Chapter 23

I frowned slightly at the sight. He should be sleeping at this time because it was very late at night.

"What… what's going on?"

I spoke comfortably with a mix of authority. It was uncomfortable to talk like those people in historical dramas every time, besides, no one else is watching.

Dawn, who heard me, bit his lips and moved his hands. I wanted to say 'what?' but I don't think it'll work. Is there sign language in this world? No, he's just using body language.

"You're coming up?"

Thinking hard, I threw out whatever words I thought would fit in this situation. I said it without thinking, and Dawn's mouth opened wide. I burst into laughter as I felt the joy in my heartbeat.

"Come on up. It's okay."

After what I said, Dawn bowed and started to head over. As he walked forward, he disappeared from my sight. I then turned around and tried to go towards the door so I could open it, but a shadow fell over my body with the sound of stone hitting the ground.

"Ack…!"

I was surprised and turned around. He looked at me with his dazzling eyes. During the day, they looked cloudy, but right now, his eyes were shimmering quietly under the moonlight. They were more beautiful than any other jewel I've ever seen, and I was speechless. The surprised feeling I had earlier suddenly changed.

"… Dawn?"

His body shook and almost fell from the window, and I ran towards him quickly.

"You have to be careful!"

As soon as I raised my voice, he bit his lips and bowed his head.

"… I'm sorry."

My eyes widened after hearing him mumble those words. His voice was surprisingly clear. Wait, Seo Yeon said you couldn't talk. Dawn then gently turned towards my gaze.

"For a moment…"

"Oh. Oh. Yes."

As I stepped back after hearing his voice, Dawn jumped out of the window and stood in front of me. I couldn't tell because I was sitting down before, but he is exactly one head taller than me.

"You can talk."

When I murmured quietly, Dawn hesitated and knelt down.

"It doesn't matter, I will need to be punished for lying to my superior."

I was embarrassed by his calm answer. This kid kneels down so easily. I lifted his arm instead of telling him to get up.

"It's okay, but don't get on your knees in front of me again."

He stood up from my touch and replied with a small yes. I wasn't angry about the fact that he was acting as if he couldn't talk because there was probably a reason behind that. Instead of asking, I came up with something I was more curious about.

"Why were you out tonight?"

Dawn hesitated at my words. He seems to be a shy kid.

"… Please give me a name."

His voice was filled with shame.

"Isn't your name Dawn?"

"It's just a temporary name given for others."

At his answer, I shook my head quietly.

"There must be a reason behind it, and it's okay if you don't want to tell me."

"… Yes."

He answered calmly, but I saw his shoulders drooping subtly.

… Maybe that was the reason why he came tonight. The world of children is complicated, and something tells me that he wants to let me know about his name.

"Do you mind if… wait, are you alright?"

My words made Dawn look up and he replied with a startled answer while nodding his head.

"Yes."

I almost laughed. Is he a quiet person? He seems to nod his head out of habit when asked a question.

"What's your name?"

Dawn exhaled, and soon opened his mouth.

"… Go Woon."

Dawn…Go Woon said so and laughed. The depressed boy smiled for the first time. It was a cute sight.

Go Woon.

It's a name that fits him better than Dawn. It was softer, I like it.

"Okay, Go Woon."

I looked at him with a smile. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, and I don't think he will either. Maybe I could ask to talk with him.

"Are you going to sleep?"

I was startled when he shook his head at my question.

"Then let's hangout for a while."

***

"… Miss… Your Majesty-"

"…What…there…."

The sunlight pricked my eyes. I wrinkled my nose and covered my face with my hands. I'm sleepy. Somebody close the curtains…

At that moment, a shadow fell over my eyes. I tried to go back to sleep again, but then frowned slightly.

"You have been sleeping."

At least, if it wasn't for the voice I heard.

"You must have not slept well last night."

The voice said again and I didn't deny the comment. I then woke up as if I had been hit by cold water with a surprised look on my face.

"Oh, are you alright?!"

When I jumped out from my slumber, the emperor shouted. I looked at my arms in a daze, and then lowered my head.

"I'm all right. I'm sorry Your Majesty."

I avoided my gaze while saying so. It's a sin to be surprised at the emperor. Usually, I would need to get up and kneel and list the things I did wrong, but I was begging that won't happen right now. I didn't think the emperor would kill me for this.

"No, I'm sorry I surprised you. Did you wake up because of me?"

As expected, she asked me casually. I glanced out at the window and saw the sun shining brightly. Seo Yeon, who noticed my gaze, whispered quietly.

"It's just past noon."

My mouth opened to those words. It's already past 12. Why is it so late already… I definitely went to bed. Last night, Go Woon had nodded and responded to whatever stories I was telling, and it was cute. I mean, stories that don't exist in this world.

My hobby used to be reading novels, which resulted in me knowing so many of them. Whenever I unpacked a story, the eyes of Go Woon made me feel like the eyes of children whenever their grandmothers gave them money. It was really fun, and I went to bed late…

Come think of it, I think I saw the sky turning blue before I went to sleep. Heesa, the person in charge of waking me up, always comes in at the same time every morning. When I looked at her, she avoided my gaze.

"…She was so cute when she moved in her sleep."

"Heesa!"

Seo Yeon shouted in awe at her mumbling words, and then apologized to the emperor. Of course, it's rude to call your boss cute. The emperor forgave her and then turned towards Heesa. I was confused by the strange twinkling in her eyes. She's not going to punish her?

"…It was cute?"

I felt sick at the words that followed from the emperor. Their eyes were sparkling.

"Of course! When Miss sleeps, she wiggles her hands and sometimes her mouth. She also lowers her head and covers her face with both hands like a cat."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes! Besides, Miss is a good sleeper and sometimes she'll drool a little. It's very cute!"

Hearing that, I want to die right now. My intention to stay alive is completely gone. Please stop talking about this. I snuck a glance at the emperor, and she had a shocked expression on her face. Now I feel even more ashamed.

"She sometimes kicks her blanket off when she sleeps, and that could also be the reason why she catches colds."

"That's right. You're too cute to get sick!"

Stop it. I wanted to bang my forehead and faint at their conversation.

"…"

Then, someone quietly approached me in front of the bed I was sitting on.