The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 102

* * *

A sunny morning. Sitting on a rocking chair and dozing off, I rubbed my eyes.

Now the daytime drowsiness without reason has disappeared, but I still feel sleepy when sitting still.

“Gowun, want to go for a walk?”

When there was no response to my muttering, I raised my head.

I was alone in the room. Gowun was always quiet, but somehow there was too little presence today.

Stretching with a big yawn, I left the room. The palace maids standing at attention looked at me.

“Do you know where Gowun is?”

At my words, the palace maids immediately told me a room. The Eastern Palace had many rooms along a long corridor. Going to the room the palace maids mentioned, I peeked inside through the slightly open door.

Inside were Gowun and Yeoryu. Their faces looked grim as if having a serious conversation.

“If you keep doing that—”

“Is Gowun in trouble?”

Before Yeoryu’s fierce words could finish, I stuck my head into the slightly open room. Gowun was indifferent to my sudden visit, while Yeoryu was surprised.

“Your Highness. That is…”

“It must be something special. Gowun is even being scolded.”

He’s such a well-behaved child that it seems like the first time I’ve seen Gowun being scolded in months.

I spoke as usual while casually pacing around the room. Yeoryu couldn’t raise his voice in front of me, his superior, nor could he send me out, so he was restless. In the end, Yeoryu let out a small sigh and said to Gowun,

“Let’s talk next time.”

“No. Talk now.”

I stopped Yeoryu. Yeoryu looked at me desperately with a troubled face, and I quietly left the room.

Talk well. I’m leaving. Firmly clenching my fist in support, I returned to my bedroom.

“Oh my, where’s Gowun?”

“He’s talking with Yeoryu. I left him there.”

To be precise, it seemed like he was being scolded. Hmm. I answered nonchalantly and went into the room, closing the door.

“…”

Yeoryu may be a bit frivolous, but he’s serious when he needs to be. He wouldn’t scold the child for nothing. Even if I know, still…

“…”

Where does he get off disciplining that little thing?

Sulking alone, it wasn’t long before I heard a knocking sound.

“Your Highness. It’s Gowun.”

What. That was quick.

I hurriedly walked to the door, and as it opened, Gowun appeared.

Gowun’s expression was the same as usual, but I could tell he was crestfallen.

Aww, you’re sad about being scolded.

“Gowun.”

I was about to ask what he got scolded for but stopped. If I make a sad child talk about his mistake, Gowun will cry.

What can I do to make you feel better? After stroking Gowun’s soft hair a few times, I whispered softly,

“Shall we go out?”

* * *

“Wow…”

An exclamation unconsciously escaped me. No matter how vast the palace was, walls could be seen everywhere. It was fascinating to see such a scenery of ordinary thatched and tiled houses.

Gowun and I were outside the palace. It seemed to be a market day, as the streets were lively.

I had briefly seen the market once before when I went to find the Yeoran family. It was a bit more glamorous then since it was during Arun, but now it was no less bustling.

Someone was fighting, someone was laughing. The smells of food, oil, and powder mixed together. After watching from a distance for a while, I took a step forward with the thought of blending in, and my wrist was grabbed.

“…?”

It was a cautious touch but a clear restraint. I turned around and faced Gowun with a desperate face.

Gowun had been noticeably restless the entire time we left the palace. It seemed he was trying to stop me.

Gowun led me, and I obediently followed the child. When we reached a deserted residential area away from the market, Gowun looked like he had a lot to say, hesitated, and spoke with a serious face,

“You shouldn’t sneak out like this.”

At those words, I felt a bit embarrassed for sneaking out. Now this kid is lecturing me.

“Hmm, but Gowun.”

“Yes.”

“From now on, until we enter the palace, address me informally.”

“Pardon?”

“Since we can’t reveal our identities, don’t use honorifics with me from now on.”

At my resolute words, Gowun’s eyes shook like crazy. I let out a small gasp seeing that face.

Wow. I’ve never seen him this flustered before.

“…How could I?”

“Tsk tsk.”

It’s all for my safety and dignity, so how could he, as a subject, not obey?

We were at a standstill for a while, and eventually Gowun reluctantly answered,

“…Alright.”

I was expecting a friendly tone between friends, but getting that kind of response was a bit surprising.

“Hmm…”

Thinking where else could he go along with it, I scratched my head. Why did I sneak out, well…

‘…It’s fun, isn’t it?’

The joy of doing something adults don’t allow is quite big for children.

It’s more fun to skip academy and secretly go play than to play after finishing homework, right? I thought Gowun would enjoy it too, but am I the only one excited?

Maybe Gowun is a bit too old to simply enjoy it.

“Even if I snuck out, Her Majesty wouldn’t be unaware of my absence.”

I knew what Gowun was worried about. I calmly reassured him,

“Don’t worry. Such things you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

When Gowun made a face of half belief and half doubt, I quickly changed the subject.

“You’ve hardly been outside the palace either, right?”

I thought Gowun would be the same since most palace people don’t leave the palace. And as expected, Gowun nodded.

“This is the second time.”

Aha. The second time…

I was about to let it pass but hesitated. Second time?

Since Gowun accompanied me when I went to the Yeoran family, if this is the second time, it means he didn’t go outside the palace before.

I couldn’t go out before Mother gained her ability because they were afraid it would be dangerous, but it wouldn’t have been the case for Gowun. Did they never take the kid to the market even once?

“Was there anything you wanted to try?”

Gowun couldn’t answer right away. He quickly became crestfallen, as if he didn’t know.

I smiled and held Gowun’s hand. If you don’t know, you can just try it first. Why are you being gloomy?

“Let’s look around first. The market seems quite big.”

I led Gowun and headed back to the market. And before Gowun could hesitate again, I jumped into the crowd.

They say even Mount Geumgang is best appreciated on a full stomach, so I should feed him first. There was a place with a delicious smell earlier.

It was difficult to find with so many people blocking the view of the signs or goods. I gestured to Gowun, who had somehow gotten separated from me.

“Gowun, come here. Here!”

Gowun, who had only been in the quiet palace and was thrown into the noisy crowd, was getting swept away without being able to keep up. I wondered if I should help, but Gowun quickly made his way through the crowd and approached me.

“How do you call me—”

“Shh.”

“…What’s the matter?”

Right, well done.

After quickly stroking Gowun’s hair once, I tightly held his hand and craned my neck. It was definitely difficult to keep balance between adults as two young children.

We swayed here and there and were pushed in front of a street stall. I was going to just pass by, but I stopped for a moment at the sweet scent.

Round fruits the size of apricots. Some were the color of avocados, and some were brown.

“What is this?”

“Oh my, you look like a young lady from a noble family, but you’ve never tried a shinseongwa!”

The merchant shouted as if it was unbelievable at my simple question.

“It’s the pride of our Gyerim. Eating a fresh shinseongwa that only grows in Gyerim is like plucking stars from the sky. Even Her Highness Kanghee, who is said to be so favored, probably hasn’t tasted it.”

“Oh, is that so?”

I smiled and played along. Right. I haven’t eaten it either.

Fresh shinseongwa. This catchphrase would sell well if they put it up.

While I was quiet, the merchant rambled on a few more words, then frowned exaggeratedly as if he couldn’t let it go.

“I can’t just let this pass! Here, take it quickly.”

The merchant forcibly held out the fruit to me and Gowun. I didn’t accept it, but Gowun took it in surprise.

“Th-Thank you.”

Gowun thanked him in a daze after receiving it. I quietly laughed at the innocent Gowun. You don’t need to thank him, Gowun.

“Just one silver coin, please.”

And as expected, the merchant said that with a toad-like smile. At those words, my eyes sparkled.

‘A merchant who rips people off.’

I’ve only heard about it, but it’s my first time actually seeing one. One silver coin. Isn’t that about a commoner’s living expenses for a year?

But I admired it in a different sense.

The small pouch I brought was full of silver coins. Wow, he knows how to size people up. You’ll make good money. While I was admiring, Gowun frowned.

“What kind of—”

“No, Gowun. It’s okay.”

I readily gave him one silver coin. Even the merchant widened his eyes, not expecting me to actually give it. What grand crime would a fruit vendor commit by ripping people off? It’s all just to make a living.

Sometimes you need good things like this in life. The merchant took the silver coin with a dazed face, and I smiled brightly.

“I’ll enjoy the fruit. Sell a lot.”

I even clenched my fist tightly once and was about to move on, but the merchant grabbed me.

“Young lady. I’m saying this because I have a daughter just like you, take good care of that pouch.”

It seemed like he shouldn’t be the one to say that after ripping off a customer like his daughter. But it was a valid point, so I nodded. No matter how ordinary the clothes were, since they were made in the palace, they didn’t look completely common.

Even that fruit vendor just called me a noble young lady. A young child from a wealthy and good family wandering around carelessly does make an easy target for crime.

And not long after, I realized the merchant’s concern was not unfounded. When we found a restaurant and filled our stomachs with the uniquely salty and spicy stimulating food of the streets, I felt a chilling sensation on my back.

A rough and thick hand grabbed my arm. It wasn’t difficult to guess what this situation was.

I slyly rolled my eyes and looked to the side. Gowun was also grabbed by someone, and perhaps out of surprise, he was frozen still.

“Don’t rashly scream and follow obediently.”

At the ominously lowered words, I thought with a small yawn,

Yes. Let’s do that, sure.