episode_0136

Thud, thud, thud…

Secretly pounding one’s chest with a fist, unbeknownst to others.

“Oh… It feels like my insides are all blocked up.”

Breakfast wasn’t particularly burdensome. Just had a simple beef porridge to avoid any indigestion…

Wow… People can even choke on porridge?

“Mother-in-law!”

“Oh…! Why raise your voice here! Show some respect!”

“This isn’t Daejeon, so what’s the big deal!”

“Hmm… Even at your age, do you still think of me as a child? Your childish habits haven’t changed yet! I thought you’d matured by now, but you’re still immature! Has the author next to you been indulging your tantrums all this time? Have they turned you back into that stubborn child?!”

“Mother-in-law! How could you…!”

Oh… This is tough… I want to go home. Even though I’m not a shrimp, it feels like my back is about to burst…

I’m not sure if Heeseon’s behavior is appropriate.

In historical movies or dramas I watched when I was young, even in private, if it involved the relationship between a king and a princess, people would converse solemnly and respectfully. Moreover, the person in front of me is a ruler from a higher celestial kingdom than kings or emperors…

Feeling uneasy, I glance around at the attendants and courtiers standing nearby, but they all seem unconcerned, not paying attention, which only adds to my confusion.

Does that mean I don’t have to worry…?

“Mother-in-law! Although this person is my husband in name only, he saved the girl in a broad sense! He has endured all trials! Why do you still look down on him? This is not like you at all!”

[Grumble…!]

Ugh… My stomach again…!

Even if I don’t have to worry, how can I not be concerned when those two are arguing because of me…?

Nevertheless, what can I do in this situation?

“Sigh… When choking, you eat porridge, but if you choke on porridge, what should you eat..?”

With such pointless thoughts, I can only wait for this moment to pass quickly…

“Even during trials! Without even listening to the girl once, you treat my husband like a criminal! I thought you would welcome him, but in front of my husband, how much…! How much…! Sniff…! Sob… Sniff…!”

[……!!]

“…!”

“Sniff… Sob… Waaaah! Waaaaah…”

This is bad… Heeseon has now started crying loudly like a child…

This time, even the attendants and courtiers around seem quite flustered.

It was evident that even the Emperor himself was taken aback and couldn’t help but show his surprise.

Naturally, I was also extremely flustered. She shouldn’t have cried so much just because she felt slightly uncomfortable with my gaze…

Perhaps Heeseon had accumulated a lot of pent-up emotions.

There might have been some misunderstandings.

Thinking back, it’s understandable. Having returned to the Heavenly Kingdom, all I’ve seen so far is being treated as a criminal, forced away, and looked upon disapprovingly by my father-in-law…

Heeseon must have been very anxious.

There may have been some misunderstandings.

I should have addressed this issue beforehand; perhaps I was a bit careless.

I didn’t think my father-in-law genuinely disliked me. It was just a fleeting look; I didn’t feel any resentment or negative emotions towards my father-in-law.

Of course, undergoing trials was quite unfair and challenging, but still, I could feel the sincerity and perspective of my master during that time.

I witnessed my master casting aside his dignity as a supreme being, kneeling in gratitude with tears in his eyes as he embraced me, thanking me for saving his daughter.

Amidst the trials, I also saw him trying to shoulder the burden for me, for the man his daughter loved.

Well, it’s not like I couldn’t understand the disappointment and bitterness of a father who had his beautiful daughter snatched away.

That’s why the strong impression of my master ingrained in my mind was not someone who looked down on me, but rather someone who sincerely expressed gratitude towards me and showed poignant denial towards Heesun.

However, Heesun was completely unaware of the stories that only my master and I knew…

“Sigh….”

After taking a breath and quickly calming my bewildered heart, I realized I couldn’t stay silent any longer.

Until now, I had refrained from intervening, thinking it would be awkward for me to get involved in the cause of the conflict. But now that things have escalated, if I, who knows all the circumstances, don’t step in to mediate, it wouldn’t be right for a deep relationship between two noble ladies to be severed because of me.

And… Heesun, who always acted rationally, seemed unusually emotional today. Perhaps it’s because she’s pregnant?

I heard somewhere that women can be emotionally volatile due to hormonal changes during pregnancy…

For now, I gently hugged Heesun and comforted her.

“Heesun, you were so excited to meet His Majesty after a long time, but now why are you crying like this?”

“Sob.. Sob.. But.. Hic.. My father-in-law…”

“It’s okay! Heesun! You may not know, but His Majesty showed me a lot of kindness when he was going through trials. So please don’t be too upset and let’s move on now. If you’re sad, wouldn’t the baby be sad too?”

“Oh..! The baby..! I’m sorry.. Sniff.. I’m sorry! Baby…”

[……!!!]

Heesun and my master looked embarrassed at my words.

It seems both of them were so overwhelmed by emotions that they hadn’t even thought about the baby.

“Your Majesty… Would it be alright to allow the fairy Heesun some time alone to calm her heart?”

[…Let it be so.]

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Following my master’s permission, Heesun, who was being comforted in my arms, was led away by the attendant.

[……]

Now, only my master and I remained in the spacious room.

Of course, there were attendants and courtiers around, but we were left alone.

[Ahem….]

Oh! It seems my master wants to say something, but perhaps he finds it difficult to speak after what happened earlier.

At times like this, I should quickly initiate the conversation.

“Don’t worry too much, Your Majesty. It is said that pregnant women become sensitive to emotions. Moreover, it is unlikely that Her Highness acted out of spite towards you.”

[Hmph. Do not speak empty words.]

“These are not empty words, Your Majesty.”

[……]

“In the past, Heesun always looked up at the sky with a longing gaze, sending smiles and sadness your way whenever she talked about you. At first, I didn’t know why, but the mix of joy and sorrow in her eyes when she mentioned you made me realize that her longing was for her father.”

[Hmm… I see… Hm….]

“Heesun wasn’t simply upset or angry because she thought I was better than His Majesty. It was not about that. It was just… maybe because she was worried that I might come to hate His Majesty… That’s why it hurt even more… It was the feeling of hoping that a loving husband… wouldn’t come to hate a beloved father.”

[…….]

“The Heesun I saw was such a person. And Your Majesty must have been watching Heesun for much longer than I have. Is there a difference in how I see Heesun and how Your Majesty sees her?”

[…….]

His Majesty fell silent for a moment, saying nothing.

And… I gave the father-in-law a moment to collect his emotions, as his eyes reddened briefly, bowing his head.

.

.

.

.

[Well, I did use the excuse of morning greetings, but I requested an audience here because I had something to say. Why have you come seeking me?]

I’m relieved that the father-in-law’s voice sounded a bit brighter.

It seemed like he really thought Heesun would truly come to hate me.

Even though he appeared so cold and aloof, deep down, he must be tender-hearted, right?

Even without saying it, I can imagine how much it must have pained him to fight with Heesun…

It might be impolite to feel this way towards someone of such high status, but still, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the father-in-law who was scolded and hurt by his daughter.

I need to mediate somehow.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Before I raise a point, may I request some privacy to speak candidly to Your Majesty?”

[Hm? Who else is here besides you and me… Huh, are you implying that even the nearby attendants should leave?]

“Yes. The matter I am about to discuss should not be known by many, hence the need for privacy.”

[Haha… What story could this be… Very well, proceed. Everyone, step aside.]

The attendants and aides all answered in unison, bowing once before leaving.

I was quite worried that they might vehemently oppose my request for privacy, like they did during the previous confrontation, but thankfully, they all left without much fuss.

It seems I have gained some trust in the Heavenly Realm after all.

[Alright. I’m curious about this closely guarded secret. Now that everyone has stepped aside, go ahead and speak.]

The father-in-law, eager and expectant, urged me on, sensing my curiosity.

Eager to meet his expectations, I quickly began speaking.

“Yes. Do you recall how I uncovered the disguised Your Majesty during the first trial?”

“Yes, every detail. You found me not through magic or trickery, but through a natural occurrence. The method was so peculiar that I was very curious where you acquired such knowledge at the time. …So, is this related to that story?”

“Yes.”

After my final response, the father-in-law, perhaps slightly surprised by my words, simply widened his emerald eyes like Heesun’s and gazed at me, waiting patiently in silence, giving me time to compose myself, seeing my anxious expression. I felt grateful for his understanding and swallowed my nerves, slowly revealing the secret of my origins to the father-in-law.

“In truth, I am not someone belonging to this world. I come from a different realm. A world where the era of gods and kings has passed, and only humans and subjects reign. It’s a world where chariots made of iron carry people through the advancement of science, where humans soar the skies and conquer the universe. Also, a world where a square board the size of a palm allows communication with people worldwide… I come from such a world.”

[…….]

The father-in-law seemed somewhat taken aback by my words, his eyes widening like Heesun’s, as he simply stared at me in astonishment.