Chapter 10

"After learning the proper way of drinking the tea and answering the host's questions, we shall move to the next one" The Royal Courtesan said, named Jung Sooyeon

Joohyun nodded her head as she gingerly put down the cup of tea on the tea table in front of her

"You should learn the basic stitches in embroidery" Sooyeon took something under her table, an embroidery set

"Are you sure you haven't tried this before? You are a daughter of Chief State Councilor and raised in Nobility-"

"Ah, Missus. Joohyun Eonni lost her memory. She's unable to recall her past but we are sure it is temporary only" Byul-yi butts in as they are just watching their friend behind

Sooyeon mouth agape and just simply nod her head

'I am unable to recall my life for real here because I am not a Joseon Irene' Joohyun thought

"Isn't confusing?" Sooyoung mumbled to Byul and Yerim

"What is that again, Park Sooyoung?" Byul-yi frowned at her

"Do our body forget things too when we lost our memories?" Sooyoung asked nonchalantly

Her question made Byul and Yerim turn their heads at her, giving her a unquestionably look

"Are you serious with that question, Eonni?" Yerim asked, "Because that is absurd"

The taller one nodded her head, "Yes, why?"

Byul-yi leaned closer to her, "Because it's one of the stupid question I ever heard" she said and flicked Sooyoung forehead, causing the younger one wince in pain

"It hurts!"

"You should just became a detective than physician assistant, Eonni" Yerim uttered as she rolled her eyes

Sooyoung was about to retort when Baekhyun shouting can be heard

"Missus! Young Ladies!"

They turned their attention to him and saw him running towards them

"What is it, Baek?" Sooyeon asked

"We have visitors. They said they came from Palace and His Majesty ordered them to talk with Lady Bae" Baekhyun managed to answer despite running

"From palace?" Joohyun furrowed

"Yes, noona. You should come and see them"

"Are you looking for Lady Bae?" Byul-yi asked the noble-looking men

"Yes. We are from Palace and His Majesty ordered us to give these gifts to the candidate for the Crown Prince's consort" The middle-aged man said

Baekhyun pointed to the wagon with a few boxes, "This is for Lady Joohyun, My Lord?"

"Yes, you may take it in. It is a few gifts from Her Majesty, The Queen and her son, Crown Prince's half-brother" Officer Jang answered

Then, Joohyun came out from Byul-yi and Sooyoung behind

"You are looking for me?" She asked with a small smile on her face

The men from the Palace immediately bow their heads to show respect at Joohyun as she is the Chief State Councilor’s daughter

"Good afternoon, My Lady. I am the Royal Liaison Officer Jang" Officer Jang introduced himself and took something inside his robe sleeve

"We are here to deliver you this personal invitation for the tea party with His Majesty and the Queen tomorrow night after the selection ceremony. Along with the Queen Dowager" Officer Lee stated and politely gave the silk envelope to Joohyun

Joohyun opened it and there was a royal seal that proves it is from the King

"Lady Joohyun, the Queen and her son is sending their gratitude to you for participating in the selection" Officer Jang said as he lend his hand on the wagon with Baekhyun standing beside it

Joohyun smiled, "Please send my gratitude as well. I am honored to receive a gift from them"

"Yes, My Lady. We apologize for interrupting your day. We will now leave" Officer Jang bows his head

The ladies did the same

They bid goodbye and they watched the two officers left

Then, Minjeong and Baekhyun was left at the gate

"What did you buy?" Baekhyun asked

"I bought Joohyun Eonnim this beautiful ribbon. I am sure this will fit her perfectly" Minjeong grinned happily at him as she shows the baby blue ribbon with blossom flowers stitched on it

"It looks expensive. You should ask me, little sis" Baekhyun chuckled softly and wrapped his arm on her, "Let's go inside. I cooked something special today!" He pulled Minjeong with her but the kid stopped him

"Orabeoni, what if Eonni became the Crown Princess?" Minjeong asked

Baekhyun furrowed his brows, "Why did you ask? You don't want it?"

"It's not like that. I just have this feeling that she won't"

On the next day, it's already the selection ceremony for the candidate of Crown Princess

The three candidates are preparing themselves for the First ceremony in their respective quarters

Joohyun's friends are patiently waiting for her outside her quarter.

They were all stunned when Joohyun stepped out at the door, looking beautiful on her white-collar in an amaranth jacket along paired with a french rose long skirt 

"Oh my goodness. You are now the most beautiful lady in Joseon I've ever seen!" Baekhyun suddenly exclaimed

"I am sure that His Royal Highness will choose you, Eonnim!!" Minjeong went to her and held the older one's hand, "The ribbon looks beautiful in you" she grinned

'I am sorry, Eonni. I've said to Baekhyun Orabeoni that His Royal Highness won't choose you. Just my feelings'

Joohyun chuckled softly, "Thanks to you, Minjeong. You are the best" she smiled

"No wonder why a lot of men proposing marriage to her" Byul-yi whispered to Yerim and Sooyoung

The two nodded their heads cluelessly with their mouth agape

They are also stunned on their Eonni's beauty

"Let me you, Noona" Baekhyun grinned widely as he stood up down the stairs and leaned his hand to Joohyun

They chuckled at his actions before Joohyun took his hand and help her step down

"Palanquin is already outside" Joohyun's mother came with her father

They bowed their heads at them

"Shall we go, Milady?" Baekhyun asked in his deep voice and different tone that made everyone laugh because of his face

They followed Joohyun exiting the quarter while Sooyoung is beside her, holding Joohyun's cloak on her arms

"Baekhyun" Councilor Bae called the latter when Joohyun is already inside the Palanquin

"Yes, My Lord?" Baekhyun bowed at him

" her to the Palace and wait for her outside until it's done. Understand?"

Baekhyun nodded his head vigorously, "Yes, My Lord!" He saluted that made Councilor Bae laugh a little

"Sooyoung, stay on her side"

Sooyoung smiled at him, "Don't worry, Uncle. You can trust me"

"You may now go" Councilor Bae commands the lifters of the palanquin ride

They slowly lift the palanquin and was about to leave when someone came

It was Heechul and as his usual look, he has his sword in his grip

He bowed at them and went towards Councilor Bae as he is giving him a frown

"His Royal Highness sent me to as the bodyguard of Lady Bae, My Lord" Heechul said near Councilor Bae's ear

"Why did he do that?"

Heechul bow his head, "His Royal Highness just ordered me, My Lord"

Councilor Bae nodded his head, "Maybe he's still showing his gratitude to her"

Meanwhile, Byul-yi and Yerim are looking at each other

"Isn't that Young Mister Donghee's right hand?" Yerim whispered at Byul-yi. And they know, Sooyoung is thinking the same way

"He is saying something to Uncle. Did you hear it?" Byul-yi asked back

Yerim shrugged her shoulder, "Maybe because Mister Donghee is the son of Minister. It does make sense"

"He couldn't show himself to Eonni after what happened a few days ago"

Three palanquins halted right in front of the Palace's main gate

It caught people passing around and all of them starts murmuring when they saw the ladies' right-hand, they knew that the Palanquins beside them are for the young noble ladies who were inside

They started to suspect that it is for their Crown Prince

The right-hand ladies opened the Palanquin door

"Noona, let me help you" Baekhyun pushed Sooyoung aside to stand on her track

The taller one looked at him in disbelief, "You are overreacting now, Byun Baekhyun" Sooyoung hissed and the latter stick his tongue out at her

Joohyun just chuckled at their behavior and took Baekhyun's hand so that she could step out from the palanquin

That's when the three ladies came out from their Palanquin, people's gossip went loud

Then, there are three middle-aged ladies and their eyes are all in Joohyun

"They are so lucky. Especially the one they will choose"

"Don't you know? There is a rumor that the youngest physician here is the chosen one to be the Crown Princess!"

"Really?! The Chief state councilor's daughter?! That's her, right? The prettiest among them?"

"They are all pretty. But that Lady is astounding. Look at these men, they are already drooling and daydreaming" they laughed

"We shouldn't wonder. Every man here in Hanyang wants to marry her, she is beautiful"

"She is kind too, I once went to their infirmary. Maybe that's why His Royal Highness chosen her already"

"Wait, she never considered herself that she is a Noble lady, right?"

"Yes. However, she is Chief State Councilor's daughter. And His Majesty personally request to three of them"

They sighed in unison, "I wish we could be pretty as her when we were young so that our husbands didn't leave us" the other one mumbled as stared at Joohyun in envious

"Are you saying that we're ugly?"

"Yes, because that beautiful young physician exist"

"Eonni, don't forget what Minjeong's mother said about the common questions for this kind of ceremony. Okay?" Sooyoung uttered softly while she's fixing Joohyun's robe

All of the candidates are outside of the Pavilion and waiting for the call

"Don't worry, I can handle it" Joohyun said as she smiled at the taller one to reassure her

Sooyoung then leaned down to her, "Eonni, I have this feeling that this Lady with Mister Donghee is jealous at your beauty" she whispered

"She keeps stealing glances on you"

Joohyun looked at her in surprise, "Yah, don't say that. She is more pretty than me"

"Maybe she is jealous because Mister Donghee likes you? She was with her, right?"

Joohyun shot a glare on her, "Park Sooyoung"

Sooyoung pout her lips and just keep herself from talking

Earlier, Joohyun was surprised when she saw Soojung come out from the other palanquin beside hers

Both of them had a few second staring competition before the officers interrupted them

Joohyun thought she is Seulgi's lover at first sight but not when the latter bluntly confessed her feelings to her

She knew there was something on Soojung's reaction, it might be unreadable but she knew

'That stupid man. Is he numb?'

Joohyun snorted, 'That is right, this Lady should be here and must be the chosen one so that she could forget that Donghee'

That's what she thinks

"You must be Lady Joohyun?" Soojung suddenly spoke

Joohyun turn her head at her and smile as she bows her head, "Yes"

"I'm Jung Soojung.." She lends her hand to Joohyun

Sooyoung eyes widened as her eyes exchanged in both of them when they shook their hands

"We met a few days ago, If I am not mistaken?" Soojung smiled

Joohyun nodded her head, "You're with Donghee"

'Donghee? Who is- Ah, she doesn't know that Seulgi is a Crown Prince?'

"Yes, he is my friend. How about you? How did you know him?"

"I just met him on the marketplace" Joohyun answered in nonchalant

Soojung then asked again, "He likes you, right? Do you like him too?"

Joohyun and Sooyoung’s eyes widened in shock. They didn't expect Soojung to ask like that straightforwardly

Of course, for Sooyoung it is suspicious. She was eyeing her since they arrived inside the palace

"Ah, you mean that’s what happened a few days ago" Joohyun chuckled, "He is just a mischievous friend for me and good at the same time because he helped me find for crown prince's mother cure"

Her statement made Soojung frown and surprise, 'Lady Kwon's cure? It's her?'

Soojung simply nodded her head on Joohyun and fixed her robe

'That is why you like her, Seulgi?'

"Bullseye!"

Seulgi flashed a smug smirk on her face when she hits the target perfectly

Eunuch Shin gave her another arrow. Then, Heechul came and greet her with a bow

"What happened?" She asked Heechul and positioned herself to shoot

"I did what you ordered to me, Your Highness. And the ceremony is already starting" Heechul answered

Seulgi hit the target with another bullseye, "She saw you?"

"She didn't. But her friends do"

Seulgi then mumbled, "I'm stuck"

"Your Highness, Prince Bogum is coming" Eunuch Shin said

All of the servants bow their heads when Bogum came with a wide grin on his face

Eunuch Shin and Heechul looked at each other

"Aren't you supposed to be at your future Crown Princess's ceremony, Your Highness?" Bogum asked as he wrapped his arms around Seulgi

"Hey. I should just better attend on the Second ceremony" Seulgi answered and put her bow down, "Why? You went there?"

"Yes, I saw Lady Joohyun there" Bogum said, "Aren't you going choose her?"

Seulgi looked at him and shrugged her shoulders, "You know that it is not my decision to make any more when Queen Grandmother chose who she wants"

"Still, are you not going to choose her? I've heard Grandmother is satisfied with her answers"

His statement made Seulgi a little surprised, "She is?" she was thinking that Joohyun might purposely answer the questions wrong because she didn't want to be a Crown Princess but it seems like she didn't from what she heard from her half-brother

"Yeah. You didn't know? Grandmother votes for her"

Seulgi eyes widened, even Eunuch Shin and Heechul, "What?"

Bogum chuckled softly, "I told you, you should have gone there, Your Highness"

Seulgi knew that when she didn't go there and let her Grandmother decide, no one could stop her even the King

"Tell Lady Choi to prepare my rbbe" Seulgi commands on Eunuch Shin, "We must go to the ceremony right away"

Seulgi glanced at Bogum before she rushed to leave the field, she was followed immediately by her servants

Bogum smirked, "I told you, Mother. You don't need to harm my dear Joohyun, the Crown Prince is even scared to choose her as his consort"

He let out a satisfied sigh and took a bow, "Now, I am wondering why he doesn't want to choose Joohyun. You love her yet you don't want her to be your wife?"

"Is there something you are hiding from us, Your Royal Highness?"

Sooyoung fixed her robe as she went out from the toilet room for visitors on the palace

"Ah, why is it taking them too long?" Sooyoung grunted, "I wonder how's Baekhyun doing outside"

"Here's your Lady's cloak"

Sooyoung turn around and saw the right-hand lady of Soojung

"Yah, Seung-on. Where did you go? I thought you stole it already" Sooyoung chuckled at her words and took the cloak on the latter's hand

"I went back to know what's happening, I heard that the Queen Dowager chose your Lady"

Sooyoung laughed at first without realizing what the latter have said. But then, when she does, her eyes went bulge

"My Lady?! She is the chosen Crown Princess?!" Sooyoung exclaimed in surprise

Seung-on smacked her on the shoulder, "Lower your voice, we're inside of the palace"

Sooyoung pursed her lips but she couldn't believe what she have just heard and at the same time, she is happy

"You're lucky, you will have the chance to see the Crown Prince's face" Seung-on told her

Sooyoung looked at her and they both giggled

"You know what, there's a rumor that His Royal Highness is a beautiful young man. I can't imagine seeing him in person" Seung-on said and Sooyoung agreed

But then, a various lineup of servants inside the palace came in. And it seems they are trying to increase their pace

"Oh, someone in the royal family is coming?" Seung-on muttered

"Your Highness, don't be in rush" Eunuch Shin begged Seulgi who was walking too fast

"Your highness?" Both Sooyoung and Seung-on muttered

Then, their eyes caught a person wearing a blue robe with a dragon emblem, leading the way

"It's the Crown Prince!"

They immediately bow their heads when they noticed that they're coming on their way

And like what exactly happened, Seulgi unintentionally stopped just a few steps away from Sooyoung track

"You know that once Grandmother gave her word, I am not able to do anything. Even my father" Seulgi said

Sooyoung couldn't help to tilt her head on the side to take a glance at where Seulgi is

That voice became familiar to her. She knew she heard it before she met the Crown Prince, but the voice seems confusing for her now

When she had the chance to see who it was, a Crown Prince's side profile greeted her

Sooyoung eyes squinted when she felt that the Crown Prince seems familiar on her

"He is not wearing a mask" she mumbled

Then, Seung-on elbowed her, "Don't you dare to get caught if you don't want to get beheaded. His Royal Highness has his bodyguard"

Sooyoung just nodded her head and keep her eyes back on the ground

'Why is that facade familiar? As well as his voice?'

She once took a brief glance when they passed on in front of them

But then, a scabbard of the sword's pointed right on Sooyoung's face

Sooyoung and Seung-on are both gasp surprised and wasn't able to move

"Who are you? Why are you staring at His Royal Highness?"

Sooyoung slowly turn her gaze on someone and it surprised her more

Both of their eyes are wide in surprise

"Y-you.. You are Donghee's right-hand, aren't you?!" Sooyoung pointed him

Heechul immediately sheathe his sword, "I apologize for surprising you like that" he bows his head a little

His presence inside the palace made Sooyoung frown.

She remembers how she saw Heechul rush to walks out when they reached the palace

"Why are you here?" Sooyoung eyes squinted

It suddenly made Heechul stunned, he should think of something to make the latter believe

"You are His Royal Highness bodyguard, right?" Seung-on chimed in

Another confusing thing Sooyoung heard as she looks at Heechul, "You do? I thought you are Donghee's?"

Heechul doesn't know what to say and just asked, "Have you seen His Royal Highness's face?"

"No, I didn't have the chance. Why?"

He shook his head, "I'm leaving now" he uttered and rush to leave

Leaving Sooyoung in confused, "A lot of weird things happening"

"I want Lady Bae Joohyun for the Crown Prince" The Queen Dowager said