Chapter 13
The palanquin came to a halt, and the door opened.
As she stepped out, she saw court ladies standing in two neat rows on either side. Dozens of voices rose in unison.
"We greet the lady who has received the title of Sook-won of the fourth senior rank."
Soon, a court lady in blue robes stepped forward.
"I am Court Lady So, who has been ordered by His Majesty to serve you, my lady."
Suddenly, the memory of her first meeting with Court Lady So flashed through her mind.
"I am Court Lady So, who has been ordered by His Majesty to serve you, my lady. I shall serve you with all my heart."
"Oh, yes, yes. Thank you."
Danbi looked at her with a meaningful gaze.
The lines were identical, down to the last syllable.
The same tone of voice.
Even the subtle trembling of her eyebrows and the way she clasped her hands were exactly as they had been before.
Considering that this was a game, she felt less like a living person and more like a well-written program.
"Then, I shall escort you to the Small Palace first."
As Court Lady So bowed and led the way, Danbi followed slowly behind.
Just as the palace walls began to stretch out like a labyrinth, her footsteps came to a halt.
The red tiles and white walls came into view at once.
It was a modest palace where colorful flowers peeked over the walls, hanging like a painting.
It was the Small Palace, without a single discrepancy from the landscape in her memory.
Once they entered the main gate, Court Lady So bowed her head to Danbi.
"From now on, this is the residence where you shall stay, my lady."
Ignoring her words, Danbi looked around as if searching for something.
"I’ve succeeded in entering the palace, so now, soon..."
Just then, a cheerful notification sound rang out, and a blue window appeared in the air.
「Sub-quest completed.
A reward item has been provided.
Please check the box.」
As soon as Danbi confirmed the message, she ran into the palace. A flustered Som and the court ladies followed behind her.
"Oh, my lady!"
"My lady!"
She immediately opened the door to the loft. After moving the folding screen, a classic-style box appeared.
A white base with blue patterns.
There was no mistake.
Danbi reached for the box naturally. Then, a round blue light burst forth from around the box.
「Item discovered」
The text appeared before her eyes. At the same time, with a click, the box opened.
And as expected, inside lay a dagger covered in floral patterns.
Even the cold sensation against her fingertips was chillingly identical.
Som asked with sparkling eyes.
"Wow, it's beautiful. How did you know there was a dagger here?"
Danbi stared blankly at the dagger without a word. Then, a voice came from behind her.
"My lady."
When she turned her head, Court Lady So was standing beside her, bowing her head.
"You must prepare yourself soon. His Majesty the King is waiting for you."
At those words, a blue window appeared in the air. Danbi jumped to her feet.
「A new sub-quest has arrived.
―Audience」
***
Inside the round wooden bathtub, Danbi slowly submerged her body in the hot water.
Small flower petals floating on the water scattered with a splash. The court ladies' hands moved softly along her white skin.
The more they did, the more chaotic Danbi’s mind became.
It was the same.
The game was proceeding exactly as it had the first time, without a single error. There was no doubt that the game had reset after she died back then.
Wait, if that’s the case...!
"So, it was you after all."
"What?"
"Guards! Execute Lady Yeo for treason at once!"
Danbi bit her nails subconsciously.
Even though she was soaking in warm water, the sensation of the cold blade that had grazed the back of her neck kept coming back.
If she left things as they were, what happened then would repeat itself.
Then she would die again, and the game would return to the beginning.
If that happened, she might never be able to leave this game. She would be trapped in an eternal cycle.
*Glug.*
As she submerged her face into the water, the startled court ladies grabbed her in a hurry.
No, she had to prevent that at all costs.
Danbi bit her lip.
How on earth could she get out of this game?
How on earth...
Just then, she saw the blue window floating in the air.
「A new sub-quest has arrived.
―Audience」
Come to think of it, this game always progressed by following quests...
Danbi jumped up from her seat. Water splashed out of the tub with a loud *whoosh*.
"That's it! If I clear all the quests, wouldn't this game end?"
***
Inside the swaying palanquin, Danbi opened the small window. Outside, the magnificent palace unfolded just as it had before.
A moment later, the door opened, and Eunuch Yoon, who had been standing by, approached and bowed his head.
"It is an honor to meet you, my lady. I am Eunuch Yoon."
Danbi focused on the movement of his lips.
Next, surely...
"His Majesty is still attending to state affairs."
As expected!
Danbi beamed with joy.
"Then, I will wait insi—"
"He said he would postpone the consummation to another day, so please return."
"…What?"
The court ladies looked at each other with shocked expressions. Danbi doubted her own ears.
The lines had changed.
"What is that supposed to mean..."
Return? He didn't do this before.
"Wait a moment. Are you really telling me to go back?"
As Danbi persisted, Eunuch Yoon bowed his head.
"I apologize for not informing you in advance, my lady."
The shock was brief, replaced by the anxiety that something had gone wrong with the quest.
This shouldn't be happening. She had to clear the quest quickly to end this game...!
Her heart raced. Even being rejected was not part of the plan.
"W-wait a moment."
The moment Eunuch Yoon turned to leave, Danbi grabbed his shoulder.
A moment later, inside the bedchamber.
Just as Hyun was furrowing his brows, a presence was felt outside the door.
"Your Majesty, it is Eunuch Yoon."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Eunuch Yoon stepped inside. Hyun continued to keep his eyes fixed on his book as he spoke to him.
"You’ve come just in time, Head Eunuch. There is something I wish to ask you..."
When there was no answer from Eunuch Yoon, Hyun turned his head, looking puzzled. His expression was somewhat unusual.
"Do you have something to tell me?"
"Y-Your Majesty. That is..."
"Could you ask him one more time? I’m in a bit of a hurry."
When he relayed Danbi’s words, Hyun narrowed his eyes.
"In a hurry?"
"I-I am terrified, Your Majesty."
"That is the first time I have heard such a thing in my life."
"W-what should I do..."
Hyun crossed his arms and twitched his eyebrows.
In a hurry. In a hurry, he said.
Around that time, in front of the bedchamber.
While she was pacing anxiously, Eunuch Yoon appeared outside the door. Danbi ran straight to him.
"How did it go?"
"W-well, as the day has already ended, he said you should return..."
"What are you talking about? I came because the day ended!"
"M-my lady!"
"I-I apologize, my lady."
Court Lady So and Eunuch Yoon bowed their heads simultaneously, as if they found her behavior scandalous.
Danbi didn't care about their reactions and glared sharply at the bedchamber. It was as if she were trying to pierce through the closed door.
"So, this is how you want to play, is it?"
At that moment, behind the pavilion.
Hyun watched the palanquin leaving the front of the bedchamber from afar. Rang, who was standing beside him, approached him.
"Are you truly alright with sending her away like this?"
"..."
Hyun followed the departing palanquin with his eyes for a long time. As the rattling sound gradually faded, he finally turned his body slowly.
Only the cold moonlight lay long and still in the place where its owner had departed.
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