episode_0167

“Could you please let go of me? Sariya! Hyangdan! Yomi…! Save me…!”

Despite being mercilessly dragged away by the attendants, I desperately turned back, calling out to my family for help.

“Ugh… I’m sorry, Kim Seobang…”

“Mas…ter…”

“Meow….”

Even amidst my desperate cries, my women coldly turned their heads away.

If there was any solace in their averted gazes, it was the tears welling up in their eyes.

“Now… it’s time to leave, Madam. There is so much you must attend to.”

“Yes, yes? Leave? Can’t I just stay here like a layabout? Unless it’s an etiquette class that Heesun requested! Ah, no… I thought I had forgotten about that!”

“Do not worry, Madam. Mama never forgets anything easily… But rest assured, this matter is somewhat different from an etiquette class.”

“Oh… no! Then what is it? Why do I have to do this?”

“That cannot be disclosed.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Gyeom Sibi firmly cut off the conversation.

“It’s nothing difficult or harmful for you, so please don’t be too anxious. Just trust us and follow along.”

“Wait… ugh!”

Dragging me along forcefully… Are they using some kind of technique?

Despite the significant difference in strength between the attendants holding my arms and my own stature, I found myself being effortlessly led by their light steps.

“I could probably break free if I used a technique…”

But I couldn’t. After all, this isn’t my home.

How could I use techniques against my in-laws without permission?

“Haha… don’t resist too much, Madam… Oh! You’re not trying to escape, are you? Relax, we’re going to do something good… Oh? Oh my~ Madam, look at these biceps… So big and firm…”

“Indeed… You’re amazing, Madam! Ahh… so rugged… It makes me anticipate our time in Suangwan…”

“… ”

And they smile so you can’t even spit on their faces…

While the way they were dragging me seemed a bit forceful, the attendants on either side were smiling warmly and affectionately…

Oh, the plight of a male…

Perhaps because they were all from Heaven, the Sibis of Doheedang were all beauties, so there was no anger at all.

Instead, the soft touch of the women clinging to my arm was starting to excite me.

“How dare you chat so casually in front of Madam! Can’t you serve her with sincerity?”

“Oh dear… Sorry, Gyeom Mama.”

“Sor…ry…”

“Cough…”

Under Gyeom’s stern scolding, even I, who was idly standing beside them, felt a jolt.

Seems like Gyeom is the head honcho when Yeon or Rin aren’t around…

“Since we’re short on time, quickly escort the Lady to Suangwan Hall.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Suangwan Hall… Where was that again?

Ah… No wonder I felt so uneasy…

“Hehe… Excuse me, gentlemen? When will this be over?”

“Hohoho… Your Majesty is quite impatient… It’s just begun, and you’re already thinking it’s ending? Oh! Are you feeling regretful? Don’t worry. Lady Heeseon has carefully selected all the outfits for you to try on until you’re satisfied. It won’t end until you’ve tried each one.”

……

It seemed like there was still a long way to go.

Because next to me, the clothes were piled up like a mountain, not exaggerated.

Phew… It felt like an old illness resurfacing.

“Lady, shall we try this outer garment next? This is a very special outfit that Lady Heeseon crafted after reaching the pinnacle of sewing for the thirty-fifth time.”

“Oh… Yes…”

In the large room filled with piles of clothes, the gentle voices explaining the origins and uniqueness of the garments, along with the rustling sounds of dressing and undressing, echoed around me.

‘That Suangwan Hall… It was nice up until that point…’

But once I left, it was torture.

Thinking back, when Heeseon first introduced Dohui Hall to me, she explained that whenever I felt exhausted and weary after working as a street vendor, I could come here to relax.

No wonder the room was named “A Place of Comfort and Ease”…

It truly was a tranquil space.

-“Please lie down over here, Your Majesty.”

As soon as I entered, the attendants gently guided me to a massage bed, perfect for relaxation.

Kneading… Kneading…

The massages they gave me as soon as I lay down were so delicate and soothing…

Why did our dear Princess Heeseon excel at massaging so well?

Having experienced such top-notch massages herself, she must have known exactly how to make it refreshing.

Feeling drowsy from the relaxation, I couldn’t help but enjoy the sensation.

However, there was one slightly uncomfortable aspect…

-“Your Majesty… Are you feeling cool and comfortable?”

-“Oh my… Look at these muscles… Our Lady Heeseon must have received many blessings… How happy she must be every night…”

-“Indeed… Men’s bodies are quite different from women’s… Always receiving massages only from Lady Heeseon… Hah… Men’s scents are somewhat… intriguing and exciting…”

……

Was it difficult for the delicate Heeseon to massage a big man like me?

As time passed, the attendants’ breaths became rougher…

And strangely, their rough breaths sounded sweet to me…

Their gentle touches stimulating my tense muscles unknowingly…

Sigh…

Did my lower body really start to respond?

-“Your Majesty… Shall we move to your back now?”

How embarrassing those words were…

I tried everything to calm myself down.

From singing the national anthem to reciting Buddhist scriptures I learned from a monk in Incheon during my childhood…

-“Your Majesty… Please turn around now… We have a tight schedule ahead. Let’s move quickly… Oh my…! Ahh…! Haah~”

-“B-But sir! Pull yourself together…! Wake up…! If you faint, what will we do about the massage for Your Majesty…!”

……

Oh… How shocked Mr. Bi must have been to see me faint…

At that moment, I truly wished I could disappear…

The air in the room felt incredibly awkward.

Nevertheless, everyone, including the recovered Mr. Bi and other attendants who understood a man’s instincts, accepted my apology, which was a relief.

After all the twists and turns, the massage finally ended.

And indeed, the schedule was packed full of activities.

They neatly trimmed my hair, nails, and attended to every detail…

After barely drying off due to the perceived danger of being bathed…

Only after grooming meticulously and tidying up, could she leave the royal dressing room.

And now, here she was.

A vast chamber where Heesun stored her clothes.

Among them, she was in the midst of trying on only the most vibrant and colorful garments that Heesun had specially selected and brought for her future husband from an immense collection of clothes made for him.

“Hmm… Lady, your figure is so lovely that it’s fine… but it’s a bit regrettable. Could you raise your arms again? You all, please help Lady undress…! Now…. The next garment you will wear is the 2,667th piece personally crafted by Heesun Mama….”

“……”

She seemed truly remarkable at keeping track of all these clothes.

How does she remember the origins of so many garments?

Sigh… But really, I have no idea which number outfit this is.

I got tired of counting around thirty, and now I just quietly follow along, hoping time passes quickly as I raise and lower my arms as instructed.

“It feels like it’s been at least three hours here….”

Not that I’m sure.

There’s no clock here, and I’m not particularly interested in clothes, so this process of putting on and taking off outfits feels slow, maybe because it’s boring.

“One thing’s for sure… I want to get out of here quickly….”

“…Madam!”

“……”

“Lady!”

“Oh..! Ah! I’m sorry, I zoned out for a moment. Shall I raise my arms again?”

“Hmm. Indeed… You seem quite tired, Lady.”

Oh.. Did I give away that I’m tired?

I mean, I wasn’t exactly thrilled, but…

At least I tried not to show my displeasure.

In reality, all I do here is stand still, raise and lower my arms as they dress me up and undress me, but

These attendants are running around this large room, sweating profusely, collecting clothes hung on wooden dolls, organizing rejected garments…

They’re working so hard.

“It’s okay, it’s not tiring at all, Miss Kim. It’s just that I’m not used to this kind of thing as I come from humble hunter origins…. Besides, everyone is working hard, and I feel bad making such a fuss!”

“Oh.! Lady…! How can you say that…! You are the Lord of Heesun, a benefactor of the Heavenly Kingdom… This is not suffering but a joy that emanates fully from our hearts, so please don’t worry too much.”

“… Still.”

“Sigh… We are well aware that we may have been somewhat forceful with you, Lady. It was partly due to the decree of Her Majesty and Mama’s instructions, but… the reason we move so passionately is also because today, we wish for you to shine brighter than anyone else, Lady.”

Huh?

They want me to shine? Why?

“…May I ask what day it is today?”

At the question, Miss Kim smiles faintly and nods her head.

“I’m sorry, I cannot disclose that information. However, what I can tell you is that if you endure this difficult time, Lady, you will soon naturally understand.”

“Oh… Will I know once the clothes are chosen?”

“Yes. So even if you’re curious… or finding it hard, please bear with us a little longer. When that time comes, you will understand why everyone has kept so much from you. And you will realize how joyful and happy it will be for you… This humble woman assures you of that, Lady.”

“……”

In Miss Kim’s face as she confidently assures me, there seems to be a hint of pride, even as she thumps my chest with certainty.

“I’m sorry, Buma-nim. It must be incredibly painful to have to endure endlessly without knowing when the hardship will end, especially during moments of exhaustion and weariness. We are truly remorseful for causing you such agony.”

“…J-Geum Sibi-nim? I’m f-fine…!”

“Please forgive us… As a Sibi of Dohui-dang who has served Heeseon Mama for a long time, as a woman who respects her, we should have understood the feelings of the gracious person who saved Mama. However, blinded by greed, we momentarily turned a blind eye under the pretext of orders and instructions. So… If you command us to stop now, we will step back.”

“Oh! No, Geum Sibi! Please don’t bow your head…! Don’t be so hard on yourself! It’s something done for my sake; changing clothes isn’t that difficult… Besides, if this is an order, it’s nothing. You said once the clothes are chosen, there’s nothing left to do, so let’s quickly choose and rest! Come on! Let’s get dressed again!”

“…Thank you, Buma-nim.”

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up…! The sooner you dress, the sooner it will be over, right?”

“…Yes! Buma-nim! The clothes you will wear this time are…”

In an instant, the process of changing clothes resumed.

Phew…

I almost needlessly burdened the hearts of the Sibis with my long-standing illness.

Looking closely at their faces, I could see beads of sweat, yet excitement and anticipation were evident, making me feel proud for no reason…

Since I can’t steal their happiness, I just need to fix my own heart quickly.

There are still heaps of clothes to change into…

Well, fortunately, it doesn’t seem as boring and difficult as it was in the beginning.

Unlike before, when I was trying to alleviate boredom and agony absentmindedly, now my mind was preoccupied with curiosity about what would happen once the task of choosing clothes was done.