8 Who else?

A week has passed already since consort Song Taejoo departed. The reason of his sudden departure was unknown to the second princess, that is only after three days of his departure. Taejoo was sent to Gangwon-do along with the crown imperial prince and his men to give support to the falling platoon of soldiers. It was said that the platoon was ambushed and that a lot of the soldiers was badly injured as many unfortunate soldiers died.

"Ah mistress, you're awake." Lady Joo-in that's surprised greeted.

"Yes, good morning." Ye Beom smiled then she stretched followed by a yawn.

"Should I prepare your bath mistress?" Lady Joo-in asked.

"Yes please!" Ye Beom replied.

The princess is in such a good mood. Then lady Joo-in smiled in relief.

"What could be the reason that our princess is in such a good mood?" Lady Joo-in teased.

"Oh my, I'm too embarrassed to say..." Ye Beom responded with an embarrassed expression with her hands clasped on her mouth.

"Then I will not ask anymore your highness." Joo-in replied, contented with the embarassed look of the princess as an answer.

The princess sure do talk freely and openly to me now. I'm glad that she had put her trust on me after all of the years that I have been taking care of her. Joo-in sighed and smile recalling the princess's childhood.

"Ahhh really! I can't wait to see him!" Princess Ye Beom pouted.

Lady Joo-in chuckled and said; "And whom is the princess excited to see?"

Princess Ye Beom tilts her head and answered. "Who else? Of course it's elder brother Eunhyun." Then she beamed lady Joo-in a bright wide smile that reaches up to her ears.

That... was not the answer I was... expecting.

Lady Joo-in thought.

"Lady Joo-in~~..." The princess clings her arms into Joo-in's arms and stares at her while pouting.

"I want you to dress me up beautifully today okay? Oh! And put citrus scented on my bath! Brother loves the scent of citrus!" Princess Ye Beom requested.

Oh my.. all this for her brother? Is she going to reconcile with the crown prince? How sweet of the princess. Then lady Joo-in smiled. "I shall do what our mistress told us then."

As lady Joo-in and the two other assistant court ladies prepares the second princess's bath, the rest of them meticulously prepared her highness's dress that she will wear. Now that the second princess was all alone in her canopy bed, she let out a sigh as her eyebrows furrowed. The princess was sick for two days which made the assistant court ladies worried a lot. Within the days that she have been sick, they treated her warmly as they grew closer to her. Though the princess have recovered, her mind was still in unsettled. Ye Beom kept on remembering what she saw that day when consort Taejoo departed. Everytime she recalls that bitter scene, her heart will start throbbing like crazy as anxiety will follow eating her slowly. Princess Ye Beom was in deep thoughts that she didn't heard lady Joo-in calling out for her.

"Mistress? ....imperial princess?" Could it be the mistress is still sick?! A shocked lady Joo-in thought as she make such terror expression that looks like her soul is about to depart from its own body.

Ah.. my life has been well. Lady Joo-in thought, while imagining her soul descending to the heavens. I wish prosperity for the princess. Lady Joo-in then smiled contentedly.

On the other hand.

Ugh. Why do I suddenly get chills? Princess Ye Beom thought.

As she scanned the room, she saw lady Joo-in smiling that gave her creeps.

Why does it feel like I am being bewitched here? Then she got goosebumps thinking that maybe lady Joo-in has something to do with the sudden chills she had.

"Uhm? Lady... J-Joo-in? Hehe hehe." Ye Beom nervously asked.

"Yeeeeees? Myyyyy mistree~ess?" Lady Joo-in replied with a wide creepy smile plastered on her face.

Haha haha... s-she, she sure do is happy. R-right?

"Ah, ahem! I was just wondering if..." Should I even ask her what she has on her mind earlier? Ah whatever! The princess thought then she breaths in and out as she composed herself before asking lady Joo-in; "Lady Joo-in?—"

"Yes mistress?" Oh wow. That was a quick respond haha.

"I want to ask... whatdowehaveforbreakfast?"

There was a short silence after the princess's question as everyone of her court ladies stares at her in wonder.

Lady Joo-in blink three times rapidly and spoke; "Pardon princess? I'm afraid I wasn't able to catch up..." she honestly said.

"Oh..." the princess disappointedly respond.

Caaaw! Caaaaw!

Why does it feels like I can hear a crow? Then she made a pissed face as she face palmed herself in shame. Gloom. Everything then went gloomy.

"Princess?" Asked Jang Soohyun.

"Oh! Ah haha, well I just asked awhile ago was that, what will be for the breakfast?" Finally, I said it aloud without being nervous. Whew.

"Oh about that mistress, the second princess Ye Beom and the crown prince Eunhyun, will be eating their breakfast at the Myeonhee palace as per the grand empress dowager's wish." Jang Soohyun explained.

"I see. Very well then. Is the bath prepared?"

"Yes mistress. Just as you preferred it to be." Respond the other court lady.

"Thank you. You may all leave now."

"Yes mistress." Respond the court ladies.

When all of the court ladies went outside of the princess's chamber, Ye Beom was able to loosen the stiffness of her body as she was able to relax while soaking in her warm citrus scented bath.

That was quite a scene there. She sighed as she closes her eyes.

Later I will be able to meet elder brother Eunhyun. I have been wondering if how brother's been doing for the whole week at the Gangwon-do. Did he perhaps was able to rest a little? It must have been a tough battle there. Never mind that, I can ask him that later when he arrive. But I'm a little worried about meeting the grand empress. Sighs...