Chaotic Nights

Chaotic Nights — Chapter 64. Apprehension

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 5/5

When Jihak looked at the cup in Heein’s hand, a cruel smile appeared on his mouth.

“It was my father. I think he’s gone mad. He didn’t want to lose his position, so he spread terrible rumors. There was even a time when he tried to kill me. Bin… died after she drank my tea.”

The teacup fell from Heein’s hand. She did not know this. The Crown Princess had been poisoned. That meant that someone spread the false rumor that she had died due to lung disease.

A few days ago rumors began to circulate. It was said that the Queen had had a child with the King’s brother. There was the assumption that she wanted to control the kingdom, that’s why she wanted her son to sit on the throne.

“I am no longer interested in politics. Seohwi will probably ascend to the throne. Perhaps the poisonous weed that bloomed in the royal palace is not the Queen Mother, but His Highness.”

“I don’t think my father would have done that…”

“I think I’ve given you the answer you wanted, now get up. It’s not a good idea for you to stay here too long. Besides, I still have work to do.”

Jihak smiled. Then he looked out the window.

Heein, who was shocked due to his attitude, staggered to her feet.

“It’s not true…. I’ll prove it isn’t.”

He didn’t answer. Heein, who bowed deeply to him, went out.

Then she met a woman walking toward the backyard.

She had black hair, snow-white skin and refined features. It was a familiar face. When Heein realized it was the woman Jihak had carried in his arms, she asked Gari who had come to see her off,

“Who is that woman?”

“She is Eunha. She reads the books to my Lord.”

“Eunha?”

“Yes… she reads Western books.”

Heein could easily remember her face, but she could not say for sure. It had already been 10 years, back then she didn’t look like such a beautiful woman. Heein was a little confused because she was a little girl then.

“But why do you ask that…?”

“Ha!”

She felt as if ice water fell on her head.

Heein remembered Jihak’s expression as he looked closely at the little girl who was clinging to his clothes. His look surprised her, because it looked like he was looking at a very funny toy, so she had to scold him,

She didn’t think Jihak recognized that girl. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be with her.

Heein repeated several times that this would not happen. She moved with a disquieting sense of apprehension in her heart.

“Lady, you must leave.”

At the warrior’s words, Heein climbed into the palanquin.

This is Eunha.

***

After she inhaled the cold air, Eunha sat on the tree trunk. Was this the first time she had tasted the outside air in a few days?

When she remembered that Jihak had always hugged her, she closed her eyes tightly.

She wanted to feel the cold.

The sky was clear, but the wind carried snow. On the mountain behind, there was still too much snow. Maybe that’s why there weren’t many animals there.

Eunha, who was lost in thought, kissed the red mark on her wrist.

She could not understand Jihak’s feelings, which suddenly changed from kind to frightening. Why was he suddenly so angry?

The moment she sighed, she saw blood stains on the ground. Anyone could tell that the thawed blood had been spilled a while ago.

Eunha followed the blood trail. And then she saw someone’s leg on the grass near the backyard. The man was wearing a military uniform the same color as the Yuljae uniform, so she guessed he was a Jihak warrior.

“Shh…”

When the wounded warrior saw Eunha approaching him, he put his finger to his mouth . The unfamiliar fishy smell irritated her nose.