𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗦, Go Won

𝟲𝟲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁

Da-hye and Na-ri walked in front of the Queen. "I am Park Da-hye, the twin sister of Songrim's leader." Da-hye introduced herself. She and Na-ri bowed to the Queen. She did not want to be rude because the Queen was the Crown Prince's mother, but she was not pleasant to look at.

The Queen smiled. "Yes, I have heard about you from the Crown Prince." The Queen explained. Da-hye smiled at the thought of the Crown Prince talking about her. Then, Da-hye and Na-ri moved aside so Jin Cho-yeon could introduce herself.

"I am Jin Cho-yeon, the second daughter of the Jin family." Jin Cho-yeon introduced herself. The jewelry box that Dang-gu had asked Da-hye to give Cho-yeon was in a pouch that was tied around Na-ri's waist.

"You must be Jin Ho-gyeong and Jin U-tak's daughter." The Queen told Jin Cho-yeon. Da-hye understood why the Queen did not like the Jin family. She could not imagine being forced to shift souls into an ugly body.

Jin Cho-yeon and a priestess from Jinyowon walked to stand next to Da-hye and Na-ri.

"I am Heo Yun-ok of the Heo family from Wol Fortress." Heo Yun-ok introduced herself.

"She is the granddaughter of Master Heo Yeom." Sun-i said.

The Queen smiled. "Greetings are not needed between us." The Queen said. "We meet quite often because you are my physician." 

Heo Yun-ok smiled and then bowed to the Queen. Then she walked towards Da-hye and Jin Cho-yeon.  The next person to introduce themselves was Jin Bu-yeon. Knowing the feelings that Yun-ok had towards Jang Uk, Da-hye guessed it was awkward between them.

She hoped it would not turn into, like, a rivalry or something. She was starting to trust Jin Bu-yeon, she seemed so sweet. And Yun-ok was one of Da-hye's closest friends. The other young ladies started whispering about Jin Bu-yeon.

Jin Bu-yeon bowed to the Queen. "I am Jin Bu-yeon, the eldest daughter of the Jin family." Jin Bu-yeon introduced herself.

"She is betrothed to Young Master Jang Uk." Maidservant Kim said.

"I thought they were married." The Queen said. Da-hye thought that too, at first. Since that was what they claimed at the Unanimous Assembly. But did that not mean that there were two people here from the Jin family.

"We are preparing for a grand wedding ceremony." Maidservant Kim said. Da-hye had to admit, she looked really pretty today. She wondered if Uncle Jin had seen her today. "We ask for your blessing." Maidservant Kim said.

Da-hye sighed as she could see the jealousy in Yun-ok's face. "That means she still belongs to Jinyowon." The Queen said. "I invited one person from each family. But there are two people from the Jin family. Send the second daughter, Jin Cho-yeon, away." The Queen said. Now, how was Da-hye supposed to give the gift to Cho-yeon, was she supposed to chase after her or something? And of course, the other young ladies had to begin whispering.

"Your Majesty, Jin Cho-yeon is the true heir of Jinyowon." Jin Bu-yeon said. "If one of us must leave, it should be me, not my younger sister." Jin Bu-yeon explained.  Okay, now Da-hye did not have to run after Jin Cho-yeon.

"Forget it." The Queen said. "You both came, so just enjoy the banquet."

"Thank you for allowing me to attend such a beautiful banquet." Jin Bu-yeon said then she and Maidservant Kim bowed their heads. 

"It feels nice to be outside the palace walls." The Queen said.  "All right, everyone. Let us enjoy the banquet!" The Queen smiled as she stretched out her hands. The other young ladies clapped and cheered.

Da-hye had to admit the banquet was pretty boring. There was dancers and there was instrument players. Da-hye and Na-ri were sitting with Yun-ok and Sun-i, although, Da-hye wanted to sit with Jin Bu-yeon. She was so curious to find out more about her.

"I'll be back." Da-hye told Yun-ok as she saw that Jin Cho-yeon was getting up and walking towards her friends. Da-hye signaled to Na-ri to come along with her. 

"Jin Cho-yeon." Da-hye said as she walked behind Cho-yeon. The girl turned around to look at Da-hye. Na-ri gave the jewelry box to Da-hye. "Dang-gu told me to give this gift to you." Da-hye explained as she gave Cho-yeon the box. "I do not care if you do not wear them, just accept this gift." Da-hye said.

Jin Cho-yeon nodded and walked away with the box.  When Da-hye was going back to her seat, she noticed that Yun-ok was not there anymore. She looked around, only to see that Yun-ok was talking to Jin Bu-yeon. Da-hye sighed and took a snack from the table. "I am going to take a walk around here." Da-hye told Na-ri.

"But-" Na-ri was interrupted by Da-hye.

"I'll be okay." Da-hye said.

After a while of walking around the palace, Da-hye found a small garden. She sat on the steps that led to the garden. "I cannot believe Dang-gu made me come here." Da-hye complained. "It is so boring."

"Then, maybe you should stay here with me." A voice behind Da-hye said. She recognized that voice, it was the Crown Prince. He sat down next to Da-hye.

"Your Royal Highness." Da-hye smiled. She was so glad to see him.

The Crown Prince placed his hand on Da-hye's cheek. "I do not want you to address me like that anymore." The Crown Prince said. Da-hye tilted her head in confusion. "I do not want my future wife to address me like that. So, just call me by my name." The Crown Prince explained. 

"Hmm?" Da-hye asked. She was not expecting that.

"Do you not want to marry me?" The Crown Prince asked. 

"I would love nothing more." Da-hye said. "But I do not think people would like me to become Crown Princess." Da-hye explained. She knew a lot of people did not like her, and if she became Crown Princess or even Queen people would not take that lightly.

"I do not care what they think." The Crown Prince said as he pulled Da-hye closer to him and put his hand around her. "I love you so much, that I would rather die than be without you. So, I could care less what anyone thinks about you." The Crown Prince said.

Da-hye covered her face as she felt herself blushing. "You're making me blush." Da-hye said as she was embarrassed. The Crown Prince chuckled and hugged Da-hye.

Suddenly, they both heard a loud noise. But it was just fireworks. "Those must be fireworks from the Queen's banquet." Da-hye said.

"I did not know about any fireworks happening tonight." The Crown Prince said. He knew that a soul shifter was going to appear tonight, and try to kill Jin Bu-yeon. So, he was glad that Da-hye was not at the banquet right now.

"But, they are pretty." Da-hye said as she looked up at the fireworks. 

"Do you like them?" The Crown Prince asked. "Should I send fireworks to Songrim every night?" Go Won smiled.

"That is a little over the top." Da-hye smiled.

Suddenly, they heard screaming. Go Won knew what it was, the fake Naksu that Jin Mu had sent to the banquet to kill Jin Bu-yeon.

Da-hye got up, she wanted to witness this herself. Because if that was really Naksu, then she would recognize how similar Jin Bu-yeon looked to her real body. But just as she was about to walk over there, Go won stopped her.

"If that screaming was caused by Naksu, then it is better if you do not go." Go Won said as he hugged Da-hye from behind her. Da-hye was debating if she should tell him about how Jin Bu-yeon's face looks so oddly similar to Naksu's real face. She did not really want to keep any secret from him.

"My favorite maid is over there." Da-hye explained. "I am worried for her." Da-hye said.

"And I will be worried for you, if you go." Go Won said. And that was enough to make Da-hye want to stay.