Chapter 7
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
Large inkstones, brushes, and various ornaments.
On the small table, there were plenty of items that could be used to teach this woman a lesson right away.
Although I lack training, I could easily put an end to the delicate Noble Consort's life.
'No, I must endure.'
I clenched my trembling fists under my skirt.
Right now, I'm merely a child.
Even if I'm lucky enough to kill this woman, I wouldn't survive.
'Candied fruit, rice cakes, medicinal cookies, traditional Korean sweets...'
I tried to suppress my murderous intent by thinking of all kinds of sweet snacks.
"Lift your skirt and stand."
I got up and stood on the cushion.
Then I lifted my skirt.
"Today, I'll make sure to educate you properly."
Whoosh-!
The Noble Consort raised the birch rod high.
I closed my eyes tightly, bracing for the impending pain. At that moment.
"Your Grace, I apologize. There is something urgent to report."
"Enter."
The flustered voice of Choi Sang-gung could be heard from outside the door.
The Noble Consort, lowering the rod, answered curtly, allowing her to enter the room in a hurry.
"I clearly ordered not to disturb...!"
"I'm sorry. But..."
Choi Sang-gung, trembling and pale, finally managed to speak.
"The King has ordered that the young lady be brought to him immediately."
***
I couldn't hide my astonishment at the scene before me.
I was certainly about to be beaten by the Noble Consort, but... how did I end up here?
"Eat."
This must be the luxurious royal desserts I've only heard of from the Joseon Dynasty.
I looked at the array of palace confections and rice cakes on the table, with steaming medicinal tea beside them.
The glossy snacks looked delicious at first glance.
If I were served such treats in the side palace, I would have eagerly grabbed them with both hands.
But unfortunately, this wasn't the side palace. It wasn't even the King's resting place, Gangnyeongjeon.
'Why did he summon me here?!'
This was the 'Training Grounds,' where numerous Joseon warriors trained in martial arts.
Swish, swish.
The King, seated me down and calmly cleaned a large sword, while the warriors glanced at me with curious expressions.
"Do you not like it?"
Seeing the King's frown, I hurriedly reached out and grabbed a medicinal cookie.
'Both the Noble Consort and the King seem eager to torment me.'
The Noble Consort might just beat me, but this madman could kill me anytime, which was more troubling.
Chew, chew.
Desperately stuffing my cheeks with the cookie, I tried to swallow it.
'I need to eat quickly.'
He might kill me if I don't.
While I was swallowing the snacks, the King gave some unknown order to the warrior behind him.
"Alright, let's begin."
"But Your Majesty, the young lady..."
What are they starting?
With my cheeks puffed out, I widened my eyes and looked around.
'Are they planning to kill me now?'
My assassin instincts told me.
'The King's eyes are filled with killing intent.'
He probably changed his mind about punishing me through the Noble Consort and decided to kill me himself.
It made sense that the warriors behind him looked at me with concern.
'Why else would they bring a child to a place where swords are swung?'
Although it was strange to be fed snacks right after being brought here.
This Joseon is slightly different from the one I know.
So, there might be peculiar customs or cultures unique to this place.
Maybe feeding snacks before killing a child is a tradition here!
"Don't worry. She seems to enjoy martial arts like me."
The King spoke solemnly to the worried warriors.
'Is he saying they can kill me however they want? What does he mean?'
My question was soon answered.
Swoosh!
An arrow was suddenly shot at the King from the opposite side.
It was so fast I couldn't see it. Just 0.1 seconds. His reaction speed was inhuman.
The King effortlessly deflected the rain of arrows.
I swallowed the snacks in my mouth, watching the bizarre sight.
Swoosh!
I saw the last arrow fly past the King towards me and squeezed my eyes shut.
'I'm going to die...!'
Clang!
The arrow that seemed about to pierce my forehead was cut in half by the King's sword and fell to the side.
I barely opened my large eyes.
The King looked at me with a calm, expressionless face as if nothing had happened.
"How was it?"
The King, who had just cut down the rain of arrows after feeding me snacks that were perfect for causing indigestion, rested his chin on his hand and lazily looked down at me.
"Wasn't it fun?"
What the hell...?
Having no other choice, I just stared blankly at the King's impressive face.
He's asking if it was fun to show something like this to his five-year-old daughter?
'Although it was interesting to see the King's skills more clearly...'
What am I thinking!
I shook my head.
The problem was that my fragile body had tensed up due to the sudden threat of death and was now trembling.
'I really thought I was going to die.'
Moreover, even if I was an assassin in my previous life, I don't appreciate having arrows shot at me without any explanation.
"...?"
But it seemed like the mad King and the warriors behind him were glaring at me.
Their eyes seemed to be... asking for a positive reaction...?
They felt like a crazy group craving a positive response!
'Ugh! Fine, I'll do it!'
In the end, trembling, I opened my mouth to save my life.
"Wow! The arrow rain was awesome... Ugh!"
I couldn't help but clutch my stomach as I struggled to praise.
Suddenly, my head spun, and I felt too weak to see.
'I think I have indigestion again.'
It seemed like the hurriedly swallowed snacks had caused an upset stomach.
I've heard people can die from severe indigestion, and I've never felt it this bad before.
It must be because I was already tense from being summoned by the Noble Consort.
"Uweeeek!"
I vomited the food I had swallowed onto the table.
The last thing I saw was the King, who had dodged the rain of arrows, running towards me with an unusually flustered expression, covered in my vomit.
***
I felt soft silk wrapping around my hands and feet as my consciousness slowly returned from the depths of darkness.
'What is this? Am I still alive?'
I remember vomiting on the table and collapsing, but what happened after that?
I waited patiently with my eyes closed, wiggling my hands and feet as my senses returned.
'Ugh, my stomach hurts...'
As my senses returned, the first thing I felt was the pain in my upset stomach.
Gathering my strength, I managed to lift my heavy eyelids.
Blink!
"......"
In my blurry vision, I saw a ceiling. Not just any ceiling, but a rather elegant one.
Huh? Why are there dragons painted on the ceiling?
One dragon, two dragons, three...
"?!"
Wait, why are there dragons on my ceiling?
Suddenly, I was wide awake.
I turned my head to see someone nearby and realized something had gone very wrong.
Judging by the deep darkness, it seemed to be late at night.
Only a lantern on the desk dimly illuminated the thick darkness.
And in the soft light, there was a man with a remarkable figure holding a brush...
'It's the King?!'
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What kind of psycho father is this, bro???ðŸ˜
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