SHYL 10

Chapter 10

As a matter of fact, I had already asked that very question to the court ladies of Chwiseondang.

The results were as follows—

“Oh my, what happened to our Bongbong? Why were you sad?”
– Seolhyang (F)

“You bought rice cakes because you were sad? I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
– Head Lady Han (T)

“Sad? With a fortune as easy as yours? In my day, let me tell you…”
– Lady Min (Boomer)

“What kind of rice cakes? Steamed? Sliced? Sounds delicious. Give me some too!”
– Sunrye (Foodie)

The ladies’ answers were all over the place, yet quite consistent with the tendencies I’d observed over time.

‘It might be pseudo-science, but it makes a fair bit of sense.’

So then—would my heart be pounding right now, or not?

I forced my racing heart to calm down and looked up at King Sukjong with wide, unblinking eyes.

I was beyond curious to hear what answer he would give.

“You bought rice cakes because you were sad?”

Finally, Sukjong opened his mouth.

Confirming the question—that alone was a rather T-like trait.

He continued.

“But what connection is there between being sad and eating?”

Just as I thought—T!

“Still… even a young child like you must have your own pains.”

Gasp—F?

“And yet you resort to such a pointless act. How foolish.”

T, T, T, T, T…!

“How pitiful. For one so young to already speak of sorrow…”

F, F, F, F, F…?

“Tell me. Who made you sad?”

K… KILL?

…Why? Are you going to kill someone?

“Ah, n-no, Your Majesty. It’s just… a feeling I had all on my own.”

I gulped dryly and scrambled for an excuse.

Fortunately, Sukjong merely said, “I see.” and asked no further questions.

‘This man… I can’t get a read on him.’

It was a question I’d mustered great courage to ask, yet it only left me more confused.

Cold but generous, unafraid to criticize yet also showing compassion…

‘He was just as inconsistent when dealing with his sons.’

In short—an unpredictable person.

It became perfectly clear why so many subjects feared him so deeply.

A double-faced being who stabs you while smiling, yet sheds genuine tears for those he himself has killed.

Come to think of it, his attitude toward Queen Inhyeon and Lady Jang Heebin had always been like that as well.

‘He’s even scarier than I thought.’

A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered without meaning to.

That was when Sukjong, who had been walking ahead, turned back to look at me.

“Hehe.”

I flashed another smile, determined not to show my fear.

“Do you like cats too?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I like them very much. I had great fun playing with Geumdeok.”

“You played with Geumdeok?”

He glanced down at the cat in his arms.

“This fellow is hopelessly lazy. What could you possibly have played with such a lazybones?”

“Geumdeok… is lazy?”

To be honest, I was taken aback.

Your Majesty, I think you’ve got it completely wrong.
That cat is anything but lazy—it’s possessed by something evil…

“Lazy indeed. Except when I give it meat, it barely takes a few steps. Eating and sleeping are Geumdeok’s only jobs.”

“I-Is that so.”

How strange…

Just as I was thinking that, Sukjong suddenly stopped walking.

Gasp—we’ve arrived already?

Where?

At Chwiseondang.

Chwiseondang was thrown into an uproar.

The king, who had not set foot there for nearly half a year, had appeared without any notice.

The royal visit itself was shocking, but even more astonishing was the young court lady standing dumbfounded beside the king.

Hwang Bongbong—the newest and youngest member of Chwiseondang.

“My lady! Lady Heebin!”

Head Lady Han rushed urgently toward Jang Heebin’s quarters. It was practically an intrusion, for she didn’t even bother to announce her intent to enter.

“I am resting with a headache. Why all this racket?”

Heebin’s eyes were fierce.

“My lady, this is no time to be resting.”

“What on earth could be so urgent that you forget yourself—”

“The young court lady—that Hwang Bongbong!”

“Bongbong? What has that child done?”

“No, His Majesty the King!”

At the words ‘His Majesty,’ Heebin, who had been half-lying on a bolster, snapped her eyes wide open.

“He has come to Chwiseondang’s courtyard with Bongbong!”

“What are you saying?”

Heebin sprang to her feet.

Her expression betrayed her confusion; she struggled to comprehend the meaning of the king and Hwang Bongbong arriving together.

“Let us hear the details later. You must tidy yourself and go out at once, my lady!”

“Fine. I understand.”

Nevertheless, as she hurriedly put on the ceremonial robe Head Lady Han handed her, a faint color of joy rose to Heebin’s face.

Without even a moment to check her mirror, she rushed toward Chwiseondang’s inner courtyard—and what came into her sight was…

“…Head Lady Han, what is going on here?”

A scene completely different from what she had expected.

“Like this!”

Swoosh! Leap! Jump!

“And like that!”

Whisk! Pounce! Scamper, scamper, scamper—

“You see, cats like being played with this way.”

Right in the middle of Chwiseondang’s courtyard, a skilled demonstration by a seasoned trainer (=me) was in full swing.

That is to say, I was showcasing my excellent hunting-game skills.

Presenter: Hwang Bongbong. Assistant: Geumdeok. Audience: King Sukjong… I suppose?

“Your Majesty, would you like to give it a try?”

I handed him the ‘object’ I had been holding, as he watched Geumdeok’s movements with a serious face.

“Here. This is Boom-boomie. Just swing it around in all directions, like you’re saying ‘die, die, you dragonfly’.”

“Like this?”

Whoosh—as Sukjong shook the unsightly straw doll, Geumdeok displayed an astonishing jumping ability.

“Yes! You did great! Keep going, keep going!”

Good, good, very good~!

Encouraged by my applause—complete with seal-like clapping—he merrily swung the cursed doll around.

In turn, Geumdeok ran about, kicking up dust in the courtyard.

Displaying that hideous object publicly was a deliberate act.

Until now, whenever questioned about the doll’s origin, I had escaped the crisis by lying that I picked it up near Seonjeongjeon Hall. But that story had a huge blind spot.

Namely, the person who had passed the doll to me was Sookjeong.

‘That means Sookjeong and Heebin both know I was lying.’

Though I still couldn’t be sure of Heebin’s true nature, Sookjeong was undoubtedly a quite cunning person.

‘And the risk would be enormous if Heebin thought of me as a liar.’

So I made a decision.

I would turn this doll into my best friend, named “Boom-boomie.”

‘After all, a three- or four-year-old child mixing reality with imagination is just part of development.’

From this moment on, I was no longer the clever child who told lies under Sookjeong’s threats.

A harmless little girl who, unable to distinguish between imagination and reality, truly believed this hideous doll was her friend “Boom-boomie.”

That was Hwang Bongbong, the young court lady of Chwiseondang.

Just then—

“Your Majesty!”

A clear, resonant voice suddenly rang out.

The next moment, Heebin approached swiftly and wedged herself between me and Sukjong.

Pushed by the voluminous hem of Heebin’s skirt, my little body stumbled backward.

‘Wow…’

It was only for an instant, but the look on Heebin’s face made my mouth fall open.

Heebin had never been a woman with a bright expression.

But the woman standing before me now wore an entirely different face.

It was a dazzlingly beautiful smile.

As if the brilliance of thousands upon thousands of flowers blooming at once unfolded across her face.

“Why have you come without a word, Your Majesty?”

“…Heebin.”

Sukjong’s gaze stopped on her face.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Your concubine truly sees you after so long.”

…Interesting, how interesting.

This was a sight more thrilling and exciting than any drama.

I inconspicuously craned my neck and watched the two of them.

“The young court lady seemed lost. So I brought her.”

“Ah, our Bongbong… again?”

‘Indeed, Lady Heebin is no ordinary person either.’

“Bongbong is a child I cherish like my own daughter. To bestow such favor upon my young court lady—Your Majesty, your concubine knows not where to put herself.”

Heebin grabbed my shoulder tightly and pulled me close.

It hurt my shoulder, but having suddenly been adopted as Heebin’s honorary daughter, I smiled brightly to match the mood.

“Your concubine feels her desperate wait for Your Majesty has been rewarded. It is cold outside; please come inside first.”

‘Truly a beautiful sight. For real.’

It was unexpected, but in any case, thanks to me, the two had been reunited.

If this meeting helped restore their relationship, nothing could be better for me.

At least a ‘love-blind’ Sukjong would surely be the kind of person who would stop at nothing for the sake of his beloved.

‘A glimmer of survival… I see it.’

Just as I was gleefully spinning my hope circuit and grinning wide—

“Heebin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I have done my part by bringing the child. My business here is finished. So I shall take my leave now.”

…Wait, what? This old man?