9 ⚜️🌺 Under the Moon's Gaze
Morning rose. Seon-in grabbed her belongings and hurried to the front door. Ji-kyung waited for her by the entrance and smiled.
"Is my daughter ready?" he asked.
She giggled and jumped into his arms. He laughed and glanced at her face.
"I won't be there for too long…" she declared. "I hope…"
He patted her back, brushing her braided hair down.
"My sweet daughter… this will always be your home."
Seon-in sniffled as she held him tighter.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" she prompted.
He nodded with laughter. Just as he raised his hand—
"Noona!" Hanjun cried through the hallway.
Seon-in turned and smiled, wiping a tear.
"My little Hanjun-ah!" she called, picking him up as he ran to her.
"I… I will make sure to study very hard!" he declared firmly. She laughed and twisted him around. "I promise that I will take care of the family when you're gone… and Father!"
Seon-in and Ji-kyung cackled. She played with Hanjun's hair with a warm smile.
"I can't wait to see you grow up, my little Hanjun-ah."
They shared a moment of warmth, hugging each other, before Seon-in departed the household. Once she stepped into the market, she hurried to the North Gate of the palace. She walked to the Forbidden Library with a heavy sigh and waited for Baek.
Meanwhile, the Head Eunuch dressed Baek up for his morning court. Baek glanced over his shoulder as Hye-shik entered and leaned closer. The Head Eunuch watched and listened as best as he could until… his eyes gazed at Baek, who stared back at him.
"Oh mercy…" he jolted and turned away. He held his chest to steady and took a deep breath. "You're all ready, Your Majesty…"
Baek nodded, staring at him. Hye-shik reached out his hand for Baek and led him to the courtroom.
"She's in the library, waiting," Hye-shik whispered.
Baek tilted his head slightly and smiled.
"I see… make sure to bring her food while she waits…" he commanded. Then he remembered her stomach growling on the day he confronted her. He blushed. She must be very hungry. "Bring her some snacks as well."
Hye-shik nodded in response.
After the morning courtroom session, he marched to the kitchen and ordered a meal and snacks for Seon-in. Once that was done, he ordered two court ladies to send the trays to the Forbidden Library. He knocked on the door four times purposefully. Seon-in's head raised instantly.
"When you hear a knock, that'll be me… but if it's four, hide," Baek's voice said in her memory.
She gasped and looked at the shelves. I got to hide! But where? Then she ran to the corner of the room and slid behind the shelves. She curled down and covered her mouth.
The door opened, and Hye-shik entered with the two court ladies who placed the trays down on the desk. His eyes looked behind him, but he faced away. As soon as the court ladies walked out of the room, he followed them.
Seon-in peeked to the side of the shelf and looked around.
"Am I alone now?" she wondered. She slowly stepped out of her hiding spot and walked over to the table. She stared at the trays, opening one lid. She drooled at the sight of the tenderness and juicy roasted duck with savory kimchi on the side as her jaw dropped. "Wow… is this for me?"
Seon-in reached for the chopsticks, then she stopped herself—
"Wait, is it for His Majesty?" she gasped. She quickly placed the chopsticks down and covered the meal. She took a deep breath and couldn't keep her gaze off the tray. But it looks so yummy… should I just take one small bite? Will he know if I do?
She clenched her fists and trembled. She closed her eyes, thinking about her plan to keep her mind away from the delicious smell of the roasted duck.
"Maybe just one small bite?" she hesitated, her hand reaching for the chopsticks again—
Then a knock startled her.
One knock? She held her breath and froze, her eyes lingering at the door.
The door creaked open, and… Baek entered.
She turned pale before she—
HIC.
She covered her mouth instantly from shock.
Baek paused as he stared at her from the door.
She bit her lower lip beneath her hand. This is so embarrassing. She flushed with embarrassment.
He stifled his laugh as he closed the door behind him. Then he held his chin up, walking toward her.
"I can smell that the food was delivered to my guest. I hope you find the meal satisfying, as well as the snacks," he claimed.
Her hiccup wouldn't stop, but she couldn't believe it either.
"The… HIC, meal was for me?" she asked.
He chuckled and nodded, placing his hand behind his back. As soon as he reached the desk, he leaned forward and closer to her face. She let out a sharp inhale and pulled away.
"Yes… did you try it?" he wondered, pretending not to glance at the trays below.
She looked down and then back at his face.
"Not yet… but have you eaten, Your Majesty?" she questioned. Then she paused. Wait, why is he still standing? Oh mercy! "My apologies for keeping you standing!"
Seon-in hurried out of the chair and bowed. He grinned at her hastiness, yet proper etiquette.
"No worries, I didn't order you to stand…" he replied. She closed her eyes tightly and kept her hands by her side. He stared at her, refusing to comply and sit. He beamed. "I command you to sit… and eat."
"Huh?" she blurted, looking up at his eyes. During the day, his eyes… look like the moon! Her eyes refused to glance away, mesmerized. "Wow… it resembles the moon… truly a graceful moon."
His eyes widened. Moon? Is she talking about my eyes? His cheeks slowly bloomed rosily. He looked away and straightened himself, covering his mouth.
"What are you talking about? The sun is still high in the sky…"
Her hiccups sent her back to the present. She gasped, eyes widening with horror. Did I say that out loud? She closed her eyes and bowed as lowly as possible.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" she shouted, turning her head slightly and biting the corner of her lower lip. You've gone insane, Park Seon-in. Shouldn't be talking to His Majesty like this.
He coughed out a laugh that he had tried to hold. Then he cackled loudly as he couldn't stop. Why is she truly so adorable and honest?
She furrowed her brows, afraid to raise her head to look because she knew she would say another statement that she shouldn't have.
"Oho… didn't I command you to sit? Are you refusing your ruler's order?" Baek taunted.
She flinched and straightened her back with her eyes closed. She bowed hastily and nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty… I will sit!" she replied. She opened one eye and hurried without turning away. She sat down and took a deep breath, opening her eyes to stare at the food. Can I really eat all of this?
Baek waited, watching her without showing her that he was. He grinned playfully.
"What's wrong? Does the food not suit your taste?" he asked.
She jumped out of the chair a little and glanced up.
"Hm… Your Majesty, can I really eat this?"
He chuckled lightly and walked around the table to her side. She gulped, her eyes mortified. Then he stood, sitting at the edge of the table with his arms crossed.
"Do you not trust me when I said I would take care of you when you're in the palace?"
She hid her lips and forced a smile.
"I… do…" she whispered. "My apologies, Your Majesty…"
She stretched her hand to grab the chopsticks and opened the lid. She placed the plate of the duck in front of her. This is for me… I will make sure you will want to get rid of me soon enough! She reminded herself of her mission.
Seon-in ate while Baek observed her.
He slowly smiled without meaning to. She's like a bunny. A very cute bunny that I want to keep.
The room silently worried Seon-in. When she shoved a piece of the duck meat into her mouth, she raised her shoulders, and her eyes slowly ascended to Baek's eyes. They locked eyes and remained in the gaze. She didn't fret and kept staring into his eyes, gently observing the beauty of the color.
He furrowed his brows slightly in awkwardness, blushing. Why is she staring at my eyes? Is she really not afraid of the curse-looking eyes of mine?
She placed the chopsticks at the tip of her lips. His Majesty's eyes are so rare, but they're so beautiful. How can anyone call that a curse? If anything, my eyes are more of a curse than his… I would rather have his beautiful moon eyes.
Baek tightened his throat as his eyes riveted on her lips.