Chapter 57: The right thing will come later

“…So, Sejeong will directly have an audience with the Emperor?”

I asked Lee Seorin again, in the back seat of the limousine, which was now somewhat familiar.

“Yes. And only my father, my sister, and I will be attending. If you come with us, you will have to wait in the waiting room.”

‘It must be to perform the confirmation ritual.’

This part seems to be proceeding the same as in the original work.

The confirmation ritual is a ritual to determine whether or not one has inherited the blood of the royal family.

How do they determine it?

What is used for that is a round jewel called the ‘Guardian Dragon’s Yeouiju’, which has been passed down from generation to generation in the royal family since the early days of the founding of the country.

‘I’ve only seen it on TV.’

The jewel, which is said to have been entrusted to the royal family by the dragon of the East Sea to fulfill its role before it laid down its body on this land after saving the country, is revealed to the entire nation once a year on Foundation Day.

If the blood of the royal family is dropped on this jewel, the white jewel will be stained golden, which is made into a kind of event to signify that the country will prosper forever.

It didn’t have that much power.

However, there was a way to use it for other purposes….

‘That’s something to see when the time comes.’

Anyway, the main purpose of using the jewel is for the children of the royal family to prove that they have inherited the blood of the royal family when they come of age.

In the original work, Yoon Sejeong also proves that she has inherited the blood of the royal family in this way.

‘Of course, in Sejeong’s case, a DNA test alone would be enough to determine it.’

If they took DNA extracted from the current emperor’s brother and Sejeong’s DNA and tested it, it would be enough without having to do such a ritual.

However, what to consider here is that the royal family has probably already finished a background check on Sejeong.

In fact, in the original work, the emperor had already tentatively considered Sejeong as a member of the royal family.

But, the reason why they perform such a ritual even so is because this ritual is in such an important position.

Just by passing this ritual in front of the members, a stone that has rolled in from outside was recognized as a member of the royal family without question.

The saying that showing is important was perfect for this.

Of course, from there, the ability was measured again, and the family tree flowed dizzyingly depending on whether it was direct or collateral, but there was no big worry with Sejeong’s ability.

“If you’re worried about Sejeong, she’ll be fine. However, she will be asked a few questions….”

At that, Sejeong’s shoulders flinched.

‘She doesn’t look fine at all.’

She seemed to be getting better these days, but Sejeong was shrinking back to when I first met her.

It seemed that she was now gradually realizing it after leaving the hospital.

“I see…. I was hoping I might be able to see your father’s face if things went well, but it’s a shame.”

“Huh? Well, it won’t be possible on this visit, but maybe later….”

‘Lee Seorin is also very kind.’

It’s just a courtesy, but still, she’s trying to make a place for me, who is nothing, with her father, the emperor.

‘Still, at least until I graduate from the academy, I probably won’t have a chance to see his face up close.’

The most plausible scenario would be to develop a relationship with Sejeong to the point of marriage and go to greet him….

Even though Sejeong and I had confirmed our feelings, marriage was too far away.

‘She’s only a first-year high school student.’

Right now, the first thing was to overcome the things that were about to happen.

“…Excuse me, Senior.”

“Yes. What is it. Sejeong.”

There was a somewhat awkward atmosphere between the two, with me in between.

In Yoon Sejeong’s case, she showed signs of being visibly uncomfortable, and in Lee Seorin’s case, she was smiling brightly, but it felt forced.

“That, I….”

Yoon Sejeong stammered, then opened her mouth with difficulty.

“…Is the strange power I have related to the royal family?”

The question that Sejeong wanted to ask more than anything.

But, it was also a question that no one answered.

“Hmm….”

At that question, Lee Seorin slightly bent her right thumb.

It was a sign that she was lost in thought.

“…I can tell you for sure tomorrow. But yes, it is. There is a very high probability that the power is related to the royal family.”

“Then, the fact that my eyes have become the same golden color as yours….”

“Perhaps, your thoughts are very complicated right now.”

Lee Seorin brought Sejeong’s hand onto my lap and folded it with both hands.

“Still, there’s no need to be so anxious. No matter what you learn tomorrow, Sejeong is Sejeong, right?”

“……That’s right. Thank you, Senior.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two smiled at each other.

Unlike the stiff atmosphere earlier, a distinctly relaxed atmosphere surrounded the air.

‘…But, was it necessary to do this with me in between?’

If I, who was in the middle, was removed, it could be described as a beautiful picture of the two who are scheduled to become sisters, but with me in the middle, something…something felt strange.

It’s like I’m blocking the relationship between the two, isn’t it?

‘No….’

Thinking about it, I felt somewhat wronged.

What can I do if Sejeong has fallen for me?

Besides, how could I have known that I would meet Lee Seorin first and hang out with her?

I didn’t intentionally interfere with the two of them.

Clearly, I was just struggling to survive….

…Anyway, it doesn’t seem like it’s my fault?

“Wow…Hayeon-ah, isn’t it so pretty?”

“Yeah. It’s very grand.”

After getting out of the limousine, the first palace I saw was quite large and splendid.

Of course, compared to the emperor’s palace I saw on TV, the size and area seemed smaller, but even so, I couldn’t help but admire it.

It was a similar feeling to when I first saw Gyeongbokgung Palace in my previous life.

Of course, Gyeongbokgung Palace also exists in this world.

However, the fact that the emperor resides there and the higher technology than in my previous life combined…in a word, it was spectacular.

‘It’s all said and done when Gyeonghoeru Pavilion has three floors.’

If the palaces of my previous life were for preservation, active extensions and constructions were taking place here where the emperor exists.

In particular, the places where the royal family resides are said to boast facilities that are not even envious of hotels outside the palace.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

Of course, the guest room wouldn’t be that level, but still, wouldn’t it be reasonably well-equipped?

“Well, both of you. This person will guide you.”

Bow.

At the place Lee Seorin pointed with her hand, a grandmother with white hair was bowing her head towards us.

“I, Choi Yeon, will be in charge of guiding the young ladies. I may be lacking, but I hope you will look kindly on me.”

However, it was too luxurious to simply say that she was old.

Should I say it feels like a flowing black silk?

It’s heavy, but still soft.

It was clear that she was not an ordinary person.

“We’re the ones who should be thanking you.”

When I spoke first and bowed my head, Sejeong also bowed her head.

“I wanted to guide you myself…but I have some work to do. If I have time tomorrow, I’ll show you around the palace.”

“It can’t be helped if you’re busy.”

The princess must be busy.

…Wait, then does that mean Sejeong will also be busy when she becomes a princess?

‘Long-distance relationship as soon as we start dating?’

Oh my god.

Thud.

While I was imagining a situation where I could only talk on the phone, Lee Seorin suddenly approached me.

“…Senior?”

It’s okay to approach, but the distance was the problem.

Close.

She came so close that her lips were almost touching my ear.

The moist breath was felt directly.

“Tonight, I’ll come to see you around 12.”

A whispering word.

Leaving those words, Lee Seorin moved away from me and turned around.

“Oh my. Oh my my.”

Choi Yeon, who watched the scene, had turned into a mischievous grandmother, losing the weight she felt when we first met.

And, Sejeong, who watched it right next to me….

‘Huh?’

Surprisingly, there was no change in her expression.

Besides, she didn’t even ask what Lee Seorin said to me.

However.

Staring.

She was staring~ at me very intently.

“…Se, Sejeong-ah?”

“…Haa.”

Stretch.

“Ugh!?”

At the suddenly pulled cheek, I couldn’t help but make a surprised sound.

“Fool. Idiot. Stupid sea cucumber. Player.”

Sejeong pulled my cheeks with both hands, playing with my cheeks as if kneading them, and spitting out something similar to swearing.

Clearly, I should be the one reflecting, but….

‘Why, is it cute…?’

Even though I tried to make a seriously sorry expression, I couldn’t help but laugh little by little at the sight of her saying only cute words as swearing.

Perhaps, if I look in the mirror now, my expression would be quite a sight.

“Pfft. What is that.”

Just looking at Sejeong, who had been looking at me with a fierce gaze until a while ago, burst into laughter, it seemed that my expression was quite funny.

“…Ugh.”

‘Are you relieved now?’ I sent a cute gesture containing the meaning, and Sejeong released her hand obediently.

“Phew. My cheeks are numb….”

I was about to bring both hands to my cheeks, but I was blocked by the hands that grabbed my cheeks one step faster.

And, as it is.

Smooch.

“…Since Hayeon was bad this time.”

A kiss on the cheek.

…It wasn’t, I put my lips to the back of my hand, which was holding your cheek.

“The real thing, later.”

Saying that, Sejeong brought her index finger to my lips and smiled.