The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 22

***

Can this simply be called a guard? Literally a shadow. A group that handles everything their charge cannot do under the light, whether it be assassination, weeding the garden, or even licking a pig’s feet.

A secret weapon belonging only to the Empress, and one of them has been given to me. Their strength is formidable; it’s not just about being assigned to guard me. It was the transfer of a shadow.

The existence of shadows is highly confidential, not known to many. Most likely, most people in this room are unaware of the shadows, or only those who need to know are aware.

Looking up at Seoyeon, she was giving me an unusual, sly smile, indicating she was going to explain everything. I should have realized when she said I could order the child to do anything. A direct force of the Empress, this is—

Oh, isn’t it?

Shadows are not known. So, it’s natural that most consorts are unaware of their existence.

Does this mean the Empress has shown me such favor without others knowing?

‘…!’

I hit the jackpot.

I looked at the child in front of me with sparkling eyes. My previously precarious life felt as secure as if it had been locked in a museum vault.

“Due to the unfortunate incident, please make sure to always have this child with you from now on.”

“I shall.”

I quickly responded. I had planned to keep the child with me all day anyway.

Such an excellent guard. I wanted to give the Empress a kiss on the cheek. Of course, I wouldn’t really do that.

The child had been bowing his head, not moving at all during this time. Seeing this, I really felt his youth.

Of course, being a shadow, his youth wouldn’t mean a lack of skill, but still, um. How should I put it?

A young child I’m seeing for the first time. And me, having to pretend to be his peer.

Despite the benefits, I felt like a wall 300 meters high had suddenly sprung up between us.

“Hello.”

I struggled to initiate conversation. Having never interacted with children of this age, I was uncertain how to approach him. Of course, being a shadow, he wouldn’t whine like a typical child, but still, to maintain closeness, some level of friendship was necessary.

In response to my greeting, the child nodded again. After chewing on my lip for a moment, I ventured another question.

“What is your name?”

The child, who had been staring at the ground, flinched at my question. It was a subtle change, but noticeable given his previous statue-like stillness.

In the silence, the child hesitated to speak. After moving his lips slightly, he stubbornly closed his mouth again.

…What’s going on?

“My lady. This child cannot speak.”

“What?”

I blurted out in surprise at Seoyeon’s quiet interjection. Seoyeon bowed her head and repeated her statement.

“It has always been so. My apologies.”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

I hastily waved my hand in dismissal, a sudden wave of guilt washing over me for potentially hurting the child by asking him to speak.

Although I preferred to remain silent, there was something I needed to ask, so I reluctantly inquired further to Seoyeon.

“Do you know the child’s name?”

“You may call him Dawn.”

It wasn’t Dawn is his name, but rather that I should call him that. Shadows indeed used aliases. I nodded in understanding.

“…Dawn.”

When I softly called his name, Dawn prostrated himself. I was startled by his immediate kneeling and gestured for him to stop.

“Oh, no. You don’t need to kneel. Stand up.”

At my words, Dawn looked up blankly. His eyes, visible between strands of disheveled hair, were a misty blue, as if clouded by fog. His slightly parted lips caught my eye.

Dawn, having moved his lips once, stood up without a word and bowed again.

I guess… I should introduce myself.

“I am Sanya. I am… eight years old this year. Nice to meet you.”

It was quite embarrassing to say I was eight years old. I felt my ears burn as I awkwardly lifted the corners of my mouth. I’m not used to smiling.

Dawn’s mouth opened slightly as he watched. After a moment, he quickly bowed his head, and I could hear Heesa chuckling behind me, murmuring, “So cute.”

There’s no one here older than me except Seoyeon…

I swallowed those words and forced a wry smile, looking at Dawn who still stood there like a statue. It seemed wrong to keep him standing. There was no rule saying a guard must always stand.

“Come here. …And don’t kneel!”

Startled by my voice, Dawn awkwardly stood up straight. He politely clasped his hands in front and bowed again.

Those hands, if placed behind his back, would seem ordinarily unlucky, but positioned as they were made me feel like I was bullying him.

It would be better if he lifted his head.

“Sit here.”

I tapped the chair next to me. Dawn obediently sat down and looked at me.

During this, his eyes were visible through his tousled hair again.

The innocence in his gaze made it hard to believe he was a shadow. Looking into those clear eyes, I thought to myself unwittingly.

‘Hmm, he’s like a puppy.’

It was truly an unfair comparison to make about a person, but that was the impression I got. After a moment of hesitation, I picked up a sweet and cautiously offered it to him.

“…Would you like to eat this?”

As if training a puppy to eat, I carefully asked, and Dawn politely reached out his hand. Both hands, in fact.

I was a bit startled by his hands.

‘They’re, small.’

They were like little fern leaves, my hands placing the sweet on them even smaller.

‘…They’ll grow soon.’

While I mulled over this bittersweet thought, Dawn carefully brought the sweet to his mouth. The sight of his lips taking a small bite was charming.

What did I forget from the original story? It seems unlikely he wouldn’t be a character. Dawn paused as he cautiously chewed the sweet, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his glance towards the sweet.

Right. Tasty, isn’t it?

I pushed the plate of sweets towards him, and Dawn, sneaking a glance at me, cautiously picked one up. I quietly watched him.

“The Lady seems to like Dawn!”

“…Yes. That’s fortunate.”

Heesa’s cheerful voice from behind and Seoyeon’s seemingly uncomfortable voice reached my ears. Hearing them, I managed a tired smile.

I like this child, but whether that would be the case under different circumstances… I was just thankful that the sweets worked.

* * *

I can’t sleep.

“….”

I had to admit it to myself when I counted the patterns on the porcelain in the distance for the third time.

I simply couldn’t fall asleep. Changing positions, covering with the blanket, even removing the blanket did nothing. I yawned and closed my eyes, but soon my eyelids felt uncomfortable.

Opening my eyes again, any hint of sleepiness vanished, leaving my eyes wide open. It must be way past bedtime. I should be sleeping…

When I tossed and turned once more, an unnamed bird cried out from outside, and I, forgetting my intention to sleep, startled myself upright.

“Ugh….”

After lying down for a while and finally sitting up, my head throbbed dully. I massaged my temples while letting out a sigh. It had been several days since I last slept well. My head ached from fatigue, yet sleep eluded me.

The reason was clear. The room, soaked in the eerie moonlight, felt as if it was filled with water, making me shiver.

Should I block out all the moonlight coming through the window? No, then I’d worry about what might jump out in the pitch-dark room.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling of insecurity, even after changing rooms and visually confirming it was more secure. The unease persistently clutched at my mind.

Eventually, I walked quickly to the window and flung it open. The cold night air touched my skin, clothed only in a thin layer. Taking a deep breath, I smelled the night’s fragrance, and the tip of my nose tingled with the cold. It was a tangible feeling of being alive.

The garden below was tranquil. My room, with its scenic view, showed the prettiest sight when the window was opened at dusk.

People passing by would always bow their heads when our eyes met, but I liked it when their faces seemed to smile briefly as they lifted their heads.

Though I couldn’t keep the workers outside for long and always went inside quickly, I enjoyed those moments when they occurred.

Exhaling deeply, my breath rose like smoke. I found this amusingly novel and blew a few more breaths, when suddenly, a small stone hit the window with a thud.

Startled, I looked down to find a restless young child. His grey hair sparkled in the moonlight. It was Dawn.