NJBN 07

Chapter 7

“…Ugh.”

The palanquin swayed violently.

Soa, who rarely suffered from motion sickness, had to fight to suppress the nausea churning in her stomach.

If only she could open the small window attached to the palanquin.

But the thick curtains wrapped tightly around it blocked out even the faintest light, leaving the interior in complete darkness.

“Where on earth are we going…?”

Traveling alone without her father already made her uneasy. At this rate, she might embarrass herself before even reaching the audience.

In the end, she shook the small bell attached to the palanquin a couple of times.

The palanquin slowly came to a halt, and she sensed someone standing outside.

“What is the matter?”

“Um, could you slow down just a little…?”

“We are already quite delayed.”

The reply was ice-cold.

There was even a hint of hostility in it.

“…I understand.”

Yes. This, too, must be part of the test.

That was why they treated her so indifferently.

Knowing that didn’t make it any less uncomfortable.

The palanquin started moving again.

Soa closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Calm down. Steady your breathing. Calm your trembling heart as well.

This was Yeonwoo’s mother.

No one knew better than Soa how heavily Yeonwoo bore the weight of being Crown Prince, and how fiercely he endured it.

So it was only natural that his mother would wish to test whether Soa possessed the proper qualities.

“We’ve arrived.”

After the long ordeal, they reached a quiet courtyard.

The pond set before it was beautiful, yet it emanated an eerie presence. The moment she saw it, Soa recalled the rumors circulating within the palace.

There is a spirit living there.

She didn’t know how many, but there was certainly something.

The dizzy sensation caused by that presence faded quickly when she noticed the Queen waiting for her in a small pavilion behind the courtyard.

The Queen wore a veil that partially concealed her eyes, making her expression appear even colder.

“I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen.”

Soa bowed deeply.

The Queen inclined her head in acknowledgment and gestured for Soa to sit.

As Soa folded her knees neatly and sat, a tea table was soon set before them.

As expected, her stomach churned violently.

Quietly, Soa hid her hands within the folds of her skirt and gripped her collar tightly.

Pain bloomed faintly at her pale fingertips.

“Was the journey difficult?”

“No. Thanks to the palanquin Your Majesty provided, I was able to come comfortably. I am deeply grateful.”

“That is good.”

The Queen revealed no opening.

Though they had met a few times before, this was their first private audience.

The Queen’s eyes—gentle at a glance—slowly swept over Soa.

She was composed.

Soa sat there with an unruffled posture and a serene expression.

“…Thanks to His Majesty’s great grace, the court is stable and the nation prospers. Yet behind that prosperity lie countless matters.”

“……”

“I, too, experienced many things after entering the palace. Over time, burdens accumulate—burdens one cannot speak of to anyone.”

The Queen gestured toward the tea.

Though worried it might upset her stomach, Soa sensed what the Queen was about to say and mustered her courage to lift the cup.

A reddish hue spread through the tea as the leaves steeped.

It resembled the color of the petals she had brought back that night.

“Did you see the pond ahead?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“This place is permitted to me alone. His Majesty prepared it for me when I fell ill with homesickness after leaving my distant homeland. Because of that, no one else is allowed to enter.”

Then why did you summon me here?

Soa hid her agitation and brought the teacup to her lips, taking a sip.

A sharp, tingling sensation spread through her mouth.

She flinched slightly.

The Queen did not miss it.

“Does the tea not suit your taste?”

“N-no. It is simply a tea I’ve never tasted before. It must be quite precious—its aroma is very deep. I am honored.”

Soa answered with the etiquette she had been taught.

Seemingly pleased, the Queen smiled briefly before continuing.

“That is good. You truly have a discerning palate.”

“You flatter me.”

“Though you are now a proper young lady, I still vividly remember when we first met. With those tiny hands, you gripped your brush so earnestly. Even then, I thought you would grow into a clever child. And now, seeing you again after all these years… those bright eyes of yours still shine with intelligence. Perhaps…”

As Soa listened attentively, sitting straight-backed, her vision suddenly blurred.

She tried to suppress her panic, but a strange sensation—entirely different from the earlier nausea—washed over her.

Her heart began pounding erratically.

The embroidered bird on the Queen’s robe seemed to drift far away, as if taking flight—

“……”

Her body tilted to the side.

.

.

.

“Move her quietly.”

The Queen spoke as she stared down at the collapsed Soa.

Her expression bore no resemblance to the one she had shown moments earlier.

Her cold eyes swept over Soa’s limp, unconscious form.

“Yes.”

At her command, the martial attendant waiting behind them immediately hoisted Soa over his shoulder like a sack of cargo.

There was no trace of respect befitting a noble young lady.

It was an action that anyone with manners and propriety would never commit.

They descended from the pavilion and headed somewhere swiftly.

“Your Majesty!”

At that moment, someone urgently called out from behind.

The Queen turned to see her head court lady rushing over, breathless, bowing deeply.

Despite the Queen’s sharp glare questioning the interruption, the court lady hesitated before speaking.

“He—he is on his way here.”

“…Who?”

“The Crown Prince, Your Highness.”

The court lady trailed off.

The Queen and the martial attendant exchanged glances.

Yeonwoo knew nothing of this secret meeting.

No matter how obedient a son he was, he would not remain calm if he discovered his mother had summoned someone dear to him and done this.

“Move her. Now.”

The Queen issued the order decisively.

The attendant bowed briefly and resumed walking in the original direction like the wind.

The Queen turned back, instructing the court lady to clear the tea table in the pavilion, then straightened her attire and stepped forward.

Soon, Yeonwoo appeared entering the courtyard from afar.

“What brings you here?”

“I pay my respects to you, Mother.”

After greeting her properly, Yeonwoo’s gaze shifted past her.

Like the dark surface of the pond, his eyes were unreadable.

“I asked why you are here.”

“There is something I wish to say to you.”

“Let us move elsewhere.”

“I was told this place was prepared by Father for you alone—and that no one may enter without permission.”

“…That is correct.”

“Have you been happy here in the palace, Mother?”

“…What?”

The Queen asked sharply, startled by the unexpected question.

Yeonwoo studied her briefly, then lowered his head and spoke again.

“Have you ever regretted remaining in this palace?”

“Why would you ask such a thing all of a sudden?”

A tight pressure formed in her chest.

Yeonwoo had always been gentle and proper—raised strictly to ascend the throne without incident.

If he was asking this now, it meant he knew something.

As the Queen prepared to probe his thoughts—

Thud.

A sound of something collapsing echoed from afar.

Then came a scream.

“What was that?”

Yeonwoo immediately started toward the source of the noise.

The Queen knew.

That was the direction where the attendant had taken Soa—to the physician already waiting after administering the drug.

“Wait—it’s dangerous.”

“Please remain here, Mother. I will go see.”

“Yeonwoo!”

This could not happen.

The entire plan was on the verge of collapse.

She reached out desperately to grab his sleeve, but Yeonwoo was faster.

Striding behind the pavilion, he soon came upon a guard sprawled on the ground.

“What is the meaning of this? You are one of Mother’s—”

“I merely… fell.”

The guard’s neck was flushed red.

Blood had gathered beneath his nose.

It was clear he had been attacked.

As the Queen scanned the surroundings, she did not see Soa.

Instead, only Soa’s red ribbon lay on the dusty ground.

“…This is—”

Yeonwoo’s gaze fell upon the ribbon.