Chapter 5
Throb.
Haon tilted her head and placed a hand over her heart.
What’s this?
It was a strange sensation.
While she puzzled over it, the standoff between Princess Phirione and Prince Shi continued without pause.
“So, you mean to say you can’t hand over a mere maid, and you’d rather disrupt the order of the Imperial Palace?”
Prince Shi, striving not to betray any embarrassment over the corn kernel stuck in his hair, forced authority into his voice.
Princess Phirione’s tone, usually warm and elegant, turned cold and cutting.
“She is not just a mere maid. She belongs to my palace, and she’s an important girl carrying out my special command.”
Haon clasped her hands over her chest, deeply moved.
Ah, Princess! I didn’t know you cherished me so much. I’ll devote myself to you forev—
—or so she was about to vow, when—
“A special command, you say? And what important mission could such a lowly maid possibly have?”
When Prince Shi prodded, Princess Phirione shot back sharply.
“Prince Shi, do you know what popcorn is?”
Damn popcorn.
Everything began with popcorn, and everything, it seemed, would return to popcorn.
“Pop… what?”
Unfamiliar with the strange word, the prince couldn’t even repeat it properly.
“Pop. Corn.”
“Popcorn.”
Prince Shi paused to process the term. No matter how he searched his memory, there was no way he would know what it was.
The wave of gratitude and admiration swelling in Haon’s heart for the princess began to cool.
Regardless, Princess Phirione lifted her chin with a smirk.
“How regrettable that even you, Prince Shi, know nothing of popcorn. This, once again, proves the value of this girl. She has been tasked with the duty of making popcorn under my special order. Therefore, until she fulfills that task, you cannot simply take her life. She is the only one in this entire palace who knows how to make it.”
Her smooth and confident explanation had an odd persuasiveness—though it was also ridiculous.
So… what you’re saying is, once I make the popcorn, I’ll be killed?
Haon swallowed the question, fearing that asking it might very well make that grim scenario a reality.
Still, it seemed her words had some effect. Prince Shi fell silent for a moment, then stepped back.
“I understand Princess Phirione’s wishes.”
Perhaps he accepted them but didn’t truly agree—his sharp gaze briefly swept over Haon, making her shiver.
“However, I cannot simply overlook the fact that you shielded a maid who wronged me and thus disrupted the discipline of the palace.”
“Do you mean to insist on bloodshed?”
And then Princess Phirione threw a verbal punch she really shouldn’t have.
“As I’ve heard, you are truly a merciless cold-blooded man. I suppose all you know is how to wield a sword from leading the army?”
Oh, Princess, please!
Watching from the side, Haon swallowed nervously.
In the web novel Queen of Thorns and Roses, Prince Shi was notorious for being ruthless, cutting down anyone over the smallest slight. Haon had already resigned herself to death, knowing this merciless society permitted such cruelty, and that he was an isolated, feral wolf.
She feared he might draw his sword here and now.
The corner of his lips lifted into a crooked smile—handsome, yet dangerous. His gaze shifted to Haon.
“Your mistress must be very fond of you.”
Should she respond to that?
Before she could decide, his attention returned to the princess.
“No, it’s just that, since you hold this maid in such high regard, I’ve grown curious about her abilities.”
Wait, what was happening now?
Sensing something odd, Haon glanced suspiciously between the two.
They smiled at each other, but sparks seemed ready to fly in the space between their eyes.
“If she receives no punishment for offending me, wouldn’t that tarnish the dignity of the Heosen Empire?”
“I won’t dispute that.”
“Then, in keeping with the will of the Chekoran Empire, let her live for now—but after fulfilling your special order, lend her to me for a while.”
Haon’s mouth fell open.
“I want to see for myself just how extraordinary this maid’s skills are.”
“You mean to have her serve you for a time in place of punishment?”
“That’s right.”
“I am moved by your generosity, Prince Shi.”
Princess Phirione curtsied lightly, and the prince placed a fist over his chest, inclining his head.
As the two royals exchanged polite formalities, Haon’s head spun.
So… you want me to serve Prince Shi?
Was this a lucky break, or a disaster waiting to happen?
“As soon as Haon makes the popcorn, I’ll send word to you.”
“Then I shall wait.”
They parted with farewells, but Haon clearly saw the prince shoot her a death glare as he turned away.
His eyes plainly said: The moment you set foot in my palace, you’re dead.
Maybe making popcorn forever wouldn’t be so bad…
Haon glanced down at the basket full of corn kernels.
“Haon.”
Once the prince was gone, Princess Phirione called her.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Haon hurried forward and bowed. The princess stepped closer, checking the basket she held.
“You said your past failures with popcorn were because the corn wasn’t dried hard enough?”
“Yes. Thinking about it, popcorn kernels were always really hard and small—kind of like the corn we have here. I think if we dry it well, it’ll work.”
“Good.”
The princess pressed a kernel, then tossed it back in the basket.
“You’d better finish the popcorn quickly. We have a deal with Prince Shi, after all.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Haon bowed and turned to leave—but something felt off.
The princess’s voice seemed faint, trembling.
Ignoring propriety, Haon lifted her head to study her face.
Only moments ago, she had faced down the fearsome prince with poise and a smile. Now, her complexion was as pale as paper.
“…Your Highness?”
“Go… go outside.”
She clutched the armrest of her chair, swaying.
“Your Highness!”
Haon dropped the basket and dared to support her.
She was shocked—her body was icy cold and trembling.
“Are you all right?”
“I said… get out!”
With a ghastly face, the princess suddenly gagged.
Then she gasped for breath, clutching her throat, and collapsed into the chair.
“Haon, leave. You shouldn’t be here.”
Anten, the other maid, pulled Haon away. She seemed used to this and showed no sign of panic.
“But Lady Anten—”
“Go!”
She shot Haon a sharp look, then pressed a finger to her lips.
Her meaning was clear: This must remain a secret.
Haon nodded, grabbed her basket, and left. The heavy library door slammed shut behind her.
Her heart pounded. She worried for the princess left inside.
This never happened in the novel.
In Queen of Thorns and Roses, the princess was always composed and cold. Haon had expected to be executed when caught singing that first time—(her neck really was starting to feel like it was always in danger of flying off)—so being told to keep singing had been a shock.
But to see her pale and trembling like this… that was new.
Anten was the only maid who came from the Chekoran Kingdom with her, Haon recalled.
She must know every secret and detail of the princess’s condition.
And at that moment, Haon realized something else.
Maybe the web novel didn’t contain everything. There might be hidden truths… like this.
The thought thrilled her more than discovering she’d entered her favorite story in the first place.
Knowing everything could get boring. Thinking you knew everything, only to uncover hidden truths—that sparked real excitement.
“Though this probably isn’t something to just enjoy…”
She glanced back at the library, worry creasing her brow.
Princess Phirione was the protagonist of the novel, and Haon’s favorite character. Of course she’d be concerned if something was wrong with her.
“Could it be…?”
Her reaction reminded Haon of panic attacks she’d seen back in Korea.
“Could it be, Princess?”
She almost turned back to knock on the door, hand lifting and falling several times, before finally walking away.
“No… probably not.”
She shook her head.
“First, let’s just make the popcorn. If she’s really unwell, I can watch and see.”
Steeling herself, Haon headed outside with her basket.
As she searched for a sunny spot in the courtyard, a familiar figure blocked her path.
It was Prince Shi.
He spoke before she could say anything, as if making an excuse.
“On my way back, I thought—you might slack off on the popcorn to avoid punishment.”
“…So?”
“I’ll be watching you.”
“That’s…”
Just making the popcorn would be tiring enough, but having him watch her like a hawk? She felt her strength drain. Then, an idea popped into her head.
“Prince Shi.”
Her eyes lit up as she spoke.
“If you’re going to watch, why not help me instead?”
At her sudden suggestion, the prince’s expression twisted in a strange way.
