Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 9

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

Chapter 9. A Striking Resemblance
“Geum-deok. Come here.”
The King’s voice carried a weighty resonance.
The stray cat I’d dismissed as ordinary was none other than the legendary King Sukjong’s cat, Geum-deok.
Yet I had no time to marvel at this revelation.
‘King Sukjong….’
I was utterly overwhelmed by his charisma.
A sovereign possessed of unassailable legitimacy that no one dared challenge.
A formidable ruler who had brought countless bloodbaths now stood before my eyes.
‘If this is the 26th year of Sukjong’s reign, he must be around forty.’
He was a handsome man who exuded strength and mature composure.
What struck me most was the intensity in his gaze.
‘His eyes are absolutely piercing. Like a tiger’s.’
Some dramas had portrayed him as an indecisive king, but that was utterly absurd.
King Sukjong was, in a word, ‘unstoppable.’
Whether in matters of love or in dealing death, he was relentless.
‘I need to keep my wits about me.’
The man before me was known by the epithet ‘Joseon’s most volatile temperament.’
I watched him intently, my entire body tense with apprehension.
His gaze was fixed not on me, but on the cat—on Geum-deok.
‘…That wretched beast.’
The moment I saw Geum-deok, my heart sank.
The cat that had just been thrashing about wildly, gnawing and dragging the curse doll, had transformed into the most elegant creature imaginable.
Geum-deok now embodied the very picture of a noble royal cat.
Which meant only one thing.
The curse doll was clutched in my own hands….
‘I’m ruined.’
What twisted karma bound me to this grotesque thing? Could such a curse ever be severed in this lifetime?
I considered hiding the doll, but King Sukjong stood far too close.
He slowly bent down and cradled Geum-deok in his arms, and his gaze gradually shifted toward me.
“Your Majesty, I humbly offer my deepest respects for your continued good health.”
I bowed my head with the utmost formality, the curse doll dangling carelessly from my hand.
Then came his words.
“Raise your head.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
…Terrifying though it was, I had no choice but to obey.
An oppressive gaze so intense it made my knees tremble fixed upon me.
King Sukjong’s eyes lingered on my face far longer than was natural.
His stare was relentless, as though searching for something hidden within my features.
It was then that an inexplicable utterance escaped his lips.
“…You resemble someone.”
I watched as those tiger-like eyes trembled slightly for a moment.
“But that can’t be right.”
He muttered the words low and quiet.
…Resemble someone? Me?
Who on earth could that be?
A person…surely? Please don’t tell me I resemble Geum-deok or something hideous.
A thousand questions bubbled up, but my greater concern was whether I’d be interrogated about the curse doll’s origins.
Even if I asked ‘Who do I resemble?’, he didn’t seem like the type to answer obediently….
“A young servant girl, then.”
His single remark, cast toward me as I trembled, was utterly devoid of warmth.
Like saying ‘a stone’, in that tone.
“Is there such a young child in the Royal Palace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. There is.”
“How old?”
“Three years old.”
“Which household does she belong to?”
“Chwisuondang.”
“Chwisuondang….”
I watched carefully with both eyes. His face stiffened subtly in that instant.
“I see.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I tried not to show my fear, and carefully observed his expression.
He showed a subtle reaction to learning she belonged to Chwisuondang, but his face wasn’t particularly displeased or upset.
To be precise, it was a face that revealed nothing of his inner thoughts.
…And then, finally, it came.
“What is that you’re holding in your hand?”
King Sukjong was staring at the curse doll in my grip.
‘Should I say it belongs to Geum-deok? That it’s something I don’t know? Or that it fell from the sky?’
I racked my brain desperately, but no good excuse came to mind.
Above all, I was troubled by the matter concerning Suk-bin.
‘Your Majesty entrusted me with an urgent matter.’
That single phrase from the day I encountered Suk-bin—the one that had defeated Jang Hee-bin.
It was clear evidence that Suk-bin still maintained a close relationship with King Sukjong.
‘If I say something different and it gets exposed, I’m finished.’
I made my decision. I would maintain consistency.
“I found it near Seonjeongjeon Hall…. Go-young, or rather, Geum-deok picked it up and ran away with it.”
“You found something like this near the Private Chamber, of all places?”
…King Sukjong, as expected. Not someone to be trifled with.
But what other choice did I have? Since I’d already spoken, I had no choice but to push forward with the story.
“Yes. I found this near the Private Chamber.”
He, who had been regarding the curse doll with cold eyes, narrowed his gaze. As if searching for traces carved into the figurine.
My mouth had gone completely dry. Cold sweat seeped down my spine.
His gaze moved slowly.
From the doll to my face.
Then to… Geum-deok.
“Geum-deok, you little rascal.”
King Sukjong opened his mouth.
“You’ve been quiet for a while, and now you bring me something like this?”
“Meow?”
At King Sukjong’s words, my legs nearly gave out beneath me.
‘I’m alive. I’m alive.’
Oh, blessed feline deity, whether you came to ruin me or save me.
In the meantime, King Sukjong remained focused on stroking Geum-deok.
‘Truly a devoted cat enthusiast.’
Watching this fearsome figure—one who had orchestrated countless purges that nearly extinguished entire bloodlines of officials—gently coaxing a cat was honestly surreal.
At least he seemed to harbor no further suspicion about the curse doll.
What was needed in a moment like this?
‘A swift exit.’
I, who had been cautiously gauging the situation, made a respectful bow.
“Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty. I must go…”
“Where are you headed?”
“To Chwisuondang.”
There was a pause—about two seconds.
Brief though it was, it felt ominous. A sharp instinct crept up my spine.
“The Royal Palace is vast. You won’t lose your way alone, will you?”
“No. I navigate well enough on my own, Your Majesty.”
“Then I shall escort you there myself.”
“…Pardon?”
I gaped at King Sukjong, looking up at him.
Your Majesty? Me?
…Why?
***
Gasp. Gasp.
Huff. Puff….
‘Good heavens, I’m running out of breath.’
King Sukjong showed no mercy in slowing his pace for me.
I had no choice but to scurry after him in a flurry of footsteps.
‘Save this young maid.’
As I gasped and wheezed, he glanced back at me.
“Perhaps my pace is too quick.”
“No, Your Majesty… huff… it is merely… puff… that my legs are… gasp… far too short… ugh….”
…King Sukjong’s face twitched ever so subtly.
‘Gasp, he laughed.’
King Sukjong laughing—I was certain I was witnessing something extraordinarily rare.
His pace became noticeably slower. Thanks to this, I could finally catch my breath as I walked.
‘Though I cannot fathom his true nature… at least he shows consideration for a young maid.’
Upon reflection, King Sukjong did seem to be quite fond of children.
‘His favoritism toward his own children was severe, yet he always doted on them when they were young.’
Tap-tap-tap, I gazed at King Sukjong’s back and lost myself in thought.
‘What manner of man was the true King Sukjong?’
Even I, whose profession was studying the era of King Sukjong, could not answer with certainty.
King Sukjong was a remarkably multifaceted person.
He was a cold and calculating monarch wielding the blade of power, yet simultaneously a human capable of unleashing emotions so intense they could not be contained.
‘I wish to know what kind of person you truly are.’
I cautiously observed King Sukjong’s expression.
‘For now, he seems peaceful. His mood appears pleasant.’
Even as he walked cradling the cat, there was no trace of displeasure on his face.
So….
I ventured a comment.
“Hehe!”
“…?”
At my foolish giggle, King Sukjong turned to look at me.
“What amuses you so?”
“Geum-deok is simply too adorable. I have never seen Geum-deok this precious before, Your Majesty.”
“Mm.”
There it was again. I caught the corner of King Sukjong’s mouth twitch.
As I observed this sight, which proved less rare than expected, he opened his mouth.
“Geum-deok is indeed quite charming.”
Ding!
[You have successfully captured the Aloof Butler’s affection!]
[The target’s favorability is skyrocketing!]
It felt as though a game status window was scrolling up before my eyes.
Even as I spoke, I smiled at King Sukjong with the brightest, most innocent expression I could muster.
As guileless and radiant as possible.
I was mimicking the smile of Prince Yeonning Yi Hwon, whom I had encountered earlier that day.
I hoped King Sukjong would feel that same disarming sense of wonder before a child’s pure innocence.
‘I am harmless, I am a helpless and incompetent child….’
King Sukjong gazed intently at my beaming face.
He said nothing, but his expression was far from the frightening visage of our first meeting.
How should I describe it…. His eyes held the warmth of cherished memories.
There was something tinged with melancholy in them as well.
‘He’s clearly not wary of me at all.’
I sensed intuitively that the moment I had long awaited had finally arrived.
After so long, the time had come to answer the scholarly question that had consumed me as a researcher.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask you just one question?”
“Speak.”
…At last.
I swallowed hard and posed my momentous question.
“Your Majesty. I bought the rice cakes because I was sad….”
King Sukjong.
Are you a Thinking type or a Feeling type on the MBTI?

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