SNF | Chapter 6.3

“Then what should we do? Shall we go see the lanterns together?”18b96232c50223e5

The princess hesitated at the gentle voice but eventually nodded. Yeon-oh wiped the princess’s face carefully with a handkerchief and smiled faintly.28e14c9189717823

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“Then it’s best to stop crying first. If you keep crying like this, people will think I made you cry.”9032ef5121ff00d5

“But you didn’t make me cry, Uncle.”37d72234fe116884

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“Even so, people will see it that way, so stop crying quickly. You don’t want to make me an unkind uncle, do you?”93cccabe82503da7

When he playfully teased her, a smile quickly spread across the princess’s face. Such a bright smile for a child. Yeon-oh thought of the prince and had to try hard not to frown. Straightening his bent knee while holding the princess’s hand, Yeon-oh looked down at her round head.72a76d66766c180d

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“Uncle. …Are you really not going to see Hwan?”65d648263a482096

Was she worried that c5fb029be8 he might go to 07eded3346 the prince? The princess showed 65a35d8fce signs of anxiety.1f2236c3243030ea

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“Should I go now?”64fa94d89ee59b87

“No, no. Please stay with me, Uncle.”da43150c638c6e56

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The princess tightened ba1122e63b her grip on 4350268525 his hand. Yeon-oh, intending to dispel aec2e014b7 her anxiety, held her ad3c2c8243 hand tightly as she be792e9461 did.1b64c36071591f94

“Like Uncle…”feb69478988366d6

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Her hesitant 3e0d2ec313 words were 7269738dde so soft c1d34539b3 that Yeon-oh 34eef1e47c had to 5527a7c84a lean in 1be5905635 to hear 0ac5ef265a them.47f0aab06b6f9061

“Like Uncle, I wish Mother would cherish me. Why don’t I receive as much love as my brother?”c2853bd2b6248a90

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Her voice was full of sorrow. The feeling of not being loved, and the sibling who was loved in contrast. That was the princess’s inferiority complex. She must have suppressed it just because she was the older sister.cad899a99b7e8a78

“Even if the Empress doesn’t say it, she must cherish you very much, Princess.”740622ea5bd8242b

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Yeon-oh knew that his words were nothing more than a hollow comfort, a lie. He had only seen the Empress interact with the prince and princess once, but even from that one time, he could see where the Empress’s affection leaned.847d59f0403133cc

If Yeon-oh, who had only seen it once, could notice, there was no way the princess, who had experienced it for years, wouldn’t. Children are naturally keen at sensing whether they are loved or not.05b0e4af6d6f48d6

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“Do you really think so?”3216797bde604c47

“Yes. Don’t you believe your uncle’s words, Princess?”adf919724bdbd6f1

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“No, Uncle. I believe you. I will believe you.”b4479eb903c60f7f

Yeon-oh embraced the lie along with the princess. The princess, being more mature than her peers, must have known that it was just a comforting lie, but she wasn’t yet grown enough to be numb to the wounds she had received.62a0edcd620db6a5

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“Oh my, Princess?”77959b6c6260ee64

As Yeon-oh was about to move to another place with the princess, he turned his head towards the voice. A girl with her hair styled in a fancy crown was looking at them with wide eyes. However, Yeon-oh’s gaze didn’t reach the girl.5795d740ec3de5e2

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“…Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince.”db36dac8bb866fde

“Brother. Crown Princess.”b31654586ba4a0ab

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The Crown Prince, standing efa4108932 next to the girl, e8a50e848c was smiling at Yeon-oh 6ce14545e0 and the princess. Yeon-oh bowed and 07b8943389 paid his respects a0b6e53d41 to the Crown 1ee362c66d Prince. The princess also hurriedly 8003a99ba2 followed suit.63607197c7dd03b5

“Ah, Hye Gongja. I heard today was the day of the special exam, but you’re already out.”57ccdeaf01048b0c

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“Hye Gongja? Then is he the Empress’s brother?”88ab0fa423f12583

“Yes. The Crown Princess couldn’t attend the Spring Festival, so this is your first time seeing him.”d82c94f81cf11d59

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Judging by her attire and accessories, it was clear she wasn’t just any woman, but Yeon-oh hadn’t expected her to be the Crown Princess. It made sense, considering she looked so young.fc93643b5ff82ab0

Thinking back to the Crown Prince’s marriage at fifteen, the Crown Princess was indeed young. Male royals, especially the Crown Prince, usually married older or same-aged women to quickly produce heirs.14a0128fed915d68

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But the Crown Princess didn’t seem old enough to bear heirs, not even having had her coming-of-age ceremony. She looked only two or three years older than the ten-year-old princess.aae69a29df7391eb

It wasn’t that there were no suitable young women from noble families to choose from, so it was obvious. They had delayed the Crown Prince’s heirs as much as possible. It could have been the Empress or the Emperor, or perhaps both had agreed on it.d011b30a75f96655

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“Greetings to the Crown Princess. I am Cheongshin, the eldest son of the Hye family.”919b1af77aa488de

Putting aside his questions for now, Yeon-oh paid his respects. He heard a murmur of “Cheongshin?” beside him but pretended not to hear.8a3603cc759378a4

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“I was so disappointed not to see you at the Spring Festival. I heard you had your coming-of-age ceremony this year? Ah, then Cheongshin must be your courtesy name.”93a6d30975c5b9bb

“Yes, Your Highness.”f59b9fe27380ad5d

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“It suits you. But what brings you to the inner court? I heard today was the day of the special exam, so shouldn’t you be at Taehwajeon? Ah, if you pass, you’ll enter the Office of the Crown Prince’s Affairs, right? I hope you’ll be of great help to His Highness.”b1a5b0791b3089f2

The Crown 51b3b0c707 Princess, who 5b91782567 spoke incessantly, daf1f3d98a was like 2550074022 a chirping 6528644056 bird. Her gentle eyes and 32b4318cee kind smile seemed innate.48af7d1189a7ea59

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“Your Highness, aren’t you paying too much attention to the young master?”bc23a1220b2183ed

“Your Highness, surely you’re not being jealous?”b5b4af3badc80cdc

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“Of course not, but if you keep talking to the young master, I might become so. Please don’t make your husband seem so narrow-minded.”c60dbf8dae197c47

The Crown Princess burst 47c367cdb4 into laughter. Her clear laughter was 5368258a91 something rarely heard around 4d5ca42ea1 here. To Yeon-oh, e7280a45c2 the Crown 9726717622 Princess, who dedc7d6fb6 remained innocent 2385b86f39 even after e4e829ca90 three years d1c743b1e1 in the 4b80781e91 palace, was 97c3eb29f8 somewhat of 6c3abf79bd a marvel.6875a5c6fa429819

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“Anyway, that’s not the important thing. Young master, did you do well on the special exam?”d033453c9bff3acd

The Crown Prince’s gaze landed on him. Yeon-oh, holding the princess’s hand tightly, focused on his lips.1e6660ed72e97c71

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“I did what I had to do. Now I just wait for the heavens to favor me.”7cf69d41d9f2c168

“Is that so? Since there’s no way the heavens won’t favor you, I suppose I should wait for the day you come to me.”b652bc758b8cf8e3

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“How can you be so sure I’ll pass?”8cb1b7cad59ce901

“You don’t seem like someone who would take the special exam in front of so many people without that kind of confidence.”633c70bebd916470

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The Crown Prince’s confidence was similar to the prime minister’s. So Yeon-oh couldn’t think of a suitable response. Instead of finding words, he looked down at the tugging on his sleeve. The princess was looking at him.85266ceae59e1a8a

“…I’m sorry, but I think I should leave with the princess now. Weren’t you and the Crown Princess on your way somewhere?”11dd49b51292faec

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The princess’s melancholy hadn’t completely lifted. He felt the need to comfort her a bit more, and seeing the Crown Prince was uncomfortable. Yeon-oh subtly suggested that they part ways and go their separate paths.3421f64db1bec873

“The Crown Princess wanted to see a play, so we were on our way. Ah, yes. Since we’ve met, it wouldn’t be bad to go together. What do you think, Crown Princess?”1e04617e2b15ad17

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“I don’t mind, but perhaps you should ask them first.”e9cf0147631af003

“Is that so? Then… Wanan. Would you like to come see the play with us?”792a32dd25c90710

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Yeon-oh was surprised. The Crown Prince’s tone towards the princess was more affectionate than he had expected. Was it because she was a half-sister with no claim to the throne?2b5dde500640fb5e

“If Uncle goes with me…”bdc5ba1654a3418c

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The princess, rolling her eyes, cautiously sought Yeon-oh’s opinion.fc682be19f0f40b2

“If the princess wants to see it, I’ll follow.”9bda95b080c14584

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“Wanan, your uncle says that’s his thought. What do you think? Do you want to see the play?”b1fcce516c97ff52

Instead of 5fbe46917d answering, the 8acb9cc998 princess slowly f9c1c62f16 nodded.5870eaa1844b651b

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“Then let’s go together. The actors would appreciate having a larger audience.”49f529bdd66c1450

The Crown Prince ea3b4256d0 concluded decisively. Thus, it was decided 54748fcc21 that they would accompany 4466c182e4 the Crown Prince and eca1f51090 Crown Princess.f1ad0b2260cc172b

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“It’s nice to be with the princess for a change.”a8c99d3c76af4829

“Yes, Your Highness. I heard you were unwell. Are you feeling better now?”159e33084c95df97

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“It wasn’t anything for the princess to worry about. But thank you for your concern, Princess. Hmm, did you cry?”3d38583084b249d7

The Crown Princess’s previously clear voice was now clouded. Though the princess had stopped crying, her eyes were still red, so it was obvious. The princess seemed to realize this and tried to cover her face, but it was futile against the Crown Princess’s gaze.cd3e15c3c51b32ac

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“The wind was harsh, so…”27d274262661b57b

“Well, the wind is still cold. Sometimes I cry because of the wind too.”22055a3db239ed3b

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Though it was clearly an excuse, the Crown Princess pretended not to notice and kindly took the princess’s hand. Yeon-oh let go of the other hand he was holding. It was a decision made because the sight of a young princess standing between the Crown Princess and an unrelated man might not look good.dc95115c68b9b7de

When Yeon-oh 499dff3e86 let go 2093087383 without a ab759b4b75 word, the e852d787ea princess became fa5a0cb80d anxious. To ease her 2cb5f68096 anxiety, he gave c63d5454ff her a faint 0b0609f050 smile. Reassured, the 377ba0f6e5 princess fidgeted 6f20d6216c with her 09677362d0 now empty 5c3856f36d hand. Feeling pity 5e437eaf7d for the bdc4d0a001 princess, who ac0dc6c9bc showed signs 7a66de0261 of not 518f3ca189 being greatly 41522530db loved, Yeon-oh 3194607988 felt a f678f42fb5 sense of d0dd44e5e6 compassion.252f482961074547

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“Shall we go then?”bea0c14163d83f00

The Crown Prince began 68ee087fba to walk. Yeon-oh moved to d66d652053 stand beside him 7b80e3ba15 and glanced back. The Crown Princess, standing 7b263b3c4e with the princess, was ba6ee7bbff chatting with a voice 599a30b379 full of laughter. The previously withdrawn princess 50bc005f6b quickly caught her laughter. They seemed 946b8f27f0 quite close. The two a7b2a735c9 girls, only 3d30b95042 a few 0d6cca4229 years apart, 42bda6720e could easily 1628848e98 be mistaken e910c43dcb for sisters.2125edfd5c0b191f

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“When the Crown Princess entered the palace, Wanan followed her well, feeling like she had an older sister. The Crown Princess, who only had twin younger brothers, cherished the princess as if she had gained a younger sister.”2fe1f95cccb449d4

It was as if he had read Yeon-oh’s thoughts. Yeon-oh lowered his gaze, not wanting to show his emotions.49d4a444176564b3

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“Even if you walk with your gaze lowered, you’ll only see the frozen ground.”f40f6f07b32b7805

“There might be stones.”26a6b95fc521774b

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“In the palace, especially where the royals walk, there wouldn’t be stones.”12603d291c39e161

“Of course, Your Highness is right, but there’s always a possibility.”69952eff090555f1

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Not wanting to 0ec5cee2ec face the Crown 05da4da544 Prince, Yeon-oh stubbornly 90d40fa7f6 insisted.a80976e95f3b03d8

“Is that so? I suppose that’s possible.”54d9239ba5e29448

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The Crown Prince, instead 1b3bebe721 of reprimanding, playfully agreed.1aab42d51b2cebb2

“…Your Highness,”e99c2cca066a3afa

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Yeon-oh blinked his shadowed eyelashes and slowly spoke. He could feel the Crown Prince’s gaze on him. Yeon-oh chose his words and then spoke.8811493e79aaa5be

“Your Highness seems to cherish the princess.”0d16b7ed9abdb5c5

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At first, he thought it was because she was a girl with no claim to the throne, but that didn’t seem to be the complete answer. After all, even if the princess had no claim to the throne, she was still the Empress’s child.a2e7047dbb79d4b3

Even if the Empress’s ambition to place the prince on the throne wasn’t overt, based on what she had said before, she was aware of the threats to her position. Could he really cherish the princess, born of the Empress who threatened his position with her young son and family, just because she was a girl?ebed9789edaf5544

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“Why, does it seem strange?”7ada96244211ceb0

“It’s not that…”a75735bb02e8b638

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“Well, I just feel for her. There’s no need to attach a reason to it.”ec92792dd29a8082

The Crown 40b3c471c9 Prince brushed db1df24775 off the 65c7a69c60 question. Yeon-oh wanted to ask. Was it because he 15d5259368 felt for the princess, 758dac5304 who showed signs of 790f1577aa not being loved and 553efe6387 was starved for affection? Just like ee693574d0 how Yeon-oh 0fa9592367 felt more b00b318086 attached to e3c2c0b8ed the princess 7edb2524b0 than the 3ae21d8d94 prince.e6c46a3998c4dc4e

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“By the way, have you ever seen a play?”4c2d1e464906aec0