The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 68

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After murmuring that, I recalled a certain fact.

Yehwa, in other words, Mom always welcomed my visits, I had nothing to do now, and in general, children have the right to be filial to their parents.

In other words, it meant that I immediately set off for Flower Dragon Palace.

Although it’s a bit spacious, we live in the same house called the imperial palace, so what’s stopping me from seeing her when I miss her?

This time, I rode in a palanquin and boldly entered through the main gate, but I spotted an unexpected person.

‘The boy I saw last time.’

The blond envoy child. That child couldn’t enter through the main gate and was gazing at me longingly. His beautifully dressed clothes were splendid, and his white cheeks were flushed.

“……”

Seeing that, I shuddered slightly and turned my head, pretending not to see him. But unfortunately, it seems I wasn’t the only one who saw it, as Heesa, who was following behind, giggled.

“That young master seems to deeply admire our lady.”

Right. That’s how it looks to you too, Heesa?

I let out a deep sigh. I wasn’t happy to have my suspicion confirmed.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he marries our lady before long.”

At those words, the air instantly turned chilly. Seoyeon’s eyes widened, and the other palace maids had faces mixed with surprise and laughter. Yeoryu was laughing as if it was amusing, and Gowun was…

“……”

Gowun, you… why do you look shocked?

While I was puzzled for a moment, Seoyeon called Heesa in a low voice.

“Heesa.”

“The more consorts, the better. Don’t you think so?”

“Heesa!”

When Seoyeon burst out in anger, I quietly agreed inwardly. Who are you trying to turn into a criminal now?

Heesa shut her mouth, saying she was sorry. I heard Seoyeon let out a deep sigh.

Oh my, that, that…

I was about to say more but only sighed and turned my head again. It’s my fault for not properly establishing the hierarchy, so I can’t get angry. Still, I have to mention this.

“Heesa. Consort, really.”

“Her Majesty is in good physical health, so how can you say such a thing? Watch your words.”

I didn’t think I could become the empress. In the first place, it was a given. Although I received the title of Princess Kanghee and reside in the Eastern Palace, everyone knows I have the blood of the Yeoran family. And a mutant at that, without a single ability.

For now, my position is maintained since the emperor has no children of his own, but when Yehwa gives birth to a child, I naturally have to step down.

I liked both the Eastern Palace and Floral Virtue Palace, so I didn’t care which one I used. In the first place, I had no greed for the throne. No, it’s not just a lack of greed. I simply wasn’t cut out to be a reigning empress.

If I became the empress, it would only be a matter of time before I ruined this country. Tyrannical emperors aren’t the only ones who ruin countries, right?

But when the palace maids heard those words, their expressions became strange.

“My lady……”

A face that looks sympathetic, as if pitying me. Why are they like this?

At that moment, the eunuch guiding me stopped.

“Your Majesty. The princess has arrived.”

Following those words, the door opened right away without a response. Beyond the door stood Mom, smiling brightly.

“Our princess is here.”

Yes. Your daughter has arrived. I approached her with quick steps and hugged her legs tightly. Mom, though puzzled, bent down and hugged me back.

“You’ve come to be spoiled.”

“Please indulge me a bit.”

“How could I refuse the command of the dignified Princess?”

Joking in a voice filled with laughter, she lifted me up and held me. Her embrace was cozy and warm.

“I hope Giyun disappears…”

“Huh?”

“I was talking to myself.”

“I heard it all already though.”

“Then why did you ask?”

“I was wondering if I heard correctly.”

Even so, I was satisfied that she didn’t scold me. She sat on the bed while holding me, and I leaned against her more comfortably.

“I heard Giyun visited your palace today.”

“Yes. I called for him.”

“Based on what you just said, it seems you didn’t call him because you missed him.”

“You’re making an obvious statement complicated.”

At my sulky answer, I heard a small laugh from above my head. As fingers gently ruffled my hair, my body became drowsy.

“That guy is really……”

“Really?”

A son of a bitch.

“A bad person.”

Since I couldn’t curse, I toned down my words, and Mom laughed again.

“Why is that?”

“It would take too long to explain……”

I couldn’t explain because I would have to talk about the story of Sanya in the original work. And it was obvious it would cause a commotion.

About to fall asleep like that, I suddenly remembered one thing and abruptly raised my head.

“Do you know about the medicine being circulated by the Yeoran family?”

“Are you talking about the one that’s supposed to cure all illnesses? I know of it.”

“Have you taken it by any chance?”

“I have no physical discomfort or mental distress, so there’s no need for me to take it, right?”

At those words, I let out a deep sigh. Healthy body, healthy mind. That’s good. I’m glad.

“You must never take it in the future.”

“It seems our baby isn’t going to explain the reason to her mother.”

Mom poked my cheek and said. At that, I realized I had been continuously ignoring her questions and felt a bit embarrassed.

“It’s not a good medicine. It makes you forget pain and shows pleasant hallucinations for the moment, but it’s highly addictive.”

At my straightforward explanation, her face hardened slightly.

“Are you certain?”

“I am quite sure. The effects that appear when taking the medicine and the distribution channels all seem to match my suspicions.”

“I see……”

Seeing Mom’s serious face as she answered, I had a brief ‘oops’ moment. I actually came to rest now, but somehow I ended up saying these things again. I leaned my head heavily against her again.

“So if you find a way to stop the distribution, please let me know.”

Perhaps my suddenly drained attitude was unexpected, as Mom asked with a puzzled look.

“Do you intend not to be involved in the resolution?”

“If there’s a better way without my involvement, shouldn’t we do that? Still, I’ll try to contribute my lacking wisdom for now.”

As always, no brilliant ideas to solve it right away came to mind this time either. I wondered how many would believe me if I suddenly said this is a drug…

Anyway, I really didn’t come to talk about this today. What do people usually talk about with their parents?

The only thing I heard from my friends during my school days was that they fought with their parents over career issues, so I don’t know what to say.

While thinking about a topic, I suddenly remembered what Heesa said earlier. Yehwa, Mom has a duty to produce an heir as the emperor.

So naturally, she will have a child, and there will be one more person in this palace who calls her mother.

‘No, is it just one person?’

Because I can’t even call her Mother in the first place. Although it’s not that awkward to call her Mom inwardly to the point where it’s not uncomfortable, it’s still awkward as a direct form of address.

But the child to be born won’t be like that. They will grow up being respected by everyone from birth, so they will be lovely enough to be loved by all.

It was almost an established rule that the eldest gets neglected when the second is born.

Moreover, I’m not Yehwa’s biological daughter. I know the interest will naturally be focused on that child who is the legitimate eldest, but…

“Your Majesty.”

“Hm?”

Still, I don’t really like the idea of affection being naturally distributed.

“Will I have a younger sibling too?”

At my slightly discouraged question, Mom pondered for a moment, then asked me again.

“Do you want one?”

The tone of that question was a bit strange, but it was typical to ask a child if they wanted a sibling.

“Not necessarily, but……”

You’ll have to give birth anyway. The swallowed words were bitter.

Although I received a title, I’m an adopted child who didn’t inherit the imperial bloodline, so naturally, she will have to give birth to a child. Even if I somehow seize the throne, I’m not cut out to be an empress either.

I felt embarrassed for asking the obvious and for being disappointed by it.

She’s not the type to refuse if I ask her to pass on the throne to me. Jumping to conclusions, thinking about it, and feeling disappointed on my own, what a sight.

I may not be able to understand, but it’s still disappointing, what can I do?

While I was brooding over the bitterness, Mom didn’t say anything. She seemed to be contemplating something.

“If you want, I will give birth for you.”

Those words left me speechless. Her tone was so calm, as if she was saying she would buy me a pretty ornament. And only then did I recall a fact I had forgotten. Ah. That’s right.

The emperor cannot love anyone. And that would be the same for their own children.

I, too, had pondered it for a long time, but I had somehow forgotten about it. Now my chest felt numb, so I raised my head and met Mom’s eyes. She tilted her head with a smile. The way she looked at me was affectionate.

She doesn’t even feel guilty saying something unethical. She can’t help it.

Yet Mom told me she loves me. Even though there was no need for her to do so.

Yeah, that’s enough. With that thought, I froze with a face that couldn’t laugh or cry. Very rarely, I see Mom’s inhuman side.

Things like the answers just now. I know it’s strange, but I’m not too happy about it.

It sounds like she answered yes to the question, “You love me the most, right?”

I can’t confirm why I became an exception or if Mom truly loves me. But I had already doubted that for a long time, and now I had no choice but to believe it.

My mom loves me. That’s enough. She’s my mom. It’s not like she goes around killing people, her humanity is just a bit lacking.

Having finished my thoughts, I buried my head in her embrace again. It seemed I still needed Mom’s love and attention at my age.

So I decided to put aside my worries about my unborn sibling for now.