Chapter – 27
The Blank Space Tells You Everything
A psychological drawing test. Through nine drawings, I could assess the client’s state.
If you had the interpretation sheet, it was a test you could easily do at home.
To that extent, it was a popular test.
The corner of Amang’s mouth rose as she carefully examined the nine symbols placed on the blank space.
‘Got the answer!’
To identify His Majesty’s self-defensive issues, I had completed three tests so far.
I had already gotten results, but explaining them was burdensome.
Moreover, it was nothing more than speculation.
But now it was different.
This test would drive the final nail into Amang’s speculation.
‘Goodbye to this nerve-wracking consultation.’
Amang winked at Nan, who was standing anxiously behind her. It meant, “Don’t worry, trust me for once.”
Ironically, seeing that, Nan’s complexion turned even paler.
This must be just my feeling, right?
“Ahem. Your Majesty, are you ready?”
“Proceed.”
“First, I will explain the sun and the moon.”
Amang pointed to the sun and moon drawn at the edge of the paper.
“The sun represents oneself, the moon represents others. The sun in the picture is very large and at the very edge of the paper. The moon, on the other hand, is slightly below the sun. This means the sun has greater power than the moon.”
Naturally. The other party is the Emperor.
‘The sun is the Emperor, the moon would be the concubines, I suppose.’
For a moment, the concubines who had briefly passed by Amang came to mind.
The Empress, Hwajeongbi, Yeolbin, Lady So…
“Above all, the fact that the moon is smaller than the sun indicates the sun’s powerful authority.”
“Pleasant to hear. Continue.”
“The mountain represents personality.”
“Personality, you say.”
The explanation of the sun and moon was safely completed. Now it was time to explain the mountain below them.
The sharper the mountain, the more sharp and sensitive the personality; the rounder, the more amiable.
The problem was that this was the personality as seen by others.
Naturally, the mountain drawn by His Majesty was so sharp it looked like it would bleed profusely if poked.
‘If I say others see your personality as terrible…’
That bodyguard will draw his sword.
‘What do I do?’
What about glossing over it with a lie for the sake of smooth social interaction?
For example, “Your Majesty’s personality is wonderful!” or something like that.
‘But that’s fraud!’
No one here would admit that His Majesty has a good personality.
Ah, except for that bodyguard over there.
‘That person probably has some strange convictions.’
I wondered what kind of backstory he had.
As silence lengthened while I was trying to sift through for the best answer.
“Why is there no answer?”
“Huh?”
“Were you perhaps making up everything you’ve said so far?”
Don’t you trust people?
His Majesty seemed to have lost interest and looked bored.
Look at those eyes filled with distrust!
“Of course not.”
“Then answer.”
“I, I have a concern.”
“What is it?”
“What if you cut off my head because you don’t like my answer!”
Amang pointed her finger at the person in question.
The bodyguard standing next to His Majesty.
“Wh-what nonsense…!”
“Didn’t you promise this girl? That you would leave threatening objects behind!”
“!”
“Then why does this person have a sword at his waist?!”
Gotcha, you.
The bodyguard hurriedly hid the sword behind his back.
“Th-this is for His Majesty’s safety!”
“Discard it.”
“But Your Majesty.”
“Did you not hear my words?”
“Y-yes, I obey.”
The bodyguard obediently did as His Majesty said.
Only then did Amang’s cowed face brighten up completely.
“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty!”
“Good, so stop pretending to be cute.”
“Am I not cute at all?”
“That’s right.”
“Yes.”
His Majesty still seemed startled whenever Amang showed even the slightest sign of acting cute.
The bodyguard, who had gone outside the Yeoneung Palace to discard the sword, glared at Amang for a split second.
‘Shame.’
If only His Majesty had seen this incredible sight!
Anyway, thanks to blaming the bodyguard and buying time, a proper answer came to mind.
Speak truthfully, but mix in social skills to make it seem plausible!
“The mountain peaks in the picture are very sharp. This means they are difficult to climb, indicating that others see you as an extraordinary being who is hard to approach.”
Of course, it’s because the personality is terrible, but.
“I see.”
“!”
“Quite accurate.”
Fortunately, His Majesty didn’t seem suspicious.
With a relieved heart, Amang continued her interpretation smoothly.
The road and tree represent career path and human relationships.
Fitting for the position of Emperor, His Majesty drew the road flatly.
In short, it means he has no concerns about his career path.
The funny part was the way he drew the tree.
‘You’re really showing you have no friends.’
True to someone with a negative view of social relationships, His Majesty’s tree was tiny and pitiful. The number of trees was just one.
‘Does he count the bodyguard as a friend?’
Well, they are that close, so let’s count him as a friend.
Amang internally showed her magnanimous side.
Next, the well. This signifies money.
‘Hmm – meaningless.’
With this vast imperial palace all belonging to the Emperor, does this have any meaning? Indeed, His Majesty also seems to have no greed for money, drawing the well very small.
“Why are you skipping over it so quickly?”
“Huh?”
“Do you not want to do the consultation?”
He guessed right again.
“How could that be! This is precious time spent with Your Majesty!”
Yes, you’re right. Amang really doesn’t want to do this right now.
“The reason I skipped quickly is because it’s not important. Your Majesty has no worries about the future or about money, do you! Aren’t you the father of all, ruling Haewol Kingdom!”
“That makes sense.”
Barely got past that one.
Even though it’s just an interpretation-based consultation, my heart was riding a rollercoaster and wouldn’t calm down at all.
“Next are the house and person.”
“It’s getting boring.”
“…I’ll be quick.”
What exactly does he want me to match?
If I skip quickly, he says I’m being careless; if I try to do it properly, he scolds me for being boring.
‘Why is his heart so fickle?!’
Making me sway this way and that!
Amang barely suppressed her boiling anger.
‘Once today is over, I won’t see him.’
Then the truly enjoyable imperial palace life will begin.
“The house signifies the family environment. If it’s large or lavish, it means high self-esteem. The house Your Majesty drew is small and pitiful. There are no windows, so it’s more like a prison than a house.”
“What did you say?”
“How could that be. I am just speaking as I see it. All the answers are within this picture.”
“From what I see, nothing is visible.”
Instead of just listening quietly, he had to provoke like this.
It even seemed like he was satisfying his own mean desires by provoking.
‘Look at that smiling face.’
He was beaming, to the point his mouth might tear.
“I can see it.”
“Oh?”
“Your Majesty is very stuffy! and closed off. That’s why you recklessly swung a sword during the lecture and even held it to this girl’s neck! How painful that wound was!”
Simultaneously, the atmosphere turned cold.
Amang was huffing and puffing before finally noticing the mood.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Watching this scene, Nan anxiously shifted her feet.
Amang, who had been rolling her eyes, met His Majesty’s crimson gaze.
“Haha! Indeed, Amang has accurately grasped it.”
Fortunately, His Majesty laughed it off. The feared incident did not occur.
Worries were just worries.
“The person next to this signifies self-esteem. Judging by how large it is drawn, it seems Your Majesty has fairly high self-esteem, correct?”
“Being the Emperor, it would be difficult to dislike oneself, I suppose.”
After that, the conversation flowed smoothly. The heavy atmosphere quickly lightened, becoming quite breezy.
The 8th symbol, the person, was completed.
Now only one final symbol remained.
The snake.
“Before explaining, I’d like to ask why you drew the snake here.”
“Isn’t a snake a creature that covets prey? There must be a lot to eat around people.”
“That’s true.”
“Above all… it’s easier to kill them root and stem that way.”
For a moment, a chill ran down my spine.
“I don’t understand what you mean, sir.”
“The snake is an evil creature. If its sharp fangs bite a person, the venom spreads throughout the body. So you must pull out the seeds by the root.”
Listening to this, it’s…
‘This isn’t about the snake!’
What on earth are you talking about, sir?
I just asked one question about why he drew the snake next to the house and got to hear all sorts of things.
‘Who is he talking about? The Empress?’
She was the most likely candidate. Maintaining the Empress position without a single child meant her maternal family’s power was strong.
Or perhaps she held His Majesty’s weaknesses as leverage.
Either way, the Empress was not a weaker opponent than His Majesty.
‘That’s why it’s even more frightening.’
Even if that story refers to the Empress, why bring it up now!
Amang struggled not to show her agitation and swallowed.
“Amang. Have you realized? What I am talking about.”
“…The snake signifies worries.”
“You’re evading.”
“A snake next to the house means there are worries related to the family environment.”
“Are you doing it on purpose?”
“…….”
Already, Amang’s back was damp with cold sweat.
‘Must not get involved. Then I’m truly finished.’
Whatever the snake meant, it had nothing to do with Amang.
She didn’t want to get entangled in politics and die young.
‘Why are you testing me?’
But she couldn’t badmouth the Empress either.
“Say something.”
“Your Majesty cannot let go of the past.”
“I?”
“Unfortunately, it has continued from your childhood and is tormenting you even now as an adult.”
His Majesty fell silent.
Alright. Somehow I got past this crisis.
Amang exhaled the breath she had been holding and smiled brightly.
“So from now on, you can leave the treatment to a professional!”
Let’s never see each other again.
His Majesty obediently nodded.
And then uttered a shocking statement.
“Alright. When shall we schedule the next consultation?”
What did you say?
