레드벨벳 평행 우주

제22화. 얽힌 운명

A month... Only a month was spent on training Seulgi.

Although she might not be the greatest of all weapon handlers, she's pretty good enough to ensure that the queen is safe with her.

Still, not everyone's satisfied with that, of course.

Passing by, Seulgi runs into Joy.

Seulgi

You're here? Where have you been? You were gone for quite a long while.

Joy

I believe that's not something for you to worry about.

Joy

I heard you've been training hard.

Seulgi

Yeah. I do think it's not enough though.

Joy

Why? Did the queen tell you to stop already?

Seulgi

How'd you know?

Joy

You sure are clueless, aren't you?

Joy walks away without elaborating what she meant.

All curious, Seulgi follows her.

Seulgi

Hey, what do you mean by that?

Joy

If the queen tells you to stop, then you're ready to leave.

Seulgi

What?!

Joy

You heard me.

Seulgi

But, why? I mean... was I not doing well in my training?

Seulgi

And... leave? What do you mean?

Joy

What should I do with you? You poor little one...

Joy

Should I tell you a secret?

Joy leans forward to whisper into Seulgi's ears.

Joy

Do you really think the queen took you in just to make a servant out of you?

Joy

Dear that's just stupid.... That's not a move a queen would do.

Seulgi

Y-youre confusing me...

Joy continues...

Joy

You're not being trained to be a servant...

Joy

You're being trained so you'd be able to fight for yourself, dummy.

Joy

That way the queen wouldn't feel too guilty after sending you out in the woods.

Joy

Do you get what I'm saying?

Joy

Dear, you're ready to go...

That exact moment, Irene passes by the room, suspicious of the two.

She passed by without saying a word, but brought too much tension by mere sight.

Seulgi

Tell me you're kidding...

Joy

I'm not kidding... but it's quite funny right?

Seulgi

No it's not.

Seulgi

The only thing that's funny here is the fact you actually expect me to believe you.

Joy

And why wouldn't you?

Seulgi

I... I just know she would never do that. Not to me...

Joy

Pathetic... Who do you even think you are...

Joy left Seulgi in frustration.

And although Seulgi refuses to believe her, she couldn't help it but doubt Irene.

It took her a day, wondering why it actually makes sense...

Seulgi

How can I not think about that all this time...

Seulgi couldn't take it anymore. The next day, she met up with Wendy and Yeri, hoping to find answers to her oh so rethorical questions...

Seulgi

Irene knew you were also training me didn't she?!

Seulgi points at Wendy.

Wendy

What?

Seulgi

The three of you planned this didn't you?!

Wendy

What are you even talking about?

Yeri

We planned what?

Seulgi

You two think I wouldn't know? Irene ordered you to train me so I can leave the palace!

Yeri

What's this dummy even talking about...

Wendy

You sure are an overthinker, aren't you?

Seulgi

Did you really have to go this far? Why not just let me leave in the first place?!

Yeri

Wooo, calm down... We don't even know what you're talking about.

Wendy

You asked me to be here this early for your drama?

Seulgi

So, it's not true?

Wendy

Seriously... why would you even think about it like that?

Yeri

If I didn't work so hard training you for a month, I would've shot an arrow straight to your head right now.

Yeri

You can be a queen yourself... A drama queen.

Seulgi

Shut up...

Wendy

How'd you end up with that conclusion anyway?

Seulgi

Joy... Joy told me that.

Wendy

Wait, what?

Yeri

Why would Joy say something like that?

Wendy

Hey... Bring me to where she is right now.

Seulgi

I don't know where she is right now. She left the palace again.

Wendy

Again?

Seulgi

Yes. She's been gone since I started training, and returned yesterday. I wanted to talk to her this morning as well, but she left again.

Yeri

Come to think of it, she's been gone for so long before you came into this world. She said it was for personal reasons...

Seulgi

Y-yeah... I didn't meet her during my first two days here as well...

Wendy

I see my suspicion is right all along...