The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 4

***

“That figures.”

Why would he say such a thing at this time?

I bowed my head slightly and stole a glance at Garam, who let out a sigh, his breath filled with a sense of ridiculous disbelief.

Honestly, it was a bit unfair. Me, I’m someone who swears like it’s a meal.

“Ah, forget it. I came to see what was going on, but it seems like I’ve seen enough already.”

“…I apologize.”

“No need to apologize, right?”

Ah, this guy or that guy. What am I supposed to do with them?

“Don’t bother seeing me out. Just make sure you don’t cross my path again.”

As if I’d ever want a single strand of my hair to cross your path after today.

I thought this as I bowed my head again, and then I heard the sound of his brisk footsteps walking away and the door closing.

“That son of a…”

I muttered under my breath only after his footsteps had completely faded away.

* * *

After Garam and Joyun had left with the troublesome maid, I sat idly on the bed. There was nothing to do.

I thought I would do well whatever I was asked to do, but that only applies when someone actually gives me a task.

There might be a lot to teach the new consorts who entered the palace yesterday, but since the positions were already filled by those who arrived earlier, there was no official role left for the newcomers.

That left only the art of the bedchamber, but who would teach that to an eight-year-old?

Of course, this was a story limited to the imperial palace. In the Yeoran family, they did teach Sanya the art of the bedchamber, thinking the Empress might favor a child.

I shuddered at the thought and shook my shoulders.

“…I’m lucky to have been possessed yesterday.”

That thought came to me again.

I’m an adult, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to learn something like the art of the bedchamber. And at the same time, I was genuinely grateful to Joyun.

I was so relieved he took away the maid from the Yeoran family. Who knows, she could have been my mentor.

There might not be any spies, but then again, the likelihood of that foolish maid being a spy is about one in a million, I think. But, all possibilities must be kept open.

And if there was a spy planted, they would surely come looking to use me. That would be…

“I don’t know.”

I admitted it cleanly. How could I know who the Yeoran family placed as a spy?

Even if I knew, sneaking around to avoid them would only raise suspicions. In that case, it’s better not to know at all.

More importantly, the royal family would have made thorough preparations to receive a consort from the Yeoran family.

That means everyone in my palace could be the eyes and ears of the Empress, or in other words, they could be people who the Yeoran family wouldn’t even be able to criticize with a needle.

That’s actually better. If there was someone from the Yeoran family, they would interfere in my actions, wondering how to use me, but it’s better if there’s none.

After blinking a few times, I collapsed onto the bed. Last night, the maid naturally took over the bed, so I couldn’t sleep properly. I was so sleep-deprived and irritable that I almost kicked the sleeping maid’s head.

When things quiet down and I grow up a bit more, if she’s still alive, I’ll have to get back at her. I was too lenient in scratching her pride earlier…

With that thought, I tried to drift off to sleep.

I would have, if it weren’t for the voice outside the door.

“My lady. I’m entering.”

The voice of a doll-like palace maid sounded. I was startled and sprang up like a spring, then cleared my throat.

“What is it?”

“I’ll prepare the bed for you.”

The voice sent a shiver down my spine.

How did they know I was about to sleep? The door isn’t made of steel, so maybe they saw my shadow. Is that it…?

“Okay.”

As soon as my permission was given, the door opened with a click. The sight of the palace maids that followed made me feel a bit overwhelmed. About six maids entered, each carrying a load in their hands. I watched quietly as they efficiently transformed the room.

I thought preparing the bed meant just tidying up the bedding, but they were changing everything from the beddings to the curtains on the windows and the canopy of the bed, all to much more lavish ones.

Finally, after replacing the vase on the table with a basket filled with pomegranates, the maids bowed to me and left the room.

Left alone again, I looked around the room. The once modest room had transformed into a splendid chamber. Even to my inexperienced eyes, the quality of everything seemed to have risen a notch.

I had wanted to change the bedding because the concubine slept on it, but I didn’t expect such a thorough change. Such meticulous care. It felt like I was in a top-notch hotel, and my mood was lifted.

“I’m not too fond of the color, though.”

It was white before, but now it was a painfully bright red. I tried to ignore it and lie down, but every time I opened my eyes, everything was red. I couldn’t tell if I was lying in bed or in the middle of a sea of blood.

Eventually, I got up and opened the door. As soon as the door opened, the gazes of the maids standing outside pierced me.

I straightened my shoulders, trying not to feel intimidated, and spoke cautiously.

“Could you change the bedding to something else?”

“Is there something uncomfortable?”

“It’s all red, it’s hurting my eyes.”

Ah, the language of historical dramas. I’m glad it doesn’t sound awkward.

I said that with a smile that seemed apologetic. However, the response I got was an uncomfortable hesitation and an unbelievable answer.

“I’m sorry. It’s for the Empress and the lady’s first night together…”

What?

The smile instantly disappeared from my face.

I wanted to grab the maid who said that and shake her, demanding her to say it again, but I had heard her too clearly already.

“…Alright, I understand.”

I forced myself to respond and closed the door. The sight of the room, still blood-red, greeted my eyes.

I looked at it, feeling utterly lost. The mere word ‘first night’ was suffocating. I am, after all, heterosexual, and this body is young. Eight years old. Are they really planning to go through with the first night for an eight-year-old consort?

‘They must be insane!’

I screamed inwardly. It’s not that I hadn’t worried about this at all.

I just thought, since yesterday went smoothly, “Oh, they don’t plan to go through with the first night.” I didn’t expect this delayed attack.

Of course, I don’t think the Empress will actually lay a hand on me. The Empress cherishes Sanya as a child but does not see her sexually. That much was emphasized several times in the original story.

The problem, as always, is the male leads who are crazily obsessed with the female lead.

Another annoyance has been added. It seemed I would have to diligently avoid this from now on.

I staggered towards the bed. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to sleep properly later. I’m not the type of person who can sleep soundly next to someone they met for the first time.

I tried to lie down and get some sleep, but my hope was shattered.

“My lady, you need to take a bath.”

Oh, really.

I buried my head into the pillow at the voice of the maid outside the door.

* * *

While Sanya was being ‘laundered’ by the maids and contemplating the impermanence of life, Empress Yehwa Aryun was pondering deeply before entering the new concubine’s chamber.

Her thoughts were quite rational, logical, and cold.

‘Sanya Yeoran might be a spy.’

Yes, that was it.

No matter how young Sanya was, she was a member of the Yeoran family. The Yeoran family was not to be taken lightly, and there were plenty of reasons to send a child as a spy.

She chastised herself for her mistake yesterday. Even after realizing Sanya was a child, she shouldn’t have been so flustered. It would have been enough to show some concern and send a maid to take care of her.

But yesterday, Yehwa had clearly crossed that line. The extent of her disturbance and the kindness she showed were extremely rare.

Yehwa, aware of how her actions could be perceived by others and especially by Giyun Yeoran, was troubled.

Sending his daughter to the imperial palace might have been a reluctant decision, but what better position than a consort living inside the palace to leak information?

That’s why Yehwa had meticulously prepared. She filled the palace where Sanya would stay with people who would act as her eyes and ears, and confirmed that Sanya’s body was indeed that of a young child, free of any calluses. Yet, to think she would be swayed by just one glance at the girl’s innocent face.

But she truly was surprised. Giyun Yeoran had mentioned sending a daughter, but never specified her age.

Yehwa worried about the harm a new consort might bring before she fell in love with her, but she never inquired about her age.

That was natural. The Empress didn’t need to bring in a child for power, nor were her tastes such. Who would have thought a child would come?

Wedding attire is heavy and uncomfortable. Yehwa had kept Sanya kneeling in her bridal gown for a long time. It was a late, almost reluctant gesture of mockery towards the Yeoran family who had sent a consort so late.

A consort openly disregarded by the Emperor naturally faced contempt. It would have been embarrassing for an adult, let alone a child, but when Sanya raised her head, she was eerily composed. The girl was a bit startled to see her approaching, but it was only for a moment.

Her young body, having knelt for so long, should have been in pain, but she showed no sign of it. Yehwa momentarily wondered if Sanya was accustomed to pain like an assassin, but her body, which lost control and staggered upon standing up, was still slender and muscle-free.

Yet, the child merely furrowed her brow once and showed no other reaction. In pain yet avoiding human touch and not showing it. It seemed all too familiar to Sanya.

It was almost like…

“Your Majesty.”

Yehwa’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice from outside the door.