Chapter 10
In front of the Sajikdan Altar, the shamanesses danced brilliantly, as if surrendering their bodies to the music. Wherever their toes touched the ground, the hems of their skirts rippled like waves.
The ministers, seated in factions to the left and right, watched the dance with satisfied smiles.
It was impossible to tear one’s eyes away from their fingertips—movements so poignant, as if calling out to a lover, yet so desperate, as if trying to summon rain that very instant.
And there, above the stairs, beneath the shade.
The royal concubines sat in a row. As if to boast of their own beauty, the charms they each displayed unintentionally drew the eye.
Most notable among them was the Queen, who had captured the public’s attention with her exceptional beauty.
The navy-blue skirt wrapping her body looked like the deep sea supporting the sun-like King.
And at the highest point, where no one could easily ascend.
There sat the King.
The concubines whispered quietly about his appearance, which seemed even more magnificent than usual. His cool expression, harmonizing with the ritual robes, overwhelmed the assembly.
Golden patterns were intricately embroidered upon a white base. It was a radiance that no one but he could dare to bear.
The ministers knelt before him of their own accord.
Before those who bowed their heads, Hyun silently looked down at the stage.
It was a day he had waited for so long. No matter what happened, he had to ensure the rain-praying ritual was carried out today.
"Hey!!"
Just then, someone’s shout rang out from afar, and the music stopped.
Everyone’s gaze turned backward in unison. A woman was seen walking boldly through the ranks of the shamanesses.
……A woman?
The ministers looked at each other with bewildered eyes.
The rumors about Lady Yeo were famous even among them.
The King had always kept women at a distance. Even his current concubines had been brought in reluctantly, pushed by the insistence of the royal clan and ministers who desired royal heirs.
Yet, when the shocking news broke that the King, who had been like an iron wall, had bestowed the title of "Lady" upon a woman who had entered the palace only a night prior, the Royal Secretariat had been turned upside down.
By tradition, it was the unwritten rule and the etiquette of the state for every concubine to climb the ranks step by step, starting from the lowest.
Just what kind of beauty could have melted the King’s icy heart in an instant?
That was why the ministers had been expectant on one hand. They had thought they might finally see the rumored Lady Yeo today, but…….
With a shabby appearance, wearing whatever clothes she had haphazardly thrown on, and even using a frivolous tone.
Was that the Lady Yeo who had supposedly snatched the position of a Lady in a single night?
The assembly stirred at a sight so far removed from refined etiquette.
Leaving the familiar murmurs behind, Danbi crossed the stage without hesitation.
At the same time, the royal guards began to approach her. Then, Hyun waved his hand to dismiss them.
Soon, in front of the stairs where the concubines were gathered, Danbi stared straight at someone from the very center.
As their eyes met, Hyun said calmly.
"Lady, you are late."
"Yeah, well. Someone decided to play a prank."
The Queen jumped to her feet.
"Lady Yeo, how dare you speak with such disrespect! Furthermore, have you truly forgotten that as of today, you are forbidden from leaving the Small Palace—."
"You’ve got a lot to say for a thief."
"What did you just…!"
The Queen’s face flushed with indignation. At the crude language, heard for the first time in her life, the air at the Sajikdan Altar froze instantly.
However, Danbi did not care in the slightest and held her head high. Her gleaming eyes flew straight to Hyun.
Or, to be precise, to the familiar garment he wore over his shoulders.
"Take off the clothes."
In that moment, the assembly fell silent, as if doused in cold water.
Hyun’s eyebrows twitched. Danbi did not stop and climbed the stairs.
"I said, take off my clothes!"
Perhaps suppressed by her momentum.
Hyun rose from his seat. At the same time, the Queen looked back at Hyun as if to stop him.
"Y-Your Majesty…!"
As Hyun stepped down the stairs one by one, Danbi also stopped in her tracks.
In the middle of the stairs where they finally met, Hyun looked down at Danbi blankly.
"Well. I believe that is a line I should be saying."
"What? What is that supposed to…."
The smile that had been playing on Hyun’s lips vanished in an instant. He shouted toward the royal guards nearby.
"Guards! Search Lady Yeo’s body at once!"
"Yes!"
At the command, the guards grabbed Danbi’s arms from both sides. Then, they began to search her body roughly.
"What the hell are you doing!"
Danbi struggled with a bewildered face. But there was no way she could overcome the strength of the trained guards alone.
Soon, one guard who had thoroughly searched her sleeves and inner robes shook his head with a troubled expression.
Just as Hyun’s brow began to furrow deeply, several other guards came running from afar.
"Your Majesty."
"What is the result?"
The approaching guard handed a dagger to Hyun.
"As you ordered, we have found a dagger without a sheath."
Hyun slowly picked up the dagger resting on the guard’s hand. Then, he pulled a sheath from his inner robe.
For a moment, Danbi’s eyes widened. The appearance of the sheath was somehow familiar.
It was the floral-patterned sheath of the dagger she had received as a reward item a short while ago.
Why does that guy have that?
Before she could even be bewildered, Hyun slowly pushed the dagger the guard had handed him into the sheath.
Then, with a *click*, the dagger fit perfectly into the sheath.
"H-How do you have that…."
"So it was you after all."
"What?"
"Guards! Execute Lady Yeo for the crime of treason at once!"
"Yes!"
Danbi was pushed by the force of the guards and fell to her knees on the floor. Her mind was in total chaos.
Treason? Did he just say treason?
Wait, don't tell me…!
"No, is it because I told you to take off your clothes? Fine. I take it back, I take it back!"
As Danbi shouted desperately, Hyun glared at her coldly.
"Do you intend to keep playing dumb until the end?"
"Playing dumb? I really don't know anything…!"
"I remember clearly the eyes that looked at me when you damaged the garment. Do you truly intend to feign ignorance?"
"What? What is that…."
She was speechless. Everything he said was incomprehensible.
I made the clothes, sure, but I damaged them? What on earth is he talking about?
While she was already frantic, the guards began to close in.
Seeing the sharp, cold blades in her field of vision, goosebumps rose along her spine.
What is this, am I really going to die like this?
Her heart was pounding like crazy.
The moment the fear of death weighed down on her shoulders, a fact she had forgotten flashed through her mind.
Ah, right! This was a game!
"Game Over! I’m quitting the game!"
Danbi screamed toward the empty air while sprawled on the ground. Then, a blue window appeared before her eyes.
「Do you wish to end the game?」
She looked down.
「
YES NO
」
Two options appeared. Danbi answered without hesitation.
"YES!!"
At that moment, with a static sound, the window in front of her froze. A noise that sounded like the world was distorting pierced her eardrums.
And then.
「Cannot end the game」
「Cannot end the game」
「Cannot end the game」
「Cannot end the game」
……
The window began to multiply infinitely, shaking like a bug.
"Wh-what. Why is it like this? I said I’m quitting the game!"
Just then, a guard’s sword rose above Danbi’s head. She felt as if she could hear Som’s voice calling her name from behind.
Danbi squeezed her eyes shut. For a moment, the screen went pitch black.
All her senses faded into the distance.
「Game Over」
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