The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 47

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“I don’t like this, I don’t like that. I really can’t tell if those women intend to work or not!”

Ah, I see.

“It seems the others lack the capabilities compared to Lady Consort Hwa.”

“Well, that might be the case. But if they are lacking, shouldn’t they work even harder? Anyway, the effort…”

Ah, effort…

While I was nodding along appropriately, I tilted my head in curiosity.

“But isn’t it difficult to control the weather and bring rain on your own?”

“Yes, it’s difficult. But it’s not impossible since there’s a precedent. If it’s truly impossible, one could just stay in that area during the planting season and provide water.”

“I see. But why didn’t you mention that?”

“That’s because those women don’t want to be away from Her Majesty’s sight and prefer to stick their heavy behinds in the palace!”

Choeun shouted in an agitated voice. Her voice sounded like it had a lot built up.

I responded appropriately and pushed a cup towards her. After heartily drinking the tea, Choeun started to smile, then suddenly froze. Our eyes met squarely.

I was smiling casually, but inside, I felt a bit disappointed.

Tsk. She’s already come to her senses…

Choeun seemed very startled. She looked back and forth between me and the snacks she had been eating and then held the cup in her hand, shaking.

Right. I knew it. She ate it without even checking if it was poisoned, just because I gave it to her?

I quietly took her cup and sipped the remaining tea. Choeun’s face relaxed in relief, and then she stiffened again in realization.

“What in the world…?”

She looked serious. All I did was respond appropriately to her rambling. But instead of answering, I just rolled my eyes.

What I did, hmm, that’s right. It was a sneaky attempt to smooth things over.

Naturally, not everyone in the consort’s quarters was kind to me. Although those in power cared for me, and open hostility was rare, provocations were common. Whenever such incidents occurred, Yehwa always commanded them to apologize to me.

But if they were genuinely remorseful enough to apologize, they wouldn’t have caused trouble in the first place. Even when they came to apologize, they were not exactly kind, and I was at a loss on how to deal with them.

Perhaps Yehwa intended for me to overturn their attitudes by sending them to me, but ignoring them and mocking them as they deserved seemed too risky for my life.

Eventually, the method I chose was to gently persuade them to leave.

Ah, yes, that’s right. It could have been overlooked, but Her Majesty was indeed too harsh. Yes, you felt slighted, didn’t you? I understand all your feelings.

Patting them on the back and feeding them delicious things, most left my quarters feeling relieved after a few complaints. Some even left with sincere apologies, thinking they had misunderstood.

Not everyone was like that, but many who weren’t also ended up sharing their complaints when I handed them a warm cup of tea, saying I understood them all.

Seeing this, I realized these people were human too. In the palace, where I had no friends, the loneliness of constantly checking and attacking each other to not lose their place struck me. I couldn’t bring myself to treat them harshly when I saw them sighing in the middle of their speech, not even having the time to sip a cup of tea because they were so busy talking.

But people don’t completely change in such a short time, so things didn’t always end harmoniously. Since it was a shallow tactic, it didn’t last long.

The consorts, who had been eagerly sharing their stories, would suddenly change their expressions to one of, “What am I doing?”

At times like this, it’s best to send them away before sparks fly. I quickly smiled.

“I’ll be more careful next time. I’m glad you came to visit.”

Among the consorts who came to apologize, Choeun was relatively the better one.

Although what Choeun said upset me, it wasn’t entirely incorrect. It’s understandable to be annoyed if an eight-year-old barges into an important meeting and causes a commotion. Thinking about it that way, I even felt sorry for her, sitting there hesitantly, intending to apologize.

Looking at it closely, it was just my feelings that were hurt; Choeun had made a valid point. It wasn’t something to be said in a royal state, but to me, who had lived on 21st-century Earth, it made sense.

Yehwa was probably just being a tyrant about not bullying her daughter…

It might have upset her, but I listened well, didn’t I? So, just go quietly, okay?

With that wishful thinking, I stealthily glanced around, and Choeun sighed softly before standing up. She seemed resigned.

I followed her with a bright smile, intending to see her out since she was a good guest.

What to do now? Oh, I should play with Gowun, ask for snacks, take a nap… Maybe I should visit my mother under the guise of seeing what she’s doing.

Lost in thought, Choeun, who was about to leave, turned around and said, “Ah.”

“Next time, please refrain from making up stories in the meeting.”

My smile froze at her words.

Right. I fully understand the meaning behind her words, but…

“…That’s not it. It wasn’t a made-up story.”

I couldn’t hold back and murmured softly, a voice barely audible even to my own ears, but Choeun managed to catch it and raised an eyebrow.

“So, are you saying that this famine crop really exists?”

The undertone of her question seemed almost accusatory, as if asking, “Where is it, then?” I clamped my mouth shut.

Choeun had a point. She was both right and infuriating. I couldn’t refute her because she wasn’t wrong, but I also couldn’t deny it.

Seeing my reaction, Choeun sighed.

“Your Highness, this is not appropriate. Showing such an attitude in front of your subordinates damages your dignity.”

Did I even have any dignity left to damage? It seemed like she was the one crumpling it all up. I grumbled quietly to myself, and she sighed again.

“Soon, envoys from the Western Continent will arrive. What will they think of Seora if they see you like this? As the heir to this nation, you must present a wise image.”

That’s laughable. Why would I be the heir? I’m not going to be the Empress.

I grumbled inwardly again but then stopped short. A word had caught my attention.

…The Western Continent?

“Envoys are coming?”

When I suddenly looked up, Choeun, who had accidentally met my gaze, flinched. She evasively nodded while avoiding my eyes.

“Yes. Many countries from the Western Continent come to offer tributes. So, Your Highness, please—”

The Eastern Continent of this world resembled the East of Earth, and the Western Continent was similar to the West of Earth.

America is usually considered part of the West, right? And if something isn’t in the Eastern Continent, it must be in the Western Continent?

“Famine crops. I will find them for you.”

“Excuse me?”

Choeun looked surprised at my confident statement. However, she soon sighed for the third time. Before she could scold me again, I quickly spoke up.

“Really. Give me some time, and I will find them.”

“Uh…”

This time, it wasn’t a sigh but an overtly incredulous voice.

“Are you talking about a plant that grows well in barren and cold lands, and just a little of it can fill one’s stomach?”

“Yes.”

My firm response led Choeun to let out a few more deflated sounds, as if the air was leaving her. Touching her forehead as if troubled, she answered with a weary voice.

“If you truly find them, I, Choeun Aryun, will use whatever means necessary to fulfill one wish of yours, Your Highness.”

Yeah. You definitely said that. Just try to back out.

“Very well.”

Thinking what I might ask her to do, she confidently replied. Soon, I’ll make sure she regrets it.

As I laughed triumphantly, Choeun looked down at me with an incredulous face. Then, sighing, she placed a hand on my head and stroked it. I thought I heard her mutter something like, “What am I doing with such a young child?”

Maybe for my wish, I’ll have her say, “Sanya, I was wrong.”

While I was seriously contemplating this, her rough touch became somewhat gentler.

“Please take good care of Her Majesty.”

Wondering what she meant, I tilted my head, and Choeun murmured softly. The look in her eyes seemed deeply resigned, which startled me.

What, were you that kind of consort too?

But my discomfort quickly subsided.

“Despite our long acquaintance, it’s the first time I’ve seen Her Majesty care so much for someone.”

A faint smile appeared on Choeun’s lips as she said this. Seeing her genuinely relieved expression, I could easily tell she was Yehwa’s friend.

Choeun was a good person. Intelligent, ambitious, and loving towards her country. She was dignified before the powerful and kind to children. A good person indeed, but did she also care for Yehwa because of Yehwa’s supernatural abilities?

At that thought, I felt a bit sorry for Yehwa. It’s not that she didn’t know love, but rather, she wasn’t devoid of emotions.

Knowing that every unexplained affection towards her was because of her supernatural abilities, and not being able to love anyone in return, couldn’t be entirely pleasant.

It wasn’t my business to delve too deeply. I didn’t want to be too involved in someone else’s misfortune. But remembering the times I had earnestly prepared a gift only to be rejected, and recalling the bright smile on her face when I said I would become her daughter…

Perhaps Yehwa was a bit lonely. Choeun, who had been stroking my head, chuckled self-mockingly again.

“Just state your wish freely. Consider it as compensation for the delicious tea.”

Her voice seemed to mock herself for making a bet with a child, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed she felt embarrassed about betting with a child.

I smiled broadly and shook my head quietly. What’s the use of a wish obtained so easily? Moreover, with such a wish, I wouldn’t be able to fully exploit Choeun to my heart’s content.

Just wait a bit. I’ll bring famine crops or whatever right in front of you.

I intended to smile brightly, but a big yawn came first. My vision blurred for a moment with the yawn, and I heard a small sigh.

“Ha.”

Is that funny?

It seems like today’s activities were a bit too much for this little body, as I quickly felt the limits of my endurance. As soon as I realized it, sleepiness overwhelmed me.

Right. Whatever it is, let’s sleep first.

“You must be very tired.”

Catching that, Choeun spoke as if she found it agreeable.

If you know, then leave. Let me nap…