Chapter 24

Heonui, going out onto the porch, no longer found Mimi's carriage, and was terribly upset. Right in her heart was in place from the mood that prevailed that day. Snow flakes, which had already fully entered into their winter rights, fell to the ground, painting everything in white tufted tones. It was frosty but pleasant to the body, as if, inhaling such air, life itself was somehow refreshed and renewed. Heonui had always enjoyed the winter days before — how pleasant it had been for her, she remembered, to run out of her father's house in one dress and jump into the snow for the servants to laugh! And how indignant was Queen Li-en! She scolded and scolded Heonui about her young pranks, and she only laughed in response. But now, a new winter has come, and Her Ladyship Heonui has already managed to grow up and acquire a beloved husband and ... lose him forever.

The young lady bit her lip. How she hated her every day now! No matter how sweet she was neither the hot summer days and evenings, nor the golden time of autumn, which passed as if in gloomy oblivion with illness, nor this fluffy, snow-crunching winter under her feet — everything was now sickening to the Princess. For neither these hot days and evenings, nor the golden time of autumn, nor this cold winter were capable of returning Wang Tae back to her.

"Do not worry like that, Your Royal Highness," came the voice of Chenghuan, pouring like a thousand bells. "You will soon return home and see the servant again."

Heonui turned around and bowed slightly.

"Mimi is not just a servant. She is my friend and adviser, and I am ashamed that I have put so much on her. She seemed to be out of her mind, talking to me. I am afraid my thoughts are getting in the way."

"Ay, what are you, Your Royal Highness, even thinking of? The servant should care so much about you, and besides, you just lost your husband, such grief! Instead, you think about the well-being of this retinue! What a big heart you have!" Chenghuan took the Princess by the arm, inviting her back to the manor. "Your Royal Highness, I have heard so much about your nobility, but I could not even think that the rumours were not spread, as is usual with us! Come on, it is so cold outside! I am all shivering! I cannot stand this frost!"

The ladies went into a spacious hall with high ceilings and whitewashed walls to match the snow. Attached to one wall was a luxurious fireplace made of dark brown brick, overlaid with beautiful masonry by unknown craftsmen. At the top were candles in carved coasters, with such elaborate forms hinting at the delicate taste of the owner. On either side of the fireplace were sofas with velvet upholstery and tiny openwork cushions to create a mood of comfort and warmth. In the center stood an oval table of Venetian glass, shimmering from the flames dancing in the fire. But the pride of the room was not the table at all — a sumptuous piano of a boiled white colour — smooth, expensive and heavy — was placed with pride at the very end of the hall, charming with its appearance.

Wang Han had already managed to settle down on one of the sofas, and with some special air, he was reading a poem from a huge volume of poetry, which he deftly held with only his left hand. As soon as he noticed Ladies Chenghuan and Heonui entering, he put aside his reading and rose to bow in greeting.

"Your Royal Highness," he addressed Heonui, which immediately called out strangely in her heart, for he had earlier insisted on abandoning familiarity. "Lady Chenghuan, bienvenue! Ça va? Allons, allons!"

And he, with care, pointing Chenghuan to the opposite sofa, took Chenghuan by the arm and seated her beside him.

"I have got great poems! Just look, Chenghuan! I believe that they are definitely familiar to you, because your knowledge of poetry cannot be compared with mine, but I, nevertheless, decided to challenge you!"

Chenghuan smiled coquettishly.

"Oh, Wang Han, what are you! I heard about your education, and I dare say that many worthy men should learn from you not only courage, but also knowledge! Ah, if only you had time for all of us!" And she laughed out loud as she opened Wang Han's book.

Heonui was lost in thought. Watching Wang Han and Chenghuan, so sweetly and happily choosing poems for evening reading, she suddenly noticed, either to her horror or surprise, that the Queen was unpleasant to her — the very sight of her aroused in Heonui a strange, hitherto unknown anger and what — an annoyance. Was it because Chenghuan was so young and beautiful? But Heonui, even in her widow's grief, was popular among the people about her magnificent appearance. Was it because Princess Chenghuan was cheerful and at ease? Maybe so — but Heonui did not regret that the days of her laughter and joy had gone with Wang Tae to his grave. So, why did such a beautiful face of the lady, full of happy coquetry, arouse such sincere hostility in Heonui? She could not understand, and she did not see the answer. Until... she looked at Wang Han...

She remembered the first minute of meeting him at the palace, when she knew him only from her mother's stories — tall, stately, with blue eyes like the sea and fiery curly hair, shimmering with copper. And here he was, sitting in front of her, just as handsome — and she really recognized that he was handsome, just as happy, smiling with his snow-white smile, as then before. Only now, his smile was not meant for Heonui. The Princess closed her eyes and sighed sadly. What did she do to him? Wang Han, the dream of every young lady to the ends of the land — from princesses and queens to court ladies and peasant women — in his acquaintance with Heonui, turned into a gloomy, betrayed and grief-stricken ruler and soldier. Her company weighed heavily on him, but he was polite with her. Her tantrums tore his heart, but he remained silent. And so, he tried to find hope — in the person of the beautiful Chenghuan — and even then, the duty of caring for his brother's widow haunted him. But what about Heonui herself?

As soon as she opened her eyes and looked again at Wang Han and the young Queen, who was reveling in reading, standing in the center of the hall, Heonui — now completely horrified for herself — realized what exactly poisoned her heart in this quiet, pleasant moment for their company. Heonui felt… jealousy…