The Five-Year-Old Baby Princess Rules the Palace - Chapter 43

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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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#43. One Secret That Cannot Be Told

 

“Father, please spare my life!”

 

“I knew nothing at all!”

 

“I will never covet the throne again. Please spare my life!”

 

“Father, I did not kill my brothers. This is unjust!”

 

“I only did as Mother commanded!”

 

Gwangjo tightly shut his eyes as he seemed to hear the desperate cries of Yeon-seo and Hyo-eon, who had wailed toward him just before their deaths.

 

The territorial conquest war that ended only after losing three princes – Taeshin Kingdom had subjugated surrounding nations and gained vast territory, but lost its brilliant princes.

 

And Gwangjo felt disgusted watching his children assassinate their own blood again to claim the next crown prince position, even before the soil on the princes’ graves had dried after their funeral.

 

Even seven-year-old Woo-yang, whom Gwangjo had cherished dearly, died vomiting blood while eating refreshments, and his mother Lady Jeong collapsed in grief and died shortly after.

 

Perhaps that incident turned Gwangjo into a rampaging madman.

 

Not even a week after Woo-yang’s death, it was Gwangjo himself who directly executed the last surviving brothers Yeon-seo and Hyo-eon, sons of Heebin.

 

Though their brother’s death was only days ago, news reached Gwangjo that the two princes were drinking together at Jipgyeongdang.

 

Enraged by this, Gwangjo rushed to Jipgyeongdang and witnessed the absurd sight of the drunken Yeon-seo and Hyo-eon harassing a maid. He immediately kicked over the drinking table and drew a guard’s sword to execute the two princes who were prostrating and begging before him.

 

Due to this incident, Gwangjo was called the Blood Emperor and a heartless father, and many mockingly used the character for madness rather than brilliance in his posthumous name.

 

Hearing the story told by her teacher Kim Gyo-hyeon, Eunhye looked up at Gwangjo with tear-filled eyes.

 

She couldn’t believe that such sad events had befallen Queen Dowager, who always smiled so kindly.

 

Perhaps Queen Dowager’s sorrow was too deep for him to ascend to heaven?

 

“Princess, Princess? What are you thinking about so deeply?”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon called out to the pale-faced Eunhye with a worried voice.

 

It was a question mixed with concern that perhaps the story of the previous king he had shared was too shocking.

 

“Oh, no. I just feel so sorry for how much Queen Dowager’s heart must have hurt.”

 

“Indeed. I cannot even dare imagine what the heart of a father who lost all eight sons must have felt like.”

 

Nod nod.

 

Her plump cheeks shook as if they might slide down.

 

“Then, King Jungjong, the 7th king who succeeded Queen Dowager, whose son was he? Since all the princes had passed away…”

 

At Eunhye’s question, Kim Gyo-hyeon opened a certain page of the Taeshin Kingdom history book spread on the writing desk.

 

“King Gwangjo’s grief over losing all his princes was so great that he passed away the following year without establishing a crown prince. Afterward, by the Queen Dowager’s command, Prince Hyosin, son of Prince Jiryang who was King Gwangjo’s younger brother, ascended to the throne.”

 

As soon as Kim Gyo-hyeon finished speaking, tears like chicken droppings fell from Eunhye’s eyes.

 

“I am sorry!”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon was startled by Eunhye’s sudden tears and lowered himself to the floor.

 

“I failed to consider Princess Eunhye’s feelings and carelessly shared the royal family’s secret history. Please forgive me.”

 

Shake shake shake.

 

Eunhye shook her head.

 

“No, Teacher. I… cannot even imagine how much Queen Dowager’s heart must have hurt. How heartbroken he must have been… *sob sob*”

 

At Eunhye’s tearful words, Kim Gyo-hyeon couldn’t lift his head with a devastated expression.

 

I made a mistake. No matter how intelligent she may be, Princess Eunhye is only five years old – what madness possessed me to tell such harsh royal family stories?

 

“I am sorry, Princess.”

 

Eunhye shook her head at Kim Gyo-hyeon’s repeated apologies.

 

“No, it’s not Teacher’s fault. I keep being sad… that’s why.”

 

With unstoppable tears, the front of Eunhye’s yellow silk robe became thoroughly soaked.

 

Gwangjo, who had been keeping his eyes tightly shut with a long sigh, slowly opened them. Then he raised his wrinkled hand to pat Eunhye’s small shoulder, though he couldn’t reach her.

 

[Child, don’t cry. This old man’s sins are too great, making even you weep.]

 

Then Eunhye shook her head again.

 

“No. I think this tragedy occurred while Queen Dowager was leading this nation to prosperity and strength.”

 

As Eunhye answered Gwangjo while shaking her head, Kim Gyo-hyeon nodded and replied while still prostrated.

 

“I am once again humbled and cannot lift my head at Princess Eunhye’s wisdom and thoughtfulness.”

 

Then Gwangjo, who had been patting the crying Eunhye’s shoulder, also nodded deeply.

 

[Indeed. How can our princess be so thoughtful and kind? You make this sinner who killed all his children truly ashamed.]

 

Eunhye lifted her tear-wet eyes and silently shook her head.

 

‘No, Queen Dowager. You can achieve enlightenment and meet the princes. Please show them the kind smile and voice you show me. I will help Queen Dowager achieve enlightenment.’

 

Perhaps Eunhye’s inner words reached him, as Gwangjo’s spirit gradually faded with a gentle smile.

 

[Child, if this old man stays here longer, I might show you an ugly sight. I’ll go somewhere briefly, so continue your discourse with this rather clever fellow.]

 

With her face wet with tears, Eunhye bowed toward the disappearing Gwangjo.

 

‘You must return soon.’

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon, who had been bowing his head, let out a small sigh of relief at Eunhye’s quieted crying.

 

“Princess, your mind must be greatly disturbed because of this reckless and foolish teacher, so shall we end today’s lesson here? I am sorry.”

 

Then Eunhye sniffled and opened the writing desk drawer to take out a handkerchief. She clumsily wiped her wet face and made an expression as if something had occurred to her.

 

“Teacher, there’s something I want to ask.”

 

At the unexpected question, Kim Gyo-hyeon straightened his posture and looked at Eunhye.

 

“Please ask.”

 

Eunhye glanced at the handkerchief she had just used to wipe her face, then spoke.

 

“That… about the young lord named Ji… hoo, who is Teacher’s son.”

 

At the name Jihoo from Eunhye’s mouth, Kim Gyo-hyeon looked up with a surprised expression.

 

He had completely forgotten while telling the story of King Gwangjo that Princess Eunhye had suddenly asked about. What reckless crime had his son committed!

 

“Princess, I should have apologized first – please do not forgive this foolish man!”

 

Eunhye slowly closed and opened her moist eyes while shaking her head.

 

“Last night, at Queen Dowager’s Quarters, didn’t I say I had forgiven everything?”

 

Then Kim Gyo-hyeon tightly shut his eyes, remembering how Jihoo had declared he would become a royal consort last night.

 

“No, Princess. It is my fault for not properly teaching my son.”

 

“No, no. What I want to ask about is not that kind of story.”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon opened his tightly shut eyes and lifted only his head while still prostrated. In his eyes appeared the small Princess Eunhye looking at him while holding a handkerchief in one hand.

 

“Then what kind of…”

 

“Um, by any chance… does Young Lord Jihoo also… often experience fear?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

To Kim Gyo-hyeon’s surprised and confused question, Eunhye sniffled once and smiled awkwardly.

 

“I mean, um… does Teacher perhaps see Young Lord Jihoo being scared at all times and for no reason…”

 

“No.”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon cut off Eunhye’s words with a flustered tone. Then, realizing his rudeness, he gulped nervously.

 

“I am sorry, Princess. I dared to answer in the middle of your words. Please forgive me.”

 

Eunhye nodded cutely at Kim Gyo-hyeon’s apology.

 

“Yes, it’s fine.”

 

“However, may I dare ask why you ask such a question?”

 

Then Eunhye pursed her small lips and remained still as if thinking about something. Then, as if having made a decision, she put down the handkerchief she was holding on the writing desk and spoke.

 

“Because Young Lord Jihoo has a mysterious handkerchief.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon felt goosebumps rise from the back of his neck to his tailbone.

 

“May I dare ask what was mysterious about it?”

 

At Kim Gyo-hyeon’s trembling question, Eunhye prettily crinkled her eye corners and spoke as if she had been waiting.

 

“It wasn’t an ordinary handkerchief. Didn’t Teacher already know about this?”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon was so shocked that he forgot to answer and just gaped.

 

At his appearance, Eunhye nodded slightly as if she had expected this and gestured with her small hand for him to come closer.

 

Then, as if possessed by something, he approached with awkward knee-steps, and Eunhye spoke in a whisper-like small voice.

 

“The fact that Young Lord Jihoo has a Guardian Talisman is a secret, right?”

 

To Kim Gyo-hyeon, who was startled and frozen, Eunhye spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“Don’t worry. I will keep the secret. So Teacher should also be good to Young Lord Jihoo. He must be very scared.”

 

As Eunhye finished speaking, Kim Gyo-hyeon collapsed right there on the spot.

 

Why would Princess Eunhye say such things?

 

Could it be that, just as he had worried and suspected, Princess Eunhye had also been tormented by evil spirits all this time? Had the young Princess been alone and frightened amidst rumors too shameful to even speak aloud?

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon straightened his posture and bowed low, his heart swelling with emotion for no clear reason.

 

“I, Kim Gyo-hyeon, do not know how to repay the grace that Princess Eunhye has bestowed upon my inadequate son.”

 

Eunhye tilted her head as she looked at Kim Gyo-hyeon prostrating before her.

 

Why was he saying nothing about the mask? Hadn’t Queen Dowager Gwangjo clearly said that the mask was Young Lord Jihoo’s guardian talisman?

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon slowly raised his head from his bowed position before Eunhye, who had a small furrow in her brow.

 

“Therefore, I pledge that as long as our family exists, we shall offer endless loyalty to Princess Eunhye and Crown Prince.”

 

At Teacher’s sudden oath of loyalty, Eunhye’s eyes widened, then she soon smiled brightly and spoke.

 

“You don’t want to talk about the mask that Young Lord Jihoo has, do you?”

 

Seeing Kim Gyo-hyeon give an awkward smile at her question, Eunhye reached out her small hand toward the books spread on the writing desk.

 

Then she closed both books and called to Kim Gyo-hyeon with a mischievous smile.

 

“Teacher.”

 

“Yes, Princess Eunhye.”

 

Eunhye smiled brightly once more at Kim Gyo-hyeon, who answered with a bewildered expression.

 

“Since the matter of Young Lord Jihoo and the mysterious mask seems to be a secret, I won’t ask about it anymore. Everyone has at least one secret, don’t they?”

 

Gulp.

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down greatly.

 

How could he tell anyone in this world about Jihoo’s story of being tormented by ghosts since birth from his shrine maiden mother’s womb?

 

Who would believe the story of his wife Heeran, who died before even living thirty years, having used up all her remaining divine power to protect Jihoo?

 

Eunhye nodded maturely at Kim Gyo-hyeon’s silent demeanor and whispered softly.

 

“Next time you have occasion to enter the palace with Young Lord Jihoo, please give me a little hint too. I also have something to show Young Lord Jihoo.”

 

To Kim Gyo-hyeon, who looked surprised as if asking what she meant, Eunhye just smiled cutely and closed the books.

 

“Well then, today’s lesson ends here, doesn’t it? Teacher, you were the first to suggest it.”

 

Kim Gyo-hyeon’s eyes widened as the face of Heeran, who had been a shrine maiden, seemed to overlap with Eunhye’s face as she smiled brightly with her eyes crinkled.

 

Why did his wife’s image overlap with that of such a young Princess Eunhye?

 

Eunhye smiled brightly once more at Kim Gyo-hyeon, who had a dazed expression, then suddenly asked as if remembering something.

 

“Oh, and Teacher, do you happen to know that there are hwanggam trees that only grow on Miseondo in Mother’s greenhouse as well?”

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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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