***Author's Note***

I know, this chapter is a bit on the short-ish side, but I'm going to be able to post a lot more often this week, so no worries! I should be able to make the next chapter a good deal longer for you. Hope you lovelies enjoy!"

***End Note***

At first, when So opened his eyes he was confused; sitting right in front of him were Hae Soo and Ji-Mong...But that just couldn't be. Hard on the heels of that thought came a hard, bitter disappointment in the pit of his stomach. It could only be a dream. As a sighed began in his chest, Soo suddenly turned and her eyes went wide when they fell on him, "So!?"

All at once, the both of them were out of their seats and rushing towards him, deepening his confusion. When Soo's arms wrapped around his waist, a corner of his mind realized that this was not a dream, but that he had somehow managed to find himself in Hae Soo's time, in the same way that she would come to visit him on occasion. Reflecting on the last thing he remembered before he had fallen asleep, So came to a realization, If that is the sort of pain and longing that it takes to travel through time like this...then I can't begin to imagine the pain she must be in...He wound his arms around his beloved, simply glad for the moment to be near her...But something seemed off. He could feel her in his arms, but it seemed...distant, somehow. It was almost as though he were trying to hold her through a suit of armor, or entirely too many layers of clothing. All at once, he realized that his sense of smell seemed...absent. He nearly shuddered; this existence was entirely too...hollow...for his liking. He couldn't imagine the discomfort that Hae Soo felt every time she came for a visit.

Soo pulled back, and it was a moment before So realized that she had asked him why he was crying. Wiping his face, So explained to Soo about the letter, "The doctors think he only has a few weeks, at the most. I don't what I'm going to do! What about Seol? What will happen to her when I'm gone? I..." So fell silent as his knees went suddenly soft, causing him to sway uneasily.

"So!" Ha Jin grabbed him by the elbow and dragged him to the seat she had just vacated, "What's the matter? Are you alright? You look a bit pale."

So chuckled weakly, "I'm alright...for now. It's the poison; it's beginning to affect me. It isn't so bad just yet; just a little tired, really. But I feel a little better now." He finished softly.

Ha-Jin blushed as he watched her with an indescribable emotion in his eyes. "I've missed you," she whispered around a sudden lump that made speaking difficult.

Ji-Mong cleared his throat awkwardly, "Ha-Jin-Ah...Should I leave? I can give you two some privacy..."

So turned to look at Ji-Mong with a confused look, "Who's Ha-Jin?
Ha-Jin giggled, "I am. That's my name here."

So's face crumpled for a moment with further confusion before he shook his head and shrugged, "Well, I suppose it really doesn't matter what I call you, as long as I'm with you, does it?"

Ha-Jin chuckled, "No, I suppose it doesn't. Mong-Ah, you don't have to leave. We should probably go over anything new together. Now, what should we do about Jung? I don't think I could bear to not have him come forward. I mean, he's dying anyway, right?"

Ji-Mong stared at Ha-Jin for a long moment, "You know something? You scare me, sometimes. I underestimated your bloodthirsty nature, I think."

Ha-Jin rolled her eyes at him, "You know that's not what I mean, Mong-Ah. I just meant we should find a way, if there is one."

Ji-Mong raised an eyebrow at her, "But I already told you how. The Jung in this time has to die, just like the So in this time has to die. There is no middle road here."

Ha-Jin sank to the floor beside So, laying her head on his opaque knee, "I know, but I just can't bring myself to do it."

Ji-Mong smiled gently, "I know you can't. Don't worry about anything. I'll see to the details; you just worry about keeping yourself healthy for Paeha when he comes forward."

So smiled at Ji-Mong, "Thank you, Ji-Mong. I feel better, knowing that you're here to take care of her. I always worried about her being alone."

Ji-Mong nodded, "Of course, Paeha. You never need to worry about her; I'm taking good care of her for you until you return. As far as Seol goes...could you pass her care on to your eldest son, or a close relation?"

So frowned, "I don't trust the Hae family...and I have an odd suspicion that Baek-Ah intends to follow me when I die. Most of my remaining relations have all been killed...Maybe I could leave her with Wook's family? They have proven themselves to be trustworthy, once he stopped vying for the throne. They did well by Hae Soo...maybe they would do well by her daughter? There are just too many questions to which I have no answers. I don't trust my own in-laws...Perhaps my first wife would take her? I did grant her a divorce when she asked for one – once she was old enough to wed, morally speaking. I did grant her permission to marry a man that she fell in love with; they now live quietly in the country. I think I might be able to get her to raise Seol as her own. I'll write to her as soon as I wake."

Ji-Mong stroked his chin thoughtfully, "That seems like the best option; that way, you can be sure she's taken care of. You can leave instructions that your successor provide for her and check in on her every so often, to be sure that she is happy."

So nodded, "Yes, I like the idea. I think Ju would do so happily, once he inherits the throne. I think that, once I'm gone, he'll folly my instructions as closely as he can."

Ha-Jin cocked her head at him, "I thought Yeon-Hwa had been training him herself?"

So grinned mischievously, "She was, but I think I have undone most of what she did. She mostly filled his head with lies about me, so I had to correct them. To my shame, I haven't been as present a father as I should have been. I mostly stopped caring about anything after you died. I just wanted to be the best King I could be, just like I promised you I would be. Of course, that's no excuse; but it's what happened. I very nearly failed in the most important thing I've ever done, except loving you."

Ha-Jin smiled gently up at him, "I understand. But the important thing is that you're trying to make up for lost time, while you still have time. He'll understand when he's older. Have you been writing him a journal every day?"

So nodded, "Yes; I'm leaving it in a secret drawer in my desk, along with the plans that I'd had for the country. I can only hope that he follows those plans."

Ha-Jin took So by the hand, squeezing it reassuringly, "Don't worry; I'm sure he will follow your wishes."

Just then, So's form began to fade in and out, "What's happening?" he asked in an alarmed tone.

"It's okay, Nae Salang. You're waking up in your time. It's normal; it frightened me the first time, too."

So gazed down at her in despair, "I'm not ready to go yet. It hasn't been long enough."

Ha-Jin sniffed as tears welled in her eyes, "It's never long enough, Nae Salang. I miss you."

So stood and pulled her into a tight embrace, "I miss you, too. I promise, one day soon we'll have plenty..." before he could finish, So vanished, leaving an empty warmth in Ha-Jin's arms.

"Plenty of time," she finished, her voice echoing hollowly through the silent kitchen. Suddenly exhausted and in no mood for further discussion, Ha-Jin bade Ji-Mong good night and fell into bed, falling instantly to sleep.

The next morning, Ji-Mong woke first and immediately called the Princes together for lunch. Once everyone had gathered, there was a long moment when an awkward silence ruled the table. At last, Ji-Mong cleared his throat and began, "We need to come up with a plan on how to take out So, Jung, and Baek-Ah."

This calm and casual announcement was met with surprise and outright confusion, "Wait..Wait, exactly what do you mean by that?" Ga-Hyuk voiced his concern.

Yo chuckled disdainfully, "He means we're going to kill them, you idiot. What? You'll plan to kill your own King, but planning a stranger's death is too much for you?"

Ga-Hyuk shushed his brother quickly, "You can't just go around saying things like that, even if you are joking! You never know who will take you seriously." As he finished speaking, a text flashed onto every cell phone at the table – We'll discuss this later. For now, just talk about old times, like old friends who meet for lunch would.

Nods of agreement made their way around the table, though Yo only rolled his eyes and remained silent.

"What I want to know," put in Eun, "is when will we get to see Hae Soo? You said you've been working directly with her, so...When do we get to meet her?"

Ji-Mong sighed heavily as every set of eyes turned to him; even Yo looked mildly interested. "She still doesn't know about the lot of you. We had...something of an unexpected guest last night. So appeared." This time, Ji-Mong's casual statement was met with outright alarm until Ji-Mong managed to get them all to settle down, "It's alright. I meant So. Our So. It seems that he can project into the future, just as Soo can project into the past. He's not doing well, it seems. His wife...your sister, Ha-Gyuk...is poisoning him. We now have only a matter of days before we have no choice but to act. I'd say we have no more than...ten days, perhaps. And then it will be too late for him to join us. And Yo...if you try to do anything to stop this from happening..."

Ga-Hyuk finished for him, "There will nowhere for you to hide from the rest of us."

Yo glanced around with derisive certainty, but as he took in the expressions around the table, his cocky attitude began to wane, "Well...I...Fine." He finished in a pouty tone and crossed his arms over his chest.

Ji-Mong sighed again, "Well...I suppose it's time that I stop playing both sides of the fence, isn't it? I'll talk to Ha-Jin today when I get back there. That's her name in this time, by the way. Go Ha Jin. It isn't Hae Soo anymore. Oh, I sincerely doubt that she'll be overly pleased with me. You see...I promised that I wouldn't lie to her."

Ga-Hyuk smirked, "Ah. Well, I'm sure we all remember what that girl's temper is like."

Eun winced, "I do, probably better than the rest of you." He gingerly touched the spot where she had once given him a black eye, "Well, good luck with that one, Ji-Mong." Eun and the others grinned hugely at the astronomer

"Gee. I really feel your concern. Thanks for that." Ji-Mong stood, excusing himself from the table, "Well, since I have the unpleasant duty of informing Ha-Jin, I'll leave the payment to you." Without another word, he slipped quickly out of the restaurant before the others could stop him.

Ha-Gyuk chuckled, "Well, one thing hasn't changed. He's still as slick as a fresh-caught fish."

***Author's Note***

As many of you were hoping, the plotting has begun! Murder, mayhem, and Madness is to follow in short order! Thanks as always for reding! Lots of love.

- Lady Darkwind