Chapter 17

I'm really curious about the mental state of that attendant. Does he think I'm going to help him? I lowered my gaze and looked at the brazier the child brought. I really wanted to kick it over with my feet, but I can't because the furnace is right behind it. I would've done it if it were a water bowl.

I picked up a glass of water on the table instead. It's one of those cups you see in a museum. In fact, it was a relic in my old world. Standing in front of the attendant with it, I placed my hand near the brazier he brought.

Whoosh-!

Smoke rose from the brazier. I then looked at the attendant with my eyes in silence.

"Just keep filling it with charcoal so it stays cool."

"Lady!"

"Again, I'm not a lady. Do I need to teach you a lesson?"

The attendant bit his lips at my words and left the room while looking at me with blazing eyes. When I saw one of my court ladies clenching her fist quietly, I thought I'd ask for her name.

"When he comes back, tell him to put the charcoal in this brazier and bring another one. Then have him take it to your place."

I quietly said to Seo Yeon. Her gentle eyes immediately sparkled.

"No Miss-"

"This is enough. You're sweating on your forehead."

"It's fine. It's more important to make sure you don't get sick."

Well, I'm a little hesitant about that. I think I already caught a cold. It was a bit pitiful to desperately think otherwise.

"It's worse when there's a big difference between the temperature inside and outside, and it's already warm enough in here."

"…"

However, Seo Yeon was still. Sneaking a glance, I added grudgingly.

"…I'll dress warmly and cover myself with a blanket."

Seo Yeon, who had been looking sternly at me while hearing my words, finally sighed.

"You should take some medicine and warm tea."

"I got it."

After a successful negotiation, I took the same medicine as yesterday, which still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Once again, a small fruit that was dipped in sugar appeared in front of me. Maybe it won't be too bad to just stay in the room. The court ladies became kind again and gave me snacks. It's a shame there's no electronic devices, but it's not like I have any friends to play it with anyways.

"Miss, are you bored?"

It's been a while since Heesa spoke to me in a cheerful tone.

"Yes."

I answered with a smile. I like quiet things, but it was surprisingly not annoying when she talks. Maybe it's because of the bright tone, where it felt like I was listening to her reading a fairy tale book. She was like my little cousin.

"I knew you would say that! Then I'll bring you a present!" (She's talking about giving one of the presents from that present room to Sanya.)

What? My smiling face hardened. If someone were to touch my face, it would probably break like plaster.

"Come on!"

"I'll be right back! We can even go together!"

No, I don't need it. But it was too late when she reached out her arms. Seo Yeon glanced at me while I had an embarrassing look on my face.

"…Maybe children find these talks interesting."

Seo Yeon mumbled and probably thought I reached out because I couldn't hear what Heesa said.

No, I don't need…!

***

I looked at the boxes piled up in front of me embarrassingly. Heesa said that she didn't know what was in the boxes which were all in different sizes. Eventually, she mobilized other people to move them. Thanks to that, my room is full of furniture and boxes like putting puzzles together.

"There's still half left!"

I was dazzled by Heesa's words. There's still half left? Do you want to bury me in these gifts?

"Come on Miss. Here you go!"

Excited, she stuck something in my hand. It was a smooth glass key that fits in my palm perfectly. Won't this break if I put it in and turn it?

"It's a key made of diamonds!"

Those words almost made me drop the key I was holding. What crazy guy makes keys out of diamonds? Aren't diamonds supposed to reflect light everywhere and shine beautifully? While I was staring at the key with a serious look on my face, Heesa pushed a box in front of me.

"…"

Her sparkling eyes urged me to open the box. The other court ladies pretended to be calm while glancing at me. Now I have to open it. I grabbed the key and prayed: please don't let it be something weird.

When I inserted the key into the lock, it turned smoothly and clicked. The court lady standing next to me opened the box.

"Wow…!"

Heesa admired the gift in front of me. What was in the box were pink silk shoes with blue flowers embroidered on them. It looked very small, but it actually is my foot size. I felt a new sense of despondency at that thought.

"It's silk from the Liaoning region. Only the emperor can find…"

Seo Yeon mumbled, gently touching the shoes. I was startled to hear that.

"Can I wear them?"

"Of course you can. Her Majesty seems to care about Miss a lot."

I couldn't laugh along with Seo Yeon. The emperor is watching me. It wasn't a dream that I saw her last night.

"Miss, try them on!"

"I will… save them for later. I need to take care of the things Her Majesty gave me."

I answered with a smile at Heesa's words. It's going to the trash along with Garam's gifts.

I placed the shoes aside and opened the other boxes.

I ended up opening all the presents in the room that day, and I was sick and tired of all the colorful silk, jade, pearls, and gold. There was no empty box, and it started from clothes, dolls and toys to books, accessories, and jewelries. There was nothing I couldn't play with.

When I thought the wooden toys were simple, they said the wood was only to be used to build the emperor's bedroom. When I picked up the smallest jade glass ornament, they said the glass was made from diamond. In the end, I found a rocking chair.

"That's amazing. The chair…"

"Isn't there a lot of strange things in the West? I'm glad you like it."

I leaned against the rocking chair while listening to the court ladies whispers. It moved back and forth. It was smaller than what an adult would sit on, but it was unexpectedly fun. Western goods seemed to be common in Seorak. It was because there's a lot of interactions and trade. Of course, when I said common, I meant that only high aristocratic people or the royal family could obtain quality items.

This rocking chair is not from this country, so it wouldn't be made from expensive materials. After rocking back and forth for a long time, I opened my eyes and saw the monkey doll. It must've been expensive because it was made from precious cotton, but it was awkward to stare at its sparkling eyes. It was a gift from the emperor, so I can't just give it away.

As I looked around my room, it was like a display of all the brilliant gifts I received. I swallowed a sigh that almost came out. Is it customary to send gifts like this when you're sick?

"Are there gifts from other people?"

"Oh, yes. All the concubines sent a gift wishing you a better recovery."

So it is right to send a gift, but that still doesn't explain why there's such a large amount, especially from someone like Mirina.

"Miss, it's time to eat."

Seo Yeon's quiet voice made me stop my thinking. I raised my head which was buried in the rocking chair. All the court ladies who saw me were trying to hold back their laughter. I wondered what was up with their reactions, but I soon realized.

It seems that… I looked like I was drowning in my rocking chair. Ignoring my face, which was burning with embarrassment, I got up and sat by the table.

'It's fine. I must've looked cute since I'm a kid.' I thought.