The Young Consort Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 84

* * *

The records did not state that the princess was born with that power from birth. She gained the Dragon’s Command ability after the enthronement ceremony, when her hair turned completely white.

In other words, she acquired that ability later in life. Up to this point, it was hopeful.

Only up to here though.

‘But how?’

The 25th Emperor, a member of the imperial family, became the Heavenly Dragon. However, there were no other cases besides her, and there was no explanation of how she became the Heavenly Dragon either.

The Dragon’s Command is a tremendous ability, but this too ended up being just as improbable.

I searched through more books about the Heavenly Dragon, but the only explanation was the record of the 25th Emperor. Unlike other emperors, she only had one husband who was born a consort, and the couple was said to have a very close relationship, which was the only peculiarity.

What could it be? I was gradually losing energy. To make matters worse, the next day was an unusually tiring day.

‘I can’t believe tomorrow is already the Yeongcheon Festival. Time sure flies.’

On the day I trudged back from the Restricted Archives, I tilted my head at Heesa’s hummed words.

‘Yeongcheon Festival?’

‘Ah, it will be Your Highness’s first Yeongcheon Festival!’

To summarize what Heesa excitedly chattered about:

The first emperor passed away during the founding festival. The death of an emperor, especially the founder, could not be overlooked. However, the Arun festival was just as important.

Since they could neither shorten nor delay the Arun period, it seems they decided to hold a memorial service for the first emperor only on that day.

I was puzzled as to why they called it the Yeongcheon Festival like a celebration, but I didn’t bother asking and let it pass.

That much was fine, but…

‘You should go to bed early tonight since you have to wake up early tomorrow.’

I shouldn’t have ignored Heesa’s smiling words. When they said they would wake me up early, I thought it would be at most the hour of the rabbit (5-7 AM), who would have known it would be midnight?

Anyway, from that time on, I was scrubbed clean and polished, and with flowers tucked in both my ears, I was drowsily nodding off.

“You must wear at least one camellia at all times.”

When it became apparent that I was sleepy, Heesa said that. I had already heard it to the point where my ears were ringing.

“Otherwise, the dragon might snatch you away!”

On the day of the Yeongcheon Festival, all the people of Seora, regardless of age or gender, decorate themselves with flowers.

It is said that on the day of the Yeongcheon Festival, the first dragon comes to take the soul of his deceased lover, but the dragon’s eyes are dim and cannot distinguish between the living and the dead. So people who did not indicate they were alive by adorning themselves with living flowers, in other words, those who did not wear flowers, often went missing.

It’s a bit scary to die without a trace, but thanks to the act of decorating with flowers, it seems to have become a kind of event.

It’s cute that the room is filled with the scent of flowers, and even Gowun, Yeoryu, and Seoyeon have small flowers in their hair.

‘But I’m tired.’

A yawn escaped. I had two camellias firmly braided into my hair and even wore dragon hairpins that I rarely wore normally.

I can’t even lie down and sleep comfortably because of the hair ornaments. Sitting and dozing off, I eventually gave up on sleeping and got up from my seat.

“I should go to the library.”

There’s nothing to do anyway, so I might as well search through it one more time.

* * *

And as expected.

“…”

Nothing. There was nothing.

About to grab my head, I remembered the flowers and lowered my hands again. How can there really be nothing to this extent? I thought it would be better to just catch a divine beast and receive a blessing.

‘Is there no way to meet one?’

As I let out a deep sigh, I saw Gowun. Gowun with a small flower tucked behind his ear. Seeing that flower, a thought struck me like lightning.

Today was the anniversary of the first emperor’s death. The day when the first dragon roams the palace in search of his companion. Then if I remove this flower and disappear, can I meet the dragon?

‘Let’s try it first.’

Without much thought, I abruptly got up from my seat. When I removed the hairpin, my hair cascaded down. The two flowers that had been fixed in my hair fell with it.

I closed my eyes tightly and gripped the wish-granting jewel.

‘…Can you hear me?’

I’ve never believed in God once in my life, what am I doing? I thought it was pathetic of me, but I didn’t open my eyes. I was desperate enough to try even this.

I’m not the first emperor, Your Majesty. But I must meet you.

If you can hear my voice, please take me with you.

The moment I thought that, the surroundings became silent. The tiny noises that had been faintly audible all cleanly disappeared.

I opened my eyes and saw that I had somehow arrived in a completely white space.

“…It worked.”

The voice I unknowingly muttered sounded strange. It didn’t feel like it was reverberating through the air. The space was uniformly white without any distinction. To the point where I couldn’t tell if I was standing on the ground or the sky.

[Why are you here?]

It was then that a youthful voice was heard. I looked around thinking someone had appeared, but it was still just a white space.

[You’re not Arun.]

It was the voice of a young girl who seemed to have little relation to a dragon. I didn’t think the voice heard in this kind of space would be an ordinary child.

But what do you mean I’m not Arun? I’m officially Sanya Arun…

“I am Sanya Arun.”

When I answered with a slightly hurt feeling, the voice abruptly stopped. It was a bit scary, but I continued.

“Are you perhaps the dragon?”

[Yes.]

When I asked like that, an answer came back immediately. I was a bit surprised even though I had asked.

“You were alive?”

[I don’t know either.]

I thought it had died since the wish-granting jewel had shattered and its body was also divided into pieces and used as artifacts. What do you mean you don’t know, even though you’re not in spirit form?

“I came because I have a request.”

But what was important now was not whether the dragon was alive or dead. It was whether it could help me or not.

The fact that I am here now means that I must have disappeared from the real world. It’s not the time to leisurely chat.

I swallowed and carefully asked.

“Could you… give me just one power too?”

I know it’s shameless to act as if it’s entrusted to me, but I was sincere. This was really my last hope.

[I have nothing left.]

But the answer that came back was devastating.

[I have already given it all.]

Those words were true. Everyone has abilities after all.

“Then I guess you left me out.”

I tried to speak confidently, but my voice trailed off at the end. You gave it all? Then what about me?

To say I was possessed and have no ability, the original Sanya also had no ability. Feeling discriminated against, I felt strangely dejected, but I soon gathered my resolve and pulled out the hairpin, thrusting it into the air.

“Aren’t abilities contained within this?”

[That’s right.]

The voice answered immediately this time as well. I answered frantically as soon as those words ended, fearing it.

“Then could you at least let me use the abilities contained within this?”

This time, silence flowed for a moment. In the empty white space with even the voice cut off, it was somehow scary.

[That’s not your power, so the backlash will be severe.]

The voice said that in a strangely subdued tone. But I was glad to hear those words. Severe backlash means I can at least use it first.

[Are you still okay with it?]

“Yes.”

I answered without hesitation. It wasn’t a situation where I could be picky.

Giyun’s quiet demeanor was scary. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. In order to protect myself and my precious things from him, I needed power. A power of my own, nothing else.

Numerous nobles come and go in the palace, and all their powers are within the wish-granting jewel.

Then it means I can use almost all the existing abilities of noble families. Where else can you find something possible in the first place? I’ll think about the backlash later, it’s better to receive it first.

[If you insist, alright.]

[But only once.]

At the following words, my face froze.

“Wait!”

[Why?]

“Three times.”

At my resolute words, the voice did not answer. I continued in its stead.

Even Yuri, who could freely use artifacts, did not know how to use the wish-granting jewel. In other words, it means I absolutely need the dragon’s permission.

‘Take it and stick it on someone’s nose for once!’

If I accidentally waste it even once, the precious opportunity will be lost. I started persuading the dragon.

“The unspoken rule is that wishes are granted three times, right?”

‘3’ is a number with a long history. The genie also granted three wishes, Princess Turandot also gave the prince three riddles, and even when playing rock-paper-scissors, we do best two out of three.

So three times… What do you think?

The voice still did not answer, but it seemed quite dumbfounded.

[…Fine. Let’s do that.]

But it finally agreed. I nodded my head with a bright smile.

“Yes!”

It’s done. Now I should go. But the space did not change.

“I’ll be going now.”

[Okay.]

The voice answered, but it remained the same. Thinking there might be a time lag, I waited a bit and asked again.

“Please send me back now.”

[You have to do that with your own power.]

My power?

[I gave you abilities. Three times.]

An amused voice was heard. I quickly understood those words.

Ah, this is…

‘Isn’t this a scammer?’