Mid-day the following day, Jin-Ri carefully entered the prince's residence with a food tray in hand. She gently placed it on the table and went to the prince's room to call him for his meal. She kept knocking at the door, but no one was answering, the realization that the prince might have bolted out again hit her like a tornado. She quickly opened the doors to the room just in time to see the Young-Sik in commoner's clothes about to climb out of the window.
Young-Sik's eyes widened in shock as he realized his court maiden had caught him in the act."Aish!"he exclaimed, scrambling to make a daring leap out of the window.
But Jin-Ri was quicker on her feet. She lunged forward, grabbing him from behind."Where do you think you're off to, your Highness?"she asked in a panic, desperately holding to the prince to prevent him from sneaking out.
"Let go of me, you shameless cat!"Young-Sik protested, wriggling in her grasp."I'm going to fall!"
"If I let you go, you'll just make a break for it, and I'll be the one in hot water,"Jin-Ri replied, her voice strained as she fought to keep him from making a hasty exit.
"Fine… I promise I won't sneak out of the palace!"Young-Sik said relenting to his court maiden.
"Really? Promise?"Jin-Ri asked, surprised that she made the prince relent, to which the prince nodded."Get inside first,"She asked the prince,
Once the prince stepped out of the window and inside the room, Jin-Ri let go of the prince. Young-Sik fixes his clothes."Your lunch is here your Highness, I will bring it in"
As soon as the court maiden turned away, Young-Sik made a break for the window, his heart pounding with excitement. Jin-Ri, ever the watchful protector, caught on to the Prince's scheme and swiftly turned to thwart his escape. The court maiden reached the window first, only to misstep on a hidden brazier, sending her teetering dangerously. In a split second, Young-Sik's instincts kicked in, and he lunged forward, grasping her hand and yanking her back from the brink of disaster.
Young-Sik jolted back to the present, his eyes widening as he registered their hilariously awkward predicament. With a mix of embarrassment and urgency, he gently shoved the court maiden away."Get off me!"he exclaimed, breaking Jin-Ri out of her dreamy daze.
Having been pushed away, Jin-Ri broke free from her daydream and swiftly rolled away from the prince. She bowed deeply, her heart racing."Forgive me, your Highness! I'm not worthy of life, so please… spare me!"
"What sort of plea is that?"Young-Sik questioned his expression a mix of bewilderment and amusement.
"A plea for my safety, obviously,"Jin-Ri quipped, her eyes sparkling as she beamed at the prince hoping her cuteness could sway him.
Young-Sik rolled his eyes, turning to gaze out the window."This is entirely your fault! I'm stuck here, and the guards are everywhere."He pointed an accusatory finger at Jin-Ri, who was busy dusting herself off.
With a cheeky smile, Jin-Ri replied,"Why not just waltz out the gates like a regular person, Your Highness?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm a prince! Do you really think they'll just let me waltz out of here?"Young-Sik shot back, his tone playfully pleading for a different answer.
"Why don't you just try it? Let's make a deal, if you're right and they don't let you out of the palace. I will never get in your way ever again. But if I'm right…"Jin-Ri shoots a cheeky look and a sly grin at the prince who just furrowed his brows"If I'm right, you will have to take me wherever you go, no ifs and or buts"
Young-Sik grinned"This is gonna be interesting, get ready to be left behind"he warned his court maiden
As the Prince ambled toward the northern gates in his decidedly un-princely attire, Jin-Ri trailed closely behind, trying to keep up with his adventurous spirit. Just as they were about to escape the palace grounds, they unexpectedly bumped into none other than Queen Eri herself.
"Where on earth are you headed this early, and in those clothes, no less?"the Queen inquired, her expression a mix of disbelief and distaste.
Young-Sik glanced at Jin-Ri, who subtly urged him to come clean. With a deep breath, he turned back to the Queen."I'm off to explore the marketplace, Your Majesty. These clothes help me blend in,"he explained, hoping for a hint of understanding.
The Queen studied him for a moment, her gaze sharp."Well, have fun!"she replied, her tone surprisingly casual.
Turning to Jin-Ri, Young-Sik grinned."See? I told you it wouldn't work!"Then, with a puzzled look, he turned back to the Queen."Wait, did you just say 'okay,' Your Majesty?"he asked, his confusion evident.
The Queen smiled and said,"I'd rather the prince remain in the palace, but since you were honest and didn't sneak away, I suppose you've earned a day out."
She smiled warmly at Jin-Ri, saying,"So, you're the one who taught him the art of asking for permission? That must have been a tough job, my dear!"
"It certainly was, your Majesty,"Jin-Ri responded, bowing gracefully.
"Let's just hope he continues to learn all the right things from you,"she remarked, as she and her entourage glided past the prince who stood there, utterly speechless.
The prince blinked at Jin-Ri, his expression a delightful blend of confusion and disbelief."Wait, what? She actually just let me go?"
Instead of answering, Jin-Ri flashed the prince a cheeky grin that could light up the darkest dungeons. They were just about to skip off into their adventure when the King's voice boomed, "Where do you think you're going? And why are you dressed like that?"
The duo quickly bowed. Young-Sik shot Jin-Ri a playful look and quipped,"Well, you know what they say—lightning never strikes the same place twice!"He turned to the King, his tone light and breezy,"I'm just off for a little stroll in the market, Your Highness. These clothes? Just a clever disguise!"
"The prince wants to examine the life of our common citizens, without drawing too much attention, Your Highness"Jin-Ri added courteously
The King lets out a deep sigh, his fingers running thoughtfully through his beard. He approached the prince, his expression serious."I've heard whispers of a trendy new wine shop at the market's edge. Introduce yourself and invite the owner to the palace tonight. I was going to send Eunuch Ahn, but since you're heading out, you do it."
"AHA! Wait, what?... I'm confused again!"Young-Sik exclaimed, his mind racing.
"Since you're heading out, I think it's best you handle this yourself instead of sending eunuch Ahn. He can stick around the palace and lend a hand there. It's refreshing to ask for permission before going out; she's a wonderful influence. You should definitely keep her close,"the King said with a charming smile directed at Jin-Ri.
The court maiden gracefully bowed and replied,"Your kind words truly warm my heart, Your Highness."
The King nodded appreciatively."She's polite too, and I like that about her,"he declared as he and his entourage stroll through the palace grounds.
Jin-Ri closed Young-Sik's mouth which was wide open from confusion."Let me get that for you"
"I…What…where…why?"Young-Sik fumbled his words as Jin-Ri pushed him to continue walking
Young-Sik spotted the crowned prince deep in conversation with a couple of soldiers and quickly made his way over."Brother… Your Highness…"he called out, a hint of urgency in his voice. "I'm heading to the market, dressed as a commoner so no one will recognize me!"Prince Young-Sik blurted out; he was positively sure that the crown prince would say no.
Man-Ju gave Young-Sik a thorough once-over, his eyes narrowing."While you're out, pick me up a bottle of wine from that trendy new shop. I overheard Father raving about it. But now, if you'll excuse me, I have to sort out troop deployments for the eastern provinces."With that, he turned back to the soldiers, diving into the serious business of military strategy.
"Is that really all? No lecture, no finger-wagging? Not even a little scare tactic?"Young-Sik exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief as he faced the crowned prince.
Man-Ju shrugged casually, replying with a simple"No."He then turned to Jin-Ri with a grin, adding,"Well done teaching the prince some manners. Keep it up!"
Young-Sik, feeling like a petulant child, threw his hands in the air."Good job? She practically twisted my arm! Come on… scold me, toss me in the dungeon, or at least do something dramatic!"
Jin-Ri with a smug smile, approached the bewildered prince."You're right Your Highness, lightning does not strike the same place twice; it hits it three times"She then started to push the prince"Common your Highness, I won you lost…from now on you're taking me wherever and whenever you go"
"But…but"Young-Sik stuttered as Jin-Ri pushed him out towards the market.
Jin-Ri trailed behind the prince through the bustling marketplace, her heart racing with excitement."Seriously, can you just head back to the palace? I don't need a babysitter!"Young-Sik huffed, glancing over his shoulder at his persistent court maiden.
With a cheeky smile, Jin-Ri shot back,"Apologies, Your Highness, but your father specifically ordered me to keep an eye on you. So here I am, duty-bound and all that! Not to mention you lost our little bet"
Young-Sik sighed dramatically, veering into a narrow alley. Jin-Ri, ever the curious one, followed him but couldn't help but murmur,"What on earth is this place? It feels like we've stumbled into the underbelly of the capital!"
Just as they rounded the corner, a ragtag bunch of poorly dressed men caught the prince's ear. He halted in his tracks, curiosity piqued when he realized they were whispering about him.
"I swear, that exhibition the prince put on was nothing but a total setup,"one of the guys declared, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Can you believe it? Who could possibly handle twenty guys all by themselves?"the second one scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"And don't even get me started on his puffed-up chest!"the third added with a scoff."He's so full of himself, thinking he's some kind of heartthrob, but honestly, he's just a skinny little crybaby!"
Jin-Ri stifled a giggle, her eyes darting to the prince, whose face was a masterpiece of irritation. She nearly lost it when she saw his expression twist in frustration
"Oh please, that guy's looks are so overhyped! I'm way more attractive than him,"A fourth one chimed in, dripping with misplaced bravado.
Jin-Ri nearly burst out laughing when she noticed the prince's ears droop at the comment. Young-Sik spun around, ready to give those four a piece of his mind, but Jin-Ri quickly grabbed his hand.
The moment their fingers touched, a spark ignited, and somehow, his fiery temper simmered down. He turned to Jin-Ri, who smiled and said,"Just ignore them, Your Highness. You know they're just talking nonsense."
"Aish"was the only expression that escaped Young-Sik's mouth as he swatted Jin-Ri's hand away. He sighed when he noticed the four men were no longer there.
"This is your fault"The prince declared to Jin-Ri as he continued to walk. Jin-Ri pouted and stuck out her tongue at the prince as she followed him.