Sae Woon listened intently to Cheon Suk as he started to narrate everything that happened to his fallen kingdom. He mentioned how he and his sister was supposed to enter into an arranged marriage between one of the sons and daughters of Wang Taejo to unite both their kingdoms. The late king of Later Baekje refused, however, saying that he doesn't want to sold his children to Goryeo in order to unify their kingdoms and make peace. In retaliation, Wang Taejo proclaimed to conquer Later Baekje and engaged in a military campaign. It resulted in financial losses for Later Baekje, and led ultimately to their kingdom's downfall.
"My sister and I managed to escape, but my father and mother weren't so lucky", Cheon Suk said, choking back tears. "But we got separated as well when your soldiers were chasing us. And from there, I haven't heard from my sister since"
The princess's heart broke from what she heard, feeling pity and sorrow for what Cheon Suk went through. Her tears were glistening in her eyes, and that didn't went unnoticed by the commander before her.
"Why do you cry for me, Your Highness?" Cheon Suk questioned warily, not understanding Sae Woon's reaction at all.
Suddenly, the princess stood up and walked over to Cheon Suk's side. She bent over and put her arms around the commander's body, enveloping him in a comforting hug. Cheon Suk was taken by surprise, his eyes widening as his gaze shifted to the woman before him.
"What are you doing?" Cheon Suk asked warily, trying to pry his body away from Sae Woon, but her arms tightened around him, pulling the commander closer to her.
"Thank you", Sae Woon whispered in his ear. "For telling me everything, Cheon Suk. I know it wasn't easy for you"
At her words, Cheon Suk's doubts over the princess started to melt away. His tears started to gather from the corner of his eyes as Sae Woon patted his back.
"And I'm sorry for what my family did to yours. You shouldn't have to suffer like that, Cheon Suk"
After her words, she slowly disentangled herself from the commander. Looking straight in his eyes, she grasped his arms, delivering her promise to the fallen crown prince of Later Baekje.
"I promise you this, Commander", Sae Woon said. "I will get you out of here and help you find your sister. You have my word"
And in that promise, Cheon Suk finally looked at Princess Sae Woon in a different light.
"Your Majesty", the palace eunuch called from outside his quarters. "1st Princess Sae Woon is here to see you"
"Let her in", the King said as he was reading some appeals from the ministers. The doors opened, revealing Sae Woon in her robes of dark green and pale yellow. She was carrying a tray of tea and persimmons as she went before the King, bowing in respect towards her father.
"1st Princess Sae Woon sends you her greetings, Your Majesty"
"Have a seat, Sae Woon", King Taejo said, gesturing to the seat before him. She lifted her head and set the tray down on the table before sitting down. She poured a cup of tea for her father, and Taejo smiled at the gesture. The scent of the tea reminded him fondly of Sae Woon's mother.
"Remember when I promised Your Majesty that we'll have a cup of tea together sometime?" Sae Woon smiled fondly, pouring herself some tea.
"I do not forget, Sae Woon", King Taejo answered, drinking his tea. "But what brings you here to my quarters, my daughter?"
"It is regarding the prisoner, Cheon Suk", Sae Woon said, looking straight at her father with all the seriousness that she could muster. "The minister proved that he really is the crown prince of Later Baekje"
"I've heard that he is the one who tried to kill you", the king told the princess, which made her eyes widen in surprise. "Is it true?"
"T-that is true, Your Majesty, but-"
"If that is the case, he shall be hanged the day after tomorrow for his crimes", Taejo declared, which made Sae Woon get off the chair and bent on her knees before the King.
"Please have mercy on him, Your Majesty", Sae Woon pleaded to her father. "He may have threatened my life before, but it doesn't matter now since I'm alive. Please give him a chance to live, Your Majesty"
"My wise daughter is pleading me to spare the life of a criminal?!" Taejo said in anger, unable to believe his daughter's actions.
"No, Your Majesty. Your wise daughter is begging you to give a chance to this man who have already lost his family from a long war between our clan and Later Baekje's", Sae Woon pleaded once more, searching her father's eyes. "We have already conquered their kingdom, Your Majesty. Please give Cheon Suk a chance to become one of your people by sparing his life. Please, Father"
The fact that his daughter inherited her mother's good-hearted nature truly impressed Wang Taejo in more ways than one. He was glad that Sae Woon was able to make such decision to show mercy to her enemies and even ones who have threatened her life. It showed him her traits of becoming a potential queen, and she would have been a good one in the future, once she was given a chance to be.
He stood up from his chair and walked towards Sae Woon, grabbing her arms and hoisting her up to her feet.
"If that is what you truly wished, my dearest daughter", Taejo said kindly.
"Thank you for your great benevolence, Your Majesty", Sae Woon rejoiced, happiness etched in her voice.
"But, I do have a condition to fulfill your wish, Sae Woon", her father suddenly uttered, making Sae Woon look at him in confusion.
"What condition, Your Majesty?"
King Taejo lead Sae Woon to her seat before taking his own. Finally, his eyes met his daughter's as he told her the condition of his approval to spare the commander's life.
"You will have to enter an arranged marriage, Sae Woon"
Sae Woon dropped the cup of tea that she's currently holding. The news of marriage was too much for her to hear, and she never expected to be getting married anytime soon. Her thoughts automatically drifted to Wang Yo, but she immediately brushed him out of her mind.
"Marriage? What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
"I have no candidates for your potential husband yet, Sae Woon", King Taejo said. "I just need your approval to enter an arranged marriage. That is my condition"
"If that is the case, then I will obey your royal command, Your Majesty", Sae Woon bowed respectfully before her father. "However, I ask you to involve me in finding a potential husband for me to marry. I need to at least know him firsthand before I make ties with him"
"Of course, my daughter"
Park Soo Kyung and his children were eating dinner together at their residence when the King's eunuch came in, delivering a message from the King himself.
"Grand General Park Soo Kyung, you and your family are being summoned to the palace by His Majesty, the King"
Along with the eunuch, Park Soo Kyung went to the palace to heed the king's request. Mun Seong and Soon Deok were following behind him as he entered the palace doors. They all bowed in respect towards the King who was sitting before a long table.
"Your loyal subject Park Soo Kyung greets you, Your Majesty"
"Grand General, thank you for heeding my summons", the King smiled serenely at his bestfriend and his family. "Have a seat"
The Grand General finally lifted his head and beckoned his children to take their seat before the King. Jimong also took his seat as soon as they are all settled.
"You must be wondering why I summoned you and your family here", the king started, while Park Soo Kyung's family only listened politely. "I plan to marry my daughter, Sae Woon, in the soonest possible time"
Mun Seong, at that very moment, choked on the tea that he is drinking. Soon Deok looked at him worriedly as she pat his back, while Mun Seong's eyes widen, looking straight at the king. Park Soo Kyung, meanwhile, was also surprised but more questions flooded his mind.
"The princess is getting married?" Park Soo Kyung asked. "She is still young to marry. What made you decide to go for a marriage, Your Majesty?"
"I always fear for her life, Soo Kyung", the King said truthfully. "As long as she is the Head Martial, her life will always be threatened. That is why I plan to marry her, and keep her by my side by doing her duty as a princess officially. She has already done so much for me, and that is enough"
"I understand your concern, Your Majesty", Park Soo Kyung said in empathy. "But I really don't understand what my family has got to do with this"
"Your family will play a part in this marriage", the king announced, finally looking over at Park Mun Seong as he looked directly at the young lieutenant. "Because I plan to include your son, Park Mun Seong in the potential candidates to become Sae Woon's husband"
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.