The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 106

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As planned, Gowun left the palace the next day. The farewell for Gowun, which was supposed to be a small gathering of only those close to him, became a bit noisy due to an unexpected person.

Mother participated in Gowun’s farewell, which was attended only by the shadows. It was her arrangement for me to be able to see him off. The story of the Empress personally seeing him off spread like wildfire, and it was interpreted as the child being quite favored.

I hoped that rumor would reach the head of the Maho family. If the Empress cherishes him, maybe they’ll go easier on him, I thought.

From the capital to the Maho family’s estate in the Biyeon region, it took about a week by horse.

So for Gowun to arrive and send me a letter, it took about two weeks, and during those two weeks, I turned my head like a meerkat whenever I heard a sound.

Around the time when the palace maids were upset that I had lost weight, the first letter from Gowun arrived. Contrary to my worries, the letter was serene.

Trivial things like how the weather in Biyeon is colder, or what the local specialties are. How relieved I was to see the words “I am at peace” written on the last line.

Letters arrived about once a week. The frequency wasn’t high, but the arrival cycle was consistent. Since all those letters were not much different from the first one, I gradually let my guard down.

As my worries subsided, this time, a sense of emptiness came. Sometimes I would turn around calling Gowun’s name. And I had to confirm with my own eyes that no one was there.

Besides that, Gowun’s absence was quite significant. Without the small hand that always held onto me wherever I went, my hand felt strangely empty.

I couldn’t eat well during snack times without the person who always ate with me. It was also strange not to see a small shadow flickering in front of the door.

Others knew about my loneliness too. I got a new guard, and Seoryeon, who became my companion, also frequented the palace. Other consorts also visited the Eastern Palace almost every day, worried that I might be bored, and Mother paid more attention to me too. With that, I gradually filled the void.

There were occasional chills, but I was able to adapt one way or another. Such days continued, and around the time when I thought I was completely fine, my birthday approached.

Just like in my previous life, Sanya’s birthday was also in the fall.

My birthday banquet was held more splendidly than ever. Autumn was a bountiful season, and since it was my first birthday in the palace, everyone was very excited. The birthday was enjoyable. There was no way I wouldn’t like everyone congratulating me.

The banquet continued for three days and nights, and it was full of laughter. Seeing Mirinae and Garam bickering after drinking, I was laughing out loud, and for the first time in a long while, I turned around saying, “Gowun, look at that.”

Of course, Gowun wasn’t there, and I met eyes with Yeoryu who had his eyes wide open. Startled, I turned my head again and couldn’t laugh.

I thought I had become this used to you not being here, and at the same time, I thought it was still so natural for you to be by my side. Both thoughts were so sad that I cried a little that day while writing a letter.

There were occasionally such sad days, but overall, time passed without much trouble.

Like that, the moon waxed and waned dozens of times, and the seasons changed several times.

I turned nineteen.

‘Time really flies.’

Gowun still hasn’t returned. But letters always arrived once a week.

Sitting on the floor of the secret place in Hwaseo Palace that only Gowun knows about, I thought that while reading similar yet slightly different letters.

It still feels like Gowun left just yesterday, but it’s already been 11 years. While thinking that, the long fingers tracing the letters on the letter felt unfamiliar, so I turned my gaze to the mirror.

I met eyes with the woman with violet eyes and black hair lightly tied up. The impression that looked round and plump in childhood due to baby fat now looked quite cold.

‘I had a hard time growing up.’

That’s right. I grew a lot.

I suddenly recalled the past when I had to look up at everyone. I was so worried that I would still have to do that even when I grew up. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and I grew well to the average height of an adult woman.

Now I don’t have to worry about getting hit by people’s sleeves. Or the unpleasant experience of walking and meeting eyes with the butt of the person in front of me when they suddenly stop.

I smiled happily, folded the letter, and opened the small box on the table. Inside were the letters I received from Gowun.

“Will he not come this year too?”

I mumbled in a sing-song voice as I folded the letters in chronological order and put them in.

Now I am completely used to life without Gowun. Gowun says he’s doing well, and so am I. So I’m not particularly sad, but I haven’t forgotten.

‘Because he said he’ll come back.’

But now I feel like I can call it a lie. I closed the box with a loud thud, thinking that for no reason.

It’s been a whopping 11 years. They say even a river changes in 10 years, but 11 years.

‘He hasn’t shown his face even once in all that time.’

I couldn’t go see him either, but I had a petty thought.

I’ve grown this much too, so if we meet again now, will we even recognize each other?

Early spring when warm breezes start to blow. It’s the season when I met Gowun. I rested my chin on my hand and fell into thought.

‘How much has he grown?’

Not long after Gowun entered the Maho family, the Maho family became practically closed off. Due to the nature of the ability being fatal to living beings, it seemed even the courier delivering letters could barely come and go.

In the midst of that, I couldn’t leisurely send a painter to draw a portrait, so I had never seen Gowun as an adult.

While pondering deeply, I met eyes with myself in the mirror again. When I laughed with a chuckle, the same face as when I was young appeared.

‘He’ll probably look the same as when he was young.’

Gowun was exceptionally small and skinny compared to his peers, and his face was also pretty with soft features. Since he was a promising child, he must have grown up pretty, right? He suffered a lot already, so I hope he’s not too skinny.

‘Well, it doesn’t really matter.’

Whether he’s skinny or fat, whether his face is handsome or has scars as big as a gate, what does it matter? As long as he returns safely.

‘So, when are you coming?’

I sighed and closed the box I had been fiddling with. My eyes were dazzled by the mirror attached to the inside.

Hwaseo Palace was quiet as always. I could hear the sound of people’s footsteps in the distance, but it was a story of a faraway world to me.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”

…Or not.

I immediately got up from my seat and dusted off my clothes. Even in the midst of that, the voice was getting closer and closer.

I thought they wouldn’t be able to find me here, but they’re like ghosts. I clicked my tongue and picked up the box again.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess! Where are you?”

It was Yeosa’s clear voice. I let out a deep sigh.

‘I shouldn’t have done that.’

There was one more thing that had changed in the past 11 years.

I went from being a princess to being the crown prince. Just like when I went from being a consort’s child to a princess, this time too, it was in a ridiculous way.

A few years ago, Mother asked me with a smile as I was rolling around on the bed, tired of playing.

‘Baby. Did you really have nothing to do?’

‘Yes. I’m bored.’

‘Then do you want to try being the crown princess?’

‘What?’

‘You just answered, right?’

It seemed our mother had an innate talent for job fraud.

How shocking it was that the situation was decisively determined as my investiture as the crown prince just by saying ‘What?’ once. I thought at least someone would stop it, but no one did.

It couldn’t be helped. The palace people, including the consorts, naturally welcomed me becoming the crown prince, and it was after the other ministers were tired of Mother’s attitude of not producing an heir.

I tried to refuse, but I had to compromise with reality. It’s crazy to tell Mother to give birth to a child who will wear that crown instead of me because I don’t want the heavy position, right? So I obediently accepted the position of crown prince.

However, that didn’t mean I obediently received all those lessons. I took a deep breath, tidying up my clothes, and opened my mouth slightly.

‘Outside the palace.’

Words with a slightly different resonance were uttered, and soon the sound of noisy talking began.

I, who had my eyes closed for a moment, blended into the crowd as if I had been there from the beginning.

Even after that incident with Gowun, I often went out alone to the market to play.

The happy memory of that day with Gowun remained as a joyful recollection. I liked reminiscing about that memory.

Of course, today… there’s a bit, just a tiny bit more of an escapist vibe, but still.

‘Still, it’s a somewhat legal deviation.’

Now, people turned a blind eye to this level of secret outings. I don’t put myself in danger, and above all, my safety has become a bit more certain.

Through several attempts, Mother found a way to transfer her own ability to me using the Dragon’s Command. Even with the Dragon’s Command, there was a limit, so a permanent transfer was impossible, but it wasn’t completely useless.

Once the command was given, I could utilize about one-third of Mother’s power for about half a day. Even one-third was enough since Mother’s power was so outstanding, and I was in the middle of diligently going out to play using that power a hundred times.

‘Honestly, the schedule is too tight.’

They said they made it a bit busier since I played too much when I was young, but still, it was excessive. How can you fit all the finished studies except for eating and sleeping?

I tried my best to keep up, but it was very difficult for me, a very ordinary person.

Since I’m an ordinary person, I occasionally skip out like this.

I sent the box in my hand to my room in the Eastern Palace and cracked my neck. I plan to play for just a bit and go back in. Anyway, the work I put off is still my work.

So, for now, let’s get one from the street vendor.

I saw the street at the end of my gaze. I smiled brightly and took a step forward, and my ankle twisted just like that.

‘…Huh?’

My body swayed and shook a few more times. I tried to regain my balance, but I only swayed more because of the people. I want to use my ability, but if I just turn my eyes, I meet eyes with other people.

The moment I decided to close my eyes tightly and just fall, someone gently pulled me in.

“Are you alright?”

——

This novel is dropped. I couldn’t stay invested in the story or characters and I don’t have the energy to keep doing this novel anymore. If any translators wish to pick up this series from where I left off, contact Goldvyrn in the Galaxy discord and I can send my word doc for the series.