Chapter Thirty-Seven: Euyn’s Burdens of Truth
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
During a carriage ride to the capital, Euyn observes the tense dynamics among the group. He deduces that Count Seok bought Chul’s daughters, Athora and Daysum—Sora and her sister—and that Chul never knowingly signed indentures. Euyn decides not to tell Sora, fearing it would alienate her and the southern count’s son. He notices Ty’s jealous stares at Sora and confirms Ty loves her, a love she does not return. Ty reveals that only two poison maidens survived his father’s school. Privately, Euyn wrestles with his own secret: his mother confessed on her deathbed that he is not the king’s son. In a fit of rage, he accidentally killed her. He now fears being exposed as a bastard when he is crowned, and he still craves Mikail’s love despite believing it would not survive the truth.
Key Events
- Euyn deduces that Seok bought Chul’s daughters and that Sora is one of them.
- He learns that the indentures were forged; Chul never signed.
- Euyn decides to keep this information from Sora to preserve alliances.
- Euyn confronts Ty about his feelings for Sora; Ty admits he loves her but she hates him.
- Ty explains the poison maiden school: three survivors, one killed on assignment—only two exist.
- In internal monologue, Euyn reveals the secret he has carried since his mother’s death: she told him he is a bastard, and he shook her to death in anger.
- Euyn reflects that he began hunting prisoners a week after killing his mother.
- He imagines confessing the truth but knows it would cost him Mikail’s love.
Character Development
- Euyn: For the first time, the reader sees his internal shame and guilt. His calculated coldness cracks as he admits uncertainty about becoming king. The revelation of killing his mother adds a layer of tragic violence to his ambition.
- Ty: His confession of love for Sora, despite her hatred, humanizes him. He is no longer just a poison-school heir but a man enduring unrequited love.
- Sora (mentioned): Her past as Chul’s daughter is now confirmed; the reason for her being a poison maiden acquires tragic backstory.
- Mikail: Remains a worthy prize in Euyn’s eyes; his love for Euyn is the one thing Euyn fears losing.
- Chul (off-page): His backstory is filled in: he never willingly gave up his daughters and continued searching for them.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Truth vs. Manipulation: Euyn withholds the truth about Sora’s father to maintain control. Simultaneously, he cannot live with his own truth.
- Kingship and Legitimacy: Euyn’s fear of being a bastard king who turns to ash challenges the idea that royal blood guarantees the right to rule.
- Guilt and Violence: Euyn’s murder of his mother, born of rage after her revelation, shows how guilt fuels his later cruelty and secret-keeping.
- Poison as a double-edged gift: The poison maiden school is a symbol of exploitation, yet the poison also protects Sora from unwanted advances.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the breaking point of Euyn’s internal narrative. It lays bare his deepest secret—that he is not the king’s son and that he killed his mother—making him a far more complex antagonist than the mere “prince who wants the throne.” It also confirms Sora’s tragic origin story, tying her past directly to Count Seok and giving her later choices deeper weight. The revelation of Ty’s love recontextualizes his hostility toward Mikail and sets up potential conflict within the group.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Euyn decide not to tell Sora that her father never stopped looking for her?
Euyn fears that revealing the truth would alienate Sora and, more importantly, Count Seok, who gifted her to him. He prioritizes political alliance over honesty and believes he can reunite them later after he is crowned.
2. What does Ty’s confession about his love for Sora reveal about his character?
It shows Ty capable of deep, painful emotion beneath his stoic exterior. He loves Sora despite her hatred and acknowledges his unrequited state with “true heartbreak.” This contrasts with his cold reputation as a poison-maker.
3. How does Euyn’s secret—that he is a bastard and killed his mother—change the reader’s understanding of his actions?
It reframes his ruthless ambition as a desperate attempt to secure a throne he has no blood right to claim. His guilt manifests in violence (hunting prisoners) and an obsessive need to appear legitimate. His fear of being “exposed as an imposter” adds tragic depth.