The following day marked Jin-Ri's fourth day as Young-Sik's court maiden, and she was lugging around with a gigantic bucket of water.
The other court maidens spotted her and shouted, "Hey Jin-Ri, where's the water party happening?"
She huffed and puffed and replied, "The goblin needs a bubble bath, and I'm his water supplier!" She said it loud and proud, not caring if the whole palace heard.
"SHHHH!" one of the maidens hissed, "Are you out of your mind? If anyone catches wind of that, you'll be toast faster than you can say 'goblin bubble bath!'"
Jin-Ri's eyes widened like saucers as she exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, are you serious? They'll have me arrested for saying something bad about the prince?" Spotting a couple of guards, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Prince Kim Young-Sik is nothing but a spoiled little goblin!"
The other court maidens, in a panic, quickly clamped their hands over her mouth like they were trying to silence a howling dog.
The guards, intrigued by the ruckus, approached the scene. "No need to worry, folks! She's just had a bit too much to drink," one of the maidens said, trying to play it cool.
"Yeah, just a little tipsy!" another added, waving them off like pesky flies.
The guards shook their heads in frustration as they went on their way. The moment the guards were out of sight the court maidens let go of Jin-Ri "Are you stupid or something? Do you have a death wish?"
"Are you kidding me? Death is a better option than being that goblin's professional maid!" Jin-Ri answered back while fixing her clothes.
"Just wait until you learn the reason behind his antics," another court lady interjected with a knowing smile.
"Alright, spill the tea! Why does our charming goblin behave like that?" Jin-Ri retorted, her scoffs betraying the spark of curiosity lighting up her gaze.
One of the court ladies glanced around, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she beckoned the others to lean in closer. "You all remember how the former Queen passed away when the prince was just a little boy," she began, her voice dripping with intrigue. "Well, I heard from someone who heard it from a eunuch, who just so happened to eavesdrop on Physician Go. Apparently, the prince acts out like this because he's longing for his mother's love—the kind only a mother can provide."
The other ladies nodded in unison, murmuring, "That makes total sense!"
But Jin-Ri, ever the skeptic, shot back, "What? That doesn't make any sense at all!"
"So, I was talking to some of his former servants, and they mentioned that the prince has been a bit of a jokester since he was little. He's nostalgic for his childhood, which explains why he can be playful and, let's be honest, a little cruel at times. And rumor has it, he even sleeps with his favorite toy!" the court maiden divulged, raising an eyebrow.
"Great, so he's mean to me because he's stuck in the past? Just because he's missing his mom doesn't mean I'm his personal doll!" Jin-Ri retorted, her frustration bubbling over.
"Absolutely!" they chimed in unison. "He's just being a jerk because he's trying to get your attention!"
Jin-Ri snickered, "Aren't I just the luckiest? Buried under endless chores all because he can't get enough of me," she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm. With a bucket of water in hand, she declared, "If you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a dip in the prince's fancy tub—might as well make it a spa day!"
Back at the prince's residence, she was surprised to see the prince, sleeping peacefully in bed. Jin-Ri sighed "Well I guess he won't be needing this" She continued to carry the bucket of water to the bathing area
As she stepped out, a sudden thud caught her attention, and she turned to see a spinning top lying on the floor. "So it is true," she mused quietly, "My master is a childish goblin, well that explains a lot."
With a tender touch, she picked up the top and placed it gently on the table next to the prince's bed. Just as she was about to leave, she heard him murmur, "Mother?" in his sleep.
Jin-Ri couldn't explain it, but at that moment she felt a pinch in her heart, for the prince calling out for his long-dead mother. "I guess even goblins could miss their mother," Jin-Ri thought sincerely, "I wish you a night filled with sweet dreams…and I hope you don't wake up tomorrow!" She whispered with a grin before stepping out and closing the door behind her.
Once the door was softly shut, Jin-Ri sat and found herself drifting into a peaceful slumber by the prince's door. Emerging quietly from his room, Young-Sik knelt beside her, "What a rude court maiden" He said to himself with a smirk on his face. He lifted her gently with great care and laid her on his bed, tucking her in with his warm sheets. After ensuring she was comfortable, he quietly closed the doors to his room and stepped out, leaving her in a world of dreams.
The next morning, Jin-Ri awoke to the sun's gentle caress, its warm light dancing across her face. She sat up, stretching her arms with a delightful yawn. "This bed is divine!" she sighed. But as she was about to hop out of bed to tidy up, a realization hit her like a splash of cold water. "Wait a second… I don't have a bed in the prince's residence!"
The prince made a dramatic entrance through the window with a playful grin. "Did you sleep well?" he teased.
Jin-Ri's heart raced as she mustered her bravery, firing off questions like a cannon. "Your Highness… where did you disappear to last night? Why did you leave me all by myself? And why on earth am I waking up in your bed?"
Young-Sik couldn't suppress a cheeky grin. "I just needed a breather after our little night of warmth and cuddles."
Jin-Ri's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, we… we did what?" she stammered, her thoughts spiraling into chaos. "Am I really that oblivious in my sleep that something awful happened?"With a trembling hand, she snatched the crumpled sheets and drew them up to her chin.
The prince burst into laughter at Jin-Ri's startled expression "Relax! I was only joking! You were my decoy while I slipped away. Just in case someone thought to check on me."
After a brief pause, Jin-Ri joined in with a nervous chuckle. "Alright, but you really should leave now. I need to change," the prince said, as he playfully loosened his robes.
Jin-Ri's heart skipped a beat at the prince's request to undress. Young-Sik noticed her standing there, completely transfixed, her gaze locked onto him. "Well, if you insist," he teased, as he shrugged off his shirt, exposing his tanned pristine skin and the impressive definition of his physique.
Jin-Ri's heart skipped a beat as she took in the magnificent figure standing before her. In a moment of pure clarity, she turned, flung the doors open, and hurriedly exited, closing them behind her with a decisive click. Young-Sik could see her silhouette as she raced away, leaving a trail of curiosity and confusion in her wake.
During an errand in the market, Jin-Ri decided to go to the Cherry Blossom and visit Yeng. Once there she stormed into Yeng's room like a hurricane. She flopped onto a mat, flailing her arms and kicking the sheets while piercingly screaming into the pillow. "AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!" Yeng nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Hi! Hello! Why are you here? Why are you screaming in my pillow?" Yeng asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
Jin-Ri sat up, her expression a mix of frustration and desperation. "I need a new job! I can't deal with that goblin any longer! I think he's plotting to kill me through chores!" She let out a muffled scream and ruffled her hair in exasperation.
"Is it really that bad?" Yeng asked, trying to stifle a laugh. "I thought you were supposed to charm everyone with your beauty?" she teased, mimicking Jin-Ri's dramatic flair.
Jin-Ri turned to her, eyes blazing. "Bad? Bad would be if I were sentenced to death! But him? He's like getting your toe stubbed and stubbing it again and again just when the pain is about to disappear" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enough venom to last a lifetime. "Besides, that goblin wouldn't know what a beautiful woman is, even if it hits him in the face. I think he's gay"
"Really? The prince is?" Yeng covers her mouth with her hands after easily believing her friend's assumption of the prince.
"Maybe! Probably! I don't know. Anyways, I just blew out some steam, I better get going before that goblin decides to hang me for being late" Jin-Ri stood up and got out of the hut, without as much waving goodbye
After a few days, Young-Sik was strolling the palace grounds followed by Jin-Ri when they came across a group of court maidens giggling at something. The group was oblivious that the prince was approaching them
"Are you sure? Is it true?" A court maiden asked after hearing the latest gossip about Young-Sik
"I am positive, it came from a very credible source" Answered another, to confirm the question.
"So he's?" Another one asked while curling her fingers
"Absolutely! They say that's why he sneaks out of the palace every night…to see his male lover!" The first one added, causing the croup to let out gasps and knowing nods.
"Who sneaks out of where every night?" He asked the group of court maidens
The startled group stifled their giggles and bowed to the prince, "Nothing your Highness" one of them answered. The group then went the opposite way, after bowing again and when they were a good distance away from the prince, they all giggled again,
Young-Sik furrowed his forehead and turned to Jin-Ri "Do you know what that is about?
"No, Your Highness" Jin-Ri quickly answered her master.
They were about to continue with their stroll when Chief Eunuch Ahn came barreling toward the prince "Your Highness!" He yelled, Catching Young-Sik's attention "It's bad…something bad has happened!"
Young-Sik anxiously asked the panting eunuch "What has happened? Is it father? Is it my brother? Tell me, what has happened to them?"
"The King and the crowned prince are well Your Highness!" The eunuch said to the prince after he recovered his breath
"Then what is it? What bad thing happened?" The prince frantically asked the old eunuch, the concern was etched on his face
"A rumor your Highness, a rumor a gossip is circling the capital and the palace!" Eunuch Ahn told the prince, whose concerned expression turned apathetic almost immediately.
"I don't have time for this" Young-Sik continued to walk, leaving the eunuch.
"It's about you your highness, the rumor is about you!" Eunuch Ahn told the prince, who halted in his tracks
Young-Sik turned around to the eunuch "What rumor would that be?" He asked calmly to the eunuch
Looking around, Eunuch Ahn told the prince what the rumor was "They said…that reason you were always sneaking out at night…was because you were meeting up with a male lover, the rumor said that you were…gay!"
"I AM A WHAT!" Young-Sik's voice thundered aloud, frightening anyone who could hear him. Jin-Ri's eyes widened when she heard what Eunuch Ahn said. Looking at her master she saw the prince's face, contorting out of anger.
She observed her master's eyes turn red, his hands trembling from anger and his face contorted as the prince tried to hold and control his temper. "Who would dare to spread such a rumor against a prince?" He asked the eunuch, but all he could do was shake his head.
Jin-Ri with her eyes wide told herself "That's you Jin-Ri…you're the one who started that rumor! Yeng you witch, I'll kill you for this!"
Young-Sik held his composure "When I find out who is behind this, they will regret the day they were born!" Jin-RI covered her mouth with her hands, after hearing Young-Sik's declaration
"He's going to murder me!" She thought to herself
The prince added "I will wring their neck"
Jin-Ri massaged her neck, her face filled with worry
"He'll snap my neck into two. Not my gorgeous neck…I need it to keep my head"
The prince declared "I will pull out their fingernails!"
Jin-Ri started to bite her nails from panic, started to bite her fingernails. "No…I hate pain, I can't stand the pain!"
The prince then said, "I will rip their arms from their sockets!"
Jin-Ri massaged her arms while her facial expression showed as if she was in pain. "Not my arms, I love my arms!"
With an expression of utter and uncontrollable anger, You-Sik expressed his final torture "I will rip their legs and use it to beat them senseless!"
Jin-Ri pulled on her hair with a sense of panic. "I need to run away while I still have legs!"
Young-Sik turns around and notices his court maiden trying to move away "Where are you going? Have you heard about this rumor?" He asked Jin-Ri in hopes she may have some information on the origins of this false rumor that was de-facing him