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Chapter 05
Enraged.
She was furious, but still, Kyungbin was the first-rank concubine of her father and the mother of two princes. And she—Ehna—was merely a so-called “half-witted” young princess.
Ehna clenched her teeth as she watched Kyungbin’s retreating figure.
Kyungbin, I will never forget the humiliation you’ve put me through today.
As if sensing Ehna’s glaring eyes, Kyungbin suddenly spun around after a few steps. She gave a mocking smile, tilting her head slightly toward Ehna.
Ehna’s small fists clenched even tighter over her sticky, water-soaked, stained skirt.
“Senior Court Lady Seo.”
“Yes, Lady Kyungbin.”
The senior court lady, who had been trailing a step behind Kyungbin, straightened herself and bowed her head.
“Find out why that half-wit keeps sneaking into the East Palace archive. And if you notice any suspicious signs, you must report them to me immediately!”
“Yes, Lady Kyungbin.”
Kyungbin’s lips were set sharply as she strode toward her quarters, Yeonghundang.
Near the Crown Prince, Kyungbin had placed a secret agent from her father, the Left State Councilor. And wasn’t the very place where the secret communications were exchanged—the East Palace archive?
But recently, that half-witted princess had been going in and out of that archive repeatedly. At first, Kyungbin hadn’t thought much of it—after all, the princess was known to be a half-wit whom even the palace mice knew about. After her illness, it was said she couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes properly or speak coherently, so no one paid her much mind. Yet lately, her trips to the East Palace archive had become unusually frequent.
With the Crown Prince set to be deposed and her eldest son, Prince Chungin, destined to inherit the throne, Kyungbin found the princess’s frequent visits extremely suspicious.
So she had gone to Hyeshin Palace herself to check on the princess’s status. But to encounter her halfway along the path—well, seeing is believing.
Seeing the princess in person, Kyungbin realized her earlier worries were unfounded. The princess was no “half-wit” so inept she couldn’t even meet people’s eyes, but clearly, a five-year-old could not be expected to have great intelligence.
Still, Kyungbin could not ignore the little girl’s repeated visits to the archive. One mistake and the secret messages exchanged with the agent could be discovered.
Recalling the princess she had just met, Kyungbin’s expression hardened.
“That gaze she sometimes gives me—it’s unpleasant.”
Senior Court Lady Seo carefully observed Kyungbin, who shook her head with disapproval.
“Observe that half-wit even more closely. Better safe than sorry. You must be certain!”
“Yes, I will keep it in mind.”
At Kyungbin’s icy command, the senior court lady bowed deeply.
Kyungbin had borne a prince a year earlier than the Queen herself. Though her son was not the Crown Prince but still a legitimate prince, who would ultimately ascend the throne after His Majesty remained in the hands of heaven alone. Her mistress, Kyungbin, would seize that opportunity if the heavens gave her a hint.
The senior court lady, following Kyungbin’s quick steps, glanced back. She saw the half-witted young princess wiping her tear-streaked face on her sleeve.
She was the first princess born in a palace filled with three consecutive princes: the Crown Prince, Prince Chungin, and Prince Juan.
At the moment of her birth, a star called the Fox Star shone brightly beside the North Star, Taeeulseong, and its light joined with Taeeulseong. His Majesty had been delighted, saying the princess would grow into a figure who would greatly aid the Crown Prince.
Even the court astrologers reported that her birth was a great blessing for the kingdom. Yet, how had this princess become the so-called “half-wit”?
Before her illness, she had been as bright as the Crown Prince himself. But now, she was considered a neglected child whom no one treated with respect.
The senior court lady clenched her eyes shut, feeling a twinge of pity for the five-year-old princess, but she knew her loyalty had to remain with her mistress, Kyungbin, who would rise to the Queen’s position. Any half-hearted sympathy would have to be thrown away.
As the senior court lady nodded resolutely, a strong floral scent wafted into her nostrils. They had arrived at Yeonghundang.
The senior court lady lifted her gaze toward the palace building.
Yeonghundang (永薰堂).
“Hall of Eternal Fragrance,” the name granted by the Emperor himself to Lady Kyungbin.
It was the residence of a concubine, incomparable in status to the Queen’s Gyotae Hall. After Kyungbin had entered the palace and spent the first night with His Majesty, she had ground her teeth upon seeing the plaque of her quarters. Born as the daughter of a prestigious Left State Councilor, she had lived her life in privilege. Yet, the Emperor’s choice of name—Eternal Fragrance—had clearly pleased her.
The senior court lady glanced toward the distant Gyotae Hall and then looked up at her mistress with reverence. Kyungbin was indeed the one suited to be the mother of the nation. She would serve her faithfully until that day.
The arrogant greed of a foolish woman lingered in the palace that afternoon, mingled with the sharp floral scent.
As Kyungbin and her attendants walked away, Ehna stood in place, wiping away her tears.
Her lips, smeared with salty tears, were trembling. The skirt, soaked with sticky, slimy water, gave off a faint fishy smell.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and fresh tears welled up, mixing with the snot at her upper lip. At that moment, a white handkerchief suddenly appeared before her eyes.
“Wipe it.”
Startled, Ehna looked up to see a strange young boy holding the handkerchief out to her.
“Wipe it? You mean me?”
Looking around, she realized they were alone. That command—‘Wipe it’—was clearly meant for her. The audacity of it!
Who was this boy?
He didn’t feel cold like a ghost, so he must be a living boy in the palace, dressed in a young noble’s attire. He appeared to be about the same age as the Crown Prince, wearing a black cap with blue trim and gold embroidery—a young gentleman from a prestigious family.
Ehna hesitated, turning her head to ask who he was, but the boy lowered himself first and spoke.
“If you keep sitting there, you’ll end up swallowing all that dirty snot.”
Then, with the audacity of a rogue, he brought the handkerchief to her nose!
Ehna was furious. Who did he think he was?
Before she could even shout, his hand gently pinched her nostrils.
She… she couldn’t believe this.
She opened her eyes wide, about to shout, but the boy, with a small smile, said softly:
“You got lost while running around like me, huh? I just saw you getting scolded by someone from the palace.”
What? Who got scolded by whom?
You little rascal! I am the princess of this country!
Ehna tried to shake off the hand on her nose, but a delicate, fresh scent wafted in from the handkerchief. And a faint spiritual aura.
“Ah…?”
This handkerchief was no ordinary thing!
As she tilted her head and reluctantly opened her mouth, the boy nodded gently, reassuring her, and carefully wiped the snot from her nose.
Then—
“You’re running around like a squirrel and got scolded, aren’t you? Didn’t anyone teach you that you shouldn’t run in the palace? Now, relax.”
Hah! Just like that, this boy!
The little gentleman, smiling as if Ehna’s angered scowl was adorable, lightly shook the hand he held on her nose.
Ehna’s eyes widened as her face involuntarily swung side to side.
But this rogue wasn’t done—he folded the handkerchief and wiped even the tears and smudges from Ehna’s eyes and face.
Ehna was so stunned she couldn’t even close her mouth, staring dumbfounded at the boy.
You… who are you?!
His face seemed oddly familiar, but she could not place him. Yet this insolent boy dared to roam freely in the palace, and the spiritual aura from the handkerchief—what was that about?!
The boy, amused by her frown, patted her head and stood up.
“As I saw on the way here, you got quite a scolding from someone in the palace. Were you very scared? Is that why you were crying all alone?”
What? This is getting more ridiculous by the second.
Before Ehna could shout “Impudent!” the boy grabbed her hand with his free hand.
“Wha… what are you—!”
Stammering in shock, Ehna saw the boy smile mischievously.
“What am I doing? Come on. I got a little lost too, but I’ll help you find your parents first.”
This is insane!
Holding her hand tightly, he even lightly shook it.
“Why are you not saying a word? Were you too surprised? Don’t worry. From now on, come with me. Two is better than one, right?”
Ehna could only blink, speechless from sheer disbelief.
The boy laughed again.
“Hahaha. Actually, I came to the palace with my father to look around. But while he went to take care of something, I saw you running off somewhere.”
Ehna looked down at her hand, held firmly by this boy, incredulous.
No one in the palace—not the adults, not the nurses, not a single court lady—would dare touch her. Yet this boy not only grabbed her hand, he shook it!
Perhaps misunderstanding her expression of fear, the boy smiled reassuringly and continued:
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you find your parents first. Little one, what is your father’s name and title?”
Little one? My father’s name and title?
That finally snapped Ehna awake. She yanked her hand free and scowled fiercely.
“Do you want to die?!”
