Eleven Days My Queen!

Shin Eun ji,walked along the dimly lit hallways of the Queen's residence,with a lamp on one hand and a basket full of writing supplies on the other,she had been transferred to the Queen's service recently and tonight marked her first meeting with the Queen.The girls she worked with at the palace kitchen,had been going on and on about how lucky she was to get promoted to the position of the Queen's new handmaid ,they were right because some maids worked in the palace for years but never got this close to a royal family member but here she was in front of the Queen's chambers,especially since she had been in the palace for less than a year.Standing in front of the Queen's chambers ,she waited as her arrival was announced by the Eunuch.Once permission was granted she stepped in.

The Queen sat behind a small lacquered table in front of her luxurious bed,already dressed in her night garments,her soft porcelain skin was illuminated by the golden lights of the candle burning by the edge of the table.Shin Eun-ji lowered herself into a deep bow,her head touching the ground as she introduced herself.

"Greetings to your Majesty,I am greatly honored to serve under you as your new handmaid,Shim Eun ji",she said, her voice steady despite her nerves .

She did not move from her position until she heard the Queen speak.

"You may rise ",her tone calm but commanding.

Immediately Eun-ji went to work,clearing out the contents on the small table,replacing them with the writing supplies she brought,as she worked she felt the Queen's gaze on her as she carefully grounds the inksticks with the tiny pestle,her movements practiced but slightly tensed under scrutiny.Finished with her task,she stepped away from the table standing at the corner quietly,head lowered as she watched the Queen pick up the brush,her hands moving gracefully across the paper.The refined strokes forming words she couldn't understand.

Minutes later ,the Queen set down the brush and folded the paper she had written on neatly,extending it towards Eun-ji.

" Your task is to deliver this letter discreetly to Eunjo Jujeom_The silver reed Tavern_in the entertainment district,once you arrive look for a man named Shim Bbangu….,disrupting the Queen's words,a stifled laugh came out of her mouth as she quickly covered it.

The Queen paused,raising a delicate eyebrow at her,asking.

"Is something amusing Eunji?"

She composed herself quickly apologizing.

"Apologies Your majesty,it's just..the name ..Bbangu_it means bread".

The Queen's expression softened with understanding,realizing,she said to her.

"Ah I see,despite the peculiar name,he is a skilled physician,can I trust you to carry out this task without further amusement?.

"Yes,Your Majesty,I won't let it distract me again.Taking the letter,Eunji exits the Queen's chambers,silently cussing herself for laughing at something so silly,in presence of the Queen_she didn't expect the Queen to call out the word like that,but it didn't excuse her behavior.

The night was chilly,so she draped a hooded black cloak over her green uniform for warmth and disguise.Pulling the hood low over her face she slipped through the wide gates of the palace walls into still,cold embrace of the dead night.