◆◆
After that, I hid myself from Go Won and Go Chaeha like a rat that had secretly slipped into the palace. Whenever I was caught by chance, Go Won would quietly scan me with sharp eyes and pass by. But Go Chaeha seemed to take a particular interest in me.
"You thought you wouldn't be noticed if you kept avoiding me?"
When I turned my head, I saw Go Chaeha smiling like a pleasant man.
At this point, I didn't even know whether he was a good person or a bad one. But since I might need his help while I remained in the palace, I decided not to avoid him completely.
"I'm just being careful."
"Why? Because you feel guilty? For example, crushing me so thoroughly?"
"That was—!"
My voice rose without me realizing it.
"Shh."
Go Chaeha led me to a place where there were fewer people.
A small terrace.
From there, I could see the vast forest owned by the royal family stretching out in the distance. At the center of that forest lay a lake, so far away that only a faint blue color was visible.
The terrace overlooked the endless forest beyond the railing. Dense green trees swayed softly in the wind, their leaves rustling like a quiet breath. At the center of the forest lay a deep blue lake. It was too far to see clearly, but its depth was unmistakable.
Under the increasingly bright sunlight, Go Chaeha's blond hair shone even more brilliantly. He turned his gaze from the scenery back to me.
"Honestly, I was a little surprised. I didn't expect you to have that kind of talent."
"I apologize for what happened that night. If you wish to punish me for it, then I—"
He cut me off.
"Seonmi. I like that you're that kind of person."
What kind of nonsense was that?
I stared at his face, trying to understand, and the answer became clear.
The summer sunlight fell over him. Within that light, his eyes gleamed darker and sharper, as if he had finally found what he wanted. Even if he tried to hide it, the anticipation spread unmistakably in his gaze.
No way…
Go Chaeha wanted it. Just like that night—he wanted me to trample him mercilessly and climb over him.
"No."
I stepped backward. My back hit the railing at the edge of the terrace.
"Seonmi."
He called me calmly again. He didn't move, only turned his gaze toward me.
"I don't know what you think of me, but I'll be the only person you can trust in this palace."
"Why?"
"The people in the palace are quieter than beasts, more cunning, and far more patient… doesn't it feel too quiet right now?"
I held my breath for a moment. Only the sound of leaves rustling in the wind could be heard.
"They're watching everything, even when you can't see them. This silence doesn't mean they'll pass by. It just means they're preparing to hunt. And then, without anyone noticing, you'll be attacked."
"..."
"In the forest, weak animals can at least run away. But in the palace, the moment you try to run, it means death."
Go Chaeha's expression became calm in a way I hadn't seen before. His gaze drifted into empty space as if he were lost in thought.
I once read an article about Go Chaeha in the newspaper.
'The hidden illegitimate son, Go Chaeha… from a free life to the palace, and then isolation.'
According to reports, Go Chaeha had been a free-spirited and artistic person since childhood. He had a strong interest in art and music, and lived a relatively ordinary life with his mother without the protection or support of the royal family.
But his life changed abruptly at the age of nineteen.
Although the exact details were never disclosed, records indicate that this was when the royal family officially acknowledged his existence, and he was brought into the palace without explanation. In the process, he was separated from his mother and forced to remain alone inside the palace.
After entering the palace, Go Chaeha lived a life almost completely cut off from the outside world. It was not that he chose to hide, but that the royal family intentionally kept his existence hidden. In effect, he was confined under the pretense of "protection."
A young man who had lived freely as an artist suddenly entered the walls of the palace at nineteen.
And from that moment on, the world could no longer see him.
Go Chaeha turned his gaze back to me.
"So? Do you understand now that there's only one choice?"
"..."
"I want to maintain a passionate relationship with you."
He slowly walked toward me.
As if he knew that one more step would make everything collapse, yet he desired that collapse.
Just as his lips were about to touch mine—
Crash.
The sound of something shattering made me turn my head.
Kim Sera was standing there.
Her tightly pressed lips trembled slightly. Her jaw was clenched, her brows lowered, casting shadows over her sharp, cold eyes. Emotions on the verge of exploding were contained within her gaze.
The fact that she didn't leave and instead stared at me fiercely made it obvious—she had broken the dish on purpose.
Go Chaeha didn't approach her. He simply muttered in annoyance.
"Ah, what a mess."
I wanted to leave.
I was the first to move.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Kim Sera grabbed my wrist as I tried to leave. Her grip hurt like that of a strong man.
"Let go before you speak."
"What kind of relationship do you two have, acting like this here?"
"That question is too personal to answer."
"Too personal? A worn-out parachute like you dares to talk back to me?!"
Her hand came flying before I could react, and I fell to the ground.
My cheek burned with pain. Pieces of the broken dish pierced my knee, drawing blood.
"Kim Sera, stop."
She looked at Go Chaeha with resentment in her eyes.
"Why her of all people? Why choose someone worse than me?"
Go Chaeha didn't even blink. He let out a sigh laced with ridicule.
"Kim Sera. The worst thing right now is that expression on your face."
A grinding sound echoed as she clenched her teeth. Blood dripped from her trembling hand.
I quietly got up.
I didn't want to get involved in their story. What had already happened to me was enough to overwhelm my mind.
I left quietly.
As I walked away, I could hear Kim Sera's furious voice behind me.
I covered my ears.
After that incident, Kim Sera strangely stopped paying attention to me. Aside from being given more errands and frequently changing tasks, things were manageable.
"Seonmi, are you heading back to the dorm?"
"Yes."
"There's one more thing. Her Majesty the Queen plans to take some air tomorrow morning, so you'll need to go prepare a resting area."
She handed me a basket filled with cushions, mats, trays, and tea sets.
"If you go out through the east gate, you'll see a forest. Walk along the path on the right and you'll find a lake. Someone else will already be there to help you. That person is quite slow, but if you work together, you'll finish before sunset."
"Um… don't extra tasks usually come directly from the head maid?"
"Ah… well…"
She hesitated before continuing.
"The head maid isn't feeling well today and wanted to rest early."
I understood.
She just didn't want to see me.
"Alright."
"Thank you."
By the time I checked the basket, the sky had already darkened.
"Finishing before sunset… I should at least bring a flashlight."
As the sun fully set, the forest gradually lowered its breath.
"Walk along the path to the right and you'll see a lake…"
My steps stopped.
The lake shimmered under the moonlight.
"…It's beautiful."
"Why are you here?"
A voice approached quietly.
Startled, I dropped the flashlight.
"Why are you so late?"
"I'm sorry. It's dark, and it's my first time coming this way…"
"It doesn't really matter…"
Something felt off.
The preparations were already done.
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes. I've been waiting."
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
Then she stepped closer.
And I stepped back.
"…Why are you coming closer?"
The lake was behind me.
And in that moment—
I realized.
Someone had sent her to kill me.
Her hand pushed forward.
Before I could even react—
my body tilted into the air.
Cold water swallowed me whole.
The world went silent.
The moonlight grew distant.
Ah… I haven't even found my mother yet.
Mom… was this… also a bad dream?
My consciousness faded.
And in that moment—
I understood.
Someone had already turned away.
And in this lake—
I was alone.