Twirling in front of her personal maid, Eun-hye leisurely strolled out of her room and looked up, admiring the artistic sun that brightened the day enveloping the blue sky with luminous intensity.
Boarding her palanquin, she opened her windows letting in the fresh windy and cool air whistling around her making her face turn a light shade of pink.
At the prime minister's manor, a butler received and ushered her inside the garden pavilion where important and high-ranking visitors are welcomed.
Sitting on a wooden carved seat, she took in the beautiful surrounding with jealousy building within her. The prime minister's manor is breathtakingly befitting an emperor.
The beautiful and majestic garden danced to the tune of the wind singing a welcome song for her. The large trees surrounding it sung in the wind emitting a majestic aura. The flower's fragrance filled the air making the beautiful morning pleasant. Next to the trees is a man-made lake with fishes splashing the water and dancing to an invisible song heralding it's welcome.
Everything is so beautiful and like a breath of fresh air, she inhaled the sweet aroma of jasmine. "Seeing you in a trance, l can see that even you knows how to identify classic taste when you see one"
Whose ugly voice is this? Disturbing my peace and quiet is punishable by death you know? Standing up properly, she saw the owner of the 'ugly voice', Lady Seo-yun. Chuckling a little, she bowed a little and the other lady bowed too.
They both sat down engaging each other in a glaring contest. Seo-yun spoke up first. "When I asked my father to look into the identity of the finance minister's daughter, I must confess I didn't quite expect you to really be the one... I thought you were bluffing that day , considering your crude behavior and poor dressing".
Lady Eun-hye smiled at her and replied." Even I am still doubting your identity as the prime minister's daughter considering your ' uncultured' behavior towards me". Lady Seo-yun slammed her hands on the table." How dare you! Didn't you see the majestic aura I was emitting that day ? clearly setting me apart from a lowly commoner".
Lady Eun-hye acted stupid. "Majestic aura? I didn't see you shining that day. Anyway it's not like you are a Majesty so why would you emit majestic aura?". Seo-yun nearly lost her temper. It's quite obvious that the other lady is acting with the clear intention to irritate her. Anyway, she's just here to receive an apology from her , after that she will send the annoying girl away.
"Apologize". She said while waiting for her to obey. Eun-hye continued acting. "I'm waiting for it". She relaxed herself on the seat clearly preparing for the other party to do so. "I mean apologize to me you buffoon ". Seo-yun shouted angrily.
Eun-hye smirked and acted like she's hurt by the words. "Miss Seo-yun, you hurt me. How can you make me apologize to you when you clearly should be the one apologizing". Seo-yun slammed her fist on the table again and Eun-hye acted rattled letting out a yelp .
Looking behind her host, she saw the prime minister drawing closer to them . An idea popped into her head. Placing her hand on her chest, she started sobbing. " Miss, please don't treat me this way , stop calling my brother a bastard *hiccups* . If you want to insult someone, please insult me and if you want to hit somebody then hit me ". The prime minister came and she buried her face in hands smiling while sobbing and shouting that the young miss is maltreating her.
Seo-yun was startled by her sudden outburst of emotions . She clearly know that she hasn't said anything to make her cry so why is she suddenly acting up. Suddenly, she stood up to ask her why she's crying but her action was misinterpreted by her father who placed a strong hand on her shoulder bearing her down. Looking behind, she saw her father glaring at her . Turning her face towards the crying girl, Eun-hye stuck out her tongue and made faces at her.
Finally, she understood what transpired. She has been set up. " Father, I didn't do anything to miss Jang". But the pitch of the sob increased rendering her denial fruitless. The man ignored her and walked towards the sobbing lady ,placing a comforting hand on her shoulders and lightly squeezing it to make her calm down.
Eun-hye sniffed and looked up pretending to notice him for the first time. "My Lord, good morning". She curtsied making her voice sound as weak as possible. The man raised her up and told her to stop crying and tell him what happened.
"My lord , I came to apologize to lady Seo-yun this morning but she started insulting my older brother disregarding my apologies. *sniffs* . I missed breakfast at home but she didn't even give me any food". The prime minister glared at her daughter who stood tongue-tied. Seo-yun has never seen anybody tell a lie with a straight face. Before she could protest in her defense, her father ordered her to apologize to the sobbing girl. She had no choice but to apologize to avoid her father's wrath. Later, she will tell him what really happened. Her only disadvantage is that her maidservants are at the far end of the corner making it hard for them to bear witness for her.
After apologizing reluctantly and grudgingly, she waited for her father to make Eun-hye apologize to her too , but instead she was ordered to serve and share breakfast with her. The prime minister patted the girl one more time then left for his morning court meeting.
"Why did you lie to my father?" Seo-yun asked feeling bad. Eun-hye smiled at her and defended herself." I didn't lie about you insulting my older brother, the only thing I lied about is the time and place".
Seo-yun opened her mouth to say something but Eun-hye cut her off with the threat to serve her food or else she will start crying again. Seo-yun felt frustrated with her and ordered the servants to prepare the breakfast which got a wink from Eun-hye.
The dishes were served in the pavilion on the insistence of Eun-hye who claimed eating outdoor is best for digestion. Carefully, Seo-yun avoided making conversation with her but was forced from time to time to say something due to her actions.
For one, instead of using spoon to drink her soup , she slurped it from the bowl and belched claiming that it's the best way to eat soup. Abandoning her chopsticks, she used hand to pick her meat and vegetables savoring the taste and pressing some to Seo-yun's mouth claiming it's the only way of enjoying the meat. She even used her mouth to tear the meats apart like a savage disgusting Seo-yun who believes that a lady should behave with dignity.
Her appalling table manners irritated her that she lost her appetite. Eun-hye decided to 'consider' her hence picked up her chopsticks mimicking her earlier attitude. She even placed food on her plate from time to time coaxing her to take it as her goodwill.
At first, Seo-yun checked the foods placed on her plate and suspectingly ate them, after a while she took whatever she placed without looking. Eun-hye smirked when she saw that she has stopped suspecting her and let down her defense therefore devised a plan. She wrapped a thinly cut lime with a shredded radish using the greasy meat to cover it. Smiling at Seo-yun, she placed the meat on her plate stifling a laugh. As usual, the unsuspecting girl placed it inside her mouth. Chewing, she tasted a sour slapping taste and looked at Eun-hye who couldn't contain her laughter anymore. Spitting it out, she roared at Eun-hye who was barely remaining on her seat due to laughter.
She spat out the remaining food and used water to rinse her mouth. Glaring at the villain one more time she stormed out . Eun-hye grabbed a handful of meatballs and ran after her ordering her servants to stay put.
Seo-yun stormed into her room with Eun-hye closely behind. "I shouldn't have trusted you especially after you pulled that stunt on my father". She berated the girl grinning from ear to ear. She ignored her and sauntered towards the beautiful flower vase standing on her center table. On the cupboard placed beside the wall is a figurine carved so beautifully with a wood. The tapestry used to decorate the room looked colorfully eye-catching and even brightened the room. Everything was neatly arranged giving a sense of home.
"I'm sorry". She said while admiring the figurine. She figured out that if she is to take it, she has to pacify the owner first. Seo-yun was shocked due to her sudden apology, but remembering what her father taught her about not creating enemies with people even if she loathes them , she accepted and even gifted her the figurine she asked for.
Eun-hye felt that it was time to go home and bade farewell. On her way out, Seo-yun shouted as a wasp flew into her room . Eun-hye chased the wasp away and asked her if she hates insects. She nodded giving herself away and even added that she hates anything with wings and more than four legs. (So you hate winged animals, what of the wingless ones? well there is one way to find out). She grimaced.
"Well Miss Seo-yun, till next time".
"No please, there is no next time". Seo-yun answered clearly mortified.
Eun-hye put on a face of someone being bullied. Her eyes moistened with tears. Afraid that she might cause another scene, Seo-yun reluctantly accepted.
"OK fine, till next time".