Chapter 19….
“The Crown Prince’s first daughter shall be granted the title of Lady of Danyang (Danyang Gunju).”
At last, the King’s decree was announced.
Hong-ah, her face flushed with excitement, received the royal edict in her hands. Her mother, watching her daughter hold the rolled scroll close to her chest, was overcome with emotions and sniffled.
But for Hong-ah, it was a day of pure joy. She was no longer just the Crown Prince’s eldest child without an official title—she was now granted rank, formally acknowledged as a young noblewoman.
Her excursion was set for seven days. The King had at first opposed his granddaughter leaving the palace, nearly canceling the plan, but thanks to the Crown Prince’s help, she managed to secure permission.
Still, a week was the maximum the Crown Prince would allow, and Hong-ah accepted without complaint. After all, excess is as bad as deficiency.
“Is Grandfather in?”
Preparations began for the palanquin that would carry her on the trip. Though material shortages had delayed the schedule, it was fortunately adjusted so that she could depart before summer ended.
In the meantime, Hong-ah’s duty was to comfort the King.
The King had taken the news of her departure very poorly. It wasn’t as if she were leaving forever through marriage—she would only be gone a single week—yet he found even that unacceptable. Because of this, Hong-ah went often to the audience hall to keep him company.
“He is in attendance. His Highness the Prince is already with him.”
Until now, whenever she visited, she had never found someone else inside. Hearing this, Hong-ah groaned softly, conflicted, making the chief eunuch chuckle.
“Should I wait, then?”
“No, Princess. His Majesty ordered that you be shown in immediately should you arrive.”
Relieved, Hong-ah let out a small sigh of relief.
“Your Majesty, Lady of Danyang requests an audience.”
“Let her in.”
The King’s voice carried clearly beyond the doors. Smiling faintly at the eunuch, Hong-ah stepped lightly inside.
With her head bowed, holding her skirts delicately so as not to make a sound, she walked like a proper young noblewoman of Joseon. It had taken her long enough to master such quiet, graceful steps.
The King’s booming laughter filled the hall. He disliked the idea of her leaving, but he loved when she behaved in a grown-up manner.
“Grandfather, I offer my greetings.”
Hong-ah bowed politely. The King did not stop laughing even as she finished her bow.
“Yes, yes. My dear Hong-ah has come to see her old grandfather again.”
Smiling back, she looked around for a seat—and only then did she meet the gaze of the man inside with the King.
It was someone she had never seen before. But instinct told her immediately who he was. The back of her neck prickled, every hair on her body standing on end. Her pulse quickened, her fingertips trembled.
“Is this your first time meeting Hong-ah?”
“Yes. Not since she was a newborn.”
Hong-ah tried her best not to show her unease. This meeting was wholly unexpected, but it wasn’t something she could avoid forever.
“Hong-ah, this is your eldest uncle.”
She calmly turned toward him. His arrogant eyes raked over her like blades. Forcing herself to act unbothered, Hong-ah bowed.
“Uncle Suyang, are you in good health? I, Lady of Danyang, offer my respects.”
“Hahaha!”
The King burst into hearty laughter.
“Isn’t the child remarkably clever?”
“She truly is.”
Suyang’s eyes, which had been looking down at her with disdain, finally turned away. He faced the King, his features shifting into a genial, smiling mask.
Thump, thump.
Her heart pounded so loudly she feared others might hear. Why was she so afraid?
Was it because Suyang was a grown man while she was barely seven? Because she knew she could never defeat him?
She couldn’t define it. His build, his gaze—everything about him overwhelmed her seven-year-old body. But the soul inside her was far heavier than a child’s. All she could do was admit it was pure, instinctive dread.
“It truly feels like ages have passed. To think this tiny baby has grown so much.”
“You too will know such joy soon. Isn’t your wife close to giving birth?”
“Yes. Her body has grown quite heavy now.”
Watching him chat casually with the King sent shivers down her spine.
Now he could put on this shamelessly genial façade, but one day, after her father and elder brothers were dead, this man would become the criminal who slaughtered his own siblings and nephews. The more she thought of his future, the more repulsed she felt.
“And has Your Majesty already decided on the Lady’s marriage?”
His question pulled her from her dark thoughts.
Taking a small breath, Hong-ah smiled and ran into the King’s arms. She was not usually the affectionate type, but right now, she needed him. The King, delighted, beamed and lifted her onto his knee.
“Not yet.”
The King was one of those most eager to see her married early. In this era, that was considered a way of cherishing one’s daughters.
For sons, there was little rush, but for girls, even slight delay could cost them a good match. The King would have pressed ahead long ago, if not for the Crown Prince’s heartfelt pleas.
“The Crown Prince insists on waiting. It’s no easy thing to send away one’s child, especially the firstborn.”
He stroked her hair fondly.
“But Father, she has already been granted the title of Lady. Even if the wedding itself is later, should we not at least arrange the betrothal now?”
“And what if the Crown Prince objects?”
“I only fear we may miss a good match.”
“I have thought of that myself, but Hong-ah is still young. I intend to wait a little longer.”
“Shall I perhaps look into potential matches outside?”
Has he lost his mind?
Anger boiled inside her. Even in the royal family, early marriages did not mean at seven years old. The King’s talk of settling her marriage early was already excessive.
Normally, betrothals were decided after the age of ten, with weddings following later. In society at large, it was even later—fourteen or so, after coming-of-age ceremonies. Unless there was some prenatal betrothal, there was no reason to rush.
The King alone was impatient about her marriage. But unlike the King’s concern, Suyang’s words carried no affection—they felt sinister.
“If her father refuses, what can we do? It is for the Crown Prince to decide.”
Fortunately, the King sounded doubtful. Hong-ah let out a sigh of relief, snuggling into his arms. The King, charmed by her rare display of affection, chuckled warmly.
“I spoke only out of concern, and disturbed Your Majesty instead. Forgive me.”
Suyang lifted one corner of his mouth in a sly smirk. To the King, it may have looked like his second son’s playfulness, but to Hong-ah, it was chilling.
“What worries you so much?”
“It seems the Lady is already rather precocious. As her uncle, I cannot help but be concerned.”
“Our Hong-ah is indeed bright.”
“But is it not unbecoming of a young girl? Should she not simply grow up demurely, marry into a proper family, and aid my brother’s great endeavors? Yet the servants are teaching her to read books and study manners like a scholar, so I fear it may hinder her future prospects.”
It had been a long time since she had felt such naked hostility.
In her past life, it had been common, but here, apart from Lady Sunbin, no one had openly disliked her. Since Sunbin’s removal, she had known no such animosity—until now.
Hong-ah swallowed hard. The King kept stroking her hair, but did not answer Suyang. It was difficult to guess what he was thinking. But she could not remain silent.
At last, she spoke.
“I only enjoyed listening to a few words Grandfather read aloud, and remembered them. Please do not blame the servants for it.”
It wasn’t the servants, it was Father who taught me.
Suyang’s face twisted at her bold retort. The King looked between his granddaughter and son, then interjected sternly.
“Why should a girl be neglected in her lessons? I raised the princesses with constant instruction in propriety and virtue. The Lady shall be no different. Do not fret over nothing.”
“Your Majesty is right. I spoke out of turn.”
Though he apologized to the King, Suyang’s sharp gaze never left Hong-ah.
“As your uncle, I was thoughtless in my concern. Forgive me.”
“How could I take offense at words spoken with care? Though I lack virtue, I will take them to heart.”
Her words carried hidden thorns, but the King only laughed, praising her instead.
Suyang, however, fixed his piercing stare on Hong-ah. Clear hostility filled the room.
