episode_0171

[Episode 171: Crowd]

“Sigh… It was really chaotic.”

Quite literally.

Of course, the scribes were probably even more frantic than me.

Upon seeing Hyangdan sitting on my lap…

– “Oh my…! Ah, Lady Hyangdan..! What in the world..! Your makeup is ruined, and your attire…! Look here..! Is there no one outside..!”

Ahem… How embarrassing and awkward it must have been to hear such a scream-like outcry…

As soon as they heard the scribe’s shriek, other scribes waiting outside rushed in like a flood, swiftly and efficiently fixing the attire in a flash…

Wow… Their speed and precision were unmatched.

No wonder the Golden Scribes are known for their skilled hands?

Even Heeseoni possesses incredible tailoring skills, and not just the scribes under Heeseoni, but all of them excel in makeup and hairstyling, which seemed more than just courtesy…

In no time, Hyangdan, who flaunted a decadent beauty with her disheveled appearance, quickly transformed back into the elegant lady she was before, without wasting a moment.

Perhaps if Heeseoni and the scribes opened a beauty shop in South Korea, they could earn quite a fortune.

-“Madam? By the way, could you please explain what exactly happened here? Oh..! Goodness gracious..! Your face is also covered in makeup residue..!”

“……”

…I also got scolded by the scribe.

I hadn’t realized that Hyangdan’s lip makeup had smudged all over my face.

Well, it wasn’t that big of a deal, but thank goodness my clothes weren’t stained?

The problem was that it wasn’t just Hyangdan and I in disarray.

– “Master… Why won’t you kiss me?”

– “Meow…”

Caught up in Hyangdan’s temptation, Sarri momentarily lost focus and ended up pouting with a sulky expression…

Trying to calm her down, I ended up sweating profusely once again.

While the scribes insisted on quickly tidying up my face and clothes, I had to negotiate with Sarri to allow just one kiss before getting cleaned up…

-“Hmph!”

– “Meow..!”

Once permission was granted, it wasn’t easy to calm down the toddlers who were already throwing tantrums…

I was clearly too distracted.

Eventually, after kissing Sarri’s lips three times and patting her bottom, she forgave me with a sheepish smile.

What was funny and cute was that Yomi seemed left out and kept punching me, asking for kisses repeatedly?

So, when I kissed her forehead, Yomi finally snuggled into my arms, purring happily.

“Ah! Everything’s done now! Well… Madam, since we’re finished here, you should get up. Fortunately, I managed to allocate some extra time… But now time is really running short.”

“Oh! Yes..!”

I opened my eyes at the scribe’s words.

They were busy tidying up my face with makeup cloths, hence why my eyes were closed.

Although not as much as the women, I had put on some makeup too, so it took a bit of time to remove the lipstick marks left by Hyangdan and touch up my makeup again.

I feel quite sorry for making them work twice as hard.

“Scribe? But where are we going? Um…. Rather than that, could you tell us why we’re all dressed up like this and heading out?”

“Hoho… Just a little longer… Please bear with us a bit more. You’ll find out as soon as we step outside. However, I will tell you where we’re going. After receiving the scribes’ send-off, Madam will head towards the palace.”

“Ah… The palace! Well, that was a bit obvious. Heeseoni is there, and considering the effort we’ve put into dressing up, it must be at the request of His Majesty…”

“Yes, that’s right! Well then, shall we stop here, Madam? Mama has been eagerly waiting for your arrival.”

“Oh! Is it Heesun?”

In that case, I should hurry.

Truth be told, I had been anxiously awaiting to see Heesun as well.

I feel like… my separation anxiety is quite serious.

Being apart for a few days made Heesun this missed. The tension seemed to be rising among the attendants, and since Heesun also wanted to see me quickly, I swiftly left with the chatty attendants, following the guides of the attendants out of the room.

Buzzing and bustling…

It was strange.

Dohuidang, which had always maintained tranquility…

“Why is it so noisy outside? Why is there such a commotion around Dohuidang… Your Majesty! What’s going on? It’s very loud outside…? It’s almost sunset, is there a problem?”

Seems like something is happening outside Dohuidang.

As we approached the main gate, the loud noise from outside grew louder…

The situation was still unclear, but one thing was certain: this was a royal decree, and I worried that any delay in the tasks assigned by the master due to the outside issue could cause trouble.

“Hoho.. It’s alright, Madam. It’s nothing bad, so please don’t worry too much. Just enjoy from now on, okay? Now… what are you waiting for? Let’s open the door.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Huh? Enjoy? What?

Well… I need some information to make a judgment…

It seems related to the commotion outside, but saying that makes it seem like it’s not a big deal.

Oh well… I’ll find out once the door opens.

Hastily, the attendants rushed to open the door.

Soon, the bolt was undone, and as the attendants each grabbed a side of the door and pulled, the door slowly began to open.

Creak… Clang…!

“Wowww…!”

“…???”

What, what’s going on? What is this..!

“Hey, look..! Dohuidang is finally opening..! Madam..! Madam is coming out..!”

“Where? Where..?”

“Wow…! Madam..! Look! There are ladies behind her..!”

“R-really…? Wow… These beauties are no less than Lady Heesun? If each of them takes a baby, there would already be three babies..! Moreover, they are all so refined… Truly, Madam is the joy of heaven! It’s a pity she doesn’t come down and stay here…!”

“Hey you. Are you trying to detain a busy person? Moreover, I heard that she will come down to do great things on Earth, so it’s better for her to come down! Besides, it’s customary for beauties to follow heroes, how many wives will she get if she goes down? Haha… Soon, laughter will bloom in heaven with children..!”

“……”

Why is it so noisy…

A crowd had gathered around Dohuidang.

It felt like an exaggerated gathering of all the people of heaven?

It reminded me of seeing a crowded street near Gwanghwamun before.

Moreover, the streets seemed to have been adorned brightly…

Despite the darkening hour, the lanterns lining the streets dispelled the darkness… Dohuidang felt like a festive night market.

“Your Majesty? How… why are people gathered like this? Is there a festival today?”

“Hoho, it is indeed a festival. They are all here to see Madam and the ladies.”

“To see us? Why…?”

“Today is a day for the Lady. Well then, my Lady. Our task ends with bidding farewell to you like this. From now on, it will be the attendants and soldiers sent by His Majesty who will accompany you… Please have a joyful time and return safely…”

“Oh.. Yes…! Thank you, attendants…!”

The attendants bid us farewell, politely folding their hands together.

Feeling flustered, I bow slightly and turn around.

– Wow! Wow!

In the midst of the bustling crowd,

Attendants, court ladies, and soldiers awaited us with grand and splendid carriages.

“Well, let’s go, everyone. It seems we should head towards them.”

“…Okay.”

“Kim Servant? I… I might feel a bit overwhelmed?”

“Y-yes….”

“……”

Honestly, me too… But what can I do? Run away alone?

“My Lady, I will be accompanying you from now on.”

“Oh.. Yes…”

Unconsciously tense, I slowly ascend into the carriage, guided by the approaching soldiers.

Ugh… From the moment I receive their company to stepping into the carriage, all eyes are on us, making it incredibly awkward.

Of all things, the carriage is not an enclosed Western-style one but an open carriage with no place to hide.

“You may sit side by side here.”

“….Yes.”

Guided by the soldier, I sit in the middle, Sarie on the right, and Hyangdani on the left.

Yomi naturally sits on my lap.

“Well then.. We shall depart, my Lady..!”

“Yes.”

Please get us out of here as quickly as possible…

– Here we go.

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

The carriage starts moving slowly with the sound of hooves.

“Ah…”

“……”

Sarie and Hyangdani beside me seem stiff, tensed under the gazes of the people.

At least Yomi seems nonchalant?

Perched on my lap, she elegantly looks around, cutely yawning nyah~ from time to time…

Heh heh… Small but quite grand.

Seems like Yomi, being a cat, isn’t bothered by the attention.

“Excuse me, my Lady..?”

“Yes?”

The soldier driving the carriage turns back slightly, smiling, and speaks to me.

“Perhaps wave your hand to the people. Haha, they would really appreciate it.”

“W-wave my hand? Like this?”

Awkwardly raising my hand in surprise.

“Wow~”

Clap clap clap clap clap clap

“My Lady..! Over here too! Please look here..!”

“Please wave your hand over here too..!”

“The Lady glanced at our side…!”

“……”

Oh dear… Embarrassing… I’m not even a general…

Looking around timidly, I awkwardly wave my hand, and yet they all cheer and clap so happily…

Oh, how embarrassing…

Ah! If I feel this way, our children must…

“I won’t do it, Kim Servant!”

“…Me neither.”

“Y-yeah….”

Ugh… Didn’t ask for this from these timid troublemakers.