The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 52

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The festivals in the Seora Empire were more splendid than those of any other country. The smell of oil was overpowering. My ears hurt from the music, and the glittering jewelry of the people in the sunlight made my eyes squint.

However, the most splendid of all was my attire.

‘I feel like I’ve thought this before.’

It felt strangely familiar. With that thought, I gently rubbed the sleeves of my robe.

But in any case, I was in a very good mood today. As planned, I spent the last day indulgently, napping and snacking, and successfully refused to wear the uncomfortable armor.

And my completed ceremonial robe was beautiful. While my clothes were always luxurious, today I could definitely feel an extra effort.

First of all, the color was purple.

An actual purple color! Purple!

It wasn’t an exaggeration to emphasize it three times. Purple and gold were symbols of the royal family and colors that couldn’t be used carelessly. And it was extremely beautiful.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve worn purple.’

It was a deep purple, but at a glance, it also had a bluish hue. The patterns embroidered with gold were splendid, and the individual embroidered patterns were lovely too.

‘Above all, it’s lightweight.’

Unlike the heavy wedding robe, it was light and comfortable enough to move freely. Considering how Mirinae, Yehwa, and Garam seemed to move with difficulty, it seemed my young age was taken into consideration.

Just a few months ago, this was an immense change from someone who didn’t even know whether they were a royal consort or a child.

It felt ambiguous. I turned my gaze towards Yehwa, who was seated at the highest seat.

“…!”

Although Yehwa had been looking elsewhere, she immediately met my eyes. Her previously indifferent green eyes sparkled. Forgetting she had been sitting solemnly, she brightly smiled and waved at me.

She must have realized I felt unfamiliar with things different from usual. When I smiled faintly to signal it was okay, Yehwa smiled back. She seemed to relax a bit. I flinched slightly at that sight.

‘It’s not unpleasant though……’

How should I put it? Her expression was grand, befitting an empress ruling this great land.

Being openly expressed as “pretty!”, “cute!”, “lovely!” felt a bit burdensome, to be honest. Not unpleasant, but… hmm.

‘Is this how parents usually are?’

I have no memories of parents. I’ve never seen my father’s face, and my mother died when I was five. I didn’t see my friends’ parents often either, and even when I did, they didn’t act like their child was the cutest in the world.

Although my memories of my mother are merely specks, I assumed I was loved. She held me to sleep and made porridge when I was sick.

As I pondered, I soon denied that thought.

‘But that’s not certain either.’

My mother in my previous life died when I was five. Because of that, I barely remember anything about her.

The occasional resurfacing memories vanish from my mind like dreams, and the only thing I properly remember is the voice that came to mind whenever I was sick.

In any case, it seems certain that Yehwa is quite eccentric. Having reached a reasonable conclusion, I turned my head again.

My seat was high enough for me to see everything below. The dancers were performing, and their fluttering sleeves looked beautiful.

Arun began with Yehwa offering a ritual to the founding dragon who blessed the imperial family. After that, it was like an ordinary East Asian festival.

Food was endlessly served, people laughed and chattered. Musicians played instruments, and dancers performed.

Since this was a world with abilities, I had expected something unique, but it was surprisingly ordinary. Still, the dancers’ colorful sleeves were beautiful, and the music was pleasant to hear.

There must have been a banquet during the wedding ceremony too, which I couldn’t see since I went straight in. Even without knowing, hosting a banquet must have cost a considerable budget.

Regretting the lack of a camera, I intently enjoyed the performances. This wasn’t an opportunity that came every day.

I felt the numerous gazes focused on me, unable to take my eyes off the dancers. My palace ladies, guards, Mirinae, and Garam, probably.

Although I knew the reason, I pretended not to. And the first to make a move was Mirinae.

“Sanya, ah.”

As the savory aroma reached my nose and I heard Mirinae’s voice, I opened my mouth. Then meat was promptly put into my mouth.

Hmm, tasty.

“Sanya, one more time. Ah.”

I chewed and swallowed, and this time Garam spoke. Reflexively opening my mouth, something bitter and chewy entered.

‘Ugh.’

Unexpectedly, it was Garam feeding me vegetables. Everything Mirinae gave me was delicious, but Garam’s offerings were mostly tasteless and healthy. I should have been suspicious when he said “one more time.”

I scrunched my face, and Garam quickly covered my mouth with his hand, swiftly moving in case I spit it out. Having no choice, I chewed and swallowed as meat was promptly shoved in.

As I nonchalantly took a bite of the meat and chewed, I glanced at them. Mirinae, who had noticed my gaze despite the eye patch, smiled brightly.

It’s convenient for me not to move my hands while eating.

‘Isn’t this dereliction of duty?’

For the empress’s husbands to attend to a princess’s meals like this. They may be my fathers on paper, but even Yehwa, the empress, doesn’t have someone feed her.

I glanced at Yehwa, and she was gazing this way intently. However, our eyes didn’t meet. Yehwa was staring intently at Mirinae and Garam with a longing gaze.

…Does she want to eat together with me?

I pondered briefly but soon just chewed the meat in my mouth. Great power comes with great responsibility.

Is it really fitting for an empress to feed her young daughter’s meals? Of course, if I went over and acted cutely first, she would gladly accept, but…

‘Really?’

I wanted to maintain my dignity. Turning my gaze again, I stared at Garam. Garam, who was about to scoop some side dishes onto the small spoon he held, flinched when our eyes met.

“Garam.”

“Uh, uh? Haha. Why is this here?”

Not long ago, during Giyun’s intrusion, Garam threw a fit that the honorifics were too stiff. He absolutely refused to call me “young lady,” but I couldn’t call him “uncle” either, so we compromised on using names.

Mirinae also chimed in and earned the right to call me by name, and Garam went a step further demanding to use the nickname “Aram,” only to go silent after I sternly addressed him again.

In any case, Garam currently had a conflicted look of happiness from being called by name mixed with embarrassment at being caught hiding vegetables under the meat.

‘Come to think of it, the meat Garam feeds me tastes a bit off.’

I was about to say something but stopped myself. It’s good to eat vegetables deliciously. More importantly, I wanted to ask something.

“Can you use your abilities?”

“Of course! Want me to show you?”

“No, it’s oka-”

Whoosh!

Before I could finish, everything in front of me turned red.

“Kyaa!”

“My lady, please stay back!”

“This is unacceptable, Consort Seonbi!”

I looked at the sudden fire show with a wry smile. I said it’s okay, you madman.

“Well? How’s that, Sanya!”

Garam had beads of sweat on his forehead, seeming to have used his ability to the limit.

“Uh, it’s huge! Right?”

“I understand, so put it away.”

“But…”

“Put it away.”

But this, but that, you’ll burn down the entire palace!

With my icy reaction, Garam dejectedly withdrew his ability. The people who had frozen in surprise slowly began to move again.

‘Nothing got burnt.’

I thought a spark might fly since the fire was bigger than I expected. Did he control it to some extent?

Thinking that, I felt a tinge of guilt. I shifted my gaze towards him.

“Thank you for the wonderful sight. But fire is dangerous in wooden buildings, isn’t it?”

“It’s not dangerous! It’s a fire you can touch.”

In response to my placating words, Garam said indignantly. It was quite an amazing statement. To create a fire that size and control the temperature.

Could he possess such abilities even with the weak seal placed on the consorts?

Or was his ability not sealed at all?

There was one thing I wondered about after hearing Yemyeon’s words yesterday. She said that since it’s a seal that suppresses abilities, the other consorts gradually shake it off over time.

Then how did Giyun send me a note via wind?

There was a consort among them with wind abilities. But her power was too weak to be included in the seven meritorious families, and she was neither kind enough to accept Giyun’s dubious request nor on good terms with the Yeoran family.

Moreover, there was no particular wind when it flew in through the window, so it seemed to be telekinesis.

Had he grown that strong, or was there an issue with the seal?

Lost in thought, I raised my head.

The music had abruptly stopped. The dancers who had been performing all stopped in unison. They seemed to cower in fear for a moment before quickly moving aside.

In the center of the revealed floor, a large and complex circle had appeared.

It was a shape quite familiar to me. So that means…

‘Isn’t that a magic circle?’