Chapter 33

"Who are you?"

I drew attention to my own question. It felt very burdensome to have big people look at me with their eyes wide open. They all laughed as their forehead wrinkled.

"You asked who we were."

"Should I answer you?"

This line sounded familiar. Was it from the novel?

"I'm a man!"

"I'm a woman! And this-"

"What are you doing?"

Bam!

The man who tried to introduce his colleague, collapsed. It was like watching a big bear struggle. While they began to fight, another guy standing quietly on the side came towards me and knelt down.

"Miss, the sun is setting."

I pressed my lips from bursting into laughter. Okay. But I still don't know who you are.

"Oh, we're the-"

The guy that tried to continue talking with a smile stopped. More precisely, his smiling face hardened. Seeing his gaze, I became suspicious.

"We…"

"We?"

"We… are all laborers. I came here to fix something that was broken in the palace."

"So…?"

Naturally, I didn't erase my suspicious look. If there was something broken here or under repair, Heesa wouldn't have let me come here. He avoided my gaze. He can't even lie.

I started looking around. Soon, I felt his gaze on me, or, where Go Woon is standing.

'…Hm?'

He's looking at Go Woon? There's no way they would actually know his identity. If so, then they'll know that he's a shadow…

Only the emperor and her confidants knew. At that moment, I could hear the woman and the man who had grabbed her hair whispering.

"Well, is it okay that we say something?"

"Think before you open your mouth!"

The principle was that shadows cannot speak. If it is known that you cannot speak, the chances of being tortured is reduced.

'…I think Go Woon can be very dangerous.'

Having removed those thoughts from my mind, I looked at the sunset and then leaned towards his face.

"…!"

Go Woon was greatly shaken when I stepped closer.

'They're shadows.'

"You're a laborer?"

"Yes, Miss."

I grinned at the answer.

"That's a good thing. There were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned up at this palace. Will you help me?"

Those words were a request. The shadows, which is the direct unit of the emperor may not know this, but a regular handyman cannot disobey the words of the current emperor's concubine.

"Yes."

"Follow me."

I instructed and turned around to start walking. I couldn't hear the sound of footsteps behind me, but I wasn't worried. Even when Go Woon walked, he made no sounds especially that one time where he jumped to the window at night.

It was kind of eerie how these big people didn't make a single sound, but that only made me more satisfied as I realized that they were shadows. I grinned while thinking so.

***

'…Damn it.'

I was gritting my teeth while looking at the sight that was unfolding before my eyes.

"We're done Miss! What should we do now?"

"… Right there."

"Yes!"

I couldn't help but be satisfied that I didn't sweat a single drop. I was definitely full of fighting spirit when I first arrived at this palace.

No matter how much they sweep, wipe, and organize here, it was dirtier than when I stayed, since it was a palace where no one lived. Above all, I knew all of the neglected and broken parts in here.

I ordered them to build things here and there. I knew it was ridiculous, for those who are good at assassinations probably can't handle being good at normal work.

Since I'm an eight-year old on the surface, most children would believe that adults can do anything. Therefore, I waited comfortably for them to ruin…

"What do you think?"

As you can see, the result was this.

'Are the shadows being evaluated for their architectural skills?'

They built two pavilions in a blink of an eye when I ordered them to do so. It was so fast where I wondered if they were even human. Nevertheless, they didn't show any signs of difficulty, so I ordered for them to do other chores. After they're done, they would run to me with a puppy-like face while boasting their neat work.

I can't tell if I was overworking them or they were overworking me.

"Er, Miss…"

One of them asked as he stood next to me while restless.

"What's wrong?"

"Hey, that guy is better at the job."

"Take a rest then."

I said and turned my head. As expected, it was uncomfortable for them to work, but it was more uncomfortable if they were to take a rest. If someone were to find fault in the shadows' work, then they will need to come to me since I'm the one who gave out the orders.

"Wow!"

I watched as they lifted up the abandoned braziers, which was in the corner. I had ordered them to take it all out and wipe it, but they were lifting all of them at the same time.

Just move it one by one!

The soot that was all over the place had soon disappeared. Are they gods at cleaning?

Now there's nothing left for me to give them to do, unless I break down the pavilion and pour wet soil on the braziers.

'…I lost.'

I admitted my defeat bitterly, and sighed while calling them over.

"The Miss is calling!"

"Yes, Miss!"

The ones who were crouching while wiping the braziers immediately stood up and ran to me. Their bright faces and their bodies made them look like a buffalo herd.

"Did you call me, Miss?"

"You called!"

"You, two…"

"Be quiet!"

Everyone else settled down after hearing one of them shout. I feel bad. Maybe I should write a letter as soon as I get back. That'll be enough.

"Did you say you were a woman?"

When I asked one of them in a dry voice, her face lit up at once.

"You should take that brazier away. It's useless even after cleaning it. The rest of you can go back."

"Yes, Miss!"

"It was an honor to meet you!"

The shadows greeted me one after the other and left the palace. For some reason, there was a lot of dust this time, and when that settled, the woman stood there with a blank face.

Now that's the expression I like. I squinted and said,

"Don't you like being the best at doing the work?"

With her bright eyes, she loosened her face and smiled in peace.

"I'm devastated, Miss!"

I turned around without answering.

I tried to walk quietly as usual, but my feet kept getting tired. Then, I heard a pleasant humming behind me, and I gritted my teeth.

Why are you still happy in the end!