Interlude - A Flower Blooming Among Orchids

Translator : Elizabeth

One day after the Crying Ghost was subjugated.

"Your Highness, have you awakened?"

For Jin Hyeon-ryeong, it was a morning no different from usual.

Early in the morning, as the Head Maid opened the window, a cold breeze flowed in.

As the breeze brushed her cheek, Jin Hyeon-ryeong tidied her hair and clothes.

Soon, as she stepped outside, the busily moving maids stopped one by one and greeted her warmly.

When she waved her hand slightly in response and looked around, the aftermath left by the Crying Ghost seemed larger than imagined.

Collapsed pavilions, burnt pillars. It would take months just to restore this, and even more time would be needed for the injured to find their place again.

Nevertheless, the faces of the maids were brighter than before.

It was likely because the complexion of their master, which had always been stiff, had softened considerably compared to before.

'Were these children this bright?'

Jin Hyeon-ryeong had never properly faced the Hyeonmu Palace until now. She had lived always looking out for threats and conspiracies, turning away from the small hands reaching out to her.

Perhaps, even until now. Her life might have been filled with distrust.

But now she knew. No matter how arduous and difficult life is, there is no law that says one must only be unhappy. She had only just realized this simple truth.

The girl quietly vowed.

From now on, she would not turn her eyes away from them.

Jin Hyeon-ryeong moved her steps again.

The scenery of the Hyeonmu Hall was still desolate.

Looking at the yard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without a single flower or decoration, one would doubt if this was truly the residence of a Crown Princess.

However, this crude garden was also a fragmentary glimpse of her life. She was truly focused only on surviving. So, there was no way she could have the leeway to tend a garden.

Even so, to decorate the garden now, Jin Hyeon-ryeong was not someone with such tastes either.

She let out a shallow breath and looked back at the Head Maid following her.

"Seon-hwa."

The Head Maid, Seon-hwa, raised her head at the call.

Originally, Jin Hyeon-ryeong rarely called people by their names. Even if someone stayed by her side for a long time, she was a person who never crossed the line between public and private matters.

So even at this simple calling of her name, the Head Maid's eyes fluctuated greatly.

She had changed.

Her master was definitely becoming different.

"How is Mumyeong's..., no, the Investigator's body?"

Perhaps this change was thanks to that merely eccentric man.

While swallowing deep gratitude in her heart, the Head Maid opened her mouth.

"At first, the wounds were deep, and it seemed recovery would take time, but now I hear they are almost fully healed as if nothing happened."

Only then did Jin Hyeon-ryeong's stiff shoulders drop a little.

"...That is truly fortunate."

"Yes, it is more fortunate than anything."

The Head Maid truly thought so.

Investigator Mumyeong. Because he was a hero who saved not only herself but everyone in the Hyeonmu Palace.

"He is a truly strange man."

Jin Hyeon-ryeong said.

"To think he overwhelmed Jong-cheon like that, and even cut down an evil spirit single-handedly."

"...Your Highness, I apologize for asking, but did he really cut the Crying Ghost?"

Those who were possessed by the Crying Ghost could not witness Mumyeong's martial arts in detail.

They only saw the lingering scent of the Crying Ghost fading away in front of him.

"Yes."

However, Hyeon-bi saw it clearly.

The sky unfolded before her two eyes.

His sword definitely resembled that vast sky.

"He was not a man to remain as a mere Investigator. Seon-hwa, if you had seen that sight, you probably would have had the same thought as me."

"..."

If Jin Hyeon-ryeong's words were true, no matter how stingy the Imperial Family was with rewards, they would treat Mumyeong with utmost hospitality.

If that happened, the martial artist named Mumyeong would enjoy power that a mere Investigator could not even imagine.

The Head Maid vowed. Before he left this Hyeonmu Palace, she would treat him with utmost hospitality no matter what. So she would somehow continue the connection.

While she was engulfed in such thoughts, suddenly her master grabbed her shoulder.

"...By the way, Seon-hwa. What do men like?"

"...Pardon?"

It had been nearly 3 years since she served Jin Hyeon-ryeong, but this was the first time seeing such a serious face on her.

"After all, wasn't it the Investigator who saved us? So, our Hyeonmu Palace should also treat him without lacking anything. Don't you think? Right, this is by no means a personal feeling. Just treating a VIP. So, Seon-hwa. Couldyoupleasetellmewhatmenlike?"

The Head Maid's face turned pale.

She had heard the circumstances.

That the one who saved her master, who was deluded by the Crying Ghost, was that Investigator Mumyeong.

So, it is natural for her master to care about him this much. Who would mistreat their lifesaver?

Right, this is a perfectly normal reaction.

The Head Maid shook off the wicked thought that briefly crossed her mind and thought seriously.

"Since he is a martial artist, how about giving him a sword? Or ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠precious medicinal herbs would also be good."

"I see. Yes. That would be good."

And, the next day.

The Head Maid had no choice but to drop her jaw at the scenery unfolding before her eyes.

Gifts piled up enough to make one dizzy.

Truly, they were piled up endlessly.

The Head Maid's lips trembled.

"Yo—Your Highness. Even so, wouldn't this be burdensome?"

"...Bu—Burden! I see. I must correct it. Let's take out just a little."

Jin Hyeon-ryeong took out a few clothes and spices from among the countless piled gifts.

Still, the highly piled mountain of gifts showed no sign of decreasing at all.

"Th—Your Highness. Isn't it still a bit too much?"

"Is—Is that so? But he is the one who saved our Hyeonmu Palace. In fact, if not for him, all these riches would be meaningless. So, wouldn't it not be that much?"

"No, Your Highness. It is too much."

The Head Maid's heart beat like crazy.

This is dangerous. It's a really dangerous situation!

In terms of danger alone, it could be said to be a situation equivalent to that Crying Ghost.

The Head Maid barely managed to persuade Hyeon-bi to reduce the gifts by half.

"Hmm, isn't it too little?"

"Even this is sufficient. It is truly more than enough."

Like that, news came that Mumyeong would leave soon.

Jin Hyeon-ryeong, who for some reason hadn't been able to visit the sickbed where Mumyeong was staying, was shocked enough to stagger upon hearing this news.

"Yo—Your Highness! Are you alright?"

"I—I am fine. Yes, he is a great man who shouldn't stay in one place for long. Since his abilities are so outstanding, it is only right that he leaves this place."

Saying that, the vitality in Jin Hyeon-ryeong's eyes was fading.

"Gasp—!"

The Head Maid covered her mouth with both hands.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

We're truly fooked—

—N—No. As a woman, I shouldn't even utter such words inwardly.

Right, let's soften it a bit.

"Your Highness, surely you haven't fallen for him..."

"What are you saying! Seon-hwa! Do not say such dangerous things!"

This was a slip of the tongue severe enough that she would have nothing to say even if her head were cut off.

However, the shock the Head Maid received was bigger than imagined, so she couldn't discern reason for a moment.

"This Head Maid has uttered foolish words. Please punish me."

"...It is done. Seon-hwa, you must choose your words carefully next time. Such words must never be spoken."

"Yes."

She answered for now, but the Head Maid's hands were still trembling.

And, when Jin Hyeon-ryeong finally visited his sickbed.

The Head Maid was certain.

"I—I will be going! Mumyeong, if you are leaving, say goodbye before you go!"

It wasn't just the Head Maid.

Hyang-rang, who witnessed this directly, also started foaming at the mouth. Mumyeong also kept his mouth shut tight.

Probably anyone present would have had the same thought if they saw Hyeon-bi like this.

"O—Oppaaaaa, no, Investigator-nim! What on earth! What did you dooooo!"

Hyang-rang grabbed Mumyeong by the collar and shook him wildly.

Mumyeong felt wronged.

"Fuck, what did I do? I did nothing. I really didn't do anything!"

"...Ri—Right now. You must leave right now."

The Head Maid interrupted with a desperate tone.

"Investigator-nim, we are sorry, but we will prepare the carriage. Also, we will prepare the reward for this matter generously, so please find me when you are ready. I earnestly beg you."

Mumyeong nodded his head hurriedly.

I was going to do that anyway.

Since I was getting bored of being treated like this.

"I will leave first thing tomorrow. That works, right?"

"Thank you truly."

The Head Maid said sincerely.

"Um, um. Investigator-nim, live well! Eat well!"

Hyang-rang also hurriedly fixed his clothes and patted his shoulder.

"Drop by if you think of us later. Okay?"

"Yeah, got it."

A day passed like that.

Mumyeong left without a goodbye.

"...Mumyeong left?"

Jin Hyeon-ryeong slumped—Thud!—lying down.

The Head Maid hurriedly supported her.

"A—Are you alright?"

"...Yes. I am fine."

Jin Hyeon-ryeong barely steadied herself while holding her forehead.

"It is truly disappointing. To think he left so lightly. However, this is also a choice like him."

Her tone was clearly calm, but tears were welling up in Jin Hyeon-ryeong's eyes before she knew it.

Soon, she shut herself in her room and refused food and drink for several days.

To think it was this severe. The Head Maid hadn't expected it at all.

However, this is how it should have ended. The feelings must not grow any larger. The Empress is already sharpening her knife; if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we give her an excuse, it's over that day.

Besides, the Head Maid was skilled in this situation.

Originally, court ladies had to live a thoroughly ascetic life, but human emotions don't always go according to will, do they?

The Head Maid saw it constantly. Court ladies occasionally having affairs with eunuchs. Even between same-sex couples, such things happened, so she could be called a veteran in these matters.

The Head Maid spoke.

"Your Highness, Your Highness needs to learn a little about the beauty of a woman."

Hyeon-bi, who had been groaning, suddenly sat up!

"What does that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mean? Tell me in detail."

"Haven't you been stingy in grooming yourself until now, Your Highness? So, you should put effort into it even now."

Time will solve it.

The Head Maid was certain of that.

Actually, on the surface, no precarious signs were felt from Hyeon-bi anymore.

The habit of wetting her pillow every night, and staring blankly into the void sometimes, disappeared at some point.

"Let's tend the garden."

Instead, a positive change came.

Hyeon-bi was originally far from ladylike hobbies.

She had considered tending flowers and touching soil useless for survival.

But since that day, she went out to the garden every day.

She leveled the dry ground, removed rough stones, and buried seeds.

She didn't mind getting dirt on her hands or her forehead getting tanned by the sun.

As time passed, green began to seep into the desolate yard. Orchids raised their heads one by one through the dry ground, and their leaves bumped against each other, making a pleasant sound.

'Lady Hyeon-bi, were you only unhappy?'

To that question, she could now answer with certainty.

Jin Hyeon-ryeong quietly knelt and looked into the swaying orchids.

At that moment, sunlight flowed down through the clouds.

Soft light wrapped around the garden and settled quietly on the colorful garden.

Jin Hyeon-ryeong looked at that sight and smiled very faintly.

'Yes, Mumyeong. I am happy now.'

Soon Jin Hyeon-ryeong stood up. Looking at the garden and feeling simple happiness, she looked at her hands full of dirt.

Rough and clumsy hands. Suddenly someone's face came to mind, but Jin Hyeon-ryeong turned her steps and headed to her seat.

Behind her, among the orchids, a single nameless flower bloomed.

A small flower shyly lifting its head swayed slowly and quietly, entrusting its body to the wind.