Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 102

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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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The Baek Clan’s Falling
Ha-bin had heard the rumors too—that the Crown Prince’s consort had been cast aside. It was unexpected, but she judged it a fortunate turn for the realm, the Baek Clan, and above all for Buyeo Hui.
“Indeed. My congratulations to you.”
“It seems you view this as cause for celebration.”
Buyeo Hui spoke with cool indifference. Ha-bin, realizing she’d struck a nerve, quickly changed tack.
“Given how matters have unfolded, you must not have conveyed word to the Crown Prince.”
“If it becomes necessary, I shall inform him.”
“There’s no need. Our original purpose was to dissolve the marriage arrangement, after all. Thank you for everything until now.”
Thinking this meeting might well be their last, Ha-bin composed her expression into something graceful.
Despite everything, Buyeo Hui had never refused her visits, and so she could call whenever business demanded it. But now, if the two of them were seen together, gossip would follow.
It felt both liberating and disappointing.
Since she’d begun with the intent to spoil the marriage arrangement, she had never worn a mask with him. That was how Buyeo Hui had become one of the rare few to whom Ha-bin could speak her true mind.
“Are you taking your leave, then? You’re right—there will be no more occasions to contemplate the waters together.”
Buyeo Hui was correct. Going forward, there would be no shared horizon to gaze upon. Only then did Ha-bin recognize that her heart had tilted toward disappointment.
“Yes.”
“A Queen, then. ……What manner of man is the Crown Prince?”
“One who can become a King. Quite different from what his reputation for benevolence might suggest. His favor flows only from calculation. He is said to be exacting in reward and punishment alike.”
“A sound trading partner for you, then.”
Worry and suspicion clouded Buyeo Hui’s face as he spoke. Surely he wouldn’t now throw himself into some reckless scramble for power.
“If it’s the maid Sam-cheon you’re concerned about, I believe there’s no cause for worry.”
At Sam-cheon’s mention, Buyeo Hui’s eyes hardened.
“Why bring up that child all of a sudden?”
The tender, melancholy atmosphere between them shattered in an instant.
Ha-bin’s gaze turned cold as well.
“This morning at Sabigung, I happened to meet the maid Sam-cheon, and the Crown Prince appeared right then. Perhaps you weren’t aware.”
It was a deliberate provocation, yet Buyeo Hui leaned in close.
“You happened to meet Sam-cheon by chance?”
“I had business to conduct. The Crown Prince simply appeared at the appointed place and ended up joining us. So I gathered you were taking notice.”
It seemed they’d met through work helping Hwa-ran, then. But the fact that the Crown Prince had appeared at that meeting wasn’t something she could simply brush aside.
“Thank you for telling me.”
He was thinking he’d need to learn more about the Crown Prince when Ha-bin continued.
“That escort of his had striking features, by the way. They made a handsome pair indeed.”
This time she’d struck true. Buyeo Hui tilted his chin up slightly, as if inviting her to continue.
“You too should find someone suited to you. Among available matches, a daughter of the Mok household would be most advantageous. She has a gentle disposition, I’m told.”
“There’s no need for you to concern yourself with my marriage prospects.”
“Surely you understand that marriage to a palace maid is impossible.”
Ha-bin spoke as though it were simple fact, but the moment their eyes met, she fell silent.
He wasn’t angry. He hadn’t even frowned. The small smiles that had flickered through earlier irritation vanished, leaving only a terrible quiet—and Ha-bin’s spine went cold.
His gaze held an arrogance like that of one regarding a contemptible insect. The tips of Ha-bin’s fingers turned to ice. She recognized she had overstepped, but the words were already spoken and could not be retrieved.
Buyeo Hui broke the chilling silence.
“It amuses me that you would say such a thing. Does the seat of Queen seem easily won?”
Ha-bin knew it was difficult. The difference was—.
“I have staked my entire life on it.”
“And if I have staked mine as well?”
Buyeo Hui tilted his head slightly, his lips curving up in the faintest smile.
When their eyes met at that height, she glimpsed his true emotion. Ha-bin realized this was no youthful recklessness—and her stomach twisted.
Why did everyone seek only Sam-cheon?
She understood the maid was clever.
But that alone would not explain why Gye-san had used her Pardon Authority, why Buyeo Hui orbited around her, why the Crown Prince hovered at her side, and why Hwa-ran had shown her such brilliant kindness. Ha-bin was certain of that.
“What makes the maid Sam-cheon different? Setting aside her cleverness?”
“You are clever too. Yet you use that fine mind only to chase your own glory.”
“That’s not wrong, is it?”
“I tell you the difference because you ask. That child looks around her and seeks ways for all to live happily together. In your world, only you smile; in hers, everyone does. Of course one would wish to belong to Sam-cheon’s world. That is why you stand alone.”
It was as though he were telling her that her solitude was the consequence of this very thing.
The fact that she could almost understand the feeling only deepened her resentment.
“I thank you for the kind instruction. If there is nothing more, I shall take my leave.”
Ha-bin bowed with proper courtesy, then turned and headed home without another word.
Left alone, Buyeo Hui glanced back at Ju-hong, who stood behind him.
“That escort, now. Is he really as striking as all that?”
“So everyone says, as I’ve told you.”
He’d heard it from Ju-hong before and thought the man merely handsome for a soldier. But if Ha-bin had spoken of him that way, he must have misjudged.
“Is he comparable to Geum-i?”
“Geum-i has neat, refined beauty. This man has a presence that captures the eye. I’d call it an elegant kind of handsomeness.”
Buyeo Hui let out a deep sigh.
“His height?”
“A little taller than you, my lord.”
“Height troubles me. It’s dangerous to place a man taller than myself at her side.”
Buyeo Hui wanted to advise assigning a different escort, since he was troubled by that dream Sam-cheon had spoken of.
But.
“It makes no sense.”
They were the very ones who had saved Sam-cheon’s life.
Ju-hong, watching Buyeo Hui release another deep breath, added with a worried expression.
“Though he is striking, he does not approach your shadow, my lord.”
“That flattery pleased me. Let’s go.”
Buyeo Hui led the way, and Ju-hong followed eagerly with a grin.
Three carts bearing the Gyeon-hun-gun flag rolled into the Military Camp. As the first cart halted before the Cart Station, soldiers nearby began to gather one by one.
As Deok-sim leaned her head out, Mak-dol, standing closest, broke into a broad smile and extended his hand. Deok-sim grasped it and stepped down from the cart.
“You must have suffered the cold to come all this way.”
“What are you saying? The princess sent a cart for us. It’s wonderful to see you again.”
Deok-sim smiled warmly.
Kkot-nim, who had been riding inside, began to descend, so Mak-dol quickly extended his hand again. Kkot-nim hesitated before hopping down on her own.
Deok-sim, regarding her youthful movements with fondness, turned to Mak-dol.
“Thank you.”
“With all this baggage, will you be staying at the camp for a while?”
“I’ve transferred my assignment to the camp.”
Cheers erupted from the soldiers nearby.
The warm meals Deok-sim prepared were a beacon of light on that grim battlefield. With each careful bowl of rice, the soldiers found strength to endure their hardship, each spoonful evoking someone left behind in a distant home.
Mak-dol quickly gathered up the luggage Deok-sim had brought.
“Should I take these to the Barracks, the one you used when you visited before?”
“Yes, please. This is Kkot-nim. She’s as lovely as her name, so treat her well.”
Kkot-nim’s cheeks flushed crimson as she bowed her head. At the sight of her reddened face, the soldiers burst into hearty laughter.
“Deok-sim, Kkot-nim.”
At that melodious voice, they turned to find Sam-cheon approaching with a brilliant smile.
Sam-cheon took Deok-sim’s hand at once.
“How’s your knee?”
“Still holding up fine.”
“You’ve had a hard journey too, Kkot-nim.”
Sam-cheon released Deok-sim’s hand and quietly drew her sleeve to cover a wound. She’d unwound the cloth so Deok-sim wouldn’t worry, but the scar still showed darkly.
“I was worried, but everyone welcomed us so warmly that I feel reassured.”
As Kkot-nim spoke, Wol-ya came into her line of sight, standing at a distance. So strikingly handsome that her eyes widened, yet his bearing suggested high rank, so she dipped her head respectfully.
Deok-sim, noticing Wol-ya as well, asked in a casual tone.
“My, who is that striking gentleman? He hasn’t taken his eyes off our maid.”
“He’s serving as my escort today.”
Mak-dol interjected with a knowing grin.
“Everyone’s eyes are opened wide, I tell you. Don’t know the story, but he’s got the bearing of nobility. That’s the kind of presence you can’t hide.”
Kkot-nim stole a glance at Wol-ya’s face, then lowered her head again.
Word of Deok-sim’s arrival spread quickly. Amid the bustle of soldiers coming to pay their respects, a royal decree from the Great King arrived.

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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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