Chapter 2

Rose anxiously waited for everyone to go to sleep so that she could finally step out after hiding inside for the whole day. Yes no one could stop her from leaving her room but she didn't want to run into any character. Especially not the important ones.

The maids started putting out the lamps, making it dimmer and dimmer until only one tiny flame was left. In a room full of darkness even a ray of light was enough to put one at ease.

"Your highness we are taking our leave, have a good night's sleep."

Yeona, the head of all the maids in Seo-yeon's palace as Rose had learnt today, bowed. The maids behind her followed. Rose nodded slightly to show her gratitude. After they left it was only her and Dan-bi, who was supposed to be sleeping in the outer chamber so that she was present if Seo-yeon needed anything.

Dan-Bi, the crying girl, helped Rose into bed and sat by the head to caress her head. Maybe it was something between her and Seo-yeon. Rose didn't think it appropriate to refuse.

¨Your highness don't just stare at the ceiling, close your eyes and relax or else you will not get sleep for sure."

"It's not easy for me to fall asleep."

"I know, but we can never stop trying right?"

"You are a good person Dan-Bi."

"You always say that."

Rose smiled, hearing that Seo-yeon felt the same made her feel good for some reason.

"That is because you are."

"Sleep, Your highness. We don't want you to get dark circles. You are the face of this palace."

"You should sleep too. I will be fine."

"Okay. Goodnight."

Dan-Bi placed a kiss on her forehead and got up to leave. Rose felt electric currents rush from all over her body to her heart. It had been so long since someone kissed her goodnight.

"Do you want the lamp on?"

"Yes please."

"If you need anything I will be right here, like always."

Rose could see Dan-Bi's shadow making her bed on the other side of the sliding door. Looking at her shadow moving around Rose couldn't help but think, when Seo-yeon died, where was Dan-Bi. Considering Seo-yeon is a side character, Dan-Bi's character wouldn't even be mentioned specifically. Was she among the maids trying to help put out the fire? Had she slept in her room like always and alerted others about the fire? Or had she left the palace for something and Seo-yeon slept alone that night?

Either way she must have cried a lot after Seo-yeon's death. Her crying face from the morning flashed across Rose's mind and her heart clenched at the thought. If she was crying at the mere possibility of Seo-yeon forgetting her, she would be devastated learning of her death. There were chances of another outcome but Rose pushed it back not wanting to even think of it.

In five minutes soft snores could be heard from outside and Rose couldn't help but chuckle. The poor maid worked round the clock, it was only natural for her to be exhausted. Rose gently pushed the covers off her and sat on the bed.

Not wanting to go out in the thin robe she had on, she snooped around to find something to wear. She had worn hanbok for a few new years since she grew up in Canada and had only come a few years back. Those few times too she had her mother do everything, so she wasn't really sure if what managed to wear was right.

With steps as light as the feather Rose exited her room. There was only one moment when the sirens in her head went off yelling `abort mission´ but Dan-Bi just turned sides. The cool night air felt so fresh touching her face. Rose took in deep breaths of the pure air, it was like being healed. She was ready to explore the palace.

After forty minutes or so, Rose stopped to take a break. She could still see her room at a far distance and frankly was not proud of her poor stamina. Not used to the big skirt, walking was a living hell. Oh she hated it.

It was as if the skirt was telling her that the contempt was mutual, the next step she took got tangled with the skirt and she fell on her face. The night was going just great. Too tired she chose to stay down for a while.

¨Are you alright?¨

Startled, Rose immediately turned towards the voice. A young girl, well not that young, maybe eighteen or nineteen years old, was staring at Rose with clear concern on her face. Embarrassed to be found just lying face down on the ground, she sat up and dusted her hands. The girl offered her hand, which Rose took reluctantly and got up.

¨What are you doing out this late?¨

¨I came to drink air.¨

Wait what.

¨No! I..I came to inhale oxygen.¨

Rose mentally slapped herself for messing up.

¨Oh. Okay.¨

Rose smiled to make the situation better but her smile came out really awkward and the girl wasn't even looking at her face. Her eyes were fixed on her….breasts? Involuntarily Rose put her hands on her chest to cover them.

¨What you looking at?¨

¨You are wearing your jeogori inside out.¨

¨My wh..¨

Rose looked down and she was indeed wearing her blouse inside out. It wasn´t the first time she had worn her clothes inside and considering the poor lighting in her room this was not really a surprise. Disappointed? Yes but not surprised.

¨And um..your...your ribbon...it's all wrong.¨

The girl took a hesitant step closer to try and fix it but Rose took two steps back. No one was going to get in her personal space tonight. She was already spooked and the girl had no mask on. Sure it was a different universe where no Covid-19 existed but it would still take some time to get used to no mask and sanitizers.

¨ I got ready in a hurry that's why. Usually it is not like this.¨

¨Okay. Are you going somewhere then?¨

¨I´m done for tonight.¨

¨ Will you come to lie down here tomorrow too?¨

There was a child-like mischief in those eyes. The girl found Rose really amusing and wanted to tease her. Seeing her flustered face made her giggle.

¨Don't make fun of me. Who are you? I am pretty sure I am older and it is not good to mock elders.¨

¨Oh I am sorry I didn't introduce myself. I am Ha-Eun, I was just going to the lake to wait for someone but saw you lying down and came to help.¨

It took Rose a few seconds of staring blankly before realizing who was in front of her. She turned pale like she saw a ghost and ran for her life. She didn't care where she went, she just had to get away from the little devil.

She stopped when she couldn't see the girl anymore but the fear struck again and she ran farther. With her skirt lifted up in her hand she raced down at the speed of lightning only to crash into something..or as it was, someone.

Rose pushed off the person, still scared. The man, she had so gracefully almost run over, stood straight, with his hat slightly tipped down making it difficult to see his face.

¨Huibin? What are you doing out so late?¨

Who?

¨I could ask you the same.¨

What was with people questioning her when they were out themselves? Was she the only one with a curfew?

¨But you are a woman, that too alone.¨

¨If I were to smash that rock against your head you would bleed too regardless of your gender and there wouldn't be anyone to protect you since you. are. alone. too.¨

Rose turned to go back to her room since she had had enough of this night. The slight problem was she didn´t know where she was.

¨Want to go back together? I could use a company.¨

Rose had expected a condescending tone or at least a smug expression but there was none. The man was smiling at her sweetly, waiting for her reply. Maybe he was someone who was close to Seo-yeon and didn't mind her being sassy.

¨Okay. I will make sure to protect you from any head smashers.¨

He laughed at the reply and thanked her for the protection. On the way back they didn't talk at all, silently enjoying the quiet night and soon enough they had reached Rose´s room.

¨Well there wasn't anyone throwing rocks.¨

Rose shook her head, smiling without realising.

¨Nope there weren't.¨

¨Then you should go to sleep. Until next time.¨

¨Yeah. Until next time.¨

Rose went inside to find Dan-Bi not in her bed. The maid was sitting next to her´s waiting for her.

¨I would appreciate if you woke me up next time.¨

¨I just went out to get some air since I couldn't sleep.¨

¨ I am not mad but it will be good if I know where you are rather than sit here imagining the worst. The palace is not safe and you know that.¨

Rose didn't know what else to do except look down feeling guilty. Dan-Bi helped her change and tucked her back in bed without saying another word. Turning off the lamps which she must have lit in Rose´s absence she went to her bed, leaving Her Highness alone.