Her Poison His cure: Behind The Mask

A deafening silence fell upon as soon as the queen and the princess left the room.

The king looked at the prince carefully, desperate for what he was about to say.

“I hope the palace prison is heavily guarded,” The king grilled.

“Yes, Your majesty. you don’t have to worry. No matter how strong it is. there’s no way it will be able to escape ” came the explanation from the prince..

“I don’t know why, I am feeling restless about this. we can’t rely on the palace prison guard alone. Inform the royal guards to join them immediately tomorrow morning. I want the prison to be tightly secured”

“Yes Your majesty”

“I am having a bad feeling about this,” The king insists, exhaling loudly.

“Try not to worry too much. Everything will be fine” The prince reassured.

“I hope so,” The king entailed, not feeling satisfied.

“Crown prince.”He called.

“You might be twenty five year old and still think you are still a child but I want you to know that you are no longer a child. You are the heir to my throne. Always be on your toes at anytime” he directed.

“I will keep that in mind Your majesty”

“The reason why I am involving you in all of these, is because I want you to learn from me, inorder for you to rule the people well when I am no more”

“Father You do not have to worry. I promise to be a great king like you”

“That’s good to hear”

I hope everything works out well. The king whispers and releases a deep breath.

….

Mother and I sat down on the neatly laid cover. In front of us each is handmade embroidery and with the embroidery needle laying perfect in our hands. We are both massively immersed in our embroidery but the look on my face shows depression. Why won’t it be when my mind is occupied with the thought that is nagging me since we left Father and brother alone.

Beside us are other materials such as quills, beads, sequins and pearls. An embroidery hoop and embroidery floss lay next to these materials.

Suddenly I cried out when the crewel needle pierced my finger since I wasn’t paying full attention to it.

“Suk. Are you okay?” Mother asked worriedly, moving closer to me, and taking my hand on her own as she blew air on my finger.

“Mother. I’m fine. I was thinking about something else” I replied with a small smile.

“You need to pay better attention when doing your embroidery” She cautioned and took a glance at me before continuing to blow on the wound.

“You read difficult books so easily but your embroidery is terrible” she went on, trailing her finger on my embroidery.

Yes she is right I won’t brag about it. I can clearly say that I am more versed in academics than most scholars out there, but according to mother embroidery is something all women of buyeo must do, not only buyeo but joseon at large. So I am left with no choice but to do this.

“I will work hard to improve”

“Of course you must” She sat back and resumed her embroidery.

“I wonder what Father and my brother are talking about? I hope all is well” I said looking at my mother.

“I am sure it’s not something serious and if it is Your father will take care of it,” mother replied without raising her head from her embroidery.

“Okay”

I just don’t know but I have a feeling something that will change my life forever is about to happen. I just can’t shove the feeling off my mind.

“I have a bad feeling about something happening soon,” I said absent-mindedly.

“Why did you say so?” Mother asked.

“Nevermind”

★★★

I opened my eyes and squinted in the sunshine streaming in through the open window. I stretched, feeling more relaxed than I had since.

I sat up and looked around the room until my gaze landed on the back of a maid cleaning the room. I was unable to see her face since she was backing me, but I still knew it wasn’t one of my maids. I have always been familiar with my maids and will recognize them even at a distance far.

“Who are you?”

I asked, which alerted the maid of my presence and she swiveled around immediately bowing her head.

“Did you have a good night’s sleep, Your highness?” The maid greeted courteously.

I yawned loudly saying some inaudible words and the maid chuckled lightly.

“What is wrong with you?” I demanded, throwing her a glance.

“I am sorry Your highness” she apologized with her head still bowed.

“Who are you? and where is my maid who is in charge of cleaning the room”

“I am your new maid, I was transferred here this morning,” The maid replied.

Why does her voice sound familiar?.

“Raise your head”

With that being said, the maid raised her head up and I gasped in surprise.

“You… Aren’t you the maid at the laundry room”

“Yes Your highness,” she replied slowly.

“Why are you….” I trailed off when I remembered I asked my mother for the request yesterday.

Has my mother granted my request? My mother is the best.

“I was told to resume here this morning,” She explained, seeing the confused look on my face.

“But if Your highness is bothered by my presence, I will quickly go and change my assignment” she bowed and turned to leave but my voice stopped her.

“Come back here!,”I replied as calmly as possible.

The maid turned back.

“Move closer” I ordered and the maid moved closer to me.

“What is your name?”

“Na ji hye Your highness”

“Na ji hye” I called with a smile coming on my lips.

“Yes Your highness”

“Since you are already here. There’s no problem, just do your job diligently.

“I won’t let you down Your highness”

“Your highness it’s time to get ready for the day”

A voice boomed outside and the door opened revealing the court lady and the maids. They walk in carrying different boxes and washstands including what I need to get ready, starting from my undergarments to ornaments and other necessary things.

Na ji hye bowed and moved back, falling in line with the other maids while the court lady moved closer to me.

“Did you have a good night rest Your highness” The court lady bowed and greeted courteously.

“I guessed so” I simply started stroking the back of my neck.

“We will get Your highness ready”

With that being said the courtlady clapped her hand once and the maids moved closer to me, kneeling beside me.

They kept the box with them on the floor and opened it revealing different beauty marks and ornaments.

Two of them watched my face by cleaning my face with a wet towel. They dipped another towel in a bowl of water and used it to clean my neck and arm to my finger, and helped me into a flimsy white cotton gown after removing the previous one. After they are done with that, they move to my hair, loosen it down and brush it back before styling it with different ornaments. With that being done the other retreated back leaving two maids to do my makeup.