cirque [choi yeonjun]

twenty-three

"aren't you bored, sister?"

the child sighed because of the interruption caused by her brother.
"i'm not done with all these tasks yet."

"i still don't understand why they always put so much works on your shoulder. i mean why the heck do you need to study all these chronicles, ledgers and manuals related to the empire, nobles and laws." yeop pouted.

he couldn't stand seeing his sister go through this that he himself didn't need to despite being  years older than her.

"you are one rebellious teen, brother." she giggled.

which annoyed him, "what's so funny here? i honestly don't get how you are so okay with it like come on, they never even showed you to anyone. why? you are a princess no one knows. what's so funny in this?"

"sshh– even walls can hear." she looked around cautiously. the royal guards weren't much of a bother since her mother herself chose them, so, there's no question in their loyalty.
loyalty towards her mother.

"it's not imperial palace. no one will snitch here." 

she nodded and then gestured yeop to bring his ears closer before whispering, "mother told me the reasons."

"really? so, won't my sister share with me?"

"she forbade me to tell you though." with hesitations, she continued, "but it's you so i'm going to say now."

he gazed at her with pure curiosity.

"i'm a born schemer and with the help of my abilities, you can be the next king." she whispered.

"but i-? i'm not the crown prince! father— his majesty already announced hyung officially."

she looked calm as if she was expecting this,

"i thought so too. but mother made me understand that the crown prince doesn't really deserve to be the one ruling over demon clan. it's because.." she then raises a finger,

"one; he just got lucky to be born first by a mere mistress. however, mother is the empress and we carry the royal blood. this will stirr up the public if i play it well in future."