Light but determined footsteps crept throughout the palace, the assurance of fleeting was high in heart.
This wasn't the sound you'd expect from a prince, especially one from the 3rd Prince Wang Yo. Yes, it was odd to think a traitor was able to find himself in the mist of the royals again, but he wasn't going to let an attempt against his life stop him from his dream of becoming ruler of Goryeo.
It wasn't as if he just arrived, he was actually there for nearly a week, hiding in his mother's pavilion. He remembered the shock he felt seeing how his mother became grey and tired within the span of two years. Queen Yoo never seemed to be one who would crack under pressure that was shown to her over the time of his father's reign, and it wasn't as if she was suffering at Moo's hand. He knew why she was this way, for the same reason why he came back; power.
Jung changed alot overtime as well, becoming a general for his brother, he looked built compared to how he was years before. What didn't change though was his inability to hide his emotions, Yo always thought it would harm his brother; showing vulnerability. Despite their differences they both agreed on the same thing, So cannot become King after Moo's death, it would be reprehensible.
He learned from Won that Wook himself wanted the current king out, working on poisoning him with mercury in his bath. Yo wondered at first how it was possible, seeing that Hae Soo was now head court lady. The thought of that wench drove him red. He wouldn't believe that out of all the people in the world it was Hae Soo who ended up with a decent life. He thought it would be the end of her after that poison incident years ago, but somehow she melted the hearts of all she passed, except for him and his mother of course.
Won had his personal wench Chae Ryung add in the poison over the course of two weeks, it was perfect seeing that once again Hae Soo will be blamed for the impending death of the king, just this time she wouldn't find as easy of a way out.
His eyebrows creased together as he finally reached his destination, wondering how So didn't marry her yet; he knew wolfdog was madly in love with the girl, or is it that she didn't want to marry him? That thought allowed Yo to etch a nasty grin thinking Hae Soo may not want that beast. Still, according to Wook, So would protect her with his life; in a matter of time he would see if the 8th Prince's words stood true.
He looked at the scroll in the desk in his mother's room, eyeing word for word what his father's last demand was; he never expected to see his mother hide something so valuable, especially seeing she was in hot water for some time due to her alleged insolent actions. He closed the parchment, holding onto it tightly, realizing how his plan and future changed if he were able to play his cards right. He needed to show this to his uncle though, seeing that he has helped him out after all these years.
He looked up at the sky, seeing the bright moon and stars around it. He saw his star, shining brightly; he knew this was fate, it was finally his time. From the balcony, he looked down and had a oddly good view of the Damiwon palace, perhaps his mother wanted to keep a close eye at Oh sanggun when she was alive.
There was a lithe figure that moved with swift feet, an urgency that something bad was happening. He was no fool, it was that wench who somehow figured to become a busybody just when he arrived. According to most, she was more to herself now seeing her rise in rank, only really talking to the 13th Prince. He found it strange how she changed over the years, acting like a true lady she was before her 'accident' in the princes' bathhouse all those years ago.
He brushed his fingers through his thick mane having an odd curiosity to see the girl up close. She was never someone he would call beautiful, her features were too cute for his liking. He remembered all his brother somehow being drawn to her, whether romantically or not, even Won at one point became enamored with her before he came back to his priorities.
He then started to take off his robe, getting himself ready for bed.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Hae Soo was going along with her daily routine, taking care of the King's needs. Making him tea, readying him for the day, giving him his medication to ease his pain. He was merciful and kind to her, she would forever be loyal to him, no matter how long he lived.
She knows his days are numbered, quite recently he looked even more ill than before, his words were seldom but always sad.
She also knew this because of So; she knew Moo plans to abdicate the throne to So when he married his daughter. That poor girl was so young and had to go through that. Hae Soo knew that she can't allow So to become king, not while knowing what the future of his rule entails.
Still, Ji Mong told her to go along with fate, so she could only hope this would be for the best.
Though she loved So very much, after hearing about his marriage she felt herself becoming distant from him, maybe subconsciously remembering what happened the last time she got herself involved with a married man.
For the past two years her days have been peaceful, she learned how to read and write properly and educated herself further in traditional medicine. Never in Ha Jin's life had she ever expect herself to learn that far ahead in life, maybe when she goes back she would head back to school and further study.
Talking about peaceful, she had to admit to herself that despite what she wanted to believe, it was truly Wang Yo that made everyone go mad; learning his ways from his mother too well. She was just happy to know Jung wasn't the same way. She never saw someone who was able hound down a person's weakness and exploit it all at once. The sorrow she felt for the princes on Yo's hands was immense, not sure as to why he felt he needed to do that.
She shook her head, not sure as to why her thoughts went back to that man; he's been dead for years. It wasn't as if he was going to haunt them anymore.
Hae Soo walked into the royal bathhouse, awaiting the King to enter. She made sure to add in the scents, the hot water spreading out the aroma.
She had turned around to set the towels in place, not expecting anyone or anything. It was when she sensed another presence and look up her eyes grew wide. She dropped to towel, almost losing her footing if it wasn't for that hand to grab her, but it wasn't to save her; no, far from it.
She remembered those dark eyes covered with heavy eyeliner, though now there wasn't as much. His hair grew out, looking as if it came from a lion, and he grew facial hair, making him look like a true villain. She tried to form thoughts and words but nothing would come out. Never in her life was she expecting to see him again.
"W-wang Yo" She looked up into his sinister eyes, holding back a wince feeling his hand harshly squeeze unto her wrist. His face hid his emotions well, merely giving her a look of curiosity.
"Well, the king must favor you to allow a water maid become the head court lady. What did you do to deserve such luck?" Her mouth twitched, not sure of what she should do. She could scream, but then he would kill her, she could try to fight him off; but she knew he would overpower her.
Wang Yo looked at her with a smirk slowly implanting itself on his face. He never thought she could ever become speechless.
He then threw her on the ground, she quickly scrambled to a corner. He watched her ordeal, slowly stalking her, sword in hand. Her eyes were pleading him to reconsider, she must think he will kill her now. If it were truly up to him he may have, but she was the key to his triumph. He gave her a look before putting the sword lightly on her slim throat.
"Get up" She followed without haste, probably trying to not let the sword nick her. He tilts his head trying to gauge what he should do next.
"You're not going to tell anyone I'm here." Her eyes suddenly turned dead hearing his demand.
"What makes you think I'll listen to you? You're a traitor, just knowing of your being puts me in line of regicide as well." He smiled hearing her response, her bite was alluring, he had to admit.
"If you care about the well being of my brothers you'll listen. Think about Eun-ie and his wife? Would you like to be the reason for them to be my first causalities ?" The thought of innocent Eun getting hurt from Yo's hands scared her, and he knew that.
Yo knew Hae Soo thought he didn't know her weakness, but that was far from it. She cared about others too much, which is maybe why she was in this position in the first place. She became his greatest weapon due to her nature.
She looked up at him, scanning his face to see if there was a trace of bluff. She knew Yo to be a ruthless man, but a murderer? That all changed though when she felt the sword lightly gliding on her neck, barely any space for there not to be a cut.
Her lips parted to answer him, but before that she heard the royal command of the King entering, not allowing her time to speak. Yo's face also changed from the announcement, now putting the blade on her neck, "Don't say a word, or else you'll be the first to die." He pushed her on the ground once more before making his slim escape.
Hae Soo didn't turn back to see where he had gone, only quickly getting up as she felt her neck to ensure that there wasn't any visible proof of him. She retrieved the towel once more and rushed to her place as the king entered.
He looked sicker than the day before, if it were possible. Stress was evident on his face, but he still managed to give a wary smile at the head court lady as he slowly raised his hands for her to disrobe him. She was hesitant, knowing of the evil presence lurking about. She feared giving easy access for the King to be targeted. She returned his smile while walking up to him, but was stopped by a loud noise outside the bath house.
There was a riot of soldiers, screams of women along the halls, swords slashing loudly. She forcibly pulls Mu down to cover him, as if she were able to save him.
The doors to the bath house open, revealing the soldiers Yo was able to assemble to overthrow his older brother. They walk fiercely towards the pair, pulling the latter from the royal. She then sees Yo walk in from the top, as if to give the illusion he just came in with his crew.
Mu was stunned to see his 'late' brother, fear erupted in him too knowing what was to come of him. He knew it was his time, but he wasn't ready to die like this; at the hands of his brother who betrayed him.
He watched as his brother walked down to him, first giving a look towards Hae Soo, who herself looked pale in fear, being held back by two men. The younger male finally face him, any emotion void of his face.
Immediately, he started to cough up blood. The light that was shining so bright before started to wane in his heart. He watched his brother's standing form, towering him in his iron armor. His hand reached up to touch it, gasping for breath. "S-save me." He feels his hands glide on the metal with a hopeless look of pleading in his eyes.
Wang Yo looked down at his brother, the King who sent his own brothers out to kill him. He watched his brother's mouth spill blood knowing how the mercury is taking an effect on his body. He forcibly removes his elder's hand from him, knowing he was seconds away from finally getting what's his.
He kneels down, giving his brother a mocking look as he utters useless pleads. With one harsh push, a body is in the water.
For both Wang Yo and Hae Soo, the last moments of Mu were impactful and life changing. Yo knew at this moment he had finally won; he could now be the King of the Goryeo dynasty. The only thought in his head was, Mu you were meant to flounder around life like this; if father knew he would've never made you King.
The only thing distracting him from his glory was Hae Soo murmuring seeing the king in despair.
The young woman had only felt agony seeing his majesty so helpless. She tried to break out of the vice grip holding onto her, the only thing she could think of doing was to beg for help. "Please, he's drowning. Help him get out." Her subconscious knew it would be of no use, but she still asked anyway. She had nearly faced death herself, but to see another human being die like that, well it would be something she'd never forget. Her murmuring turned into whimpers, which soon turned into a sob.
Within seconds, Mu's body stopped fighting, and floated ontop of the water. Hae Soo was thrown down to Wang Yo's feet. Scrambling, she tried to raise herself up, only to be held down by none other than Won, that slime.
If things weren't bad enough, a loud cry came from the top of the stairs, she knew who it was; Wang So. Swords clattered hearing many men fall, but Soo couldn't bring herself to look up, she was beyond scared. She saw Yo's feet shift, most likely to look at him, while she suspected a malicious grin on his face.
There was silence that enraptured the room, a gut wrenching silence at the realization of Mu's death.
The only thing to cease the silence was So's loud cry seeing the scene. She heard the sword move once again, no doubt slashing many.
"STOP!"
All movement was halted as Yo's words took air. Suddenly, she felt herself rising up, but not by choice. She was dragged up by the shoulder, no doubt by the villain involved.
"So, before you assume, I didn't kill him; he was already dying."
"W-what?"
"Yes, he was already dying from mercury. The only person who had exclusive access to him was Hae Soo." Her eyes grew wide in panic. What? How dare he insinuate me for this crime?
"I-I didn't do it." A scoff came off of Yo's mouth hearing her pleading words. He of course knew she didn't do it, but his plan wouldn't work without the belief of her doing it.
Her body was then moved to infront of Yo, one arm holding her shoulders across while the other had a sword which lightly grazed her slim neck. Indeed, two times wouldn't be such a scare anymore.
"I'll give you two options So; either you can stay loyal to the dead king and die along with Hae Soo, or...you can become loyal to me and save Soo. Of course, this crime will be on her shoulders for me to use when I wish, but at least she'll be alive, right?" It was the nonchalance of his words which terrified So to no end, how his brother could simply do these actions without any remorse.
He wanted to swing his sword at Yo's neck, but he knew that Soo would be dead before he could try. With that in mind, he knew there was only one thing to do.
Dropping his sword, he knelt down before his older brother.
Honestly, Yo wasn't whole-heartily expecting So to give up the fight so easily. Yo's face was close to Hae Soo's, his breath grazing her neck as he watched his brother kneel before him.
"Long live his Majesty, may he have a prosperous reign!" So's words were breaking up, sobs taking control of him realizing the situation. He really wished he had killed his brother those years ago.
A look of triumph was shown on Yo, knowing now he finally made it, making his mother proud. After So's words, all around there were soldiers kneeling saying the same mantra, acknowledging his role. The only one who didn't say anything was Soo, which wasn't a bad thing. He was sure if he were in the same position he would also keep his mouth shut.
It didn't stop him from holding the blade to the young woman's throat, however. Instead, he walked, forcing her to move along with him.
"Don't worry So, I'll take good care of her for you."
The younger man looked lost seeing his brother taking his beloved. He watched as the hand moved from her shoulders to her waist, as a subtle sign to him, and maybe her too.
Moments later, after holding in her breath for what seemed like a lifetime, Hae Soo was thrown on the ground. She looked around the room, seeing that it was the late king's quarters. Pulling herself to a corner, she watched as Yo stomped around the room.
"I expect this place to be ready for me when I get back."
Wait, he wasn't going to demote or kill her? She always knew he wasn't her biggest fan, often working with his mother to try to get her out of the damiwon. She stayed frozen at this realization.
Not hearing movement from the girl, he turned, narrowing his eyes. "Are you suddenly deaf? This place better be clean of Mu and ready for me." There was a look of amusement in his eyes. "Don't worry, I'm not going to make any rash decisions, yet."
He walked out, doors slamming behind him. The only thing Hae Soo could do was stay in her spot, letting all the tears she had rush out of her system. Maybe she should've never listen to Ji Mong, she was maybe supposed to make So king. Maybe she was wrong, Gwangjong was actually Yo and in her mind she had mistaken it.
Stunned, she decided it would be best to start her task in order to live. She knew at this point her life was hanging on a thread, and Wang Yo was the one controlling just how long it lasts.