" Just be honest with me. I saved your life last time, remember? I just need to know who you are."
I bowed and bit my lower lip. " I really don't know." I think this is the best excuse I have. I just need to be consistent from the beginning until the end.
" You still have no memory? That's your answer the first time I saw you. "
" I don't even know where I came from. " I pretended to be sad and hopeless.
Maybe Min Yun saw my face that's why he sighed and tapped my shoulder.
" I'm sorry. "
" The king won't believe me. He looked mad and cold to me a while ago"
" I will talk to him."
" I'm sorry too. And thank you" that's all I can say for now. I felt guilty about what I am doing now. But I have no choice but to lie because Min Yun will surely not believe in where I came from and who I am.
" I will go to the palace now. Just stay here and take a rest"
I nodded.
Then he left with Ji Han.
I sighed. When can I go back home? How can I survive on this place?
***
Ji Hun's pov (king)
" Your Highness, we are grateful because nothing happens to you" said the minister of finance.
" Your Highness, thank you are fine" said by the ministers and high rank officials then bowed their heads.
We were at the office room where the ministers and high rank officers gathered. I was sitting on my throne.
All of them looked worried except Kim Man Shik. I can't even see his worry towards me.
" You have nothing to say minister of war?" I asked.
He looked at me then smirked. " I am happy that you are fine, Your Highness" then he bowed.
I can sense that he is part of this plan. But I have no evidence to point him as the culprit.
I sighed. " As you can see, I am fine and strong. You don't have to worry about me."
" I will double the soldiers to guard your room 24/7." said by the minister of justice.
" I will also check the eunuch and court lady. " he continued.
I nodded. " I need you to find the culprit as soon as possible. He should beheaded. "
" We will investigate what happened" said Kim Man Shik.
" You can go now, I just need my royal secretary to discuss something."
" Yes, Your Highness" they all bowed at me then left.
" Your Highness, are you really fine?"
" You know that I suspected Kim Man Shik"
" I know. I also feel that he has something to do with this"
" I want you to summon someone who will spy on him. I need evidence to prove my instinct. "
" Yes, Your Highness. I will summon it right away"
" Not only him but also his family. "
" Why, Your Highness?"
" I need to know every movement of his family. I need to know what his weakness is. That will be our weapon to make the Kim clan weak. After the late king died, The kim's never failed to mock me thinking I can't handle this position. Since then, my father warned me about Kim's family. They are powerful and the wealthiest. I shouldn't be shaken by them."
" You know his weakness is his daughter. Remember when he said to you that his daughter likes you but you rejected her right away? "
" I know. I want to use her but she's innocent."
" But she's part of Kim's family. You have the right to use her because you are the king"
" But I am not like his father. " I sighed . " She's my last resort. If something happens again that's the time I will use her."
" But, Your Highness. How come you were not at the palace last night?"
I remember I-jun again.
" I am really glad you were not in your room last night. It would be chaos if you died ."
" I will not die. Not before Kim Man Shik's"
" Don't worry, I will do my best to find evidence. I will report to you everyday"
I nodded. He bowed. Then left.
" Park I -jun"
I am sure it is not just a coincidence. There is something in her that I cannot explain.
I went back to my room and saw Min Yun waiting.
" let's get inside." I commanded.
We both sat facing each other.
" I am glad you are okay. How was your meeting?"
" I asked the royal secretary to do some errands for me"
He nodded.
" Is I-jun at your house?"
" Yes, Your Highness. She is resting"
" Aren't you curious about her? She looks mysterious. "
" She was like that since we were kids. " He answered.
" Did you ask her how come she knew that someone would kill me?"
" She really didn't know that something might happen. "
" But my instinct tell otherwise"
" Maybe it is just a coincidence, Your Highness. "
" I just can't accept that reason"
" She explained to me. She really didn't know that something would happen in the palace. She just wanted you to be there because she thought you owed her one."
I half smiled. "I never forgot. Not only once"
" I hope you will not get mad at her. She's worried."
" I want to see her at dinner. Is it possible?"
" Yes, Your Highness. I will go home later and ask her to prepare for dinner"
" Thank you. I will prepare some gifts for her too. Even if it is just a coincidence, she still saved my life. "
" She will be happy because she liked gifts"
***
Teresita/I-jun's pov
" dinner?" I asked again.
" Yes. I bought a hanbok for you"
" He is suspecting me. "
" He sometimes believed in his instinct. "
But his instinct is right.
How can I handle myself tonight? I know I promise to be his companion but I am not ready to face him tonight. I need to cool down the situation.
" What if I don't go? Like tell him I am still sick?"
He shrugged.
" I don't want him to be suspicious. What if he knew that we were not cousins? He will be mad at us. He will feel that someone close to him betrayed him . I don't want that to happen because of this lie."
I felt guilty. He helped me despite knowing his best friend might get mad at him.
" Just give me 15 minutes to prepare."
I got the dress and went inside my room.
I shouldn't be afraid. I need to be calm and act like nothing happened. I shouldn't drag Min Yun in this situation. He is innocent and kind.