Teresita/I-jun's pov
"Thank you" I said to Min Yun.
"Should I let you stay by yourself?"
I laughed. " I can move my body. I am okay now."
He nodded. " I will see you tomorrow."
" Ji han told me you were too busy."
" I think I need another day off."
I shook my head. " If it is because of me, don't do that. The case is more important than mine."
He sighed. "After I work, I will visit you."
I nodded. " Just rest now. Thank you."
He smiled weakly. I could see in his face how tired he was. How many times will I make trouble for myself? How many times should I let Min Yun be worried about me? After I came here into his world, I became a burden to him.
After he left, I went to my room. I laid on my bed and closed my eyes. I thought I was ongoing to have a good night sleep but the book lit up. I quickly get the book on my bedside table.
"Chapter 8"
"Tomorrow night, Kim Man Shik plans to gather all the ministers in the palace. They will be talking about the wedding. Kim Man Shik plans to mock the king and show him that he is more powerful than him. The king will break down the rumors. He will just let himself lose. "
I stopped reading and thought about the king. I remembered him telling me when we were in the clinic that he would break down the rumors. But I couldn't let him be mocked by the ministers especially Kim Man Shik.
" While the meeting is ongoing, another life would be killed by the unknown in Kipatchi town. There would be a connection between the Kipatchi case and the king's case. "
What does this mean? the king's case and kipatchi case? How come they are connected?
I couldn't sleep all night because of the thoughts and worries coming to my mind.
"While the meeting was ongoing, something would happen in Kipatchi town. " But how could I know who will be killed?
I waited all night to look for a clue but the book didn't light up. Is kipatchi town, a small town?
I decided not to sleep and get myself ready. I took a bath and wore an old rose handbok. I even wore the hair clip Min Yun gave to me.
I went out of my room and decided to go to Min Yun's room. I just couldn't stay in my room thinking that someone's life is in danger.
I knocked on his door but I was expecting him to have a deep sleep. But I was amazed because in just 3 knocks , he opened the door.
"I-jun?"
Min Yun was half asleep and was wearing his night clothes.
"I'm sorry if I woke you up."
He looked completely awake after seeing me. " It's fine. Why did you come here early in the morning?"
" May I come in first?"
"Oh, sure." He opened the door and let me in.
"Have you drank tea?"
" Actually I didn't sleep."
"Why?"
"The book lit up."
He looked at me waiting for my next words.
" Can I come to your office today?"
"Is my office involved ?"
"I am curious about the Kipatchi case."
He looked shocked at what I said.
" Let's drink tea first before going to the office."
" Would you let me?"
" You said you were curious about the Kipatchi case. I know you will not bring it up if you haven't read something in the book."
"Thank you for believing me."
" Just wait here for a while. "
I nodded and waited for him. I looked around his room and saw some paintings hanging on the wall. I just entertained myself by looking at the paintings. I didn't even notice that I was indulging myself in analyzing every detail of the paintings, Min Yun was already calling me.
"Here's the tea."
"Thanks"
I sipped on the cup and felt relaxed.
" Ahhhh. It really helps me relax. If I go home, tea will be my favorite drink."
"I saw you looking intently on the paintings. "
" I was just amazed at every detail they put on the paintings."
" You like it?"
I nodded. "Aside from reading books, I like analyzing paintings."
"I like paintings too. I know how to paint as well."
" You do?" I felt excited.
" Yes."
" I am so excited to see that."
" Actually the king also knows how to paint. We both learned it from our teacher."
" I hope to see you two, painting."
After a short conversation while drinking tea, we went to his office.
The soldiers greeted him and called him "Captain"
"I-jun!" Ji han called me.
I walked towards him and hugged him.
" Are you alright?" he looked worried.
I nodded.
I actually never tried hugging a guy friend in my world. But hugging Ji han makes me comfortable. I never thought of him as a man but as a close friend.
" What brought you here?" Ji han asked again.
I looked at Min Yun. Right. He still doesn't know about me and the book. I really want to tell him but the timing is not there yet.
" She was just curious what the office looked like."
" Ah ,at last you already came here." Ji han said.
I smiled.
" Ji han, I need you to talk to the head soldier. Tell him we will have a meeting."
" Is this about the case in kipatchi?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I will go now. See you I-jun."
"Bye. "
And Ji han left.
Min Yun got something on his shelf. He opened the rolled paper.
" This is kipatchi town." he pointed to a small town not near the palace.
" We need to pass by 5 towns before getting there. "
" It was far away."
He nodded. " Now tell me, what have you read?"
"Someone will die in kipatchi town tonight. This case is connected in the king's case ."
"What?"
" The book didn't even give a clue who will die tonight. But since it was just a small town, your soldiers can guard the whole night."
He nodded.
" Aside from that, Kim Man Shik will be calling a meeting tonight about His Highness's wedding. "
" What?"
" They planned to mock him. His Highness planned to tell us that the rumor about us is not true."
Min Yun didn't respond. His face looked serious.
" I can take care of His Highness." I said.
He looked at me with hesitation.
" I can handle the situation. I will help him. You can't have both. We can't even let someone die tonight. Maybe we can have the lead of who is the murderer."
" You can have Ji han. I will ask him later."
I shook my head. " You need him more than me. Trust me I can take care of His Highness."
"What about you? what if something happens to you?"
"What had happened will never happen again. I promise."
He still thought about it for a minute before nodding.
I smiled. I felt like a detective solving both cases.
***
The night has come, and as what was written in the book, Kim Man Shik called a meeting together with the Ministers.
I just waited for the king to come. I positioned myself on the side where I could hear their conversation.
"Minister of war, do you think the king would agree on the wedding? I'm sure he will show no interest in the subject."
"Minister of taxation, just stay there and watch what will happen." Kim Man Shik laughed. Beside him is her daughter who looked uncomfortable.
" You sound like you are about to show how powerless the king is." - minister of justice.
All the ministers who were present laughed. I couldn't believe how they mocked the king. To think they should be on the side of the king to promote peace inside and outside the palace.
"Do you think, he will come?"- minister of rites
Ugh! they are getting on my nerves. I wanted to punch their faces and reveal their true colors.
"The King is here! show some respect!" the head eunuch announced.
Everyone bowed down their heads to show some respect.
The king sat on his throne.
"We are glad you came."- minister of public works
"Is there a reason I shouldn't come? The Minister of war told me it was something important." he looked calm and relaxed.
Kim Man Shik laughed. " Yeah. You have no reason not to come here especially if you are the center of our agenda tonight."
" Of all time, why did you choose to hold it this evening? and in this open area? we never use this place in a meeting. "
" Your Highness, I want the people to hear your answer about marriage."
I looked at Kim Shin A. She still looked nervous. She couldn't even look at His Highness.
The king laughed. " Marriage? To force me to marry your daughter?"
" Show some respect to his daughter, Your Highness." -minister of taxation.
The king stood up. " Show some respect? She's just a mere lady who became noble because of his father's position."
" If not my daughter, who will be the bride? Park I-jun?" Kim Man Shik laughed again.
He had this habit of laughing even in serious conversation.
"About the rumors... Is it really true?"- minister of military affairs
I looked at His Highness. He didn't respond. Would he really do what he said to me yesterday?
" You lost your words, that means the rumor is not true. "-minister of public works
"Aren't Kim Man Shik's daughter the best candidate to become a Queen?"- minister of taxation
"The people here are waiting for your answer, Your Highness. They need a concrete answer." Kim Man Shik was trying to provoke His Highness.
"It is not about your feelings, it is about the people, the future of this country. Kim Shin A is the best fit to become a queen. She possessed the traits of being a Queen. People will surely love her. "- minister of rites
I could see the confidence in Kim Shin A's face. The king still didn't respond. He just stood there like a statue.
"What now,Your Highness?"-minister of taxation
I saw his Highness's fists. He looked like he was defeated.
"Do you want to know if the rumor is true or not?" the king finally talked.
Everyone was waiting for His Highness' answer.
"It is-----"
Before he let himself finish what he was saying, I came out from where I was hiding and showed myself to everyone.
I stood beside the king. The ministers were shocked.
" How dare you stand up beside the king!" The minister of rites shouted.
"The rumor is true. The king and I were in love." I finished his sentence.
All of the people were shocked.
I stared at His Highness' face. He looked shocked up until now. He couldn't believe I would do that.
I held his hand. The people were even more shocked.
" How dare you touch His Highness hand!" The minister of taxation screamed.
I couldn't help but laugh because of their shocking faces.
The king went back to his senses and smiled. " It is true."
I saw Kim Shin A's reaction. She looked like a burning thin paper.
"Do you think I believe in your scheme?" Kim Man Shik spoke.
"You just couldn't accept the fact that it is not your daughter whom I'm gonna marry."
He smirked. " You will regret your decision." then he left without saying goodbye.
His daughter followed him. The other ministers bowed down to His Highness and went home.
I didn' t notice that I was still holding his highness' hand.
"I'm sorry." I was about to pull my hand but he held it tight.
"Not now." He pointed out the people who were still staring at us.
We left the place while still holding each other' s hand.
The king decided to go to his favorite place. We went to the lake and stopped. He instructed his eunuchs and court ladies to leave us alone.
He let go of my hand. He kept on smiling at me.
"I'm sorry for barging in." I said.
" What makes you decide about it?" he kept smiling.
" I couldn't bear to see your people mocking you. You shouldn't let them defeat you."
" But I already told Min Yun that I will correct the rumor ."
" I will talk to him."
" Are you really sure about what you did?"
"I am. That is why don't let them defeat you. They should know their place."
He nodded then hugged me.
I was stunned by what he did. I didn't expect it to happen. This was exactly the feeling I felt when Min Yun hugged me in the clinic.