Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 152

It was common knowledge among the palace staff that both the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort preferred not to be shadowed by servants.

Therefore, when Yeoui arrived with books from the Royal Library later, she announced herself from inside before opening the door. No one else even considered following her in.

After all, the Crown Prince hadn’t shown the slightest interest in women.

There was no chance of anything untoward happening if he were left alone with a young woman—or rather, it would be preferable if something *did* happen.

That was the prevailing sentiment among those who served the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, who had retrieved books on medicinal herbs from his collection, greeted Sehwa.

“Did you bring them?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I apologize for saying this, but you really don’t need to do this yourself. I can manage it alone.”

“Enough. This concerns Sia, so I must verify it with my own eyes. And in the future, I will commission a proper illustrated compendium [a detailed, illustrated guide] of medicinal herbs for you to oversee.”

“You’re commissioning an illustrated book?”

“Yes. I recently saw Sia… Princess Suyeong, doing something similar, so you can use that as a reference.”

Sehwa was inwardly puzzled by the Crown Prince’s words but vaguely understood that the Princess Consort was likely up to something again.

‘Sungji might know.’

Sungji, who had been told to drop formalities and speak casually, was closer to Siyoungwon [Princess Consort’s residence] and had a long-standing friendship with the Princess Consort, so she probably knew more than Sehwa did.

Thinking that, Sehwa didn’t press the Crown Prince further.

She simply opened a book, mirroring the Crown Prince, and began searching for the specific medicinal herb.

‘I thought the herb’s name was just a regional variation.’

It wasn’t unusual for the names of plants and trees to differ slightly from region to region.

She had encountered instances where medicinal herbs she knew were called by different names when she was studying medicine under her teacher.

That’s why she emphasized drawing pictures when explaining the types of medicinal herbs, but she never imagined that the Royal Physicians would mistake them for other herbs.

She found it hard to believe the Royal Physicians wouldn’t know the difference. But in another sense, it was also her fault for not being clear enough.

‘There’s no time for self-reproach now.’

She needed to find the correct medicinal herbs quickly, now that the Princess’s treatment was underway.

She understood the Crown Prince’s desire to double-check, since a non-expert wouldn’t know for sure, but wouldn’t it be too much for the already-burdened Crown Prince?

She suddenly recalled examining the Crown Prince a while ago.

It was hard to discern from his usual demeanor, but the Crown Prince was clearly exhausted, both mentally and physically.

‘The Princess Consort also seems to be in a similar state sometimes…’

Of course, comparing the Princess and the Crown Prince, it was natural for the much smaller and younger Princess to tire more quickly than the adult male Crown Prince, so it didn’t necessarily mean they were doing the same amount of work.

It was just a little amusing that the siblings were so alike.

Feeling the corners of her mouth lift involuntarily, Sehwa cautiously glanced at the Crown Prince.

And she witnessed an unexpected sight.

“Your Highness…?”

The Crown Prince was sitting at his desk, fast asleep while looking at a book.

‘Hmm… the Crown Prince’s position is certainly demanding…’

Moreover, he was handling the Royal Library’s affairs for the Princess Consort’s treatment, making him a person with truly no time to rest.

Still, thanks to him, she had received prompt assistance when there was a commotion in the Royal Library, hadn’t she?

Looking back now, she wondered if he had assigned someone to keep an eye on her.

The Crown Prince, who had stopped the physician from laying a hand on her while logically pointing out each of the physicians’ mistakes, was honestly a little… cool.

‘It’s not like I’m trying to entertain any silly thoughts now.’

Thinking that, Sehwa shook her head to clear her mind and quietly focused on the book again.

She didn’t want to wake him, especially since she had just been contemplating the Crown Prince’s overworked state.

‘The Princess Consort said she would force the Crown Prince to sleep.’

Still, was he *that* tired?

It would be better to let him rest a little longer rather than wake him.

As she was thinking that, Sehwa saw the Crown Prince’s eyebrows twitching in the sunlight streaming through the open window, and after a moment of deliberation, she finally got up quietly.

Squeak.

She closed the window as quietly as possible.

It definitely felt a little chilly now, so it would be better to close the window.

‘It would be nice if there was something to cover him with.’

Even indoors, the weather was cool now, so it wouldn’t be good to fall asleep like this.

Thinking that, she turned around, and belatedly, her eyes took in the room’s interior.

Although there were as many books as in a rental bookstore, unlike that somewhat free-spirited place, the Crown Prince’s study, where everything was neatly arranged, was filled with truly rare books.

‘I probably won’t have the chance to enter a place like this for the rest of my life.’

Considering that she was once a candidate for the Crown Princess, she couldn’t help but feel that her current situation was ironic.

She clearly wanted to be evaluated for her abilities, not as someone’s daughter.

It’s just that she didn’t want it to happen this way.

Among the books she saw were the Four Books and Three Classics [fundamental texts of Confucianism] that everyone learned.

There were also books that Sucheon had taught her when she was young.

‘Looking at the Princess Consort reminds me of Sucheon.’

The fact that the child hadn’t been caught meant that at least that day, the Princess Consort hadn’t apprehended the child and had let her go.

She probably wouldn’t tell anyone, ever.

Being in a quiet space filled only with books calmed her mind.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

“!”

The Crown Prince, who had already woken up, was standing behind Sehwa.

“I apologize.”

“It’s alright. It seems I fell asleep for a moment.”

“I apologize for saying this, Your Highness, but…”

“Speak.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest a little more? Fatigue can lead to illness.”

“This *is* rest for me now. I’m not thinking complicated thoughts, nor am I moving my body, so I’m not overworking.”

‘Then take a nap lying down.’

From a doctor’s point of view, it was hard to understand.

“Then at least get regular checkups from the physician and follow their advice.”

“Haven’t I already been examined by you?”

“But, Your Highness.”

“…If I don’t want to, I don’t want to.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll tell the Princess Consort again.”

“Even Court Lady Moon said that… You too… It’s a misunderstanding.”

Saying that, the Crown Prince looked embarrassed.

“What are you talking about?”

“The reason I’ve been hearing that I look tired lately is because I’ve been putting more effort into martial arts training, not simply because I have more work.”

“Then why are you hiding it?”

“It just… happened that way.”

Isn’t it not the time for the Crown Prince, who is acting as regent, to focus more on martial arts?

As Sehwa showed no signs of backing down, the Crown Prince eventually opened his mouth again, looking a little embarrassed.

“Do I have to say it?”

“As a doctor, I must know.”

“It’s not a big reason, but…”

Could it be that he was relieving the mental fatigue caused by acting as regent by practicing martial arts?

It was a healthy method, but overdoing it could harm the body.

Sehwa’s efforts to choose her words carefully in her mind to give appropriate advice were overshadowed by the Crown Prince’s very unexpected words.

“What do you think of my body?”

“Yes?”

“That… I mean, tell me honestly. Is my body a little… weak?”

“N-neee?”

If someone else had said it, she would have taken it as flirting, but the Crown Prince was quite serious.

“Haven’t you heard it too? Sia, Princess Suyeong, keeps calling me a ‘husk’ these days.”

“Ah. Yes, I’ve definitely heard it, but…”

She had definitely heard it before in the Princess’s chambers.

But wasn’t that just… to tease him…?

“Hearing it several times, I can’t help but… be bothered by it.”

‘I see…’

Sehwa, who was trying to give a soulless response, blocked by the wall of status, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“…Stop laughing.”

“I, I apologize. Pfft.”

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to stop laughing?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Puhuhoo.”

“Hoo. Fine. Just laugh as much as you want.”

She could be charged with insult if she made a mistake here, but Sehwa, who was slowly getting to know the personalities of those in the palace, knew that the Crown Prince wouldn’t get angry with her.

“Hoo. Your Highness, please don’t worry too much about it. The Princess Consort’s expression is just… she seems to want to tease you a little.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“…So, I’m not a ‘husk’? Objectively?”

“Of course not. Didn’t you know that even women in the marketplace who don’t know you’re the Crown Prince are watching you closely? Besides, when I first saw you in the marketplace, I thought you were a martial artist.”

“Ahem, is that so? So Sia was just teasing me.”

He was too busy finding books that day to pay attention to the gazes around him.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Then, in your eyes, do I look like a tall and handsome man [a man of imposing stature and appearance]?”

“Yes? Yes. Th-that’s right.”

Seeing Sehwa’s embarrassment, the Crown Prince, who finally realized that he had said something strange, was also a little flustered and changed the subject.

“Ah… no, I’m not trying to do anything, just… ahem. Ah, the one up there is also a book about medicinal herbs, right? It would be good to take it out.”

The Crown Prince changed the subject, feeling unnecessarily embarrassed.

“Ah, I’ll take it out.”

“No, it’s better for me to take it out, so stay still.”

“No…”

As the two awkwardly reached for the same book, their hands naturally overlapped.

Surprised, they tried to quickly pull their hands away, but instead, they ended up knocking over the books next to them.

Crash!

The books that were higher than Sehwa’s head toppled, and several books fell down.

Seeing the books falling toward Sehwa’s head, the Crown Prince instinctively protected her and pulled her into an embrace.

“!”

“!”

The young man and woman, who happened to be embracing each other, froze for a moment, and with a loud noise, the door burst open.

Thump-!

“Brother, what’s going on… Oh my.”

“Ah, Si, Sia.”

The younger sister, who made eye contact with the Crown Prince, covered her mouth with her hand as if surprised by the unexpected situation, and blinked her big, round eyes.

“Ah, excuse me. The intruder will leave, so continue what you were doing.”

Sliide.

In contrast to when it was opened, the door closed quietly, and at the same time, the sound of pounding footsteps and a cheerful voice were heard.

“Joo~ Jeon~ Maa~ Maa~! Finally, Brother!!!”

“Hey!! That’s not it!!!”