Mun Seong started to pack his things as soon as they reached their permanent residence in the palace. Sae Woon busied herself with folding her husband's clothes, helping him with his impending departure.
"It's a shame we didn't spend that much time together", Sae Woon commented, slightly sad that her husband would have to be far away from her on the first few days of their married life.
Mun Seong noticed Sae Woon's gloomy state, and he smiled at her before wrapping his arms around her body from her back. Sae Woon was slightly startled, but she slowly leaned to his embrace.
"Trust me, I share the same feelings too", Mun Seong reassured. "But do not worry, Sae Woon. We have our whole lives to spent together. And besides, it is only going to be a few days"
"Still, I'm going to miss you", Sae Woon smiled sadly as she felt her forehead being kissed softly by her husband.
"The feeling is mutual, my love", Mun Seong smiled as he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. "It's okay, I'll be back before you know it"
"I know", Sae Woon said, facing Mun Seong as she addressed him with utter tenderness. "I trust you"
When nightfall came, Sae Woon accompanied Mun Seong to the stables. Outside waiting for them is Captain Go Seok Pum, who will temporarily serve as Mun Seong's lieutenant.
"Good evening, Your Highnesses", Seok Pum greeted, bowing slowly before the couple.
"Good evening, Seok Pum", Sae Woon said happily. "Are you doing well?"
"I am, thank you so much", Seok Pum answered politely.
"Take care of our lieutenant, Captain", Sae Woon reminded. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness", Seok Pum nodded.
Seok Pum was suddenly hugged by his superior, and Sae Woon's embrace meant everything to him.
"Take care of yourself too"
As Sae Woon slowly disentangled herself from Seok Pum, Mun Seong took his turn on hugging his beloved wife dearly.
"Goodbye for now, my beloved soldiers", Sae Woon spoke, bidding her farewell. "Take care of one another and stay alive"
"We will, darling", Mun Seong said, placing a chaste kiss on Sae Woon's forehead. "I love you"
The two soldiers finally got on their horse in haste before sporting a final look at their Head Martial. Mun Seong and Seok Pum held their reins as they signalled their horses to go, galloping outside the stable without looking back.
"I love you too", Sae Woon whispered softly in the blowing wind.
After a few minutes, Sae Woon went straight to her residence. Outside the doors, Jeong Mi was waiting patiently for her arrival.
"It's good to see you back, Your Highness", Jeong Mi greeted, bowing before her mistress.
"It's good to see you, Jeong Mi", Sae Woon smiled, forgetting all niceties and embracing her other best friend. "Come inside so that we could have a cup of tea"
At the small dining table, Jeong Mi poured her mistress tea before pouring one on her own cup. Sae Woon gladly took it from her handmaiden and smelled the fragrance of her favorite tea.
"By the way, I have news for you, Your Highness", Jeong Mi started.
"What is it about?" Sae Woon asked, slightly bewildered.
"It was about the person that you asked me to look into for your bodyguard Cheon Suk", Jeong Mi relayed. "I obtained critical information regarding the status and the living conditions of his sister, Woo Hee"
"Really? You've found her?" Sae Woon exclaimed happily.
"We are getting near, Your Highness", Jeong Mi explained. "I did my investigation, and some eyewitnesses from Hubaekje claims that their fallen princess came with them when they were banished here in Goryeo. I am now just in the process of finding out her exact whereabouts"
"That is good news, Jeong Mi", Sae Woon sighed in relief, excited to deliver the news to her bodyguard. "Send for Cheon Suk, and tell him that I am expecting him to report to me as my bodyguard starting today"
"Yes, Your Highness"
"Parry!"
Cheon Suk hit the wood with his training sword, following his trainer's instructions. He was training his swordsmanship along with the new soldiers, and he was concentrating on improving his skills.
"And thrust!" the trainer shouted, making the soldiers thrust their swords as instructed. "That's it for today, men. Water break!"
"Yes, Captain!" the soldiers saluted.
As Sae Woon's bodyguard went to the nearby well to get himself some water, other soldiers began to speak badly about him.
"Yeah, that's him - the fallen crown prince"
"Right, the man should have been hanged for his crimes"
Cheon Suk paid no attention to the teasing and talking about him behind his back, but one soldier brushed past him. He stood in Cheon Suk's path along with his cronies, at the bodyguard's patience was starting to wane.
"Move", Cheon Suk said quietly. "I need to get back"
"You are that Khitan commander right?" the man before him smirked, making his two companions laugh. "I can't believe our King allowed you to be a soldier when you are obviously a criminal"
"Honestly, I cannot believe it either", Cheon Suk answered, his tone becoming more dangerous with each passing moment. "Why don't you ask His Majesty yourself so that I could continue my way?"
"Aren't you cocky now?" the man chuckled. "Will you still be acting like that without the princess backing you up? You must have threatened her to get here-"
"Can you stop it now?" Cheon Suk smirked, grabbing the man's armor as he threateningly looked at the man before him. "If you talk about Her Highness like that one more time, I'll cut off your head myself. Got that?"
"Will you now?" the man smirked dangerously. "Maybe you would like it back in your cell, Your Highness-"
But before Cheon Suk could land a punch at his face, someone caught his fist. It was another soldier, who is now attempting to stop the conflict from growing.
"Do not take Seung Hyun's word to heart", the other man said, pertaining to the one who insulted Cheon Suk. "He is just someone who had nothing better to do than to insult people at his leisure"
He managed to lower the body guard's fists with his words. The man named Seung Hyun suddenly laughed, throwing a nasty glare at the middle man.
"Dol Byung to the rescue once again", Seung Hyun clapped mockingly. "A peasant defending another peasant - how quaint"
"At least I'm not like someone who uses his connections as the minister's son to get inside the military", Dol Byung fired back. "You have no skills of a soldier at all"
Cheon Suk took the chance to brush past Seung Hyun, who was sporting an ugly look on his face. He smirked at him before going on his own way. But to his surprise, the man named Dol Byung was following him.
"Thank you", Cheon Suk said, turning around to speak with his fellow soldier properly. "For shutting that bastard up"
"Don't mention it, he ruined my introduction anyway", Dol Byung said, his hand outstretched. "I'm Dol Byung. You are Cheon Suk, correct?"
"Right, I am", Cheon Suk answered politely, shaking his hand.
But their meeting was cut short when Sae Woon's handmaiden, Jeong Mi, called for him at the soldier's training ground. He was utterly bewildered at her presence, because as far as he knows, he was supposed to report to the princess tomorrow as he was instructed. But it seems that plans have changed.
He abruptly said his farewell to Dol Byung before going over to Jeong Mi.
"The princess wishes to see you at her new residence here in the palace tonight", Jeong Mi delivered her mistress's message. "She has something important to tell you"
"Alright, I'll be at her home shortly", Cheon Suk nodded as he returned his wooden sword in the racks.
A few moments later, Cheon Suk made it to Sae Woon's home, thanks to Jeong Mi's helpful directions. He was at the door to her room when the servants announced his presence.
"Your Highness", the female servant at the door spoke. "Your personal bodyguard, Cheon Suk, is seeking your audience"
"Send him in", Sae Woon called out to the door before it slowly opened, revealing Cheon Suk on the other side. Her lips widened into an excited smile as she stood up from her seat and hugged her bodyguard on the spot, making Cheon Suk's eyes widen in surprise.
"It is so good to see you again, Cheon Suk", Sae Woon said happily before she disentangled herself shortly from their embrace and took a good look at him.
"It is good to see you back as well, Your Highness", Cheon Suk replied politely, bowing before his mistress.
"Let's have a seat", Sae Woon said, gesturing to the empty seats at the round table. "There is something important that I should tell you"
The princess seated at her own empty seat at that very moment, slowly followed by her bodyguard as he seated on his designated seat. She grasped his hand in reassurance as she delivered the good news that he had waited for so long to hear.
"It is about your sister, Princess Woo Hee", Sae Woon spoke, making Cheon Suk's attention span double. "She's alive"
"What?" was all Cheon Suk could say, disbelief etched on his expression. But Sae Woon smiled in reassurance, going over Jeong Mi's report to her.
"Jeong Mi looked into it, and some refugees of Hubaekje that came here in Goryeo served as eyewitnesses", Sae Woon narrated. "Your sister is alive, Cheon Suk. She's here"
"Is it really true?" Cheon Suk's voice croaked, his eyes clouded with tears as he looked at his mistress directly.
"It is the truth", Sae Woon said tenderly, placing her palm on her bodyguard's cheek. "What did I tell you? I always keep my promises, Cheon Suk. Always"
"I'm thankful for your help, Your Highness", Cheon Suk said, bowing repeatedly before Sae Woon. "So thankful"
Sae Woon's heart was touched at his reaction, making her envelop him into a warm hug once again.
"I'm very happy for you, Cheon Suk", Sae Woon smiled.
END OF CHAPTER FIFTY.
A/N: What do you think of the exchanges happening between our princess and the men in her life? Comments are golden, like I always say. 😍
See you at the next chapter update. Stay tuned!
