The Secret of Min's Castle

Chapitre 8

Dear readers,

I was lucky enough to be in their father's office. I hoped to find some clues. I asked for their help in rummaging around and gathering interesting information.

The executioner alone was a work of art. With its gilding and mechanisms, it seemed to be a rare object, unique in the world. I lowered a stone-encrusted lever, and a hatch opened in the office. There was a chest.

The boys were amazed. I was surprised they'd never had the curiosity to rummage around. Wow," said Jimin, "I can't believe Mr. Noh didn't want us to dig! We've found a treasure!

Their enthusiasm was contagious, but short-lived. We noticed that the safe was sealed. We needed a key. I don't know how long we'd been in the room, but we'd searched it from top to bottom. No key in sight.

We began to shake the box, desperate to open it. But Jungkook stared at a painting on the wall. The painting was of a seagull, another one, I thought.

Then I looked at the chest, it seemed simple on the surface, but if you touched it, you could feel that it had been engraved. I followed the lines with my fingertips. It was HAnguel "갈매기" (translation seagull in Korean alphabet). I said to Jungkook, "Look behind the painting quickly"; yes, the key was there, attached to the wall.

I told myself that to have taken such precautions, the contents of the box must be very precious in the eyes of Mr. Min Namjoon. When I opened the box, I felt like I was disturbing his privacy. It was a display of correspondence. All the letters were signed "The Seagull". Who was this person?

The first clue came when I saw a ring. I'd know it anywhere. It was the same as the one my father wore. It couldn't be a coincidence. Father often said there were only two in the world. It was his most precious possession. He wore it on his thumb until his last day. I've kept it around my neck ever since.

But just as I was about to continue my search, we heard the door open. It was Mister Noh. In an icy voice, he addressed me. "It's time to leave. It's getting dark. I complied. I put the trunk, which didn't seem to have been seen, back in my bag. I said to myself, "I'll look at it all tonight in my room.

We reached the entrance hall. The three boys had accompanied me. They had smiles on their faces. I was sad to leave them. But as we greeted each other, I heard Master Min Yoongi coming down the grand central marble staircase.

Our eyes met. We remained silent like that for a while. I had the impression that he was trying to read me. And without resisting, I let him. I wanted him to understand me, to read me, to trust me. Mr Noh interrupted this moment. "Madam, it's getting dark and I think someone's waiting for you.

Jin stood in front of the gate in his uniform. His presence seemed to disturb Min Yoongi, who quickly disappeared after seeing him.

Jin and I headed home. It was good to have someone to talk to about our day, and even though he seemed exhausted by mine, he listened attentively. I showed him the box, and asked, "Are you ready to help me understand the past? He looked proud and said "Of course".

Min Yoongi's point of view

I saw her leave with this man who looked like a scatterbrain, who can do nothing but smile. Is she married...I don't care. Whether she is or not is not my problem, she's nothing to me.

"Sir," said my Noh, "I was surprised to see you come to greet her as she left.

I tried to answer, but he interrupted me as quickly as he'd interrupted me: "You know, she calmed your brother down brilliantly, and Master Jimin and Teahyung seem to trust her. 

He added, "She's got a sharp mind and has finally managed to find the key to the safe in your father's study. If I'm not mistaken, you gave up looking for it a long time ago because all your attempts had been in vain."

The old man's smirk irritated me. So I said to him, "I wouldn't have thought she'd have found a trace in your eyes, Mr. Noh, you're more sensitive than I'd imagined.

He curtsied, and before leaving addressed me, "If I'm sensitive, then what can I say about you, how do you explain that you stayed for a minute admiring her black eyes? Does her presence disturb you? After all, I'm just a butler, and it's not my place to tell you this...".

I return to my apartments, hissing angrily. It's true that I can't deny that his presence disturbs me. But that's because she bears a ridiculous resemblance to the girl who saved me ten years ago. Soon I'd get used to her and wouldn't even notice her.