Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 10

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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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Chapter 10. T, F, K
Truth be told, I had already posed this question to the Palace Maids of Chwisuondang before.
The results were as follows—
“Oh my, what’s wrong with our Bong-bong? Why are you sad?”
— Seol-hyang (F)
“You bought rice cakes because you were sad? I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
— Han Sang-gung (T)
“Sad, you say? Where in this world could you find a life as comfortable as yours? Back in my day, let me tell you, this and that….”
— Min Sang-gung (Stubborn Old Guard)
“Rice cakes? Sulgidduk? Jeolpyeon? That sounds delicious. Give me some too!”
— Sun-rye (Foodie)
The Palace Maids’ answers were all over the place. They aligned quite well with the behavioral patterns I’d been observing.
‘Pseudoscience or not, it makes a surprising amount of sense.’
So then, would I be nervous in this situation or not?
I steadied my racing heart and gazed up at King Sukjong with wide, attentive eyes.
I was desperately curious about what answer he would give.
“You bought rice cakes because you were sad?”
At last, King Sukjong’s lips parted.
Asking the question again for confirmation—that was certainly a T-like trait.
He continued.
“But what connection could there possibly be between sadness and eating?”
Indeed, T…!
“Still…. Even a child like you must have your own sorrows.”
Wait, F?
“Yet to resort to such pointless behavior—how foolish.”
TTTTT….
“How pitiful. That a young thing like you already speaks of sadness.”
FFFFF…?
“Tell me. Who made you sad?”
K… KILL?
…Why? Are you going to kill me?
“N-no, Your Majesty. It’s simply a feeling that came over me on my own.”
I swallowed hard and scrambled to offer an excuse.
Fortunately, King Sukjong asked nothing further beyond a single “I see.”
‘This man…. He’s impossible to read.’
I had mustered great courage to ask that question, yet only deeper confusion remained.
Cold yet magnanimous, quick to criticize yet capable of compassion….
‘He showed the same inconsistent demeanor when dealing with his sons.’
In short, an unpredictable man.
Now I understood precisely why so many officials feared him so greatly.
A dual-natured being—one who smiles while driving the blade home, yet sheds genuine tears for those she has slain.
When I thought about it, King Sukjong’s demeanor toward both Queen Inhyeon and Jang Hee-bin had always been precisely that way.
‘He’s far more terrifying than I realized.’
A chill ran down my spine, and I found myself trembling involuntarily.
It was then that King Sukjong, who had been walking ahead, turned back to look at me.
“Hehe.”
I forced another bright smile to hide my fear.
“Do you also have a fondness for cats?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m quite fond of them. I had such a delightful time playing with Geum-deok.”
“You played with Geum-deok?”
He glanced down at the cat cradled in his arms.
“Geum-deok is a hopeless lazybones. What could you possibly have done playing with such a sluggard?”
“Geum-deok is… lazy?”
I was genuinely taken aback.
Your Majesty, I think you’ve completely misunderstood.
That creature is anything but lazy—if anything, it’s a cat possessed by demons…
“Lazy indeed. Except when meat is served, it’s rare to see the beast take more than a few steps. Eating and sleeping—that is Geum-deok’s entire existence.”
“I… I see.”
How strange…
As these thoughts crossed my mind, King Sukjong’s footsteps suddenly halted.
Oh! We’ve already arrived!
Arrived where?
Chwisuondang.
***
Chwisuondang erupted into chaos.
The King, who had not set foot there in nearly half a year, had arrived without warning.
His sudden visit was shocking enough, but what truly astonished everyone was the young palace maid standing awkwardly beside him.
It was Hwang Bong-bong, the newest and youngest of Chwisuondang’s attendants.
“My lady, Lady Jang Hee-bin!”
Han Sang-gung burst into Jang Hee-bin’s private chamber without so much as announcing her presence—a breach of protocol born of urgency.
“I am resting because my head aches. Why do you make such a commotion?”
Jang Hee-bin’s eyes flashed with irritation.
“My lady, this is not the time for rest.”
“What is the matter? This is unlike you to be so frantic.”
“It is Hwang Bong-bong, the young maid!”
“Bong-bong? What has that girl done?”
“No, my lady—His Majesty!”
At the mention of the King, Jang Hee-bin’s eyes, which had been half-closed as she reclined, snapped wide open.
“He has come to the courtyard of Chwisuondang with Bong-bong!”
“What do you mean?”
Jang Hee-bin sprang to her feet.
Her expression was bewildered. The meaning of the King’s presence alongside Hwang Bong-bong was difficult to comprehend.
“We can discuss the details later, my lady. You must compose yourself and go out at once!”
“Very well. I understand.”
Even so, as Jang Hee-bin hastily donned the robe Han Sang-gung had brought, a flush of anticipation colored her cheeks.
And before she could even glance at her reflection, as she hurried toward the courtyard, what met her eyes was—
“Han Sang-gung, what in heaven’s name is this?”
A scene entirely at odds with her expectations.
***
“Like this!”
Whoosh! Leap! Jump!
“And like this!”
Swish! Tap! Pitter-patter-patter—
“The cats love being played with like this.”
In the center of the Chwisuondang courtyard, a seasoned trainer—myself—was demonstrating her craft.
I was showcasing my exceptional hunting play skills.
Performer: Hwang Bong-bong. Assistant: Geum-deok. Audience: King Sukjong.
“Your Majesty, would you like to try?”
I handed the object in my hand to him as he watched Geum-deok’s movements with a serious expression.
“Here, take Bom-bomi. Just swing it back and forth in all directions like this, as if you’re saying the cat will die from excitement.”
“Like this?”
As King Sukjong swung the hideous straw doll, Geum-deok displayed remarkable jumping prowess.
“Yes! You’re doing wonderfully! Keep going, keep going!”
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
With seal claps accompanying my cheers, he shook the cursed doll with enthusiasm.
Geum-deok bounded about the courtyard, kicking up dust.
Displaying the monstrosity publicly was deliberate.
Whenever questioned about the doll’s origins, I’d escaped by claiming I found it near Seonjeongjeon Hall, but this lie had a fatal flaw.
The person who’d thrust this doll upon me was Suk-jeong.
‘Which means both Suk-jeong and Jang Hee-bin know my story is false.’
Though I couldn’t yet be certain of Jang Hee-bin’s inclinations, Suk-jeong was undoubtedly a cunning woman.
‘And the risk of Jang Hee-bin thinking me a liar is far too great.’
So I made a decision.
I would transform this doll into my best friend, named Bom-bomi.
‘A three-year-old confusing reality and imagination is simply part of development.’
From this moment forward, I was no longer a cunning child forced into lies by Suk-jeong’s coercion.
I was a harmless little girl who couldn’t distinguish imagination from reality, genuinely believing this monstrosity was my friend Bom-bomi.
That was Hwang Bong-bong, the child of Chwisuondang.
Then it happened.
“Your Majesty!”
A bright, melodious voice rang out suddenly.
Jang Hee-bin approached swiftly and inserted herself between King Sukjong and me.
My body stumbled backward, jostled by the fullness of her skirts.
‘Wow…’
For a moment, my jaw dropped at the sight of Jang Hee-bin’s expression.
Her face had never been particularly bright.
But the woman standing before me now wore a completely different countenance.
It was a dazzlingly beautiful smile.
Like thousands upon thousands of flowers blooming simultaneously, a radiance unfurled across her face.
“How did you find me without a word, Your Majesty?”
“…Hee-bin.”
King Sukjong’s gaze settled upon Jang Hee-bin’s face.
“It has been a long time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have longed to see you again after all this time.”
…How fascinating, how utterly fascinating.
This spectacle was far more thrilling and exhilarating than any drama could ever be.
I observed the two of them discreetly, careful not to draw attention to myself.
“The young maid seemed to have lost her way. So I brought her here.”
“Ah, my dear Bong-bong, again?”
…Jang Hee-bin was certainly no ordinary woman.
“Bong-bong is a child I cherish as dearly as my own daughter. I am overwhelmed by your kindness toward my young maid, Your Majesty.”
Jang Hee-bin gripped my shoulder firmly and pulled me closer.
Though my shoulder ached, I found myself suddenly adopted as Jang Hee-bin’s daughter, and I smiled brightly to match the moment.
“I have waited so long for you, Your Majesty. The weather grows cold—please, come inside.”
‘What a beautiful sight this is, truly.’
Though unexpected, their reunion had come to pass because of me, after all.
If this meeting restored their bond, it would be nothing but fortunate for me as well.
At the very least, King Sukjong, blinded by love as he was, would surely stop at nothing for the one he cherished.
‘I can see a glimmer of hope for survival, I truly can.’
I was grinning widely, my mind racing with hopeful calculations, when—
“Hee-bin.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I have brought the girl as you asked. My business here is finished. I shall take my leave now.”
…Wait, what is this man doing?

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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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