A Nice Walk

Sohwa stopped and gave Hwayeong a look of utter disbelief.

Realizing her slip, Hwayeong quickly corrected herself.

“Okay, okay, that was too much. Let’s move on. If illness and death are off the table, then... Should I just set the concubines’ quarters on fire?”

“....”

“No, that’s a bit extreme. How about letting my hair down and running around like a lunatic in the middle of the night?”

Hwayeong’s logic was that a Crown Princess must appear composed and rational, so acting insane might get her dismissed.

Sohwa finally grasped what Hwayeong was trying to say.

“...Would you like to go for a walk instead, Miss?”

Hwayeong’s face immediately brightened.

“Really? Can we?”

“Yes, let’s go. There’s nothing else to do, anyway.”

Sohwa spoke with the tone of someone placating a restless child, and Hwayeong lit up as she got to her feet.

“Let’s go, then!”

As Hwayeong eagerly headed for the door, Sohwa sighed and set the damp cloth aside.