Perfect Crown in Royal Academy of Korea - Chapter 8

Chapter Eight: Royal Marriage

Irang put away her white cheolik carefully. Recalling the sensation of the reins left on her palms, Irang savored the small, fluttering beating of her heart.
 
Irang, who had learned stillness from a very young age, could only be noisy atop a horse. Everything from her hair getting disheveled as much as she cut through the wind, to her breath growing rough as much as she pulled the reins.
 
Irang loved horse riding for that reason. The thrill of the moment when she was allowed to be undone was as beautiful as the joy of playing the piano.
 
But that was exactly as far as it went. Even if she wanted to run faster, and even if she wanted to win more, she had to endure.
 
'Do not reveal what you want.'
 
It was her father's long-standing teaching. That the most terrifying person in the world is a person who wants nothing. Therefore, no matter what you want, do not get caught. Consequently, Irang always wore a serene face. Like a person who wanted nothing.
 
"Did you see Sung Heejoo earlier?"
 
Irang, who came out to the lounge, heard the name that had been the talk of the town throughout the friendly match.
 
"Sung Heejoo?"
 
"Yeah, she practiced like crazy even at dawn and persistently received the Eosahwa flower in the end."
 
"She works hard."
 
Irang, who responded moderately, sat on the sofa and opened a book. It was a sign that she didn't want to hear any more. She couldn't understand why she had to listen to the story of a girl who was a commoner and an extramarital child. She heard the girl possessed a decent talent in her own way, so it seemed she was running wild here and there relying on that one thing.
 
The rumors heard whenever there was a spare moment were like that. On one day she fought with someone. On another day she made someone cry. And on yet another day she persistently won in the end; she was tired of listening to stories of the sort.
 
Irang, who became absorbed while pretending to concentrate on the book, recalled a conversation with her father from a few days ago.
 
'The Crown Princess Consort must be you.'
 
It was a word he said while handing over a photograph of the Crown Prince. That since the Royal Family is preparing for the Crown Prince's wedding, you must become the Crown Princess Consort. Therefore, in the future, the Queen of this country also, must be you.
 
Just as her father's words were not a question, Irang likewise did not give an answer. Because she was not unaware that she could not refuse.
 
She didn't particularly have a mind to refuse either. She had anticipated that a day like this would come eventually, and it wasn't difficult to imagine herself having become the Queen. Rather, it was difficult to recall an appearance of herself not being the Queen.
 
When she was young, she had dreamed of being a pianist at times, but... a dream was just a dream.
 
"I have heard the news. That you received the Eosahwa flower."
 
"It is not a talent worth bragging about."
 
Irang said while setting down her teacup. Irang was one who visited the Eastern Palace about once a week ever since she first audience-greeted the Crown Prince at his birthday banquet. It was because of the adults' thought that affection might arise if they were put together.
 
Even if affection did not arise, there was nothing bad. When they held the national wedding later on, they would gather these tedious times and package it as a 'date.'
 
"Do you like horse riding, Your Highness?"
 
"I do not like it."
 
At the plain answer, Irang nodded her head. He, who was two years older than her, possessed a slightly indifferent disposition. While listening faithfully no matter what the other party said, he did not pay attention no matter what the other party said. As if he had no leisure to care about such trifling things.
 
She had no complaints. His indifference was a token that he was not particular or that he was generous in his own way. Although the thought that marriage life would be tedious crossed her mind, she hadn't had expectations that it would be interesting either, so she wasn't greatly regretful.
 
"Ah, my younger brother likes it."
 
"Pardon?"
 
"Horse riding, I mean."
 
"Ah."
 
"Because he is a child who likes both animals and sweating."
 
Into the Crown Prince's voice, which had no highs or lows, warmth seeped. That was the same even when Grand Prince Leean spoke of his older brother.
 
"I heard you have a friendship with my younger brother."
 
"We are classmates, so it is only to the extent of taking the same classes occasionally."
 
"Did you not resent it?"
 
"Resentment?"
 
"The marriage with me, I mean. He was so angry asking how I could not tell him in advance...."
 
He said with a smile on his lips. It was a moment when it felt real that he and Grand Prince Leean were brothers. She thought they had no resembling points except for their tall stature and frame, but the playfulness felt from his face brought Grand Prince Leean to mind.
 
"There was no such thing."
 
"Is that so."
 
"His Highness is not one to express his feelings over personal matters."
 
The Crown Prince's face became absorbed in thought. Exactly what he was thinking, his silence while tilting his head continued long. Then, out of the blue—
 
"I see the reason Royal Father chose you."
 
"Pardon...?"
 
"Are you not distinguishing between words that should be said and words that should not be said."
 
"......"
 
There was a bone in the gentle voice. At the moment she stiffened her face thinking if her air of picking words was excessive—
 
"It is a compliment."
 
He added.
 
"Because that is a thing neither I nor my younger brother can do."
 
There was a bone in the added words as well. Vaguely, the thought that it was shameful crossed her mind. As if he knew that heart, but as if he had no interest, the Crown Prince's eyes were upright and heartless.
 
That heartlessness could be cruel, Irang realized for the first time on that day.
 
Wan, who was called by his Royal Father and given a thorough scolding today as well, moved his steps trudge by trudge. Exactly because of what he was so angry was an unknowable thing. He did say something, but because he was looking at the pattern of the main hall floor, he couldn't hear it properly.
 
In the eyes of Wan, who was walking while tapping the dirt floor, a familiar human figure was seen.
 
"Yoon Irang?"
 
The face standing next to the pond where Mount Bugak was reflected was certain. She was one of the classmates he treated comfortably in his own way, but ever since hearing the word that she would become his older brother's mate, it was a turn where treating her became awkward. Therefore, he had intended to just pass by, but—
 
"Why is she playing the sorrowful soul again."
 
The gloomy expression weighed on his mind. Tsk, Wan, who clicked his tongue, widened his strides and walked. The autumn leaves turning red toward their peak shook above Wan's head.
 
"What kind of thoughts do you have so intensely."
 
"Argh!!"
 
Whether she was startled, Irang, who let out a scream, blinked her large eyes. He hadn't particularly killed his sound, but it seemed she hadn't felt a presence.
 
"What do you mean appearing suddenly like this."
 
"Sorry."
 
Wan, who apologized roughly, looked at the Eastern Palace court servants standing behind Irang.
 
"Did you come to see my brother."
 
"Yes, Your Highness."
 
"Was it a pleasant time?"
 
"Of course, Grand Prince, Your Highness."
 
"Is that so...?"
 
Wan, who knitted his brows as if unable to believe it, tilted his head. Seeing the corners of his mouth tilt sideways and his cheekbones rise roundly, it seemed he wanted to play a prank.
 
"Court Lady Park."
 
Wan, who lowered his voice deep, called the Eastern Palace court lady.
 
"Yes, Grand Prince, Your Highness."
 
"Since I will personally guide Yoon Irang to the palace gate, you may return to the Eastern Palace now."
 
"Pardon? No, Your Highness. This servant will personally...."
 
"Don't tell me you are worried that I might lose my way."
 
"It is not that, but...."
 
Wan, who grasped the victory, gestured with his eyes to Irang with a stern face. Although it might be a quite dignified bearing in the eyes of people who didn't know anything, Irang had to do her best to hold back a laugh.
 
Irang, who entered the western villa, let her eyes shine. A grand piano, which she hadn't expected to be in the palace, was boasting its sleek bearing.
 
"Is the tuning done on this?"
 
When she asked while stripping away her stiff way of speaking, Wan answered with an uncertain tone.
 
"Since my brother also receives lessons... it should be done?"
 
"Does His Highness receive piano lessons too?"
 
"He does receive them."
 
"He does?"
 
"I deem he has no talent."
 
Irang, who let out a loose chuckle, took her place in front of the piano. Wan, who nodded his head to her face looking at him as if asking for permission, sat on the stool next to the piano and finished his preparation to appreciate. Only then did Irang create a beautiful melody with careful touches.
 
When the short performance ended, Wan brought up words lightly.
 
"Are you alright?"
 
"About what?"
 
"Marrying into the Royal Family."
 
When she looked at him as if asking what he meant, Wan shrugged his shoulders.
 
"They say the scheduled national wedding date is next year. Then your age is barely twenty, so it's a waste."
 
"Is my opinion important."
 
At those words, Wan, who knitted his brows, let out an irritation.
 
"You and my brother say the exact same words."
 
"Pardon?"
 
"I wish my brother would be happy. You too."
 
"......"
 
Irang, who was at a loss for words, recalled her father's request. The very old teaching telling her not to reveal what she wanted. Consequently, Irang—
 
"In a royal marriage... is there a place for happiness to exist?"
 
Answered indifferently, like a person who didn't want a happy marriage or the sort.