Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 94

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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 94
“Take care on your way back. Thank you for everything.”
With Sam-cheon’s farewell, Ju-hong mounted her horse. Beside her stood a large wagon bearing the Gyeon Hwon Forces banner.
If the wagon were stopped at a checkpoint, it would become known that Buyeo Hui had sent supplies during the last war.
‘I hope it proves useful.’
Sam-cheon stood before the encampment, watching as Ju-hong and the wagon receded into the distance.
Yet throughout Ju-hong’s departure, she kept glancing back over her shoulder. At first, Sam-cheon thought those glances were meant for her, but the angled gaze landed elsewhere—on Wol-ya.
Eyes heavy with lingering attachment.
‘Our benefactor certainly has his appeal.’
Sam-cheon found herself smiling as she looked up at Wol-ya, and their eyes met. Heavy words had passed between them, yet the space between them felt easier now.
There was no need to divine his intentions anymore. And even if his heart harbored different truths, right now she wanted to trust his words completely.
“Let’s go inside.”
At Sam-cheon’s words, the surrounding air grew peculiarly quiet.
Wol-ya asked respectfully.
“Are you returning to the princess?”
“Yes, I need to report to her.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“Thank you.”
Sam-cheon smiled brightly. Immediately, soldiers throughout the camp began murmuring—”See?” and “Didn’t I tell you?”
Sam-cheon, oblivious to the soldiers’ strange reactions, walked alongside Wol-ya.
“How long will you be staying with the unit?”
“I plan to leave once the princess finishes her address.”
“You should pay your respects to Dam-no as well.”
“I’ll introduce you both before supper.”
“That sounds good.”
As she answered, her foot caught slightly on the uneven ground ahead.
Seeing her body pitch forward, Wol-ya reached out. He caught her gently beneath the elbow and withdrew his hand just as quickly.
“Are you alright?”
“Thank you.”
Sam-cheon steadied herself and offered her thanks. The two continued as if nothing had occurred, but the soldiers watching from behind held a different view.
“Did you see that?”
“I saw. He grabbed her arm out of habit, then let go when he realized she was watching.”
“No good. Not for our lady-in-waiting.”
As the soldiers stirred with excitement, Wol-ya escorted Sam-cheon to the entrance of the command pavilion and departed. Once Sam-cheon had made her report and stepped inside, Gye-san’s eyes brightened with interest.
“Did you get a chance to talk with your benefactor?”
Sam-cheon blinked.
“How did you know?”
“Rumors spread through the camp like wildfire. Everyone’s saying you two slipped away together.”
“Training must be light today. Ju-hong has left, and I spoke well with Wol-ya. I heard everything—about the situation they face and what they’re asking of me.”
The playfulness drained from Gye-san’s face in an instant. She leaned forward with slight tension.
“It’s not some impossible burden, is it?”
“No, it might seem odd, but… I just need to offer Prayer for them earnestly.”
Gye-san found those words impossible to believe. A wave of worry crashed over her—were they hiding some enormous demand from her?
As if reading her concern, Sam-cheon continued.
“That’s really all there is to it. I think I have another ability besides my dreams.”
Even with this further explanation, doubt lingered in Gye-san’s heart. Then a voice spoke from within Sam-cheon’s robes.
“She really did say that. They’re asking her to use the Celestial Maiden’s power—nothing more than Prayer will do.”
“Why tell her this only now?”
“We were waiting for the ability to fully blossom. Our Sam-cheon’s power has grown even stronger.”
“Is that so?”
“Don’t worry—I’m keeping watch with my eyes wide open.”
“Then I can rest easy.”
Gye-san had judged them to be some sort of secret society devoted to protecting the Celestial Maiden. Yet that their only request was Prayer still came as a surprise.
“Truth is, I used to worry that when they asked you to leave with them, you might say yes. I was terrified.”
“And now?”
“Now I know you won’t go. Everything you cherish is here. Especially me.”
“Of course. You know me well, Your Highness.”
Gye-san laughed softly and added,
“So I also know that hairpin suits you beautifully.”
At Gye-san’s teasing words, Sam-cheon adjusted the hairpin.
“The prince has shown me far too much kindness.”
“That little thing? We all know you saved my brother’s life. You deserve far more than that.”
“If I keep accepting gifts like that, I’ll end up bald.”
Sam-cheon deftly deflected the topic, busying herself with tidying the table before her.
She could not bring herself to tell Gye-san that Buyeo Hui was trying to give more than mere gifts—that he was offering his heart. And so a secret was born between them.
Buyeo Hui set down the letter and laughed aloud.
“Hearing myself called ‘brother’ like this…”
Gye-san had long called Buyeo Hui by that name consistently. In the presence of anyone who might object, she simply avoided the honorific altogether, steadfastly maintaining the term for him.
The letter might have been written as Sam-cheon dictated it, but the handwriting was unmistakably Gye-san’s.
“Remarkable, truly.”
The effort to help was evident. Buyeo Hui carefully folded the letter and placed it in the wooden box where important documents were kept.
“When I return to Sabi Castle, I’ll have Gye-san stand before me and read it aloud.”
Imagining how Gye-san would squirm, a smile curved across Buyeo Hui’s lips. Ju-hong, observing him in a good mood, swallowed hard.
There was still more to report.
“The gifts sent by Princess Gye-san are currently being inventoried in storage. Once verification is complete, I’ll submit the list.”
“She went to great effort on meager resources.”
“More than that, she must have worked hard to prepare everything in half a day. My lord, you seem to be in excellent spirits?”
“Why are you suddenly asking about my mood?”
“I still have important news to report, and I hoped you’d be in good humor to hear it.”
Buyeo Hui, recognizing the gravity of what was to come, nodded.
“I’m not displeased. Speak.”
“Those warriors who appeared each time danger struck, then vanished…”
“Yes. Good people, those.”
“They’ve revealed themselves. Wol-ya and Dam-no—both of them joined as new soldiers in the ranks.”
The repeated pattern of rescuing and disappearing had seemed to settle an old debt, yet their sudden reappearance felt oddly timed. Buyeo Hui grew concerned—might Gye-san and Sam-cheon be falling under their sway?
They were far too trusting by nature.
He clicked his tongue, and Ju-hong smoothly added,
“Before departure, I noticed Wol-ya stayed close to the lady-in-waiting’s side. There’s talk he’s become her dedicated escort.”
“If one has heard tales of their martial prowess, one knows what to expect. I was worried in any case; it’s good to have a capable protector.”
“That may be true, but he’s quite handsome—strikingly so.”
“Better than plain, at least.”
Buyeo Hui settled back into his chair with ease. Had he truly felt no concern, it would have been a lie, yet for now it was manageable.
Sam-cheon sees beauty every day. Growing up alongside Gye-san and gold, she would barely blink at ordinary handsomeness. That warrior, however striking, could never measure up to what stood before her.
Yet from somewhere came a loud, rhythmic sound.
“What is that noise?”
“You’re bouncing your leg, my lord—it’s making the chair shake. The armrest keeps striking the table.”
Once Buyeo Hui stilled his leg, the sound ceased. He cleared his throat and rose from the chair.
“I was planning to move westward soon anyway. Your timing is fortunate. There are matters to settle before such a journey. Come with me.”

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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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