Forever It's You (It's You Series #2)

6 ✽ The Queen Dowager

After Byeol handed Eun-bi her lost shoes, she hurriedly put them on and shuffled after the Queen Dowager into the temple.

For some reason, she felt like a rabbit being dragged into a tigress's den. The fact that Senior Court Lady Yi was walking behind her did not calm her nerves. Her palms were sweating, and she wiped them against her dress.

Wasn't she supposed to only offer her greeting? Why was she escorted as if they were bringing her in for an interrogation?

She pursed her lips together tightly, aware that she should keep her tongue tied this time. She knew better than to cross these two old ladies. After all, they were the ones in charge of her education. She couldn't have her lessons gone from unbearable to lethally unstoppable.

Keep your thoughts in.

The Queen Dowager brought them into the Meditation Hall and Eun-bi paid her respects to the gods. Afterwards, they made their way to a wide veranda located beside the hall. Supported by tall pillars, the veranda jutted out over a lotus pond.

If Eun-bi could dive right in and swim away, she would.

They settled on the cushions on the wooden floor. While Senior Court Lady Yi was serving them warm honey citron tea, Eun-bi quietly observed Yul's grandmother, trying to spot any subtle change in her aloof expression.

There was a distinct cough from behind Eun-bi, followed by the court lady's warning voice. "Your Highness, do not slouch."

Normally, Eun-bi wouldn't heed her words, but this was an exception; she straightened her back immediately. She fixed all her attention on the Queen Dowager, who took a small sip from the white porcelain cup in her hand.

"Lady Eun-bi."

"Y-yes, Your Majesty?"

Unlike the officials and servants who had already started calling her princess, the Queen Dowager simply addressed her by her name.

This meant she hadn't acknowledged Eun-bi as Yul's consort yet.

Although the King and Yul showed tremendous affection towards Eun-bi, it never occurred to her that the Queen Dowager was going to be this difficult of a person. Eun-bi was going to work doubly hard if she wanted to earn the older woman's blessing for their marriage.

After all, this person was Yul's grandmother.

She was a part of his family.

"How have you been faring in this palace?" the Queen Dowager asked indifferently. "Are you adapting well?"

Eun-bi bit her bottom lip, trying to form a response in her mind. How blunt could she be, or not?

In the end, she settled for honesty, because that was who she was. "I would be telling a lie if I said it isn't challenging."

Fingers tapped on the oak table as cool, appraising eyes studied her. "Would you care to elaborate on this? Are the lessons overwhelming? Or...have you regretted your decision to marry the Crown Prince?"

The last line set Eun-bi off. "Of course I haven't!" she exclaimed, catching the Queen Dowager off guard. "The lessons are...manageable. The court ladies have been very patient and they're trying to accommodate my learning pace, especially Senior Court Lady Yi. She has been extremely helpful in preparing me for the palace."

From her peripheral vision, Eun-bi witnessed how the court lady's usually calm expression morphed into a look of disbelief.

Even if she had mostly exaggerated her words, was it that bad to hear her compliment?!