Chapter 4
“Wh-what are you doing!”
Hyeon looked at Arin in bewilderment as she suddenly grabbed his hand. Ignoring his shock, Arin squeezed his hand even tighter. After a moment, she smiled with newfound certainty.
“I hear it…! Her Highness’s voice…!”
Hyeon stared at her, stunned. Arin furrowed her brow and tilted her head, appearing to focus intensely as if catching a distant sound. Curious about what would come next, Hyeon found himself staring at Arin’s glistening, cherry-red lips.
“The Queen Mother says that it is not yet the time, so you must wait a little longer…”
Hyeon tried to steady his racing heart at her calm words. Having been deceived by other shamans in the past and losing quite a bit of money, he asked skeptically:
“Do you truly hear her?”
Arin nodded vigorously, as if there was nothing more to say. Hyeon’s brow furrowed slightly.
“How am I to believe your words?”
“Wh-what! Are you doubting me now? I’m telling you, I can really hear her!”
“You will have to convince me.”
Met with his suspicion, Arin looked toward the spirit of Queen Won-hye standing behind him, sending a silent plea for help. Queen Won-hye slowly moved her lips, whispering to Arin. After a small nod, Arin looked back at Hyeon and spoke with absolute conviction.
“Your Highness’s true name… it is ‘Hyeon,’ is it not?”
At the mention of that name, Hyeon’s pupils shook violently. It was a name unknown to the common people—the private name of the Crown Prince of Joseon, Lee Hyeon. He slowly let go of Arin’s hand and stared at her in silence.
Ten days had passed since the ritual. Hyeon had returned to the palace after pressing another five nyang into her hand, promising to return soon. In that time, a great change had come to Arin’s quiet life.
‘Did the ritual actually work…?’
The voices of spirits began to seep into Arin’s quiet world. Just like when she first started seeing them, it was difficult to distinguish them when mixed with the voices of the living, but when she was alone, they were as clear as a bell.
“Come to think of it, ten days have already passed…”
The round full moon had gradually withered into a thin crescent. Despite saying he would return soon, there had been no word from Hyeon or Yul. Arin, who had been sprawled out on the floor of the shrine, suddenly bolted upright.
“Since there are no customers, I might as well go to the southern valley.”
She gathered her things and headed into the forest along the familiar mountain path. Along the way stood a single peach tree; peach blossoms were Arin’s favorite flowers. She plucked a blooming branch and smiled so widely her teeth showed. Upon reaching the valley, two familiar men came into view: Hyeon and Yul.
“My Lord!”
At her voice, both men turned around simultaneously. Arin strode toward them and bowed deeply.
“Your Highness. I hope you have been in good health.”
“I was just on my way to see you. This is well-timed.”
Hyeon scanned Arin from head to toe before his eyes settled on the flowering branch in her hand. The blossoms looked like cherry blossoms but were different; he had never seen them before.
“What flower is that?”
“It is a peach blossom. It is my favorite flower. Is it not beautiful?”
Arin held up the branch and gave a radiant smile. A warm early-summer breeze brushed against Arin’s skirt and Hyeon’s robe, making a soft rustling sound. Hyeon gazed intently at her face before speaking, as if he had made a final decision.
“You. Stay by my side.”
At his words, Arin naturally looked up at him. His deep, dark eyes were filled with her reflection. For a moment, a faint smile appeared on his face.
“Pardon? I don’t quite understand what you mean…?”
He laughed softly at her bewildered expression. When he reached out, Arin absentmindedly handed him the peach blossom branch.
“I shall take this with me.”
After placing the peach blossom branch in a vase, Hyeon gazed at it with a smile. Court Lady Seo, who was bringing in a simple refreshment tray, stared at him in shock at the rare sight.
“You must have had some good news.”
As she slowly poured the warm tea, Court Lady Seo carefully observed his mood. Having raised him since he was a child, she hadn’t seen him smile since his mother passed away.
“Does it not look elegant, like a cherry tree? This flower, I mean.”
“It is a peach blossom. Since ancient times, it has been said to bring good luck and true love.”
Hyeon’s smile deepened at her words. Court Lady Seo, her own face brightening at the sight of his rare happiness, continued:
“It has been a long time since I saw you smile like that.”
Her words made Hyeon reflect on his recent behavior—the expressionless face, the cold tone, and the harsh rebukes he gave the palace maids for even small mistakes. He realized how much they must have been walking on eggshells around him.
“That reminds me, Court Lady Seo.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Are you not short on hands?”
Hyeon asked casually after taking a sip of the tea she had poured. Court Lady Seo seized the opportunity to vent her recent struggles.
“We are very short-handed. Everyone is taking turns on duty without any rest. Taking a vacation is a dream we don’t even dare to have.”
Hyeon nodded slightly. He glanced at the peach blossoms in the vase before replying.
“I shall speak with the Naesusa (Office of Royal Supplies) to recruit more personnel.”
Court Lady Seo looked at him suspiciously. Usually, if things were lacking, he would issue a stern scolding; why was he suddenly concerned about their plight? She tilted her head in confusion.
“Suddenly…?”
“Did you not just complain about how hard it is? That being said…”
Hyeon set down his teacup and beckoned her closer. She slid a step toward him. Hyeon began to whisper quietly into her ear. As the story went on, Court Lady Seo’s eyes grew wide like a rabbit’s.
“Do you understand?”
Only after whispering for a long while did Hyeon straighten his posture. She blinked her round eyes and nodded.
“Pardon…? Ah, yes… I shall do so.”
Eunuch Kim, standing nearby, glanced at the two of them, puzzled by the strange behavior of the Prince and the Court Lady. As she stepped back, Court Lady Seo’s expression was a complicated mix of bewilderment and mystery.
Under the early heat, the flowers in the fields bowed their heads. Arin sat leaning against the zelkova tree in front of the shrine, fanning herself and closing her eyes against the warm breeze. Just as she was about to drift into a long nap, her peace was shattered.
“Are you the owner of this shrine, Hong Arin?”
At the low voice of a middle-aged woman, Arin opened her eyes and turned her head. A woman stood there, looking back and forth between Arin and the dilapidated shrine with a look of deep disapproval.
“Are you here for a talisman?”
Arin stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt. Seeing her unrefined movements, Court Lady Seo’s expression soured even further.
“His Highness has ordered you to enter the palace. We are leaving immediately, so prepare yourself.”
