, but he showed no excitement.
He sat still late into the night, so unmoving that even his wife grew concerned.
"To be named Crown Prince, and yet show no reaction at all…"
"He must truly be detached from power."
People praised his composure, believing it proof of virtue.
But in truth, his mind was in chaos.
He could not hear what others were saying.
"…How is that even possible?"
Since hearing the truth from Killian, not a single moment had passed without his thoughts returning to it.
"Does that mean… he recognized me from the beginning?"
There was no doubt.
From the moment they met in Shanghai, Killian had known.
"…How could he remember?"
To recognize someone after twenty years, from a single meeting in childhood.
That was not normal.
There were only two possibilities.
Either the memory was extraordinarily significant, or it was something deeply unpleasant.
"…Was I that offensive?"
He could not even clearly remember what he had said back then.
"…No. If he truly held a grudge, he would have stopped me from becoming Crown Prince."
That was the only reassurance.
Even Kim Hak-seo, who had far more reason to be targeted, was still alive and serving.
If Killian sought revenge, he would have acted already.
"…Then he accepts me as an ally… perhaps."
Yet that only raised another question.
Why remember him at all?
Unable to resolve it, his thoughts spiraled into unease.
"Are you still awake?"
"…Ah… yes…"
His wife misunderstood his silence as the burden of kingship.
And perhaps, in part, she was right.
Joseon's future now depended on him.
And to guide that future, he needed to understand one thing.
What Killian truly wanted.
Because whatever path Joseon took, it would have to align with the interests of Britain.
And that thought alone was enough to keep him awake until dawn.
Three days after the evaluation ended, the political order of Joseon began to shift.
The powerful Andong Kim clan fell into turmoil.
"You were warned not to act rashly!"
"…"
"Gyeongwon-gun at least has another chance, but what of Deokwan-gun? We have lost everything!"
With Kim Jwa-geun and Kim Heung-geun abroad, the clan had acted prematurely, and now their influence collapsed.
The Pungyang Jo clan faced similar uncertainty.
And at the center of it all stood Heungseon Daewongun, unaffiliated with either faction.
There was no clear way to approach him.
He already had a wife and sons.
And succession would no longer be hereditary.
Even marriage alliances were meaningless.
"…Was this all planned?"
"It may have been His Majesty's intention."
"But even so, the Crown Prince will need support."
"Not necessarily. If the alignment with Britain holds, his authority may be stronger than expected."
Power was shifting.
Not disappearing, but transforming.
Toward Britain.
Toward Killian.
And they understood.
"First, we must approach the Crown Prince."
"And we must also host His Highness Killian before he departs."
Even now, they sought a way back.
Because power never stands still.
The investiture ceremony came swiftly.
"Heungseon Daewongun Yi Ha-eung is hereby appointed Crown Prince of Joseon."
The formal rites were completed.
He was adopted into the royal line.
Traditionally, Qing approval would follow.
But this time, it did not.
Instead, I presented a formal document on behalf of Queen Victoria.
And King Heonjong declared it equal in authority to an imperial decree.
"Congratulations, Crown Prince."
"This is all thanks to you."
"Not at all. It is your own ability."
Then he asked quietly,
"…What exactly do you intend?"
"If you follow my lead, Joseon will no longer fear Qing or Russia."
"…And the cost?"
"The collapse of the Neo-Confucian order."
He had already realized it.
"…I expected as much."
"But much of it will be handled before you ascend the throne. You only need to prepare."
"I understand. But I must proceed carefully."
"Then let others act in your place."
"…Others?"
"Kim Eung-geun will approach you soon. Accept him."
"The Andong Kim clan?"
"Use them."
Power could be dismantled more easily from within than from without.
"Fight poison with poison."
The old order would not fall easily.
But now—
it had already begun to crack.