Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 276

Those close to the Crown Prince, aware of the special relationship between Sehwa and him, generally held complex feelings towards her.

They felt gratitude that the Crown Prince’s tastes weren’t, shall we say, *unconventional*, mixed with resentment that she hadn’t accepted him sooner.

From Sehwa’s perspective, who was making a name for herself as a physician, it felt a bit much. But these people always prioritized the Crown Prince’s happiness.

The prevailing wisdom in the palace was simple: if the Crown Prince liked someone, how could they refuse?

Of course, even the Crown Prince couldn’t easily approach a court lady depending on her affiliations, but Sehwa’s case was different.

‘There’s no one who will think of me like the Princess Consort does.’

Therefore, Sehwa always had to be on her guard.

If she let her guard down, there were always people in the palace eager to push her into the Crown Prince’s chambers.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince, like the Princess Consort, was patiently waiting for Sehwa’s answer.

‘Of course, if he weren’t like that, I wouldn’t be able to like him this much.’

The Crown Prince, with a subtle smile, dismissed his aides, seemingly pleased about something.

“Sehwa says she has something to say, which is rare and makes me a bit nervous. So, stay back and don’t disturb us.”

“Your Highness, that won’t do.”

“It’s alright. It’s Sehwa, the physician, after all. If she wanted to harm me, she has plenty of other ways.”

The Crown Prince grinned, causing Eunuch Song to glance anxiously at Sehwa.

No one in the palace wanted to incur the displeasure of the most respected physician.

“No, Your Highness. How can you say such a thing?”

“It’s not that we distrust Physician Sehwa, but the rules… the rules are such.”

“Yes, yes. Just stay back. Don’t disturb us.”

Eunuch Song looked aggrieved and resentful but obediently stepped back.

He couldn’t help but think that the Crown Prince, who hadn’t been like this in his youth, had been influenced by the Princess Consort – a thought the Crown Prince would detest if he knew.

“Is that enough now?”

“P-Please move a little further.”

Sehwa felt even more awkward because she had been eavesdropping earlier.

Indeed, neither she nor the man wanted the content to be known by anyone.

‘Come to think of it, he said he was Cheonho’s uncle.’

If his connection to the rebel faction became known, it wouldn’t be good for Cheonho either. Even if he wasn’t a direct nephew, wouldn’t that be too harsh?

Since she had known Cheonho for years, she was concerned not only about clearing her father’s name but also about Cheonho’s future. He was like a younger brother to her.

And at the same time, she couldn’t help but realize that she was escaping from reality.

“Your Highness, I actually have something I must tell you.”

The Crown Prince smiled so kindly as he said that, making it even harder for Sehwa to speak.

“There is something I haven’t told you, something I need to tell you.”

“…Tell me.”

“I am, I am…”

“…”

The Crown Prince’s hand gently covered her trembling hand.

It felt as if he was reassuring her, saying he wouldn’t let go, so she shouldn’t worry. Sehwa finally found the courage to speak.

“Your Highness. You call me ‘Sehwa,’ don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“But, in fact, my name is not Sehwa.”

“…”

Despite the suddenness of her words, the Crown Prince’s expression was surprisingly calm.

“I have been deceiving Your Highness all this time. Not only Your Highness but also the Princess Consort and His Majesty the King.”

Sehwa said that much and squeezed her eyes shut.

But surprisingly, the two hands holding Sehwa’s hand did not let go.

“…Your Highness?”

“Keep talking. So, what do you want to tell me now?”

“…”

It was strange. It shouldn’t be possible, but it was as if the Crown Prince already knew what Sehwa was about to say.

Unable to avoid his gentle gaze, Sehwa opened her mouth.

“I… My name is Jihwa. Your Highness.”

“…”

“I was Your Highness’s betrothed, Kim Jihwa, whose father was framed for treason and forced to flee. That is actually me, Your Highness.”

Having revealed everything, Sehwa squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for a stern rebuke.

***

“What did you call me for?”

“The Royal Guard has returned after a long time, so we should treat him to something delicious and nourishing.”

At my words, the face of the Royal Guard, who had returned from Gangwon-do and come to the palace again after only a few days, lit up.

He looked much more haggard compared to before he left, making me worried.

“As always, you are the only one who cares for me, Princess Consort.”

“Just because I fed you something delicious?”

“Everyone in the palace knows that the Princess Consort’s residence has the most delicious food.”

“Is that so…”

Actually, I’m not the one who makes the food. Songbi, who has mastered not only baking but also cooking, is always working hard.

“I can understand bread and snacks, but don’t other residences do better with meals?”

“Well, the areas that the palace people are good at tend to vary depending on the personality of the residence’s owner.”

“Hmm.”

Are you saying it’s important to cater to the owner’s sensibilities?

I ordered that a meal be brought out for the Royal Guard and asked about other things.

“Oh, by the way, Royal Guard. Did you go to Siyoungwon [a charitable institution or orphanage]?”

“Excuse me? No. I haven’t been there yet.”

“Oh dear, the children must be worried and waiting.”

I haven’t been paying much attention lately, but since the Royal Guard had been serving me since before Siyoungwon was created, the older people in Siyoungwon all knew him.

Because he often visited because of me, the children greeted the familiar Royal Guard like an uncle and followed him around.

‘It might be because he’s reasonably good at operating the playground equipment.’

When the kids asked him to turn it, he would run it with all his might until he was exhausted, so the kids couldn’t help but like him.

Come to think of it, except for the one or two I initially made in Siyoungwon, they all charge money to operate them in places like Siyoung Park, so the kids seemed a bit disappointed.

Of course, maybe it’s because they’re getting older, but the kids seem to be calming down more and more, and for that reason, the Royal Guard seemed to be keeping a subtle distance from the children.

Well, he’s always been bothered by people, so it’s not strange.

“By the way, most of the branch offices of Siyoungwon are now in places with some scale, so I always stopped by there to send letters. Thanks to you, Princess Consort, I traveled very comfortably.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You went to do important national work, so it would be sad and pitiful if you were cold, hungry, and sleepy.”

“Hahaha.”

The Royal Guard let out a dry laugh, as if he sensed something deeper in my words.

“It always seemed like letters were coming and going there, so everyone thought you were reporting about me to the Princess Consort. Is that why you knew I was coming back?”

The Royal Guard had sent me a message that he would be returning soon, so I thought it was about time for him to come, but from his perspective, that’s how he thought of it.

I chuckled and shook my head.

“The Royal Guard sends letters diligently every time, so why would they bother to report again?”

“Ah, maybe they read the letters I sent in advance?”

As expected of a former secret agent.

But still.

“Would the Siyoungwon kids dare to touch something that’s coming to me?”

“That’s… certainly true.”

“Of course, even if it’s not my letter, you shouldn’t read other people’s letters without permission.”

I need to make sure to tell the kids in charge of letters to be more thorough with their training.

“That’s right. Everyone sends letters, but no one would like it if someone secretly looked at the contents.”

“We’re going to continue expanding the postal service, so it’s important to maintain a good impression.”

While we were laughing and joking like that, someone who had been next to us the whole time without saying a word was silently chugging tea.

I felt sorry for him for some reason and spoke to him.

“By the way, why does Cheonho look so ragged these days?”

“Everyone around me has been tormenting me lately…”

The Royal Guard bristled at Cheonho’s voice, which came out pitifully in a half-dead state.

“Tormenting? We’re just giving you advice for your own good!”

“But, aren’t I the Princess Consort’s guard…?”

Cheonho tried to counter the Royal Guard’s *kkondae*-like [꼰대: a Korean slang term for an older person who is condescending or preachy], no, just *kkondae* remarks, but it was difficult to beat *kkondae* with a tired mind.

“If you want to protect the Princess Consort, shouldn’t you do that much?”

“Excuse me? No, it’s the Princess Consort, not the Crown Prince…?”

Isn’t something wrong?

The omitted words seemed to replay in my ears on their own.

It’s true, but why do I feel guilty?

But the Royal Guard’s opinion seemed to be different from Cheonho’s.

“I heard you fought a tiger while protecting the Princess Consort.”

“…”

“…”

To hit him with such brutal facts.

“If you don’t get stronger, how do you know what will happen in the future? Exercise and build some more strength.”

“…Yes.”

Cheonho still looked like something was wrong, but he didn’t argue in the end.

‘That’s how the world is…’

And there was one person who was the opposite of Cheonho.

“Sehwa looks like she’s in a good mood today? Did something good happen?”

“D-Do I look like that?”

“Yeah. You do.”

Your face is so bright and radiant. Just.

‘I called Sehwa to check the Royal Guard, who has been suffering outside for a long time, to see if he has any injuries, and to prescribe some tonic.’

Why does her face look so bright today?

‘I don’t think there was anything else going on in the medical office…’

Did something good happen with the Crown Prince? I hope so.