Chapter 13 (2/2)
She visited this place, very far from her residence in the East Palace, every day to meet this man. He was the only man who made her laugh after she was worn out due to her husband’s cold shoulder.
“Uljin Yu!”
As if by magic, she just felt so comfortable as if she were back to her motherland when she uttered his name. She approached the man who was offering greetings to her by kneeling with his coat fluttering in the wind. When she touched him on the shoulder lightly, he stood up.
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He was none other than Prince Ruhae, the third in line to the throne in the Mok Kingdom.
Without identifying himself in detail, he continued to keep company with Kyosul with his childhood name ‘Uljin Yu.’ When he met her at the library of the outer palace by chance, Ruhae recommended her to visit its back garden. Since then, they had a secret meeting in the back garden more often than not.
As they didn’t promise to meet on certain dates, sometimes one of them wandered around the back garden alone, but this kind of meeting in the back garden was the sanctuary of their hearts. He was the only man in the imperial palace that she could feel comfortable to be around. Before they knew it, they already got close to each other, so they treated themselves as friends, speaking in a casual tone.
“Oh, you came out today?” she asked.
“Yes, I got squared away a bit early today. Of course, I have to go back late in the afternoon.”
“Oh, you’re talking about your official work. Is a royal family member like you swamped with heavy workload everyday?”
“Royal family members are always busy.”
Ruhae answered quickly. In fact, he was busy because he was one of the competitors to succeed the throne. He was known as the top scholar in the palace as he was excellent in arts and letters and well versed in knowledge. So, he handled the next important state affairs after his brother Bipaan. In particular, he was in charge of the state affairs relating to education and law.
“Really? I don’t think so,” said Kyousl, worrying her lip. “Though I’m the Crown Princess, I’m not busy at all. Rather, I’m so bored everyday that it’s really hard for me to spend time.”
The position of the Crown Princess was No. 2 in rank in the royal office managing the king’s concubines. How could a woman in such an important position have nothing to do?
“Don’t you think you are the only one who is carefree with no work to do?” he asked.
Ruhae had spent 21 years in the palace. Though the royal concubines didn’t deal with any state matters, he knew that they were pretty close to those in power. He witnessed them bending over backwards to curry favor with men of power even at receptions. That was a distant world that Kyosul couldn’t even imagine. She was nothing but a young crown princess who, missing her motherland and finding it hard even to get adjusted to the palace life.
“The only thing I have to do every day is to pretty myself up every time I leave my residence. I’m not given any assignment regarding state affairs.”
“How can play the role of the Crown Princess when you’re so tender-hearted?”
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“…”
When Ruhae mentioned the title ‘Crown Princess,’ she got offended all of a sudden. But with her mouth closed tightly, she turned back, folding her hands. He burst into laughter at her childish act, but he swallowed it quickly and said, “Your Highness, Crown Princess Kyosul!”
“…”
“Your Highness, Crown Princess!”
Though he called several times, she didn’t turn around. He felt sorry about her back, her small head, her skinny shoulders and the excessively large skirt for her small figure. He felt tempted to extend his hand to touch her.
“My brother’s wife!”
Barely controlling his thrilled heart, he just simply called her. Even that made his heart fill with excitement. In the imperial palace where the royal law was strictly observed, it was significant for him to call her casually without mentioning her title fully. Of course, that was something only he knew, which Kyosul didn’t realize at all. He felt so thrilled to call her just that. After that, he kept calling her his brother Bipaan’s wife.
“My brother’s wife, didn’t you come here to see me? If you turn around like that, I can’t see your face.”
“I’m okay.”
“Are you really okay even if you turn around? Let me go back, then,” he said, stepping back.