Jin-Ri quickly straightened her posture and answered the prince "No, Your Highness, this is the first time I heard about something so ridiculous" But deep inside, she thought of something else "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It was me; I started the whole thing. I must find a way to reverse things before my neck gets twisted like a wet towel!"
"Your Highness, I will try to ask the court ladies from where they heard this rumor, I might be able to trace them," She told the prince while asking permission to leave. Young-Sik just waved his hand while continuing his conversation with the eunuch.
Jin-Ri ran out of the palace, into the market and straight to the Cherry Blossom, "The rumor must be stopped before it reaches the royal family or there will be a blood bath. Jin-Ri you stupid, stupid girl"
When she arrived at the Cherry Blossom, she saw Yeng, Sweeping the grounds, she took her by the arm and dragged her to a secluded corner; "Do you know what you have done?" She asked Yeng, her teeth gritting in anger
"What? What have I done?" Yeng asked, confused as to what Jin-Ri was referring to.
"You started a rumor about the prince, that is what you have done!" Jin-Ri angrily replied, she looked around to make sure no one was listening in to their conversation
Yeng shrugged off Jin-Ri's grip and said "So what? It's not as if they could trace it back to me"
"So what? I am a court lady working in the prince's house! How long would you think before they found out and I got my head cut off?"She then exaggeratedly imagines herself in the town square kneeling with her head on a tree stump.
"Your Highness, it was just a joke, nobody gets hurt from a joke right? Please let me go I'm too young and tender to die" She dramatically cried out to the executioner who happened to be none other than Young-Sik
The prince walked closer to Jin-Ri and pulled out a comically large knife. "Wait! Why is that cleaver so big? I'm just a tiny little girl, that is so unfair! Can't I trade it for something more manageable, like a toothpick?"
"No mercy…because of you my reputation was tarnished! Now no girl would like to sleep with me!" Young-Sik raises the giant sword, his eyes glimmering with flames "Now begone, gossip maker!" with a sinister grin he swings the giant sword down on Jin-Ri's neck.
Jin-Ri shuddered at the thought of getting her head sloughed off from her neck. "Listen we are going to manage this little situation before it goes out of hand. Or so help me, I will tattle on you and your little dog too!" She warned her friend with a mock seriousness on her face.
"Fine, so what do we need to do?" Yeng asked, her voice surrendering to her friend.
"Alright, here's the plan! We'll start a sizzling new rumor that the prince is not just a heartthrob but also a total charmer with the ladies. And let's say the old rumor was the work of a jealous lover, now locked away in the palace," Jin-Ri declared with a mischievous grin, as if she'd just discovered the secret to the universe. "So, what are you standing around for? Go on, spread the word!"
The two went in opposite directions aiming to spread new rumors to cancel out the old one. Jin-Ri chanced upon a group of merchants having a meal and gossiping about the prince.
"I swear it's true! A friend of mine told me that the prince has a thing for boys," a man proclaimed, his tone dripping with certainty. Gasps echoed through the others, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief at the thought of their prince being anything but the dashing figure they adored.
Just then, Jin-Ri jumped in with impeccable timing. "Oh please, that's ancient gossip! I just heard that the rumor came from a woman who the prince clearly isn't interested in."
The crowd murmured, one voice rising above the rest, "But I heard he doesn't like women at all!"
Jin-Ri rolled her eyes and gestured to her court maiden attire. "Look at me! I'm a court maiden, and I can tell you this: every morning, I see a different lady leaving the prince's quarters, all smiles and a little unsteady on her feet."She revealed to counter the old rumor
Yeng, on the other hand, was weaving a similar but spicier story "You see that court lady?" pointing at Jin-Ri who was gossiping with another set of people "She is the prince's personal chamber slave, and let me tell you. She had fun last night with the prince. If you know what I mean" She told her fellow kisaengs with a wink and a gentle nudge.
"I knew that rumor was weird," A woman said "I definitely remember the prince having a smoochy time with two girls behind the palace one time" Yeng nearly burst into laughter with what she heard.
Before long, the whispers they shared began to spread like wildfire, bouncing from one person to another until the gossip was practically a full-blown spectacle. "Looks like everything is falling into place," Jin-Ri said, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "But I couldn't help but notice a group of girls shooting me daggers. What's that about?" she mused.
"Oh, that's nothing! They're just envious because I told them you're the prince's personal chambermaid," Yeng teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jin-Ri playfully swatted Yeng on the back of the head. "You little rascal! Now I'm just a cheap fling in their eyes. I'm heading back to the palace. We'll pick up the rumor mill tomorrow!"
Rubbing her head, Yeng called after her, "You forgot to say thank you, you little witch!" But Jin-Ri only shot her a cheeky middle finger in response.
After five days of rumor spreading, Jin-Ri mused her voice dripping with theatrical flair. "Here we are, at the end of day five, and against all odds, I'm still breathing!" She plopped down dramatically on the floor outside the prince's chambers, feeling like a character in a romantic comedy.
Just then, Prince Young-Sik's voice floated out, catching her off guard. "It's still early, you know. I could accidentally end your life if you're up for it!" he teased, a playful smirk evident in his tone.
"Of course, not Your Highness. Will you be needing anything tonight?" She inquired, hoping the prince would say no and just sleep
"Come inside, It's cold and I want you to keep me warm," Young-Sik said, turned around, and entered his sleeping chambers
Not thinking much of anything, Jin-Ri followed the prince inside the room, once inside she closed the doors She gazed around the lavishly appointed room, where exquisite paintings hung like whispers of history, golden trinkets sparkled like secrets, and shelves overflowed with neatly arranged books that seemed to beckon her closer. Just then, she caught sight of Young-Sik slipping behind an ornate room divider. Unbeknownst to the prince, his silhouette was perfectly framed, a sight of pure charm for Jin-Ri to admire.
A tiny squeak slipped out as she admired the prince's well-defined and toned outline. "Goodness gracious even his silhouette is so…I wish I stayed longer that night. With those looks, I might just find myself relishing every moment of his playful torment," she thought, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth as she continued to watch him change clothes.
As Young-sik stepped out from behind the room divider, he was still adjusting the ties of his pristine white robe. Jin-Ri's jaw dropped as she caught a glimpse of the prince's sculpted abdomen.
Young-Sik raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. "What's so interesting over there?" he teased.
It took Jin-Ri a moment to gather her wits, realizing he had seen her staring. "Me? Oh, I wasn't looking at anything! Just… admiring the decor!" she blurted, turning away in a fluster.
With a playful grin, Young-Sik reclined on his bed, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he called out to his court maiden. "It's chilly in here! Come on over and help me heat things up!"
Jin-Ri's thoughts came to a screeching halt at his words. "Wait, did I just hear that right?" she pondered, her cheeks flushing. "You want me to warm your bed?"
"Exactly! Is that a problem?" Young-Sik shot back, wriggling beneath his cozy blankets. "I'd like to be toasty tonight if you don't mind!"
"Oh my gosh... this is the moment... he believes I'm some kind of cheap chambermaid! Who knew the rumor I was spreading was true?" She wrapped her arms around herself, taking cautious steps back from the prince.
The prince straightened up, noticing Jin-Ri attempting to escape. "Where do you think you're off to? I told you to come here and keep me warm!"
In her mind, Jin-Ri declared, "I'm a court maiden, not a mere toy for someone's amusement." Her instructor's voice rang in her ears: 'A court maiden will go the distance for their masters.' With a heavy sigh, she thought, "Madame So, you better watch your back when I get out of this!"
As she cautiously approached the prince, she pouted, wondering, "Is this how the great Hong Jin-Ri's modesty is broken? By a goblin with a twisted sense of humor?"
Jin-Ri knelt at the prince's bedside, her little sobs escaping like raindrops on a quiet afternoon. She reached for the sheets, but Young-Sik turned, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What are you up to? Are you crying?" he inquired, his voice softening.
"No, I'm not crying… you're the one crying," she replied, her tone playful yet innocent.
"Didn't I tell you to warm my bed?" Young-Sik reminded her, a smirk playing on his lips.
"What do you think I'm doing…Your Highness?" Jin-Ri shot back, her eyes on the verge of tears. "Just so you know, I've never done this before, but I'm here to follow your orders, even if it means sacrificing my dignity," she added, her sobs now turning into a melodramatic wail.
"What on Chiongsun are you rambling about?" Young-Sik asked, his brow furrowed in confusion at the
"You said to warm your bed... doesn't that imply you want me to sleep with you?" Jin-Ri sniffled, her eyes glistening with tears.
"What? Absolutely not! I meant for you to fan the warm air from the brazier my way!" Young-Sik clarified, shaking his head in disbelief. "Honestly, you're a bit twisted, you know that?" He flopped back onto the bed, pulling the sheets to his chin. "And don't even think about it while I'm asleep; I saw that look you gave me," Sternly warning Jin-Ri
Jin-Ri couldn't help but feel a bit ridiculous about her swirling thoughts. She cast a glance at the inviting brazier at the foot of the bed. With a playful pout still on her lips, she sauntered over, plopped down next to it, and started to waft the warm air toward the prince, who was about to be blissfully lost in dreamland. As she took in his serene face, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. "Your Highness…why do you have to be so cruel to me?"
"You're aware that I could have you beheaded for talking to me like that, right?" Young-Sik quipped, raising an eyebrow at his court maiden.
Jin-Ri shrugged nonchalantly, a twinkle in her eye. "Sure, but at least I'll face my fate knowing the reason behind your hate for me."
Young-Sik leaned forward, a mischievous grin on his face. "Who told you I hated you?"
Jin-Ri huffed, looking like a cartoon character caught in a storm. "You're just so mean! It's like you enjoy making me do a million chores and then laughing at my misery!"
"Isn't that what you're supposed to do? Juggle a million tasks?" the prince quipped, hoping to make her see that chores were part of her royal duties.
"Well, yes... but the other maidens seem to breeze through their chores without a care in the world, while I'm drowning in mine," Jin-Ri replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
"That's because they have a whole squad to tackle each task," the prince said, reclining comfortably on his bed. "Honestly, I wouldn't have brought you on board at all, if my brother hadn't kept pushing me to do so."
"So, it turns out you really do hate me," Jin-Ri said, her voice tinged with melancholy as she lowered her head, fanning the warm air from the brazier.
"Tell me, would you still have a soft spot for me if I gave you a couple of smacks on the head?" the prince quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not to mention those nasty rumors that you spread about me, I think I should have you beheaded"
Jin-Ri gasped after processing what the prince said "You…you found out that it was me?" She suddenly bowed her head in a kowtow "Please forgive me, your Highness, just this once, I really don't want to die" She begged the prince
"At first, I was this woman trapped inside a man's body, the next thing I knew I was some sort of playboy, who made out with a tree that I wrapped in a skirt" Young-Sik revealed, his voice still calm, with a tinge of anger
The court maiden asked, her head still bowed "How…how did you know it was me?"
The prince sighed "Turned out I have a relationship with my court maiden, who doubles as my chamber slave who I got pregnant but refused to acknowledge, that's why she spread the rumor that I am not into girls." The prince elaborated
Jin-Ri's brows furrowed in disbelief "What? Why did the rumor become so twisted?" She asked herself "Yeng you little…this all your fault" She whispered to herself, still amused with the fact that the two rumors became intertwined into one.
"Do you have anything to say, about why you did it?" This time Jin-Ri detected a stern tone in the prince's voice
Jin-Ri raised her head to face the prince and with a nervous tone, she started to speak "I only spread the second rumor to cancel the first one, who would have guessed it would merge with the first one and become a monster? Additionally, I don't even know where the first one came from"
Young-Sik raised an eyebrow at his court maiden "That's it? No nothing to say to me to at least make me feel a little better?"
"What else should I say? I already explained I did it for your sake…your Highness" Jin-Ri sincerely told the prince, while wondering what else could she say
"I think I should have you beheaded now" Young-Sik exclaimed, with a hint of jest in his voice that Jin-Ri did not detect
Jin-Ri scoffed, "Honestly, I would have at least been the bigger person!"
Young-Sik, with a feisty glint in his eye, shot back, "And I would have at least thrown in a sincere 'I apologize!'"
They sat in silence, their eyes wandering around the room, each lost in their little world. Then, almost in perfect harmony, they said, Suddenly, they spoke in unison: "Don't worry about it," Young-Sik chimed in, while Jin-Ri added, "I'm sorry!"
They both burst into laughter, sounding like two kids caught in a playful moment. "You know, you're the first person to chat with me so casually," he remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Is that a bad thing? Should I be worried about my head?" Jin-Ri quipped, her mischievous side peeking through.
"Not today! Everyone else is so formal with me; it's like I'm in a never-ending royal court. You talking to me like a normal person is just what I needed," Young-Sik said, his smile lighting up the room.
With a yawn that could rival a lion's roar, Young-Sik declared, "Well, it's getting late, and I have a royal agenda to tackle in the morning." He flopped back onto his bed, wrapping himself snugly in the sheets, trying to shake off the awkwardness of the moment.
Jin-Ri, picking up on the vibe and the subtle tension nodded in agreement. "Sleep tight, Your Highness. I'll keep the cozy air flowing for you."