Chapter 9
“……Geumdeok-ah. Come here.”
The king’s voice was heavy.
The creature I had thought was just an ordinary stray cat turned out to be none other than King Sukjong’s famous cat, Geumdeok-i.
But I had no time to be surprised by that fact.
Because I was completely overwhelmed by his charisma.
King Sukjong…
A monarch with perfect legitimacy that no one dared challenge.
The powerful ruler who had brought about countless bloody purges was standing right before my eyes.
Since this is the 26th year of King Sukjong’s reign, he must be around forty.
He was a handsome man with a strong, mature aura.
What stood out most were his eyes.
Those eyes are incredibly intense. Like a tiger’s.
There were quite a few dramas that portrayed him as an indecisive king, but that was utter nonsense.
Sukjong was, in a word, an uncompromising person.
Whether in love or in taking a life.
Pull yourself together.
The man before me was nicknamed “Joseon’s worst temper.”
I was on high alert, carefully gauging Sukjong’s mood.
His gaze was not on me, but on the cat—Geumdeok-i.
…That little menace.
The moment I saw Geumdeok-i, I felt a pang of injustice.
Because the very same Geumdeok-i who had been going wild, biting and tugging at the cursed doll just moments ago, had now transformed into the most elegant of beasts.
Geumdeok-i looked every bit the regal king’s cat.
Which meant…
The cursed doll was now in my hand…
I’m screwed.
What kind of ill-fated connection did I have with this abomination? Could I ever break it off in this lifetime?
I thought about hiding the cursed doll, but I was too close to Sukjong for that.
Sukjong slowly bent down and lifted Geumdeok-i into his arms. Soon after, his gaze turned to me.
“Has Your Majesty been in good health? I trust you have been well, Your Highness.”
Still holding the cursed doll dangling from my hand, I bowed my head and gave the most respectful greeting I knew.
That’s when I heard it.
“Raise your head.”
“……Yes, Your Majesty.”
…Terrifying, but when he says jump, you jump.
His intimidating gaze pinned me down, making my knees weak.
Sukjong’s eyes lingered on my face for an oddly long time.
A persistent stare, as if searching for something in my features.
That was when the incomprehensible words slipped out.
“……You resemble.”
I saw his tiger-like eyes flicker, just for a moment.
“But that cannot be.”
He muttered softly.
…Resemble? Me?
Resemble whom?
Surely a human… right? He couldn’t mean I resembled Geumdeok-i or that cursed doll.
A flood of question marks arose, but my first worry was that he might question me about the origin of the cursed doll.
Not that asking “Whom do I resemble?” would get me a docile answer from a man like him…
“You are a young palace maid.”
The remark he tossed at me, trembling like a leaf, was bone-dry.
In the tone of “You are a pebble.”
“Was there a child this young in the palace?”
“Yes, there was, Your Majesty.”
“How old?”
“Three years old.”
“Which division?”
“Chwiseondang.”
“Chwiseon…”
I saw it clearly with my own two eyes. His face momentarily stiffened, ever so slightly.
“I see.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I tried not to show my fear, while surreptitiously observing his expression.
He had shown a subtle reaction to my mention of Chwiseondang, but he didn’t look particularly displeased or offended. To be precise, his face was unreadable.
…And then, at last, the inevitable came.
“What is that in your hand?”
Sukjong was looking at the cursed doll in my hand.
Should I say Geumdeok-i brought it? That I don’t know what it is? Or that it fell from the sky?
I racked my brain desperately, but no good ideas came.
Above all, I was worried about what had happened with Royal Noble Consort Sukbin.
“His Majesty entrusted me with an important task.”
That one line I had used to defeat Jang Hee-bin when I encountered Sukbin.
It was clear proof that Sukbin still maintained a close relationship with Sukjong.
If I start babbling nonsense and get caught, I’m doomed.
I made a decision. I would stay consistent.
“I found it near Seonjeongjeon Hall… Geumteong-i, I mean, Noble Geumdeok-i snatched it and ran off with it.”
“You found something like this near the king’s audience hall, of all places?”
…Just as I thought. Sukjong is no pushover.
But did I have a choice? I had already spoken, so I had to push through.
“Yes. I found this near the audience hall.”
He stared at the cursed doll with cool eyes, then furrowed his brow. As if searching for some mark carved into the doll.
My mouth went dry. A cold sweat trickled down my spine.
His gaze moved slowly.
First the doll.
Then my face.
And then… Geumdeok-i.
“Geumdeok-i, you scoundrel.”
Sukjong spoke.
“You’ve been quiet for a while, and now you’ve gone and brought something like that again?”
“Meow?”
At Sukjong’s words, I nearly lost all strength in my legs.
I’m saved. I’m alive.
Oh, little menace. You came not to ruin me, but to rescue me.
Even amidst this, Sukjong was focused on stroking Geumdeok-i.
Truly a hardcore cat lover.
Watching this fearsome man, who had practically emasculated his ministers through numerous upheavals, leisurely petting a cat—honestly, it felt strange.
Still, it was a relief that he seemed no longer suspicious of the cursed doll.
And at times like this, what’s needed?
A quick exit.
Stealthily gauging the mood, I bowed politely.
“Then, Your Majesty. This humble servant will take my leave…”
“Where are you going?”
“To Chwiseondang.”
There was a brief pause, about two seconds long.
Though fleeting, it felt ominous. A bad feeling crept up my spine.
“The palace is vast. Won’t you lose your way alone?”
“No. I can manage alone, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm. Then let me escort you.”
“……Pardon?”
I gaped, looking up at Sukjong.
Your Majesty? Escorting me?
…Why?
Pant. Pant.
Haah. Hoo…
‘Oh dear, I’m out of breath.’
Sukjong showed no mercy in slowing his pace for me.
I had no choice but to scurry after him, du-da-da-da.
‘Save the young palace maid.’
As I gasped for breath, he looked back at me.
“I suppose my pace is too fast for you.”
“No, Your Majesty… Ha… My legs… Hoo… It’s just that they’re too short… Heeik…”
…Sukjong’s face twitched subtly.
‘Huff, he smiled.’
A smile from Sukjong. I was certain I was witnessing something extremely rare.
His pace noticeably slowed. Thanks to that, I could catch my breath while walking.
‘I can’t read his mind… but at least he has the consideration to slow down for a young maid.’
Thinking back, Sukjong was quite fond of children.
‘He played favorites shamelessly, but when his sons were young, he always adored them.’
Trotting along, I gazed at Sukjong’s back, lost in thought.
‘What kind of person was the real Sukjong?’
A question that even I, whose job was to study the Sukjong era, could not answer with certainty.
Sukjong was a deeply multidimensional person.
He was a cold, sharp-minded monarch who wielded the blade of power, yet also a human being who unleashed uncontrollable, explosive emotions.
‘I want to know what kind of person you are.’
I cautiously stole glances at Sukjong.
‘For now, he seems calm. In a good mood, too.’
Still holding the cat, his face showed no trace of ill feeling.
So…
I decided to take a shot.
“Hehe!”
“……?”
At the silly giggle, Sukjong turned to look at me.
“What are you laughing at?”
“The kitty is just so cute. I’ve never seen such a cute kitty in my entire life, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
I saw it again. The corner of Sukjong’s mouth twitching.
As I was observing this sight—which turned out to be less rare than I first thought—he spoke.
“That rascal Geumdeok-i is indeed quite cute.”
Ding!
[Successfully charmed the proud cat parent!]
[The other’s favorability rises sharply!]
It felt like watching a game status window scroll up before my eyes.
Even so, I smiled brightly at Sukjong.
As innocently and cheerfully as possible.
What I recalled and imitated at that moment was the smile of Yeoning-gun, Lee Hoon, whom I had encountered that afternoon.
I hoped Sukjong would also feel that sense of disarmament in the face of a child’s innocence.
‘I am harmless. I am a harmless, powerless child…’
Sukjong gazed silently at my grinning face.
He said nothing, but his face was no longer as frightening as my first impression.
How should I put it… His eyes seemed tinged with nostalgia.
And a faint hint of sadness, perhaps.
‘He’s definitely not on guard against me at all.’
I sensed that the moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived.
The time had come to resolve an academic question I had harbored as a researcher for a very long time.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask you just one question?”
“Speak.”
…Finally.
I swallowed hard and posed my momentous question.
“Your Majesty. I bought some rice cakes because I was sad…”
Sukjong.
Are you a Thinker or a Feeler?
