Chapter 8: Birthday Ceremony Part 1

Autumn was already fading away in my fifteenth year.

They say as you grow older, the seasons seem to change more quickly, and the years shorten… It appeared that this perception followed one’s mental age rather than their physical one.

As I diligently spent each day fulfilling my duties, the once vibrant foliage within the palace had gradually lost much of its color.

Time flew as swiftly as an arrow. But this did not mean that my days were peaceful.

“Hey, Tae Pyeong, do you think… the Azure Princess might have…?”

On a day when Crown Prince Hyeon Won’s birthday celebration was fast approaching.

Yeon Ri who was wrapped in a thick red robe due to the growing cold asked me with a pale face.

….

Day after day, various gifts and medicinal herbs flew in from the Azure Dragon Palace, and personal letters from the Azure Princess kept piling up… It would have been more surprising if Yeon Ri who was a fellow member of the White Immortal Palace had not noticed.

After all, Yeon Ri was in a position where she needed to be aware of the goods entering the White Immortal Palace.

Right.

Seol Ran had said that time would eventually resolve everything, but as it flowed, it didn’t seem to solve anything.

***

“Since when did you know, court lady Seol?”

“Since last month… when Tae Pyeong first received a personal letter from the Azure Princess…”

The evening Yeon Ri discovered the truth, an urgent meeting was convened in front of the kitchen hearth at the White Immortal Palace.

We sat huddled around a basket of steamed potatoes that came from the Azure Dragon Palace while whispering and exchanging ideas in hushed tones.

The stakes were so high that my very life could be on the line, so I had to be really careful.

From a distance, we would appear merely as a group of a White Immortal Palace maid, a warrior, and a court lady sitting together and eating steamed potatoes. It would seem like a minor deviation from the norm.

“Th-The whole matter is pretty much as you might have guessed, Maid Yeon Ri. At the naive age similar to that of the Azure Princess, it’s all too common to confuse admiration with affection…”

Yeon Ri and Seol Ran maintained a somewhat awkward relationship, so they spoke respectfully to each other.

In fact, even in the Heavenly Dragon Love Story, the two had no contact at all so such formality was expected.

Yeon Ri couldn’t hide her bewilderment as she spoke.

“Though Tae Pyeong’s appearance is alright, judging by his actions, he lacks sophistication to such an extent that one wouldn’t be surprised if he were mistaken for an old man in his fifties… How could someone of the Azure Princess’s stature fall so easily for him…”

“Yeon Ri, that’s a bit harsh…”

That’s Right, Maid Yeon Ri. Tae Pyeong doesn’t always act like an old soul! Well, most of the time he does, but…”

“…….”

Seol Ran tried her best to defend me her brother, but her tone lacked conviction from the start.

“Besides, girls of that age often fall in and out of love quickly. The fickleness of a girl’s heart can be more unpredictable than the changing seasons of spring and autumn. I thought we just had to wait it out…”

Seol Ran had hoped for such, yet the unwavering devotion of the Azure Princess was astonishing. For two months now, she had been sending gifts and love letters with the fervor of a protagonist in a romance novel.

We were hoping that she would understand with time, yet the Azure Princess seemed unaware that her affection could become the very dagger that would end my life. Or perhaps she did know but she was unwilling to stop. If that were the case, the situation was far more grave…

By this point, it would have been nice if the maids attending her would step forward and offer some advice, but they seemed too obsessed with the Azure Princess, who had recently recovered from a serious illness, to pay attention to anything else.

“At first, I wasn’t even sure if sitting back and doing nothing was the right approach, Ran-noonim.”

In the end, I couldn’t stand it anymore so I crunched on a potato as I spoke.

“We’ve waited long enough. The incident happened in autumn, but before I knew it, it is already winter and Prince Hyeon Won’s birthday celebration is just around the corner.”

The Crown Prince’s birthday celebration, one of the biggest winter events in the palace, was just around the corner. It was a time when all the maids and eunuchs became incredibly busy.

There was no point in delaying any further.

“Simply sitting here and swallowing our saliva won’t solve anything.”

“But what should we do… Is there any way…”

“This isn’t the time to weigh our options. This is the time to man up, stand up, take our chance, and say, this cannot continue!!!”

While it was crucial to discuss such matters in a secluded spot where no one could overhear, especially given the uproar it could cause if the news that the Crown Prince’s consort had taken a liking to a martial artist from the White Immortal Palace spread…

In situations like these, it’s important to be forthright and honest about the circumstances.

“What exactly are you planning to say, Tae Pyeong?”

“That’s a good question, Yeon Ri. Instead of weighing our options, the bold move is to go directly to the Azure Dragon Palace, stand confidently before the Azure Princess, and have an honest conversation about the critical matter at hand. Then convey with assurance that while her feelings are greatly appreciated and cherished, it’s inappropriate for a future crown princess to harbor affections for a mere apprentice warrior, as it goes against the palace’s regulations and could lead to serious consequences.”

“…That’s so like you, Tae Pyeong. Yes, I do agree that seems right… but it’s still a huge responsibility.”

Yeon Ri remarked while stuffing a potato into her mouth and gulping it down.

Then she started choking a bit and thumped her chest before Seol Ran quickly handed her some cold water in alarm.

“A huge responsibility?”

“Puh-haa. Yes. It would be great if that resolved everything, but from what I’ve considered, it’s a risky choice. It could potentially worsen the situation. No… judging by the Azure Princess’s reactions so far, it’s almost certain to make things worse.”

“…But why?”

“Think about it. Even if that was the case initially… do you really believe the Azure Princess is unaware of such obvious facts after all these months?”

Silence fell for a moment after her words.

When I looked at Seol Ran, she seemed to have never considered this perspective before and she was staring at Yeon Ri with wide eyes.

“A girl knows her own heart best. Listen carefully, Tae Pyeong. This might not make much sense to a blunt man like you, but a young girl… she might be even more enthralled by the idea of forbidden love.”

“……”

“Yes, boys might not understand this well. But you see, there’s definitely a scenario where one becomes so moved by the tragic heroine’s poignant allure that their heart grows even more yearning. I think… it’s quite likely that the Azure Princess has reached that stage.”

Yeon Ri spoke in detail and with unusual sharpness.

Perhaps she seemed like an expert in this field because she was devouring tons of romance stories.

“I-Is that really possible, Ran-noonim?”

“…There’s… some truth to it…!”

Seol Ran stroked her chin thoughtfully and finally nodded her head as if there was a common understanding between the two girls.

“I’ve heard that the reason maids of the inner court especially develop affections for the martial officers of the outer court is due to this very atmosphere that clearly separates men and women… it seems to fuel such emotions…”

“Ran-noonim… even you would say such things…”

“The beauty of sin and immorality seems to stir romantic feelings in the hearts… Right… Maid Yeon Ri’s words cannot be taken lightly… Tae Pyeong, considering the reactions of the maids around me, it seems there might be some truth to this…!”

Following that, the two girls made eye contact and nodded as if they understood something.

It appeared as though there was a complex psychology at play among girls of their age that the men couldn’t understand. Well, women were complicated creatures after all.

“So… making the distance between the two explicitly clear is important. The wistful sentiment of longing for someone you cannot have can actually intensify the emotions that have nowhere else to go. The best strategy is… to naturally make the Azure Princess lose interest in you.”

“Hoo.”

Regardless of the process, the conclusion that followed was worth listening to.

“It might be a bit underhanded, but… you could tip off headmaid Hui Yin to spread rumors about you. How the warrior from the White Immortal Palace leads such a dissolute private life full of debauchery and how he has such an unpleasant character… If the Princess keeps hearing such things from her closest confidante, the headmaid, she’ll slowly lose interest and start to distance herself.”

“…What a brilliant plan!”

I clapped my hands and patted Yeon Ri on the shoulder.

Seol Ran also seemed quite satisfied with the idea. Indeed, Yeon Ri was an expert in these matters.

***

“I’m sorry. The Azure Princess was very angry with me, and when she scolded me severely, I confessed to lying.”

The next day, Hui Yin came to the White Immortal Palace and bowed deeply with an apologetic tone.

“…Huh?”

“The crown princess consort of the Cheongdo Palace is always expected to maintain grace, exchange only beautiful words, and uphold a position of virtue. This headmaid supporting such a consort was reprimanded for indulging in frivolous slander and trying to lead her mistress astray.”

As I sat on the porch of the White Immortal Palace, carving bamboo for repairs, I was dumbfounded by the words of headmaid Hui Yin.

Yeon Ri who was making embroidery to decorate the Elder’s bed next to me also wore a look of disbelief.

“It seems that listening to the slander about the warrior was more displeasing to her than we thought…”

“I-If that’s the case, what if you just tell her everything… I told you, my life is at stake here…”

“I fully understand the desperation of Warrior Seol, a hundred and even a thousand times over…”

Headmaid Hui Yin hesitated and avoided eye contact.

“My position does not allow me to go against the wishes of the Azure Princess. Headmaids of the Four Great Palaces are prepared to lay down their lives for their mistresses… Moreover, to continually speak ill of the benefactor who saved our esteemed princess, who is as precious as herself… There are naturally limits to how much I can do. From the Azure Princess’s perspective, it must seem quite unnatural…”

As I looked at the headmaid apologizing while saying that, I felt even more dizzy.

It felt like being trapped without escape.

I sat quietly in a corner of the porch while trying to organize my thoughts.

If I were to take Yeon Ri’s advice, who oddly seemed like an expert in such matters, making the Princess naturally grow dissatisfied with me seemed like the best solution.

But… what should I do?

The Azure Princess was a revered figure in the Azure Dragon Palace, a consort of the Four Great Palaces looked up to by all. Considering the difference in our statuses, the power in our relationship firmly rests with her. I cannot afford to disrespect the princess consort, as any undue offense could be seen as a violation of imperial law.

I need someone’s help… someone who stands on equal footing with the princess consort and can diminish her opinion of me.

“Warrior Seol.”

Suddenly, headmaid Hui Yin called out to me. Perhaps my expression of deep concern was too obvious, as she looked at me with worry.

“Nevertheless, as the Azure Princess’s headmaid, I must acknowledge the great favor Warrior Seol has done for us. I will do my best to help you in times of crisis…. but please understand that going against the Princess’s wishes is difficult for me.”

“Yes, I understand your position, headmaid Hui Yin. It’s always the ones in the middle who have it the hardest.”

“I’ll think of some measures myself, but with the preparations for the birthday celebration coming up, I might not be able to be of much help…”

“If you’re busy, there’s nothing that can be done. It’s not as if my life is on the line tomorrow, so let’s take it step by step…”

That’s when it hit me.

It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck my mind.

“The birthday celebration…!”

My eyes widened suddenly, and a smile spread across my face, which surprised both headmaid Hui Yin and Yeon Ri.

“That’s it… I have a good strategy…!”

When I clenched my fists and flung them into the air in joy, Yeon Ri and Hui Yin looked at me in shock.

***

Clang! Clatter! Bang!

Jang Rae’s sword’s hilt rolled across the floor of the training ground.

After the sword slipped from his grasp, Jang Rae bowed his head in defeat.

“I have lost.”

“Did you concede the match?”

Standing opposite him was the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace, Vermilion Princess In Ha Yeon.

It was shortly after lunch when she, accompanied by her maids, visited the Red Palace with the intention of seeking instruction on the sword from the warrior commander of the Red Palace there. The procedure for the crown princess consort to leave the inner palace was more complex than expected, so Jang Rae was bound to be somewhat surprised.

Though it was just a practice duel, the Vermilion Princess showed no signs of joy even after warrior commander Jang Rae’s sword was knocked down. It seemed like she might have subtly sensed that Jang Rae’s grip was weakening.

Jang Rae was about to retort that he didn’t concede the fight when he lifted his head, but upon seeing the unwavering gaze of the Vermilion Princess, he eventually held back his words.

She was a head shorter than Jang Rae.

She was a girl with such a delicate body and a noble appearance, yet her eyes were those of a veteran warrior.

Flattery would only backfire with such a person. Since he was a warrior of note himself, Jang Rae had the sense to recognize this.

“Yes. I swung with caution, fearing any harm might come to you.”

“I understand. That must also be an expression of your sincere heart.”

Despite the blow to her pride, the Vermilion Princess tactfully accepted Jang Rae’s caution.

Her gaze was both resolute and compassionate. It was truly interesting how two such emotions could coexist in one person.

“But…”

“But?”

Jang Rae hesitated for a moment but he tried to continue the conversation.

Although they had only crossed swords for a short time, there was an incredible maturity in her swordsmanship.

Since she lacked the physical strength of men, she had honed her skills to narrow that gap. Each strike was so sharp that even the warriors of the Red Palace would struggle to withstand a few of her attacks.

If that were all, she would merely be a lady who had diligently practiced her swordsmanship.

However, she did not abandon her beauty as a crown princess consort who had to live as the flower of the palace.

In stark contrast to Jang Rae, who wore snug martial attire, the princess remained dressed in exquisite and ornate court robes, even during martial practice.

It was an unspoken rule that the crown princesses of Cheongdo Palace must remain beautiful at all times. As if to prove that fact, the Vermilion Princess’s walking method of holding the sword with one hand and stepping forward was like a butterfly dancing.

Yet, amidst this elegance, there were no gaps; she was always ready to parry an attack or thrust her sword towards her opponent’s neck.

I have devoted my life solely to the martial arts, but this woman had to master not just the art of war but also beauty, virtue, poetry, calligraphy and painting, and even proper conduct.

How could she possibly divide her day to accommodate all these pursuits? Jang Rae was filled with such curiosity.

As Jang Rae struggled to find his words, the Vermilion Princess graciously summed up the situation.

“I heard a lot of stories from the high officials of the main palace about warrior commander Jang Rae of the Red Palace. His Majesty the Emperor himself has praised you, and I see now that the praise was well-deserved. You wielded your sword openly yet almost flawlessly.”

The Vermilion Princess sheathed her sword and smiled contentedly.

Even the simple act of returning her sword to its sheath was executed with elegance and each movement was filled with dignity.

“With warriors like you, it is no wonder that the kingdom of Cheongdo commands respect far and wide. I am truly glad to have crossed swords with you.”

“I am humbled by your kind words.”

“I hold those skilled in the martial arts in high regard, especially those proficient with the sword. I hope Jang Rae continues to serve well as the warrior commander of the Red Palace.”

After concluding their sparring with pleasantries, the princess consort finally broached the main topic of her visit.

“While I did seek guidance in swordsmanship, my true purpose today was to find a suitable warrior.”

“A warrior, you say?”

“Yes. I intend to display a martial arts demonstration at the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration, but I lack a worthy opponent.”

The birthday celebration of Prince Hyeon Won was an occasion where each consort could showcase their cultivated skills.

As the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace, symbolizing courage, she naturally wanted to exhibit her elegant and beautiful swordsmanship.

She could have simply performed a sword dance, but the Vermilion Princess wanted to show off her strength in a more practical way. Indeed, it was impressive how her slender and delicate frame could embody the spirit of a valiant warrior.

“Since you will be busy during his highness’s celebration, do you know of any other suitable candidates? I’ve heard you’re the person to ask for recommendations of warriors within the palace.”

“Is that so?”

However, it was a difficult request.

He couldn’t just pick any low-level warrior to face the princess consort.

While there were certainly skilled warriors within the Red Palace, finding one who had the courage to face a crown princess consort, yet could perform well enough to convincingly lose, was nearly impossible.

Even if there were a few, they would likely be too occupied with their duties during the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration…. If he really had no choice but to recommend someone, it would be better to recommend a warrior from outside the Red Palace.

“……”

Suddenly, someone came to his mind.

Someone who was sufficiently cunning, astute in judgment, idly positioned in a relaxed post, and appeared to be a warrior of considerable skill.

Although the exact extent of his strength was uncertain… it definitely wasn’t low.

But to say he could surpass the highly esteemed Vermilion Princess in strength would also be a stretch.

“Though I’m not certain of his exact level…. there is one who seems quite capable.”

“Ah, he must be quite a reliable person to have warrior commander Jang Rae speak so highly of him.”

“He is Seol Tae Pyeong, an apprentice warrior from the White Immortal Palace.”

Following these words, a flicker of disturbance crossed the Vermilion Princess’s eyes.

A ripple passed through the usually serene and smiling face of the princess. Feeling the sudden tension, Jang Rae bowed his head in thought. Did I say something wrong?

It was then that he realized he had made a significant blunder.

Since Jang Rae had only recently become a high-ranking official, he wasn’t familiar with the long-standing animosity between the officials of the main palace. Because he was a military officer who built a wall around things like politics.

“So, it’s that man from Huayongseol”

“Your Highness, I… “

“It’s alright. Everyone misspeaks at times. Rather, it is a mistake you could have made because you are a military officer who focuses only on training while setting aside political vendettas. In a way, it’s a trait of yours.”

The Vermilion Princess was known for her compassion. This was a trait famous even among the maids.

Therefore, she paid no mind to the Jang Rae’s mistake of recommending a warrior from the clan responsible for her uncle’s death.

Many people were moved by the kindness of the Vermilion Princess, who kindly forgave any mistake as long as the intention was not malicious…

But the one thing even her fairy-like heart couldn’t forgive was her hatred towards the Huayongseol clan.

The uncle she had adored and followed since her childhood had been tragically swept up in a senseless act of treason and killed.

Without the mercy of Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun, the descendants of such a heinous traitor would never have been allowed within the palace walls.

“So… his name is… Seol Tae Pyeong…”

Jeang Rae knelt down with his head lowered. He was deeply regretting his slip of the tongue.

It seemed he had unwittingly cast a great calamity upon that young warrior. He wished for a chance to apologize later, though such an opportunity seemed unlikely to arise.

What does it feel like?

For the Vermilion Princess who was said to have a fairy’s compassion to harbor an unforgivable hatred against someone born of the Hwayongseol clan…

It must feel like a great curse.

***

I never thought…that there would be such a great blessing…!

The Vermilion Princess is sure to despise me…! How lucky!! Because I am of the Huayongseol clan…!

After carefully laying out my plans, I clenched my fist in satisfaction.

A figure of authority on equal footing with the Azure Princess who could speak ill of me! The Vermilion Princess, In Ha Yeon, of the Vermilion Bird Palace!

If it were her…with just a little push, she would surely try to separate the Azure Princess from me…! After all, she would never employ or trust someone from the Hwayongseol clan…!

Of course, she wouldn’t outright slander me suddenly. Like the Azure Princess, a dignified crown princess consort would consider it immoral to speak ill of others recklessly. So I need to create an opportunity.

Speaking of Prince Hyeon Won’s birthday ceremony… isn’t this the very time when Seol Ran and the Crown Prince first started to become involved with each other?

I know that Seol Ran will save Prince Hyeon Won’s life amidst the chaos unleashed by the sudden appearance of a demonic spirit.

At this point, the Vermilion Princess would be very upset.

With the demon’s intrusion at the birthday celebration causing utter chaos… if I could just reveal a bit more of my disgraceful side at that moment, I could further plummet the Vermilion Princess’s opinion of me to rock bottom…!

However, overstepping could lead to punishment… so I needed to act in a way that would just sufficiently incite the Vermilion Princess’s disdain and ensure that she would separate the Azure Princess from me.

While the headmaid’s words might be dismissible, the insights of someone of the Vermilion Princess’s stature couldn’t be ignored by the Azure Princess.

Ah, the thrill of everything falling into place as if it were all predetermined was exhilarating. This was precisely it…!

Yes… good… not a bad plan at all…

I started mulling over the events of the birthday celebration and fleshed out my plan in more detail.

As I did, a sense of hope arose that I would be able to escape this life-threatening crisis.

After sitting in a corner of the kitchen for a long time, I finalized every aspect of my plan.

If I could just maintain the status quo until the birthday celebration… I could completely push the Azure Princess away without any harm coming to me.

Well, since the consorts seldom venture out of their palaces, there shouldn’t be any major issues until then.

Yes, everything is flowing… exactly as I expected…!

“Tae Pyeong-ah!”

At that moment, Yeon Ri opened the kitchen door and entered.

I greeted her with a refreshing and satisfied smile on my face.

“Oh, yes, Yeon Ri!”

“It’s a disaster! The Azure Princess has just entered the White Immortal Palace!”

“…. What?”

….

What on earth are you talking about… Yeon Ri…