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Chapter – 21
This Is Not a Counseling Center
The lecture hosted by Emperor Mu was not solely for educational purposes.
It was a time to assess the qualifications of the next emperor.
That was the true purpose of the lecture.
It was the worst time, with numerous concubines and their children gathered, watching Emperor Mu’s every expression.
Finding words that pleased Emperor Mu, who endlessly pressured them for answers while brandishing an invisible blade, was harder and more nerve-wracking than plucking a star from the sky.
But there was one person there who was uniquely at ease.
‘Were all the children’s eyes that color?’
Aman, the youngest daughter, completely detached from the struggle for the throne, observed the frightened children. They all hunched their shoulders, unable to even breathe properly.
Seeing them bow their heads deeply and tremble was pitiful to watch.
‘Come on, do better!’
Yes, it felt like just yesterday that she had waited for the lecture to end safely, with a mindset of “Go ahead, try it if you dare!”
Aman, facing the red eyes before her, blinked.
Soon, those eyes moved down towards Aman’s hand.
“Hmm.”
Emperor Mu put one tanghulu berry into his mouth.
Him! Emperor Mu!
“This is the worst.”
The corners of Emperor Mu’s mouth curved into a smile as he chewed on the sugar-coated strawberry.
‘He ate it? That?’
I thought he wouldn’t eat it because it was poisoned.
If the bodyguard who’s always by his side saw this scene, he’d probably scream.
“Don’t ever cook.”
“It wasn’t the young lady! Nan made it!”
“Is that so?”
Emperor Mu briefly made eye contact with Nan, who was peeking her head out from behind the sliding door. After moving his lips slightly for a moment, he outright took the skewer from her.
‘My tanghulu!’
Ah, you said you wouldn’t eat it!
Aman, with a crestfallen face, stared blankly as the tanghulu berries disappeared one by one.
“As I eat it, it somehow tastes good.”
What, changing your tune now?
But that didn’t matter.
Give me back the tanghulu right now, you brat!
“Do you want to eat it?”
“That was originally mine.”
“Such a little one, yet so greedy.”
“Your Majesty possesses everything in the world, doesn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
“For this young lady, this tanghulu is everything!”
It meant, “Are you really taking away a mere ten-year-old’s tanghulu?”
It was convenient to actively utilize the fact that she was ten years old at times like this.
“Hmm.”
“It’s true.”
“Is that so? How unfortunate. To think the emperor’s daughter has nothing but tanghulu.”
He didn’t look the least bit sorry. He offered consolation with an expression that seemed like it wouldn’t bleed even if pricked. Well, she didn’t expect sincere words from the start anyway.
‘Should I subtly probe him?’
The timing was perfect, as the initiative in the conversation had shifted to her. It was a good time to bring up the topic of the companion!
Aman pouted her lips, making as pitiful a face as possible.
“Your Majesty, this young lady wants a friend.”
“Is that so?”
“So, please assign a companion…!”
“Stop acting cute.”
“Pardon?”
“If you stop that disgusting act first, I’ll consider it.”
Wow, that didn’t work.
No matter how she thought about it, the Emperor before her was not an easy opponent. Normally, if a daughter approaches affectionately, wouldn’t he at least pretend to dote on her?
‘Have I read too many novels?’
Thanks to that, she stored the cutesy, porcelain-doll-like aegyo deep in her heart.
Aman corrected her posture and knelt solemnly.
“Please assign me a companion!”
“A companion?”
“Yes, this young lady needs a companion.”
“Hmm.”
Emperor Mu stroked his chin. He didn’t look like he was pondering at all.
“Why should I do that?”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t playing alone enjoyable enough?”
“There are limits to that.”
“Why is that?”
Emperor Mu, sitting askew with his arms resting on the table, tilted his head.
“Friends are just a facade. No matter how close you are, it’s only temporary; sooner or later, they will stab you in the back. Instead of making friends for future gains, it’s better to think about growing alone. After all, humans are beings who betray.”
“……”
“Are my words wrong?”
Wow. She was speechless.
Where should she even begin to point out what’s wrong with that?
‘He must have deep wounds from people.’
Every word was a poignant piece of advice stemming from experience. Though he said it indifferently, it seemed his heart had festered countless times.
‘But would you say that to a ten-year-old?’
And to a daughter who even knelt down asking for a companion?
Well, let’s not expect anything.
Emperor Mu was a person severely lacking in social skills, after all.
Aman lost her will to fight in an instant.
“It seems you’ve had quite difficult days.”
“Life is usually like this.”
“Even considering that, I need a companion. Even if I get stabbed in the back someday.”
“Oh-ho.”
Emperor Mu gazed at Aman with very interested eyes.
“You’re considering it? Is a companion that important?”
“Yes!”
“Is it because you need someone to push you on the swing?”
“Pardon?”
What, how did he know that?
Aman blinked her eyes rapidly.
“What… what do you mean?”
“If you get a companion, you’ll ask them to push you on the swing, right?”
What does that have to do with anything?
Emperor Mu shrugged his shoulders and feigned ignorance unnecessarily.
One thought struck Aman’s mind.
‘Did he perhaps see it? Me and Geumjin on the swing?’
She had laughed so cheerfully without even realizing it later. As she reminisced about the memory of swinging on the unique swing in various spectacular ways with a beaming smile, Aman bowed her head.
Back then, Aman and Geumjin had used quite a spectacular method. The most memorable one was the “Viking” method: Geumjin sat while Aman stood on top of her.
But did he see that?
‘I want to bite my tongue and die.’
No, that couldn’t be. It made no sense for the Emperor, given his personality, to just watch quietly and leave. He was the type of person who would definitely make his presence known and insist on receiving greetings.
But what if he really did see? And that’s why he’s saying no?
‘No, but why would he say no because of that?’
Could he possibly be jealous?
“Did you perhaps see it?”
“How could that be? I’ve never seen you swing in such a bizarre posture.”
….He saw it.
“Let’s pretend the conversation about the companion never happened.”
“Couldn’t you reconsider?”
“No.”
“Yep.”
Emperor Mu chuckled.
Now his business was done. Suddenly overwhelmed by fatigue, Aman wanted to send the Emperor away immediately.
“Now, only the final consultation remains.”
“Has it come to that already?”
“When would you like to schedule it?”
The very last part of a consultation is scheduling the next session.
Basically, consultations are recommended once or twice a week, but the Emperor’s case was unique.
‘My very life is on the line!’
Although she managed to get through this consultation somehow, she was worried sick about what technique to use next time.
“Let’s make it two days from now, at the Hour of the Dog.”
“Instead of the Hour of the Dog, let’s make it the Hour of the Monkey.”
“My, you desire many things.”
“This young lady needs to sleep early!”
She was already feeling drowsy. Moreover, having consultations in the evening was physically draining. It wasn’t a world with developed electric bulbs; the room had to be lit with just a few candles.
‘And I can’t even create a mysterious effect anymore.’
She had already used that trick, so she couldn’t刺激 the Emperor’s psychology again. There were only disadvantages in many ways, so daytime was best. 3 PM, after lunch had been sufficiently digested.
“Don’t you have many things to do at night?”
“Hmm.”
“Look at this. It’s already this young lady’s bedtime!”
So get out, quickly.
Unable to withstand her urging, Emperor Mu rose to his feet.
‘Finally, free time!’
As he was about to leave, Emperor Mu turned back and spoke.
“In two days, at the Hour of the Monkey.”
After leaving those words, Emperor Mu, escorted by Nan, left Yeonyeong Palace.
It felt like an excruciatingly long time.
The tension drained from Aman’s entire body.
‘It’s over!’
Pulling out a part of the unconscious to diagnose his condition wasn’t difficult. She also stored away the negative reactions Emperor Mu spat out about human relationships in her mind.
‘This is also part of the consultation.’
For a closed-off client, rapport is formed through everyday conversation. This allows the client to recognize that it’s not a formal consultation while simultaneously analyzing their state.
‘People tend to think everyday conversation is not part of the consultation!’
But the moment the counselor and client sit facing each other, it becomes part of the consultation.
It seemed Emperor Mu hadn’t noticed this scheme of Aman’s either.
Aman stared blankly at the tray. Her eyelids kept drooping; this body was unmistakably ten years old.
“Your Highness. Shall you retire to your bed now?”
“Yes!”
Nan, who appeared with ghost-like timing, helped Aman change her clothes. She untied the hair braided into five strands due to Aman’s whimsical taste. Even though only a few hours had passed, her hair had already become wavy.
Nan carefully combed Aman’s hair. Her gentle touch naturally made Aman feel good.
“Was it not too difficult for you?”
“Of course not! Who do you think I am?”
“If it becomes too burdensome, please tell me. This humble servant will find a way.”
She seemed quite concerned. Well, thinking about a young child dealing with Emperor Mu would understandably cause worry.
‘I’m doing this to save you…’
Since she couldn’t say that directly to Nan, she just smiled for now.
“Okay. Thank you, Nan!”
“Your Highness…!”
Looking at Nan, who seemed touched and covered her mouth, Aman thought.
‘She’s so simple.’
Well, that had its good points too.
It meant she loved and cherished Aman deeply. No matter what happened, she could trust Nan.
“Rest well.”
Aman finally got into the soft, cozy blankets. Once the curtains were drawn, it felt sufficiently private.
“The bed is indeed the best.”
After pulling the covers up to her neck, Aman closed her eyes. Thoughts flooded her mind, but she decided to sleep for now.
After all, thinking about it won’t change anything! For now, let’s just think about the future two days from now. She could only think about the next tasks after safely completing the consultation.
And Aman regretted not thinking about *this*.
“Ah……”
“Please, I beg of you, Your Highness! Please save my Madam!”
What is this now?
Aman looked down at the palace maid prostrated on the floor with cold, weary eyes.
It was Myeong, the palace maid to whom she had listened to worries last time.
“S-stop it. Myeong……!”
Aman’s gaze shifted to the woman next to her.
Lady So Mi of Wonseok Palace.
Aman, looking back and forth at the two sitting side by side, let out a deep sigh.
Just get out. Please.
