Hwi carefully untangled himself from the sleeping Hee Jae, threw on his clothes, and gathered his weapons. It was a couple of hours to daybreak. Ihwaru would start readying for the day soon and it was best he left before anyone else spotted him. He covered Hee Jae with the blanket and whispered, "Thank you." Stepping out of her room, he nearly tripped over Hwa Wol, who was sprawled outside the door. "You're leaving?" she asked groggily, standing up. "Yes. Please look after Hee Jae," Hwi answered. "Your… friends are waiting for you near the main pavilion. And take this," she shoved a big bundle into Hwi's hands. "What is it?" Hwi asked curiously. "Clothes Hee Jae bought you four years ago. You were drafted to Liaodong before she could give them to you." Hwi nodded politely and headed towards the main pavilion.
His path was intercepted by Seo Sol. "Things are going according to plan, I heard," she commented calmly, scrutinising the warrior in front of her from head to toe. He reminded her so much of his father, despite his weary, dreary appearance. Seo Seol had seen Seo Geom a few times at Ihwaru, accompanying the king, princes and dukes. He had brought Hee Jae home the night her mother had been murdered and Seo Seol was indebted to him for saving the little girl's life. He had always been kind and respectful towards her and she had truly mourned his death all those years ago. Which was why she had agreed to help Hwi gather information about Nam Jeon and his cronies, and Bang Won. "So far, yes. I wouldn't be able to do so without your help. Thank you, "Hwi answered, bowing cordially.
"Since I can't stop Hee Jae from wanting to be you, promise me you'll protect her at all costs, "Seo Sol issued deliberately, her gaze cold and calculating. There was a pause before Hwi sighed heavily, "Is there no way you can convince her that following me will only lead to doom and bloodshed?" Seo Sol's gaze softened – Hwi genuinely appeared desperate and troubled over Hee Jae. She admitted she had been surprised he had kept to his promise to keep away from Hee Jae when he returned to Gaekyeong. The boy did love Hee Jae deeply but knew his path was a dangerous path which would only lead to pain and heartbreak.
"She has made her choice so she has to accept the consequences, whatever they may be. She chose to leave Ihwaru and serve the Queen. She chose to stay by your side, no matter what happens. When Hee Jae makes her mind, it is almost impossible to dissuade her," Seo Sol clipped, her voice tinged with a mixture of pride and frustration. "I'm the biggest mistake in her life," Hwi uttered somberly. With that parting statement, he bowed again and left.
"You knew Hwi was alive all along, didn't you?" Hee Jae accused Seo Seol, her tone hurt and betrayed. She had called on the older woman right after she woke up and discovered Hwi was no longer in her room. "Yes," Seo Seol admitted unrepentantly, her gaze never leaving the documents in front of her. She always started her day by reviewing information she had received the day before. No one, not even Hee Jae, knew how many spies Seo Seol deployed across Joseon and beyond. "You told him not to seek me out…" Hee Jae went on, staring the woman who was akin to a mother to her in disappointment.
Seo Seol raised her eyes jadedly, "We both thought it would best if you thought him dead. Hwi's plans… are dangerous. If you really care for him, let him be. He'll be more worried if you get involved."
Hee Jae shook her head stubbornly, "I can't stand by and do nothing. He needs all the support he can get if he want to fight Bang Won. I won't let him disappear from my life ever again…" "Your mother's letter. I gave it to him. Because of it, Hwi found out who betrayed his father all those years ago," Seo Seol cut in abruptly. Hee Jae was startled. She had always wanted to know the contents of that damning letter. It suddenly dawned on her, "The people who betrayed Seo Geom. Is Nam Jeon one of them?"
Seo Seol arched one brow bemusedly, "Did the queen tell you that?" Hee Jae snorted, "The queen would not tell me anything unless she wants me to use the information for her good." Seo Seol cracked a small, statisfied smile at that. She was glad Hee Jae was smart to figure that out at least. Seo Seol had taught her well. "I heard from the eunuchs that Nam Jeon and Seo Geom were once good friends. But knowing Nam Jeon, he would never consider anyone a friend, especially someone who was more respected than him and favoured by the king, like Seo Geom. He would be jealous and would have schemed to take him down. I'm not surprised if he was the mastermind behind the framing of Seo Geom," Hee Jae concluded resignedly.
Seo Seol tapped her fingers on the table, "How far would you go to protect Hwi?" Hee Jae's gaze narrowed, "what do you mean?" "Bang Won wants you. I can tell. And I'm sure you can as well. I'm also sure he already is aware that you know Hwi," Seo Seol uttered in a matter-of-fact tone. Hee Jae was about to dispute Seo Seol's last statement when she remembered the previous night – she had not waited for Bang Won to depart from Ihwaru before guiding Hwi and his friends to her room. She had been careless in her worry and haste to treat Hwi's injuries. Hee Jae swore audibly, which caused Seo Seol to cluck her tongue in amusement, "I see you've picked up some colourful language over the years." Hee Jae lifted her chin proudly, "I would do anything to protect Hwi, except give myself to another. Bang Won is a strategist and negotiator – he wouldn't care for bedside companionship if I can offer him something that can advance his grand ambitions."
"If you work for him, you'll be going against Hwi," Seo Seol remarked. "You taught me years ago that Ihwaru neither works for anyone nor takes political sides. Ihwaru exists to profit and benefit from information and knowledge…to amass power so that even the powerful would think twice of crossing us. We negotiate, we cut deals. We do not work or support anyone, even the king himself," Hee Jae responded resolutely. Seo Seol nodded in approval, "You are right. Do what you wish but be careful. Bang Won has eyes and ears everywhere."
"You look better. The wonders of spending the night with a beautiful woman, "Moon Bok cackled. He, Chi Do, Jeong Beom and Hwi were gathered in another of their hideouts, in a more remote area than the hut that Hwi used as a rendezvous point with Seon Ho. Hwi ignored Moon Bok's comment, wincing as he tried to stretch his bruised, sore back. He and Hee Jae should not have met again. Now that they had, things would get more complicated and dangerous for both of them. Yet… "Don't ever disappear on me ever again." Hwi fought the conflicting feelings warring inside him. He did not want to hurt Hee Jae again but he realised he would be hurting her either way. She would be wounded if he left her again; she would probably be killed by Nam Jeon or Bang Won if she persisted in getting involving in his affairs. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"The young lady… looks smart, tough and determined. She can look after herself. She survived four years beside a scheming queen. Don't push her away if she comes to you. It is always comforting to have someone to hold on to you… especially in times when you feel all hope is gone," Chi Do said stoically. "Seon Ho wants her. Bang Won wants her," Hwi issued flatly. He had seen the mix of desire and fascination in Bang Won's eyes that night when Hee Jae had spoken to him at Ihwaru. The prince had obviously taken a liking to Hee Jae, which probably endangered rather than protected her. Hwi was at his wits' end. He had to protect Yeon. He had to protect Hee Jae.
A crunch on dead leaves sounded outside the hideout and distracted him from his woes. "It's them." Jeong Beom warned. Hwi grabbed his bow and dashed out. It was the thug that hired him to kill General Jung. Hwi heard that he knew something about the framing of his father all those years ago. Hwi had lured him to the hideout on the pretext of a potentially lucrative assassination of a corrupted court official. Hwi was going to make him talk at all cost.
"Why does he have so many hideouts?" Gyeol muttered under his breath as he walked alongside Hee Jae. Hee Jae smiled slightly at his annoyed tone but did not reply. Thanks to her informants, she discovered that Hwi had yet another hideout near the base of the mountain and that he had been staying there for the past couple of days. It pained her that Hwi had to hide from the world in such an undignified manner. He was the son of the nation's most respected general and warrior – he should not be skulking in the shadows like a degenerate criminal. Hee Jae wanted to convince Hwi to let her in on his plans so that she could support him as best as she could.
She and Gyeol finally broke through the dense trees leading to the hideout. To her surprise, Hwi was out in the clearing surrounding the hideout with his three faithful friends, engaged in a skirmish with what looked like a gang of thugs. Gyeol drew his sword and positioned himself in front of Hee Jae as they continued forward cautiously. As if sensing their presence, Hwi's head swung in their direction sharply. His eyes narrowed – he was obviously not happy to see her.
Hee Jae was deciding whether to instruct Gyeol to join the fight when Hwi sent one of the thugs flying towards her. He landed near her feet and Hee Jae glanced down in curiosity… and froze. Gyeol left her side to fend off another thug heading their way but Hee Jae did not care. All she could see was the man in front of her… the man who had killed her mother. A jagged scar ran from his ear down this jaw – it was definitely him. Her fury mounting with every breath, Hee Jae stumbled towards him. She was going to kill him with her own bare hands. She would finally be able to avenge her mother.
What was Hee Jae doing? Hwi frowned as she saw her stagger towards the thug on the ground, her eyes wild and unfocused. He could see her whole body trembling even from a distance. What was wrong with her? Her bodyguard was distracted, fighting with two other thugs. The thug started to get up but Hee Jae did not seem to notice. "Hee Jae!" Hwi roared urgently but he was one second too late as the thug grabbed Hee Jae and stuck a knife to her throat. Hwi's gut twisted in icy fear as even as he aimed an arrow at the thug. "Shoot!" Hee Jae screamed. Her eyes were simmering with agony and anger.
Hwi hesitated. Then he glimpsed a flash of silver and realised Hee Jae held a small dagger in her hand. When she drove the dagger into the thug's thigh, he released his bow. His arrow embedded into the thug's torso. It was not a kill shot but it was going to hurt badly. The latter screeched in pain before collapsing on the ground. Immediately, Hee Jae picked up a sword from the ground with two hands and raised it above her head. "He killed my mother. He killed my mother!" she blurted out, tears running down her face. Hwi was startled. He knew her mother had passed away when she was young but he never found out how and why. Seo Seol refused to tell him either, saying it was something that only Hee Jae could share with him.
His first instinct was to run over and snatch the sword away from her but he did not. He knew how she felt. He would love to do the exact thing to the people who had betrayed his father. It was her decision to make, not his. But Hwi did inch closer to her in the event the thug suddenly attacked her from below. Hee Jae hefted the sword higher and Hwi saw her gnaw her lip in indecision. "Hee Jae ah…" he called quietly. She snapped her head around to look at him, fresh tears welling in her eyes. Hwi's compassionate, steady gaze sent her tumbling back to that fateful night. His father had regarded her in exactly the same way.
Fourteen years earlier
"It is your decision to make. But if you kill him now, you'll never know who wanted to kill your mother," Seo Geom advised calmly. Hee Jae gripped the knife, her whole body shaking with grief and rage. After a few seconds, she tossed the knife away and flopped down on a rock, sobbing heavily. The general crouched in front of the crying girl and patted her arm comfortingly, "You made the right decision. You're a smart child." Hee Jae choked back her tears and looked at the man in front of her. He smiled, his eyes full of kindness and empathy, "You did the right thing."
Present
Hee Jae lowered the sword menacingly. "I recognise you! You were the little girl with your mother in the woods that time! Nam Jeon ordered me to kill the messenger of the letter at all cost!" the thug squeaked in cowardice. Hee Jae slammed the sword into the ground beside his head. Nam Jeon. He was the one who was behind her mother's death. She started choking on her tears, her body jerking violently. She felt warmth envelop her hands that were still gripping the sword. Hwi. He prided her fingers away and held her hands firmly in one of his. With his free hand, he dabbed at the wetness at her cheek, "Let's go."
Hee Jae and Hwi stood silently by the moonlit lake. They had not spoken since Hwi led her away from the hideout. "Every time I missed you, I would go to the hill where we rescued Yeon's kite," Hee Jae related sombrely. Hwi sighed deeply, "I know. You'll fly an eagle kite each time, " Hee Jae blinked, "You were following me all this while?" Hwi did not answer. He just tilted his head to look at the star-less sky.
"Let's be together. Let's do this together. We are both after Nam Jeon. He killed our parents," Hee Jae coaxed. Hwi shook his head," No. Leave Nam Jeon to me. I will – " Hee Jae stepped closer, "Let's do this together. You must have been lonely all these years. You need someone with you." "Hee Jae ah…" Hwi groaned in frustration. Hee Jae slid her arms around his shoulders and held him fiercely, "Don't push me away. I can't bear to lose you again. Please. Let's be together." Hwi's resistance crumbled and he hugged her back, tears seeping from his eyes. Hee Jae. With her, he felt complete.
Two months later.
Hee Jae grinned happily at the scene in front of her. To be exact, she grinned happily at the happy man in front of her. Hwi was finally reunited with Yeon. Hee Jae had been shocked and disgusted when she had run into Yeon at Seon Ho's residence a month ago. She could not believe Seon Ho had allowed his father to hold his best friend's beloved sister hostage. Seon Ho was truly beyond salvation. Fortunately, Yeon had regained her memory and had tried to find her way back to her brother.
Bang Won revealed to Hwi that he was aware that the latter was a double agent for him and for Nam Jeon. The prince was shrewd enough to guess that Hwi had his reasons and Hwi had confessed the truth that Nam Jeon was holding his sister hostage in exchange for Hwi spying on Bang Won. The prince offered to help rescue Yeon in exchange for Hwi's loyalty. Hwi had agreed and Bang Won did as promised. Nam Jeon was incensed but had not dared to confront the crafty royal.
Hwi decided that he would settle down with Yeon and his three friends in another town, and start life afresh. He swore to Bang Won he would return to serve in two years – after he married off his sister to a good, dependable man. Bang Won had agreed to his terms readily.
Hwi, Yeon and the trio were leaving the next day so Hee Jae and Hwa Wol had gathered with them at the hideout at the base of the mountain. The town that Hwi was moving to was a two-day ride away from Gae Kyung – it was not difficult for Hee Jae to visit him if she wanted to. She was relieved that Hwi and Yeon had another shot to live a normal life.
"What are you doing here alone?" Hee Jae looked over her shoulder at Hwi's voice. "Nothing. I'm just thinking," she replied melancholically. He stood next to her, both of them facing the lake. "My hair ribbon. You should have left it to burn. It's just a hair ribbon," Hee Jae mumbled. She had been horrified at lunch earlier when she had found out Hwi had actually put his hand into fire to rescue her hair ribbon. "It wasn't just a hair ribbon. It was your hair ribbon. It was all I had to remember of you, " Hwi corrected with a warm smile as he reached for Hee Jae's hand.
Hee Jae sighed, "I truly hope you and Yeon can be happy now on." Hwi squeezed her hand, "We will. Don't worry about us. We'll lead a peaceful, simple life. Yeon will meet a good man and will start her own family." When Hee Jae remained silent, he resumed, "I'll come back. I won't take long. Once Yeon is all settled, I'll return. I promise." "I'll wait for you," Hee Jae responded, her eyes locked lovingly on his.
Hwi traced her jaw and drew her into him. He loved her. He was sure he would not love another woman for the rest of his life. He lowered his head and kissed her lips sweetly. Hee Jae's arms circled his waist and tugged him to her, going on tiptoe to deepen the kiss. Hwi. He was everything to her. No matter what happened in the future, she would stand by him.