9 odds (stray kids)

Dust to dust

- at the office of historians-

"The king sent you? Ah so you're the mysterious one, well if the lord trust you then we do also. Go back there just straighten the books and make sure the floors clean then leave." He motions to the back door. I bow and head off.

I slowly open the creaky door, the books were all sprawled out , the floor covered in dust.
Had this place never been cleaned?
I started by straightening books, each shelf was so messy even dust flew come some books up my nose causing a sneezing fit.
Dust really bothers my allergies, I hope I'm not sick after this.

The books had some strange names that I couldn't read. I'm probably not allowed to read anyways, women are forbidden I think here to own books let alone read childish romance.
These are all serious books by the looks of it anyways it would bore me.

One book stood out it read "the Nine princes of Joseon."
I so badly wanted to peek but it's against to see such valuable information.

There was a part of a photo sticking out the book. I looked around before slowly pulling it away.
It was a photo of the king with 9 children, I'm guessing all of the princes now grown up.
They all seemed so happy but now , some are just rude.

I quickly placed the photo back inside the page and continued my dreadful dusty work.

Next was sweeping the floor so I began flying dust all over.

My nose began to feel stuffy and I had to stop. The floor was clean for the most part so I stopped and returned to the king.

"Well done, for your last job today assist Hyunjin until 5pm then report back for your end of the day." He wishes me off again.

Hyunjin.
That weird sensation I got earlier , I certainly don't wanna deal with that for 2 hours..

It's just for today, for this week, I can do this. I reassure myself stepping up the steps.
"I'm here for your highness to assist him until 5" I bow to the eunuch.
"Your highness the servant is here."

Does he really have to refer to me as that ..

I walk inside and bow.
"Ah you're back for today, have a seat." He speaks slowly his voice sounding a little strange.

I nod and sit on my knees infront of him.
"Have a drink." He says pouring the water to the cup.
"Thank you." I say grabbing the glass.
I can't really drink it because my cloth..
"Can you , turn your head." I ask. He looks at me suspicious before turning.
I slowly lift the bottom of the cloth and raise the glass to my lips taking a few sips before sitting the glass back down.
"You can turn back."

He turned back around pouring another glass.
"Why do you wear that?" He asks me.
"It's a order from the king." I say looking around.
"Really? That's strange." He trails off.

"So what do you need me to do?" I ask.

"You can arrange my things , clean my floors and bring me some more water to drink after." He lists. I nod and stand up.
"Wait - that necklace.." he looks at it on my neck.
I quickly hide it and he turns his head in thought.
"Ah never mind I'm sure it's nothing." He says again before I stand up to arrange his books and things.

He eyed me for awhile before returning to his book he's reading.
I felt a weird feeling around him , it's as if I've met him before but it's impossible right? I examined his face for a second , it felt so familiar! I cut my eyes away before he noticed. A book accidentally fell due to my lack of attention.
I reached down to grab it and his hand reached the same time touching mine.
I jerked away as he grabbed the book. He looked down and back at me as if he was confused before hanging me to book. I slowly grabbed it and continued my jobs.