Taming Her Highness the Princess

9 – A slightly different appearance (2)

The imperial palace was bustling even though the day was bright. The hustle and bustle continues without end, making even the emperor, who was lying in a hospital bed, move.

The emperor sat down on the bed to catch his breath, coughed a few times, then took a cup from the shelf and drank water.

The emperor’s eyes quenched his thirst and scanned the spacious bedroom. When his eyes met, the ladies-in-waiting bowed their heads, and the royal doctors often stepped closer and knelt down.

“Your Majesty. Do not move too forcefully. It is better to rest a little more after the first examination until you take the medicine.”

“It has been done. You guys always try to lock me in bed. Besides, how can I believe you who gave my daughter a terrible drug?”

“Lord, I have sinned to death! Your majesty!”

As one of the doctors fell flat on the floor, the doctors behind them knelt down and banged their heads on the floor as if they had promised.

“I have committed a mortal sin! Your majesty!”

When many people sing in unison, it feels like my head is ringing. The emperor, who had been still for a moment with his brow furrowed, waved his hand to signify that he should go away.

“I don’t want to see your faces anymore, so go away. Also, on your way out, bring the Zhongseoryeong (中書令). I have something to share.”

“I will follow your word!”

Juseomjuseom The meaning of the word that happened takes a backward step. As the medical officers also followed the royal doctor outside, the emperor clicked his tongue and got up from his seat.

The emperor exhaled a groaning breath and moved slowly towards the window of the bedroom. Seeing this, several maids came to help, but the emperor waved his hand away.

Then the emperor approached the window and slowly narrowed his eyes while appreciating the scenery outside the bedroom. The panoramic view of the imperial palace bathed in brilliant sunlight fills the pupils of the emperor.

“Is spring here?”

The trees planted all over the palace were blooming colorful flowers. It seems that the warm and cozy wind carries the scent of flowers.

For an emperor who spent his entire life on the battlefield, this kind of scenery was unfamiliar. It’s happy, but it’s also a bit bitter, so a sigh forms in my mouth.

“Your Majesty. I heard you called.”

While admiring the flowers, a familiar voice is heard from behind. Looking back, the emperor was able to face an elderly gentleman wearing a monocle in neat clothes.

He was a lieutenant colonel, the highest official in charge of general affairs and disputes in the empire, and a reliable staff member and comrade-in-arms who assisted the emperor on the battlefield for a long time.

He was also the only archmage in the empire when he passed the age of injustice, and was praised in various places.

‘Well, we’re getting old now…….’

The emperor smiled lowly and spread his arms lightly as he looked at Demar.

“Welcome. It is the most luxurious hospital room in the world.”

“…… Your majesty.”

What should I do with that sense of humor? After glancing at the courtiers around her, Demar let out a low sigh and approached the emperor.

“I was going to ask about Okche’s safety, but it doesn’t seem necessary. Seeing that you corrected it, it seems that you will be able to live comfortably for the next ten years.”

“Don’t say that, even if it’s a joke. Being sick in bed all day is hard to see as my taste. Ugh It’s terrible to lie down for another ten years.”

“Your Majesty. Don’t even say such a thing. Your sickness will get better soon.”

I’ve heard it hundreds or thousands of times from countless servants, but there was truth in the words that came out of Demar’s mouth. The emperor, in a good mood, smiled and looked out his window.

“I appreciate your words, but I can’t get better. Because this is a disease acquired on the battlefield. The royal doctors of the empire, who are said to be unrivaled in medicine, only say that they will devise countermeasures like cuckoos, but how can they fix it? I am just dying.”

“It is the same for me to come up with countermeasures. So His Majesty-“

“Okay man! If you don’t want to insult me by making me undead, stop talking nonsense about saving me. And the reason I called you there is not to talk nonsense. They were called to discuss the future of the empire.”

“How about the future of the empire?”

“You should know. Because rumors spread far and wide in this imperial palace. Didn’t your son, Jeniel Malaig, catch the traitor?”

Since Demar already knew this, he remained silent in an affirmative sense. The emperor continued, still looking out of his window.

“Yesterday wasn’t even a fuss. Thanks to that bold guy, the DSC and SS must have had a good night’s sleep. Probably by now the Inspectors are all over the place. There must be quite a few guys who took bribes, but this time I’m going to vomit them all.”

A smile never ceased on the emperor’s lips, as if he was happy to hear the news of his servants suffering. That mischievous face brought a faint smile to Demar’s lips.

“Jung Seo-ryeong has a really good son. It’s rare that chivalry and ability coincide. I’d like to appoint him as an executive, but…….”

The emperor’s gaze reaches a distant mountain.

“My daughter needs a talented person like your son by her side, so I will keep an eye on her for the time being.”

“Your Majesty. I can’t hide my shame at over-praise.”

“That bastard’s oblivion comes out without even trying. More than that, I know that my children’s qualifications are not far away, but am I right?”

“Qualification evaluation…… Are you talking about Eojeonpyeongui?”

“Yes. That’s it.”

“I see. There was not much time left.”

Eojeonpyeongui refers to an annual event where the children of the emperor show off their honed skills in front of the emperor and high officials once a year.

Since the current emperor’s guideline was not to unconditionally hand over a successor just because he was a legitimate son, the palace peace was, in fact, close to a contest of strength to fight for the position of successor.

The emperor was a little worried about that. Although it is a traditional annual event for the imperial family, it is because her daughter always suffered heartache during the process.

It happened because the enterprising and power-hungry prince always looked down on the princess at the royal council. I was afraid that it would happen again this time.

“Maybe I can hope a little bit this time. It is your son who is educating my daughter.”

No matter how good an educator was, if there was no passion and enthusiasm, nothing could be learned.

But Demar couldn’t tell the truth. His Majesty the Emperor, who is fighting a disease, has high hopes, so how can we put candles on it?

“Certainly, Her Majesty the Princess at this year’s royal council will be different.”

At Demar’s words, the emperor smiled with satisfaction.

*

The warm sun shines down on the courtyard garden of Lotus Palace. Where the colorful flowers bloomed, butterflies flew in and landed on the petals without fail.

It was a warm and cozy weather that made me want to fall asleep right away, but instead of taking a nap, Irea chose to conduct classes in the garden.

“Okay. The preparation is perfect.”

In the middle of the garden, Irea, sitting in front of the table, makes her own jokes and laughs. Ruinel, who wondered what else he was thinking, was already starting to get anxious.

“Your Highness. Wouldn’t it be better to quietly listen to the class this time?”

As before, it was unacceptable for Jenial to make loud noises and break down. Ruinel spoke out of her concern, but Ireah kept a confident attitude and made fun of her.

“You don’t have to worry. It won’t happen that I give in to the professor today.”

Where does that confidence come from? It’s just a simpler class than that, so why the hell does the word ‘surrender’ come out?

Even though I tried to penetrate Irea in various ways, I couldn’t understand it. Ruinel just let out a sigh, thinking that she wouldn’t be able to get through today easily.

In the meantime, the sound of shoes clattering began to be heard from the entrance of the courtyard. Ruinel turned her gaze to the direction where the sound came from and found Jenial entering the courtyard through the corridor.

Jenial, wearing a black spring coat, walks steadily while carrying a briefcase. The family brooch he wore on the collar of his coat glistened lightly whenever it caught the sun.

Jeniel kept going through the corridor, and when he saw the road leading to the garden, he turned and headed for Irea.

Because he is wearing a black coat among the flowers in full bloom, he might look dull, but Jeniel’s ideal appearance makes even that look attractive.

‘Coming…… !’

Irea gulped down her saliva in a nervous state at the appearance of Jenny Earl. She had been badly scolded before, so she thought she would have to stay alert this time.

After waiting for a while, Jenny Earl reached close range and put her hand on her chest and bowed her head respectfully towards Ireah.

“You came out first. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Hmmm! Are you okay. I didn’t even have to wait that long.”

“Then I’m glad. May I sit down?”

Irea nods her head, and Jennie Earl pulls out a chair opposite her and sits down. As soon as Jennie Earl sat down, he took a scroll from his briefcase and held it up.

“What I am going to tell you today is more practical than theoretical…….”

Jenny Earl stopped talking and shut his mouth. This is because Ireah picked up her pre-prepared fan and unfolded it in an instant.

Challenge! Ireah, who succeeded in one attempt instead of trying several times as before, covers her mouth proudly. Thanks to that, Ruinel was nothing but absurd.

‘…… Could it be that you asked for a fan yesterday to practice this?’

Of course, Irea didn’t know about Ruinel’s absurdity. Ireah’s eyes curled arrogantly as she laughed at her falsetto.

“I heard. I mean, you’ve been working hard for me. Seeing that, I will especially forgive you for your previous rudeness.”

She deliberately said she emphasized ‘specially’. Sooner or later, it is certain that Jenial will thank Seong-eun, saying that she is desperate.

“… ….”

But strangely, what returned was silence. Jenny Earl’s expressionless eyes stare at him, and his hands slowly begin to tremble.

Why are you just staring at me without saying anything? As the cold sweat broke out from the fear that slowly tightened, Jeniel quietly opened his mouth.

“Who did the disrespect?”

“Yes? That’s it, of course…….”

Ireah, who was about to say that she was you, closed her mouth. Because she seemed to be losing her life more and more from Jenial’s eyes looking at her.

Maybe I’ll be killed. Such a prediction was making the warm weather of spring cold. Ireah, whose tears flowed without her knowledge, murmured while avoiding Jenny Earl’s gaze.

“…… I was rude to the professor.”

Only then, the sense of intimidation that had covered the surroundings disappeared.

“Then, Your Highness has forgiven himself. It’s not good to hold on to guilt for long, so it’s a good attitude. However… ….”

Jenny Earl’s gaze is directed at the fan that covers Ireah’s mouth.

“That fan, isn’t it something you don’t need for class?”

Debt is Irea’s pride. Ireah, who did not want to be deprived of this, was furious.

“This is my favorite fan! So even if it has nothing to do with classes-“

“Take it away.”

Her cold voice makes Ireah’s shoulders tremble.

“Ugh, uh…….”

After hesitating for a while, Ireah couldn’t overcome the pressure from Jenny Earl and folded her fan and put it down on her table.

‘…… Majesty?’

That quick submission made Ruinel feel embarrassed.