Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 24

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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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Chapter Twenty-Four
“You’re not even considering it.”
“I apologize. To be honest, it seems feasible, so I cannot bring myself to say it’s impossible.”
Gye-san shook her head.
In truth, she shared the thought. There were many routes to infiltrate, but few guards meant the defenses were bound to be weak.
“Sam-cheon, sleep with me starting tonight. Bring your bedding at once.”
Sam-cheon answered “Yes” and moved immediately.
Once the door closed and her footsteps faded, Gye-san spoke heavily.
“No one’s going to kill me even if something happens. Too much trouble to clean up after.”
Whether real bandits or Hae-ssi’s scheming, no one would target Gye-san’s life. If she suffered a serious injury, heads would roll down the line.
“That’s true.”
Yong-yong agreed.
“But Sam-cheon is different. You must protect her.”
“Wasn’t I supposed to be Your Highness’s bodyguard?”
“Officially, yes. But if both of us face danger, prioritize Sam-cheon. I have my sword.”
Yong-yong had come specifically to guard Sam-cheon. It was an order to stay true to her original mission—she ought to welcome it. Yet something about it rankled. And she disliked the way the girl played at being grown.
Gye-san added, seeing Yong-yong’s silence.
“That’s an order.”
“Yes. Well, if that’s your command.”
She’d planned to let it pass easily—protect both, after all—when an unfamiliar voice drifted in from beyond the door.
“Your Highness, I am entering.”
Gye-san gave permission, and an unfamiliar palace servant stepped inside. The woman bowed deeply and reported.
“The captive is confirmed to be a local bandit. He saw the light burning and came investigating, then shot an arrow to test our response. We will strengthen the guards.”
“Understood.”
The moment the servant left, Gye-san’s hand drifted toward her waist. Yong-yong watched with an odd expression as she absently touched her sword hilt, steadying her unease. She did not trust that anyone would protect her.
‘No matter what, she’s a princess. How much have they neglected her to reach this point?’
Troubled by the thought, Yong-yong let out a small, awkward cough.
Gye-san responded to the sound.
“You need to fetch your things. I’ve kept you talking far too late. Go and return quickly.”
“What luggage matters in a situation like this?”
“The spy we sent was caught. Even if they harbor ill intent, they won’t cause immediate trouble. Hurry back.”
Yong-yong hesitated to leave, but by now the Wol-lang Unit Members should have arrived at the Geum-dong Trading Post. She needed to go at least once to inform them of Byeol-gung’s situation.
‘It would be better if the others arrived quickly.’
For now, temporarily hired guards were watching from a distance. Withdrawing them and replacing them with Wol-lang Unit Members would ultimately be safer.
Yong-yong chose to move forward.
“I’ll be back in a flash. Two hours should be enough.”
Sam-cheon, gathering her belongings, suddenly lifted her head. A prickling sensation swept across her entire body.
‘What was that?’
She heard something that should not have been audible in this place.
Her heart raced as though she had been running. Driven by unease, she stood—and Gye-san was already on her feet.
So she had heard it correctly after all.
“Your Highness…”
Gye-san brought her middle finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
Sam-cheon swallowed her words and closed her mouth. If her instinct was right, she must make no sound.
Gye-san gestured, sword in hand, and Sam-cheon quickly moved to her side.
Again came a distant scream. Faintly, the clash of arms could be heard. The sounds grew closer, their volume swelling.
“There are intruders.”
At Gye-san’s tense words, Sam-cheon felt her body stiffen as well.
Had Yong-yong not yet left? She should have told her to go after dawn breaks.
Though her legs trembled, Sam-cheon gathered her wits. Rather than head for the door…
Sam-cheon threw open her chamber window. Peering out, it seemed the commotion had not yet spread this far.
“Your Highness, this side is clear.”
Whether this was a blessing remained uncertain, but both were now in Sam-cheon’s room, hurriedly gathering what valuables they could.
Gye-san jumped out the window first. Sam-cheon grabbed only a pouch of coins and followed. Both felt their way through the darkness, assessing the situation.
‘There are many of them.’
Sam-cheon pointed toward the fence, and Gye-san nodded.
Gye-san led again. Beyond the fence lay a path to Back Mountain; they could hide in the forest.
As they crossed the rear courtyard in a crouch, the clash of arms drew nearer. Wavering torches swung wildly, and between the shouts came screams like those of a wounded beast.
With each death-laden cry, Sam-cheon’s body grew more rigid. The rigid, staring eyes of Sam-cheon, who walked ahead, met Gye-san’s gaze directly.
“Look only at me and follow. I will protect you.”
In that moment, clarity returned.
She should have been assisting Gye-san, yet fear had seized her.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Sam-cheon’s eyes gained strength as she answered.
Both crossed the fence and entered the forest. Reaching higher ground, they saw the inner quarters surrounded. The soldiers had been pushed back to this point.
Who were those brigands?
Real bandits? Or Hae-ssi’s people? Someone else entirely?
What would happen if they were caught? What was their purpose? Sam-cheon’s thoughts tangled confusedly when Gye-san, her gaze steady, asked.
“Where should we go?”
As though together, nothing could frighten her at all.
The moment Sam-cheon met her eyes, her mind cleared. Right now, only escape mattered.
Sam-cheon found the stars and gauged direction, then fixed her gaze on one path. She did not know the exact route, but direction she could discern.
“If we go this way, we should reach Jeong-hyeon Fortress.”
Once at the gate, they could seek the soldiers’ aid.
“Let’s go.”
Gye-san did not hesitate. She seized Sam-cheon’s hand and walked swiftly forward.
They had not gone far from Byeol-gung when the screams that echoed through the hills grew sparse. It signified one side’s defeat.
Neither Gye-san nor Sam-cheon spoke of turning back. Between them, they both grasped that the soldiers had lost.
Just as Sam-cheon looked around to recheck their bearings, wavering torches began spreading in all directions.
Sam-cheon spoke in a low voice.
“They’re pursuing us.”
Gye-san, only now noticing, scanned their surroundings.
“What do we do?”
“We go toward the side with fewer torches.”
The instant Sam-cheon finished speaking, an arrow flew from behind—clearly aimed at her.
Gye-san pulled Sam-cheon’s hand hard. The arrow grazed past Sam-cheon’s arm by the narrowest margin, and the man drawing the bow clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Gye-san stepped Sam-cheon behind her and drew her sword.
“Your Highness, allow me to guide you to safety. Leave the servant and come this way.”
“You shoot arrows and speak of safety?”
A swordsman stepped forward to face Gye-san’s sharp retort.
“A misunderstanding. Your Highness was not our target. We are merely carrying out His Majesty’s orders. We beg your cooperation.”
Courtesy masking rudeness.
Gye-san turned her head briefly to confirm Sam-cheon.
“Hide nearby.”
Speaking quietly, Gye-san gripped her sword and rushed toward the men.

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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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