Chapter 9. I’m Here—My Secret Place
“Speak. Where did you hear that, and from whom?!”
At the Grand Queen Dowager’s sharp, cutting voice, her nephew squeezed his eyes shut while still lying flat on the floor.
“Did I not tell you to answer?!”
Bang!
She even slammed the tea table in anger.
Trembling, his wife spoke in a tiny voice,
“I… I only thought… perhaps we could be of help to the Princess…”
“What? You? Help my princess?”
This is bad.
The nephew clenched his teeth at his wife’s careless words.
She had already gone pale, pressing her forehead to the floor.
“Your Majesty, we have committed a grave offense. Please forgive my wife.”
Silence.
Then—
A cold voice fell from above.
“No matter that you are my nephew, speaking carelessly about the royal family’s condition is a crime close to treason. Do not forget that.”
“We will remember it deeply.”
“And no matter what you hear—no matter what rumors—those who serve as the sword and shield of the Crown Prince and Princess must never be swayed. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After a moment, the Grand Queen Dowager calmly lifted her teacup.
The sound echoed loudly in the silent room.
“Remember this. You are my people. You are the shield and spear of my descendants—the rightful royal line, not those who covet the throne.”
“We will serve the Crown Prince and Princess with loyalty!”
After they left—
The Grand Queen Dowager sat alone in the pavilion by the pond and sighed deeply.
“My dear child…”
She remembered Eunhye.
That tiny, soft baby who used to run into her arms…
Now suffering from such a cruel condition.
Thinking of her granddaughter’s frightened eyes from that morning, she closed her eyes heavily.
Then—
A court lady rushed in and whispered urgently.
Another attendant quickly approached and bowed.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“…It is about the Princess.”
“Speak.”
“The Princess… on her way to the Eastern Palace… encountered Lady Gyeongbin…”
At the mention of Gyeongbin, the Grand Queen Dowager’s eyes sharpened.
“And?”
“It seems… Lady Gyeongbin showed her something, and the Princess was startled, fell, and began to cry…”
“What?!”
The Grand Queen Dowager stood up in fury.
“A mere concubine dares frighten the royal princess to tears?!”
Her eyes burned with rage.
“And where is the Princess now?!”
“She… was comforted by a young boy passing by, spoke with him briefly, and then ran alone to the Eastern Palace…”
The Grand Queen Dowager stared in disbelief.
“A boy? In the palace? What nonsense is this?!”
All the attendants fell flat to the ground in fear.
“Speak clearly! Who is this boy? What happened exactly?”
A trembling court lady explained,
“He appeared to be around the Crown Prince’s age… and was seen comforting the Princess…”
“…Strange.”
Then—
“He was recognized by Inspector Kim Gyo-hyeon.”
“The Inspector?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Grand Queen Dowager frowned deeply.
“The one teaching the Princess?”
“Yes.”
“…How peculiar.”
She stepped down from the pavilion, supported by an attendant.
“Send for Gyeongbin at once!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“And summon Inspector Kim to my residence this afternoon!”
“Yes!”
Her anger burned fiercely.
“I will not let that insolent woman go unpunished today!”
* * *
Meanwhile—
Inside the Crown Prince’s library, sunlight streamed through a high window, making even the dust glow softly.
A small door creaked open.
A tiny head peeked in.
It was Eunhye.
She had finally arrived after everything that happened.
Unaware of the chaos she had caused in the palace, she blinked into the dim library.
“…No one’s here, right?”
She stepped inside carefully.
The door closed behind her with a soft sound.
The calm scent of wood and old books surrounded her.
Ghosts in scholar robes stood quietly reading.
They glanced at her—
Then returned to their books.
That was why she liked this place.
Unlike other ghosts, these ones didn’t bother her.
Quietly, she walked deeper inside, careful not to make noise.
If anyone found out she was here alone, it would cause trouble again.
***
She remembered the first time she came here.
She had been terrified at first—
But then realized the ghosts ignored her.
For the first time, she felt safe.
Since then, this place had become her refuge.
Her brother had even arranged for a secret side door so she could come freely.
Step… step…
Her wet skirt clung to her legs, but she kept walking.
The ghosts watched briefly, then went back to reading.
Finally—
She reached a quiet corner filled with old books.
She stepped into a hidden space beside a large bookshelf.
Then she looked up—
And smiled softly.
“I’m here… my secret place.”
