" Your Highness, are you sure you are okay?" the head eunuch asked
" I'm fine" I answered.
" We are so worried about what happened. I'm sorry Your Highness" the head court lady kneels in front of me.
" I said I am fine. Thanks to Min Yun's cousin"
" But still we commit a grave sin. We just let it happen" the head eunuch insisted.
" I need to talk to Captain Park Min Yun. Call him"
"Yes your Majesty"
The head eunuch left the room.
My mind was occupied because of that woman
"Reflexes" I murmured then laugh.
" I will get the tea for you ,your Majesty" said the head court lady.
I nodded then she left.
I sighed. I have too many questions to ask about that woman. Only Min Yun can answer that.
***
"Your Highness" Min Yun greeted me with a bow.
" You've been busy the whole day" I said.
" I just make sure that everything will be okay. But I heard that something happened to you. Are you okay?"
I genuinely smile and remember the woman " your cousin saved me." I said.
Min Yun's face looks shocked. He looks like he is not aware of what happened.
" Park I-Jun, the one you tell me" I continued.
" She came here to the palace?"
" She's with the guard"
" I don't know that ,your Majesty. I'm sorry"
I shrugged. " I am thankful that she came here to the palace. If she is not here maybe no one could save me."
Min Yun didn't respond.
" I want to grant a wish for your cousin. Or maybe give her a gift?"
He looked at me in the eyes. I could see a little bit of hesitation. But it faded right away.
" Ask her to attend the festival tomorrow" I said.
"Yes, your Majesty"
I smile.
***
It was already night but Captain Min Yun was still not here. Ji Han was already sleeping while I decided to wait outside. He's been busy the whole day that I wasn't able t ino see him.
" I-jun" someone called.
My mind was too occupied that I didn't even notice that Captain Min Yun was here.
I stood up and greeted him.
" You look tired. "
" Why are you here?"
" I waited for you"
" It's late at night"
" You've been busy"
" I just make sure that everything is set since high rank officials will attend the festival tomorrow. "
I nodded.
" I heard what happened this morning"
I looked at him.
" He is inviting you to the festival. Because you save him he will grant you a wish or give you a gift."
I was amazed by what he said. It looks like I am a superhero. Thanks to that book I feel like I am special.
" Aren't you mad? because I went to the palace without telling you. I also cause commotion"
" It is not your fault. It is a coincidence that you were there and saved the king. If not, maybe the King is suffering from pain now. "
" I am happy that he was okay. that everybody were okay"
"You have your reflexes"
I laughed.
" Let's go inside. I need to rest and wake up early to go to the palace"
I nodded then went inside.
***
I woke up when I heard Ji Han and Min Yun were talking. I looked at the window. It's already morning.
I was about to stand up when I saw a beam of light coming from the book.
I get it and open the book.
"Chapter 3" I said.
I started reading it. It talks about the festival that will happen today.
"Kim Man Shik doesn't like the young king. He even contradicted the decisions of his father in the past and was ready to do it again to the son."
I stop for a while. Kim Man Shik is the minister of war. He has the position to do the contradiction. I already watched it on tv where the ministers were evil.
" They should watch him ."
But how can I tell the king and Captain Min Yun without looking suspicious?
I continue reading hoping to get something.
"He plans evil today. He wants to ruin the festival. It will happen exactly in front of him"
I stand up. I should go there and warn them. But how will I do it?
I went out of the room and saw Ji Han fixing his belt.
" You wake up" he said.
" Am I late?"
" No ,no ."
" Where is Captain Min Yun?" I looked around.
" He left just a few minutes ago."
I nodded.
" Come, I prepare the food. We need to eat before we go"
I sit and start eating.
While eating, I keep on staring at Ji Han. I want to share what I discovered but I am too hesitant.
" You keep on staring at me" He felt uneasy.
I bit my lower lip. Should I tell him?
" Are you okay?" he asked me again.
" I'm not. I feel like today someone might ruin the festival"
He looks shocked. " What are you talking about? it seems like you know what will happen."
" No ,it is just my feelings" I said . I don't want to add more because he might think I am suspicious.
" Sometimes feelings are not right" then he smiled.
" What if it is right?"
" I-jun , do not talk about this when we are in the palace. They will put you in jail if they hear you saying that"
" Are you going to report me?"
" Why would I do that? We're friends"
I stand up and sit beside him.
" Kim Man Shik" I started
" Do you know him?"
" I don't trust him. He will do everything just to hurt the king" I said with a serious face.
" What?"
" Just please believe me. I trust my instinct"
" How come that you know him? "
"I... I.... I just know him"
He holds my hand " I don't like him either, Captain Min Yun doesn't like him either"
" So my guess is right"
He stands up "But we can't directly tell a name because if the minister knows about this , he will put us in jail."
" We need to go to the palace now"
" Do you know what exactly will happen?"
"No. that's why we need to go there an9d find out what it will be."
***
We arrive at the palace before the event starts.
" You've mentioned yesterday that you will be performing. " I tell Ji Han.
" When is that?" I continue.
"After the grand entrance of the ministers and the king, we will have our introduction dance. "
I nodded.
" Are you thinking about something?"
" It will happen later"
"What?" he whispered.
"The evil plan might happen during the introduction dance. " I whispered back.
"How did you know?"
" I said I just trust my instinct" I said in a lower voice.
" Please don't do anything that can harm you"
" Yeah I promise."
" I will go now. just stay here okay? People are coming in now. "
" I will. Don't worry about me."
He left .
I position myself besides the stage where I can see the movement of the king. But then I realize that I don't know the face of that minister. I even forgot to ask Ji Han. Why did I forget it?
In a while ,the people are coming in. I can see their sophisticated looks and clothes. They show off how wealthy they are. The important guests sit near the stage where they can see the king in a distance.
I still look around. I still haven't seen suspicious movements.
I heard the sound of the gong. It is the sign that the festival is about to start.
The soldiers march forward. Then it follows the Ministers. I observe the movement of the ministers. I can't identify where Kim Man Shik is. Some are smiling, some are not. They sit on the side near the stage. Then the King follows. While the king has his grand entrance, the fountain fireworks on both sides light up.
He is so handsome in his king suit. He looks young and has a sophisticated body.
I can't help but stare at him. I almost forget that I have a mission to find suspicious movement. I was distracted by his figure.
I looked around again and this time ,I saw a man wearing a black suit on the left side of the stage and at the back of the King's throne.
I slowly walked to see what he would do. I looked at the things that might fall. I ran when he disappeared. I went to the left side of the stage but he was already gone.
Damn! Where is he?
I look around and keep on walking. This time I feel the beat of my heart.
I stop walking when there is light coming from my bag. I actually brought the book in case something happens.
" The foods" I uttered.
I went back near the stage where the king seated.
I even take a glance at the Minister who is smiling like a dog when the court lady serves the drink.
The sound is too loud. the performers start dancing. I even see Ji Han wearing his guard suit.
I look again at the king. He is not drinking. He watches intently on the performers.
When the performance ends, the spokesperson of the king comes in front of everybody and greets the guests.
The people clap and I can see that they are enjoying this event.
After a while, the court ladies start distributing the foods to the guests.
I want to panic. I tried looking for Ji Han and Min Yun but they are nowhere to be found. I need their help. But if I look for them it will be too late. The food is already served .
I bit my lower lip ( my mannerism every time I feel anxious)
I ran on stage but the guards didn't want me to come on stage.
" Please. this is an emergency" I said.
" Don't ruin the moment"
" Warned them not to eat the food. I saw a suspicious man trying to ruin the event."
" What are you talking about?"
I have a short time already. The guests are happy looking at the food.
The guards don't want to listen to me.
I walk down and try to catch the attention of the king.
I shouted as loud as I could.
" Your Highness!!!! Please stop the guests from eating the food!!!! There is poison in the food!!!!"
The people are shocked by horror. The guests look disgusted and angry.
The king looks at me.
"Try to check the foods" I still shouted.
The King stands up then walks down the stage.
" Check the food if it has poison!" He announces.
The court ladies who serve the foods are trembling and check the foods by using a silver spoon.
All of them are shocked when they see the silver spoon they used.
It means the food has poison!
Many people gasp and shout in horror.
The spokesperson speaks. " Please calm down. We will fix this"
The ministers stand and assist the guests . But that one minister just sits like nothing happens.
"Kim Man Shik".
I just watched the commotion that was created by the people. I didn't even notice that the king was in front of me.
" Your Highness" I bow.
" Come with me." He said.
I follow him.
We enter his room. The eunuch and the court lady assist him.
" Just leave us for a moment" the king said.
They bow and leave the room.
I still put my head down looking on the floor.
"How did you know that there was poison on the foods?" He starts talking.
I look at him. " I saw a man who was suspicious. I tried to get him but I didn't catch him."
" It is supposed to be the day of my father. But now it is all ruined"
" I'm sorry but I think I need to save the guests."
"Thank you."
I look in his eyes. My body starts melting.
" I just help people."
" You help me twice. This problem will be worse if the guests get poison. But thanks to you nothing happens to them"
We were interrupted when someone entered the room.
I look at the open door.
" Min Yun" I uttered.
He looks at me then bows to the king. " I'm sorry" he said.
" Your cousin helps me"
His looks tell me that I need to explain later. I just nodded.
" The festival was ruined"
" I will just let Minister Kim talk to the guests.
"Kim Man Shik?"
The two men look at me.
The king asks " Yes, why?"
While Min Yun looks through my eyes wanting to ask what it is all about.
I have a lot of explanations to do.
" Ah... nothing" I just said.
I don't want to add more. They have too many problems. As much as I want to tell him not to trust Kim Man Shik, I have no right to do so.
"I will be inviting you for tomorrow's dinner"
The king said that the two of us should be here tomorrow.
Min Yun and I agreed. Then we went home.
***
We silently walked at the street. It is already dark and no one is outside.
" Do you want to explain what happened?"
I stop walking and look at him.
" I'm sorry" I said.
"You just save people."
" I just can't help it. I know that I disrespect the event by shouting loudly. But I have no other choice. I tried to find you and Ji Han but I didn't see you."
"I am not mad at you. I am just curious how you know it will happen?"
"I actually sense danger. And I saw a man who was suspicious that's why I tried to catch him"
" How about the foods? How did you know that there is poison?"
I expect him to ask me that, that is why I prepare myself.
" I saw him put something on the foods.The court ladies were too busy to notice that"
He sighed.
We silently walked. I wanted to ask something about Kim Man Shik but I am afraid that I might look suspicious to him.
" You ask the king about Kim Man Shik, do you know him?"
" Ji Han mentioned about him. He told me you didn't like him"
he nodded. " Even the king didn't like him . He always contradicts the decisions of the king"
" But why did he let him handle the guests?"
"Because he is the minister of war. He is good at handling people and maintaining the good balance of each place in the country."
"I can sense evilness on him"
"When did you sense it?"
" Just this morning while Ji Han talked about him."
" Ji Han is surely a talkative person. "