Chapter 20…
Since her encounter with Suyang, Honga had grown noticeably quieter. The King hadn’t picked up on his granddaughter’s unease, but he did realize this change had begun after she met Grand Prince Suyang.
The Crown Prince, having been tipped off by the King, even tried to console his daughter.
“Your father has no intention of marrying you off right now. It’s nothing more than your uncle’s excessive worry, so don’t let it trouble you.”
But Honga’s concern was not marriage.
Marriage? That was something she was already more than willing to use to her advantage. Marriage was one of the most powerful cards to play. Honga was determined to make full use of it, even if it meant using herself.
What truly bothered her was his hostility. She had only spent about an hour with Suyang, yet during that entire time, he had not bothered to hide the disdain in his eyes.
Was it because she didn’t act “like a proper girl”? Because she didn’t try to act cute? Or simply because she was the Crown Prince’s child?
‘Or… was it similar to the chill I felt run down my spine the moment I first saw him?’
It was difficult to define. An instinctive hostility—that was the only way to describe it.
Not that she ever wanted to be close with her eldest uncle in the first place. She never once thought he could be reformed or change his ways.
After all, even while suffering illness and grieving his son’s death, Grand Prince Suyang had done nothing to care for his poor mother or young King Danjong. Honga never imagined such a vile man could change his nature.
Even so, to be met with such hostility from an uncle she was practically meeting for the first time left her both bewildered and disgusted.
Amid that confusion, Honga spent her days with a heavy heart.
Seeing their daughter so downcast, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess put great effort into preparing for her departure from the palace. They wanted her time outside to at least bring her some happiness.
They carefully selected her attendants and even assigned two guards from the Royal Bodyguard to her side.
Not stopping there, they had a magistrate from Hansungbu personally inspect and patrol the surroundings of Lord Danyang’s residence every day. Honga had even memorized the man’s face. It was excessive, but she didn’t dislike it.
“My lady, the palanquin has arrived.”
Finally, the day of Honga’s outing had come. The signal for leaving the palace. When her maid Nani informed her preparations were complete, Honga bowed to her parents and dashed toward the palanquin waiting in the courtyard.
“Child, don’t run!”
The daughter who was usually so mature and solemn was suddenly acting like a child. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess worried, yet couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing the gloom of the past days disappear completely filled them with relief.
“I’ll be off!”
Dressed in a light green robe tinged with yellow and a deep blue skirt, Honga nimbly climbed into the palanquin. Her quick movements almost seemed unfilial in how hastily she parted from them.
“Go well, dear. If anything happens, send word immediately.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Lean on your Uncle Anpyeong while you’re there, understood?”
“Please don’t worry, Father.”
Honga smiled and waved until the palanquin door closed. Once shut, the palanquin tilted and began to move. After seven long years in the palace, Honga was finally stepping into the outside world.
‘Will I be able to do well?’
But as the palanquin swayed into motion, her excitement gave way to anxiety.
Honga had lived her whole life surrounded only by people who loved her. She hardly knew the princes outside the palace walls, nor what they might think of her.
Of course, as their niece, she would have at least some natural favor.
But what Honga needed was not mere goodwill—she needed loyal allies. Could she win over Grand Prince Anpyeong? Witnessing Grand Prince Suyang’s hostility only made her worries grow deeper.
‘How do you earn someone’s favor, anyway?’
In both her past and current life, she had rarely tried to win someone over. In her past life, she always gave up. In this life, love and affection had come pouring in without her lifting a finger.
To work for someone’s favor was something utterly foreign to her.
“My lady, we’re nearly there.”
Lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed the half-hour pass before they entered Junsu-bang. The residence was close enough to the palace that all the precautions felt almost embarrassing.
Peeking out the small window, Honga saw a man and young woman standing in front of the house beyond the hill. Though some distance away, their bearing left no doubt they were royal family.
Royal blood mixed with warrior stock—most princes were broad-shouldered and tall.
‘Stay sharp.’
She swallowed hard, steeling herself.
Soon, the palanquin stopped. The door opened, light pouring in along with her nurse’s outstretched hand. Honga calmly took it as if she’d done this countless times before.
With her nurse’s support, she stepped out and bowed to the man and woman.
“Lord of Danyang greets Second Uncle and Aunt.”
“Well, well. You must be my elder brother’s pride and joy.”
Grand Prince Anpyeong laughed heartily.
His broad frame and laughter resembled the Crown Prince, but unlike his brother’s sharp features, his expression was softer. His face seemed to take after the Queen more than the King.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since you were very small.”
“Please call me Honga.”
She wasn’t naturally coquettish, but with a purpose in mind, she forced herself to sound childlike.
“Yes, that was your name, wasn’t it? I recall your father mentioning it. My, Honga, you’ve grown so healthy and proper. Isn’t that so, my dear?”
“When we last saw her, just after her three-week celebration, she was so tiny. To think she has grown this much already—time flies.”
So, their relationship wasn’t yet as strained as rumors suggested.
His wife’s shy reply and the affectionate smile Anpyeong gave her made them look more like newlyweds than a long-married couple. Even for Honga, whose “romantic instincts” were long dead, the sight was embarrassingly sweet.
“This residence has been empty for a while, so we made some renovations. For now, the inner quarters where you’ll stay have been especially prepared.”
“I hope it pleases you, my lady.”
The couple led her inside.
As expected of a royal estate, the house was large. To call it merely a “villa” was misleading—it was far grander than that. Signs of age were faint, well-hidden by careful maintenance.
Her bedroom was freshly papered and spotless, giving it the feel of a new home. The furnishings were modest, but together with the view outside the window, they gave the room a sense of peace.
“My own residence is nearby. Should anything happen, send word at once.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Once the tour ended, the couple busied themselves checking their clothes in preparation to return. Seeing this, Honga’s heart raced. Time was short—her body needed to act before her mind hesitated.
“Would it be possible for this little niece to visit your residence tonight, Uncle? The thought of spending a whole week alone feels lonely.”
“Is that so?”
Honga’s outward appearance was that of a perfect child, and Grand Prince Anpyeong—having inherited much of the Queen’s gentle nature—was quick to give in to her.
“Indeed, the palace was always bustling. It must feel lonely here.”
“Then why not share supper together? Come this evening.”
His wife added warmly.
“Yes, I have no engagements tonight. That sounds delightful. We can dine together and share some refreshments. At last, I’ll have the chance to spend proper time with my niece.”
“I’ll inform the kitchen to prepare carefully. We must welcome such an honored guest properly.”
Their reaction was good. After a look around the residence, the couple departed for their own household.
Honga politely saw them off, then quickly turned her head. From behind her, she heard her nurse’s startled gasp.
“Nanny.”
There was no time. Honga scanned her surroundings urgently.
“What is it, my lady?”
The nurse asked, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Where are the belongings we brought?”
“Still being unpacked.”
“Move all the books to the outer hall.”
“Not your bedroom?”
The nurse looked confused.
“What use is leaving the outer hall empty? With the view outside, it’s perfect for reading. Nani, fetch me a bowl of cold water.”
“Cold water? But that will hurt your head.”
“I need it to clear my mind.”
She had only a few hours. Even reading every book she’d brought wouldn’t be enough to prepare.
Downing the cold water in great gulps, Honga shut herself in the outer hall. Surrounded by stacks of books hastily carried over, she began reading furiously.
Neither her nurse nor Nani had realized Honga could read. They looked on, plainly thinking her strange.
But she was deadly serious.
Just before leaving the palace, she had practiced her characters and painting, but the results were poor.
Why was writing Chinese characters neatly so difficult? There was no way her clumsy handwriting could impress Grand Prince Anpyeong, famed as a master calligrapher.
At least she thought she might have a chance at poetry—but when she tried, she realized it was much harder than expected.
Though she could read books and write characters, turning them into poetry was another matter entirely. It might be quicker for Princes Suchun and Ikhyeon to just recite Myeongsimbogam by heart.
Original composition was too hard. But memorization—that, she was confident in. For days she had been cramming poems and classic anecdotes into her head. She needed to stuff in as much as possible.
