unfortunate. | 연준 √

twenty-nine

"There's no need to run
without knowing the reason."
- BTS, "Paradise"

"What do you mean she isn't real royalty?" I reply, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Well, you said it yourself: she was poor. Her mother was a court woman before she was banished from the palace for whatever reason, which means that Sana only came because of her mother. So, she became the princess, not because of her mother, not because of her status, but only for her beauty."

Something doesn't add up from his summary. Sana's mother was a court woman... however, Sana came back to the palace? For no reason in particular, right? This means that Sana's appearance, status, attitude... could all be a set-up. Her mother could've made her do all these things for her own benefit, but Sana got accustomed to it. Interesting theory... but with Sana's attitude, it could be possible.

"She's obviously her mother's henchwoman, you two," Someone sighs from the private door, both of us looking the male's way to see Seungcheol, sipping on his own cup of tea. He must've overheard the whole thing... or only heard the last few lines. Even so, wow, is Seungcheol quiet. "Why do you think she came that day, hm?"

"What do you mean?" I ask, Seungcheol joining us as he sits next to me.

"This was before you came, Youra- however, I will fill you in," Seungcheol replies, smiling softly. "Sana came not too long before you fell from the sky. Her mother had come visiting us- and of course, father reacted in anger. He absolutely hated her for whatever she had done when she worked for the palace. Sana's mother went onto talking about trivial matters, Sana standing up in her defense. I don't know why Sana wasn't banished as well for her harsh words... until Sana's mother and father went to go talk. I followed them."

"What did they talk about?" Before I could speak up and say the same thing, Eunwoo's more perked up by his brother's words. I wonder why... (sarcastic- I know it's because he's about to ruin Sana's life.) 

"Apparently they made a deal or some sort of... contract... to keep Sana in the palace. Of course, father caused a ruckus about it- but he must've been coaxed to oblige. As long as Sana's mother would never return to the palace and ask anything from them, Sana could stay and become the Gongju. However, I must say... Sana is always suspicious. She leaves the palace every week to return to her house- yet holds a big bag of jewels in her hands. Do you see what I mean? Sana can't just magically become the Crown Princess when her mother was practically banished from the middle of Joseon."

"So you're saying that father and Sana's mother made a deal... and Sana's mother is betraying that contract?"

"Precisely," Seungcheol sighs, shaking his head. "I'd confront her myself but just like the rest of us, I am quite scared."

"Who wouldn't be scared of her? You've made her sound even scarier..." I huff, shaking my head. "However, that means Sana's just a pawn in her mother's shop. What that means is that Sana is being used for her mother's revenge." I explain it before they even try and ask me what more of my idioms mean, crossing my arms. "Who knows where and what her mother hides. It's even worse knowing that we don't know the plan behind it."

"Yeonjun has the crown however he still needs to prepare to be king," Seungcheol adds, pointing at us. "He still needs to read those big books before we can have a proper coronation."

"When will he become King?"

"I'm not sure, but it will truly take a while... maybe 2 and a half months?" Now, how does he know the time? I think I'm going crazy. It might just be the quest telling me that I need to keep working towards the ending of my quest. However, two and a half... isn't that when the quest is over for me? He's going to have his enthronement the day my quest is done?! That's nice, thanks life! "Besides that, you're going to need to encourage Yeonjun. He's not... the brightest boy."

"Youra can do that very well." Oh shut up, Eunwoo. Nobody asked.

"I'm sure she can. Youra?" Seungcheol turns to me, making me raise my eyebrows. "You'll have to talk to him eventually. Chanyeol told me he's practically locked himself in his bedroom. He told the guards to let no one in until he's ready."

"However, with a little encouragement from you..." Eunwoo smiles, intervening. "Yeonjun will be out of his room in no time. Even if you betray him, sprain him, strike him, love him... He will run back to you every day as if he was your puppy. He loves you too much to let you go," Eunwoo explains, sipping his tea. "Yet you both still run around like blind lovers in a basket."

"Oh, be quiet," I chuckle, making the two princes laugh. "I... love Yeonjun. It's no mistake that I can't. He's always been such an... interesting prince."

"More interesting than us?" Seungcheol pouts, both posing stupidly against the tea-table. Immediately Seungcheol falls from the imbalance, the table almost flipping over. Eunwoo and I gasp as Sreungcheol screeches, soon hissing as he holds his back.

"No... not as interesting as you guys," I try to stifle my laugh, covering my mouth as I watch Eunwoo mumble incoherent words to his older brother. "Anyway, while you handle that, I need to go read something."

"Just read it here with us. I'm currently in pain, so I couldn't care less-" Seungcheol hisses once more, making me chuckle and nod. Luckily I did bring it with me before Eunwoo and I left for tea, so I open the book and lean back against the curtain-looking walls.

"We left off at the decision of stopping the pair from getting near the throne or letting the pair meet at the throne... and the decision was correct- to not let them near the throne. However, with their collision, happily, nothing too bad happened- so now, we continue.

The girl sits with the princes, talking amongst them. Her mind spirals, drinking tea as she sighs. Things were getting harder. Rumors were about to spread.

"I can't believe they died... their youngest isn't even prepared!"

"I know, right? It's so unfortunate. Why couldn't the elder princes take charge instead of him?"

"Right!?"

Their words anger her, knowing that it's going to affect her lover once he hears it. Huffing, she has to take things into her own hands... yet, her mission isn't over yet. She must discover what is her past, her present, and so forth... her future? Does she even have one?

Something is in the palace that she refrains from seeing. The warrior passes by it every day yet she can't remember... what is it? What's holding her back from the truth, from the gongju's truth, and the princes' truth?

Her discovery will be worthwhile... but will she find it in time? Behind the towels with the lotus that blooms in the fresh, aromatic sky... will she find the truth that uncovers the surprise."

Great. Now I'm on a damn detective hunt. Yes, just waste my time, Joseon. We love to see it. 

Slamming the book closed, both boys flinch. "Wh-"

"I'm going to leave now. I just remembered I have some business to attend to."

"Okay! Well, fare-"

"Bye." Cutting him off, I slam open the sliding doors, rushing out of the tea place in a frenzy. This wasn't good.