A couple of hours later, we had covered some pretty solid ground, although I knew that we'd have to keep going at it at least a few more days before we'd finish it all and be ready to plant the wheat. Truthfully, the process probably could have been faster if I had taken over more, but the men were all so insistent that I didn't over-exert myself. They may have been stronger than me, but they clearly weren't as skilled at operating the makeshift tillers. Take that as good, old-fashioned Goryeo chivalry. Still, bless their hearts, they were solid workers, and they were very eager to learn.
Chung-Hee, along with a few other maids, came close to what must have been noon, bringing cold tea and food. As I helped them lay it out, I heard a distant call; "Her Majesty, Queen Heonae."
"Ju's wife," I realized, as soon as I head the name. "But isn't she supposed to be in confinement?"
I squinted against the afternoon sun to see a paladin being carried by four servants. Once they were closer, they set it down, and one of the men opened the door, helping out the queen. The true queen, I realized. Not that awful Queen Dowager. Unlike the cold, well-preserved beauty of the Queen Dowager, this queen was young, with a fresh delicate beauty. Her skin was pale, almost snow white, though her paleness seemed natural, not from expensive beauty products. Actually, along with her natural pallor, her skin seemed to suggest a bit of a frailty, although it was probably due to her pregnancy. Her long, dark brown hair was arranged in a voluminous updo. It would have looked ridiculous on anyone else—I'd already seen it look ridiculous on the Queen Dowager—but on the queen, it looked sort of feminine and delicate, and also regal, at the same time.
Chi came forward, grasping the queen's other hand as she left the paladin. She seemed, I noticed, a little unsteady on her feet, though I pinned it down to her pregnancy. While she wasn't large by any stretch, especially considering how far along Chi had mentioned she was, her belly was definitely prominent. Combined with her overall frailty and almost childlike figure, it gave her a Virgin Mary-esque look.
"It's alright, I'll help Her Majesty now." Chi smiled and nodded at the other man. Still holding one of the queen's hands, Chi looped his other arm around her shoulders, helping to stabilize her as they walked into the sunshine. Several of the men surrounding me bowed to the queen as she approached us, and, taking the cue, I did the same. "Your Majesty," I spoke softly, hoping that if it was the wrong thing, she'd just ignore it.
"Miss Ha-Na." Queen Heonae's voice was warm as she spoke. If her looks were fragile and pale, it seemed that her heart was soft and bright. I raised my head to see her kind smile. "It's so lovely to finally meet you. I've heard so much of you from my brother, that I feel as though I already know you." She smiled at Chi as she spoke.
Her brother?
I tried to compose myself quickly. "Thank you! And I've…" I bit my tongue, realizing that I've heard a lot about you too, might be taken the wrong way. "Prince Chi has had nothing but good things to say about you."
"And, as I understand, we are all very fortunate to have you! Please tell me that my brother hasn't been making you work too hard."
"Oh no! Chi is a wonderful boss, "I blurted out, before I even realized what I was exactly saying. "I mean…"
"If I could be so bold, Your Majesty, Miss Ha-Na and the Prince seem to have a solid working relationship." Ju-Yeong winked at me as he spoke.
"He would certainly be a wonderful boss." Although I'm sure the queen caught on to what I was worried about, nothing about her demeanor or open face suggested that she was going to use it against me. "Please show me how you're coming along."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
As the queen began to move toward the newly-ploughed fields, Chi hesitated to let go of her. She beamed up at him and lightly touched his hand. "It's alright. Miss Ha-Na can help me. It's good for me to be with another woman my age."
Chi nodded and returned her smile, although I saw something like worry pass over his eyes. As I made a mental reminder to ask him about it later, I realized that the queen was right; we were around the same age, or rather, Ha-Na's age. It was an odd experience for me; most of my friends weren't even in serious relationships, and yet here, I was surrounded with people younger than my 21st century self who were all either married or thinking about getting married. It was more of a legal thing here, I guessed, and with natural lifespans being what they were in Goryeo, I supposed it shouldn't be surprising that people wanted to settle down earlier in life.
"I'll be sure to take good care of the queen. Please don't worry." As I went to take over Chi's place in holding the queen's arm, my fingers accidently brushed against his. Then, without really realizing why I did it, I felt a couple fingers enclosing over Chi's in a light embrace. In the split second that I held my fingers there, I could feel Chi's own fingers tense, then relax, before I felt a soft tap on the base of my palm, letting me know, without words, that he trusted me. Even though I let go quickly, so as not to let anyone on to…well, on to nothing, really, but guilty people always have something to hide. The warmth of his touch stayed with me as I walked away with the queen.
"So, you like our Chi," the queen's voice was quiet and mild, even though we were out of easy earshot from the others. From her tone, it was hard to tell if she was meant something by it or was simply making small talk.
"I think he's a very good prince and a good employer to me." I decided to go the easy route of truthful but neutral.
"You mentioned that before." Now the queen's tone held definite humour. "What was it like? Meeting him after all this time?"
I looked at her in surprise, but she only laughed. "Please don't worry. I like a nice love story, that's all." As she spoke, her eyes drifted to her full belly. She rested a hand on it in contentment, but her eyes revealed a look of pure love and awe, as if her husband and soon-to-be family were still unbelievable to her. Her eyes shifted back to mine, now dancing with laughter. "And my brother is very handsome, if I say so myself." A funny look must have come over my face, because she gave a good-natured chuckle again. "No need to worry, dear. I mention it as a fact, certainly not a preference. Besides, no one," her lips curved into a loving, gleeful grin. "Is more handsome than my Ju. In my opinion of course."
I laughed at that. "I think every happy wife probably thinks that about her husband," I returned, before internally shaking my head at myself. "Where did that statement come from?" I wondered. Geesh, I'd been in Goryeo for less than a week, and I was already making these wise-woman statements.
"Very true. And please don't think that I'm patronizing you by calling you 'dear.' I always call my friends that. Well…" A sad expression replaced her blissed-out one. "At least, I used to. I haven't been able to have many friends since I married. You know…"
"I understand."
"Which is why I'm happy that I'm still able to have Chi nearby. My mother-in-law doesn't really like it, but Chi and Ju are very close, which is helpful when Ju is away. It's good to know you have someone you can trust on your side."
"I get that. Chi gives off that feeling, doesn't he? That you can trust him." Without meaning to, my eyes drifted off across the field towards Chi, who was helping Chung-Hee hand out water to several of the workers. When I realized what I was doing, my cheeks turned bright red, and this time, I knew from the "aha" look in her eye that the queen noticed.
"That he does. And don't worry, I won't let on to anyone else that you like him." My cheeks burned as she gave me a good-natured wink. "Now, tell me more about how the planting's going…"