The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 6

***

Mirinae was the consort of Seraguk, possessing the highest authority among the consorts in the absence of the Empress. However, his elevated status wasn’t solely because he received more love than the other male leads, but rather due to his powerful supernatural abilities.

The ability of Mirinae’s family, the Jeyun, was healing. Among them, Mirinae was exceptionally powerful. The ordinary part ends here; the problem was that Mirinae was rumored to be a dragon who blessed his family with these abilities. Dragons could change their appearance to look human, but their eyes remained distinct, with pupils that narrowed like those of reptiles. Normally, these eyes were concealed, but when excited or using their abilities, they became distinguishable, as I had seen.

To remain by the Empress’s side as a human, Mirinae had desperately hidden his eyes, and I had just seen his secret.

If I had to name the most frightening of the male leads, it would undoubtedly be Mirinae. He possessed both authority and physical strength within the palace and, above all, was a strategist among the male leads.

Rumors suggested that the current Empress was sent into exile because of Mirinae’s silver tongue, and I knew this to be half-true.

Please save me. It’s my fault.

I held my trembling hands tightly. Mirinae’s concerned voice was heard above me.

“Your Majesty. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. And you, coming here in such a disheveled state?”

“My apologies.”

Mirinae’s lips curved in embarrassment. Even just seeing his lips, his beauty was overwhelming.

“But Your Majesty, what happened that…”

“Ah, this child coughed after eating some fruit.”

Stop. Please stop.

No matter how shameless the Empress is rumored to be, it’s too brazen to misunderstand and cause the dignified consort to rush here in panic.

And why does that chilling gaze fall on me?

At the Empress’s words, Mirinae let out a breathy laugh. The slight sound of his laughter was beautiful, but to me, it sounded like a hissing snake.

“Oh dear. You should have been careful, my lady.”

“…Ha ha.”

I laughed weakly at his kindly voice directed at me, then quickly came to my senses. This wasn’t the time for me to laugh.

Being of higher status, I should have greeted the consort first.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I should have greeted you first…”

“It’s alright. It must have been a shock.”

His gentle words felt even more chilling. As I tried not to shiver, Mirinae’s cool hand touched my head.

Lifting my head to his touch, I saw Mirinae smiling with his eyes covered by a white band. Even with his eyes hidden, his smile deepened when I looked up.

“I hope we get along well in the future.”

He’s sizing me up for a kill.

Some things are understood without being said. And soon, it seemed Mirinae would ask whether I preferred poison or decapitation.

“Indeed. She’s still a child, so take good care of her.”

The Empress cluelessly interjected. Right when that snake was deciding whether to swallow me whole or in two bites, what a fine thing to say

The original setting was truly terrible. The Empress was oblivious. Even if she was a tyrant who dyed the throne with blood, she was utterly ignorant of people’s hearts.

So, now Mirinae is sizing up his kill, and not only do I know it, but the palace maid behind us and even the fruit on the table knows, except for her.

I just smiled awkwardly.

“…Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

***

“The fruit seems to be fine.”

I was alright, but just to be sure, all the food on the table was checked for poison. Mirinae, having placed down the plate of fruit I had been eating, said with a gentle smile.

“It seems the Jaepyun you ate was too bitter for you.”

“Was it?”

At Mirinae’s words, the Empress’s gaze turned towards me. I nodded slowly and replied in a small voice.

“…Yes.”

“Your Majesty. She is still quite young, isn’t she? Jaepyun may not be suitable for children. They prefer something a bit sweeter.”

Mirinae joked and chuckled. His fist was clenched, covering his mouth with a white hand, which looked pretty.

Despite being on guard, it was undeniable that Mirinae was a stunningly beautiful man. His glossy platinum blonde hair reaching down to his feet, flawless white skin without a blemish, a slender but not skinny body, and a face as if carefully painted.

As if to prove he wasn’t a snake, Mirinae knew very well how to use his beautiful face, especially with the Empress. Just now, he emphasized three times how young I was.

“Would you like to eat something else?”

The Empress asked me. I slightly bowed my head with a troubled expression.

“I apologize, but it’s getting late…”

“Ah, right. It’s time for bed.”

The Empress quickly agreed and waved her hand to clear the table. The palace maids moved efficiently to clear the table and extinguished some of the candles, leaving only a few lit.

My eyes felt dry, and I yawned with my mouth closed. Tears welled up slightly. A few more yawns followed, distorting my face oddly.

The Empress said she would come in around Haeshi (*9 to 11 PM), so it must not yet be midnight, but being young, it seems fatigue accumulates quickly.

I really want to go to bed, but isn’t Mirinae leaving?

Caught off guard by my own thoughts, I was surprised to find myself wide-eyed. The fear I had of Mirinae, who was sizing me up for a kill just moments ago, seemed irrelevant as I found myself wanting him to leave. Maybe it was because I was sleepy and my mind was foggy.

It’s said that children forget their quarrels the moment they turn their backs, and it seems my mental age might have adjusted somewhat to my younger body.

But I was really sleepy. The tension had drained from my body after being on edge up until a moment ago.

When will he actually leave…

As I thought this and slightly lifted my head, Mirinae was quietly looking down at me. My body stiffened for a moment, but I couldn’t just bow my head again and stayed put.

His red eyes revealed earlier were frankly a bit terrifying, but now, with a white band covering his eyes, he just looked like an ordinary beautiful saint. Knowing he was a real snake didn’t change the incredible effect his appearance had.

As I blinked my sleepy eyes, Mirinae’s facial muscles twitched momentarily. Half-awake, I felt my sleepiness fly away at his reaction.

What does that mean?

His previously perfect face showed a significant change, and without realizing it, I stared at him intently. Mirinae then smiled, this time with a perfectly measured smile.

“You seem very sleepy.”

As soon as he said that, my view suddenly elevated. Startled by the sudden movement, I involuntarily swallowed.

What, why so high?

When adults lift children during festivals, the kids usually enjoy it, but I wasn’t particularly thrilled. Instead, I was more afraid of falling headfirst from this height.

Thinking “Ah, if he drops me…” wouldn’t be smart since Mirinae was too clever for such an act.

Even as I sneakily glanced around, fortunately, my body was gently placed on the bed. As I internally rejoiced at being reunited with the soft mattress, I felt my shoes coming off.

The shoes weren’t even tight, so why bother? If they fell off here, the shoes wouldn’t land neatly on the floor, and I’d have to take them off again later.

With that thought, I pointed my toes to prevent the shoes from falling off, which prompted a low chuckle from below.

“Relax your muscles.”

“I’m fine.”

I reflexively responded and then shivered as I mulled over those words. Looking straight ahead, I saw two people holding my feet.

It was the Empress and Mirinae.

My thoughts froze in that moment.

“…Why?”

Standing perfectly fine a moment ago, why did they suddenly kneel before me, each holding one of my feet? I was so surprised that my feet relaxed. Then, they smoothly removed my shoes and placed them neatly to one side of the floor.

What’s this? Why the sudden familiarity?

It seemed they didn’t realize how strange this was. Both of them must be crazy.

“…Thank you. But next time, I’ll do it myself.”

I said in a small voice with an awkward smile, which caused both of their faces to stiffen. A look of disappointment flashed across both faces for a moment.

Honestly, I was really confused.

I could understand the Empress, but Mirinae, what about you…

***

Mirinae was striding down the corridor. The maids desperately calling after him and chasing him did not matter to his pace, which was unlike the usually graceful and noble consort.

The moment he heard about an attempt of poisoning in the Empress’s Floral West Palace, he had rushed over, forgetting even to cover his eyes with the eye patch, though not as hastily as now. At this moment, Mirinae was quite flustered.

Surprisingly, the reason for his agitation was the baby consort, who was hardly half his height.

The news of a consort being brought in from the Yeoran family had caused quite a stir within the palace. The Empress had turned her palace into practically a prison for her.

Lest the Yeoran family’s consort attempt any folly, Floral West Palace was strictly managed. Everyone entering was thoroughly checked for concealed items, and access was restricted.

Mirinae disliked the Empress spending her time on this, but his interest in the consort designated for Floral West Palace was just that. No matter who was brought in, Yehwa could not abandon Mirinae, and ultimately, he would remain her servant.

Thus, he was indifferent to Yehwa and Sanya’s first night. That was, until he ran like a dog with its tail on fire tonight.

Who. Dares. How?

The only thought in his mind as he dashed through the corridor was to find out who dared to touch them, and whatever it took to—

But when he burst through the door, all he found was a bewildered Yehwa and the consort, covering her mouth and bowing her head.

Mirinae first checked Yehwa’s condition. She was, surprisingly, completely unharmed from head to toe.

Confused, Mirinae then realized there was another in the room who could have been the target of an assassination attempt.

Turning his head, he locked eyes with the consort, their surprised violet eyes meeting his.