The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#38. To Seongsucheong, the Divine Palace

 

“C-Crown Prince!”

 

The palace servants of Hyesin Palace, startled by Crown Prince Lee-hwan’s sudden appearance, bowed their heads deeply.

 

“Has the Princess not yet awakened?”

 

It was Lee-hwan’s inquiry, lowering his voice lest his sleeping young sister wake from her peaceful slumber.

 

“Yes, Your Highness. Princess Eunhye stayed at Jagyeong Palace until late last night before returning… Shall this servant go in and announce you?”

 

“Leave it be.”

 

Lee-hwan stopped Lady Park, who was about to enter the room, and quietly gazed at the closed door.

 

Only late yesterday evening had he heard about the ordeal the Princess had endured when she encountered Lady Gyeongbin on her way to the Crown Prince’s Palace, and how upset he had been.

 

So this early dawn, after paying his respects to his elders and finishing his morning lessons at the Crown Prince’s tutorial hall, Lee-hwan had come straight here.

 

To think that his five-year-old little sister had run alone all that long distance from Hyesin Palace to the Crown Prince’s Palace…

 

What could have frightened you so terribly, little one?

 

She had been a sister who followed him, her older brother, dearly from the time she began taking her first toddling steps.

 

And how brilliant she was too.

 

That same little sister, after surviving a grave illness that could easily claim even adults’ lives, had been suffering from a strange affliction for two years now.

 

She said she could see ghosts and hear their voices.

 

When the young Princess cried out in tears and screams, the startled royal physicians and adults silenced her, calling it aftereffects from her fever.

 

From then on, his little sister had to endure alone, and he too, crushed under the great weight of his duties as Crown Prince, could not be there with her.

 

So whenever he could see his sister, he tried to spend as much time with her as possible, but even that was not an easy reality.

 

Unable to bear waking the peacefully sleeping Eunhye, Lee-hwan gazed at the door with sad eyes.

 

Eunhye, what is it about this inadequate older brother that makes you smile so brightly at me?

 

Lee-hwan, unable to wake his sleeping sister, handed what he had been clutching tightly in one hand to Lady Park.

 

“Take this. When the Princess awakens, tell her I will come again soon and give this to her.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Something hard and smooth was placed on Lady Park’s outstretched hands as she bowed her head.

 

It was a wooden Sapsaree dog carved to the perfect size for the young Princess to hold in her hands.

 

“Could it be that Your Highness carved this yourself?”

 

With its body covered in shaggy fur and eyes hidden by hair, the little tongue sticking out below the cute nostrils made for an adorable appearance.

 

“I hear that Sapsaree dogs are quite brave and loyal, protecting their masters from evil things. When the Princess awakens, tell her to carry this and shake off her fears until I return.”

 

Lee-hwan looked once more toward the inside of the door where Eunhye’s steady breathing could be heard, then reluctantly turned his steps away.

 

“Let us go.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Crown Prince’s eunuch Gyeong-hwan followed behind Crown Prince Lee-hwan in his black dragon robe.

 

“But Your Highness, what about your morning meal? Did you not say not to prepare it because you would dine with Princess Eunhye?”

 

“What’s the big deal about skipping one meal that you make such a fuss?”

 

Lee-hwan, who had already left Eunhye’s chamber and stepped into the front courtyard of Hyesin Palace, looked back. It seemed as if his sister would come running out at any moment, calling “Crown Prince!” with a bright smile.

 

Lee-hwan exhaled a long breath through his nose and crossed the threshold of Hyesin Palace with long strides.

 

‘Eunhye, I will surely grow stronger to protect you.’

 

Over the roof tiles of the palace buildings that bore the gradually fading darkness, the gentle light of the morning sun spread brightly.

 

* * *

 

“If Crown Prince came, you should have woken me, nanny!”

 

Eunhye, who had risen and finished washing and dressing, pouted as she received the wooden Sapsaree dog that Lady Park presented.

 

“Forgive me, Princess. His Highness told us not to wake you…”

 

“Hmph, still, you should have woken me.”

 

Eunhye’s lips jutted out as she looked down at the wooden Sapsaree dog clutched tightly in her tiny hands.

 

“Forgive me, Princess. But His Highness said he would surely come again soon, so please calm your heart.”

 

“Waaah… Yesterday at dawn greetings too, we parted right away because he had morning lessons.”

 

Eunhye, who had been rubbing the fur strands covering the wooden Sapsaree’s eyes with her chubby thumb, looked up at Lady Park with eyes that seemed ready to shed tears.

 

“But did Crown Prince really carve this himself? For me?”

 

“Yes, Princess. As His Highness said, Sapsaree dogs have been known since ancient times as dogs that chase away ghosts. They were given the name combining ‘sap’ meaning to chase and ‘sal’ meaning to kill misfortune, so it must truly have mystical powers.”

 

Eunhye carefully hugged the wooden Sapsaree, which had been smoothly finished in every corner lest her small hands get hurt. Lady Park, who had been watching her young mistress with fond eyes, asked in a gentle voice.

 

“Then shall I have your morning meal brought now? This servant saw earlier that there seems to be some braised meat rice cakes that you didn’t eat yesterday.”

 

Eunhye, who had been holding the wooden Sapsaree clutched in both hands against her chest, nodded with a resigned expression.

 

“Mm, really? Then shall I try just a little?”

 

Lady Park, who had stretched her lips into a slow smile and made eye-smiles, nodded and called out loudly toward the outside.

 

“Quickly bring the morning meal.”

 

Eunhye, who had finished her breakfast with a sip of sweet rice drink, suddenly gave Lady Park a secretive look and gestured for her to come closer.

 

“Yes?”

 

When the flustered Lady Park hesitated at this sight, Eunhye raised the short, stubby index finger of her other hand to her lips.

 

“Shh…!”

 

At her quite serious expression, Lady Park approached Eunhye on her knees, bowed, and asked in a hushed voice.

 

“What is the matter, Princess?”

 

Then Eunhye too, after looking around the room where no one else was present, whispered quietly to Lady Park.

 

“Nanny, do you remember what I said yesterday?”

 

“What words do you mean?”

 

When Lady Park also lowered her voice to a whisper, Eunhye answered with a frustrated frown.

 

“Aw, did you already forget? We decided to go to Seongsucheong.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Lady Park’s eyes grew as wide as lanterns as she asked back in genuine surprise with a loud voice.

 

“Why are you so surprised? Didn’t we agree yesterday? That we’d go at the hour of jin. That we’d go together.”

 

Lady Park pulled back with a frightened face.

 

“But Princess, Lord Jipyeong is coming at half past the hour of sa (10 AM) today.”

 

Then Eunhye shook her head as if it were nothing and smiled brightly.

 

“It’s half past the hour of jin now (around 8 AM), so we can go and come back quickly. Hurry and prepare. No wait, since just Lady Han and nanny need to come with me, there’s nothing to prepare.”

 

As soon as she finished speaking, Eunhye sprang up and headed toward the door, while Lady Park, who couldn’t even cry, followed with uncertain steps.

 

“Oh my, Princess… must you really go?”

 

Then Eunhye whirled around and pressed her index finger firmly against Lady Park’s lips.

 

“Shh! We’re going without anyone knowing, so it must be kept secret. Understood?”

 

Lady Park, now with a tearful expression, followed behind Eunhye as she stepped out through the gently opened chamber door with confident steps.

 

“Where are… you going?”

 

It was Lady Han, looking at her young mistress who had suddenly left the room with a puzzled expression toward Lady Park.

 

Then Eunhye, passing by Lady Han, looked back and said.

 

“Lady Han, you come too.”

 

“Pardon? Yes, Princess.”

 

Lady Park, who had been following Eunhye with a tearful face, shook her head at the palace servants of Hyesin Palace who were about to follow along with Lady Han.

 

“You all just wait here. We will take a brief walk with Princess and return.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Through the path made by the servants who bowed their heads in response, the young Princess in a yellow silk jacket with pretty flower decorations on her shoulders and chest, and a flower-pink skirt, was confidently leaving Hyesin Palace.

 

And beside that young Princess, the spirit of Gwangjo, the 6th King of Taeshin Kingdom with his large frame, was walking along while making loud “kekekek” laughing sounds.

 

“Lady Han, aren’t you tired?”

 

Eunhye spoke in an apologetic voice to Lady Han, who had been carrying her on her back and walking at a quick pace for quite some time.

 

“Oh? How did you know? Our Princess ate quite a lot of the braised meat rice cakes that came up for breakfast today, didn’t she? This servant is so tired I could die.”

 

When Lady Han, who had hoisted up Eunhye on her back, answered with a grinning face, even Lady Park, whose face was red from being out of breath, smiled slightly.

 

“You couldn’t eat yesterday evening either because you had to go to Queen Dowager. When I ate what came up this morning, it was very delicious. But if it gets too hard, please put me down. As you know, Lady Han, I run very well!”

 

“Puhup.”

 

Lady Han and Lady Park couldn’t hold back their laughter at her young mistress’s adorable response.

 

“Why are you laughing? I really do run well!”

 

Lady Han lifted Eunhye, who had separated from her back, up once more and said with a smile.

 

“I jest. I am not tired at all. Princess must eat much more than now and grow more. Do you understand?”

 

“Fine, I really do run well, so you can put me down.”

 

Eunhye leaned back against Lady Han’s back, which had a cozy scent, and smiled brightly.

 

“Yes, that’s right. Princess is as quick as a flying squirrel. Therefore, I cannot put you down. Even if I don’t know, our Lady Park will definitely not be able to keep up, right?”

 

“Hehehe, is that so?”

 

When Eunhye turned her head slightly, she saw Lady Park’s face already red up to her nape from being out of breath.

 

“By the way, do we still have much further to go?”

 

Eunhye straightened her body that had been leaning against Lady Han and asked while looking back at the panting Lady Park.

 

“We have almost arrived. Once we pass through Jinwhamun over there, it will be visible immediately.”

 

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry, but wet nurse, please endure just a little more.”

 

In Eunhye’s eyes as she looked toward Lady Park, she saw Gwangjo walking together with a benevolent smile.

 

Queen Dowager!

 

Gwangjo nodded toward Eunhye, who was smiling brightly with joy, and lifted his chin to point ahead.

 

[We have arrived.]

 

Following Gwangjo’s gaze, Eunhye stretched her head up and finally saw the majestic and mysterious roof and ridge of Seongsucheong.

 

“Wow…!”

 

It was a place she had never visited since birth.

 

Eunhye gazed at Seongsucheong, which emanated an indescribable majesty, unable to close her open mouth.

 

Seongsucheong was located in the northernmost part of the Palace, where the energies of the sun and moon touched together.

 

The quarters surrounded by high walls were quiet on all sides, and unlike other quarters, without a single red pillar or gold decoration, it was harmonized in white and pale indigo, emanating a neat aura.

 

Moreover, the high roof had ink-colored tiles that received the morning sunlight and emitted a mysterious light, and the magnificent ridge connecting the center of the roof was carved not with phoenixes but with patterns of noble cranes.

 

It appeared as if this place followed heaven’s will rather than worldly authority.

 

Eunhye, learning for the first time that such a mysterious quarters existed within the Palace, gazed at Seongsucheong before her eyes with wide open eyes.

 

At the thought of having to enter that place where the Shinyeo who conveyed God’s prophecies and will lived, where the divine object Queen Dowager Gwangjo had mentioned was located, Eunhye swallowed even her dry saliva and whispered.

 

“Lady Han, please put me down now.”

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

Lady Han also seemed subdued by Seongsucheong’s mysterious majesty, appearing calmer than usual.

 

When Eunhye came down from Lady Han’s back, Lady Park, who quickly lowered her body, also adjusted her clothing with a somewhat frightened expression.

 

“Wet nurse, Lady Han, don’t be scared. Really nothing will happen. Understood?”

 

Though Lady Park and Lady Han, seeing their young mistress visiting Seongsucheong for the first time since birth, couldn’t trust her bold declaration, the two forced their trembling lips upward at Eunhye’s confident resolve.

 

“Yes, Princess. I trust Princess.”

 

Following Lady Park’s trembling response, at Lady Han’s determined expression nodding that she felt the same, Eunhye smiled brightly and looked up at Gwangjo.

 

This girl trusts Queen Dowager!

 

[What need is there for trust or not? It is all heaven’s will. Child, do not worry and go forward.]

 

Gwangjo, having conveyed his meaning, nodded and gently closed his eyes.

 

Gwangjo was certain that Eunhye was the owner of the divine object passed down from ancient times.

 

When Gwangjo’s answer fell, Eunhye smiled even more brightly and straightened her small shoulders proudly.

 

The stone path of black tiles leading to the front of Seongsucheong’s gate seemed to welcome her, shining golden and appearing to rise up one by one in an illusion.

 

‘Yes, Queen Dowager. This girl will trust Queen Dowager’s words and move forward.’

 

Eunhye’s steps toward the great gate of Seongsucheong, one step at a time, were quite solemn. Had she gone about ten steps like that?

 

Suddenly, Seongsucheong’s gate quietly opened and a mysterious, cool fragrance flowed out on the breeze.

 

Lady Park and Lady Han’s eyes widened, and Eunhye, who had been walking alone ahead, stopped in her tracks.

 

Soon, a woman wearing silk robes of pale silver and white appeared alone from within the opened gate.

 

She was a woman of ageless beauty with long, deep eyes.

 

The woman stopped before Eunhye, whose mouth was half open, and bowed her head deeply with a gentle smile.

 

“I have been waiting. I am Do-mu Makgae of Seongsucheong, who conveys God’s will.”

 

This woman is the Domu?

 

The highest person in Seongsucheong?

 

Eunhye gazed up in a daze at the woman whose beauty was so ageless it couldn’t be measured.

 

Her long hair, which had flowed down like fine silver thread, gently waved over her face and shoulders as she raised her head that had been bowed.

 

Ah…! Beautiful!

 

Eunhye couldn’t give any response, as if her soul had been stolen by Seongsucheong Domu Makgae’s mysterious smile.

 

It was an infinitely mysterious sight, as if all the light in this world was gathering around the woman called Do-mu Makgae.

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