The Hunt ✓

45| 👑Evasion

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"You don't have to worry. I've requested for you to become a maid in the palace. I'm sure they won't refuse." My jaw drops after he ends his assurance.

Many my age in the town would jump out of joy to become a palace maid, but not me. I don't fancy serving royals with tea and other boring stuffs. I am more interested in swordsmanship and freedom of speech.

 It's quite obvious that those aren't for maids literally, especially not at this moment when the Crown Prince still dislikes me. How will he react seeing me there? This mustn't happen.

"Nari. That's not necessary. I can find another job easily." I lie looking away in order not to give myself out.  His aging body crawls dependently over the wall while I reel over a thought.

Of course it isn't easy to get a job in this town, especially being a girl. But there's no way I'll go to the palace!

Before I can utter another excuse, he  turns around sadly when a young man approaches swiftly from behind. He stops beside us while panting vigorously with his head looking down.

"What is it?" He bows in front of him and passes a scroll to him. His shaking hand reaches out for it with keen eyes as I stand by wondering what information he had to run so much to deliver. From his clothes he has on, I can be sure he's from the palace.

Most probably, he wears the same attire the Crown Prince disguises himself in anytime he steps out of the palace. A sword lays in his left hand whilst the other holds the scroll. It has the same stamp on that of Soo Bin's acceptance form.

He begins scanning the scroll closely while passing his finger over each letter boldly enshrined on it . When he gets to the bottom of the scroll, his eyes flicker in joy. He lifts his head and nods. The guard returns another nod before he leaves.

I walk over to him quickly immediately after the guard left. In order to quench my curiosity, I peek over from where I stand.

Staring at the scroll from his hands, I find at the top part the name of the palace with a stamp at the bottom. What draws my attention is the last words below the stamp.

Eun Seong Ri has been accepted as one of the maids in the palace. She should begin work here as soon as possible. All further training will commence tomorrow.
                                        Signed by,
                                        Crown Prince.

As soon as he sees the shocked expression on my face, he sighs with a smile.

  "You have another work now. Don't worry. They pay enough too. I'll be going now. Guess it's already done. Good luck there." My eyes blink consistently due to the shock.

I am accepted in the palace as a maid? That's the last thing I wanted! To serve royals with a bow. Would they even like me? What if I bumped into the Crown Prince there? How can I complete the quest if I'm working in the palace?

The sun had set towards the West by the time I get to the fence around Soo Bin's house. The chickens are running around playfully pecking grains in their coop.

I push the door to the other side and clamp it to the lock after stepping in. I can hear jeers and laughter coming from the hall. This is the first time I have heard this in a long time.

  They are having fun? What can be the cause of it?

Immediately I push the entrance door back, I stand speechless when I see them. At the hall, everyone seats beside each other laughing at a joke someone has cracked.