Chapter 07
“…Urgh
The palanquin shook unusually hard.
Soa, who normally did not suffer from motion sickness, had to struggle to calm her churning stomach.
If only she could open the small window attached to the palanquin.
But the cloth wrapped tightly around it blocked out even the faintest light, leaving everything in darkness.
“Where on earth are we going…”
Going without her father already made her uneasy, and at this rate, she might disgrace herself before even meeting the queen.
In the end, she gently shook the small bell attached to the palanquin.
The palanquin slowed to a stop, and she sensed someone outside.
“What is the matter?”
“Um, could you go just a little more slowly…”
“We are already far behind schedule.”
The reply was extremely cold.
It even seemed faintly hostile.
“…All right.”
Yes. This must be part of the test.
That was probably why they were treating her so indifferently.
Even knowing that didn’t make it any less uncomfortable.
The palanquin began moving again.
Soa closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Calm down. Breathe.
Calm your shaking heart as well.
She was Yeonwoo’s mother.
No one knew better than Soa how heavily Yeonwoo bore the title of Crown Prince, how much he endured.
So it was only natural that his mother would want to test whether Soa was worthy of standing beside him.
“We’ve arrived.”
After much discomfort, they reached a quiet courtyard.
The pond in front of it was beautiful, yet it gave off an eerie presence. The moment she saw it, Soa recalled the rumors circulating within the palace.
There is a spirit living there.
She didn’t know how many spirits there were, but there was definitely something.
Her head spun briefly from the energy, but then she spotted the queen waiting in a small pavilion behind the courtyard.
The queen wore a veil that partially covered her eyes, making her expression appear even colder.
“I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Soa bowed deeply.
The queen acknowledged her greeting with a nod and gestured for her to sit.
Once Soa sat with her knees neatly together, refreshments were set before her.
As expected, the nausea she had been holding back surged again.
Quietly hiding her hand between the folds of her skirt, Soa clenched her collar tightly.
A faint pain spread through her pale fingertips.
“Was the journey difficult?”
“No. Thanks to the palanquin you provided, I arrived comfortably. I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”
“That is good.”
The Queen gave away nothing.
They had met a few times before, but this was their first private meeting.
Her seemingly gentle gaze slowly swept over Soa.
Soa sat composed and tidy, her expression calm and unruffled.
“…By His Majesty’s great grace, the court is stable and the nation prospers. But behind that, many things happen.”
“……”
“I, too, have experienced many things since entering the palace. And in doing so, one accumulates burdens that cannot be spoken of to anyone.”
The queen gestured toward the tea.
Though worried the drink might upset her stomach, Soa sensed what the queen was about to say and gathered her courage, reaching for the cup.
A reddish hue from the tea leaves spread through the water.
It resembled the color of the flower petals she had brought back that night.
“Did you see the pond ahead?”
“…Yes, I did.”
“This place is reserved for me alone. His Majesty prepared it for me when I suffered from homesickness after leaving my distant homeland. That is why entry by others is strictly forbidden.”
Then why call me here?
Soa hid her unease and brought the teacup to her lips.
She took a small sip.
A sharp, tingling heat burst across her tongue.
She flinched slightly, and the queen did not miss the movement.
“Does the tea not suit your taste?”
“N-no. It is simply a tea I have never tasted before. It must be quite rare. The fragrance is very deep. I am honored.”
Soa answered properly, just as she had been taught.
Seemingly pleased, the queen smiled faintly, then continued.
“That is good. You truly have discerning taste.”
“You flatter me.”
“You are now a fine young lady, but I still remember our first meeting clearly. Those tiny hands gripping a brush so firmly. Even then, I thought you would grow into a clever child. Sitting here with you again after all these years, I am reminded of that. Those bright, alert eyes are still shining. Perhaps…”
As Soa listened attentively, sitting straight-backed, her vision suddenly blurred.
She tried to hide her panic, but her stomach began to churn slowly, and a sensation unlike her earlier nausea washed over her.
Her heart started pounding unevenly.
The bird embroidery on the Queen’s robe seemed to flutter and fly away—
“…”
Soa’s body tilted sideways.
.
.
.
“Move her quietly.”
The queen spoke as she looked down at Soa’s collapsed form.
Her expression was nothing like the one she had shown earlier.
Her cold eyes swept over Soa’s unconscious body.
“Yes.”
At her command, the waiting guard immediately hoisted Soa onto his shoulder like a sack of goods.
There was no trace of respect for a noble young lady in the gesture.
It was something that could never be done by someone who understood propriety.
Leaving the pavilion, they moved swiftly toward somewhere unseen.
“Your Majesty!”
At that moment, someone called out urgently from behind.
The queen turned to see her attending court lady running toward her, breathing hard as she bowed deeply.
Despite the queen’s sharp look demanding an explanation, the court lady hesitated before speaking.
“He—he is coming this way.”
“What? Who?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince…”
The court lady trailed off.
The queen and the guard exchanged looks.
Yeonwoo knew nothing of this secret meeting.
No matter how dutiful a son he was, he would not stay silent if he learned his mother had done this to someone precious to him.
“Move her at once.”
The queen issued the order without hesitation.
The guard bowed briefly and moved like the wind in the direction he had been heading.
The queen turned back, ordered the court lady to clear away the refreshments in the pavilion, adjusted her garments, and stepped forward.
In the distance, Yeonwoo entered the courtyard.
“What brings you here?”
“I pay my respects to Mother.”
After greeting her properly, Yeonwoo’s gaze shifted past her.
Like the surface of the pond behind her, his eyes were dark and unreadable.
“I asked why you are here.”
“There is something I wish to say to you, Mother.”
“Let us move elsewhere.”
“I have heard that this place was prepared by Father for you, Mother. And that no one may enter without permission.”
“…That is true.”
“Were you happy here in the palace, Mother?”
“What?”
The queen raised her voice slightly, startled by the unexpected question.
Yeonwoo observed her quietly, then bowed his head and spoke again.
“Have you ever regretted being here?”
“Why would you suddenly ask such a thing?”
A tightness rose in her chest.
He had always been a gentle, proper son, raised strictly so he could inherit the throne without trouble.
If Yeonwoo was asking this now, he must know something.
Just as the Queen was about to speak again—
Thud.
A heavy sound echoed from afar.
Then came a scream.
“What was that?”
Yeonwoo immediately began walking toward the sound.
The queen knew.
The guard carrying Soa, headed toward the physician she had arranged, had gone in that direction.
“Wait—it’s dangerous.”
“Please remain here, Mother. I will check.”
“Yeonwoo!”
This could not happen.
The plan was on the verge of collapse.
She reached out to grab his sleeve, but Yeonwoo was faster.
He strode behind the pavilion and soon found a guard lying on the ground.
“What happened? You were one of Mother’s—”
“I just… fell.”
The guard’s neck was bright red.
Blood had even gathered beneath his nose.
It was clearly the result of an attack.
The queen scanned the area, but Soa was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, only Soa’s red hair ribbon lay on the dusty ground.
“This is…”
Yeonwoo’s gaze fixed on the ribbon.
