The Clandestine (디 클랜데스틴)

The Clandestine: Chapter 8

Goryeo (1213)

Gojong was staring at the beautiful maiden in front of him. It seems a staring contest. Gojong laughed when Zhouhan blinked. The eunuch was taken aback seeing him laughing.

"Your Majesty, why did you call the court lady?" The eunuch interrupted.

Gojong smiled. "Well, I want to look at the beautiful view but I don't want to leave my room so instead..." He looked at Zhouhan with a genuine smile.

Zhouhan shut her eyes in irritation. "Is he flirting with me?" she asked herself.

"Your Majesty, Lady Anhye is here.." one of the court ladies said.

His forehead furrows when he heard it. "Let her in."

As the door opened, Zhouhan can't resist but to look at Anhye. Lady Anhye is indeed gorgeous. That's why she's known as the most beautiful girl in Goryeo. Her face in real life is an enough evidence.

"What brings you here?" Gojong asked with a cold voice. He also think that Anhye was beautiful and he likes her unique attitude however she's not his type. Probably, Zhouhan is his type.

"I came here to see my future husband." Anhye said in a flirt tone then she laugh. "Don't take it seriously." She said while looking at Zhouhan.

Gojong shook his head. "Is that so?"

"To tell you honesty, I have something to discuss with you regarding about the ninety-five percent taxes for the stolen lands."

"Don't try to meddle with this kind of issues. The politicians can handle it."

"When you said politician, you mean the prime minister?" Anhye asked in sarcastic way. "Is this your method to do the land reform? Or is it a method to get rid of the prime minister?"

"You're right."

Zhouhan cannot understand the conversation, she can't fully understand the some words of Goryeo.

Anhye smirked. "I suppose you had an ally. It must be Minister Lee, right? Among the retainers, Minister Lee will benefit the most as the Minister of Taxation. So, you asked him to be on your side to betray Choe Chungheon?"

Gojong clench his jaw and laughed. "You're so smart, Lady Anhye. All your words are correct. How did you came up with that thoughts?"

"And I'm here to give you a small piece of advice. Don't trust anyone. I'm not telling you to don't trust Minister Lee, but that's what I'm saying.." Anhye said with a smirk. "I'll go ahead, Your Majesty."

She was about to leave when she turn back to look at Zhouhan. "Can you come with me?"

Even though Zhouhan was too puzzled, she followed the maiden. Anhye stopped as soon as they went down from the stairs. She look at Zhouhan.

"I'm Anhye." She introduced herself.

"Huh? Ah.. I'm H-Han.." Zhouhan bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Anhye."

"Yah! Drop the formality! I'm not even a lady..." she pouted. "I'm just fifteen years old."

"I'm also fifteen years old." Zhouhan seems happy to know the similarity.

"Woah! That's great." Anhye said with a thumbs up.

Zhouhan imitates her.

"So, friends?" Anhye asked.

Zhouhan nodded.

"I'm heading out first." Anhye said then bid an ave to a new friend.

Zhouhan feels insecure towards beautiful Anhye. She was diffident in all manners but the girl earlier is her opposite. Anhye has big and bright eyes while she has a slanted and dull eyes. She believes that the person standing behind her can shrink anytime.