Episode 58
“What if something really dangerous happened?”
“Well, that’s… … .”
“We, that’s… … .”
In response to the reprimand, Doyul and Yerin secretly looked the other way.
In fact, there were ten people who had nothing to say about that part.
A stern scolding once again fell on the two people’s heads.
“Aren’t you two the lords and matriarchs of the Ice Palace?”
“…….”
“That means you two are like the parents of the Beihai Ice Palace and, by extension, the Beihai Province.”
Gyulwonju had a straight face.
“Two people who need to care for and take care of their own bodies first.”
“Hey, Gyulwonju. That is… … .”
Do-yul, who had been quietly watching, tried to make an excuse, but Gyul-won-ju did not even give him a chance to speak.
“You would do something so dangerous and keep it a secret, even from this old lady?”
Well, there’s nothing to say about this… … .
Doyul and Yerin slumped their shoulders and mouthed words of apology side by side.
“Well, I’m sorry.”
“sorry.”
However, Gyulgyulwonju’s expression showed no signs of calming down.
“What would you have done if something had happened to you two?”
“…….”
“Not to mention the four heavenly temples, I wouldn’t have seen the face of the previous palace lord even when I died.”
The two lowered their heads sullenly.
I didn’t feel anything like resistance.
It was because I knew that I was scolding him because I had affection for him.
“I’ll just leave it here. From now on, please treat yourself with respect.”
“all right.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The young couple answered in unison.
Only then did the spirit of disciplinaryism subside somewhat.
“Then, enough of the scolding.”
huh?
Yerin and Doyul blinked together.
“You have to give praise.”
Gyulgyulwonju was already smiling brightly.
It was a smile that was a mixture of strangeness and relief.
“This will stabilize people’s livelihoods considerably.”
Gyulwonju did not spare praise.
“You both did a great job. “You’ve worked hard.”
… … If so, I’m really glad.
Doyul and Yerin, who were looking at each other from the corner of their eyes, smiled brightly without anyone taking the lead.
A sense of pride flooded me.
* * *
Finally everything was finished.
As a result of the investigation, the conclusion is:
‘I ate a lot.’
… … It was.
The fur monopoly was the tip of the iceberg.
Of course, he cleverly takes advantage of his position as a financial supporter.
There were many cases of putting pressure on civilians and extorting their labor.
‘The more you investigate, the more problems are revealed!’
Doyul was furious.
Actually, it was natural.
Didn’t Doyul even accept the shameful arranged marriage with Sacheondangmun for the sake of the people of North Sea Province?
In such a situation, the elder of the North Sea Ice Palace was plundering the North Sea Castle, so it was understandable to be angry.
‘As of today, Ji Sook-myeong will be stripped of her position as head of the finance department, also!’
Doyul gave an order with a sharp look on his face.
‘Ji Sook-myeong and Ji’s family, the main culprits of this incident, will be sentenced to exile!’
‘My name!’
‘The family head’s relatives will carefully examine the women’s crimes and then punish them again according to the severity of the crimes!’
‘I will obey your orders, my lord!’
Just like that, the family head was devastated.
The Ji family head and Ji Suk-myeong were exiled to a faraway place, and the people of the Ji family were scattered.
It was an incredibly shabby downfall.
Who could look at a family head like that and think that it was once a prestigious family in the Beihai Province, second only to the Beihai Ice Palace?
‘Maybe Jijang can no longer make a comeback.’
Of course, I wasn’t pitiful.
The North Sea Ice Palace, and by extension the North Sea Castle, was a place like a child that Yerin devoted her entire life to raising.
‘How dare you eat the North Sea Castle? Of course it won’t work.’
At that time, Yerin was nodding her head alone.
“ma’am.”
When she heard a voice calling me, she glanced back.
“Palace lord?”
Doyul was smiling at her.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“No, the palace lord had a harder time.”
Yerin shook her head.
At least she could take a break after catching the Jijajang and the Goldfinch Merchant.
However, Doyul had to stay locked in his office for several days.
Because it was such a large-scale incident and there were many people involved… … .
‘Look, there’s a lot of fatigue on your face.’
Even the process of investigating the crimes of his relatives still remained.
Yerin clicked her tongue briefly and asked a question.
“Shouldn’t you get some rest now?”
“Oh, so.”
Doyul nodded and opened his mouth.
“For a change of pace, I’m thinking of going outside for a moment to get some fresh air.”
“Are you going out?”
“yes. “Would you like to go with us?”
At that suggestion, Yerin could not hide her worried expression.
“You look really tired. Wouldn’t it be better to lie down rather than walk around?”
“no. “I just stayed in the office and it was stuffy.”
Well, in that case.
Yerin had no reason to refuse.
More than anything, I’m a bit worried about sending Doyul out alone, looking so tired… … .
“great.”
Yerin nodded.
* * *
‘… … ‘Didn’t we say we were going to go outside for a moment to get some fresh air?’
Yerin followed Doyul with a puzzled expression.
I thought at most I would just take a walk in the garden inside the Bingungung.
Unexpectedly, Doyul escaped from the ice palace.
“Hey, palace lord!”
Yerin, unable to overcome her doubts, called Doyul.
“Where are we going?”
“Oh, I didn’t explain it properly.”
Doyul answered with a sad look on his face.
“There is a place I would like to show you, madam, but we have to go a little bit outside of Behai City.”
“Where is it so far?”
Yerin shrugged her shoulders and added.
“Well, I don’t mind going.”
Then Doyul smiled shyly.
“It’s my secret place.”
Doyul, who answers like that, at this moment feels like a fifteen-year-old boy rather than a princess.
I thought that smile was very pretty… … .
“…….”
Yerin’s mouth felt dry for some reason.
At her silence, Doyul tilted his head.
“ma’am?”
“Oh that… … .”
Yerin, who was rolling her eyes, quickly walked ahead of Doyul.
“It’s nothing, let’s go now!”
Then Doyul asked a question in a mischievous voice.
“By the way, ma’am, is it okay for you to go ahead like that?”
“yes?”
“You don’t even know the way.”
No, that guy?!
Yerin became extremely pouty at the words that were clearly making fun of her.
* * *
It’s already time to start walking through the dense coniferous forest.
Suddenly the view became clear.
“and!”
An exclamation burst from Yerin’s mouth.
The first thing that came into view was a sunset that looked like layers of red and yellow silk.
Against the backdrop of the sunset, a large ice lake filled the field of view.
The surface of the ice lake reflected the sunset and sparkled like gold dust had been sprinkled on it.
“This place… … ?”
“It’s my secret place.”
Secret location?
How could that adult Doyul say such childish things?
Yerin looked back at Doyul with an expression of surprise.
and.
‘ah.’
Yerin suddenly realized.
This must be a very precious place for Doyul.
because.
‘The reason Doyul misses something so much… … ‘It feels like I’m seeing this for the first time.’
Because Doyul’s eyes were tracing a precious time that could never be returned.
As if reminiscing about the distant past when Yerin was Seolryeon.
“My father first brought me here when I was young, and after that, I would come here occasionally to play ball.”
Doyul’s voice, quietly looking back on the past, was steeped in memories.
“But I haven’t had time to visit since my father passed away. I was very busy, and a big change occurred in my personal life… … .”
Perhaps the change in his personal life would be his marriage to Yerin.
Doyul, who mentioned their marriage, slightly narrowed his eyes as if he was belatedly embarrassed.
“Still, it’s nice to be able to come here with your wife.”
“… … “I see.”
Yerin looked around.
Then he gave me a sincere compliment.
“It’s worth using as a secret place. “It’s very pretty.”
“I’m glad your wife seems to like it too.”
Doyul nodded slightly.
Naturally, the conversation stopped for a moment.
“…….”
“…….”
But neither of them found the silence uncomfortable.
Rather, I felt very comfortable.
‘Good mood.’
The heat of my body, which had been burning for a long time, was gradually cooled by the rushing wind.
After a while.
Yerin glanced back at Doyul.
“Palace, how do you feel now?”
“… … How are you feeling?”
Doyul was confused for a moment.
At that time, Yerin looked straight into Doyul’s eyes.
It was a straight gaze that seemed to pierce one’s lungs.
“My lord, you are still feeling depressed about the Jijang and Geumhwa Sangha incident, aren’t you?”
ah.
Doyul gently bit his lip.
“Is it obvious?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t think the residents noticed.”
Yerin smiled brightly.
“You can’t fool my eyes.”
“okay. “This is a bit embarrassing.”
Doyul slowly turned his head to hide his embarrassed expression.
Yerin spoke again.
“This isn’t the palace lord’s fault.”
“…….”
At those words, Doyul closed his mouth like a clamshell again.
