The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 58

* * *

Oops. Those words felt like someone had slapped me on the back of the head. Not a hard slap, just a light tap. Still, it was enough force to snap me back to my senses.

‘I forgot.’

Am I really an idiot?

Since I came here with no particular determination, as if going for a stroll, I had forgotten my goal. If she hadn’t said that, I really might have just eaten a snack and left.

I swallowed the fruit in my mouth and looked at her. As she was reading a document, her eyes quickly met mine.

“What is it?”

“…I came because I have something to tell you.”

At my serious tone, Yehwa put down the document with a surprised look on her face. Even after setting the mood, I couldn’t speak right away.

What should I say?

That I actually lived a previous life, so I’m mentally over twenty years old even though I look eight?

‘That’s a bit…’

There was no way to verify it. Regardless of love and trust, I would sound like a crazy person.

“…Some time ago, when my father visited the Eastern Palace.”

That was the first thing I chose to say. It was actually the starting point of my resolution.

“I already knew he would visit the Eastern Palace. No, at least that he would come to see me.”

At my words, Yehwa furrowed her brow. I continued.

“A letter came.”

“There shouldn’t have been any letters sent to you from the Yeoran family.”

“It wasn’t an officially dispatched letter.”

As I explained the process of how I received the letter, she stiffened as if she had seen something terrifying.

“Then why didn’t you tell me? If not me, then someone else.”

“Because he would think I consider him my father.”

I spoke indifferently.

“In my family home, even my existence was unknown. For him to suddenly act as a father now means there’s something he wants to gain using his position as my father.”

“…”

“I have no intention of complying obediently. But I also can’t fight back, so I followed along as he wished.”

These words left a bitter aftertaste even as I said them. They were flowery words, but in reality, it meant I had to accommodate him because I was powerless.

Anyway, I wonder if I appealed to her. I slyly glanced at Yehwa and continued.

“I don’t want to fall into danger while knowing nothing. So please let me know what’s going on too.”

And please help me with what I’m trying to do. Just as I was about to say that, Yehwa cut me off.

“Sanya, the palace is safe.”

Those words were very firm. As if there was no room for compromise.

“I won’t let anyone threaten you. You don’t need to worry about such things, so rest assured.”

It was a reassuring thing to hear, but not what I wanted to hear. I was flustered. I didn’t expect this kind of reaction.

I didn’t think she would completely believe me, but I thought she would believe me to some extent at least. I never imagined she would dismiss my opinion to this extent.

It didn’t feel good. But I couldn’t argue point by point because Yehwa looked so distressed as she said those words.

“Why are you worrying about such things?”

Yehwa muttered in a fading voice. It was a very sad voice, pitying me.

That wasn’t it. I wanted to accomplish something. It’s true that I needed help, but I didn’t intend to simply push my situation onto others.

I just wanted to say, let’s try it together.

“I must have sounded like I would bring your father last time.”

“…”

“If you dislike it that much, I won’t allow him entry. He simply had an entry pass and was able to come and go freely.”

Lies.

Did Yehwa think I wouldn’t figure out what I had deduced? If Giyun really had an entry pass to the palace, Yehwa could have easily anticipated that he would come to see me. Her attitude was firm, but it was hard for me to believe.

They were words that could deceive a young child. Right. Words that could deceive a young child.

‘You really didn’t believe me at all.’

It stung that Yehwa didn’t know I had noticed even what Yemyeon, who was close to a stranger, had noticed.

I diligently comforted myself. It must be because she’s worried. Worried about me. It’s a bit painful, but I understand. It’s not something to believe overnight.

Today’s Yehwa is too adamant. No matter what I say, it doesn’t seem like she’ll be persuaded.

It’s not like today is the only time, and if I consistently persuade her, she’ll change her mind.

When I nodded slightly, Yehwa’s face, which had been moving her lips uneasily, brightened. It seems it was quite a difficult task for her to make me understand.

“Yes, good girl.”

Even when I brushed off the hand stroking my head, Yehwa laughed and said it was fine. Unable to stay angry at that face, I eventually relaxed my expression.

“It’s late. I’ll call Seoyeon so you can go back with your mother?”

Emphasizing ‘with your mother’, she seems reluctant to send me back.

I alternately looked at her face and the documents on the table. It seems she has a lot of work too. I feel bad asking her to escort me.

“…Can I sleep at Flower Dragon Palace?”

At my sly words, Yehwa’s eyes sparkled.

“Really?”

“Yes. Well…”

As I answered vaguely, Yehwa smiled brightly. Even usually, I felt a bit sorry when she was overjoyed at trivial things.

Thinking I should be a bit more affectionate, I stared up at Yehwa. It meant for her to lift me up since the bed was high, but Yehwa put me on the bed and went back to the table.

“I still have work left. Go to sleep first. I’ll finish quickly and come.”

She pulled the blanket up to my neck as I blinked with sleepy eyes and looked at her. If I came to sleep together with you, you should sleep with me when I sleep. Why are you working again?

“In return, be my pillow.”

Even though it sounded like I was doing her a favor, Yehwa smiled at my words.

“Alright, Sanya.”

I closed my eyes like that. The sound of rustling paper and fabric brushing could be heard intermittently.

In the pleasantly cool and comfortable air, I quietly fell asleep.

* * *

I opened my eyes. I saw a familiar ceiling. It took a moment to realize that familiarity was not a good thing.

I sat up groggily. I saw a familiar sight. It was my room in the Eastern Palace.

‘I’m sure I fell asleep at Flower Dragon Palace.’

Why am I here? Did someone move me while I was half-asleep?

Do I have a bad sleeping habit that kept Yehwa awake? Or did she move me here to sleep more because it was hectic in the morning?

I yawned loudly and rolled around a few more times before getting out of bed. And I was a little surprised. Gowun was fast asleep sitting on a chair pulled up next to the bed.

Why is he sleeping here too? He looked quite uncomfortable sleeping while sitting, but I didn’t want to wake him up since he seemed so tired.

Unable to muster the strength to carry Gowun and move him, I ended up gently shaking him.

“Gowun. Wake up.”

As soon as my hand touched him, Gowun slightly furrowed his brow but quickly opened his eyes.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

His blue-gray eyes widened upon meeting mine.

“…My apologies.”

“No. I didn’t wake you up to scold you. I was just wondering why you’re sleeping here instead of going to your room.”

Gowun, who had been hurriedly apologizing with lingering sleepiness, slightly opened his mouth.

“My lady grabbed me…”

“I did?”

Gowun nodded at my question. I was puzzled by his firm response.

Why would I grab you while sleeping?

“I thought you had fallen asleep with Her Majesty, but you woke up at dawn. And when you said you had to go to the Eastern Palace, I escorted you, but my lady asked me to stay by your side.”

Gowun’s explanation was detailed. I remembered going to Flower Dragon Palace, so it wasn’t a lie.

‘But I don’t remember coming back.’

As I was deep in thought, my eyes met Gowun’s. His blue-gray eyes were filled with worry.

“Are you alright? Shall I call the doctor?”

“No. I’m fine. I must not remember well since I was half-asleep.”

Is it sleepwalking? It seems so, seeing as I wandered around while sleeping. I casually thought while reassuring Gowun. Sleepwalking is more common than you think in young children.

I had that experience in my previous life too, and it gradually disappeared as I grew up. Even though my mind is an adult, is it because my body is a child?

It’s nothing, but it could be a huge deal to the people of this world. Since it’ll get better on its own, let’s not make a fuss by mentioning it.

Having reached a conclusion, I called for Heesa. Then Heesa, who had been standing in front of the door, immediately came in.

“Dress me. Something came up so I have to go out.”

But Heesa was strange. Normally she would have followed my order right away, but her face looked somewhat unconvinced. Before long, she and the other court ladies came in with my clothes. Their faces didn’t look very good either.

What’s going on? Did something happen?

“But my lady, are you planning to leave the Eastern Palace?”

Heesa carefully asked as she dressed me.

“I am planning to.”

At those words, Heesa had a surprised look on her face. It was a face mixed with pity and bewilderment.

“My lady, but…”

I felt a definite ominous feeling at her trailing words. Come to think of it, the Eastern Palace was bustling. Since I usually had very little to do, there weren’t this many court ladies.

And I saw a few unfamiliar faces today.

Why did Heesa ask about me going out?

As soon as I had that thought, I turned my body and ran to the window. It was a position where the main gate of the Eastern Palace could be seen if the window was opened. The first thing I saw was the eunuchs guarding the main gate. And the gatekeepers who weren’t usually seen.

As I blankly stared at the sight, Heesa approached me with an ashamed look and told me.

“Her Majesty has issued an order for my lady’s confinement…”

What?