The 21st Century Grand Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy - Chapter 14

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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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A Twenty-First Century Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy
The Flower of the Inner Chamber
Rumors that Yoon Irang would become the Crown Princess spread like wildfire. Especially at the Royal Academy’s School Grounds, where spirited teenagers filled every corner, no one wanted to miss a single detail of the gossip. One would expect her to react to such commotion, yet Yoon Irang remained serene amidst the chaos of the School Grounds.
By day, I prepared for the entrance examination; by evening, I practiced my performance skills in the Music Room.
But there were limits to how much I could ignore it. Students who had been whispering among themselves and spinning tales of imagination began seeking me out to ask directly.
“What are your plans after graduation?”
Some asked with subtle undertones.
“Is that rumor true?”
Others were far more blunt.
Yoon Irang, wearing a smile that was neither arrogant nor naive, selected which questions she could answer and responded appropriately.
“I don’t know either. Just because you major in something doesn’t mean you’ll spend your life as a performer.”
“Are you still dreaming of becoming a pianist?”
“Why?”
“Aren’t you going to change your major?”
“Do I need to?”
Jae-gyeong, who had been preparing for the piano performance exam alongside Yoon Irang, couldn’t hide her bewildered expression. She had assumed that if Yoon Irang was designated as the Crown Princess, she would change her major as well. But the look on Yoon Irang’s face when she asked if she needed to seemed oddly displeased.
“No, I just….”
Seeing Jae-gyeong’s discomfort, Yoon Irang let out a small sigh.
“…I did consider music theory as well.”
Offering her an escape route. Even if visible resistance was unpleasant, I couldn’t afford to react too sensitively. Benevolence was one of the virtues a queen must possess.
“Ah, music theory?”
Just as Jae-gyeong’s expression brightened and she began to agree, a girl in a bright crimson robe entered the Music Room. Jae-gyeong seemed to recognize her and frowned.
“What is she doing here?”
As if answering her muttered words, the girl approached with long strides and spoke.
“Are you planning to stay here?”
“What?”
“It’s almost cleaning time.”
“The Music Room is under Baekho Palace’s care, so why are you from Vermillion Phoenix Palace?”
Jae-gyeong asked as if asserting territorial rights. It was rare for students from different dormitories to be close with one another. Even if Vermillion Phoenix Palace’s rival was Azure Dragon Palace and Baekho Palace’s rival was Black Tortoise Palace, there were only differences in degree.
“It’s a punishment. I hit someone from Baekho Palace.”
The girl answered curtly. Throughout the exchange, Yoon Irang, who had remained silent, furrowed her brow. Even as the girl spoke of hitting someone, there was no trace of guilt or remorse on her face.
“Your name?”
“Yes?”
“Your name.”
“Ugh….”
When Yoon Irang asked, the girl sighed openly. She made no effort to hide her annoyance. Jae-gyeong let out a helpless laugh, but Yoon Irang waited with patience.
“Sung Hee-joo, ninth grade at Vermillion Phoenix Palace.”
Ah.
Yoon Irang let out a small exclamation. It was a name she had heard of countless times because of how famous it was. If she counted the number of times she had seen her from a distance, it was quite a considerable connection. But she had never paid attention to such peculiar types, so she had no particular impression of her. Yet here she was, seeing her up close like this.
“So you’re that Sung Hee-joo.”
I found Yoon Irang’s expression utterly distasteful. I was well aware of the rumors circulating through school—how she’d been designated as the Crown Prince’s future consort, the pride of Baekho Palace, graceful even on horseback, a flower of the inner chambers. Everyone spoke of her with admiration, but to my eyes, she was nothing more than a pathetic senior.
With so much talent, why hadn’t she married yet? Noble birth, an excellent family, outstanding abilities—why on earth hadn’t she?
It was puzzling, though not curious enough to warrant asking.
What I truly wanted to know was—
“So when are you going to finish cleaning?”
How much longer would she sit in the Music Room?
Yoon Irang, looking slightly bewildered, laughed and rose from her seat. Her companion—whether it was Jae-gyeong or someone else—also stood up from where she’d been chattering away. Lackeys, the lot of them.
“I apologize for taking up your time.”
“Yes.”
I didn’t deny it and began cleaning. I was already pressed for study time, and I had mountains of volunteer hours to complete.
“Isn’t she really strange?”
All the way from the Music Room to the Dormitory, Jae-gyeong didn’t stop cursing the defiant junior. Yoon Irang didn’t particularly agree, but she couldn’t deny there was truth to it. She’d wondered why someone with such an unusual background had become so famous, but now it seemed there was a reason—those who don’t know how to bend always attract those who want to break them.
“Hey, Yoon Irang!”
A cheerful voice rang out from the far end of the corridor. It was Han Da-young, just as unusual as Sung Hee-joo who was probably still cleaning in the Music Room. A daughter of an old and prestigious family, yet lacking all dignity, seemingly playing all day, yet with excellent grades.
“Are you going home this weekend?”
Da-young approached with long strides, asking the question. Da-young and Yoon Irang didn’t particularly like each other, but their mothers were close enough to meet every weekend. The two often enjoyed having their daughters attend these gatherings, though Da-young despised the occasions.
It was because of her mother’s nagging, comparing her to Yoon Irang—the very flower of the inner chambers.
“I have lessons this week, so I can’t go.”
“Perfect then. I’ll go this week instead. You go next week.”
Da-young, openly delighted, forced the arrangement upon her. Not wanting unnecessary argument, Yoon Irang readily nodded in agreement. Da-young’s lightness was irritating, but her straightforward honesty without pretense was admirable in its own way.
“Oh, that’s right!”
Da-young, who had been skipping away happily, suddenly ran back as if she’d forgotten something.
“Have you met the Crown Prince?”
“Um…?”
Yoon Irang, flustered, couldn’t answer immediately, so Jae-gyeong stepped in.
“Why would you ask such a thing? When the time comes, they’ll let you know on their own.”
Jae-gyeong, rebuking her sharply, looked at Yoon Irang like a child waiting for praise. But the praise she awaited didn’t come; instead, a sound came from Da-young—a snort of ridicule, if you could call it that.
“Jae-gyeong.”
Deep dimples appeared in Da-young’s cheeks as she smiled brightly.
“Did I ask you?”
It was frightening how such a bright face could be so terrifying. But Da-young was exactly that kind of person. Originally, Han Da-young had been famous as a madwoman before Sung Hee-joo—a madwoman born into a prestigious family, so less noisy about it. Looking at how she served as both dormitory director and cheerleading captain in Vermillion Phoenix Palace, where children famous for fiery temperaments gathered, it was obvious enough.
“Stop it.”
Had Yoon Irang not naturally intervened, Da-young would have bitten Jae-gyeong that day.
As I straightened the overturned chair and organized the music stand, Chopin’s score came into view. Following my father’s insistence that one should be able to play at least one instrument, I’d taken piano lessons, but I had little talent for it.
Rather, it was Sung Tae-joo who had a true understanding of music. A man of leisure who loves useless things wouldn’t easily dislike music. Especially since he loved Chopin—though even that differed from me.
I preferred Beethoven’s passion to Chopin’s romanticism.
“Tae-joo’s sister!”
Da-young opened the Music Room door at a perfectly timed moment. It was irritating that she called me “Tae-joo’s sister” every time despite clearly knowing my name, but I simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“Do you know where Tae-joo is? He hasn’t been answering calls since earlier.”
“Did my brother perhaps tell you that things aren’t good between us?”
“Still, you two are siblings after all. You like Chopin too?”
“No.”
“I should ask Tae-joo to play this for me later.”
“You can do that yourself, but could you leave so I can clean up?”
“Oh, sorry.”
Han Da-young gathered the sheet music with a bright smile and nodded.
“Leave the sheet music. It’s school property.”
Sung Hee-joo stopped Han Da-young as she tried to leave.
“Can’t you just pretend you didn’t notice?”
“Me?”
Sung Hee-joo shrugged and looked at Han Da-young with a questioning expression. If equipment went missing while she was responsible for the Music Room, it would be her problem. With an exasperated sniff, Han Da-young set the sheet music down.
“You’re so cold. So heartless.”
Sung Hee-joo watched Han Da-young’s retreating figure, feigning hurt, and found herself thinking once more.
“Why does that girl keep seeing my brother?”

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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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