Chapter Text
All everyone could do was sit and watch in disbelief as the huge screen flared to show a blindingly bright image.
"How in the world!" cried out the Queen Dowager in mortification.
As he watched several others voice out similar noises of terror, Bonghwan was once again reminded that these people really were from the past. He'd never thought a day would come where he'd watch a group of people get spooked by essentially a large television screen. And yet, here he was.
It opened up to show a group of what looked to be cooks rushing around a kitchen and preparing food.
Bonghwan's eyes immediately widened in recognition. Aren't those-
A familiar man appeared on screen, slicing meat in great concentration.
"Hey... isn't that you?" the woman beside him hesitated, sparing a glance at Bonghwan. He immediately recognised her as the same woman who'd questioned him earlier about his identity. Feeling a bit petty, Bonghwan decided to name her 'Nosy'.
He blinked a bit in surprise before answering. "Yeah, I guess so." Who knew he was going to see his handsome face shining on screen like this? Feeling a sense of pride brew within him, Bonghwan thought that maybe this situation wasn't so bad...
The king turned to look at him incredulously. "You're a cook?" he asked.
That made Bonghwan furrow his brows. "Yeah, why? Got a problem?"
He stuttered at that, apparently still not used to Bonghwan's charming attitude. "Uh, no. It's just... unexpected."
What's that supposed to mean?
Bonghwan raised an eyebrow in bemusement then turned his attention back to the screen.
The scene changed to show Bonghwan sitting on a cushioned chair and speaking with an unknown woman.
"Even the most aggressive beast doesn't bite the hand that feeds it." he began with a professional smile. "It wags its tail."
Gaping slightly, Bonghwan could only scrutinise the screen in bafflement. Wasn't this the interview he was supposed to attend? He could clearly recognise the interviewer there. That bastard really is showing the future.
Byul Gam, who'd been seated next to the King, narrowed his eyes as he turned to face Bonghwan. "Just why are you dressed so oddly? You look like you're wearing undergarments."
Bonghwan sputtered in outrage. "The hell are you calling undergarments?! Do you know how much that outfit cost me?!"
However, he felt his anger quickly deflate into simmering annoyance at the blank expression Byul Gam gave him. Bonghwan clicked his tongue as he shook his head disapprovingly. "Hah, poor bastard. It's not your fault your era is so underdeveloped."
"I- what?" Affronted, Byul Gam glanced between the King and Yeongpyeong who shared similar confused expressions.
It then transitioned back to Bonghwan in the kitchen.
"I began cooking when I was 13 years old. My dream was to work at Cheong Wa Dae, no matter what." he revealed.
The King frowned thoughtfully and glanced at Bonghwan. "Why are you wearing that strange looking mask over your face?"
"Hm?" Bonghwan answered absent mindedly as he was too busy admiring his beauty to notice the man. "Oh. Well, that's to stop any germs or bacteria from getting in the food." he explained a little awkwardly. Why does this guy keep trying to speak to him?
The King blinked at him. "G-gyerms? Pucteria...?"
Oh god, Bonghwan cringed at his incredibly thick accent. Right. Joseon. They haven't been introduced to the English language yet.
He let out a tired sigh. "It's...to keep the food clean." Bonghwan simplified.
"Oh, I see." the other hummed, nodding along in a way that made Bonghwan think he hadn't understood at all. Aish, whatever. I don't want to explain the entire history of microbiology to him.
Going back to the interview, Bonghwan continued his monologue. "I wanted to be the one to feed the most powerful being. And that's why I became a cook."
The interviewer smiled. "Like you said, you became the youngest Cheong Wa Dae chef ever." she commented.
"The first."
"I'm sorry?"
There was a slight pause between everyone in the room while Bonghwan nodded along to his projected self.
The King side-eyed him with a mystified expression.
Meanwhile, the Grand Queen Dowager widened her eyes in shock, scandalised at the woman's outfit. Is this really the future of our nation? Where has our shame gone? she thought to herself in offence.
The scene changed back to Bonghwan in the kitchen finishing up his dish.
Kim Jwa Geun cleared his throat. "Do you mean to waste our time here? How is this relevant to our future?" he complained, his tone sharp and intense.
The Grand Queen Dowager shook her head and sighed in agreement. "Brother is right. I don't see the point of watching a mere cook's mundane activities."
Bonghwan felt a vein pulse in his forehead. This old hag!-
The King laughed boisterously, his voice a grating noise to Bonghwan's already enraged ears. "Now, now, what's the rush? I'm sure we're watching this for a reason." he rationalised cheerfully. As he shot a look towards Kim Jwa Geun and the Queen Dowager, Bonghwan thought he saw a hidden trace of hostility behind his eyes.
There's something off about this guy, he thought to himself, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over him.
The Queen Dowager only scoffed as both her and Kim Jwa Geun silently turned back to the screen.
Someone brings in a tray of fish covered with ice cubes and placed it on the counter. "The cod." the person announced.
Bonghwan went to check its quality. "That'll do." he confirmed with a satisfied nod.
Two other people walk in, a man and a woman both dressed in professional outfits, as they waited patiently for Bonghwan's attention. Once he'd finally turned his head to them, the man began to speak in an unfamiliar language.
Nosy furrowed her brows in confusion. "What is he saying?" she asked.
Bonghwan hummed thoughtfully. "Mandarin, probably?" he answered with uncertainty. He can't exactly understand the language but it sounds similar.
The King snapped his head to him. "Mandarin? This person is Chinese?" he questioned, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Uh, most likely?" Bonghwan replied hesitantly.
The other man shifted his attention back to the screen, his eyes lighting up in wonder. "How intriguing. I've never seen a Chinese person before."
It's not like they're aliens, Bonghwan remarked in his head.
The woman beside the man began to translate. "The ambassador is sensitive about fish bones, so please take extra caution."
The King blinked at this, unsure of what 'ambassador' meant. As he turned to the stranger next to him in hopes of an explanation, he was instead met with an absolutely scornful expression. The man named 'Bonghwan' was practically glowering at the screen in contempt as he all but forgot his surroundings. Feeling an ominous aura radiating off of him, the King subtly moved away from Bonghwan.
What a horrifying face, he thought to himself in discomfort.
Bonghwan scoffed at their faces, a mocking smile already fixed to his lips. "If you say that one more time, I'll only serve the head of the fish." he threatened in pseudo light-heartedness.
The woman widened her eyes in disbelief.
Byul Gam laughed out loud, clutching onto his stomach as he leaned his arm on an annoyed Yeongpyeong for support. "Oh god! This man is something else!"
"Get off me!" Yeongpyeong snapped, abruptly shrugging him off and not minding the way Byul Gam collapsed on the ground. "Fuck!" he heard him exclaim before making impact.
Both the King and Nosy stared at Bonghwan like he was some sort of rabid dog while the Queen Dowager narrowed her eyes at his distasteful attitude.
"No tact what so ever. Truly an example of a commoner." the Queen Dowager remarked in blatant scorn.
Already irritated enough at the ambassador's pickiness, Bonghwan could not reign himself in as he instantly snapped back. "Keep yapping old hag and you'll be the next victim of my 'tact'."
The old and young female servants gasped in shock from their position next to Nosy while the King, Yeongpyeong, Hwa Jin and Byul Gam all stared dumbfounded at Bonghwan. The Grand Queen Dowager's face in comparison flushed a furious red as she pointed at him and spluttered in outrage. "You! You-"
The woman translated to the Chinese man, likely an incredibly mellowed down version of Bonghwan's remark.
"What is he, the first Qin emperor?" Bonghwan grumbled to himself as he watched their exchange.
The man unfortunately had heard him. "First Qin emperor?"
Startled, Bonghwan looked up at him.
Why focus specifically on this emperor? The King pondered with a raised eyebrow.
The scene changed back to the interview.
"The fish cake was invented because of the first Qin emperor." Bonghwan elaborated. "The first Qin emperor was very picky and controlling. Although he loved fish and ate it every day, if he found a single bone, he chopped the cook's head off right away."
The King pursed his lips in displeasure. Ah, now I see.
"Woah, what an insane man. Is fish really that much worth?" Byul Gam commented, slightly disturbed.
Yeongpyeong narrowed his eyes at the explanation. Royalty are always tyrants and maniacs, no matter the nation, he thought to himself in dismay.
"You're very knowledgable on history." Nosy pointed out, smiling politely at Bonghwan.
Is she trying to make conversation or something? Shifting in his seat, Bonghwan cleared his throat before speaking. "Yeah, well, that's just one of the perks of having a history teacher for a mother."
"Your mother is a history teacher?" she asked, surprised. "She must be a very intelligent woman."
Bonghwan smiled slightly at that. "Thank you, uh..." he trailed off, immediately realising he had never caught this woman's name.
She chuckled in response, quickly sparing him from the public embarrassment. "So Yong. My name is Kim So Yong."
His mouth formed a small and gentle smile. "Nice to meet you, Kim So Yong." Ignoring the affronted sounds coming from So Yong's servants, Bonghwan took out his hand and held it in front of her.
She looked down at his arm, puzzled.
Oh, right. Before anyone else could realise what Bonghwan was doing, he'd already grabbed So Yong's hand and held it in his.
"Just who do you think you're touching?!" yelped the old maid, scandalised.
"Your highness!" exclaimed the younger maid, eyes flicking between Bonghwan and So Yong nervously.
"Calm down, it's not like I'm going to eat her." Bonghwan rolled his eyes at their exaggerated reactions. He then shook their hands a couple times, all the while, So Yong watched with a bewildered expression. "Back in my era, this is what we do when meeting someone for the first time." He gestured at their interlocked hands. "It's called a handshake."
So Yong's eyes lit up in wonder. "Is that so..." she muttered to herself, smiling softly.
Meanwhile, the King had been watching this entire exchange silently from beside them. He regarded So Yong's friendly behaviour with instant suspicion. Was she aiming to exploit Bonghwan's knowledge of the future for the Andong Kim?
Bonghwan continued recounting the story of the Qin emperor. "Cooks were dying every day, and this one new cook thought, 'I'm going to die too'. He lost his mind, gave up, and he chopped the fish on the cutting board with a knife, and..." Bonghwan chuckled. "Eureka!"
The King paused. Ourukah? What a strange word...
"Yes, he was very lucky."
The scene changed to show a luxurious room filled with government officials and body guards.
Ah, this must be where that ambassador is eating, Bonghwan remarked, humming thoughtfully.
As the King surveyed the area's extravagant design, he presumed this was the dining room of a king of somesort. Although, he couldn't help but notice the people's odd choice of clothing. Were those the royal officials?
"You might wonder how anyone could kill a person over just food, but no food is 'just food'." Bonghwan monologued as the screen transitioned to show Director Han. "A perfectly cooked dish can pierce through an iron wall around one's heart. It's like the most charming bullet in the world." he continued as servants began to hand out the meals.
"That's an interesting perspective." the King stated, smiling at Bonghwan in a way that instantly felt fake.
Feeling a bit challenged, Bonghwan shot back his own form of a polite smile. "To be the best chef, you must also maintain the philosophy of one." he informed.
A perplexed expression spread throughout the King's face. " 'Chef'?" Is that another one of his future terminology?
The ambassador sliced through his fish then placed a small portion in his mouth. He paused for a moment as he began to chew on it carefully.
Now for the deal breaker, Bonghwan smirked confidently, already sure of the upcoming result. In the past 10 years of his cooking career, there hadn't been a single customer he didn't satisfy.
The screen transitioned back to Bonghwan's interview. "So this is what I think when I cook in Cheong Wa Dae." Bonghwan nodded to himself in thought. "Cooking is politics."
The Queen Dowager scoffed at that. In what world would the measly act of cooking be considered political?
"Speaking of which, let's hear the real story which everyone wants to hear about." the interviewer declared. "Some behind-the-scenes stories at Cheong Wa Dae, for instance."
Bonghwan interrupted her by lifting his pointing finger. "Before that, let's make sure of this. Keep me anonymous. Pay me for this in cash. Okay?"
The scene then changed to a darkly lit room where Bonghwan and the translator woman stood. Bonghwan cupped the woman's cheek as he leaned in for a kiss.
So Yong, her servants and Hwa Jin flushed a deep red at the image before them while the Queen Dowager stood up furiously as she glared at Bonghwan, her face distraught. "How shameless!" she bellowed.
Yeongpyeong and Byul Gam glanced away awkwardly while Kim Byeong In only looked on in disinterest. The King quickly shut his eyes, trying hard to ignore the slight red dusting his cheeks.
Bonghwan only scratched his head in bemusement. "What? Never seen a kiss before?" he questioned everyone with a raised brow. Bonghwan knew they were from the Joseon era, but wasn't this reaction a bit dramatic?
"You disgusting and utterly deplorable man!" the Queen Dowager continued to shriek. "Have you lost all honour for yourself?!"
Bonghwan clicked his tongue at her loud voice, rubbing at his ears consolingly. "Will you calm down? It's not that big of a deal." he griped.
"You-"
"He is right, grand Queen Dowager." Kim Jwa Geun interjected. "Do not waste your strength on him. We have yet to figure out the reason we're here."
She looked down at her brother and let out a deep sigh. "Fine." she begrudgingly agreed.
Huffing exaggeratedly, she sat back down on her seat.
The woman noticed the camera by the corner and turned her head away from Bonghwan.
Bonghwan glanced in the direction she had looked at. "Ah, that?" he observed. "It's been broken for a week due to a short circuit from a leak." he explained.
The woman faced Bonghwan once again. "Is it broken? Or did someone break it?" she asked, suspiciously.
Bonghwan sighed. "Sometimes, you need to let things slide like this."
"Must we keep watching this?" Hwa Jin asked desparately, her face still incredibly flushed.
"I agree. I think we're invading Bonghwan's privacy here." So Yong added, ignoring the weird look Hwa Jin sent her. She levelled Bonghwan with an apologetic gaze. "I'm sorry, Bonghwan. You must be very uncomfortable with us watching you and your wife."
Bonghwan felt his brain short circuit. "My what?"
So Yong tilted her head slightly, confused. "Your wife." she repeated.
Feeling the dangerous trajectory of this conversation, Bonghwan quickly jumped at the chance to correct her. "Oh, nononono. That is not my wife. I refuse to get tied down like that. We're just friends with benefits."
"Friends...with benefits?" So Yong parroted slowly, as if unable to comprehend those set of words.
"Yes. Exactly." Bonghwan replied with finalty.
Bonghwan carressed the back of her head as he spoke. "Thanks to that, I can also get some benefits like this."
Bonghwan had to admit, although he loved watching his projection on screen, he still felt incredibly uncomfortable with an audience watching his very... intimate moments.
I can't believe this is what I'm witnessing, the King thought to himself exasperatedly. When he was told that they were about to watch the future, this was not what he had expected. He looked between the Bonghwan next to him and the one on screen. The image of his glowering expression remained stagnant within the King's mind. It was strange seeing the contrast between that and the seductive behaviour on screen.
Bonghwan leaned for a kiss, only to be stopped once again. "By the way, is it okay for us to be doing this?" she asked hesitantly.
"Once the main dish is served, it's game over. I'm sure the Chinese ambassador is tasting heaven right now."
"Wow, pretty confident, aren't we?" Byul Gam smirked slyly at Bonghwan who only smirked back in return.
"You'd have to be a little confident if you want to survive in my field." he answered.
Byul Gam's eyes flashed in curiousity. "Is cooking that dangerous of a job?"
Bonghwan only continued to smile at him arrogantly. "Oh, you have no idea."
The scene changed back to the ambassador eating his food. As he put another fork of fish in his mouth and began to chew, a ripping sound emanated from his lips.
The ambassador frowned.
Bonghwan instantly tensed at this. What is this? What's going on? he mentally questioned, unable to shake off this ominous feeling gripping at his bones.
He brought his hand inside his mouth to pull out a metal pin of some kind shining brightly at him
"That's impossible!" Bonghwan exclaimed in complete outrage. He would never have been so careless as to leave a metal pin in the ambassador's food!
"How are you so sure? Maybe you're not as cut out for cooking as you thought you were." Kim Byeong In mocked with a belittling smile.
"Byeong In!" So Yong chastised, sending him a sharp look to which he ignored.
Bonghwan had to refrain himself from the urge to punch the guy as he snapped back. "I've been cooking for 20 years, there's no way I would've made a rookie mistake like that!"
The King settled a warm hand on Bonghwan's shoulder. "Calm yourself. We don't know anything yet so just settle down and keep watching."
Still peeved, Bonghwan harshly shook his hand off. "Don't touch me!"
Dumbfounded at the response, the King shot back in offence. "You do realise I'm royalty, right? And yet, you dare to speak so insolently?"
The other only let out a short sarcastic laugh. "Yeah. Royalty from 200 years ago! It's not like you can sentence me to death once I'm back home."
The King sent him an aggravated expression, as if he were suffering a great injustice. "You-"
"Can you two please calm down?" So Yong interrupted anxiously, looking between them as if she were about to witness a devastating battle between two bulls.
Surprisingly, Bonghwan watched as the King's face quickly devolved to an unreadable emotion as he turned his attention to So Yong. The air around them suddenly felt colder and increasingly more tense. "Right. I apologise." he muttered out in clipped sentences, turning his face back to the screen.
"Ah, no it's alright..." So Yong trailed off awkwardly, her face showing slight embarrassment. Hidden beneath her eyes, Bonghwan thought he saw a hint of sadness permeating within them.
What was that about? He thought suspiciously.
Everyone looked shocked at the appearance of the pin. Standing nearby, Director Han's lips formed a small and barely noticable smirk.
Kim Jwa Geun narrowed his eyes at that. Well, what do we have here...
Body guards were shown running throughout the hallways.
"Chef Jang! Find Chef Jang!" one of them demanded.
Bonghwan shrunk a bit in his seat. Oh, I'm so fucking dead.
It seems like they're looking to punish him, the King observed thoughtfully.
The scene changed to show Bonghwan about to kiss the translator woman, only to be interrupted.
"Chef Jang!"
Bonghwan pulled away instantly.
"Where are you?" the voice continued.
"Seriously. Life can be tiring when you're too good." Bonghwan remarked with a wistful expression.
This man's arrogance will be the end of him, Yeongpyeong shook his head disapprovingly.
"Did the ambassador love my food so much that he wanted to compliment me himself?" he asked himself curiously.
Byul Gam couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh, you couldn't be anymore wrong, could you?"
Bonghwan shot him a sinister glare.
"I'll be back soon, Sun-young." Bonghwan addressed his companion.
"It's Hye-jung." she corrected with a deadpan expression.
"Sun-young suits you better." he said before walking away, whistling.
The King gave Bonghwan a weird look. "Just how many women have you slept with?"
Bonghwan only shrugged at that. "How am I supposed to know?"
"How do you not know?" the King asked, completely baffled.
"I hooked up with a lot of women, how do you expect me to keep track?" Bonghwan replied, as if what he said was a normal occurence.
"I-" the other began, unsure of how to respond. "You really are shameless." he eventually settled with.
The scene changed to show two men walking through a hallway.
Wait, this place looks familiar... Is that my apartment?! Bonghwan thought anxiously. Did the police come to inspect him? But he really doesn't know anything! Someone else must've framed him. That's the only logical conclusion he could come to.
A sign was attached to the room's door saying,
BEWARE OF DOG
BITES WHEN BOTHERED
"You have a dog?" The King asked.
Bonghwan smirked at the question. "Yeah, a real feral one." He then proceeded to laugh at his own joke.
Watching all this, the King looked at the other man in blatant distaste. "What an odd human being..." he muttered to himself.
The two looked at each other, unsure. One of them then began knocking at the door. When he received no answer, he kept knocking.
A loud bark then startled the two men, as they jumped back in fear.
"That scared me." One of them admitted.
One of the men hit the other. "Hey, you do it." he instructed.
Bonghwan only rolled his eyes at their pathetic behaviour.
The other man then began knocking on the door as well.
"Mr. Jang Bonghwan, we're from the Jongno Police Detective Division." he announced.
Fuck, Bonghwan thought defeatedly.
"Police?" So Yong questioned with a furrow of her brows.
Bonghwan sighed, already growing tired of explaining modern terminology. "Think palace guards." he explained.
"Ah. Right."
The scene changed to show a suspiciously grey room with two men settled at a table playing with cards.
Bonghwan had the sense that he knew who the pair were, but he couldn't exactly pinpoint who.
"That bastard Jang Bonghwan's family name sounds like 'the best' in Korean, and they call him 'The Best Chef'. I feel like his name beats mine." complained a man in familiar chef's attire.
Bonghwan's eyes widened at the man's face. Seung-min?
The screen shifted then to the other man across the table, revealing him to be Director Han. "When globalisation projects for Korean food take place, the name that will become world-famous is Bu Seung-min." he described, smiling in an unsettling way. "Not Jang Bonghwan."
Ah, so this was a conspiracy against him, Kim Jwa Geun noted in slight amusement.
The King warily watched the man next to him as his expression quickly grew dark. "Hey, what the hell is this..." Bonghwan muttered, his voice trembling in held back fury as he clenched his fists. "Who the fuck do these assholes think they are? Framing me?"
The King couldn't help but think he resembled a hot tea kettle about to burst.
Seung-min let out a satisfied smile as Director Han placated him. "Give it your best and keep your mouth shut." Director Han instructed.
"Right." Seung-min agreed. "We wouldn't be suspected in any way. We're innocent."
"Like hell, you bastards!" Bonghwan snarled as he abruptly stood up. "Just watch! Once I'm outta here, I'll have you wish you never double crossed me to begin with! I'll make sure your dicks are turned inside out!" he ranted, glaring at the screen as if the projections could hear him.
"Oh my." the old maid gasped, a hand held in front of her mouth in shock.
So Yong stared at him in a mixture of horror and amazement while her young maid looked so uncomfortable she could cry. Hwa Jin on the other hand, only cleared her throat awkwardly.
The King looked up at Bonghwan in astonishment. "What a vulgar mouth." he mumbled, aghast.
The image changed back to Bonghwan's apartment and the two police officers. The door then finally opened, revealing Bonghwan holding out his phone with a barking noise emanating from it.
"What is that contraption?" the King asked Bonghwan curiously, to which he quickly responded with a definitive-
"No."
The King scrunched up his face indignantly. "What do you mean no?" he blurted out in confusion.
"It'll take too much effort and time to explain."
This man is infuriating, the King thought frustratedly. Never before had he met a person so disagreeable in his life. It astounded him.
The officers let out relieved laughs at this. "You scared us." one of them admonished.
"You need to come with us to the station." the other continued.
Bonghwan instantly jumped at the chance to defend himself. "The fishing hook thing turned out to be because it was caught by angling." he elaborated. "I took responsibility and got dismissed. Now what?"
"There are circumstances of corruption with ingredient deliveries." One of the officers explained.
Bonghwan shook his head in disbelief at this situation. How did he even end up here? That bastard Seung-min and Director Han were going to pay.
Bonghwan laughed humourlessly. "How much?" he asked.
The officer made a thoughtful noise as he tried to recall the information. "It's been two years, so it's quite big."
"And those circumstances point toward me?" Bonghwan questioned.
The officer laughed at that light-heartedly, batting away at Bonghwan's worries. "Who said that? You're just coming as a witness."
"What a terrible actor." Bonghwan critcised, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
It seems those two were quite meticulous, the King thought, impressed. All that just to get rid of a workplace rival? Their effort was truly commendable.
Bonghwan side-eyed the officer, clearly judging him. "You're a terrible actor." he commented.
In response, the officer's smile quickly disappeared as his colleague glanced at him awkwardly.
"Open the door, please." the officer changed his tune, all pretense of friendliness evaporated.
Bonghwan, however, had not given up at saving his image. "I'm sure you know this, but a single chef can't pull something like that at Cheong Wa Dae." he began.
The two officers looked at each other blankly while Bonghwan continued blabbering.
"That bastard Bu Seung-min, who's a forever sous-chef, has been in the Cheong Wa Dae kitchen the longest. He's a deep-rooted evil."
The officers didn't even bother pretending to listen, with one of them fanning himself and the other staring at Bonghwan sceptically.
Ah, these assholes' faces look really punchable, Bonghwan was practically seething at the screen, making both So Yong and the King sitting on either side of him deeply uncomfortable.
Is he okay? So Yong wondered in both worry and fear.
Why do I feel like he's about to explode? the King thought to himself cautiously as he maintained a distance between him and Bonghwan.
"Ah, this is hilarious, these two don't even want to listen to you." Byul Gam pointed out, watching this entire scene in absolute delight.
Why the hell is that idiot provoking him?! The King thought furiously, not wanting to deal with Bonghwan's very obvious anger issues.
"Is my ruined life a joke to you?" Bonghwan sneered, scowling at Byul Gam.
"Well, you do provide good entertainment." the other shot back, flashing him with a shit eating grin that irritated Bonghwan to no end. Should he be his first victim?
Yeongpyeong settled a hand on Byul Gam's shoulder. "Stop aggravating him, you idiot."
Right as Byul Gam was about to protest- he found this man's reactions very enjoyable -Yeongpyeong shot him a menacing death glare that would leave even Kim Jwa Geun crying for his mother.
"Okay, okay. Understood." he reassured nervously.
Bonghwan continued to ramble defensively. "That bastard teamed up with someone high up and framed me."
"So come to the station with us and explain your situation." the officer insisted irritatedly.
"I wondered why he was going so far to just make me quit, and this was it?" Bonghwan spoke to himself. The officer rolled his eyes at this as he impatiently waited for him to be done.
"This can only be done by the Chief of Staff or higher." Bonghwan's eyes widened. "Did the Chief of Staff do this?"
"What's with the sudden monologue? We're in a hurry." the officer complained.
Bonghwan spluttered at that. "This is a serious deductive moment, you useless police officer!"
"What do you think? I'm stalling." Bonghwan shot back.
The officer only let out a fake smile at that. "We're busy so..." He and his colleague walked towards the door, as he used his fan to unlock Bonghwan's door.
"What the heck?"
"This is trespassing!" Bonghwan protested furiously. Did they even have a warrant?
They began fighting for the door, Bonghwan who tried to close it and the two officers who were trying to barge it open.
"What a ridiculous image." the Queen Dowager remarked in disdain, watching the three adult men fight like toddlers.
Byul Gam, on the other hand, was having a field day. To him, this was the most comical thing he'd seen all year. Nothing was more boring than working at the palace.
Bonghwan abruptly let go of the door and ran across his apartment with the two officers trailing after him.
"Mr. Jang Bonghwan!"
"Stop!"
They both cried out.
Bonghwan ignored them as he continued running towards his balcony. He stepped outside as he tried to close his glass door, only for the officers to grab onto it and begin yanking it open.
"Tch. Persistent bastards." Bonghwan grumbled.
The King surveyed the screen with bemusement. Just what am I looking at?
"You're all so impatient." Bonghwan pointed out. "I'll come in after I hire an attorney-"
The officers kept gesturing at him to open the door to which Bonghwan ignored.
"-and find some dirt on that bastard, Bu Seung-min. Detectives, you need to eliminate corruption and be promoted."
Suddenly, the officers let go of the door, huffing at their spent energy.
"Let's stop this, okay?" Bonghwan advised to which the other two nodded in agreement. "Did you hear me? Okay."
The King narrowed his eyes at this. They're trying to get him by surprise, aren't they?
"Go home." Bonghwan told them, flicking the two away with a wave of the hand. They then made a show of leaving only to quickly dive back for the door.
These two don't know when to give up, do they? Bonghwan thought in exasperation.
They tried to get the door to open however Bonghwan prevented them from doing so. Suddenly, with a change of heart, Bonghwan yanked the door open and ran across his balcony, the momentum causing the two officers to collapse to the ground.
He's surprisingly agile, the King couldn't help but notice.
The scene changed to show Bonghwan hanging from the rails of the balcony.
So Yong gaped at the scene before her. "Bonghwan, you shouldn't be up there! It's too dangerous!" she scolded.
Bonghwan only shrugged her off nonchalantly. "What else do you expect me to do? Those morons wouldn't leave me alone."
"But you could fall!" she insisted, her worried gaze seering holes in Bonghwan's side.
"I'll be fine." he placated. Bonghwan had always been able to get out of crazy situations like this. It isn't anything new.
"Hey!" One of the police officers exclaimed.
He grabbed onto Bonghwan's shoulder only for Bonghwan to bite his hand. The officer quickly recovered his hand as cried out in pain.
"Did you just bite him?" The King gave Bonghwan a stunned look.
"He had it coming." Bonghwan answered defensively. It's his own fault if he touched him and not expected backlash.
The King clicked his tongue, shaking his head disapprovingly at the man beside him. What a lunatic.
"He's like a rabid dog!" the bit officer shouted.
"That's why the sign says, 'Beware of dog'. Don't come any closer." Bonghwan warned.
That's the reason for the sign? Everyone collectively thought, befuddled.
"Mr. Jang! You're making things worse!" the other officer whined. His colleague quickly grabbed onto Bonghwan's arm but the sudden action surprised Bonghwan, almost causing him to lose his footing.
So Yong instantly tensed at this. She didn't want to witness anyone fall to their deaths.
Once they'd all setlled down, Bonghwan spoke up again. "Oh, right. Can I ask you an important question?"
"What is it?" the other officer replied, puffing for breath.
"Why do you give blood sausage soup in the holding cell?"
"What is wrong with you?" the King asked Bonghwan, stupified. Who brings up food in moments like this?
Bonghwan scrunched up his face in confusion. "What? Is there anything wrong with a cook talking about food?"
Suffice to say, the King was rendered speechless.
"What kind of crazy question is that?" the officer snapped.
"I really hate blood sausage soup." Bonghwan continued.
The officer snarled at him. "Do you think it's a restaurant?! You think it's a rest stop on a freeway?! Why are you going on about the menu?!"
"I'm a chef!" Bonghwan roared.
The unexpected change in volume startled the audience meanwhile Bonghwan only nodded in agreement to his projected self.
The officers jumped back in surprise as well.
"I only think of food even in a desperate situation. I'm the Best Chef!"
The other officer looked him up and down in judgement. "What a load of crap."
What a load of crap indeed, the King agreed, finding his difficulty to understand Bonghwan truly tiresome. He's crazy, that was the only logical conclusion he could come to.
A pigeon let out waste on Bonghwan's hand which caused him to yelp out in disgust. His reaction almost caused him to fall off the balcony but the officers made sure to grab onto the sleeves of his coat, all the while shouting out noises of alarm.
"Don't let go!" Bonghwan ordered anxiously. He let out a loud breath in relief. "That was close."
Bonghwan tensed in fear as he watched these course of events. Those bastards better not let go, he threatened in his mind, as if anyone could hear him.
So Yong, on the other hand, kept flicking her eyes between everyone on screen. While she did just meet this man for the first time, Bonghwan had still been really kind to her and it would hurt to see him get harmed in any way. It's hard to find people like him with no ulterior motives within the palace. She clenched her fist as her eyes shook in worry.
However, before anyone could realise what was going on, Bonghwan was already slipping out of his coat and falling.
To be continued...