Chapter 8

Those words caught the court ladies eyes. It seems like they don't want me to wander around alone since the royal family is always accompanied by a large number of servants when they go outside.

However, the concubines usually go alone for they already have strong power because they are usually from prestigious families. It was not necessary for them to need escorts or servants to protect them. But apparently, I get special treatment, on the bad side.

"Can I go out?"

I asked her again with a straight face. Of course, if I were denied, I will just pass since I don't want my name written on the death note twice. The court lady looked surprised and lowered her head as if she heard something embarrassing.

"Miss, you don't need to get permission from us. If you want to go out, you can just go."

I flinched at her reaction. I didn't know it would be this embarrassing. Maybe my words sounded sarcastic.

"I'm not familiar with court etiquette, so please teach me anytime. For example, if I need to talk to someone when I go out or…"

"That's impossible. You may go out alone because you are from the Yeoran house."

Now I feel more embarrassed. The Yeoran family's power is psychokinesis, and those in the direct line were very strong. But I have no power…

I ended up not telling them the truth. I'm comfortable going alone anyways, and if those words were to spread among the court ladies, I think I'll become a target again.

"…Are there any places I shouldn't go?"

The court ladies responded with a list, saying the emperor's garden, the shrine, other concubine's palace, etc. It's the places I didn't plan on going anyway.

"If you are going out, I'll bring you some clothes."

As soon as I nodded at those words, I was ready. She had hung a fur coat over me as it was still chilly outside.

I feel weird at the thought of walking around the palace alone with no one to protect me. Actually it's kind of scary, I could get killed without realizing it. Everyone knows who everyone else is…

I took a breath and opened the door. It's been two days since I've been here.

I have something to do.

***

Among this specific palace, there are a couple of trees covered by the warm sunlight. I leaned against one of the bushes and closed my eyes.

I like it here.

*30 minutes ago*

I opened the door with determination and I was very surprised. I thought this palace was just like a house with a yard, but the garden I saw was almost as big as the garden of Versailles.

This is, uh…

I couldn't tell if this was the average size or if it was because I was from the Yeoran family. Is this… normal? The court lady, who misinterpreted my expression, said carefully,

"If there's anything you don't like…"

"Oh no, no."

I hurriedly spit the words of denial out. The court lady who spoke earlier was standing in front of me with a worried expression on her face. I was going to say more, but I decided to clamp my mouth shut and turn around. It's too dangerous to explain further. But a new obstacle came to me.

"…"

I can't see the bottom of the high stone steps. The clothes I'm wearing now were a long skirt, and shoes with no protection on the bottom. Plus, the stairs had no railing. What if I die now? I quickly composed my reaction. I hate the thought of infant regression, maybe I could just try going down here and fall to my death.

With that thought, I turned around and faced the court ladies who all had a curious look on their faces. Right, you guys don't know that I'm powerless.

I'm screwed. I didn't expect much, so I turned around and carefully grabbed my skirt and slowly started going down the stairs. I trembled as I stepped down the stairs. Be careful…

I finally breathed as I took the last step. Good. I succeeded. I glanced around this palace. Little by little, I could see snow plopped on the cherry blossoms, making it look more like magnolia trees.

This place is so big that I couldn't even see the doors anymore.

In addition to the concubines that the emperor loved, there were many others whose personalities were often beyond people's imagination. If the little concubine were to lose favor, she would be tormented. There has to be some backdoors in every palace, just in case I need to get out of here. Originally, I was going to look for those after some time passed, but this plan has become top priority ever since I met Mirina yesterday.

I glanced at the garden in front of me and walked towards the back building from where I came out.

…That was 30 minutes ago.

This back garden was more to my taste. However, the sun doesn't come through here because the buildings in front were blocking it. I was trying to avoid other people and in the meantime, I found this place. It was too pretty to just pass by.

No matter how quiet I was, I heard a noise coming from somewhere. Maybe it's the birds?

It's interesting because the sun was shining through right in the middle while everywhere else was shade, so I laid there like a sunbathing cat.

"Nice…"

I could feel the tensions in my body. Is this a place where no one knows? It won't be sunny all day here, and it's rare to just lie down and look at the sky. The sunlight covered my white coat and made me feel warm while the cold wind blew across the tip of my nose. I could smell the scent of spring from the grass and the wind.

"This is…"

I smiled as I watched fluffy clouds drifting across the clear blue sky. One of the advantages in the novel was the clear blue sky during all the seasons. It was amazing. There was nothing I disliked but the cold air coming up from the ground.

After twisting my body, I couldn't stand it anymore and got up from the ground. Next time, I'll bring a blanket. I proceed to shake off the dirt from the ground after remembering my coat was white. It might be better to just take it off, but I didn't want to be cold.

After passing through a place that seemed like a dense forest, I was in front of a field. It was a place where wildflowers grow.

"…"

Wait a minute, I want to see…

I sat lightly on the ground where the tiny purple flowers bloomed. Are these Forget-Me-Nots?* No, I don't think so. That's when I heard someone's voice. It sounded like shouting from far away. The sound echoed when I stopped moving and gradually faded away.

I then heard the sound of someone's unhurried footsteps dragging in the soil. For a moment, my body shivered.

Who is it?

I held my breath waiting for the person to pass. However, my efforts were in vain as the steps were getting closer. Is someone trying to kill me? I tried to make sense of that thought. No, that's not logical, they won't be this sloppy.

I glanced behind me, the palace was blocking my view. If I were to run and go to a place where there's people…

That way.

At that moment, my head went blank. The footsteps stopped. I slowly raised my head. Red hair, blue outfit. He looked familiar, but I wasn't happy at all.

Garam's power was fire.

Today's air is very dry, for spring has not come yet, and it wouldn't be strange even if a young concubine were to die due to a fire in this field. I have to get up, I have to get up and run.

"…You"

A low voice called me. His expressionless face was frighteningly scary because the sun was on his back. Those blue eyes showed no feelings and stared at me. I trembled like an animal about to be pierced at the neck. My vision became blurry and tears began to fall.

"…Don't kill me."

I managed to spit out with a trembling voice.