Follow Your Heart [EN]: Chapter 6

#6.

After expelling all the minor ghosts and applying the talisman to the barrier, Lee Jae was bedridden for a week.

A vessel will eventually burst if it contains more alcohol than it can hold. [This is a metaphor for overexertion of one’s abilities.]

Lee Jae was an ordinary human who had barely stepped into the realm of the extraordinary.

So, whenever she used powers beyond her natural capacity, she always suffered the consequences.

Still, the King wasn’t entirely heartless; upon hearing that his legal spouse was ill, he sent medicine and even paid her a visit.

Lee Jae decided to consider that as partial compensation for the exorcism.

When the King entered the room, Lee Jae saw countless vengeful spirits clinging to his shoulders being repelled by the barrier.

At that moment, Roderick subtly frowned.

However, Lee Jae also noticed several more malevolent spirits entering the room unscathed, realizing that the barrier’s power was insufficient.

She wanted to create a safer space.

She was carving a small spirit post [a miniature totem pole or protective figure] to place in the room when the head maid suddenly took away her carving knife, deeming it dangerous.

The unfinished Cheonhadaejanggun (General Under Heaven) [a traditional Korean spirit guardian figure] had a blunt and elongated shape.

For some reason, people blushed and looked at it with rather suggestive expressions.

All she could complete was a crude rosary bracelet.

-Lee Jae. What do you think of me? Many priests have visited this room, but no one has ever seen me.

Lying in bed, Lee Jae, who was dangling her ankles, said.

She was reading Haley’s diary, which she had brought from the Duke’s residence.

“They’re all charlatans. Plenty of legitimate clergymen can see you.”

There were swindlers everywhere. There was no reason this world would be any different.

Lee Jae said indifferently.

“That’s how they scam you. They’ll steal the shirt off your back if you’re not careful.”

-I don’t have a nose!

Lee Jae paused and looked at the spirit of Hamel.

Looking again, it really only had eyes and a mouth.

“…Anyway, always be vigilant. Someone known by everyone isn’t necessarily a master. True masters are hidden… Ha, who am I even talking to?”

Since there was no one to have a proper conversation with, she just kept talking to herself.

In fact, Lee Jae had always been one to talk to herself often.

There weren’t many people to talk to in the countryside or mountains, and ghosts were constantly chattering at her.

Shaking her head, Lee Jae turned her gaze back to Haley’s diary.

「October 16, 497

Tomorrow is my birthday. I wonder who will make my birthday cake?

Mother will probably buy a strawberry cake, but it doesn’t matter.

As long as it tastes good.」

Lee Jae, who was reading the diary to fill in Haley Duncan’s incomplete memories, closed the notebook at that point.

One thing was certain.

Haley wasn’t particularly concerned about wasting paper and trees.

While Lee Jae was lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, someone knocked on her door.

It was the head maid, Deborah.

“The Duke’s residence has sent a letter along with medicine. The court ladies will check the medicine for any abnormalities before bringing it to you.”

Taking the letter, Lee Jae shook her head.

“The medicine is fine. I won’t take it because I don’t feel sick anymore.”

“Is that so?”

Lee Jae nodded and waited for Deborah to leave before opening the letter.

It was from Duke Duncan, and whether it was due to etiquette or because he was conscious of the people in the royal palace, his tone had completely changed.

「To Her Majesty the Queen.

I heard you were unwell; how are you feeling now?

I’m sending some medicine that I’ve managed to acquire with a worried heart.

There is a request your father would like to make.

There may already be many people in the palace to serve Her Majesty, but would you consider accepting some servants from the Duke’s residence so that you can be more comfortable?

I hope you take good care of your health and well-being.」

Lee Jae folded the letter and looked troubled.

Haley’s emotions were almost non-existent in this body now.

Her soul had left the body long ago, and emotions were inherently fleeting.

Therefore, only humans with very strong grudges become vengeful spirits, and only humans with very grand ideals break the laws and become guardian spirits.

Haley. What would you have wanted to do?

Looking at the diary with a troubled expression, Lee Jae called Deborah again.

“I want to see His Majesty. Do you know where he is now?”

The head maid looked a little flustered and bowed her head at the Queen’s sudden question.

In the King’s reception hall, a chaotic scene was unfolding.

Anger dripped from Roderick’s blue eyes as he received a report on the embezzlement of a lower-ranking official.

It was certainly a matter to be angry about.

However, the King paused for a long time, holding his forehead, before roughly sweeping the desk with his arm. Jade frowned at the crashing sound.

He knew it was a bad sign from his experiences over the past few years.

He hadn’t been such an angry person when he was younger, but since Roderick ascended the throne three years ago, his cruel side had become increasingly prominent.

He tried to understand that the position was demanding, but the way he drew his sword and used force even for trivial matters was too different from before.

Even towards himself, his close friend, it was sometimes hard for him to tolerate.

And Lee Jae, with the letter in her arms, witnessed the scene outside the reception hall.

Of course, she saw things that others couldn’t.

‘How do those things seem to increase in number every time I see them?’

Seeing Roderick grab a glass of water from the table, Lee Jae squeezed her eyes shut and turned away.

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. I really didn’t see anything.”

She was so taken aback that she inadvertently used honorifics again, but no one paid attention. The guards were also turning their heads, weary of looking at the King’s outbursts.

Only the official kneeling on the floor couldn’t escape and trembled, clutching his head.

“…Why is it getting worse? It’s disturbing me.”

“Your Majesty, it would be best to return to your chambers now.”

Deborah carefully grabbed Lee Jae’s arm and tried to pull her away. In fact, Lee Jae could have witnessed such a scene on her first day of marriage.

She hesitated and nodded.

‘Let’s pretend we didn’t see anything and leave. We decided not to get involved. What can we do in front of all these people?’

At that moment, the sound of the water glass shattering on the floor as the King threw it made Lee Jae flinch and turn towards it.

And the moment Roderick drew his sword from its scabbard, Lee Jae, feeling real murderous intent, shook off Deborah’s arm.

She found herself running into the reception hall.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

As soon as she ran, Lee Jae regretted it.

She had the most unfortunate fate, and this eye that could see useless things was the problem.

She resented Deborah for not holding her back more firmly, but it was already too late for that.

Haley, I’m really sorry.

The body you’ve managed to preserve will probably have its head cut off today.

The end of the second fate you and I share seems to be determined like that.

There was no turning back anyway. Lee Jae cautiously grabbed Roderick’s arm.

In an instant, an eerie silence filled the reception hall.

But Lee Jae saw something strange.

The vengeful spirits that had been swarming around the King like dogs were slowly moving away.

Kang Lee Jae was originally someone who cared quite a bit about her own safety.

It was because her fate was so inherently unlucky.

She then remembered that she was wearing a rosary bracelet with several talismans and protective inscriptions engraved on it.

In fact, it was a very shabby level of protection compared to the world she came from.

She would have nothing to say even if Yeongsan Grandma [a powerful shaman figure] rebuked her, saying that she was the real fraud.

But as expected, even something like this acted as a talisman, and the vengeful spirits moved away little by little, just like last night.

“…”

As the silence continued, people slowly began to worry about the young Queen.

Jade also thought it was time to stop him this time.

However, Roderick, who had been frowning for a long time, looked around.

After looking at the scene with an incomprehensible gaze for a moment, he let out a shallow sigh.

And he sheathed his sword.

He looked down at Lee Jae and asked with just his lips.

Why?

That was a question that embarrassed even Lee Jae, who had been relieved.

How can you act so calmly even after witnessing this situation?

However, since the King was waiting for an answer, she had to come up with a plausible explanation before he pressed her again.

Bringing up the story of Duke Duncan here would definitely be a bad move.

Because if you dislike something or harbor negative thoughts, the vengeful spirits gain more power.

“I… I came because I wanted to ask for a cup of tea, but I think I came at a bad time.”

“…”

“Please forgive me if I was rude.”

“…”

“I didn’t get to thank you for sending the medicine last time.”

Even in the midst of all this, Lee Jae subtly brushed off the alcohol ghost attached to the King’s shoulder with the wrist of her rosary bracelet. ‘Be gentle, be gentle.’

‘I know. You were born with great fortune that I don’t have. So you can handle this much.’

And Lee Jae looked at Deborah with eyes begging for help.

Thinking that if she didn’t have this much sense as the head maid, she might actually call people from the Duke’s residence as the Duke suggested.

“Your Majesty, it seems that the Queen enjoyed the tea offered from Roche Rock.”

Lee Jae maintained a serious face.

She was impressed by how well their teamwork was going, exceeding her expectations.

‘Then now, all that’s left is the King.’

After a moment of silence, Roderick raised his hand and gestured perfunctorily.

It was an order to dismiss the kneeling official.

The official looked like he had been given a new lease on life.

Roderick, who was roughly running his hand through his hair, this time looked at the head maid and nodded briefly.

“Bring it.”