We were destined to fail.
01 | My name is Kim Tae-hyung, and I am in charge of escorting the young lady.
ㅡ
This is not enough.
The guard standing in front of the palace stopped me. How wonderful it would have been if I had protected the real princess like this. It's because of him that I'm here, shamelessly, bearing the name Ji-an.
지안.
Can I call you?
ㅡ
He is someone I cannot meet freely. If you have anything to say, please let me know and I will convey it to His Majesty.
지안.
Please tell me if you know anything about the whereabouts of the princess who disappeared seven years ago.
The guard, who had been kind but wary after hearing me, changed his expression. No one could have predicted that seven years, not a year, later, someone would know the princess's whereabouts.
A king who would bring a woman into the palace on a day that might provide a tremendous clue. He must have been devastated by the loss of his beloved daughter. How could he not be surprised when a stranger came all the way to the palace claiming to know the whereabouts of the princess they had been unable to find for seven years?
지안.
I'm sorry, Miss Gian, but this was a position I could never have even dreamed of. Now, I'll wait for the day we can meet again, Miss.
Although a little anxious, I waited excitedly for a long time to see His Majesty. Soon the door opened, and I was able to enter. Judging by the lack of tea or refreshments, which are usually offered to guests, I guess they either didn't trust me or were simply too surprised.
지안.
Thank you for trusting me.
왕.
First, identify yourself. I can't trust you yet.
I glanced at the knight standing by the door. After all, if I revealed that I was a princess, everyone would know. The King noticed where my gaze was directed and dismissed the knight.
왕.
How can I trust the words of someone who doesn't even reveal his identity to find out about the princess's whereabouts?
Seeing His Majesty so sensible, despite the matter involving his daughter, made me feel a renewed sense of tension. I thought he'd immediately ask if I knew the princess's whereabouts if I told him.
Perhaps he's forcing himself to maintain his sanity, since it involves the princess he cherished so dearly. However, if someone comes to find him, claiming to know her whereabouts, and reveals that she's the princess he lost seven years ago, his sanity will likely end there.
지안.
My name is Ji-an, Ji-an, Abamama.
As expected, I couldn't continue. Since no one but myself knew I wasn't a princess, there was no way to truly know if I was. That's probably why I couldn't find her for seven years.
왕.
Identify yourself again. You know best what will happen if you pull another nasty prank.
지안.
It's true, Abama. I'll tell you everything that happened the day I disappeared. I'll even explain why the girl couldn't come back for seven long years.
Now, I have no choice but to believe. I am the only one who knows what happened seven years ago, the only one who knows the princess's whereabouts, and the only one who knows her condition.
지안.
7 years ago..
왕.
When I opened my eyes, there was a girl my age, and I don't remember anything else. I lived with them until later, when my memories finally came back. Am I right?
지안.
Yes, that's right. My memory returned and I looked for the child who had been serving me, but he was gone. I'm just wondering if he's lost his life.
왕.
How did a girl her age end up there?
지안.
I don't know. I don't remember if the child was too shocked. Please let the child who has been by my side for seven years remain by my side.
왕.
I don't know if what you're saying is true or not, but since there's no one to verify it, I'll send someone to bring him in and hear his story. And just in case, I'll give him an escort.
With that, he left the room. There are two reasons for having an escort. One is to guard me against even the slightest risk, in case I'm a real princess. The other is to keep an eye on me, in case I do anything reckless.
Still, I smiled, feeling as if things were going as planned, and stood up, heading toward the door. When I reached out to open it, it was already opening.
김태형.
My name is Kim Taehyung, and I am in charge of escorting the young lady.