Those chickens.
If it were not for them, Prince Jongin would have seen me in my real form.
Wait.
Why do I even care?
Only if you still want your head attached to your neck, that is!
Just thinking about the punishments I will land myself if I get caught. Lying, fraud and whatever the court will call it. I don't think revealing my real identity would be a smart move.
But at the market earlier....that was a close one. I should never let myself off guard. It seems that the Prince and Sulli are somewhat close, I need to be extra, extra careful.
I should have seen them coming especially from all the attendants and palace guards surrounding the Prince. I guess I was too distracted and frustrated from Park Sunju, a man who I never wishes to be acquainted with who came few minutes before them.
He came up to our cart and for the millionth time tries to flatter me with his words that I never felt genuine. The only reason I'm even speaking to him is because he used to be a business partner of Appa when he was still alive. Now he deals business with Lady Choi.
"Jung Soojung, you get prettier every week."
"Park Sunju, you know you're just wasting your flattery."
"I may be twice your age but you know I can take care of you. All of your needs to be exact. I can make you a Lady. Get back to the riches you once lived."
I took a deep breath before smiling again and even offering him persimmons.
Even after he left, his words still rings in my mind.
Lady Jung Soojung.
If my parents were still alive I might just be that lady.
I breathed in deeply before entering my father's Manor after that unexpected leave from the market.
This is my life now. I only pretended to be a Lady to rescue Halabeoji. It will never happen again.
****
But I was proven wrong.
"I don't know why you're so happy about it." says Yiyun while she paints the field in front of us.
It was a nice sunny day so we decided to stay outside. She will do her painting and I will play on this flying thing Halabeoji found hanging on one of the trees near the Manor. It looks so familiar. Like I've seen this particular object before I just can't quite remember when and where.
"I don't know why you're so worried about. I couldn't care less." I said as I happily and successfully makes this flying thing up in the air. I have no idea how I'm doing it to be honest.
"You're lying!" Yiyun protested. "Prince Jongin would be your brother-in-law if he and Sulli are to get married. And you- Lady Jung Krystal would be serving them."
"Yes they will be married but that also means Lady Choi, Sulli and Luna will be moving to the palace and I will be left at the Manor with Halabeoji, Halmeoni and Eomonie Byun and turn things around. That's all that matters."
Yiyun lifted her head up to look at me. "You like him."
"What?"
"Admit it."
"Nope."
"Well then I suppose if you see him again, you'd simply...."
"I go right at him and say - Your Highness, my family is your family. Please take them away."
