* * *
Life in confinement was better than expected. So good that he could lie here forever if not for the shackles. These days, Doha’s most frequent activities were breathing, lying down, and rolling in place.
Since all his belongings from his chambers had been moved here exactly as they were, it was hard to tell whether this was Yongwa Palace or Siyeong Palace.
“Your Majesty, is there any food you would like to eat?”
Even without a clock, Court Official Park would enter the chambers at mealtime. It was the moment Doha, who had been lazing around all day, welcomed the most. As Doha rose from his place with a bright smile, the shackles on his ankles jingled.
Doha’s smile contrasted with the shackles. Court Official Park’s gaze fell on the coldly gleaming shackles. Solid, heavy chains, normally used to bind the most serious criminals, were restraining Doha’s ankles.
‘What on earth is His Majesty thinking?’
A week had passed since the commotion in the prison. During that time, Hyunseo had only visited the chambers at dawn while Doha was asleep, leaving before the morning sun rose. He didn’t seem to sleep, nor did he lie down with Doha.
He just sat at Doha’s bedside, quietly gazing down at his sleeping face. During the hours when everyone was asleep, even his beloved, Hyunseo would stay by Doha’s side and then leave.
‘If only they would speak to each other…’
For Court Official Park, who guarded the chamber door, it was incomprehensible. Hyunseo, who caressed Doha’s face with careful hands as if touching fragile porcelain, would hastily leave if Doha showed even the slightest sign of waking.
Thus, the conversation between the two had been cut off for a week.
“If you tell me anything, I can inform the kitchen…”
“I have no appetite today either.”
Interrupting Court Official Park’s words, Doha crawled back into the blankets. With each movement, the shackles wounded Doha’s white ankles. Though his ankles stung and smarted, Doha held back his groans.
Seeing Doha’s grimacing face, Court Official Park bowed his head. This, even by royal decree, this was not right. He couldn’t possibly accept Hyunseo’s behavior of binding a person like an animal.
The tender-hearted Bin Mama neither mentioned the pain from the shackles nor let out any groans. He only spent time under the blankets, trying not to reveal his pain.
‘Though he doesn’t express it, Bin Mama’s heart must be completely darkened with bitterness.’
Just as he was resolving to speak to His Majesty today, even at the risk of his life, a small voice came from beneath the blankets.
“Dumplings, I think I want dumplings…”
Court Official Park’s face brightened. Nodding, he quickly left the chambers. He was in such a hurry that he didn’t even walk backward as he rushed to the kitchen. Though he knew it was against etiquette, what Park needed urgently was not etiquette.
‘He said dumplings! Dumplings!’
He would immediately give him freshly fried dumplings. Court Official Park hurriedly ran toward the end of the corridor. Palace people who saw his impolite figure clicked their tongues, but even that didn’t stop his steps, so overjoyed was he.
“Is he gone?”
As soon as the footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor, Doha poked his head out from under the blankets. It had already been a week since Hyunseo had stopped seeking him out. While life in confinement was peaceful and happy, he couldn’t just continue being kept like this.
Keeping him in such a warm and comfortable prison and not even looking at him. They wouldn’t even treat a dog like this. Doha fumed as he looked at the open door crack.
“Is what Court Lady Park said true?”
Just then, the voices of court ladies came through the door crack. Doha quickly held his breath. They probably thought he was sleeping and were gossiping. The only way to know about the outside situation was to eavesdrop on the court ladies’ chatter while Court Official Park was away. Doha listened attentively.
“It’s true! Court Lady Park definitely saw it while getting water.”
“Come on, what reason could there be for interrogation at Gyopung Palace?”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! From what I heard, Noble Consort Mama opened it!”
At the word “interrogation,” Doha recalled the script. He couldn’t remember any episode about someone being interrogated at Seowoo’s palace, Gyopung Palace.
Unlike its name Gyopung Palace—meaning “disturbing wind”—Gyopung Palace was a quiet place with neither good nor bad rumors reaching it.
Interrogation at that Gyopung Palace? Unable to believe it, the court lady asked several times.
“You know… that… in the envoy delegation…”
The court lady whispered in an even softer voice than before.
“Hmm. Then does Bin Mama also…?”
The voice was lowered further, making the next part inaudible. Frustrated, Doha rose from the blankets, causing his ankle shackles to make a sound. Simultaneously, the court ladies’ voices ceased completely.
‘This could go wrong if I’m not careful.’
The script had already changed. Everything started to go awry from the moment he made choices different from “Doha.” Originally, Doha would have been spending peaceful days at Siyeong Palace.
‘Instead, I’m enjoying a wise life of confinement.’
As Doha moved his legs, the chains jingled. If he had been humiliated at the banquet according to Seowoo’s plan, Seowoo might not have harbored such malice.
Moreover, with Hyunseo conspicuously binding him in the chambers, Seowoo must feel urgent.
‘If I stay like this, I’ll be victimized.’
Seowoo. He wasn’t an opponent to be taken lightly. If he remained bound in these chambers, he might fall into Seowoo’s plan and be helplessly victimized. Doha looked at the slightly open door crack. Through it, he could see the backs of the court ladies.
Fixing his gaze on the door crack, Doha held his breath. Like a carnivore waiting for its prey to move, he lowered his body and waited for the right moment from inside the blankets. The blankets moved with his breathing.
* * *
Court Official Park brought the meal with a smile an hour later. He personally carried the food tray and hurried to Doha.
“Your Majesty. Dumplings! Dumplings!”
Steam rose from the freshly made dumplings. As the mouth-watering aroma filled the room, the sound of the court ladies swallowing could be heard. Doha, poking his face out from the blankets, pointed outside the door.
“Call the court ladies in as well.”
“Your Majesty, how can you dine with court ladies?”
“I’m concerned they might be punished needlessly because of my many sins.”
What sins do you have? Contrary to his thoughts, a kind smile settled on Doha’s face. As if he knew everything, Doha placed his hand on Court Official Park’s shoulder. It was a warm touch.
“Your Majesty…!”
Court Official Park looked up at Doha with teary eyes. How can our Bin Mama be so kind? Hatred toward Hyunseo was growing steadily in Court Official Park’s heart.
“Court Lady Geum, Court Lady Jeong, please come inside. Bin Mama is calling you.”
Before Court Official Park finished speaking, the court ladies standing at the door rushed in. They showed well-mannered faces with bowed heads, but couldn’t hide their expectation for the dumplings. Doha, with a gentle face, patted the spot beside him.
“Sit here and have a taste.”
Court Lady Jeong, with her hair neatly braided into one, approached Doha. Looking at her, Doha smiled slightly.
Just a little more, just a little.
Doha waited for the prey to enter his territory.
The moment Court Lady Jeong, who had lowered her head shyly, finally sat down, Doha wrapped the chain he had been holding around her neck.
“Aah!”
As the cold metal touched her neck, Court Lady Jeong reflexively screamed. Hearing the scream, Court Official Park and Court Lady Geum turned their heads toward Doha.
“Your Majesty!”
Doha, who had instantly attached himself to Court Lady Jeong’s back, glared at them. The firmly held chain remained unwound. When Court Official Park took one step toward Doha, Doha pulled on the chain.
“Don’t come any closer!”
The chain dug into Court Lady Jeong’s neck. Her teeth began to chatter, consumed by fear. Though her trembling body was pitiful, Doha hardened his heart.
“Where is His Majesty?”
“Your Majesty, please calm down…!”
Court Official Park, with a face turned pale, hesitated to answer. Someone, someone please. He looked anxiously outside the door, but there was no one to help them. Even the guard warriors were stationed outside the corridor, making it difficult to receive assistance.
“I asked where is he!”
“Aah!”
Doha asked, pulling on the chain. Fearing the chain might tighten around her neck, he inserted one hand behind Court Lady Jeong’s neck, but in her panic, she didn’t even feel that and just continued to scream.
“Save me, please save me!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Court Official Park tightly closed his eyes.
“The study, he’s in the study!”
In the script, Hyunseo would visit the study whenever his mind was troubled. Being someone who wouldn’t put down a book until his mind was settled, he would probably stay there for at least two hours.
It was clear that Hyunseo would have entrusted the key to Court Official Park, whom he trusted the most, in exchange for not being disturbed during his time in the study.
Doha, kicking the chains sprawled on the floor, said,
“This, release it right now.”
So this is why he said he wanted dumplings. By the time Court Official Park had this thought, it was already too late. With a tearful expression, he took out the key and unlocked the shackles. Click. The sound of the key fitting into the hole was heard.
Doha caressed his lightened ankle. Having been bound for too long, his ankle didn’t feel like his own. His slender ankle was already tinged with purple.
Doha bit his lip tightly.
“Lead the way to Gyopung Palace.”
Like someone who had never been beneath anyone, Doha straightened his back and spoke. With a composed posture, he looked down at Court Official Park.
Court Official Park realized he could no longer deny Doha’s words. Furthermore, he realized that Doha would do anything to leave this place.
“And bring His Majesty.”
That’s why I took Court Lady Jeong as a hostage, not you. Doha looked outside the door with sharp eyes. This was just the beginning.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
