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Chapter 10
At the mention of ten lashes, the palace maids turned deathly pale.
Even three or four strikes from the whip would leave scars that never faded.
Ten lashes would tear the flesh from their backs.
The pain alone would be unbearable, but if the wounds became infected, their lives would be in danger.
“Please forgive us!”
“We were wrong! Please, just this once, show us mercy!”
The maids, who had never imagined things would escalate this far, begged desperately for forgiveness.
But their pleas never reached Lady Hae.
Watching the maids being dragged away without the slightest expression, Lady Hae spoke calmly.
“We merely punished attendants who neglected Princess Gyesan. That is what should be told outside.”
Standing beside her, Danhwa bowed respectfully.
“Yes, my lady.”
“I’ve also heard rumors that a ghost has appeared in Jeongwol Palace.”
At the mention of Jeongwol Palace, Danhwa’s shoulders stiffened.
She quickly composed the expression that had nearly faltered before answering.
“There are people who claim they’ve seen it.”
“Fan those rumors. Make them spread.”
“As you wish. This rumor will quiet down soon as well. Please don’t trouble yourself over it.”
“I can’t simply let this pass. Princess Gyesan and Prince Hwi need to learn how harsh this world truly is.”
Hearing the unmistakable hint of retaliation in Lady Hae’s words, Danhwa answered with a grave expression.
“Secondary Consort Baek is not an easy opponent.”
“I have no intention of targeting Prince Hwi directly.”
Prince Hwi’s mother, Secondary Consort Baek, belonged to the wealthiest family in Baekje.
Every year her family donated enormous amounts of wealth to the royal household, and whenever disaster struck, they opened their granaries in the royal family’s name to relieve the suffering of the people.
For that reason, the Great King treasured Lady Baek and her children.
Lady Hae had no desire to make an enemy of her either.
“I’ve heard Prince Hwi is especially fond of Princess Gyesan. Watching someone he cherishes fall into ruin… will surely pain him.”
A faint smile curved Lady Hae’s crimson lips.
Just then, screams echoed through the courtyard.
Listening to the sharp cries, Lady Hae remarked coldly,
“They’re too quiet.”
At Danhwa’s subtle glance, one of the palace maids hurried toward the storeroom.
The screams immediately grew louder.
“That’s much better.”
Using the agonized shrieks as background music, Lady Hae sank into thought.
She needed a way to separate Hwi from Gyesan.
Then she would turn Gyesan herself into the heroine of a tragedy.
After considering several possibilities, Lady Hae suddenly came up with an excellent plan.
She began walking toward the gates of Yeonhwa Palace.
Danhwa hurried after her.
“If you go out now, you’ll attract unwanted attention.”
“Let them gossip as much as they like. I’m going to offer prayers at the temple.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Lady Hae continued forward.
The aroma of freshly cooked rice filled Mokseo Palace.
The sounds of people busily coming and going slowly stirred Samcheon awake.
Looks like I fell asleep again.
For some reason, every time she drank her medicinal decoction, overwhelming drowsiness followed.
“We still need to clean the back courtyard. Please take care of it.”
The voice drifting in from outside the room made Samcheon’s eyes widen.
That warm…
Kind…
Deeply familiar voice.
Deoksim is back.
A smile spread across Samcheon’s face.
At that very moment, the door swung open.
“Our little palace maid is awake?”
Deoksim peeked inside, and their eyes met.
Back then, everyone in Mokseo Palace had called Samcheon the little palace maid.
She had entered the palace when she was only six years old, and the nickname had eventually stuck.
“It’s been a long time.”
Samcheon greeted her happily.
Deoksim’s eyes immediately grew moist.
Only then did Samcheon remember the miserable state she was in.
She could only smile awkwardly.
Deoksim walked inside.
“Our little palace maid has grown so much while I was away.”
Smiling gently, she wiped Samcheon’s forehead with a damp cloth.
Over the years, Deoksim’s gray hairs had multiplied considerably.
Whenever the first few white hairs had appeared, Samcheon used to pluck them out for her.
Now there were simply too many.
Her hair had become noticeably white.
“I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“You’ll always be my little one. Oh dear… look at me crying. I’m just so happy to see you again.”
“I missed you too. Welcome back. His Highness must be really happy you’re here.”
The moment Gyesan was mentioned, a faint smile appeared on Deoksim’s lips.
“He hasn’t had time to be happy. He’s been busy trying to avenge you.”
“Avenge me?”
“He’s been stopping everyone who walks by and demanding, ‘Who beat up Samcheon?’”
Deoksim sounded almost proud.
Samcheon, on the other hand, felt the world spin.
He’s been doing what?
He had sternly ordered her not to move an inch and stay in bed.
Meanwhile, he himself had been causing such chaos.
“Lady Hae won’t just sit back and watch. We have to stop him.”
Unlike the flustered Samcheon, Deoksim remained completely calm.
“It’s all right. Prince Hwi is here now, isn’t he? Secondary Consort Baek even came to visit herself. She sent precious medicinal herbs and beef as well. I made some porridge. Would you like a bite? Do you think you can swallow it?”
Only then did Samcheon realize things had changed.
Hwi was endlessly generous toward those he considered his own.
And at the very least…
Gyesan belonged within that circle.
Deoksim’s confidence came from Hwi’s presence.
Finally reassured, Samcheon smiled.
“I’m perfectly fine. I can even eat a proper meal.”
“I’ll bring it right away.”
“I’ll just go eat outside.”
Samcheon tried to climb out of bed, but Deoksim gently pushed her back down.
“No.”
“You’re forbidden from moving for fifteen days. Those were the Princess’s orders. We can’t disobey her.”
“But the physician said five days of bed rest would be enough.”
“In Mokseo Palace, the Princess’s word is law. Stay in bed.”
“…Okay.”
Samcheon obediently lay back down.
A little later, Deoksim returned carrying a small tray.
The beef porridge was thick and creamy, filled with generous chunks of meat.
It was savory, rich, and wonderfully warm.
With every spoonful, the hunger that had tormented her for so long melted away.
Deoksim had brought an entire large bowl.
Samcheon finished every last bite in no time.
Watching her empty the bowl so eagerly brought tears to Deoksim’s eyes once again.
After clearing away the dishes, Deoksim gently stroked Samcheon’s back.
“You’ve been through so much. Thank you for taking such good care of the Princess. You’ve worked so hard.”
It was simply what I was supposed to do.
That was what she intended to say.
But no words came.
…My throat’s tightening.
The moment she realized it…
Tears burst from her eyes.
Deoksim pulled Samcheon into a warm embrace and softly rubbed her back.
“Oh dear… See? You’re still just a little child.”
Guided by those gentle hands, Samcheon’s tears continued to fall.
Mokseo Palace possessed no political power.
But now…
It finally had an adult it could truly rely on.
A single white cloud drifted across the clear blue sky.
The Great King lay with his head resting on Lady Hae’s lap, gazing upward.
The breeze sweeping through the pavilion carried the fragrance of flowers, naturally easing his heart.
She was a royal consort younger than even his eldest grandson.
Lady Hae was fresh, radiant, and graceful.
“You always carry such a pleasant fragrance.”
“You’re simply too kind to think so highly of me.”
Lady Hae smiled like a blooming peony.
Then she gently stroked the Great King’s graying hair.
“Your Majesty… you seem troubled.”
“Do I?”
“Is it because of the Jin Clan, the matter you mentioned before?”
Lady Hae casually steered the conversation.
“Yes. That is one of my concerns.”
“You needn’t worry about what others think. You are the King, after all.”
“You’re the only one who says such things to me.”
He had devoted his entire reign to strengthening the throne.
Yet the influence of the Eight Great Clans still towered over the kingdom.
If he accused one of them without solid evidence, the backlash would be severe.
Lady Hae looked at him sympathetically.
Then her eyes suddenly widened.
It was the expression of someone who had just thought of something.
The Great King became intrigued.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty… what if there were a way to send soldiers without arousing suspicion?”
“Go on.”
Lady Hae answered in a soft, alluring voice.
