CHAPTER~10
“……Who has arrived?”
Behind Empress Dowager Min, who repeated the question as if not understanding, the aged Grand Empress Dowager appeared.
“Am I not allowed to come somewhere I should?”
Startled, Empress Dowager Min bowed deeply to the Grand Empress Dowager.
“N-No, of course not, Mother.”
Su-ryeon was equally taken aback.
‘That’s strange. In the past, Grandmother never came… why now…?’
The Grand Empress Dowager Han, mother of the late emperor and mother-in-law to Empress Dowager Min, had long secluded herself in her quarters after losing her first son and daughter-in-law in an accident.
Though she was the highest elder in the inner palace with the greatest say, she had quietly remained uninvolved in royal affairs.
She even disliked having people enter her quarters, so this was Su-ryeon’s first encounter since giving birth.
“It is the occasion to select my first great-grandchild’s chief nanny. Naturally, I should attend as the great-grandmother. Now, let us begin.”
The interview coordinator, who had been glancing at Empress Dowager Min, bowed his head.
“Yes, understood.”
Then, as if to announce the start of the interviews, he called out loudly.
“We will now begin the interviews.”
The room, briefly noisy due to the Grand Empress Dowager’s appearance, fell silent.
Empress Dowager Min observed the candidates while waiting, uneasy at the unexpected presence of the elderly Grand Empress Dowager who had been confined to her quarters.
Not long after, three candidates dressed in ceremonial attire entered.
Palace staff did not wear hanbok daily as in the Joseon era, but it was customary to wear royal-provided hanbok for important appointments such as this.
The three candidates were greeted with proper respect by the staff.
Su-ryeon scanned their faces one by one, and her gaze fell on one person.
‘Jeong-ah……’
She looked even younger than the last time she saw her.
‘Well, she’s only twenty-five now.’
She was far too young to be responsible for raising the princess.
‘What on earth was the intention behind selecting Jeong-ah?’
If the goal was merely to place someone close to the princess, a more convincing candidate could have been chosen.
Perhaps there was another reason for Jeong-ah’s selection unknown to her, Su-ryeon pondered, lost in thought just as the interviews began.
Despite the unplanned appearance of the Grand Empress Dowager, the interviews were led by Empress Dowager Min.
The Grand Empress Dowager did not add any words, quietly observing instead.
“The royal kindergarten speaks very highly of Jeong-ah. The principal actively recommended her. She reportedly has excellent rapport with children. Does she have any special method?”
As expected, the other candidates were barely addressed, while Empress Dowager Min’s questions focused entirely on Jeong-ah.
Jeong-ah answered gracefully without hesitation, as if anticipating the questions in advance.
“Actually, there isn’t a particular secret. I wanted to be a teacher who always does her best rather than striving to be a perfect teacher.”
Her voice was confident.
“Above all, I can confidently say I have lived a life for children.”
“Then, what do you consider most important in taking care of children?”
“A teacher guides children in right and wrong, and leads them on the right path, which is my main duty. But more importantly, I believe it is ensuring children grow up safely and healthily.”
She clasped her hands over her chest.
“While doing so, I wanted to gift children not merely the presence of a teacher, but warm memories and happy recollections.”
Empress Dowager Min smiled, seemingly satisfied with Jeong-ah’s answer.
The Grand Empress Dowager also nodded slightly, appearing to approve of Jeong-ah’s words.
She had captured the attention of everyone except Su-ryeon.
But Su-ryeon’s gaze grew cold.
‘Ensuring children grow up safe and healthy?’
How could someone responsible for the princess nearly dying due to irresponsibility claim that?
Pretending innocence and sincerity, Jeong-ah’s face made Su-ryeon feel nauseated.
‘Yes, I was also captivated by her words before.’
Recalling how Jeong-ah’s eloquence had once charmed her, Su-ryeon smiled bitterly inside.
Then, Empress Dowager Min subtly addressed Su-ryeon and the Grand Empress Dowager.
“I think the interview is sufficient for now. Do you have any questions?”
Her expression relaxed, as if the outcome was already decided. The Grand Empress Dowager, unexpectedly calm, seemed relieved.
“If none, then we shall conclude the interviews…”
At that moment, Su-ryeon spoke up.
“Mother, may I ask Jeong-ah a question?”
“……It seems a natural question. Go ahead.”
Although somewhat reluctant, Empress Dowager Min nodded, unable to stop the empress.
“Jeong-ah’s answer was very impressive. She seems to have rare values for her young age, which I find interesting.”
Jeong-ah responded brightly.
“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty, Empress.”
“I have one question. Teachers must guide the children they care for on the right path, correct?”
Su-ryeon’s question was extremely important.
“If the princess were to see peers bullying others, what would you do?”
Jeong-ah thought briefly before answering.
“Young children sometimes bully those weaker than themselves. In such cases, I explain clearly why it’s wrong to bully weaker peers and discipline them accordingly.”
Her answer continued confidently.
“Although the princess is noble, no child in this world is inherently superior. So if the princess behaves incorrectly, I will instruct her firmly.”
It was a very textbook response. Su-ryeon nodded, as if agreeing.
“That’s correct. Even for a princess, bullying peers is unacceptable. However, I have heard something unusual…”
Su-ryeon paused, meeting Jeong-ah’s gaze.
“Do you know Seok Yeon-ji?”
The moment Su-ryeon spoke the name, Jeong-ah flinched slightly. Her momentary embarrassment did not escape Su-ryeon’s notice.
Yet Jeong-ah quickly shook her head and replied.
“……I’m not sure. I’ve never heard that name.”
“Really? It’s a unique name, hard to forget. You attended the same Jinseol High School, in the same class for three years.”
Jeong-ah began to show obvious signs of discomfort.
Eventually, she stammered.
“Ah, yes… I suppose so. It’s been a long time since graduation. We weren’t very close.”
“I understand. They say perpetrators often do not remember what they did.”
“Yes……?”
Feeling the awkward tension, Empress Dowager Min intervened.
“Empress. This is not a casual conversation. Shouldn’t we focus only on questions related to the chief nanny?”
“Mother, this is the most important question in selecting a chief nanny.”
“What does a school question have to do with a chief nanny?”
“It reveals character.”
As Empress Dowager Min frowned at Su-ryeon’s vague answer, Su-ryeon handed the materials she had brought to the Grand Empress Dowager.
“These are the details I received this morning about one of the chief nanny candidates. Very interesting.”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s expression darkened sharply upon seeing the papers.
She then handed them to Empress Dowager Min.
Empress Dowager Min’s face stiffened as she read them.
The documents contained diagnoses and petitions regarding school bullying Seok Yeon-ji had suffered during her school years.
“Candidate Jeong-ah allegedly bullied Seok Yeon-ji during school.”
