Okay, just a little warning this chapter is quite short but I wanted to post something today so here we go...

Part X

Hae Soo was silently preparing a decoction of roots and dried chrysanthemum leaves when the King opened his weary eyes, "Even the fragrance reminds me of Soo Yeon-ie's tea." he murmured.

The young woman drew near the royal bed, really concerned "Your Majesty, how are you feeling?"

The old monarch glanced at her, looking serene despite his condition, "I'm dying, child."

"Don't say such weak things, your Majesty!" Soo whimpered.

"This old man needs your help," Taejo informed, "in order for the Crown Prince to rise to the throne."

"Why me? I'm a nobody-"

"Yo is vying for the throne but his time is yet to come, according to Ji Mong... support Mu for now."

"You're asking me to betray the 3rd Prince?!"

The King smirked weakly, "I'm asking you to prevent his act of treason! It's only right for the Crown prince to be the next king, he was by my side in battles, helped me unify Goryeo..."

"All your sons would've done so, your Majesty." Soo pointed out. "Had they got the possibility to be with you back then."

"Are you accusing me of favoritism?"

"I am only stating facts, your Majesty."

Taejo looked at Soo for a moment, "You love him, don't you? You're not only grateful toward Yo for what he did to protect you, he touched your heart, hm?"

The young woman stayed silent but her redden cheeks didn't lie so the King continued, "You are so much like Soo Yeon-ie, despite my sins and betrayal she still held me in her heart... and you will stand beside him no matter what, won't you?"

"I will, your Majesty." Soo confessed, heart much lighter than before. Love is sacrifice, she understood now.

"Then prevent Yo to be a traitor and help the Crown prince take the throne. Patience is a virtue, Hae Soo-ah." The old monarch explained his plan to Soo, gave her his last will under the vigilant watch of the Head Eunuch whose presence as witness would certify the authenticity of the moment, if objections were to rise.

"I'm not fit to carry out your plan..."

King Taejo smiled, "You are the only one I trust here so it's a royal command."

With great reluctance, Hae Soo tightly gripped the important scroll and bowed in respect, "I accept your command, your Majesty."

"Fate of Goryeo lies in your hands now." Don't fail me child, you will be the king maker for decades to come.

Meanwhile Wang Yo was at the Princes quarters, sitting behind a low table he watched as Won paced back and forth.

"We have to assume that the King is close to death." Yo stated.

Looking back at his older brother, Won shouted, "Does it mean that the Crown Prince will become king?"

"There's an empty seat, whatever happens cannot be considered treason." The 3rd Prince replied, brows drawn together in thoughtful consideration.

Jung made his entrance and Won wasted no time in shooting questions, "Did you have any news from Cheondeokjeon?"

"I heard tea was served to his Majesty this morning." answered Jung, "He must be feeling better."

Wang Yo immediately frowned when his personal guard stepped into the room, "What is it?" he demanded.

The bodyguard knelt, "Soo Bu-in was taken to Cheondeokjeon early this morning however it's already late and she is still in there."

"Does that mean she's also being held in hostage? Like all the mothers?" Won exclaimed.

Jung frowned in confusion, "Hostage? Why? What happened to Soo-nui?" His flow of questions was only greeted by silence because Yo and his guard were already gone. Won and Jung decided to follow their older brother.

Once the brothers reached the King's quarters and before they took another step forward, royal army stood guard in front of Cheondeokjeon and Grand General Park came to meet them.

"What do you think you're doing?" shouted Jung, angry that they dared to block the passage.

"The King is resting so he won't receive visits. Please, your Highnesses go back."

Yo growled, "If his Majesty is just resting, why does he need the royal army to protect Cheondeokjeon?"

"What about Soo-nui?!" Jung growled, very concerned.

"Soo Bu-in was tasked to serve the King. She is fine." General Park answered evenly.

"Fine is such a subjective word." Wang Yo replied, stepping forth but guards blocked him, spears pointed against his chest.

"Without the King's permission, nobody is allowed to enter Cheondeokjeon, therefore you will be branded as traitor if you make another step." the Grand General warned.

"Hyung-nim, I don't see our 8th or 4th brother." noted Won as Yo scanned the area for verification.

Jung spoke, "We should go back... for now." Yo strode off, sending a backward dark glare toward the King's quarters.

"Where are you off in such hurry?"

On her way to get the Crown prince Soo crossed path with Wang Wook along the corridors. Cautiously, she replied, "I am tasked to serve his Majesty, he is asking for more tea so I'm going to Damiwon."

Wook didn't seem to buy her lies but he played along, "I wanted you to know that I wasn't aware of your poisoning... My 3rd brother didn't believe me-"

"The matter is already closed, your Highness... beside, I have errands to run for the King." Soo declared as she strode past him.

Wook gripped her by the wrist, making her stay stock still. "By any chance, has the King passed away? I'm worried about him. Has the King died?"

Hae Soo looked at the man beside her, a man she once had deep affections for, a man she needed to be wary of now for it turned out that the 8th Prince was just as much cunning as her husband, perhaps even sneakier. She remembered the King's every words about vultures who'd want the throne. "Don't tell me you plan to take the throne and go against the King's will?"

Wook grabbed her by the shoulders, "Fighting over an empty seat isn't an act of treason, Soo. I will become king and nullify your marriage with Hyung-nim so that you can be free-"

"You're still insisting it's for my sake?! But I never asked you for anything... Face it, your Highness, that's just your greed-"

"Possibly." Wook confessed, "I just wanted to protect everything I love, like my 3rd brother! Why is it different to you?"

"It's different, his Highness doesn't use unhanded actions to achieve his goal now... unlike you."

"Then are you saying, he won't try to seize the throne?!"

Hae Soo quietly retorted, "I'm saying it's preposterous to talk about succession when the King is still alive."

Wook released Soo from his grip when he noticed two royal guards stilling a stride behind the young woman. "Soo Bu-in."

"Escort me to Damiwon!" Hae Soo ordered to the guards before walking away.

Once in Damiwon Palace, Hae Soo grabbed Jo Sanggung's forearm who was as usual waiting for her mistress there, whenever the latter entered the Palace, "Please, just send this message to the 3rd Prince, word by word...whatever happens tell him to not enter the King's quarters. No matter what!"

"Bu-in, I must stay by your side... his Highness will not spare me-"

"Jo Sanggung, I can't tell you all the details but this message will keep the 3rd Prince safe so please do that for me, hm?!" Soo pleaded, "Tell Hwan to do whatever it takes to refrain his Highness from going to Cheondeokjeon." After a long moment Soo was relieved to see her servant nod before making her way out of Damiwon.

As for herself, Soo went in search for Baek Ah whose knowledge about Goryeo many passages and roads would be precious in her quest. She found him in the Gyobang's grounds in company of Woo Hee, a woman who, Soo later learned, was the Gyobang head Sanggung and from Later Baekje.

Soo announced, "His Majesty is dying-"

Baek Ah frowned in shock, "What? Are you positive?"

Yo's second wife nodded, grim look on her face, "The Crown Prince needs to come back in Songak in order to rise to the throne."

"What about Yo Hyung-nim? Won't he think that you betrayed him, Soo?" asked the 13th Prince, worried for his friend.

"Highly possible but that's irrelevant here." Soo stated, "What I want to hear from you Baek Ah-nim, is that you know a way to sneak in and out of Songak."

"I may be of help." Woo Hee declared weakly, "Your Crown prince might possibly come back using that secret path of mine."

"In this case, I'm counting on you two to bring him back," Hae Soo decreed, she then handed over an envelope to Baek Ah, "The Crown prince will understand once he reads the letter."

They parted ways, each of them having a crucial duty to fulfill, conscious that History could be written without any bloodshed.

"Speak!"

Jo Sanggung bowed, "Soo Bu-in asks your Highness to not step a foot in Cheondeokjeon. No matter what."

"Does that mean the King is still alive?" Wang Yo frowned in confusion, seated at his table, they were in his dimly lit study room.

"Soo Bu-in didn't tell..." Jo Sanggung answered.

Yo pondered long and hard. What was he supposed to do now? Seizing the throne while it was empty couldn't be considered treason, however if the King was still alive, it was indeed a different matter. Hae Soo was the only person who could answer all his questions but unfortunately she was out of reach. His wife instead sent him a cryptic message.

"Your Highness, the 8th Prince would like a word with you." announced Hwan through the closed doors. The 3rd Prince chuckled at his younger brother's surprise visit. He shouted for Hwan to open the doors, Wook walked past the young guard and placed himself in the middle of the room while Jo Sanggung made her way out of the study room.

"Hyung-nim, let's join hands and attack the King's quarters before Crown prince returns!" the 8th Prince suggested.

Wang Yo sneered at his brother's ridiculous proposition, "Wook-ah, why whould I join hands with you? Did you already forget the wound in your stomach? There's no trust between us."

"I know that much, however I think you should be aware of Soo's betrayal." Wook replied, stoic and unperturbed.

A muscle in Yo's jaw ticked, "What are you talking about?"

"I met her near Damiwon's grounds. According to my spies, she is the only person allowed nigh his Majesty, it'd seem she's on the Crown Prince's side... the King managed to convince her."

"Why would I believe you?" Yo shot back.

"Then tell me, why did she choose to stay beside the King? I heard, unlike the mothers, Soo is completely free to move around... Why didn't she come back to you?" Wook smirked, knowing he hit the mark.

For a split of seconds, Wang Yo took into consideration his second wife's possible betrayal as images of Soo and So together flashed through his traitorous mind. Did she really turn her back on him? "Let's just say, that being the case... what would I gain to work with you?" Yo asked, looking dubious.

"The Hwangbo household's strong support... in return for the Prime minister's position."

The 3rd Prince smirked, "Oh just that?!"

Both men openly stared at each other for what seemed like hours when finally Yo spoke, "Alright, let's attack Cheondeokjeon tomorrow."

Hae Soo was immersed in her thoughts when So approached her, the young woman was gazing at the throne though her mind was elsewhere.

"You do know that my 3rd brother intends to commit a revolt, don't you?" Wang So stated, she was the one asking him to protect the precious seat while waiting for Mu to return.

"That's irrelevant," Soo said in low voice, "intention isn't always followed by action."

So clenched his teeth, "Why are you covering for him? You could use this opportunity to divorce and be free!"

"I don't want to do that, he didn't treat me bad...On the contrary, odd as it may sound, he cares so much that he would go as far as kill the Queen in retaliation. How can I betray him?" Hae Soo retorted.

"Once he finds out what you did for the Crown prince he'll get rid of you, Soo-yah!" the 4th Prince snarled while he gently shook her shoulders.

Soo smiled sadly, "That's alright... as long as he isn't branded as traitor tomorrow, every little thing I did so far would worth it..."

Wang So suddenly hugged her, as if she was his lifeline and for a split of seconds she meld into his embrace but as quickly as it came, her body and mind reminded her of another man's embrace, a man who might not want to hear about her after all this. A man whose life was precious to her nonetheless.

Soo gently stepped out of So's arms, "Your Highness, I thank you for worrying about me... I sincerely am-"

"But you will stay by his side no matter what, won't you?!" So provided, his heart was ripping in two when the young woman confidently nodded.

The following day at dawn, Wang Yo got the surprise to see Hwan blocking his path, Jo Sanggung was present too, albeit being at safe distance behind Soo's shadow guard.

"Your Highness, I humbly ask you to reconsider..." Hwan started, he wasn't one to disobey orders.

Yo's brows furrowed, "What do you think you're doing, Hwan?"

"I beg your pardon, your Highness but that's Soo Bu-in's orders."

"Oh, so you're her person, now?"

Hwan confirmed, as the matter of fact, "Yes, your Highness. If necessary, I will fight you."

Wang Yo burst out laughing, his second wife had the knack to turn every single soul to her side, had she really wished it. Loyal people tended to stick together, he assumed, and the serious look on Hwan's face told him, the shadow guard won't go easy on his master.

The 3rd Prince unsheathed his sword and went brutally at Hwan, the latter drew out his weapon in response. Jo Sanggung witnessed their sword dance, worry written all over her face.

All morning, the king's guards grew restless, some checked several times their weapon while bowmen hid on the rooftop all around Cheondeokjeon. Hae Soo, herself, nervously paced back and fro in the room next to the King's bed-chamber. From there, she could hear muffled voices of Queen Yoo and Queen Hwangbo as both women were finally allowed to visit the King on his deathbed. A moment later, Soo heard painful sobs coming from Yo's mother, urging for the old monarch to come back to her. Closing her eyes in respect, Soo prayed for Taejo's soul, you can close your eyes in peace, your Majesty, I will do my best to prevent this unnecessary fratricide...

A guard stepped into the room, "Soo Bu-in, a private army seems to approach Cheondeokjeon's grounds." he informed grimly.

The young woman heaved a sigh, "Lead the way."

Dressed in battle attires, the men stepped inside Cheondeokjeon's yard without much resistance. Wang So walked in front of Soo in a protective stance and stilled at safe distance when they faced the traitors.

With a pained expression, Hae Soo whispered, "Why didn't you heed my warning, your Highness?"

I know it's short but bear with me, hm? :(

SoSooJANG

That's really nice of you to say those compliments. Yo wouldn't go to Munseong if Soo wasn't firm enough. In any case, I'm reaally glad you're enjoying my story. My weariness didn't get better but well that's life ;D What about your thanksgiving?

Charlotte

Yes, Goryeo is going to change... As for YoSoo, they certainly need a good convo, like confession time of sort! I rarely complained about my work but I guess I was lacking confidence when updating the last chapter lol Thanks for cheering me up! Hope you feel better btw. *squeeze into a bear hug*

Times eternal servant

I wanted to reply by PM but was unable to so I'm telling you here, thanks for your review, your kind words are appreciated and welcome into the YoSoo fandom! Take care,