Hi there, thank you for still coming. I hope didn't make you wait too long :p

I don't own POTW and all mistakes are mine.


Ch. 11 Another Time-Traveler

She didn't know where the boldness came from. As she stared into his eyes it felt like she had finally found it. Something that she had lost very long time ago. She was conscious of her unseen, strangely, bond with Hyewon's paintings. When she finally met him face to face and had interaction with him, the bond grew stronger even. To think rationally anyone in her shoe would have the same feeling, he was like her 'idol', he was a kind man, not to mention very talented. Although he was barely in his late teens but in some occasions he showed a mature demeanor. Those might be the reason she had fallen for him. Now she admitted it. When their bodies fell onto bed with him on top, normally it was the most awkward situation, like really awkward, but she gripped his shirt as if afraid he would leave her. She watched as his eyes popped in surprise and face turned red. She noticed that he didn't breathe, perhaps due to nervousness. Then it came into her. Slowly she pushed head up while keeping their eyes locked.

Warm. Soft. Those were what he could think when their lips met. He had never kissed anyone before in his nineteen years lifetime. His heart pounded hard inside chest that he could hear its beating in his ears. It wasn't only because of the first kiss, but the person whom he was kissing with.

Oddly, all he could see, and feel, was Jeong Hyang. After their last meeting at gibang he thought that he would never see her again but then they met in Palace, only to be parted again. He had really thought they would never cross-path again, but once again fate brought them together, in different way. And now they were kissing. He was kissing her. On the lips.

Her beautiful eyes kept staring at him and suddenly grew wide. Finally it hit him. 'She is not Jeong Hyang' But before he could pull back there was a loud sound echoed the room. It broke the kiss and he found his brother standing at doorway with Min Jee.

"Uhm…" Min Jee didn't bother for worrying the broken glass on floor, too surprised at the sight. She didn't actually expect it. "Should we knock?" She put grin on. "Seriously guys, lock the door please."

Young Bok froze at his spot watching his brother, with the other woman. Min Jee was trying to melt the awkwardness but he didn't know what to do, or say, so he just stood there. Speechless. Hopelessly.

Yun Bok took the chance and fled outside. He ran past his brother and Min Jee, avoiding their gazes. He heard his brother calling him but kept running down stairs.


"I…" He paused for a breath. She was staring back at him waiting. "I am…" Suddenly there was a sound and gentle laugh interrupting him.

"I remember this place, I used it for studying during my childhood." King said while rubbing his forehead after it hit the low head jamb. "There you are," He found his wife, apparently with another person. "And, who I found here, my royal painter. What are you doing here?" He asked the painter.

Yun Bok had put some distance instantly from Jeong Hyang as the King entered the room. He kept his head down racking his brain for a reply. "Your Majesty, I…"

"I called him, to make a painting of me." Jeong Hyang replied on his behalf. She had to lie, for his sake. He could feel his subtle glance but kept gaze at the King. "I'm sorry, I borrow your painter without your permission."

"It's all right, you have my permission." King approached his wife and turned to the still head down painter. "So, you're working on painting Queen? It's never come to me before, to have a painting of my wife."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yun Bok decided to follow Jeong Hyang's lead. He looked up and saw the King smiling at Jeong Hyang. He got worried the King would suspect something at the fact of he having a meeting with Queen in an old and unused room.

"I thought tonight is the concubine's turn to have your visit." Jeong Hyang tried to keep her voice low so the painter wouldn't hear it, but of course he did. However, it was the only thing she could come up with to distract the King.

King drew a breath lacing hands behind back. "Well, I changed my mind and thought to visit you. Luckily I saw your ladies out there, so I come here."

Yun Bok couldn't decide whether he should stand there still listening to a husband-and-wife conversation or leave the room. Once again, he was reminded that she belonged to someone else. He lifted gaze up to look at them. She was smiling but he knew that it didn't come from her heart. Then it hit him. 'How could I crush her heart, bring another pain?'

"But it seems like you are busy." King turned to the young painter before them smiling. "It's all right, I will just get back to my chamber and find something to read, because I don't want to meet any court member at this time."

This time Jeong Hyang smiled heartily when the King rolled his eyes a little.

"Bring the painting when you are done with it. I want to see it." King said to his painter.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yun Bok bowed his head.

Jeong Hyang watched as King left the room and gave a look toward the court lady which said leave them alone. The lady pulled door close and she turned to face him. He still kept gaze down. She wondered what was in his mind. "I didn't expect he will find us, me," She corrected. "here."

Yun Bok lifted gaze up and offered a smile. "You should head back to your chamber."

Jeong Hyang pressed her lips before replying. "Well, I can't." He knitted his brows that caused her to giggle. "You're supposed to paint me, remember? And he's looking forward to see the painting."

"Right," He slapped his head mentally returning the smile.

"Anyway, you were about to say something earlier."

Yun Bok had had his decision. He shook his head. "Nothing important."

"But you said there's something I need to know."

"That's, uh," He licked his lips tilting head aside a little. "I forgot it already." It made her giggle.

"Really?" She asked and he nodded smiling sheepishly. She pursed her lips and seated down on a chair. "I'm sorry."

He was confused at the apology. "What are you apologizing for?"

She turned head to look up at him. "I have dragged you into my problem, the concubine has noticed our relationship, although I have no idea how." She was surprised, and happy she must admit, when he took the chair beside her and reached for her hand.

"I have promised you before, remember? I won't let anyone hurt you." He subconsciously gave the assurance by squeezing her hand. "I will figure out about her." He thought to discuss it with his brother later.

"She went to overseas."

"She did?" Yun Bok asked and she nodded as a reply.

"What's wrong?" She waited as he seemed to be thinking about something.

Yun Bok's eyes went wide slightly as a thought hit him. "What does she look like?" He had never seen the concubine.

"She's pretty, a little taller than me, and older."

"Does she have something specific, like…"

"Mole." Jeong Hyang nodded her head, she had seen it when she met the other woman for the first time. "She has a mole…"

"Behind ear, her left." He completed her sentence.

"How did you know that?" She asked in confusion, and his serious face made it grow more. "Have you met her before?"

Yun Bok drew a breath before giving a nod. "You should be more careful from now."

"What do you mean?" She was still enveloped by confusion.

He didn't immediately answer the question. He didn't want to worry, or scare her. "I need to confirm it first."

"It is bad, isn't it?" She looked at his eyes. For her surprise his lips curled up in a smile. "Why are you smiling? We're in a big trouble and you are smiling. Looks like scary doesn't exist in your head. The last time your hand was bleeding, you were smiling too."

He couldn't help a chuckle at that. "You make me smile."

"Really?" She raised a skeptical eyebrow and he let out gentle laugh. She looked down and put other hand over his. "I'd wished before," After a breath she brought gaze up. "I wished we could have met early, or I'm not a daughter of secondary Minister so I won't be betrothed to the King. Sadly, here I am."

'I did too' He left the words untold offering small smile instead. He couldn't turn back the time, neither change their fate, but there was one thing he could do. Protect her. And he would give his everything for it.


Yun Bok paced back and forth at yard of his mentor's house. Today he had another task to carry on with his mentor. He also had appointment with Jeong Hyang tonight, for the King's another 'task'. He halted, put hands on hips. Finally he heard footsteps approaching. "Hyung,"

"Sorry I'm late." Young Bok approached his brother. "Not like you, I'm still an apprentice, having bunch of homeworks and stuff."

Yun Bok chuckled and sat down next to his brother. "Are you done with it?"

"Why don't you give me hand with that, since I've helped you?" Young Bok wriggled his brows.

"And they will kick you out once they find it." He chuckled joining his brother.

"It's all right, I can find another job to do. Open up a shop maybe, painting shop, that's a good idea. What do you think?" Young Bok asked his brother but earned him a punch on forearm. "Hey, what's that?"

"You better finish your homework, and graduate soon. Or else, I'll stop calling you hyung."

"Wait, wait, just kidding." Young Bok shouldered his brother playfully grinning. "Anyway, what's the matter you want to talk?" His brother's face turned serious.

"I'm in a big problem."

"Yun Boka, what have you done? Did you mess up with King's task?" Young Bok was ready to scold out but his brother put hands up.

"I didn't, but the matter is much worse than that." Yun Bok got his brother. Young Bok knitted his brows. "I think I know who the concubine is."

"Yeah, everyone knows she comes from rich family, her father is a trader." Young Bok stated matter-of-factly.

"I meant her real identity." Yun Bok said.

"What do you mean?" He watched as his brother took out a paper scroll and gave to him. He unrolled the paper and stared at the painting. "Isn't it the one you painted back then when we got outdoor class?"

"Yes, it is. You see that woman?"

Young Bok looked the woman in the painting who stood in a garden, dressed in unusual yet beautiful dress. In front of the woman was standing a man, a noble man. "She's the messenger, isn't she? What's about…" He trailed off as finally it came to him. He looked up at his brother. "Wait, you mean the concubine and this woman…"

"Same person." Yun Bok finished the sentence. He told his brother everything he got from Jeong Hyang.

Young Bok moved gaze down to see the painting and saw the mole clearly. "That really surprised me." He brought gaze up to look at his brother. "If she's the messenger, you think she is up to something?" His eyes grew wide at sudden. "An uprising."

"Someone will hear us." Yun Bok put a finger over his mouth and his brother whispered a sorry.

"We should bring this to father." Young Bok whispered.

"No, I don't want to drag him into this." Yun Bok whispered back. "But I totally have no idea what to do."

"Do what? Why are we whispering?"

Yun Bok and Young Bok were startled at the other voice that they jumped from the bench. "Seonsaengnim, you scared us." He rubbed his chest.

"This is my house, you have problem?" Kim Hong Do rounded the bench and stood before the sibling. "What are you gossiping about?"

"We're not talking a gossip." Yun Bok pouted a little.

"Fill me in then."

Yun Bok revealed the new finding to his mentor. If there was a person he trusted beside his brother, it was his mentor. His mentor's demeanor instantly turned serious. Even after he finished his teacher remained silent. "What should I do? She also tried to threaten Queen."

"What do you mean?" Young Bok questioned out since his brother didn't mention about it earlier.

Yun Bok glanced between his brother and mentor, and after a breath he answered. "She knows about…me and the Queen," His brother was still in confusion, his mentor didn't make any move. He never told his brother about his encounter with the recent Queen. "I've met the Queen long before she married the King, before I passed Bureau Artist exam." He glanced at his mentor and saw he remained calm. "It's a long, and complicated story, but the thing is she is using it to threaten Queen, taking her place."

"It's not only about being a Queen." Finally Kim Hong Do opened his mouth. After took a glance around he said. "Listen carefully, this matter shall not be known to anyone, only the three of us, understood?" They nodded. "It never came to me actually." He let out a breath. "We don't need any proof that primary Minister is behind all of this, but we can't bring this to King now."

"Why not? You said before that King trusts you. If he knows you are hiding this, doesn't it make you lose his trust?" Yun Bok said pointedly.

Kim Hong Do couldn't deny it. "You are right. I should have known that." He hit his pupil's head with fan lightly. "I'll take my tools, get ready." He then left the sibling.

After his mentor left them alone, he turned to face his brother but kept gaze down. "I'm sorry for keeping it from you."

"I'm okay, but it makes me wonder why you need to keep it secret from me."

"It's, uh," Yun Bok was glad when his mentor called impatiently. "I must go, thank you for coming, hyung." He took his tool holder and stood up.

"Yun Bok wait," Young Bok stopped his brother approaching him. "About the book, I couldn't find it." He caught glint of disappointment in his brother's eyes. "I'm sorry, but I will try again."

"Or perhaps we give it up. Perhaps I was wrong."

Young Bok took his brother's shoulder and lifted his chin with other hand. "You've come this far and you want to give up your past?" Yun Bok pursed his lips before shaking head. "That's my brother. And don't worry about me, I've promised you, remember?"

"Thank you, hyung." Yun Bok hugged his brother.

Young Bok put arms around his brother's slim back. 'I will do anything for you' And he meant it, he would do everything he could for him. Even if he had to give up his dream.

Kim Hong Do could only draw in a breath watching the sibling. Today he got the answer of his another question.


Flicker of candle light was the only sound in the silent room. She locked her gaze at the man before her. He bent over to put color into the painting. "I must admit that I have missed this. You sit before me, paint me down in a paper." She noticed his smile but he kept moving brush on. "You didn't miss me?"

The question got his hand halted. Drawing a breath in he lifted gaze up. "I…" He paused pursing his lips. That was when he noticed her lips curled up a little. "Actually…" He straightened up facing her, putting serious face. "Never." He chuckled when she pushed lips out pouting.

"I see, looks like I'm wasting my time. I won't be surprised if there is a girl waiting for you now."

"A girl?" He shook his head.

"Or should I say a gisaeng?" She teased. He laid the brush down bursting into laugh. "Don't you like to visit gibang before? Wait, my lady said before that there's always a painter who visits gibang every weekend. She said…"

"That's a lie." He cut in.

"No, it isn't."

"No way, that must be a gossip. I never visit gibang."

"Oh, really? Then what were you doing at gibang back then?"

"I…" He closed his mouth again, cleared throat before continuing. "well…there's a gisaeng, and I…"

"See, you are fond of gisaeng." She pointed out.

"I blame the beautiful gisaeng who has caught my eyes that day." He said with nonchalant tone, but it surely had the meaning.

Jeong Hyang smiled wider, cheeks started to flush. However, voice from outside broke their moment.

"Your Highness, Your Highness,"

She looked up when the door pulled open and court lady walked in. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry for interrupting but I just got a message. The King got sick after having his meal."

Jeong Hyang widened her eyes. "What?" She glanced at him before pushing body up. "How is he doing?"

"Royal doctors are checking on him now, but they said he is not in good condition."

Yun Bok stood up and exchanged a glance with her. He could see the concern in her eyes. He gave small nod and watched as she left in hurry. "It got started." He quickly gathered his painting tools, rolled the almost complete painting leaving the room. He had to meet his mentor.

...

Jeong Hyang held her chima while hurrying into King's chamber. She saw servants and physicians walking in and out King's room. She saw Eunuch Sang coming out from the room. Hurriedly she approached the older man. "How is he?"

"Your Highness," He gave small bow. "He is getting better a little, although still vomiting. The doctors are doing their best."

It made her calm a little still she worried about him. "Can I see him?" Eunuch Sang nodded and took her inside. There were three men, Royal doctors, kneeled beside his bed. When they noticed her they stepped back. His face was pale, dark circle clouded his eyes, corn-sized sweats covered his face. For the first time after their wedding she felt her heart sank seeing him in pain. "What has happened?" Her eyes never left the lying weak King.

After making sure that only the Queen and Royal doctors inside the room Eunuch Sang replied. "Your Majesty was poisoined."

"What?" Jeong Hyang turned to look at the doctors.

"The symptoms showed food poisoning."

Upon hearing the doctor's reply she looked up at Eunuch Sang. "How could this happen?"

"I am sorry Your Highness, I should be more careful with his meal and check it myself. I have ordered Commander Jang to investigate this, he shall bring a report soon."

Jeong Hyang looked back at him when he let out small whimper. "Is he going to be fine?"

"We are trying to give him antidote, Your Highness. If the antidote works he will soon heal."

She reached for a bowl just in time for him. She took a cloth and cleaned his mouth. He winced a little but keeping eyes closed. "He looks not so well, are you sure it is the right antidote?"

"If he keeps throw up it means the antidote is working, Your Highness. We also have another treatment, in case."

Jeong Hyang glanced at bowl of herbs soup. She then moved gaze back to her husband. She wiped sweats from his forehead gently. For the first time she was worrying her husband. A man she thought would never replace the other person. Of course he was irreplaceable, no one could replace him.

When the pink light of dawn began to peek through window she opened her eyes. She pushed body up rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her eyes then met his. "You're awake? How do you feel?"

"Still dizzy but much better."

She gave a smile. "That's a relief. You look better than last night."

"You spend the whole night here?"

She nodded lifting a hand to wipe the remained sweat. He took her hand bringing it down to settle over his chest.

"Thank you." He squeezed the hand in his a little. It felt nice to hold her warm hand. "I thought you never care about me."

Jeong Hyang found her throat closed. She lowered her gaze at his smile, couldn't let out any reply. She took a breath before steadying her gaze. "I will call the doctors," She was about to leave but he held her hand still.

"Can we stay just like this for a while?" He knew the answer instantly by looking into her eyes. He reluctantly released her hand when she pulled it off.

"You need to drink medicine and get better soon." She offered a smile and excused herself. Once she was outside the room she let out the heavy sigh she has held.

...

King laid body down after drank his medicine. He had changed to new clothes but he was disappointed a little that she didn't return. Eunuch Sang said she was visiting his mother. He was really happy to find her by his side this morning. During his critical time she never left his side. Finally after almost a year he could see the glimpse of hope. When the door pulled open he eagerly turned head around. For his disappointment it was the concubine. "Come in." He sat up.

"Your Majesty, I'm really glad to see you are fine. I came last night but the Queen was here, and she didn't let me in. But now my worries had flown away after I see your face."

"I'm much better now." King offered a smile, but her words caught him. He knew the Queen, she would never do such thing, but he pushed the thought aside.

"I wish there is something I could do."

"Your visit gave me strength." He gave another smile. The smile on her face suddenly vanished as she lowered her gaze. "What is wrong?"

"I thought I will lose you when they told me you're poisoned."

Finally he reached for her hand giving a light squeeze. "I'm sorry to make you worried." At the moment he must admit that he wished it was Jeong Hyang. "But as you see I'm doing fine, and I still wait for report of this case."

"This is an unforgivable thing. The person shall get death punishment for trying to kill Your Majesty."

He couldn't help a smile upon seeing her concern. "I must have made you really worried last night. I promise you, I will get them be punished."

Trying to hold a grin she looked up at King. "I can't let my unborn child grow up without a father."

It caused him to freeze for a moment. "What did you just say?" He shifted closer to her. "You…you are…?"

She put a smile nodding. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'm carrying a child now." She placed a hand over her stomach and watched as the King dropped his mouth in surprise. "Your child."

"You are pregnant, that's…" He was speechless at the news. Although, to be honest, he wished it was the other woman. But it didn't mean he rejected the unborn baby, it was still his child. "This is big news, we must make a declaration, and celebration."

"As Your Majesty wish."

He let out gentle laugh at the fact that he would become a father. But the next moment her face turned serious again, even worried. "Is there something bothering you?" She pursed her lips.

"I'm sorry for breaking your happiness, but there is something I need to tell you. It is about the Queen."

He knitted his brows. "What is it about the Queen?"

"Did Your Majesty know that there was a man she loves?" When the King remained silent she guessed he had already known it. "Since Your Majesty seems to have noticed it, then I don't need to refrain for telling this. I heard that the person is…" She trailed off and saw his eyes reflecting curiosity. Also anger.

"Tell me, who is the person?"

"Your Majesty's Royal painter." She answered without hesitation.

"What? Did you just say that the person is Kim Hong Do, my Royal painter?"

"Not him, Your Majesty, but the younger one. Shin Yun Bok."

King was taken aback at the name. He was shocked that he didn't even bother to ask further, letting her fill him in.

"It's a surprise, isn't it? Before Royal wedding she had a trip and met him, he was just an apprentice when they meet."

"Hold on," Finally he opened his mouth. "They have met before? But she said they meet inside Palace."

"Apparently she lied." She smirked a little seeing his clenched fist.

"What else you know?" He was caught in his anger that he didn't even bother to ask how she knew those things.

"They still meet each other even now. I have accidently seen their secret meeting before." She could see anger in his eyes. "She will meet him when you visit me." She kept telling him and smirked inwardly as he reacted just like she had expected. "I know you won't believe me, so I bring this." She called for her servant.

"What is that?" He watched as the servant handed her a rolled paper.

"A proof you need."

He took the paper from her unfolding it. It was a painting of a woman. He was well known for having eye for art, and his eyes instantly recognized it. The woman was Jeong Hyang.

"I found it in her chamber when I visited her the other day, but she was leaving. I shouldn't bring this out but I think…"

"Enough!" He gripped the paper tightening his clenched-jaw. "I said enough." The anger surged up as his mind recalled their meeting at the old building. Now it fell upon him why they were there. She had lied to him. The painter did too.

She bowed her head. "Your Majesty, I am afraid the Queen is up to something."

"W-what?" That was the most shock revelation he had for tonight. "What did you just say?"

"No one knows why she visited the small town near border, where she had met the painter." Hiding her smirk she lifted gaze up. "I heard yesterday she wasn't in her room before Your Majesty fell sick."

He straightened up when something came into his mind. "Shin Yun Bok, his father is Dohwaseo teacher, isn't it?"

She curled lips up in a small grin, finally he put all together. She had actually thought it would take time until he realized it. "His father is close to the school leader, that was what I heard. I wouldn't be surprised if they work together." She kept gaze at the anger-consumed man before her. Finally it got started.


"Your Highness,"

Jeong Hyang just sat on her seat when the court lady burst in. "What has happened? Is something bad happened to the King?" These days he had shown quick recovery.

"The King is all right."

"Then what is it? What makes you come in at sudden?" She knitted her brows seeing the lady's worried face.

"It's about the painter. The King just gave an order to arrest him."

At the news Jeong Hyang's eyes went wide. "What did you just say? The King orders to arrest him? Why?" Before the lady could answer another person came in. "Eunuch Sang,"

"Please forgive me for visiting at this late hour, Your Highness." He held hand out showing the rolled paper. "I come to bring this back."

Jeong Hyang widened her eyes when she saw the paper. She recognized it instantly. But she was sure it was locked inside her drawer. Suddenly her throat got tightened, stopping her breathe.

"The King wants to meet Your Highness tomorrow morning."

"I…" Her hand trembled as fear slowly invaded her. Her mouth went dry and suddenly the air turned cold, she knew what the meeting was for. "I will…come, tomorrow." Eunuch Sang gave a bow stepping back. After the man left her room she sucked in deep breath into her tightened lungs closing her eyes.

"Your Highness, what should we do? His Majesty has figured out about you and the painter. How could he get this?" The lady looked down at the paper Eunuch Sang had given to her.

"I don't know," It came out in small, desperate tone. Suddenly she opened her eyes. "I have to warn him." She quickly grabbed a piece of paper and starting to write a letter. She managed to finish the letter despite her trembled hand. She folded it and rose from her seat. "I need you to give this to him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

She watched as the court lady hurried to door. She brought hands up to chest drawing a long deep breath. 'You know this will come eventually, you can't keep it secret forever'

...

Court lady entered Dohwaseo yard heading toward student dorm. She finally saw someone walking out from the building. "Excuse me, I need to meet painter Shin Yun Bok."

"Hyewon? He isn't here right now. May I know why you are looking for him? I am his friend."

She pursed her lips wondering whether she should give the message to the man or wait for the painter and give it herself, but she couldn't leave the Queen for long time. Particularly now when she was in anxiety. "Will you help me?" The man nodded and she took out the letter. "Please give this to him, it's an important letter."

"Don't worry I will give this to him." He watched as the lady rearranged her jangot before leaving. He looked down at the letter wondering what it was about.

"Son, what are you doing there alone?"

"Nothing, I just got a message for Hyewon." He replied his father who was the leader of the school.

"A letter for Hyewon? Let me see it."

...

"Where is he? Why isn't he coming yet?" Jeong Hyang had been pacing back and forth. She turned around to ask her lady. "You sure he got the letter?"

"I hope so."

"What do you mean you hope so?"

"He wasn't there so I must leave it to his friend, but he said he will give to him."

Jeong Hyang let out a sigh but couldn't be mad at the lady. "Let's wait for a while, he must have been on the way here." She could only hope he got the letter.

In the meantime, Yun Bok was running across Palace yard. As soon as his friend told him the Queen wanted to meet he left Dohwaseo. He knew immediately what the matter was. He bent over to catch a breath as finally he arrived at the garden. He had been running nonstop. There were footsteps approaching and he turned around "Jeong Hyang, what…" However, it wasn't Jeong Hyang. "Who are you?"

"Someone you should bow your head to."

Yun Bok finally realized she was the concubine. "Please forgive me." After giving an apologetic bow he turned to leave.

"You don't wait for her?"

He halted. The woman stepped to his side.

"She is in danger." When he jerked head aside to look at her, she offered a smile. "You didn't know? The King has ordered to arrest you, and perhaps later, her."

"What do you mean?" He watched as the woman turning gaze ahead taking some steps forward.

"He has found out about your relationship." She turned around and, as had expected, saw his surprised look. "He is really, really mad. And jealous I must say." He lowered his gaze. "He also suspects that she is behind the poisoning incident."

At that statement Yun Bok lifted his gaze. "What? That's absurd. She would never do such thing to him."

"Why not? We both know she doesn't love him, does she? She has disappeared before the incident happened, and," She put smirk on face. "Before their wedding. Don't you find it odd?"

He finally got what the woman's plan was. "It's you, you tried to poison the King. You are the messenger."

"Do you have any proof?" She smirked wider. "He won't take it nice if you try to frame his future heir's mother."

Yun Bok kept gaze still. "It isn't his, is it?" He could see her slightly raised eyebrow under the dim light. Suddenly she let out a laugh.

"At least you are not stupid like him. Just get him drunk and he believed we've spent a night. Such a fool." She looked back at the young painter. "But, unfortunately, you have no proof." She smirked slyly. "And, she is going to get the punishment."

He clenched his jaw and fists. "What if…" He lifted chin up steadying his gaze. "...I have it." Her grin slowly vanished.


Yun Bok bent over to catch breath since he had run nonstop. He drew a big breath before releasing another. He was in a park, a park near Director Lee's house. Feeling his feet went limp and body tired, he sat upon a bench. His mind drifted back to the moment earlier, when he had kissed Eun Hyang. He brought a hand to touch his lips before leaning elbows on knees, palming his head.

"Mind if I join? Looks like you have trouble."

Yun Bok lifted gaze up and saw Hyo Won. The man seated down next to him. "She's in the house." He offered.

"Thank you. Actually I thought to meet her and saw you running over here." Hyo Won gave a polite smile. Perhaps he could dig something from the man, he thought. "So, how long have you been her friend? I never saw you before. But it's odd, you know, the staff at museum said you are her relative. It makes me confused." He let out a purpose laugh.

Yun Bok tried to suppress his clearing-throat-sound inaudible. "We…we are…"

"Anyways, perhaps we should hang out sometimes. She is my friend, so if you are her friend, or relative," He tilted head aside. "We should get along, right? I'm sorry for today."

Yun Bok looked at the man for a while before giving a nod. "I guess yes."

"Great," Hyo Won put friendly smile on. "Since, we're friend now, why don't you tell me what's going on?"

Yun Bok sighed. "Just things." He was surprised when Hyo Won took his shoulder.

"It isn't just a thing if it makes your face wrinkled like that. Come on, what's wrong? We're friend now, are we? Or you don't mean what you'd said?" He pulled his hand back.

"It's not like that." He pursed his lips. "You're right. I have a lot of problem." He started on. "I just want a normal life with someone I care, but instead, I had people wanting my head, and been sent here, for God's sake, in the twenty-first century, where I…"

"Hold a sec, you have been what?"

Yun Bok's eyes went wide as he realized that he had just blurted out. "Uh, no, nothing, I mean…"

"You said you have been sent to this century, where are you coming from?" Hyo Won plunged in. Finally he got the box unwrapped by itself.

Letting out a sigh Yun Bok shifted at his seat facing the other man. "You must keep it secret."

Hyo Won nodded and smiled inwardly as the man revealed his true identity. Except, he had known it already. The time-travelled painter revealed about the case that involved him. He also mentioned about a painting that supposed to help the Queen out. 'Father would love to hear this' He kept pretending listen attentively.

...

Her eyes were kept open wide as one by one many images and scenes flashed inside her head.

'I'm sorry, Miss. Are you alright?'

A man asked her, he was holding her arm. Another one showed up. She was inside a room with a man sitting before her, she knew him. He was holding brush in hand bending over to draw a painting. Once it was done he lifted his face, smiling brightly at her. Another image switched in.

'Please enter into my painting'

They were in a room and he asked her to enter into his painting. And she did. She showed him her whole. His tender and gentle touch over her body had sent shiver into her. Once again, it switched on.

'You must have been crying a lot, don't you?''

'No, I didn't. Well, I kind of did, but just a little…how about singing a song?'

The certain melody filled her head following by the familiar gentle voice. She couldn't move as in short time plenty of memories flowed in unstoppable.

She jerked body up, gasping for breath. Her whole body trembled as finally everything was put into place. Her memory was back. "I remember it, I remember him." She lifted gaze up but he was nowhere to see.

"Painter,"


Finally, you got your answer, or maybe you are aware of it already ;D

Anyway, thank you for reading, hope you like it. Until next :)