Chapter 6. This Can’t Be Real
At Eunhye’s sharp shout—“Do you want to die?”—the boy stared at his hand that had just been slapped away.
His eyes widened.
Did I just hear that wrong?
Just moments ago, this little girl had been sniffling like a drenched puppy…
And now she was asking him if he wanted to die?
Before he could process it, her fierce voice rang out again.
“You insolent boy! Unless you wish to die, how dare you touch me! Get on your knees and beg at once!”
The boy, who had been standing there with his mouth slightly open, frowned at the tiny girl glaring up at him.
No matter how young she was, this was beyond rude.
Do you want to die? Kneel and beg?
From her clothes, she seemed to be from a noble family, but her behavior was completely wild.
Suppressing his irritation, he spoke in a firm, composed tone.
“It is only natural that I do not know who you are, since we have just met. And it is not right for you to speak so rudely to someone who came to help you when you were in trouble.”
Instead of apologizing, he was lecturing her.
Eunhye’s nostrils flared.
She was already furious from what had happened with Gyeongbin, and now this boy appeared out of nowhere to make it worse.
She lifted her chin and shouted,
“Proper conduct? How dare you speak of such things when you don’t even know who I am! I am not someone you can treat so carelessly!”
The boy stared at her, stunned.
How could such a tiny girl be so fierce and arrogant?
Had she lost her mind?
He blinked, speechless.
The quiet palace path seemed to pause as the spring breeze hesitated between them.
After a moment, the boy let out a hollow laugh and looked up at the sky.
“…So this is why they say you shouldn’t help just anyone.”
“What did you say?”
Eunhye snapped back immediately.
The boy rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
“Let us stop this. I only tried to help because you looked lost and were crying after being scolded. But it seems you don’t need my help. We should go our separate ways.”
His tone sounded generous—but it only made Eunhye angrier.
“You insolent brat! Instead of kneeling and begging, what nonsense are you spouting? If you knew who I was—!”
“Ha! Enough!”
Now the boy was also losing his patience.
They glared at each other.
***
The boy’s name was Kim Ji-hoo.
He was the only son of Kim Gyo-hyeon, a high-ranking official—and Eunhye’s own teacher.
Today was Ji-hoo’s eleventh birthday, and he had come to the palace with his father.
Ji-hoo was known as a genius.
He had mastered basic texts at a very young age and was once considered for the Crown Prince’s study companion.
But due to his mother’s sudden death, he had missed that opportunity.
Now, five years later, he had returned to the palace.
Earlier, while waiting for his father, he had seen a little girl running wildly through the palace.
Thinking she would get into trouble, he followed her.
And now—
He deeply regretted it.
If only he had ignored her…
If only he hadn’t felt sorry seeing her scolded and crying…
He had even used his precious handkerchief—his mother’s keepsake—to wipe her face.
And yet—
Instead of gratitude, she treated him like a criminal.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
He straightened his expression and spoke coldly.
“You seem to be from a powerful family. But clearly, you have not been taught properly. It is wrong to speak like this just because of your family’s status.”
“…What?”
Eunhye looked up at him in disbelief.
“Do you really want to die?!”
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she continued,
“You ignore your own rudeness and dare speak of right and wrong? I will ask you again—who are you, wandering alone in the palace like this?”
Ji-hoo frowned deeply.
“…This is getting ridiculous.”
Why had he even bothered?
He spoke slowly and clearly.
“You called me rude? You, who have been speaking down to me the entire time? Tell me—just how great is your family, that you behave like this?”
Eunhye’s eyes flared with anger.
“If you knew who I was, you might lose your life!”
What?
Ji-hoo’s face flushed red as he clenched the damp handkerchief in his hand.
“There is no need for me to reveal who I am. But if I do, then you must reveal your identity as well.”
“Fine. Go ahead and say it.”
Just as he was about to speak—
Eunhye suddenly raised her hand.
“Wait! Before that—I have something to ask. That handkerchief. Where did you get it?”
“…What?”
Ji-hoo stared at her.
“Did you just say ‘ask’…? No—question me?”
Unfazed, Eunhye lifted her chin.
“Did you not hear me? I will ask again. Where did you get that handkerchief?”
Ji-hoo was stunned.
This tiny girl…
Her face scratched, her skirt smelling of fish—yet her attitude was overwhelming.
Eunhye continued firmly,
“It is embroidered with red and yellow thread. Where did it come from?”
At that—
Ji-hoo’s anger flared.
That handkerchief was his mother’s keepsake—something deeply precious to him.
And she called it inauspicious?
Without even a word of thanks?
His voice turned cold.
“No matter how young you are, your behavior shows poor upbringing. I no longer wish to know who your parents are. And I would rather not lower myself by arguing with someone who lacks manners. Let us go our separate ways.”
He turned sharply to leave.
He didn’t want to deal with her anymore.
But—
“Hey! How dare you turn your back on me! And how dare you speak of my parents without knowing who I am!”
Ji-hoo stopped and turned back angrily.
This little girl was glaring at him, fists clenched, eyes blazing.
“…Unbelievable.”
Then, with a mocking smile, he said,
“What is this now? ‘Insolence’? Who do you think you are? Are you some princess of the palace?”
The moment he said it—
Eunhye’s expression froze.
Ji-hoo felt a chill run down his spine.
No…
There’s no way…
There was no way this reckless little girl could be a princess.
What kind of princess ran around alone and got scolded like that?
And yet—
She said nothing.
Just bit her lip.
Ji-hoo’s unease grew.
Then—
From afar, a voice called out.
“Ji-hoo! What are you doing over there?!”
Eunhye turned her head.
“…Teacher?”
It was Kim Gyo-hyeon.
Her teacher.
Ji-hoo also froze.
“…Huh?!”
Eunhye tilted her head, then smirked slightly.
“So—you’re the son of Inspector Kim Gyo-hyeon?”
She spoke his father’s name so casually.
Ji-hoo’s head turned stiffly.
No…
This can’t be real…
It must not be real…
