CHAPTER 4
2003 Words
AROUND THE COURTYARD
Not far from the training grounds, Lady Ju Young was taking a leisurely walk through the palace courtyard with her personal maid.
The morning was quiet, with only the soft rustling of the trees breaking the silence.
Ju Young suddenly slowed down.
Her gaze fell on two familiar figures near the training grounds.
The Crown Prince.
And Hye-in.
She watched them for a moment.
“Isn't that His Royal Highness?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Ju Young's eyes remained fixed on them.
“And the maid is with him?”
“Yes.”
Her expression tightened slightly.
“They seem quite comfortable around each other.”
Her maid glanced at her but said nothing.
Ju Young took a breath before continuing toward them.
---
“Your betrothed is coming,” Hye-in quietly told Seo Jun.
Seo Jun turned in the direction she was looking.
Ju Young approached with her maid.
“Greetings, Lady Ju Young.”
Ju Young bowed politely.
“Greetings, Your Royal Highness. I was taking a walk through the courtyard and happened to see you here. I thought I should come and pay my respects.”
Seo Jun nodded.
“Thank you. I was only finishing my morning practice.”
Before Ju Young could respond, a royal guard approached and bowed.
“Your Royal Highness, His Majesty has summoned you.”
Seo Jun's expression became serious.
“Very well. I'll go immediately.”
He turned to Hye-in.
“Hye-in, please return Whisper to the stables.”
Hye-in looked at the horse, then back at Seo Jun.
“Your Royal Highness… I don't know how to ride.”
“You don't need to ride him,” Seo Jun replied calmly. “Just lead him back to the stables.”
“Oh.”
Hye-in nodded.
“I understand.”
Seo Jun gave a brief nod before turning to the guard.
“Let's go.”
He followed the guard away.
Hye-in watched him leave before looking down at the reins in her hand.
Behind her, Ju Young spoke.
“You don't know how to ride?”
Hye-in turned.
“No, my lady.”
Ju Young glanced at Whisper.
“I see.”
There was a slight pause.
“Then I suppose you have your work cut out for you.”
Hye-in wasn't sure whether that was meant as an insult.
“I'll manage, my lady.”
Ju Young gave her a faint smile.
“Good.”
She turned toward her maid.
“We should continue our walk.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Ju Young walked away without another word.
Hye-in waited until they were a reasonable distance away before letting out a quiet sigh.
She looked at Whisper.
“Well… that could have gone better.”
Whisper stared back at her.
Hye-in tilted her head.
“What?”
The horse remained completely still.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Don't tell me you're judging me too.”
Whisper suddenly neighed.
Hye-in sighed.
“Fine. I understand.”
She gently tugged the reins.
“Come on. Let's get you back to the stables before I embarrass myself any further.”
She began walking.
After a few steps, however, she glanced back toward the direction Seo Jun had gone.
LATER THAT NIGHT — CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS
Hye-in had been grinding the inkstone for what seemed like hours.
Her wrist ached, and her eyes were beginning to feel heavy. A faint smear of ink had found its way onto her cheek.
Across the room, Seo Jun sat at the writing table, carefully copying the documents His Majesty had given him.
Whenever he made a mistake, he discarded the sheet and started again.
Several crumpled papers already lay scattered around his feet.
Hye-in glanced at them before quietly returning her attention to the inkstone.
After a while, she gathered enough courage to speak.
“Your Royal Highness?”
Seo Jun continued writing.
“Yes?”
“May I ask how much longer the transcription will take?”
His brush paused.
“You're tired?”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
Seo Jun looked at her.
“You may rest for a moment.”
Hye-in looked relieved.
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”
She placed the inkstone down and gently rubbed her wrist.
A few moments later, Seo Jun spoke again.
“Five minutes.”
Hye-in nodded.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
She sat quietly.
After five minutes, Seo Jun looked up.
“Continue.”
Hye-in immediately returned to the inkstone.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
The room fell silent again.
Eventually, the rhythmic grinding became slower.
Then slower.
Hye-in's eyes closed.
Her head lowered.
Thud.
Seo Jun looked up.
Hye-in had fallen asleep against the table.
He stared at her for several seconds.
Then sighed.
“She truly has no sense of timing.”
He returned to his writing.
When he finally finished, he placed the brush down and gathered the completed pages.
His gaze shifted toward Hye-in.
Ink was still smeared across her cheek.
Seo Jun frowned slightly.
He took a clean cloth and carefully wiped the mark away.
His hand paused for a moment.
He immediately withdrew it.
“She should have cleaned that herself.”
He gathered the remaining papers and looked at the sleeping maid.
Leaving her there would hardly be appropriate.
With a quiet sigh, he took a spare blanket and placed it over her shoulders.
“Just for tonight.”
He returned to his bed.
“Do not make this a habit.”
---
THE NEXT MORNING
Hye-in slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, she didn't recognize the room.
Then she sat upright.
Her eyes widened.
“The Crown Prince's quarters…”
She looked around in confusion.
“How did I—?”
Voices suddenly sounded outside.
Hye-in froze.
The door opened.
Several palace maids entered carrying cleaning supplies.
She immediately lowered herself beneath the blanket, hoping they would leave without noticing her.
One of the maids glanced toward the bed.
“His Royal Highness is sleeping.”
Another maid frowned.
“But I saw him leave earlier this morning.”
They looked at one another.
“Then who is there?”
Hye-in held her breath.
One of the maids stepped closer.
“Perhaps we should—”
The door suddenly opened.
Seo Jun entered.
Every maid immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Your Royal Highness.”
Seo Jun's expression hardened.
“What are you doing here?”
“We came to clean the quarters, Your Royal Highness.”
“You were not summoned.”
The maids lowered their heads.
“We apologize.”
“Leave.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
They hurried out.
Once the door closed, Seo Jun looked toward the bed.
Hye-in slowly emerged from beneath the blanket.
She immediately bowed.
“Your Royal Highness, I sincerely apologize.”
Seo Jun stared at her.
“Explain.”
“I fell asleep last night while assisting you with the transcription.”
“And instead of returning to your quarters?”
“I didn't realize I had fallen asleep.”
Seo Jun sighed.
“You should have been more careful.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
He walked toward the table.
“I had to deliver the transcription to His Majesty this morning.”
“I understand.”
Seo Jun looked at her.
“From now on, if you're too tired to continue your duties, inform me.”
Hye-in bowed.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“Now return to the maids' quarters.”
“Yes.”
She hesitated.
Then bowed again.
“Thank you for allowing me to rest here last night.”
Seo Jun's expression remained stern.
“It was simply the proper thing to do.”
Hye-in nodded.
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”
She left.
Seo Jun watched the door close.
He shook his head.
“She is troublesome.”
---
HOURS LATER — ROYAL KITCHEN
Hye-in entered the royal kitchen and found So Hee preparing vegetables.
So Hee looked up.
“You look exhausted.”
Hye-in sighed.
“I barely slept.”
“Why?”
“I had to assist His Royal Highness with a transcription last night.”
So Hee raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
“I fell asleep.”
So Hee laughed.
“You fell asleep while working for the Crown Prince?”
Hye-in covered her face.
“Unfortunately.”
So Hee laughed even harder.
Hye-in frowned.
“It isn't funny.”
“It is.”
Hye-in sighed.
“Being his personal maid is far more difficult than I expected.”
“So you finally understand.”
“I do.”
She rubbed her eyes.
“I think I need a few days of rest.”
So Hee smiled.
“You should tell His Royal Highness that.”
Hye-in gave her a doubtful look.
“I value my life.”
So Hee burst out laughing.
---
LATER THAT NIGHT — CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS
Seo Jun sat at his desk reading when the door opened.
Hye-in entered and immediately bowed.
“Your Royal Highness.”
Seo Jun lowered his book.
“What is it?”
“May I speak with you?”
“You may.”
Hye-in approached carefully.
“There is a moon festival taking place in the market tonight.”
Seo Jun's expression remained unchanged.
“And?”
“I was wondering if…”
She hesitated.
“If what?”
“Would Your Royal Highness consider accompanying me?”
Seo Jun slowly closed his book.
“Accompany you where?”
“To the festival.”
Silence.
Seo Jun's expression became stern.
“You are asking the Crown Prince to leave the palace without permission?”
Hye-in immediately lowered her head.
“I apologize for speaking so boldly. I did not mean to overstep my position.”
Seo Jun studied her.
“Then why did you ask?”
“I thought Your Royal Highness might enjoy seeing the festival.”
His expression softened only slightly, but his voice remained firm.
“You should know that I cannot simply leave the palace whenever I wish.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“And there are guards, court officials, and servants who would notice my absence.”
“I understand.”
“So the answer is no.”
Hye-in bowed.
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”
She turned to leave.
Seo Jun watched her take two steps.
Then he spoke.
“Wait.”
Hye-in turned around.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness?”
“You said there was a festival.”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“There's music, lanterns, food stalls, performances…”
Seo Jun considered this.
Then he stood.
“We will go.”
Hye-in's eyes widened.
“Your Royal Highness?”
“We will go,” he repeated. “But under my conditions.”
She immediately bowed.
“Of course.”
“You will remain beside me.”
“Yes.”
“You will not wander away.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“You will not speak carelessly to strangers.”
“Yes.”
“And the moment I decide it is time to return, we leave.”
“Understood.”
Seo Jun picked up his outer robe.
“We will disguise ourselves as ordinary citizens. No one must know who I am.”
Hye-in smiled.
“I understand, Your Royal Highness.”
Seo Jun gave her a warning look.
“And Hye-in.”
“Yes?”
“If this causes trouble…”
He paused.
“You will answer for it.”
Her smile disappeared slightly.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
He turned toward the door.
“Go and prepare.”
Hye-in bowed deeply.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
As she hurried away, Seo Jun watched her for a moment.
He had a feeling he was making a mistake.
But for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he had agreed probably deep down he was also curious to experience what the festival looks like
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