Chapter 22

No, he's just an escort. A shadow, literally.

It was a group that took care of everything that a normal servant couldn't do during the day, whether it's assasination, pulling weeds from a garden, or getting a pig's feet. It was a secret weapon that only belonged to the emperor, and she gave me one of them.

Their power was great, so it won't be enough for him to just be my escort. It was the transfer of a shadow. The shadows were strictly confidential and their existence was unknown. Most of the people in this room probably don't know this, or they were the only group of people that knew.

When I looked up at Seo Yeon, she was looking at me with a strange smile. It was tricky to tell from her face. I should've looked into it earlier when she said that I could order him to do anything. This is-

Uh. Is it?

The shadow is unknown, therefore it is natural that most concubines do not know of their existence. In other words, wouldn't he know that the emperor did all these favors for me?

'…!'

I looked at the child in front of me with sparkling eyes. I feel like my life was put in a safe in a museum.

"…I'd like to ask to bring him with you from now on."

"Okay."

I answered quickly. I was going to have him by me all day even if she didn't say so. Such a good escort. I wanted to kiss the emperor's cheek. Of course, I didn't really intend to do that.

The boy remained motionless with his head down. Looking at him, I thought he was young. Of course, being young doesn't mean that you lack skills, but, um, how can I say it? I have never seen him before, so I have to act my age.

"Hi."

I spoke with difficulty. I've never seen kids my age, so I don't know how to talk to them. He shook his head again at my greeting. After biting my lips, I opened my mouth again.

"What's your name?"

The child, who was constantly looking at the ground, flinched at my question. It was a very small movement. He then mumbled in silence and closed his mouth.

…What is it?

"Miss, the child can't speak."

"Huh?"

I unknowingly asked back at Seo Yeon's quiet words. She then spoke again.

"That's just the way it is. I'm sorry."

"Oh, no. That's fine."

I shook my head hurriedly at the apology. I suddenly felt sorry for the kid. I probably just rubbed salt on his wound. I wanted to keep my mouth shut, but I had to ask Seo Yeon something again.

"Do you know his name?"

"You can call him Dawn."

In fact, all the shadows used aliases. I nodded my head.

"…Dawn."

As I called him quietly, he knelt down at once. I shook my hands in surprise.

"Oh, no. You don't have to kneel. Get up."

Dawn raised his head blankly at my words. I could now easily see his eyes through his messy hair. They were hazy blue. He then rose without saying a word and bowed his head. For now… I should introduce myself.

"My name is Sanya, and I'm eight years old this year… it's nice to meet you."

I felt quite ashamed to say I was eight as I felt my ears burning. Dawn then opened his mouth. After a while, he hurriedly bowed his head and Heesa could be heard laughing and muttering 'so cute' from behind.

I smiled bitterly and looked at Dawn, who was standing still like a stone. There's no law against having an escort sit down.

"Come here… and don't kneel!"

He started walking towards me and was startled by my voice and stood up. Then he folded his hands up front and politely bowed his head again. If he had folded his hands behind his back, I would think I was bothering him.

"Sit here."

I tapped on the chair next to me. As expected, he sat there calmly while looking at me without resisting. During the process, I could see his eyes again.

'It's like a puppy.'

I felt really sorry thinking that way towards a person. After a moment of thought, I grabbed a plate and held it towards him.

"… Would you like to eat?"

Eat. It felt like I was training a puppy, and when I asked, Dawn politely reached out.

'Hurry up, the plate's big.'

My hands are small.

'… I need to grow up sooner.'

While I chewed, Dawn carefully took a small bite of the food. I don't remember him at all from the original. Maybe he wasn't even a character. After chewing the sweet, Dawn stopped. I burst into laughter when I saw him glancing towards the plate with other sweets.

I pushed the platter towards him, and when his eyes caught mine, he carefully reached out and picked up another sweet. I watched the scene quietly.

"Our Miss must like Dawn!"

"… Yes. That's a relief."

Behind my back, I could hear Heesa's cheerful voice and Seo Yeon, who spoke while seemed to be somewhat uncomfortable. I smiled tiredly. I thought the situation was fortunate.

***

I can't sleep.

"…"

I laid in my bed and counted all the patterns of the pottery in the distance for the third time. I tossed and turned, changed my cover blankets, and even turned off all the lights. I yawned a little, but still felt uncomfortable after closing my eyes. I have to sleep…

While I tossed and turned again, an unknown bird cried from the outside, which made me so surprised that I rose from my bed.

"Ugh…"

After lying down again for a while, I lifted myself up and sighed. I haven't slept well for days, resulting in a headache because I've been tired. The reason was obvious. I shivered in the blue moonlight because it reminded me of the room filled with water.

Maybe I should block all the windows where the moonlight shines through. No, if I do that, then it would be completely dark and I won't know if something decides to pop out from the shadows. Even though my room has changed and I confirmed with my eyes that it was safe, anxiety still persistently pulled on my hair.

I eventually approached the window with a quick step and flung it open. The cold night breeze touched my skin, making my nose tingle. I felt alive. The garden below was quiet. My room had the prettiest view of twilight if the window were open, and when people passed by, I would lower my head instead of meeting their gazes. It was good to see their smiling faces.

As I exhaled out loud, my breath turned into what looked like smoke. It was new to me, so I did it a couple of more times until a small stone hit the window. When I lowered my head in surprise, I saw a child who was restless. Grey hair twinkled in the moonlight.

It was Dawn.