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I kept replaying the events of the night before.

No matter how much I tried to forget, the memory of trembling with orgasm in the king’s unusually gentle embrace kept coming back so vividly that I barely noticed the midday heat.

How did I end up clinging to the king, moaning like that? 

I was so overwhelmed that I fell asleep as if fainting, unaware even of the pain from his intense thrusts. Now, just thinking about how I was supposed to face him already made my vision blur.

Come to think of it, the news that Lord Beomil was in critical condition had clearly dampened the king’s mood. If that emotion was what led him to show such care and change yesterday, would he now return to the version of himself I used to know?

"My lady, Sucheong is here."

Creak.

While I was deep in thought, Sucheong opened the door and entered, carrying a small serving table with a bowl placed on it. The jet-black liquid looked like something out of a historical drama, almost like poison, so I instinctively stayed on guard. She carefully set it down, then said something unexpected. 

“This is a medicinal tonic sent by Buyeon Yuhwa.”

“Buyeon Yuhwa...  The one who is to become queen?”

"Yes, that is correct. She suddenly sent medicinal herbs this morning and instructed that they be given to you.”

"No... why to me...."

At the mention that the woman who was to become the king’s wife had sent medicinal herbs to another woman the king was showing interest in, I instinctively straightened my slouched posture, unable to immediately understand it.

The unfamiliar scent of the herbal medicine filled the room, and the woman, whose face I had never seen, was just as unfamiliar to me. Wariness still lingered in my expression.

“Buyeon Yuhwa sent her regards and said that since you serve the same husband, you should take good care of yourself. She said the weather is hot, and this will help restore your energy, so do not refuse and please drink it.”

“…Ah.”

Were the women in this palace always like that? Well, I guess, kings did have multiple wives, after all. 

Still, to go so far as to send medicinal herbs so that another could take a tonic was something I could never have brought myself to do.

For example, if polygamy were allowed and Kyuhyun had been seeing another woman, I probably would have been so jealous that I wouldn’t have even wanted to hear her name.

"Please drink it while it is hot. She said it should be consumed while it is hot for better absorption.”

Sucheong pushed the small serving table closer with a smile. Unlike with the other women, I hadn’t been especially attentive to her, and yet, feeling sorry for her effort in preparing the tonic on such a hot day, I took the bowl.

“...But I just can’t quite understand it. I haven’t even seen her face.”

"Buyeon Yuhwa is someone studying to become queen and is not swayed by personal feelings. So please do not feel burdened, and just go ahead and drink."

"Maybe I should send something as well. I haven’t even adjusted to the palace yet… I wonder what I could possibly send."

“Since there are already so many people taking care of her, you do not need to worry about that.”

Although I hadn’t built much trust with Sucheong yet, her words still put me at ease, and I slowly drank the tonic that Buyeon Yuhwa had sent.

As expected from medicinal herbs, it was bitter, but I was genuinely surprised by her generosity. 

If I met her later, I definitely should offer a polite thank you. She seemed like someone I could get along with well.

After I finished the tonic, Sucheong gave me another smile before quickly carrying the serving table away. 

But surely there was no need to report every little thing like this to the king, was there?

I tried to soothe the lingering bitterness in my mouth by eating the yugwa [1] she had left behind, while absentmindedly kneading my thighs, still heavy with soreness.

I thought the palace was a place where I wouldn’t form any bonds, but hearing that Buyeon Yuhwa unexpectedly sent medicinal herbs gave me a strange feeling.

What kind of person was she? If she knew the king spent the night in my chambers, she might feel upset, so I hoped she wouldn’t find out. 

After taking the tonic, whether it was just the placebo effect or not, I felt warmth spread through my body and a bit of energy returning, so I got up. I had planned to rest all day to recover from last night’s fatigue, but perhaps the people in the palace weren’t as bad as I had thought.

However, just as that thought crossed my mind, General Hunmu suddenly appeared in the afternoon. Recalling what had happened yesterday, my expression stiffened awkwardly at his unexpected visit, but to my surprise, there was someone else with him.

“Miss.”

It was Madam Gyeongin, whom I hadn’t been able to meet since coming to the palace. 

Though she had come dressed neatly in fine clothes, she didn’t enter herself — perhaps she wasn’t allowed — so only General Hunmu came out and entered the room with me.

“What… brings you here all of a sudden?”

“His Majesty has matters to attend to and won’t be able to come for some time.”

"Excuse me?"

“Lord Beomil, whom you mentioned yesterday, has passed away. His Majesty will likely remain there until the three-day funeral rites are over.”

“Ah…”

If the king himself stayed until the end of the three-day mourning period, just how close must he have been to that person? 

Since I didn’t know the exact nature of their relationship, I simply nodded. That meant there wouldn’t be any drinking for the next few days, starting today.

I glanced sideways at General Hunmu, who didn’t intervene even when he knew I had been made to drink, and wondered why Madam Gyeongin had come along.

“By the way, why did the person waiting outside come along?”

“For the time being, she will stay by your side along with the palace maid. Since she is not a palace maid herself, she won’t be able to stay long, but she will look after you while she's here.”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden...”

When I looked at General Hunmu with a questioning expression, he met my gaze and soon rose from his seat.

“She’s here so that someone familiar is by your side, in case you feel like running away.”

“...”

Creak. 

What a strange palace this was. The king, who had always seemed terrifying, had shown a slightly different attitude just yesterday — and now General Hunmu, too, suddenly changed his demeanour and left.

So, in case I felt like running away, he assigned Madam Gyeongin, someone I knew, to stay by my side?

But I couldn’t even leave the palace at will.

I turned my head in bewilderment; however, General Hunmu had already gone.

I tried not to think badly of him, especially after seeing him even fall in the flower garden on my behalf, but I couldn’t understand why he had to wound my heart like that just before leaving.

Was this some kind of preemptive warning because the king wouldn’t come here for three days, and he was worried I might run away?

The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed, and I frowned. But my expression soon softened when I saw Madam Gyeongin enter with Sucheong.

“Good afternoon.”

“Oh my... Miss, please speak casually to me. I have been assigned to serve by your side for the time being."

“You’re going through so much trouble because of me… It must be your first time in the palace.”

“…Yes…”

Seeing the middle-aged woman looking more cautious and timid than when I saw her at home, I smiled faintly — she reminded me so much of myself.

“It’s my first time in the palace too, but Sucheong has helped me a lot. Sucheong, please make sure to assist her well.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Though it would have been understandable for Sucheong to feel uncomfortable with Madam Gyeongin suddenly by her side, she smiled brightly and even nodded her head enthusiastically.

Since it was normally impossible to come and go like this unless she was a court lady, Madam Gyeongin said she would come early in the morning and return to her own home in the evening.

From my perspective, it was still much better to have at least one familiar face around. With Buyeon Yuhwa having sent a medicinal tonic as well, I figured I could more or less manage life in the palace for the time being.

I hoped this feeling wouldn’t change much and would continue to hold steady.

・・・・・

The medicinal tonic from Buyeon Yuhwa, which I thought would come just once, was brought again the next day and also today. It was brewed and delivered by Sucheong at the appointed time.

According to Sucheong, several days’ worth of medicine was sent at once, so there were still some medicinal herbs left. But every time I took it, I couldn’t help feeling uneasy just receiving it like this.

Madam Gyeongin seemed to still have a hard time adjusting. Whenever Sucheong handed me the medicine, she would quietly stand by my side and watch me. Her expression wasn’t very bright, and I felt sorry, thinking perhaps she had come reluctantly because she couldn’t refuse General Hunmu’s orders.

“Huuu, why is it so hot?”

After the morning passed, the heat started up again, and sweat was pouring down my face. At first, it was still bearable, but over the past few days, I had been sweating much more and finding it hard to endure the heat.

Though the heat wasn’t much different from usual, even just a short walk outside made a fire seem to rise inside me. I tried washing my face and sometimes remained in my room with fewer clothes on, but instead of getting used to it, I only grew more sensitive to the heat.

“I’m seriously craving some air conditioning right now.”

They said you weren’t supposed to show your feet in the palace, but unable to bear the heat any longer, and with no one coming or going, I took off my socks and began fanning myself. 

I wondered if I was the only one feeling this hot. Neither Sucheong nor Madam Gyeongin seemed to be sweating, which was quite strange.

“My lady! Buyeon Yuhwa has arrived.”

‘Buyeon Yuhwa?’

At the sudden mention of Buyeon Yuhwa, I hurriedly slipped my socks back on and wiped the sweat from my face. I was already feeling uneasy about receiving the medicinal tonic, and just as I was getting up, the door opened, and a woman dressed in a splendid hanbok entered with a graceful gesture.

‘Wow.’

Seeing Buyeon Yuhwa’s face, I froze for a moment and forgot to greet her.

She was so beautiful. 

It wasn’t her elaborate hanbok that caught my attention, but her face. She was a Korean beauty with large eyes despite lacking double eyelids, a well-shaped nose, and red lips. She was so striking that I only belatedly lowered my head in proper greeting.

To think that she had such beautiful features. For a moment, I wondered why the king had taken an interest in someone like me.

“My greetings are late. You must have been surprised by my sudden visit, right?”

"Ah... no, not at all. It is an honour to greet you for the first time."

Without realising it, I slipped into the tone and manner of speech typical of the palace and stepped aside. She gave a light greeting and sat in the seat I had been sitting in.

Even though no one had taught me, I carefully sat across from her. 

She raised the corners of her lips into a soft smile, studying me intently.

"I was curious to know what kind of person you are, so I came to greet you, though I hope I’m not being rude. With His Majesty away, I thought you might be feeling a bit lonely, so I came by. I hope that’s alright."

"It is quite all right. The medicinal tonics you kindly sent not long ago have been of great help, and I have taken them diligently. I have wished to express my gratitude for some time now."

“I heard you came from a strange world. Isn’t that quite amazing? Still, it seems you’ve already adapted well to the palace.”

“Thank you.”

Meeting the woman who would become the queen of this country made me even more nervous than meeting the king, General Hunmu, or Sucheong.

It wasn’t because she was going to be the queen, but perhaps because she was well-educated, that elegance and nobility could be felt in her gestures and tone. Her gaze was steady and unwavering; she didn’t fidget with her bangs or awkwardly cover her mouth with her hand. Though I didn’t know her age, I treated her with respect.

"The weather is hot, so I sent medicinal herbs. Please don’t feel burdened and take care of your health."

Buyeon Yuhwa, with a gentle smile on her face, was truly beautiful no matter how many times I looked at her.

But was it really because she was to become queen?

As we spoke, her steady, unwavering gaze gave me the feeling that, unlike me, she must have a strong and resolute heart.

Though her sudden visit startled me, seeing such a warm, smiling face here for the first time naturally eased my guard.

“Is life in the palace difficult for you?”

"Ah... Many people are helping me, so I am adjusting well."

“His Majesty is taking good care of you, so you’ll adapt quickly. Stay strong in spirit.”

How could she smile and speak so kindly, even though I was the other woman to the man who would become her husband? 

I lightly bowed, realising that it was precisely because she was such a woman that she could become queen.

“You must be feeling very hot.”

“Ah? Oh... yes... I tend to have a lot of internal heat.”

While briefly talking with Buyeon Yuhwa, I hadn’t fanned myself, so beads of sweat soon formed on my skin. The heat rose to the point that sweat ran down my back, making me embarrassed, and my face flushed from the heat. 

Unlike me, Buyeon Yuhwa maintained a perfectly straight posture without a single drop of sweat.

"I will have to send you medicinal herbs regularly since you are so sensitive to the heat..."

"Ah... I think things will get better once summer passes."

“Will you still be here when summer ends and autumn comes?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m just joking. Now that you’re His Majesty’s woman, let’s get along well in the palace. Please be kind to me.”

“Yes…”

I was nervous, careful not to make any slip-ups during the conversation. When she asked if I would be staying here even when autumn came, I hesitated for a moment. But honestly, I didn’t plan on staying that long either.

How wonderful it would be if I could just go back.

Seeing that I was still sweating a lot, Buyeon Yuhwa stood up and told me to make myself comfortable.

She held my hand firmly once, telling me not to feel burdened and to take the tonic properly, before leaving the room. Even then, sweat was streaming down and dripping onto the floor.

Why was I so sensitive to the heat? 

I felt embarrassed because during my first conversation with Buyeon Yuhwa, I was so affected by the heat that I couldn’t speak properly.

That said, Buyeon Yuhwa was truly kind-hearted and even beautiful, so I couldn’t understand why the king chose to embrace me instead of her.

He left such a beautiful queen aside and paid attention to someone like me from a strange world. If I had been the king, I doubt I would have even noticed the other palace ladies.

After Buyeon Yuhwa left, Madam Gyeongin entered shortly after. Sucheong was nowhere to be seen, and when she saw me sweating alone in the room, she hesitated for a moment before quickly bringing a damp cloth.

“My lady, are you feeling very hot?”

Having previously called me ‘Miss,’ [2] Madam Gyeongin must have been scolded by Sucheong, for now she addressed me as ‘my lady’ and looked at me worriedly.

“It feels hotter here than where I used to live, but I’m okay.”

“Since no one is around to see, you should at least take off some clothes. Seeing you sweat so much, I am worried we might need to call a physician.”

“I just tend to have a bit of heat in my body, so don’t worry. Where did Sucheong go?”

“She was here just a moment ago, but it seems she stepped out briefly. Shall I call her for you?”

“No, it’s just that since you’ve come to an unfamiliar palace, I thought it might be good if you could at least rely on Sucheong.”

“…Well… for me, it is enough just to be by my lady’s side.”

Wiping sweat again with the cloth Madam Gyeongin had brought, I let out a soft sigh, wondering how much longer summer would last.

“Could you please bring me a glass of water?”

“Yes, my lady. I will bring you some cold water.”

Translator's Corner:

[1] Yugwa (유과) is a traditional Korean sweet with a crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, once reserved only for nobility and a staple dessert served on Seollal (Korean New Year). It’s made from thinly sliced glutinous rice flour dough, shaped into desired sizes, deep-fried, and coated in a sweet syrup made from sugar, honey, or malt, which is then topped with sesame seeds, pine nuts, cinnamon, or puffed rice. (Source: https://www.tasteatlas.com/yugwa)

[2] The original title used was "아씨," which is equivalent to "my lady," but since it's meant to be a lower-ranking honorific of "Mama," (마마) I have translated it to "Miss." This has also been updated in the previous chapters~

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