Chapter 7. We’ll See About That
Ji-hoo stood frozen between his father rushing toward him and the little girl in front of him.
His eyes shook uncontrollably.
“Hm… you don’t look anything like the Inspector.”
Eunhye spoke teasingly, as if she had finally gained the upper hand.
Ji-hoo’s face turned red all the way to his ears.
“Y-you… no, Y-Your Highness… are you really the Princess?”
He stammered, unsure whether to kneel or stand.
Eunhye smiled with narrowed eyes and tilted her head.
“You said your name was Ji-hoo, right? Where did all that confidence from earlier go? Are you still curious who my father is?”
“Gasp…! Y-Your Highness!”
Ji-hoo’s face turned pale, and he immediately threw himself to the ground.
Eunhye glanced at Kim Gyo-hyeon rushing over and frowned slightly.
She had already wasted too much time because of Gyeongbin—and now this boy.
If she ran into her teacher too, she would definitely be sent back to her palace.
Looking at Ji-hoo still lying on the ground, she spoke.
“Listen.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Ji-hoo answered quickly, now completely frightened.
Eunhye’s lips curled slightly upward.
“I am busy right now, so I will let this pass. But even if you are my teacher’s son, I will remember your insolence. Do you understand?”
“Ah…!”
Ji-hoo’s eyes shook wildly.
“And I asked you before—the handkerchief. It seems very precious, so do not use it carelessly like you did earlier. Keep it safe. Understood? I must go now.”
After saying her piece, Eunhye shot him a sharp glare.
Ji-hoo flinched and lowered his gaze again.
“Hmph! You should consider yourself lucky today!”
With a snort, Eunhye turned and ran toward the Eastern Palace.
Tap, tap, tap—
Her small footsteps echoed as she ran.
Ji-hoo slowly lifted his head, dazed.
What… have I done?
He should have thought more carefully.
Who else but a princess could run freely through the palace like that?
He stared at the fading red skirt, looking as if he might cry.
Then—
A pair of dusty shoes appeared before him.
“Ji-hoo!”
His father had clearly rushed over, his clothes slightly dirtied.
Kim Gyo-hyeon looked between his son lying on the ground and the princess running away.
“What in the world… what is going on here? Get up at once!”
At his father’s stern voice, Ji-hoo shakily stood up.
“…Was that not the Princess just now? What happened?”
Ji-hoo answered with unfocused eyes.
“I… I do not know either, Father. I do not even understand what just happened…”
“I told you to stay where you were. Why did you come all the way here? And how did you encounter the Princess?”
Kim Gyo-hyeon sighed.
He had trusted his son completely.
But perhaps… a child was still a child.
Looking toward the distant princess, he sighed again.
Has her condition worsened again? The palace must be in chaos.
Then—
Ji-hoo, with tears in his eyes, spoke in a trembling voice.
“Father… what should I do now?”
Kim Gyo-hyeon turned to him in surprise.
His usually calm and mature son looked on the verge of tears.
He gently held Ji-hoo’s shoulders.
“It is alright. Whatever happened, we will talk about it once we return home.”
Ji-hoo nodded, then looked toward where Eunhye had disappeared.
Where was she going in such a hurry?
Even with her short legs, she ran incredibly fast.
“I will remember your insolence!”
“Hmph! You should consider yourself lucky!”
Her voice echoed in his head.
Ji-hoo let out a deep sigh.
And then—
Another voice followed.
“Do you want to die?!”
Ah…
I’m really doomed.
Not only had he spoken rudely to the princess—
He had held her hand and even wiped her face.
What would happen to him now?
Could his entire family be punished because of him?
Ji-hoo looked down at the handkerchief still clutched in his hand.
It was his mother’s keepsake.
The princess had shown interest in it.
If I offer this to her… would she forgive me?
“That handkerchief… seems very precious. Do not use it carelessly. Keep it safe.”
Her words echoed again.
Ji-hoo looked at his father and spoke carefully.
“Father… the Princess seemed to like this handkerchief very much…”
Kim Gyo-hyeon looked at him deeply.
His late wife…
Once a divine priestess.
She had given up everything for their child.
Before she died, she had created that handkerchief with her remaining power.
It was not just an object—
It was a charm meant to protect Ji-hoo.
And now…
His son was holding it out like this.
What had happened between him and the princess?
Kim Gyo-hyeon sighed heavily.
And another thought crossed his mind—
Could the princess’s condition… be something similar to his son’s?
Lost in their own thoughts, the father and son quietly left the palace.
* * *
Meanwhile, Eunhye ran along a shortcut rarely used by palace servants.
When she finally saw the Crown Prince’s library ahead, she stopped, breathing heavily.
“I finally made it…”
She had wasted too much time because of Gyeongbin and Ji-hoo.
Nanny probably hasn’t noticed I’m gone yet…
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and sniffed.
There was still a faint scent on her nose—
From that handkerchief.
…I want it.
Even though that rude boy had grabbed her face—
That handkerchief was special.
Its gentle scent…
Its calm, warm energy…
She remembered how it felt.
“I really want it…”
It felt like ghosts wouldn’t be as scary if she had it.
She glanced back in the direction Ji-hoo had been.
“Since Teacher is his father… maybe I can get one too?”
Looking at her hand, she clenched her fist.
Just wait, Kim Ji-hoo.
I will definitely get that handkerchief from you.
With her resolve set, Eunhye lifted her soaked skirt and started running again toward the library.
First, I need to get inside.
Then I’ll figure out what to do about Gyeongbin…
…and that boy.
Oh—and that maid with the ghost too.
There was no way she could keep someone like that in her palace.
