┌───────────────────┐ 　　　　　中殿觀察錄 　　　Observations of the Queen · Private Record └───────────────────┘

　　　March 15th · Clear

Number of times the Queen smiled — Four.

Number of times they smiled at me — One.

...Once is enough.

No.

It is not enough at all.

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Hour of the Dragon (07:00-09:00)

They left about half of their morning meal.

They drank two cups of plum blossom tea.

When I entered, they set down their teacup and looked at me for a moment.

The time our eyes met was brief.

Still, it was the first time today that the Queen looked at me first.

Must remember this.

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Hour of the Sheep (13:00-15:00)

They admired the plum blossoms in the rear garden.

I intentionally walked past the same path three times.

First time — Did not look.

Second time — Did not look.

Third time — Our eyes met.

When I smiled, they turned their head away.

...I decided to think they were just shy.

Because if not, I would feel quite miserable.

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Hour of the Dog (19:00-21:00)

I called for the kisaengs again today.

Word must have reached the Queen's ears.

And yet, they did not come to find me.

They did not even get angry.

They did not even ask who I had called.

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Should I not call them tomorrow?

No.

Just one more time.

I will try just one more time, and if they still remain unbothered, I shall stop.

...I believe I wrote the same thing last time.

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〔 Today's Queen 〕

Things they liked — Plum blossoms, plum blossom tea.

Things they disliked — Still unknown.

Number of times they sought me — 0.

Number of times I sought the Queen —

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It is better not to count.

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I now know quite a lot about what the Queen likes.

Their favorite tea, flowers, the time they fall asleep.

But the one thing I want to know most, I still do not know.

Just how much the Queen likes me.

...I wonder if I shall find out tomorrow.

　　　　　　　　　　— Seo Hwi

　　　　〔 Strictly Forbidden to Anyone but the Queen 〕