The Imperial Palace was a strange place for the young Seol-hee. Even walking on a small bridge in the palace was a very interesting thing for her. The scenery was luxurious wherever she looked. Whenever Haewoon visited the palace, he would often see a lot of the palace concubines and would often avoid them.

Seol-hee wasn’t aware but Yoon was very angry. The concubines who directly ridiculed Seol-hee, making speculations and malicious rumors about a child who was just often walking around, were chased away.

After that, although that kind of thing had disappeared and everyone seemed to be dealt with accordingly, the quick-witted child never even walked towards them again.

“I’m going to decline the emperor.”

Seol-hee, who was even a child to Yoon, bowed her head with courtesy. 

Son Yu, the emperor’s first son, was seven yeard older than Seol-hee.

“Did you hear it?” The emperor asked as he stroked his son’s head. The action sent shivers to Son Yu’s shoulders. Son Yu was always kind but Seol-hee was one of the people he wanted to avoid.

“I want to know why father loves Seol-hee so much.”

Son Yu looked at Seol-hee with greedy eyes. Although Seol-hee had a mother of unknown origina, she was still the daughter of General Haewoon, who became the emperor’s strength, so it will be helpful for him in the future. And since the emperor loves Seol-hee, his mother who is a noblewoman said that if he’s able to convince this girl, they will be able to change his position as the prince.

Whenever Seol-hee visited the palace, Son Yu would wait for her at the gates.

He wondered if others would think the same, looking for their chance to talk to Seol-hee. Son Yu would glare at the other princes who tried to get close to Seol-hee. They all knew his violent qualities well so they didn’t try and get close to her.

“May I teach you how to ride a horse?”

“I already learned it from my mother.” Seol-hee vowed her head and refused.

Son Yu’s eyes became sharp but he was conscious of his father’s faze, who was watching him at close proximity, and endured it.

“Then, will you watch your brother wield a sword?”

Among his brothers, he was the best at martial arts. When Son Yu secretly bragged about it, Seol-hee smiled and took a step back.

“No. It’s time for my father to leave, so I’ll get going.”

Son Yu tried to stop Seol-hee, who had just entered the hall and was about to leave her seat.

“I’ll have refreshments at my palace for you…”

“No! His Majesty already gave me refreshments. My mother told me to eat sweets only once a day, so I ate all of my share today already.”

Seol-hee did not understand the reason for the uncomfortable feeling she had. However, she wanted to get out of this place as carefully and as safely as possible, so she used the words of her mother to get out.

Son Yu’s face scarily hardened, but when his and Seol-hee’s eyes met, he pretended to be kind and laughed.

“Then, let’s go together some other time, alright? Or I would go and visit you in the manor.”

“Your father probably won’t allow that,” Seol-hee answered with a smile.

Failing to hide his expression any longer, his face had hardened. Then, thinking that he won’t be able to come to the palace hall anymore, he ran away.

“That girl…”