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Chapter 36
Protector
“…It seems like I was the one who stopped it this time.”
Lowering the script I had been reading, I frowned with it resting on my lap.
In my head, the scene from just moments ago—at the elevator entrance—kept replaying.
He had reached his hand toward my ear while waiting for the elevator, and his long, beautifully shaped fingers—
…
I was hiding behind Seolhyang’s skirt, peeking my face out just enough to watch Jeong-sun being dragged away by his sleeves.
‘Looks like Jeong-sun must have tormented the maids quite a bit.’
Even while being dragged away like a sack of rice, no one looked sympathetic or concerned.
If anything, some—including Seolhyang—seemed almost pleased.
That was when Jeong-sun and I made eye contact.
Huh…?
Jeong-sun. His eyes just flipped, didn’t they?
The next moment—
“You, you wicked thing!”
Jeong-sun shook off Jeong-sun’s restraining hand.
While everyone was thrown into chaos, Jeong-sun rushed at me like a mad spirit.
…No, he tried to.
“What is the meaning of this!”
A thunderous voice shook the courtyard.
At the same time, a strong arm pulled me in and held me tightly, shielding me.
It was the Crown Prince.
His shout shocked all the palace maids.
It was because no one had ever heard him raise his voice before.
The Crown Prince—always gentle, quiet, and composed.
A man so reserved in speech and laughter that no one could ever grasp the depth of his thoughts…
“….”
Jeong-sun collapsed flat on the ground as if finally regaining his senses.
Only then did I become aware of the surrounding gazes.
The maids were glancing between me and the Crown Prince’s hand still holding me.
To them, we must have looked exactly like a “protector and the protected.”
“Y-Your Highness… I shall withdraw. Please forgive this lowly one.”
Staggering to his feet, Jeong-sun left Chwiseondang.
He no longer looked at me.
He simply hurried away, unsteady.
Later
“Are you truly alright?”
“I was a little startled, but I’m fine now.”
The Crown Prince, who had gone to pay respects to the Concubine Heebin, quickly returned to me.
He seemed worried about my condition.
We moved to a pavilion in the back garden of Chwiseondang and spoke.
“More importantly, how is Her Ladyship Heebin?”
“She was greatly startled and is now lying down. A court lady has gone to prepare medicinal broth.”
Given her already fragile health, witnessing such chaos must have been overwhelming.
“Bongbong. What on earth happened for that woman to act so violently?”
“I don’t know, Your Highness.”
I shrugged as I sipped warm honey water, acting as if I truly knew nothing.
After the storm had passed, I was surprisingly calm.
Though I still felt uneasy about what Orye had said—calling me a “divine being” and warning others not to touch me.
Still, only Head Court Lady Han had heard it.
And she was someone who prioritized Heebin’s reputation above all else.
She would never speak of it.
Besides, Heebin seemed utterly disgusted with Jeong-sun anyway—so in a way, this outcome was beneficial.
‘Orye will never get involved with Chwiseondang again.’
I was certain of that after seeing her trembling in fear before me.
As for Jeong-sun…
‘I’m not sure he’ll give up everything.’
But at least he would lie low for a while.
That alone was a major gain.
Heebin – Jeong-sun – Orye.
The three masterminds behind the “Empress Inhyeon curse incident.”
Orye had fallen out of the picture, and the connection between Heebin and Jeong-sun was now severely weakened.
‘This is real progress.’
Ah, the honey water tastes especially sweet today.
Then—
A small shadow appeared in the back garden.
A person approached hesitantly, glancing at the Crown Prince as if unsure whether to come closer.
It was Bokhee.
“Lady Bokhee!”
I waved her over cheerfully.
“W-Why? Why?”
Despite her trembling voice, she looked thrilled as she approached and respectfully greeted the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“This is Bokhee. Bongbong’s friend!”
“Is this your friend? She seems quite older than you.”
Well… mentally, we’re not that different, honestly.
“Still, we’re very close! Your Highness, can Bokhee sit here and eat yumulgwa too?”
“Of course. If she is your friend, what reason is there to refuse?”
“Lady Bokhee, sit!”
I patted the ground.
Bokhee, blushing deeply, carefully sat beside me.
“So your name is Bokhee. I have seen you several times passing by, but I regret not learning your name until now.”
“Yes… Y-Your Highness…”
Her voice shook even more.
Her face—and even her ears—had turned bright red.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Next time I visit the underworld palace, can I bring Lady Bokhee with me?”
A sharp intake of breath came from Bokhee.
Breathe, child. Breathe.
“As you wish. Seeing how you care for her, I assume she takes good care of you as well.”
“Yes! Bokhee is a kind person!”
Bokhee looked like she was about to ascend to heaven from happiness.
After the Crown Prince left, I lightly patted Bokhee’s shoulder, who looked like she might cry from emotion, and took a short walk.
Even though the day had brought great gains, I needed a moment to breathe.
‘Maybe I should walk somewhere I haven’t been before.’
While thinking through everything, I wandered near Simindang south of Chwiseondang—
Then I stopped.
‘…Who is that?’
I instinctively hid behind a wall upon spotting a unfamiliar court lady.
There were only two places a senior court lady should be in this area: Chwiseondang or Seungjeon Hall.
But this woman didn’t resemble anyone I knew.
Suspicious.
As I watched, the large court lady shifted slightly.
Behind her broad frame, a small maid finally came into view.
‘…Yonghee.’
She had been there when Jeong-sun was dragged out too.
I quickly retraced the situation.
The moment Jeong-sun had tried to attack me, the Crown Prince appeared.
Then his furious voice shook the courtyard…
‘Yonghee was definitely nearby… but she disappeared quietly.’
I stared at her.
It wasn’t hard to guess.
I already knew she was a spy from Bogyeongdang.
And so, it was easy to guess who the large court lady served.
‘So this is Yonghee’s decision.’
A slightly bitter feeling rose in me.
I hadn’t expected Yonghee to suddenly repent just because a four-year-old threatened her.
That wasn’t my intention.
I just wanted her to realize something:
“That’s how the world works. You think doing bad things will bring you great rewards? It won’t.”
I had hoped she would understand that…
‘If that’s her choice, I can’t do anything about it.’
Even then, their conversation continued quietly.
I moved silently closer to the wall.
“…Lady Jeong-jeong dragged the little madam out, and the maids just watched…”
“Get to the point.”
“Yes! And then, suddenly the little madam…”
Ah. That’s exactly when they’d start talking about me.
‘This is inconvenient.’
“Ouch!”
I let out a loud cry, pretending to trip over a stone, performing a flawless act.
Then I walked out toward them with a bright smile.
“So you were talking about how the little madam was dragged away! I already know that story!”
The large court lady and Yonghee both looked like their eyes were shaking violently.
“Hello, Lady Court Lady! This is our first meeting! Which residence are you from? You seem quite close with Lady Yonghee!”
“….”
I see it all.
Yonghee trembling.
And the court lady, now realizing her identity was about to be exposed by a four-year-old’s “innocent” greeting, turning pale.
Footnote:
“Because he was usually quiet in speech and laughter, people could not measure the boundaries of his character.”
— From the Annals of King Gyeongjong
