13 ⚜️🌺 Fortnight of Spring
Seon-in's gaze locked on them, and she cried silently. Her hands trembled. Baek stared at her through his mesh, his heart aching at her rosy cheek.
"Who seduces whom?" Baek questioned.
Myeong Tae shoved the servants, pointing at Seon-in while stomping toward Baek.
"How dare you question the Jung Family? This wench deserves her punishment—!"
"Oh…" Baek muttered. He gazed at Myeong Tae before returning to stare at Seon-in. "Who gives you the right to injure a noble lady?"
Everyone gasped, stepping away from Seon-in.
"Tsk, noble lady?" the lady of the house scoffed. "She's nothing but a disgrace to Joseon. Do you even know anything about her family?"
Seon-in clutched her fingers, restraining herself.
"Disgrace?" Baek echoed. Then he stepped inside, walking to the center as if it were his home. "Hye-shik, what did the Park family do to regain their status?"
Hye-shik bowed slightly, glaring at Ki Sia's father.
"Though cast into exile, they chose resilience over bitterness, serving the people in silence—long after the court had forgotten their name. They labored to revive a barren land. Through their efforts, irrigation and cultivation systems took root, withstanding drought and yielding harvests year-round. The people knew no hunger, and in their gratitude, they honored the Park family under the name of the royal court," Hye-shik reminded everyone.
Ki Sia's father stepped down from the steps.
"Who are you to act all mighty in my home?" he questioned.
Baek smirked, turning away without acknowledging him. Ki Sia's father gritted his teeth, pointing at Baek.
"You—!"
"Mind your manners… he represents His Majesty," Hye-shik demanded, revealing his emblem. The Imperial Commander.
Ki Sia's father took a step back and gasped.
"His Majesty? What brings the Commander of the Imperial Knights here?"
Baek smiled and pointed at Seon-in. She flinched and stared at him.
"Me?"
"His Majesty had requested her presence… but it seems like she has been wounded to even talk properly," Baek stated.
Seon-in furrowed her brows. His Majesty? Wait… who's the Commander of the Imperial Knights? I thought it was… She looked at Hye-shik, who shook his head once. She tightened her lips.
"Why would His Majesty request her audience?" Ki Sia's father pried.
Baek chuckled lightly as he turned away.
"Why would a low-level minister like you ask such a question about His Majesty?" Baek questioned harshly.
Ki Sia's father gulped, his eyes wide. He lowered his face and flushed.
"My apologies for my rudeness… if His Majesty requested her, then shall we let her go," he answered.
"Lord—!"
"Father—!"
"Hush! Release her immediately!" he demanded.
Seon-in watched everyone who stared at her. She bit her lower lip before locking her eyes with Baek's through the mesh. She gulped and hurried to his side.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
Baek nodded and glanced at Ki Sia's father.
"If you want to question today, direct this to His Majesty… farewell," he said, restraining himself.
Myeong Tae tightened his jaw, reaching for her hand.
"No—! She must stay—"
"Myeong Tae!"
Baek turned around and raised his hand—Hye-shik slapped Myeong Tae's hand away with his sword.
"How dare you?!" Hye-shik yelled. Myeong Tae fell to the ground. Seon-in clutched her hands together. "Do you not fear your life?"
"Please, forgive my son… he's not in his right mind—"
"Father—!"
"If he doesn't correct his behavior and His Majesty finds out, you will lose an heir to your household. So, be careful in disrespecting His Majesty," Hye-shik ordered.
Myeong Tae raised—Ki Sia's father slammed his face to the ground.
"We will remember that… thank you for your wise decision on behalf of His Majesty…"
Baek held his hands behind his back and walked out of the household. Seon-in followed, facing down.
While they walked ahead, Ki Sia stood there in silence. She clenched her fists and trembled, shaking her head. Father told me to choose… yet you didn't ruin your reputation from this. If you did, His Majesty would refuse to consider you in every way… Now he calls for you. What could be left of me?
Once the door closed behind Hye-shik, Baek stopped on his track—
"Ah!" Seon-in cried, bumping her head onto Baek's back. She held her head and looked up. "I… Commander? Wait… Your—"
"You know I can't see… so, why am I walking in front?" Baek teased.
She gasped, drained of color. She held his arm while bowing.
"My apologies… Your—"
"Commander… because we are outside," Baek interrupted.
She nodded.
"Commander…" she repeated. "Do I lead you back to the North Gate?"
"Where else? I need to question you for your hasty disappearance," he stated.
Seon-in flushed, closing her eyes. That's because… we almost kissed. I think. She took a deep breath before leading the way carefully.
Baek turned to her slightly, smiling at her as she walked slowly for him. He hid his soft laugh.
Hye-shik watched them from behind. Does His Majesty not realize that spring is around him when she's around? Maybe I shouldn't say anything. He lowered his gaze and followed.
As they walked, Baek stared at her cheek, his jaw tightening. How dare they raise their hands against you? Is this what Her Majesty's relatives like? Entitled to abuse a little girl? Maybe I should have gotten rid of both of that man's eyes next time he dares to touch your hand.
Once they arrived at the palace, Hye-shik placed a box of medicine on the table and walked out. Seon-in stared at the box and then at Baek.
"What's this for?" she wondered. Baek removed his gat before grabbing her chin. She held her breath, her eyes widening. He grabbed the medicine, dripped some into a cloth from the basket, and patted her cheek to apply it. "Ow!"
"Hye-shik mentioned that the lady slapped your cheek… how could you forget?" Baek stated.
Seon-in coughed a little, catching her breath.
"I'm fine… this is nothing," she replied. She averted her eyes, frowning.
Baek stared at her, flicking her forehead. She gasped, holding her forehead.
"Is this nothing, too? Do injuries like these happen often?"
"No… but that was sudden!" she argued.
Baek furrowed his brows. Did she just argue?
She forced a smile and chuckled awkwardly.
"I mean… Your Majesty, the slap was just… a scolding," she corrected herself.
He paused before smiling.
"I won't be able to sleep tonight… are you able to tend to me in my bedroom?" he asked.
Seon-in inhaled, flushing. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Your Majesty, that's impossible! Only Her Majesty could do that!"
Baek laughed, shaking his head as he grinned.
"How am I going to finish all of these when my imperial reader ran off in the middle of her duty?"
"Your Majesty, I told you… I am unable to read—"
"Really? Even on the first fortnight of spring when you snuck into my library to read the Doctrine of the Mean?" Baek added.
Seon-in gasped, paled. She held her mouth and leaned away.
"I… Your Majesty… I," she paused. Oh mercy… he knew… he knew I lied. What will happen to me?
"Don't worry… I won't punish you… unless you refuse to be my imperial reader," he stated slyly, leaning closer.
Seon-in shut her eyes and shoved his chest away.
"Your Majesty, I think there's a misunderstanding! A friend helped me understand the words. She recited it to me word by word, so I just remembered it!"
Baek looked down at her hands, then moved his gaze to her tomato face. He chuckled.
"Are you not lying to me?" he questioned.
"How can I lie to Your Majesty? I will be punished by God if I dare deceive the Son of Heaven!" Seon-in flustered. Her eyes spiraled. Oh dear, Heavens. Please forgive me for swearing at you. I… I just need to escape, so please help me.
Baek smirked, grabbing her wrist. Her eyes jolted open, and he pulled her in. Their faces were an inch away.
"Since you say so… then write the Doctrine of the Mean by tomorrow," he ordered.
She flinched.
"Tomorrow?!" she repeated. Oh no… if I write one copy, I won't be able to finish before meeting Unnie!
Seon-in stayed all night, copying the characters of the Doctrine of the Mean. She frowned every moment she glanced at the letters. However, the determination to see Lady Lim kept her going.
"I'm going to stay awake until I finish!"
In the next heartbeat, she rested her head, falling asleep with the black ink in her cheek. Morning rose over the Forbidden Library.
Baek entered the room and watched her sleep. He smiled as he rubbed the back of his hand on her cheek.
"So determine… you could have just admitted that you could read…"