7. Museong Cheong Su-ryeon, Deceased
“Assistant Su-ryeon!“
“…Yes.“
Su-ryeon answered bluntly without moving. How many times had they called her now? With a scowl, she told Gyeong-chip and Gok-u she would be right back. The two offered her sympathetic, troubled smiles.
“Gyeong-chip, please look after Rok for a moment.“
Su-ryeon glanced at Rok, who refused to leave her side for even a second. Balancing the needs of a dragon and the demands of a state funeral was taking its toll; Gyeong-chip nodded, looking at her with pity.
“Rok, I have to work.“
“I want to go too.“
Rok was particularly whiny today. He had insisted on attending the funeral, and she had extracted a firm promise from him last night to behave. However, he seemed to have forgotten entirely, gripping her hand tightly. In just one day, Rok had grown taller again, making it easy for him to reach her hand. His rate of growth was becoming frightening.
“Rok, listen. What did I say you need to eat everything you want?“
“Money.“
“And what do I have to do to get that money?“
“Cheong Su-ryeon has to work.“
Rok grew sulky as he spoke, but Su-ryeon looked quite satisfied. She liked how well-trained he was becoming. Finally, Rok let go of her hand. She affectionately ruffled his hair.
“I’ll be back. Let’s eat something delicious after work is done today.“
At her promise, Rok broke into a wide grin. Leaving him behind felt heavy, but she had to finish this funeral properly. Only then could she guarantee a peaceful, demoted life without future trouble.
On the day of the funeral, the Archivist’s only job is to record the event. However, since she was a former Deputy Assistant and had received a direct order from the current King, she ended up assisting with the overall proceedings. Despite this general role, she found herself being summoned repeatedly by Ip-chwi, the head of the Chu family. Her irritation was reaching a breaking point.
I agreed to general assistance, not to be that man’s personal servant.
She spoke to Ip-chwi, who was in charge of the eulogy, in a warning tone.
“This is enough. The funeral starts soon. You should send your only sister off properly.“
“…Impudent girl. You don’t know your place.“
“Your mouth is as foul as ever. Why don’t you use that foul mouth to pray for Hujik’s soul? In my stead.“
She smiled brightly at him. Ip-chwi and the former King, Hujik, were siblings. When she was young, Ip-chwi had felt like a mountain—a frightening man with a sharp tongue. But as the years passed, his behavior now seemed like nothing more than a temper tantrum. After all, Hujik, who had despised her so much, was already lying in a coffin. Seeing Ip-chwi now, worn down by time, she almost felt a pang of pity for him.
The funeral began in the palace’s widest courtyard with the Chohon—the ritual of calling back the spirit of the deceased. This was the duty of Jae-hu, the chief mourner. As dawn broke, the lamps lighting the palace were extinguished one by one. Near the palace gate, Jae-hu appeared, his silver hair fluttering in the breeze.
“Chu-ga Hujik, return! Chu-ga Hujik, return! Chu-ga Hujik, return!”
The dawn light made Jae-hu look even more ethereal. Waving the deceased’s garments, he began to walk slowly. As he approached the central courtyard, the murmurs of the crowd died down. Everyone stood to face him. At the highest point sat the coffin, and Jae-hu took his seat near it. Following his lead, the entire assembly sat in unison.
“A moment of silence, please.“
As Dong So-han, sitting closest to Jae-hu, stood to speak, everyone followed suit. Everyone closed their eyes, but Su-ryeon did not. She had not forgotten Chu Hujik—the disdain, the contempt, and the occasional violence. She was no saint; she would not pray for Hujik’s peace.
If hell exists, make sure you go there, Chu Hujik.
She thought this with a hidden smile. When the silence ended, she wiped the expression from her face and looked at So-han with a neutral gaze.
“Next will be the eulogy by the head of the Chu family, Ip-chwi.”
In truth, Su-ryeon didn’t remember much of the eulogy. To her, this was just an extension of work, and she just wanted it to end. The funeral proceeded smoothly. When it came
