I Became My Ex-Boyfriend’s Concubine - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 13

The palanquin came to a halt, and the door opened.
As she stepped out, Danbi saw palace attendants lined up in two columns on either side. Dozens of voices rose in unison.
“We receive the presence of the Lady of Rank Four, who has received the appointment as Shukyuan.”
A woman in a blue robe stepped forward—So Sanggung.
“This servant, by command of His Majesty, has been assigned to attend upon the Lady. I am So Sanggung, and I shall serve you with utmost sincerity.”
Danbi’s mind flashed back to her first meeting with So Sanggung.

“This servant, by command of His Majesty, has been assigned to attend upon the Lady. I am So Sanggung, and I shall serve you with utmost sincerity.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Thank you.”

Danbi studied her with a measuring gaze.
Not a single word out of place.
The exact same inflection.
Even the subtle tremor of her eyebrows and the precise way she folded her hands were identical to before.
Considering this was a game, she felt less like a living person and more like a finely programmed automation.
“Then, allow me to show you to So Gung first.”
So Sanggung bowed formally and led the way. Danbi followed slowly behind her.
As the palace walls stretched out like a labyrinth, her footsteps suddenly stopped.
Red tiles and white stone walls came into view.
Beyond the wall, colorful flowers bowed their heads like a painting—a modest compound.
It was So Gung, matching the scene in her memory down to the smallest detail.
Once they passed through the main gate, So Sanggung bowed to Danbi.
“From now on, this shall be your residence.”
Danbi looked past her words and glanced around, searching for something.
“Palace Entry successful, so now soon…….”

At that moment, a cheerful notification chimed, and a blue window appeared in midair.

「Sub Quest complete.」
You have received a reward item.
Please check the Decorated Box.」

The instant Danbi read the message, she darted into the compound. The flustered attendants hurried after her.
“Oh, Miss!”
“My lady!”
She immediately pushed open the door to the loft. Sweeping aside the folding screen, she found an antique Decorated Box.
White background, blue patterns.
It was unmistakable.
Danbi’s hand reached naturally toward the box. Then a circular blue light burst around it.

「Item Found」

Text appeared before her eyes. At the same moment, with a click, the box opened.
And there it was—a Short Dagger with floral patterns etched across its surface.
Even the cool sensation against her fingertips was eerily identical.
Sol’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she asked.
“Wow, how beautiful. But how did you know a Short Dagger was hidden here?”
Danbi stared silently at the blade. Then a voice came from behind her.
“My lady.”
She turned to find So Sanggung bowed beside her.
“You must prepare yourself now. His Majesty awaits.”
As those words left her lips, a blue window appeared in the air. Danbi sprang to her feet.

「A new Sub Quest has arrived.」
―Audience」

***

Inside the round wooden tub, Danbi slowly lowered herself into the hot water.
Small flower petals drifted across the surface with a soft splash, dispersing as the palace attendants’ hands moved gently along her pale skin.
Yet the more they attended to her, the more turbulent her thoughts became.
It was identical.
The game was progressing exactly as before, without a single deviation. The game had definitely reset after her death back then.
Wait—if that’s the case…!

“So it was you after all.”
“What?”
“Guards! Seize this concubine at once—execute her for treason!”

Danbi’s fingers went unconsciously to her teeth.
Even submerged in the warm water, she kept feeling the phantom touch of that cold blade sliding past the nape of her neck.
If things continued this way, that scene would simply repeat itself.
Then she would die again, and the game would reset to the beginning.
If that happened, she might never escape this game at all—trapped forever in an endless cycle.
Glug.
The moment she dunked her face into the water, the startled attendants grabbed her urgently.
No—that couldn’t happen. Whatever it took, she had to prevent that.
Danbi clenched her teeth.
How could she possibly get out of this game?
How could she possibly…
Then she saw the blue window hovering in the air.

「New Sub Quest received.
―Audience」

Now that she thought about it, the game had always progressed by following the quests…
Danbi sprang up from the tub. Water cascaded out with a splash.
“That’s it! What if completing all the quests actually ends the game?”

***

Inside the swaying palanquin, Danbi opened the small window. Beyond it stretched the palace, as grand as ever.
A moment later the door opened, and Yun Naegwan, who had been standing beside her, approached and bowed.
“I have the honor of greeting you for the first time, madam. I am Yun Naegwan.”
Danbi focused on the shape of his lips.
Next would surely come—
“His Majesty is presently occupied with affairs of state.”
Exactly!
Danbi’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“Then I shall wait inside—”
“The Consummation Night has been postponed to a later date. You are to return home.”
“…What?”
The palace attendants exchanged looks of shock. Danbi questioned her own hearing.
The dialogue had changed.
“What do you mean…”
Return? That didn’t happen before.
“Excuse me. Did you really say to go back?”
When Danbi pressed him, Yun Naegwan lowered his head respectfully.
“I apologize for not forewarning you, madam.”
Surprise gave way swiftly to anxiety. The quest was deviating from its path.
This shouldn’t happen. She needed to complete the quest quickly to end this game…!
Her heart raced. Being turned away had never been part of the plan.
“Wait, please—”
The instant Yun Naegwan turned to leave, Danbi seized his shoulder.

Moments later, inside the Sleeping Chamber.
It was then that Hyun’s brow furrowed—a sound came from beyond the door.
“Your Majesty, Yun Naegwan has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
The door opened and Yun Naegwan stepped inside. Hyun kept his gaze fixed on the book as he addressed him.
“Perfect timing. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you about—”
When Yun Naegwan didn’t answer, Hyun turned his head with a puzzled expression. Something in the man’s face was deeply wrong.
“Is there something you wish to say to me?”
“Your Majesty, that is… she…”

“Could I ask just one more time? I’m rather pressed for time.”

When he relayed Danbi’s words, Hyun’s eyebrows drew together.
“Pressed?”
“A thousand pardons, Your Majesty.”
“In all my years, I’ve never heard such a thing.”
“I… I don’t know what to do about it…”
Hyun folded his arms, his eyebrows twitching slightly.
Pressed. Pressed, is it.

Some time later, outside the Sleeping Chamber.
While Danbi paced anxiously, Yun Naegwan appeared in the doorway. She rushed straight toward him.
“How did it go?”
“Well, that is… he says the hour has grown late, so you should return home…”
“What do you mean by that? I came precisely because the hour was late.”
“M-my lady!”
“Oh, forgive us, my lady.”
So Sanggung and Yun Naegwan bowed their heads simultaneously in dismay.
But Danbi paid their reaction no mind, fixing the closed door with a sharp, piercing stare—as though her gaze alone could cut through its wooden frame.
“This is how he’s going to play it, then?”

At that same moment, behind the pavilion.
Hyun watched the distant sedan chair bearing Danbi away from the Sleeping Chamber. Rang, standing beside him, stepped closer.
“Are you truly content to let her leave like this?”
“…”
Hyun’s eyes followed the receding chair for a long while. As the sound of its jolting gradually faded, he at last turned slowly away.
In the place where the master had stood, only the cold moonlight remained, falling in a long, still line.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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