Hey guys! Sorry for the delay I was busy with my thesis. I can't believe I'm almost done with my honors degree. 4 years just flew by. Anyway, thank you for all the encouraging PM and the reviews! I really appreciate them

Similarly for this chapter, I included certain storyline progression from the drama as well for the other characters. But I didn't write out the scenes so I just mentioned the timings. As for the scenes that I did write out, there are some changes.

This is a really long chapter so brace yourself.

Disclaimer:
I do not own Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.

Ninth Day of the Ninth Month

It was the day both Wang So and Hae Soo were dreading, the day Wang So leaves. To prevent giving the Ministers time to come up with another plot and send Wang So back, they decided to present the decree King Taejo wrote on the day Wang So leaves.

Hae Soo wakes up early and goes to the changing room. While changing into a beige and purple hanbok with a pastel orange stash, one of her lady-in-waiting, Ji Ran approaches her. "Soo-buin, I hope I'm not being rude but since today is the family gathering, maybe you should prepare some tea for your other family members?" Ji Ran says, trying to hide her nervousness.

"That's not a bad idea. Pyeha and the Princes do request me to prepare tea for them. Maybe I should, ah but today we'll be having some drinks with the whole family. Plus I think on a day like this, they would prefer tea prepared by Sanggung." Hae Soo replies.

"It's okay Soo-buin, you'll get practice anyway. Don't you want to impress Sanggung?" Ji Ran convinces Hae Soo.

"Well I suppose. Arrasoh let's go." Hae Soo gets up and heads to the kitchen to prepare tea. Chun Yang, Bong Soon and the other ladies-in-waiting assist Hae Soo as she prepares the ingredients. "Hmm…which tea should I prepare today?"

"Ohhh how about chrysanthemum tea Soo-buin? I want to learn how to prepare that too but never got the chance." Ji Ran says a little too loudly.

Hae Soo laughs at her excitement and proceeds to prepare chrysanthemum tea and fresh leaf tea. After preparing the tea, Hae Soo rushes to the changing room and sees Wang So still getting dressed into his black ceremonial robes, with his hair in sangtugwan. Even without his scars being covered, he looked magnificent. She looked away nervously, but she couldn't hide the red glow that came over her face.

~Episode 10: 45:30 – 59:38~

The royal family members were gathered to drink together, from King Taejo and the Queens to Wang Won and his wives. Wang So and Hae Soo arrived a little later but to their surprise, Eun and Soon Deok did not arrive yet as well. They started playing a drinking game, which involves them to drink and recite stanzas from poems.

"Why isn't 10th Prince and Soon Deok here yet?" King Taejo asks after a while.

"Maybe they woke up late or something happened? Should I go look for them?" Hae Soo offers.

"Give them a little more time, if they don't arrive by the end of our game you can personally go pull them by the ears and drag them here" King Taejo said lightly.

Queen Yoo notices Crown Prince fumbling with his cup and setting it down. She takes the opportunity and suggests for chrysanthemum tea.

"My daughter-in-law, I know the Crown Prince enjoys tea prepared by you. Will you prepare some tea for your brother?" Queen Yoo says sweetly.

"I actually prepared some chrysanthemum tea today, I can go get it-"Hae Soo was about to get up when Yeon Hwa interrupts her.

"No it's fine Hae Soo, Sanggung please go on and get him the tea Hae Soo prepared." Yeon Hwa interjects.

Wang So realizes that Queen Yoo was using Hae Soo to attack the Crown Prince, if he speaks up now, he will only be putting Hae Soo in danger. Everyone will accuse her of trying to poison the Crown Prince so that her own husband who has been shunned and mistreated can be appointed as the Crown Prince.

After getting orders from Sanggung, Ji Ran dashes back to the kitchen and pours the vial of poison in to the chrysanthemum tea as it warms. She looks for Chun Yang so she can serve the tea instead of her but she was nowhere to be found. Another lady-in-waiting pushes the tea tray to her and tells her to hurry. Unable to protest, Ji Ran approaches royal family with trembling hands, thankful that she did not have to taste the tea before it was served.

Ji Ran places the tray in front of the Crown Prince when Wang So abruptly gets up, "I have something to say to you, Crown Prince." Queen Yoo smirks at Wang So, challenging him.

"Go on and speak" Crown Prince responds.

"I have caused you trouble recently. As your brother, I would like three drinks from you to strengthen our kinship." Wang So says. Both Yeon Hwa and Queen Yoo stare at him, taken aback by his actions.

"Sounds good. However, it is tea, not alcohol. What do will we do?" Crown Prince replies.

"With the mood that I am in today, I think even tea will get me drunk." Wang So smiles at Hae Soo and approaches to take the cup from Ji Ran.

He drops the cup and blames his clumsiness. King Taejo dismissed the incident and requests Hae Soo to pour the tea for Wang So. Happy with the request, Hae Soo excitedly gets up and pours the tea into a new cup. Wang So smiles at Hae Soo and takes the cup.

"First, I will drink to your longevity." Wang So drinks the first cup "Second, you continue to fight for Goryeo, so I will drink to you fortune." He drinks the second cup and as Hae Soo pours the third cup, he looks at his mother, slowly feeling the effect of the poison.

It wasn't the cup. You poisoned the tea?

Wang So thought as his mother continued to smirk at him. He turns to Hae Soo and took the third cup, his hands trembling.

I am…drinking the poison that you've poured me.

Noticing the tremor of his hands, Hae Soo looks at Wang So, concerned. However, Wang So smiles at her and bring the cup to his lips. " Lastly, no matter who tries to sow discord between us with sly words, it is my wish that our friendship will never change."

Due to Wang So's toasts, Crown Prince requests the King to not send Wang So back to Shinju, even if it's for a few weeks. Hae Soo smiles, hoping King Taejo withdraws his orders. "I will go and get 10th Prince and Soon Doek in the meanwhile." Moments after Hae Soo leaves, Wang So excuses himself.

He endures the pain and symptoms arising due to the poison until he is out of sight, even as blood trickles he tries his best to leave the drinking venue. Wang So clutched his robes and held onto the pillars as he stumbled towards Hae Soo to warn her but the vision of her begins to blur. He coughs in a spray of blood to which Hae Soo turns around and sees him, he stumbles and collapsed onto the ground.

"Wangjanim!" Hae Soo was at his side in an instant, her hands cradling his head as she yelled for help. Wang So tries to warn Hae Soo but he becomes unconscious before he could get any word out and Hae Soo continues yelling for help, not realizing the tears streaming down her face.

Meanwhile, at the family gathering, Yeon Hwa claims she wants to make three toasts as she has a request on behalf of Wang Wook. King Taejo gestures her to proceed and Yeon Hwa takes the cup from Ji Ran. Her first request is that the King allows Wook to remarry, King Taejo permits this request without knowing that the Hwangbo siblings were about to mention Hae Soo.

Instead of drinking the tea, Yeon Hwa pours it down her sleeve. She stumbles and falls to ground, blood ticking from the corner of her mouth as she weakly calls for them to attend to Wang So. Ji Mong tastes the tea and spits it out, confirming that it has been poisoned. Baek-ah dashes to Wang So with the other Princes and Ji Mong following.

Baek-ah kneels beside Wang So and supports his body, yelling at physicians to attend to Wang So immediately. They carry Wang So to the infirmary hanok with Hae Soo following them. Wang Won stops her and blames her for preparing and serving the tea. However, King Taejo reprimands Won for making baseless accusations and tells Hae Soo to stay beside Wang So. Hae Soo runs after the physicians and Baek-ah carrying Wang So.

"Arrest that court lady who served Crown Prince this instant!" Ji Mong ordered. The guards immediately arrested Ji Ran and pulled her away with her screaming on top of her voice, claiming her innocence.

Court Lady Oh

Watching from afar, Court Lady oh realizes the predicament this incident will put Hae Soo in. She rushes to 4th Prince and Hae Soo's residence and dismisses all the court ladies and servants with the exception of Chun Yang she informs her that they have to search for a vial.

Court Lady Oh finds a vial in between Hae Soo's hanboks, she quickly hides it within her hanbok and leaves after informing Chun Yang not to speak a word of this to anyone. Lady Oh hurries to Damiwon and tries to determine which poison was in the vial.

Discovering that it was a type of poison that was rare to find and that there was a handful of places that sold them, she informs King Taejo about the vial and tells him to send out an investigation team to the shops while Wang So is recovering. King Taejo summons General Park and Ji Mong discreetly and tells them to send out an investigation to the shops Lady Oh informed him with the pictures of all the ministers and court ladies.

After ordering the investigation team, he rushes to the hanok where Wang So was being treated.

8th Prince Residence

Physician Hong notices the symptoms are similar to 4th Prince but her pulse says otherwise. After Queen Sinjeong leaves, Yeon Hwa gets up from her bed and confesses to Physician Hong that she bit the inside of her lips till they bled and now she's freed herself from any suspicion. She also warns Physician Hong to watch what he says about her condition.

Appalled, Physician Hong obliges and reports to Queen Sinjeong and Wang Wook accordingly. He takes one last look at them and leaves to consult Wang So.

Infirmary Hanok

Hae Soo paced back and forth while the physicians tended to Wang So, feeding him antidotes and checking his condition. The moment they finished their check up, Hae Soo undresses Wang So and helps him into a fresh set of hanbok. She sat beside him on the bed and wiped the blood and sweat off his face and his chest.

"Soo-buin don't worry. We administered the antidote on time, 4th Prince will be fine, and he just needs rest now. I'll come to check on his every hour." Physician Lee informed Hae Soo.

"Physician Lee don't go anyway and stay nearby." Baek-ah demands.

Baek-ah kneels beside at the edge of the bed and holds Wang So's hand, "Soo-yah don't worry. Hyungnim is strong, nothing to happen to him."

Hae Soo weakly smiles and continues wiping the sweat off Wang So's face and torso. At that moment, Eun, Jung and Soon Deok burst in. "Hyungnim! Soo-yah!" "Unnie!" "Soo-noonim. Hyungnim!" Baek-ah rushes to them and signals them to lower their voices.

"Baek-ah what happened? How is Hyungnim doing? How about Soo is she okay?" Eun worriedly asked. Baek-ah updated them regarding Wang So's health and the incident. Without a word, Jung and Eun kneeled down and held their brother's hand as they whispered words of encouragement and love. Soon Deok approached Hae Soo and patted her back.

Hae Soo gazed at Wang So, he was sickly and sweating, barely fighting off the poison within him. She felt a lump form in her throat and she overcame with a grief she couldn't identify. Hae Soo reached out again, this time to brush her fingers through his damp hair, pushing the bangs from his face. His face was pale and gaunt, Hae Soo felt a hole opening up in her chest, it felt like her heart was being ripped out and shredded to pieces. It took everything she had not to break down in tears.

Baek-ah looked at his best friend, she was a mess. Her hair was disheveled, the front of her hanbok was dark with Wang So's blood. She looked exhausted and shattered. He looked at the hanboks Chun Yang brought for her to change into. Hae Soo was so busy tending to Wang So that she forgot to change her hanbok and she had not eaten anything since morning. Baek-ah gently tells Hae Soo to change but she does not budge, her gaze never left Wang So's face as she continued stroking his forehead.

Just as he was about to leave to bring food for Hae Soo, King Taejo, Crown Prince and Ji Mong enters, followed by Physician Lee and Hong. They check Wang So' s pulse and updated King Taejo of his condition.

Ji Mong assures everyone in the room that Wang So will make it as General Park trained his body to resist poison. However, they note that he must have known the tea was laced the moment he took his first slip but they were flabbergasted as to why he insisted on drinking three glasses.

Crown Prince deduces that he was the target not Wang So to which Baek-ah and Ji Mong pinpoints that he was trying to leave before his symptoms were evident. But for who, was he aware of the poison and he did what he did to protect the culprit?

"Why do things like this only happen to So Hyungnim? I was always worried and I truly thought he would die this time." Baek-ah states, his voice trembling.

"Don't say that." Hae Soo whispers and everyone turns to look at her. "Don't say things like that. Wangjanim is fine. He'll be fine. Nothing will happen to him. I poured the tea for him, three times and he drank it. I should have stopped him, I should have known. In the end even I'm a danger to him and his happiness."

Why did you do it? Why do you keep putting your life on the line for me? I wanted to be your shield, I wanted to protect you but in the end all I did was harm you. All I did was cause you pain.

Something inside her gave way, in fury, in hopelessness, in the certainty that she almost lost Wang So. The image of Wang So bleeding and collapsing, the pain in his beloved face never left her. Tears of frustration, of fear, of worry streamed down her cheeks.

Soon Deok rushes to Hae Soo and soothes her as she cries. King Taejo and the Princes gaze at Hae Soo, despite being suspected of the poisoning, she was more worried about Wang So. They could clearly see how heartbroken and devastated she was.

King Taejo walks to the edge of the bed and touches Wang So's face. The son, whom he had tried to send away due to a few complications and statements from the ministers, the very same son, put his life on the line just to save his brother.

King Taejo wipes Hae Soo's tears and pats her head.

He gets up and orders the guards to surround the hanok and not let anyone other than Hae Soo and the younger Princes enter without supervision. He also orders them to taste the food before they are served. He leaves to face the ministers plotting to frame his daughter-in-law and his son.

"Soo-yah please change into these, your hanbok is soaked with blood. Hyungnim will be worried if he sees you in this condition." Baek-ah holds out a hanbok but Hae Soo does not respond. "At least eat something. You have not eaten since morning."

"How can I eat knowing Wangjanim almost died? He's struggling to stay alive and not once has his own mother came to visit and check on his condition." Hae Soo tried to keep a tight rein on her emotions.

"That's why he needs us, he needs you more than anyone Soo-yah. With you beside him, Hyungnim can overcome anything so stop blaming yourself. Just focus on Hyungnim and yourself." Baek-ah says.

"Noonim you better eat or else we'll be in trouble with Hyungnim. Please noonim. We are here we will take care of Hyungnim in the meanwhile." Jung adds.

"Unnie, I'm here too." Smiling, Soon Deok stretched her hand towards Hae Soo.

Hae Soo looked around the room so much concern and love for not just her but for Wang So as well. They are family after all. Her family. Wang So's family. Nothing will happen to her Prince and her as long as they were beside her. She smiles weakly and takes Soon Deok's hand.

They enter a small room within the same chamber. Soon Deok helps Hae Soo out of her bloodied Hanbok. She wets a towel and wipes the blood clinging on Hae Soo's neck, arms and chest. After changing into a new set of hanbok, Soon Deok urges Hae Soo to sit at the table crowded with various dishes. Soon Deok and Jung placed food on Hae Soo's plate.

Noticing their hopeful faces Hae Soo silently starts eating as she glanced at Wang So who was still unconscious. After dinner, Hae Soo takes the towel from Eun and tells Baek-ah and Eun to have dinner as she takes over.

That night, Hae Soo could not sleep as she watched over Wang So, he was sweating and his chest heaved up and down with his breath. Physician Lee and Physician Hong attended to Wang So several times throughout the night. They checked his pulse and fed him herbs and tonics.

It was early in the morning when everyone was asleep, Wang So coughed and startled himself awake. Hae Soo woke up with him, he blinked his eyelashes rapidly and looked around the room. Several candles were lit and there were bowls of water at the edge of his bed. The air thick with the smell of herbs and tonics.

He locked eyes with Hae Soo who had tears rolling down her cheeks, he tried to get up and sit, but he winced at the pain from the poisoning. In an instant Hae Soo pulled him upright and hugged him close to her chest. She held him so they were heart to heart.

"I thought I lost you. I.…I thought you…. I thought I really lost you this time." Hae Soo said into his ears, tears steaming down her face.

"I'm fine. It's going to take more than that to kill me." Wang So weakly responds, he cradled Hae Soo's face and caressed her cheek with his thumb. Hae Soo pulls him into a hug.

"Please don't leave me. Please don't ever do something like that again. I thought I lost you. I can't live without you. I can't imagine living without you. It terrifies me." Hae Soo continued holding Wang So, rocking him back and forth. "You can't leave me, I won't let you go."

Hae Soo pulled back and pushed aside his bangs, she kissed his soaking-wet head and face. Wang So weakly smiled at her as she encircled his torso so tightly, they could have melded together as one.

With the remaining of his energy being drained, Wang So falls asleep in Hae Soo's arms she gently rests his head on the pillow and curled up next to him. She watched him sleep, following the rise and fall of his chest, listening to his even breaths. She wanted to touch him, trace every curvature of his face but she did not want to disturb his slumber.

King Taejo

The ministers were being extremely difficult and unreasonable regarding the poisoning incident. Especially Minister Park who was accusing the Crown Prince of the poisoning along with Hae Soo. After a long court session, the Ministers insisted on interrogating Hae Soo and the Crown Prince.

King Taejo knew the consequences both of them would face if they did not oblige to the interrogation. Crown Prince volunteers to go ahead with the interrogation first so that Hae Soo could spend more time staying beside Wang So. After several hours, the Ministers had no choice but to accept that Crown Prince had no role in the poisoning. However, they still have to interrogate Hae Soo.

The moment both King Taejo and Crown Prince was informed that Wang So gained consciousness, they rushed to meet him. Assuming Wang So was resting, his arrival was not announced. Upon entering the chambers, King Taejo was pleasantly surprised. Hae Soo was sound asleep but Wang So was awake, he had his back towards the door as he faced his wife, caressing her face.

Sensing them enter, Wang So tried to sit up but he winced due to the pain. King Taejo immediately rushed to his son and asked him to rest. Even though King Taejo and Crown Prince tried to hide their concerns, Wang So saw right through them and demanded they tell him what was happening.

King Taejo informs Wang So regarding Hae Soo's impending interrogation. He tries to argue but King Taejo warns his of the consequences and accusations she will have to face if they go against the Ministers this time.

"You finally woke up and the first thing you hear from us is this. I'm so sorry So-yah. But don't worry I will be beside her throughout the interrogation. I know you want to stay beside her but you need the rest. For our sake just rest and get better." Crown Prince says.

Wang So

Wang So knew the Ministers will never take his statements seriously and they will constantly bring up his health if his statements are not in their favor but he still could not stand the idea of Hae Soo being all alone with those vicious and immoral men probing her.

"No, I will attend the interrogation with her. I won't leave her alone with those Ministers." Even if he was unwell and weak he will attend the interrogation with Hae Soo. After another check up by the Physicians, King Taejo, Crown Prince and the Physicians leave. Wang So looks at Hae Soo who was sound asleep, he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead.

Hae Soo wakes up and realizes Wang So had his arms wrapped around her tightly, she smiles and gazes at him. Sensing someone watching them, she raises her head and looks around the room, Crown Prince was sitting at the table with Baek-ah and reading some scrolls. Eun and Soon Deok were arranging a few hanboks on a chair. Noticing Hae Soo, Soon Deok rushes to her and helps her up.

Hae Soo pulls the comforter over Wang So and walks over to Crown Prince. As they have breakfast, Crown Prince informs Hae Soo about he interrogation and the arrest of Ji Ran. Hae Soo feels a pang of sadness thinking about Ji Ran. Wondering if she was okay.

"But Soo-yah, Wang So wanted to attend the interrogation with you." Crown Prince adds.

"No! He's still recovering. He can't even get up without help, let alone stand throughout an interrogation. When is it? Let's get it done with while Wangjanim is resting." she looked at him, as he lay in the bed, his jet-black hair ruffled and his body lax.

"I understand I'll inform the Ministers that we will hold the interrogation today itself. Soo-yah I need you to be strong. I need you to stand your ground, no matter what they say, even if they threaten you, you need to be firm. One wrong statement and you can be found guilty and punished. I need you to put yourself first. Your live depends on it. Can you do that?" Crown Prince says, his concern evident on his face.

"Ne, I'll be fine. I can do this." Hae Soo responds as she thought to herself.

I want to live. I want to live…with him…. I want to be with him a little longer.

"You'll be fine Soo-yah. Don't worry. The King, your father and even Crown Prince will be with you." Baek-ah says as he pats her shoulders.

Court Room

The fourth investigation team consisting of three guards, Kwon Yool, Seung Ho and Tae Hyun did not arrive and there was no news of where they were. The Ministers assumed they got lost or were attacked while investigating. General Park tried to delay the interrogation after the three guards arrived but the Ministers were adamant and wanted to get over with the interrogation before someone becomes the target.

The Ministers were tearing at both Hae Soo and Crown Prince. Minister Hae and King Taejo tried their very best to defend both of them but due to the lack of evidence there was only so much he could do. The four investigation teams, only three teams made it back but they did not discover anything that could be helpful.

The Ministers requested that Hae Soo should be exiled and stripped off her title of being a Princess by marriage. Appalled Crown Prince tried to argue but the King refused to exile her.

The ministers bow to the King while chanting that Hae Soo be exiled. Left with no choice, King Taejo tries to buy some time by telling them she will begin her punishment only after Wang So makes full recovery. He leaves the throne room before the ministers could argue with his decision.

~Episode 11: 17:00 –38:00~

Nightfall in Songak

The moment Wang So wakes up without Hae Soo beside him, he knows that she decided to go with the interrogation without him. He tried to get up hastily but he winces from the pain. Baek-ah immediately rushes to his side and supports him. Wang So shakes him and attempts to leave the infirmary. Despite feeling weak and struggling to stand, Wang So holds on to the pillars and limps as fast as he could, he knew she must be feeling isolated and scared.

Before he could leave Wook approaches him and informs his of the allegations against Hae Soo and that she might be sentenced severely. "I should have never let Hae Soo get married to you. I should have stopped it." Wook spits out, glaring at Wang So.

Wang So sends Baek-ah away and reveals to Wook that it was Queen Yoo who as behind the poisoning and he drank it to prevent anyone from finding out but it got complicated when Yeon Hwa drank it too.

Wang So did something he had never done before, he asked from help. He was desperate, he would do anything to save Hae Soo from the allegations. " Wook-ah you need to expose Queen Yoo for what she has done. No one would stand up for Soo as much as you. Do anything you have to but we need to help her."

"I will…find evidence." Wook says, determined to clear Hae Soo of all the allegations made against her. He hoped after all this incident the King and Minister Hae will realize how Wang So is a threat to Hae Soo and that she's better off with him. Before they could say anything else, Baek-ah and Jung came running towards.

"Hyungnim, the interrogation ended. Hae Soo noonim…they asked that she be exiled and the King ordered that she will only start her punishment after you recover." Jung informed his brothers.

Wang So staggers backwards and Baek-ah rushes to him and hold him before he could fall. Wang So clutches onto Baek-ah before darkness engulfed him. Wook clenches his fist and with one last look at Wang So he storms off.

Wook tracks down the Court Lady who first conspired with Yeon Hwa. The Court Lady was receiving another package from Yeon Hwa who was in disguise. Before the court lady could leave he holds his hairpin against her throat and demands the cloaked figure to reveal herself. Yeon Hwa removes the veil and confronts her brother, knowing very well he will not be able to abandon his family. In the middle of all these, the Court Lady escapes, unharmed.

Unable to think of any other way to help Hae Soo, he makes his way to meet Lady Oh. To beg for help. He knew Lady Oh loved Hae Soo more than the King and she would do anything to make sure she's safe.

News of Hae Soo being exile spread like wild fire and everyone in the palace knew, even Ji Ran was aware of the news. Before heading back to Wang So, Hae Soo goes to the prison to see Ji Ran. She sees Ji Ran curled up at the far end of the jail wearing a white hanbok that was soaked in blood. She was shivering and her face was badly bruised with dried up blood.

Ji Ran notices Hae Soo and forces herself to sit up. "Ji Ran-ah. How…how are you doing? I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're suffering because of me…you must be in so much pain…" Hae Soo says, tears streaming down her face.

Ji Ran scoffs, "You're mistaken. I'm not suffering at all I'm glad you're being exiled you deserve it. You should leave I don't have the energy to talk to someone like you." Ji Ran turns her back towards Hae Soo. Shattered, Hae Soo looks at Ji Ran and leaves.

Infirmary Hanok

When Hae Soo enters the room Wang So was being treated, she was surprised to see Yeon Hwa sitting at the edge of the bed with Baek-ah and Eun sitting beside Wang So who was still sleeping. Jung and Eun rushed to Hae Soo and bombarded her with questions. Exhausted with the day's happenings, Hae Soo simply smiled at them weakly and settled down beside Wang So.

Jung and Eun did not press further and sat down. Just as Yeon Hwa was about to wet a towel to wipe Wang So's sweat, Hae Soo took the towel from her hands and proceeded to wipe his sweat. Furious, Yeon Hwa was about to rebuke when Baek-ah spoke up. "Noonim you should leave, there are already so many of us here. I think Hyungnim is grateful you visited but we should give Hyungnim and Hae Soo some time alone."

Unable to retort to Beak-ah, Yeon Hwa reluctantly leaves. After making sure both Wang So and Hae Soo were comfortable, the younger Princes move to the room beside theirs to give the couple some privacy. Hae Soo continues wiping his sweat as she tries to push the feelings of devastation and fear. Not only will she have to leave Wang So but her own court lady who was like a sister to her was being tortured.

Hae Soo pressed her lips against Wang So's forehead and curled up beside him.

Court Lady Oh

After Wook's visit, Lady Oh was in a dilemma. Despite trying to do everything they could, from determining the vial to sending the investigation teams, Hae Soo was still being accused and exiled. She knew her child was innocent, she knew it was Queen Yoo's who was behind all this. She could not let her steal another child from her. She would do whatever it takes to save Hae Soo. Even if it meant that she has to give up her life. With a determined mind she makes her way to King Taejo's chambers.

After serving the King's tea, Lady Oh claims she tried to poison the Crown Prince but King Taejo dismisses her claims. Lady Oh lays out the bloody clothes of an infant and tells him that Queen Yoo send her tea to drink when she was pregnant. Unaware that it was laced she drank it diligently and a week later, their baby died. But this time, she will not let Queen Yoo get away with destroying her child again. King Taejo tries to reason with her but she informs him of her stomach cancer.

~Episode 11: 39:52 –59:29~

The next morning, Lady Oh's execution is announced. "Please take care of him Baek-ah nim." Hae Soo requests as she makes her way to see Lady Oh.

Hae Soo demands to know what is going on and Lady Oh replied that she poisoned the Crown Prince's tea. Fully aware that Lady Oh was lying just to save her, Hae Soo grabs Lady Oh and drags her into the secret tunnel connected to the Prince's bathing pool. Seeing that the exit was sealed off, Hae Soo desperately tries to remove the rocks blocking the exit.

"You said we should visit your hometown after I get married, let's go now! You should at least leave first. I will come after Wangjanim recovers." Hae Soo says, tears rolling down her cheek as she continued to remove the rocks.

Seeing the desperation and devastation, Lady Oh pulls Hae Soo into a hug. "It's not your fault. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for the King." She soothes Hae Soo as she informs her of her stomach cancer and that she does not need to be burdened. Hae Soo continues weeping and Lady Oh strokes her back.

"Just because I'm not around, doesn't mean you can slack off and not prepare tea. Hae Soo, my child. You have to live well and happily with the 4th Prince. Remember, the only person who you can trust after I go is your husband. Don't miss me for too long my daughter." Lady Oh adds.

After the guards arrive and pull Lady Oh away, Hae Soo makes her way to the King's quarters and kneels in front of the steps, in an attempt to make a formal protest for him to stop Lady Oh's execution.

Soon it is nightfall in Songak, Hae Soo's protest pleas grow quieter and she struggles to keep herself from falling over. Baek-ah tries to stop her but she's adamant, "it's better than doing nothing" causing Baek-ah to give up. Before he leaves, she asks him how Wang So was doing. Relieved that he was better, she went continued protesting.

After two days, Hae Soo was still kneeling in front of the King's quarters but the execution was not cancelled. As it starts to pour, Jung, Baek-ah and Mu join Hae Soo in her protest. Wook finally approaches Hae Soo in the pouring rain and Hae Soo smiles.

I knew you would accept me as your family despite everything. I knew the day would come when I can call you Orabeoni proudly and be a part of your family.

However, instead of moving forward Wook stops and backs away. Hae Soo realizes this as he turns away and starts walking away from her.

Why? Why are turning your back on me?

Hae Soo as if someone had hit her hard in the stomach and knocked the wind out of her. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a cloak spreads and shields her from the rain and someone steps up beside her. Hae Soo looks up and realizes its Wang So. Clad in raven black hanbok and a cloak, he stands as close as he could to her as he continued to shield her.

As the gong announcing the start of the execution sounds, Hae Soo and Wang So look at each other in shock and fear. "Lady Oh…. Lady Oh…." Hae Soo chants. However, instead the gong is heard several times. Unable to decipher why or what it meant, Hae Soo assumed it meant the execution was completed.

Unable to control her feelings, Hae Soo broke down and tried to crawl to the execution area. "Lady Oh! Lady Oh!" Wang So held onto Hae Soo as she continued to cry and scream out for Lady Oh.

"If I had known someone would die because of me…. I would not have been so greedy to live again. I wish this were all a dream. I wish I could wake up and not remember any of this." Hae Soo thought as she fainted in Wang So's arms.

Hae Soo jolts awake and her heart starts racing as the realization of what happened hits her. She tries to get up but winces from the pain, Wang So grabs her and tries to prevent her from leaving the bed. Before she could say or do anything, a familiar voice calls out to her, " Hae Soo-yah…"

She desperately scans the room and her eyes meet with a familiar pair of warm brown eyes. "Sanggung…?" Standing at the door of the room was Lady Oh, who was smiling radiantly at Hae Soo. As tears rolled down her cheeks, Lady Oh pulled Hae Soo into a hug.

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