Chapter 41: Hint

"Can we talk?" I asked.

Min Yun looked like he just woken up.

He opened the door and let me in.

"Thanks."

"Do you want tea?"

"Yes, please."

He quietly prepared the tea and handed it to me afterward.

"Thanks."

We sat on his floor. I sipped my tea while glancing at him.

"Do you need anything?" he asked.

"I... I was just worried."

He sighed. "I haven't slept that's why."

"Am I the reason?" I asked bluntly.

He looked stunned but quickly changed his expression.

"I don't remember what happened last night. If I caused you trouble I am sorry."

"It was not your fault."

"No, I think it was my fault."

He looked annoyed. "Do you really know what happened?"

I shut my mouth. Did I really want to hear it?

"I'm sorry, we both drunk." he said.

"I am not blaming you. It happened already."

"Do you regret it?" he asked.

"I really don't remember what happened. "

He nodded. " Maybe that's for the best."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because I am afraid that if you remember, you'll feel uneasy around me."

Was the kiss too much? Just like what I had with the king?

I felt the warmth on my cheeks. I looked at Min Yun--- he was already smiling. He patted my head and reassured me that everything was okay.

"I just haven't sleep, it happened because we're both drunk. Next time we should not drink too much." he said.

"Have you eaten? I was with Ji han earlier, we went to the market."

"What did you do there?"

"He treats me."

"Where is he now?"

"In your office."

He nodded.

"Do you want to come with me later?"

"Where are we going?"

"I have something to do--- about the case."

"I'll go. "

"I need to take a bath first, just go back to your quarter. I'll come fetch you."

I nodded and bid goodbye.

As I entered my quarters, I saw a light coming from the book. I ran toward it. It had been days since the last warning.

"Chapter 14"

"Kipatchi town and Kayshi town are connected. Do you wish to know who is the mastermind of everything? Go to shibuya town. You will know the answer. "

"Shibuya..." I murmured, deep in thought.

I lay on my bed, still thinking. I didn't even realize how long I had stayed in that position until I heard someone knocking on my door.

I got up and went to open it.

"Min Yun!"

I had almost forgotten we were supposed to go somewhere.

"Why you are holding that book?" he asked.

I hadn't even realized I was still holding it.

"Do you know where shibuya town is?"

He looked confused.

"Why do you ask? How did you know about shibuya?"

I raised the book. "the book warned me again. it says that we will know who the mastermind is if we go to shibuya."

"It will take days before we arrived there."

"Days?"

He nodded. " It was a far away town. "

"Then we should start traveling now."

"You know that you can't leave the palace. "

"But we might get the answer."

"Your wedding is near. "

" I know. But I think we can return before the wedding."

"We can't do that. "

"Kipatchi and Kayshi town were connected right?"

"What do you mean?"

"The killings are all connected. We both know the mastermind is behind this. But why? How is it related to the king?"

"I am still figuring it out."

"That's why we need to go to shibuya as soon as possible. I promise I wont be a burden to you."

"I don't see you as a burden. I just don't want you to risk yourself, especially with the wedding so close."

"I'll talk to the king. I will try to persuade him."

He sighed. "I doubt he'll allow you."

"Trust me on this. I will talk to him later. For now, let's go."

And we left the palace.

***

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I have to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Our source of evidence."

I nodded and kept walking.

I didn't know where we were, but I followed Min Yun. We walked through a narrow alley and entered a small door. Min Yun looked around to make sure no one had followed us before stepping inside.

The place was dusty and old.

"Are we really meeting someone here?" It didn't seem like an ideal place for a meeting.

"He's here," Min Yun said, looking at an old man who had just stepped out of the house.

"Master..." Min Yun bowed his head.

I looked at Min Yun then glanced at his master then bowed my head as well.

"Who is she?"

Min Yun looked at me. "She is a trustworthy person." he answered.

The master nodded and let us inside his house.

We sat on the floor and the master poured tea in our cups.

"Thank you." Min Yun said.

"I haven't done anything yet." the master said then sipped on his cup.

The master looked old—his hair, beard, and mustache were all white.

"Letting us in is a great opportunity for us."

"I heard from someone that a certain person has been traveling back and forth to Shibuya Town..."

I watched Min Yun's reaction. So the book was right—going to Shibuya might give us answers.

"What's worse is that this person has entered the palace. That means the mastermind is living inside the palace."

"Kim Man Shik?"

"According to my source, this person is young—like you."

"Could it be possible that a young man is the mastermind?" I asked bluntly.

The master looked at me. "It's possible."

" A young man who lives in the palace. That means he is spying from within."

"That's right."

"Thank you for this information."

"The wedding ceremony is approaching. Be careful."

Min Yun nodded.

"Your Highness..." the master murmured

I was shocked by what she said.

"How did you"

"Helping your future husband is a right decision. No matter what happens, stay by his side. "

Even though I was confused, I nodded.

Had Min Yun told his master that I am the future queen?

We didn't stay long because Min Yun had to return to his office for paperworks. As we walked, I couldn't help but ask him.

"Did you tell him that I'm the future queen?"

He shrugged. "My master has sharp senses. He may seem old, but he has an intelligent mind."

I nodded.

"I will go to the office first to sign some papers. "

"Should I tell the king?"

"Let's keep it a secret. No one should know."

I nodded.

We parted ways. I went to His Highness' quarters.

"Your Majesty, Her Highness is here." the eunuch announced.

"Let her in."

The doors opened, and I saw the king reading a book.

"Did I interrupt you?" I asked.

He looked at me and smiled. "No." he closed his book.

I sat on the floor in front of him. "I have something to tell you."

His smile faded when he noticed I was serious.

"What is that?"

"Will you allow me to travel?"

"Where to?"

"Shibuya town."

He was stunned. "That was a far away land. "

"Yes."

"Why do you want to travel there?"

"We need to investigate."

"We?"

I nodded. "With Min Yun."

"I'm confused, why would you investigate in a far away land? You don't even know if there are people living there."

"Trust us on this one."

"I trust you but the wedding is near."

"After the wedding, will you allow me? This could help us solve this mystery case."

"I'm coming with you."

"No. You are the king. You can't be gone for too long, what if Kim Man Shik finds out?"

He sighed. " As long as Min Yun was with you."

"So, are you allowing me?"

"If I say no, will you stop?"

I shrugged. "no"

"I have no choice then. Just be careful."

"But please, nobody should know that we left. It must remain a secret."

He nodded.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"I should be the one thanking you. You're risking yourself just to help me."

I smiled.

We talked briefly about the wedding preparations before I returned to my quarters.