Chapter 8
“So I just have to sign here?”
“Yes.”
“How do I sign as...Rose or Seo-yeon?”
“Are you Rose or Seo-yeon?”
“Well I am Rose but at the moment I am Seo-yeon.”
“Okay I want you to take a long deep breath and try to empty your mind.”
The Royal Consort’s room transformed into a cozy room. Rose found herself on a comfy sofa with a thin blanket covering her. The table in front of her had a jar of candies, there were all in different shapes and colors. Andrew was nowhere to be seen but a girl in white joggers and a warm yellow sweater. Her outfit choice made Rose feel so happy from within she couldn’t help but beam with delight. The girl looked at her own outfit and smiled softly at Rose.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Do you work at the company too?”
“ Yes. Do you know why you are here?”
“I am not really sure. One moment I was signing the contract and the next I was here.”
“Had something happened while you were signing the contract?”
“Not really…..Oh my is it because I asked the question?”
“What question did you ask?”
“Should I sign as Seo-yeon or Rose?”
“Who is Seo-yeon?”
“She is the character I transmigrated into.”
“Okay. So you are Rose?”
“Yes I am.”
“Do you want to be Seo-yeon?”
“Good lord No!”
“Why not?”
“Well for starters she is killed in a fire by the queen and from my recent experience I learnt that the king is trying to kill her too for some reason. Considering that she is the Royal Noble Consort, I am pretty sure even the other concubines would be plotting to kill her. Why would I want to be a person whose life is in danger.”
“Wouldn’t they try to plot against the queen tho?”
“Even if they did manage to do something to the queen, they still can’t take her place. But if Seo-yeon is removed then her place can be given to someone else right. The Royal Noble Consort is in a high position too.”
“The king surely wouldn’t let that happen.”
“Okay didn’t you hear the part where I said the king tried to kill Seo-yeon. He literally choked her! I mean isn’t that an obvious sign that he isn’t madly in love with. This isn’t some tragic love story where the king has his one true love as the Royal Noble Consort to keep her close since she can’t be queen.”
“So according to you, why is Seo-yeon the Royal Noble Consort?”
“To give birth to the heir of course. There must be some difficulties in the queen giving birth that’s why they had to appoint someone to carry on the bloodline.”
“You are smart.”
“Oh...t-thank you.”
“Now if we eradicate the whole people trying to kill Seo-yeon part, how is it there? Do you like anything about your place or it’s like `this is living hell’ kinda thing?”
“It’s...not that bad. I have this area which is just mine. The rest of the palace people are a little away I guess because I have not really met anyone. I met the queen when I was walking around at night….and that time even she had come out to meet someone, I don’t really think she would meet that someone near her place because of course it was someone she shouldn’t meeting-”
“She could have been meeting the king, you know, romantic night date of sorts.”
“That guy is not capable of anything romantic.”
“You have met him only on-.”
“He choked Seo-yeon. The very body I currently am in, the body which shakes uncontrollably at the mere sight of him. So I am allowed to think shit about him.”
“Okay she wasn’t meeting him.”
“Yeah and also the queen will not walk around alone at night to meet the king. If they want a date they can have people arrange something like a moonlight dinner. There have to be guards and maids with both the king and queen. It’s a matter of national security. Have you ever seen the president just walk on the street without protection?”
“Fair point.”
“Hence, I conclude she doesn’t live anywhere near my place. I haven’t met any concubines, the king obviously doesn’t say near me. I have a quiet place of my own which I share with Dan-Bi, who is a sweetheart. All my maids are amazing too. They are polite and keep to themselves.”
“So about Dan-Bi, do you like her?”
“Yes of course why wouldn’t I?”
“No reason. You just sounded really happy at her name.”
“Yes she is my best friend.”
“She is a fictional character.”
“And I am in a fictional world.”
The girl stared at Rose for a few minutes before sighing.
“Don’t forget that you can go back only after you have made the required changes to the story.”
“Yes I know but nothing really has happened, for me to do anything. I don’t even know who brought me here, much less as to what they want. It’s not like I can march into the king’s court and demand to know who it is, you guys will come again and wipe their memory off. For right now I am going to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the peace around me.”
“Okay good you can go.”
“Wait, don't I get to know your name?”
“Nope it’s not important. Concentrate on the story.”
“One last question.”
“Yup ask away.”
“What do I sign as?”
“Oh my god dude! You need to sign as Rose, you are Rose right. Seo-yeon is just a character, she isn’t the one who transmigrated you have.”
The cozy room started fading out and Rose was back in Seo-yeon’s room. Andrew was sitting at her small table waiting.
“Andrew from next time don’t get paranoid and send your clients here for small reasons. She is not confused about her identity yet.”
“Woah what do you mean by `yet’?”
“Sweetie, you are doing great. I need to go, I have other appointments too.”
“Dates don’t count as appointments.”
“Yes they do. It is a personal appointment, I am not a loner like you.”
“Tell Victor his baby misses him.”
She gives him the finger before disappearing into thin air. Andrew slides the contract towards Rose and smiles.
“I am sorry if I surprised you. I just wanted to make sure you are feeling okay.”
“It’s fine. A notice beforehand would be good but I know you meant well.”
“During your stay here if you need someone to talk like this let me know I will make an appointment with Alice.”
“Sure thanks.”
Rose signed the contract and Andrew bid her farewell wishing her luck. Not having anything to do, Rose picked up Seo-yeon’s gayageum to try and play. She was doing a lot better than the first day she had tried. Dan-Bi was shocked at how bad she was at it. Rose gave the excuse of being out of practice.
Rose plucked the strings with her right hand and used the other to push the strings on the left side of the bridge while waiting for Dan-Bi. She had sent Dan-Bi to the Royal Infirmary to get something for headache. Which she faked, it wasn't that bad but Rose just wanted to send Dan-Bi to the infirmary.
When Rose woke up the morning after the night of the king’s visit, she found Sang-Ki gently holding the sleeping Dan-Bi. Rose was sure she slept in the middle, at night and the view in front of her was a clear indication of why that was a wrong move. Imagining them together right now made her grin like a Cheshire cat.
Sang-Ki should treat her for being such a nice wing-woman. Even if she didn’t it was fine. The soft, whipped expression on her face while looking at Dan-Bi was reward in itself.