Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 45

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

Chapter 45
“Why would you say such a thing?”
Samcheon asked carefully. If things went wrong, he would need to find a way to reseal the dagger.
You reap what you sow.
“What? They starved them?”
Whenever a new passage was discovered in the Mine, they’d send the children in first. If they came out unharmed, the workers would enter. If something went wrong, they’d find another route. The children who ran into problems were discarded in a sealed chamber, deemed defiled. No one treated their wounds, and they were given water and food only when someone felt like it. They were left to die of their own accord.
“They’re truly wicked people.”
Samcheon rubbed his arm with his hand, feeling goosebumps rise. Because he had seen it in dreams, those horrific deeds were rendered vivid and clear.
Fire flickered in Gyesan’s eyes as well.
“Execution is confirmed, so I’ll make sure they don’t die easy.”
As Gyesan made her vow, the Curse’s tone shifted.
I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now—you seem like someone of high birth?
“My station is high, but I have no power.”
Samcheon changed the subject, sensing that Gyesan seemed dispirited.
“What will you do with the dagger? Will you keep it at Mokseo Palace?”
“Why don’t you learn to use a dagger instead of a bow? You can’t carry a bow everywhere.”
“Will I have talent with a dagger?”
“…Standing still and shooting is better with a bow.”
Gyesan accepted this readily.
When Samcheon first learned Swordsmanship, she attended the lessons too. Her instructor had said that Samcheon’s body was clumsy and his talent was so poor that continuing to train him would border on abuse, which is how she managed to quit.
If I nick someone, even a graze, I can transfer the Curse into them. I’ll make a good defensive dagger.
“You’re quite a terrible Curse. Even with limited skill, protecting yourself should be easier?”
Gyesan marveled.
Of course! They’ll either come down with dysentery or spend the night having nightmares. Which do you prefer?
The ability was more trivial than expected, and disappointment appeared simultaneously on Gyesan’s and Samcheon’s faces. The Curse, startled by their reaction, added defensively:
When a woman holds a grudge, frost falls in June and July, they say. But ordinary Curses can’t do anything that grand. The most I can do by staking my death is curse someone to death. Only someone like a Heavenly Maiden could make frost fall. So my Curse’s total power amounts to about one person’s life span. Once I use it up, I’ll disappear. Probably.
Samcheon, who had been listening to the long explanation, asked:
“When you disappear?”
I just become an expensive dagger. You could sell me then, if you wanted.
Samcheon, who had also thought of selling it, deftly changed the subject.
“…You have no objections? If used as a defensive dagger, you might end up harming people.”
I don’t like harming innocent, weak, or good people. But if it’s something you need to do to protect yourselves, I’ll help. You saved me from that place, after all.
“What is your name, Curse?”
Call me Ire. That’s what my name was.
“I’m Gyesan.”
“I am Samcheon.”
Nice to meet you. Then let’s continue where we left off. I’ll rest for now.
When Ire’s voice faded, a strange sense of emptiness settled over them. But there was something that needed to be discussed before arriving at the palace.
“Your Highness, we can’t give a straightforward account of everything that’s happened, so I think we should align our story now.”
“Right. I’ll speak as you tell me.”
“To avoid confusion, I’ll explain it in chronological order.”
“Understood. I can do this well.”
Samcheon continued, watching Gyesan’s bright, eager eyes.
“Let’s start with someone attacking Byeolgeung. We heard the screams and….”
Haessi opened the window with her own hands. Night air drifted in through the window she’d opened for the first time in her life, but her mood didn’t improve one bit.
“Sigh.”
She had merely exhaled more heavily, but the soldiers standing guard outside her chambers turned to look at her. Their gaze was as if they were looking at some insect.
Once this matter was settled, she would have their eyes plucked out.
Haessi walked carefully back to her bed, avoiding the wreckage. Shards of broken porcelain and decorative items lay scattered everywhere, and one misstep could cut her foot.
She had broken it all herself, unable to control her temper.
The problem was that not a single Palace Attendant remained to clean it up. The scent of incense was gone, the sound of the geomungo was gone, laughter was gone—all had vanished.
Every single thing had gone wrong this night, seamlessly orchestrated.
‘Someone’s scheming.’
They might have had Gyesan removed and killed to break her. There was no other reason the Grand King would leave her in such neglect.
Above all, the fact that both her contact and her shoes had vanished troubled her. While confined, no one had brought her any news, so she didn’t even know how things were unfolding.
‘If I’m not careful, I might have to take the fall for everything.’
Tears welled up from the injustice of it.
She couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong to deserve such treatment. Haessi bit her lower lip.
‘What is Father doing while I’m being humiliated like this?’
“Deoksim!”
Gyesan wailed.
“No. You can’t die.”
Samcheon also sobbed loudly. As the two of them cried out, Deoksim’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m fine. You two have suffered more.”
The three embraced one another in tears. Geum, standing without presence in the corner of the chamber, wiped away tears with her sleeve.
Hui, watching the scene, spoke flatly.
“Call me once you’re done crying.”
Samcheon, Gyesan, and Deoksim cried until their eyes swelled. Gyesan, the first to stop her tears, jumped to her feet.
“I need to go to the Investigation Bureau. I’ll keep watch until we catch the culprit.”
“Sit down.”
When Hui, leaning against the wall, stopped her, Gyesan’s eyes widened.
“I can’t just let this go.”
“Your mother caught the Palace Attendant who poisoned you and already turned her over. She was from Yeonhwa Palace.”
“The Consort did?”
Even if that weren’t the case, all the Palace Attendants from Yeonhwa Palace are under Interrogation right now, so results will come soon. So plant yourself in that chair and cry all you want.”
Gyesan sat back in her chair and asked:
“Interrogation? What happened all of a sudden?”
“It seems we touched someone we shouldn’t have. According to your mother, someone with power has drawn their sword—it doesn’t look like a warning but an outright execution. If the bandits were set in motion by Haessi, it will come to light now.”
“Didn’t the survivor testify that he was ordered by the Jinsi Clan?”
“He died this morning.”
“So suddenly?”
“The cause was poison. It caused quite a stir. The poison took two weeks to show symptoms after ingestion, apparently.”
“They meant to silence him? He reaped what he sowed. Thank you for the information, brother. Ah, was it you who arranged for the Undefeated General?”
“Nothing special. Just a light transaction.”
As Gyesan seemed moved and her eyes grew teary, Hui grimaced and stood.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re home safe, that’s enough. I’m leaving.”
As Hui left swiftly, Samcheon whispered:
“He seems embarrassed.”
Gyesan, watching his retreating figure, also murmured:
“My brother is quite shy.”
“And he called a physician. We should thank him.”
At Deoksim’s remark, Gyesan and Samcheon nodded simultaneously. They hadn’t expected Hui to be so considerate.
Deoksim continued:
“Geum also put in much effort. She called for Hui and stayed by your side the whole time.”
“Did Hui bother Geum?”
Gyesan asked Geum, who was sitting awkwardly in the corner, her presence barely noticeable. Geum, who had only been sending smiles while sitting unobstrusively, flushed when she was mentioned.
She found the concentrated attention embarrassing.
“He was kind. I’m relieved you both returned safely. It’s grown late, so I’ll return tomorrow at Swordsmanship lesson time.”
Having waited for a moment to excuse herself, she spoke the sentence she had memorized without stumbling.
Having managed to speak smoothly, Geum smiled serenely. She left Mokseo Palace with a lightened heart.
“She speaks well now.”
Gyesan marveled, and Samcheon nodded in agreement.
“Many things must have happened while we were gone.”
Deoksim smiled kindly.
“Children grow in any moment. Could you tell us what happened to you both?”
“Of course.”
Gyesan opened her mouth with much to say.
The story was long enough to unfold for quite some time. Deoksim listened intently to Gyesan’s voice, crying and laughing in turns, while Samcheon fell asleep beside her.
Gyesan’s story, which continued into the early dawn, ended like this:
“There was no tiger. There were only people worse than beasts.”

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