If You Claim the Fallen Heiress - Chapter 107

Kim Seon looked at such a Yuseol and tilted his head slightly. Her outstanding beauty remained, even though her eyes were covered by a piece of cloth. In addition, her skin had become pale, exuding a fragile beauty. He smiled as if his fatigue was melting away just by looking at her, and he unclasped his hands that had been behind his back the whole time.

“I heard you weren’t well. Are you alright today?”

“I was tired from the long journey, but I am slowly recovering.”

“There is someone who is disappointed that you couldn’t go on the boat trip together today.”

“I couldn’t go because I was worried I would inadvertently cause trouble, as I still have a lingering fever.”

After saying that, Yuseol revealed her concerns. She had gotten through today without any problems, but it seemed it would be difficult to make up an excuse that she was sick every time she needed to avoid Meisa. It seemed like a good idea to make up an excuse in advance, as Yanghui had said.

“I am only hesitant because I am unable to swim, so I would not be able to ride the boat even if I went with them.”

Kim Seon asked with an interested voice.

“It is a shame that you cannot ride a boat. Then, what kind of games do you like?”

“I like to enjoy flowers, Your Majesty.”

Yuseol, who had answered without difficulty, paused for a moment. She wondered if she would cause a misunderstanding by bringing up the flower viewing that Han Yuseol had liked.

She belatedly put on a smile.

“Just like all women do.”

“That’s true. What woman doesn’t like to enjoy flowers?”

Kim Seon thought for a moment and then continued in a gentle voice.

“I have a flower garden behind the main hall. The spring flowers will soon bloom, so I will invite you soon.”

Yuseol, who had been looking at his feet, raised her head and looked at Kim Seon. She could feel it even from the vague figure covered by the piece of cloth. Unlike him, who had subtly gotten irritable when they talked about flower viewing, he was very thoughtful now.

What had moved him so easily? And why had everything been so difficult for Han Yuseol?

It was a noon filled with many thoughts. Yuseol’s voice, which was calmed by eating a lot of mint leaves, echoed under the camellia tree.

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, Kim Seon looked over Yuseol’s shoulder. Meisa was approaching, dragging a large number of noblewomen and court ladies.

Seeing them, Yuseol’s heart pounded unsteadily. She had expected to hear about this after Meisa returned from the boat trip, but she hadn’t anticipated her showing up here. She felt sweat break out all over her body.

Meisa stood next to Yuseol and nodded towards Kim Seon.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

Kim Seon asked with a puzzled voice.

“Didn’t you say you were going on a boat trip?”

“Sadly, the preparations weren’t complete, so I was waiting. I heard the news and came to show my face while I was walking through the palace to relax.”

Meisa nodded as if to emphasize that it was true, but anyone could see from her flushed face that she had rushed here after hearing the news. Her gaze toward Yuseol was also not kind.

“But didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well and couldn’t participate in the boat trip?”

Yuseol, who felt a furious anxiety in her heart, answered nonchalantly.

“That is right. I wasn’t feeling well, so I was getting some fresh air.”

Just then, the Chief Secretary, who was standing by, said something to Kim Seon. Kim Seon nodded and looked back and forth between Meisa and Yuseol.

“Then I will be on my way.”

As he left for the training grounds, Meisa put her arms on her hips as if to show off. Her resolve to question why a woman who had been absent from the women’s gathering due to being sick was having a conversation with the king was clear.

“I do not understand this situation. I was so worried when I heard you weren’t well that I was about to send you some medicine.”

The sound of her clicking her tongue was heard, as if she felt more resentful the more she thought about it.

Yuseol looked at Meisa with a gaze that suggested she was being too sensitive. In fact, it was ridiculous enough to warrant a scoff. It seemed Meisa had already forgotten her own misdeed of taking the place of a woman who had been waiting to marry the king not long ago. Looking back, it wasn’t a coveted position, but it was painful to see Meisa acting like a victim even though she had power on her side.

Yuseol smiled as if she didn’t understand Meisa’s intention.

“It makes my heart happy that you are worried about me. I will focus on my recovery now.”

Yuseol’s goal from now on was to divert Meisa’s attention elsewhere. As she had practiced while looking in the black mirror, Yuseol continued to speak gently.

“His Majesty suggested a flower viewing soon. You will be joining us too, won’t you, Lady?”

The gazes of the yangban women and court ladies were all on Yuseol. Before her family’s downfall, they had all been on Yuseol’s side. Yuseol wondered if Meisa would be able to keep them by her side.

Then, she said calmly and passed by Meisa.

“I look forward to seeing how beautiful the flower garden behind the main hall that His Majesty mentioned is.”

Meisa, who glanced back, was smiling as if she were at ease. For some reason, Yuseol was reminded of a dog she had seen when she was little that had fallen into the water. It was swimming instinctively, but it didn’t have a moment to spare.