Chapter 23: The Black Princess Part 2

Time flowed by.

After spending some time in the warehouse while chatting idly, they finally decided it was time to leave and cleared away the items blocking the door.

“You are truly an amazing person.”

“Huh?”

When they emerged from the rice warehouse, the Black Princess looked around.

After confirming that the guard had relaxed to some extent, she slowly blended into the crowd heading toward the town.

“While you perform reckless acts without hesitation, I feel a sense of safety when I’m with you.”

“Is that so?”

The Black Princess walked ahead with a lively stride. At the end of the alley, there was a bustling town square.

Bright light seeped into a dark alleyway. the Black Princess strode confidently and spoke cheerfully.

“I’m sure of it. We’ll achieve our goal in no time and return to the palace with joyful hearts.”

“It gives me strength to hear you say that.”

“Right. Let’s find that old woman who saved me just as quickly! I’m sure we can do it!”

It was a baseless confidence.

Yet, as if that mattered little, the Black Princess squinted her eyes and turned to Seol Tae Pyeong before continuing her cheerful speech.

“Such confidence blooms with you by my side. It feels as though we could finish everything by tomorrow.”

“…Is that so?”

“My intuition is sharper than you might think. You must be a man who is unusually good at achieving your goals. My instincts guarantee it.”

And with a radiant smile, the Black Princess added,

“I trust that you with you by my side, we’ll quickly find that old woman who saved me!”

.……

…..

…

.

A week passed just like that.

“We just can’t find her!”

The Black Princess sat down at a corner of the market street and cried out in frustration.

Just because it feels right, doesn’t mean everything in the world will go as desired.

***

If the tea gathering room of the Vermilion Bird Palace was said to be luxurious and dignified, then the tea room of the White Tiger Palace was clean and sophisticated.

Above a cedar cabinet, there were porcelain pieces engraved with the luxurious pattern of the heavenly dragon. They were neatly arranged in a display that combined dark and white colors in perfect harmony, creating an atmosphere as pristine as the White Princess, the mistress of the White Tiger Palace.

The tea that was meticulously prepared by the maids of the White Tiger Palace was called Wall Cloud Beauty. It was a prized rarity that could only be cultivated in the farthest reaches of the Cheongdo Empire. The White Princess herself was amazed at its crisp taste with just a sip.

It had been quite a while since tea gatherings were held periodically for the mistresses of the four palaces to exchange pleasantries, but the Black Princess’s seat was still empty.

Though Headmaid An Rim from the Black Tortoise Palace stood behind the empty seat of the Black Princess with her head bowed, the authority of the Black Tortoise Palace could hardly be revived with only a servant present.

However, Headmaid An Rim was leisurely bowing her head and smiling gently as if she harbored some confidence.

Hyeon Dang and Hui Yin who observed An Rim’s demeanor were puzzled internally. Her mistress had not returned to the Black Tortoise Palace; how could she appear so unconcerned and untroubled?

“Today I heard that a warrior was persuaded by the Black Princess and ran away from the special unit. It seems he was affiliated with the White Immortal Palace, which is really worrying.”

The White Princess who hosted today’s gathering was the one who raised this topic.

Given that the Black Princess had been absent for a significant amount of time, it was inevitable that her whereabouts would become a topic of discussion.

Then, the Azure Princess who was sipping her tea and setting it down spoke in a worried tone.

“Indeed. It is really concerning. Why turn the entire special unit into your enemy? If this is to be brought up at the council meeting, it won’t be just overlooked like that.”

“That’s right. First, I will check what is being discussed among the council’s high officials, but if this matter escalates further, the Ghost Hands of the main palace might have to intervene…”

The two princess consorts sighed deeply with worry.

It had been quite some time since Seol Tae Pyeong had left the main palace. Though not seeing his face was one thing, the news that reached them was too unsettling.

“Um…”

Amidst their conversation, White Princess Hwa Wol cautiously added to her remarks.

“The person I told you I was worried about was the Black Princess.”

Flinch! Flinch!

At the slightly awkward and cautious words from Hwa Wol, both the Vermilion Princess and the Azure Princess visibly flinched.

This reaction was, in fact, quite expected.

If such a topic was broached in this setting, it was naturally out of concern for the Black Princess, who was wandering outside the palace. Not for some third-rate warrior whose name she barely knew.

The White Princess smiled subtly and tilted her head at their discomfort, but the Vermilion Princess and the Azure Princess had to shake their heads.

“In-Indeed. I don’t know what the Black Princess is thinking, but for the sake of the maids of the Black Tortoise Palace, she really should return soon…”

“Th-Tha’s right… Our maids at the Azure Dragon Palace are also very concerned about those at the Black Tortoise Palace. Headmaid An Rim must be feeling quite heavy-hearted.”

When the Azure Princess quickly redirected the conversation to the Headmaid An Rim who had been quietly bowing behind the Black Princess’s empty seat, the latter spoke with an air of deference.

“The princess consorts’ concerns are as precious as gold, but I have chosen not to doubt my mistress. She left a message saying she would definitely return, and I trust that.”

With just those words, the Headmaid of the Black Tortoise Palace refrained from adding anything unnecessary.

If Hui Yin was stalwart and Hyeon Dang was delicate, then An Rim was blunt.

Though her demeanor was similar to that of the Black Tortoise, with her feet firmly on the ground and her eyes on all things, the mistress she was supposed to serve was not there.

“I’ve heard that the Black Princess has a mind so sharp and brilliant that once she sees something, she never forgets it.”

At that time, the Azure Princess hid her expression with her sleeve as she spoke.

“However, the warrior from the White Immortal Palace was at best a stranger… How could she have persuaded him? I’ve heard that the Great Star Sword was offered as a reward, and any warrior would have been eager to bring the Black Princess over…”

“……..”

“That…. really bothers me…”

the Azure Princess spoke in a soft and worried tone.

The White Princess who was listening to this tilted her head again. Her expression seemed to question why that was of any interest, though she did not voice this aloud.

Indeed, it could be genuinely curious what kind of person this Black Princess who was to fill the last spot at the meeting actually was.

“Has Headmaid An Rim ever seen the Black Princess?”

“She is wise, virtuous, and beautiful.”

An Rim replied only with the correct answers.

It was unthinkable for someone who would chatter needlessly about her mistress to ascend to the position of headmaid.

Although it was merely a formal response, the Azure Princess looked visibly uneasy.

And besides the Azure Princess, the Vermilion Princess also did not look pleased.

“It seems you both are quite worried about the Black Princess.”

“Ah, Huh? Y-Yes, that’s right… But I wonder how she persuaded the warrior from the White Immortal Palace…”

The Vermilion Princess stroked her chin and sank into thought.

“Surely, a woman in the position of the Black Princess must be wise, capable of deep thought, and able to sincerely persuade people. But to convince a stranger with just a few words…”

“It is indeed as the Vermilion Princess said.”

The Azure Princess reacted dramatically and chimed in. This felt more like a conversation among girls of young age rather than a profound discussion befitting crown princess consorts.

“If the high officials hear of the situation, I wonder how they will react… It truly worries me…”

This was surely out of concern for the Black Princess.

“That makes sense. I should tell them to inquire more through the maids at the Vermilion Bird Palace.”

This was also surely done out of concern for the Black Princess.

“Standing by idly doesn’t seem right, I should look into what I can do on my part. Since Headmaid Hui Yin knows the archivist from the council meetings, we might be able to get more detailed information.”

This too was surely for the Black Princess.

…Have the relations among the princess consorts always been this close…?

The White Princess felt that something in the conversation didn’t quite fit.

Was a discussion among the princess consorts always this superficial?

With that thought in mind, she merely sipped the fine tea a maid had brought.

After the tea gathering, the headmaids of the Four Palaces briefly stood in the courtyard of the White Tiger Palace.

They had time to talk for a while before their respective mistresses finished getting ready to leave. Since headmaids didn’t usually see each other often, they took this opportunity to discuss protocol or exchange information about the next tea gathering or regular event.

“You must be careful, headmaid An Rim.”

“Huh?”

Headmaid Hui Yin of the Azure Dragon Palace cautiously lowered her voice as she spoke to An Rim.

An Rim clasped her hands beneath her sleeves and stood politely before asking what she meant by that.

“That… it’s about the warrior named Seol Tae Pyeong who has been persuaded by the Black Princess…”

“Is that his name, Seol Tae Pyeong? I hadn’t paid attention to his name before… this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Ah… yes… Is that so…”

Headmaid Hui Yin discreetly glanced at Headmaid Hyeon Dang from the Vermilion Bird Palace.

Hyeon Dang also glanced around before lowering her voice so other maids wouldn’t hear and said,

“Due to personal circumstances, I cannot provide the exact reasons, but for the future of the Black Tortoise Palace, it’s important to be wary of this warrior Seol Tae Pyeong.”

“…Could he be an assassin? Or has he committed a serious crime? I heard he betrayed his special unit, and the authorities are very determined to find him…”

“No, it’s not that… he is actually a respectable person… but… if you don’t want to regret it later, you should be careful. I thought of this immediately when I heard about the Black Princess.”

“…I don’t understand the situation.”

“Anyway, just be careful. You must be very careful.”

An Rim steeled her heart and closed her mouth.

Ever since she was appointed as the headmaid of the Black Tortoise Palace, she had already made up her mind.

Just as there had never been a history of harmony among the crown princess consorts of the Four Palaces, the headmaids of these consorts often engaged in their own battles of nerves.

From her days as a maid, An Rim had often seen the headmaids exchanging sharp glances, not yielding a single word to each other, or blowing minor issues out of proportion to embarrass one another.

She had heard that keeping watch, giving warnings, and subtly influencing were all part of the job… but she had not expected that such conflicts would extend even to a headmaid who had not yet properly settled into her role.

The position of a headmaid was not for everyone. Knowing the gravity of their roles, it was shameful how these two seemed so petty.

“As a headmaid of the Four Palaces, it would be best to devote ourselves entirely to our own mistress and strive to do our utmost.”

“Huh?”

“Of course, one might view these mind battles as an expression of loyalty… but I would prefer to compete in devotion to my mistress rather than engage in such meaningless battles.”

Don’t start unnecessary fights. Stick to the core duties of a headmaid.

It was a declaration with that kind of meaning. Hui Yin and Hyeon Dang were dumbfounded but they soon realized An Rim had not yet grasped the seriousness of the situation.

“That’s not what we mean. We… are… in a certain position that…. we can’t discuss the details but…”

“That’s enough.”

“…….”

An Rim’s firm stance was truly that of a loyal servant.

However, she was unaware that Hui Yin and Hyeon Dang too were devoted servants of their mistresses. They were not the kind to waste their energies on pointless conflicts.

They had spoken out of genuine concern for An Rim.

Of course, there was no way for An Rim to know this.

Hmph… The headmaids of the Four Palaces… their honor has truly fallen.

With that, An Rim turned sharply and led the maids of the Black Tortoise Palace away.

“I must keep my wits about me and assist the Black Princess. She has promised she will return, so surely she will. All I can do is trust and wait for her.

Her devotion was indeed worthy of respect.

***

“What happens to us now…”

“Black Princess… please, gather your energy…”

In a corner of the marketplace, Seol Tae Pyeong comforted the Black Princes who was pressing down hard on the dirt floor.

Time flew by for Seol Tae Pyeong and Black Princess like a flash of lightning.

On the first day, they revisited the slopes of the White Immortal Mountain.

There, they spoke with the herbalists who frequented the area; many knew Black Princess, who had always wandered around the slopes of the White Immortal Mountain as a child.

When they asked about the old woman, several knew of her.

However, they mentioned that she hadn’t been seen around the White Immortal Mountain recently which meant she might have gone to another mountain to gather herbs.

It often happens that an herbalist who is often seen on a mountain trail suddenly disappears one day. Most of the time, it’s because they’re in poor health and have stopped working, or they’ve gone to another mountain where better herbs are rumored to grow.

In short, there was no longer any point in searching for the old woman around the White Immortal Mountain.

To summarize everything that happened, the Black Princess and Seol Tae Pyeong bought some rice soup at an inn in Vermilion Bird Market and rented two rooms for the night.

The following day, they escaped from the special unit that had raided the inn after hearing eyewitness accounts.

The innkeeper there who was familiar with the Black Princess secretly created an escape route for them and stalled for time with irrelevant chatter.

Thanks to his efforts, they escaped easily but they soon had to engage in a chase outside Vermilion Bird Market which quickly passed the time.

Only after sunset did they finally shake off the special unit members. They ate rice soup together at a small restaurant on the outskirts and fell asleep on a straw mat in an alleyway.

On the third day, they sought out assassins in the “Poison Gland District”. It was one of the gloomiest and darkest areas of the Imperial Capital. A place where security was so bad that a woman visiting alone would be in trouble. But with Seol Tae Pyeong as her guard, any significant danger was unlikely.

Being on the very outskirts of the Imperial Capital, it took a long time for them to arrive, but there they could inquire about the old woman.

After handing over some money, an informant promised to find out the old woman’s last known location and asked them to return in a few days.

The area was filled with shabby houses and abandoned wooden buildings, creating an eerie atmosphere, but the Black Princess was used to roughing it and Seol Tae Pyeong had lived in such ruins as a child, so they weren’t particularly bothered.

They bought rice soup at a small tavern on the outskirts of the Poison Gland District and entered an abandoned building to sleep.

On the fourth day, the special unit pursued them again.

After they fled from the Poison Gland District, they encountered Han Cheon Seon, the vice commander warrior of the Red Palace; Seol Tae Pyeong subdued him with a wooden sword.

Han Cheon Seon who was subdued not by a real sword but by a crude wooden one had trembling eyes. Seol Tae Pyeong apologized and shouted that he would definitely return with the Black Princess as he fled the scene.

Afterward, they escaped the pursuit and made their way up to the slopes of the White Immortal Mountain.

There, they lit a fire for their camp, skinned and roasted a rabbit they had caught during the day, and fell asleep using a pile of leaves as their blanket.

On the fifth day, they visited various taverns in Azure Dragon City and asked about the old woman. But again, no one knew her.

On the sixth day, they went around various pharmacies in the Imperial Capital and asked if anyone knew an old woman who sold herbs but to no avail.

On the seventh day…

On the eighth day…

“…….”

“Has she vanished into the sky, or has she sunk into the earth? How can it be so hard to find one person?”

“It’s never easy to find someone in the bustling capital. I just didn’t think it would be this difficult.”

They were sitting side by side in the marketplace, taking a brief rest.

It had been almost a month and a half since Seol Tae Pyeong could not enter White Immortal Palace and he was starting to miss the faces of his friends and family there.

“…….”

“…….”

“Well… perhaps this is enough.”

The Black Princess looked down at the dirt floor and spoke with difficulty.

“Black Princess?”

“You’ve gone along with my whims, so I can’t ask you for any more help. And… the maids of the Black Tortoise Palace must also find it difficult to maintain a palace without their mistress…”

A subdued Black Princess ended up speaking these words.

For the past month and ten days, she had been meeting with various people and voicing her grievances.

But she had not been able to meet the old woman who was her deepest grief. Therefore, the Black Princess was unable to ask Seol Tae Pyeong for more help.

“Still, I tried my hardest without any regrets.”

“…….”

“You know as well as I do… doing nothing and trying but failing are completely different. At least you helped me try.”

Watching the dejected Black Princess, Seol Tae Pyeong felt somewhat uncomfortable as well.

“The informant from the Poison Gland District hasn’t brought back any concrete information yet. Maybe if we visit that place today, there will be new information.”

“That may be true… but it’s getting harder and harder to evade the special unit and make contact with them.”

“Let’s go there first and then decide what to do next.”

If they do nothing, the Black Princess will continue to wander in search of the old woman until she is caught by the special unit.

Once she was inside the inner palace, it would be very difficult for her to use shadowy informants such as assassins in the Poison Gland District and rumormongers on the market streets located on the outskirts of the imperial capital. Who would allow a princess consort of the Empire to mingle with such dangerous characters?

Therefore, it would be wise to use whatever resources are available while outside.

“We’ve put up the money, so they should have brought back some information. They are experts in their field, after all; they might have found something.”

***

“That woman is dead.”

“… Huh?”

“That’s why I couldn’t find her until the end.”

The informant with a cloth mask wrapped around his face spoke briefly.

Black Princess and Seol Tae Pyeong could only widen their eyes in shock and stiffen.

“The old woman’s name is Nam Bo Yeon. She once ran a large tea plantation in Anhwa Province to the east of the Cheongdo Empire, but after losing her family and farm to a natural disaster, she moved to the imperial capital. It seems she scraped by, picking herbs and selling them from an old abandoned house near the White Immortal Mountain… However, about six or seven years ago, she suffered greatly from a plague that spread around the outskirts of the capital and died. I have heard testimonies from armed forces affiliated with Cheongdo Empire who handled her body.”

After saying that, he took out a few bamboo slips. As the man had said, the slips contained the testimony regarding the appearance and clothing of the body found by the warrior at that time.

“Is this… really true?”

“You can see the details on the bamboo slips.”

When the Black Princess extended her trembling hands, the informant placed the bamboo slips in her grasp.

“That will be all.”

With that, he disappeared back between the alleys before blending into the shadows.

The Black Princess stood still for a while, holding the bamboo slips with trembling hands.

Rain always falls unexpectedly, just as hardships in life often do.

After leaving the shabby streets of the Poison Gland District, the two found shelter from the steady raindrops under the dilapidated roof of an abandoned house.

The Black Princess who was usually lively and energetic read through the bamboo slips handed by the informant and then quietly bowed her head.

She hoped that the warrior’s description was not the same as the vague memory she had in her head.

However, seeing as she didn’t say anything after a while, it seemed like there was no need to ask her what the result of the comparison was.

“…….”

Drip-drip-drip drip.

Raindrops pattered against the eaves.

Amidst the steady sound of falling rain, the girl quietly bowed her head.

Seol Tae Pyeong who was sitting beside her thought about patting her back several times but then decided it would be better to just sit silently beside her.

He just leaned his back against the wall of the abandoned house and quietly looked up at the rainy sky.

It was then that the girl realized.

The reason the old woman had abandoned her that day was not because life was too harsh.

With the girl’s life hanging by a thread due to the divine fever, the old woman could not risk passing on something as contagious as the plague.

She was an old woman who kept wandering the ridges and living a lonely life, so it was unlikely the old woman could find someone to take care of a dying girl.

“…….”

The persistent rain continued to beat down on the ground.

Life can be bright and valuable. It can also be abrupt and empty.

The girl with her head bowed needed to understand this.

This harsh truth.