Chapter 16
Som was pacing back and forth, unable to stay still.
Just as she was about to burst into tears and dive into the lake herself, bubbles rose to the surface, and Danbi and a man emerged at the same time.
"My Lady!"
The man headed toward the shore with Danbi’s arm draped over his shoulder. The force with which he walked, kicking up rough sprays of water, was quite fierce.
Som ran to Danbi, terrified out of her wits.
"My Lady, are you alright? My Lady!"
"Ugh, I almost died."
Dragging her soaked body, Danbi sprawled out flat on the grass. She gasped for air, her water-laden eyes blinking slowly.
Som frantically stroked her pale face. Fortunately, she didn't seem to have any major injuries.
But the relief was short-lived.
"What on earth do you think you are doing!"
At the sharp, icy shout ringing out from behind her, Danbi turned her head with a puzzled expression. The man who had just saved her was glaring at her with wide eyes, clearly furious.
A surge of irritation flared up in her, but she quickly shut her mouth.
He was her savior. She couldn't very well get angry just because he yelled at her.
No, wait.
"I'm grateful you saved me, but why are you yelling...?"
"Are you so ready to throw your life away over something so trivial?"
"Excuse me?"
This man seemed to be under a serious misunderstanding.
"Throw my life away? That’s not what—"
Danbi stopped herself before she could explain. If she started talking about "quest rewards" in this situation, she would definitely be treated like a lunatic.
Still, that was uncalled for. Savior or not.
Fine, I’m grateful you saved me. But why are you yelling at me out of the blue?
"And who are you to be yelling at me like that...! Wait?"
Danbi scrutinized the man’s face.
As the water dripped from his clearly defined features, a familiar image suddenly flashed through her mind.
"It is nothing. But, did you just climb over the wall?"
"Pardon?"
"You appear to be a palace servant."
Danbi jumped to her feet and pointed a finger at the man. Her wet skirt clung to her legs with a wet slapping sound, but she didn't care about that.
"I knew it! It’s that guy from before!"
"…?"
"But, wait a second."
The man furrowed his brows, clearly displeased by her disrespectful choice of words.
Danbi didn't care about his reaction and glared at him fiercely. In fact, she took a step closer, as if to seize the initiative.
"'Something so trivial,' you say? That’s a strange thing to say. What do you think I’m trying to die for? Do you know something?"
"No, I, that is..."
As Danbi approached with such momentum, the man stumbled back. When their eyes met directly, he quickly turned his head away, looking flustered.
Danbi put her hands on her hips and slowly scanned him from head to toe.
He must have taken off his outer robe in a hurry to save her, and his exposed upper body was covered in various scars, both large and small.
Yet, his toned physique, which even those scars couldn't hide, was as perfect as a statue.
"You don't look like an ordinary person. Don't tell me... you’re not one of those cliché royal guards, are you?"
"Ahem!"
I knew it!
Perhaps because she hit the nail on the head, the man’s cough came out slightly strained. Danbi didn't miss that reaction and curled the corners of her lips upward.
She crossed her arms and tapped her fingers against them. Her mind raced in time with the rhythm.
A royal guard, huh?
Then he must be quite close to that bastard Lee Hyun. Should I try using him?
"That’s right. I was trying to die because of that bastard Lee Hyun."
"Pardon? Is that truly the truth?"
As soon as she cast the bait, Rang snatched it up. Danbi swallowed the laughter threatening to burst out and continued as if she were a tragic heroine.
"It is. I go looking for him day and night, but I can't even catch a glimpse of his face. Do you think I can live with my pride wounded like this? Don't you agree? Well?"
When Danbi leaned in uncomfortably close, Rang couldn't hide his embarrassment and pulled his head back.
"W-well, His Majesty is busy with his duties—"
"Feeding cats is a duty?"
"..."
"Forget it. Go to that bastard Lee Hyun and tell him. If he doesn't meet me soon, I’m just going to—!"
When their eyes met, Rang gulped hard. Danbi flashed him the brightest smile she had ever shown.
"I’m going to jump into the lake and die."
Just then, someone approached Danbi’s side cautiously. It was two court ladies, their heads bowed low and their hands respectfully clasped.
"My Lady, we apologize."
"We apologize."
The voices of the two court ladies, who were prostrated as if to smash their heads against the ground, trembled.
"Yes? What is..."
As Danbi asked, confused, Som whispered urgently in her ear.
"They are the court ladies who bumped into you on the bridge earlier. They came running, pale with fear, saying it was their fault you fell into the water."
"Oh, that? It’s fine. I’m actually grateful."
Som’s eyes widened at the unexpected response.
"Pardon...?"
Grateful? It was more than that. Thanks to them, things were going to go smoothly, so she should have been bowing to them instead.
Leaving the bewildered court ladies behind, Danbi’s gaze settled on one spot. Piles of clothes were stacked on the grass over their shoulders.
She suddenly recalled the sight of the court ladies, who had been passing over the bridge precariously while carrying so many clothes that their faces were hidden.
If that many clothes were being moved at once, it meant there was a major event in the palace.
"But what are you taking all those clothes for?"
"It is for the Rain-Praying Ritual."
"The Rain-Praying Ritual?"
"Yes. His Majesty the King has ordered the Rain-Praying Ritual to be held. In eight days..."
Before Rang could even finish his sentence, Danbi jumped to her feet. Her silk skirt, heavy with water, fluttered lightly in the breeze.
The dagger in her hand glinted yellow, catching the evening glow.
"Right. Why didn't I think of that?"
Danbi hurried off somewhere. She heard Som calling her from behind, but she didn't stop.
Her soles, which had been soaked in cold water, burned with heat.
"That’s it, the Rain-Praying Ritual. The whole thing started with that very ritual."
"I remember clearly that you were the one who damaged the garments and met my eyes. You wouldn't dare claim you know nothing, would you?"
Danbi gripped the dagger until her knuckles turned white.
"That bastard, he definitely said that. That I damaged the Rain-Praying Ritual garments. I was framed. If that’s the case..."
Danbi’s eyes shone intensely.
"I just need to find the real culprit who damaged the clothes, don't I?"
***
"Is that true?"
Hyun looked at Rang as if he couldn't believe it. A drop of ink fell from the tip of the brush he was holding, staining the white paper black.
Rang nodded with a stiff face.
"Sook-won committed suicide...?"
"That is correct. I witnessed her jumping into the lake, but I was a step too late to stop her. I apologize, Your Majesty."
He had expected a harsh scolding for bringing the food late, but unexpectedly, Hyun’s complexion changed in an instant at the mention of the Right State Councilor’s daughter. Rang stared blankly at his deeply furrowed brow.
"Your Majesty."
"…?"
"How about meeting with Sook-won just once?"
"What do you mean?"
"From what I saw, she did not seem like someone who hides her true feelings. If you meet her, I am certain you will understand, Your Majesty."
"…Rang."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hyun stared straight into Rang’s eyes, as if trying to read something.
"Do you truly remember nothing?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
As their gazes met heavily, Eunuch Yoon approached them. His footsteps, breaking the heavy silence, rang out particularly loudly.
"Your Majesty, the Queen requests an audience."
"Tell her I shall visit her shortly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As Hyun rose from his seat, Rang hurriedly grabbed his foot.
"Your Majesty, what you just said..."
"Enough. I was just talking nonsense. Forget what I just said."
Hyun walked forward without looking back at Rang. Rang followed him silently, without a word.
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