A/N: Thank you everyone for reviews, follows and favourites. Hope you like this chapter.

Have a fun reading

-AG

gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Chapter 8:

The next day, we received a royal edict informing Damiwon will be closed in the view of a drought disaster. I still had to go to the Damiwon, so whenever I go, I bring some herbs to prepare face cream for my husband. Since there is a drought affecting our nations, I knew the court would announce the rain ceremony next. I have to make sure that I have herbs and face cream on time if the plot tries to push me back to the original plot. However, many things had happened which never occurred. Like Yesterday's dinner with General Park and his daughter, it was a very amusing encounter. It was fun to listen to my husband's more stories and prank at the same time heart whelming to see the interaction between Deokie and my husband. It reminded me of my sister, Myung Hee, but this edict brought me back to the reality that I am walking towards my unfortunate fate. There are so many things I have to do to make sure that it never happens. That night, my husband and I were invited to the Crown Prince's place for dinner. I took his medicinal herbs as I was ordered to bring along. We all settled down to dinner. Suddenly the topic of bandits arose. The bandits that Queen Yoo ordered cause a stir and lure the crown prince so that he misses the ritual and Prince Yo will take over the ritual on his behalf.

"Do you have to go, your highness?" Ji Mong asked who had joined for a drink after the tea.

"yes, I have to. I have been slacking off my duties because of this sickness, but the timing of the bandits' movements and the place worries me."

"Do you feel like someone is behind this incident? I can investigate for you," my dear husband asked his brother. He missed the secretive glance between the crown prince and Ji mong. I caught the glance, which confirms that they are aware of the person and the incident's intention.

"If you don't mind, can I suggest something?" all the eyes were on me.

"Let my husband accompany you; we can make it look like he volunteers so that he can take care of bandits while you stay in undercover capital return on time of ritual. We can make excuses why you were early, and my husband is delayed. I am sure my husband can take care of bandits on his own" They were pondering on the decision.

"Let's try it; I can stay at my in-law's house in the capital undercover. Then, So get prepared to leave tomorrow."

On the way back to our place, he was walking ahead of me looks like I upset him. I stopped him. "I am sorry" he had a baffled expression. He put his hands on my face," Why are you sorry?". "I suggested that you should go with him, and you had accepted his decision because of my suggestion," I said. He smiled, "I am not upset because of your suggestion. I am upset that I have to go without." I smiled back at him, he continues, "I am happy to know that you think your husband is a capable person." I took hold of his face, "Well, I know you are good at fighting bad people but that doesn't make you a capable person" I pecked his soft lips walking resuming on our path while he was thinking about my statement and screamed my name looks like he had figured it out. I never stopped walking till he came to lift me off the ground hurrying towards our room. Though we have a make-out session and some touching, we never went all-in.

On my way to send off my husband on his expedition, Concubine Oh stopped and asked me a favor. Crown prince requests more medicinal herbs that can last during his 'expedition.' Once again, the plot fights me; I don't know what I have to do throw change the course. After the rain ceremony, things are going to turn sour for me. Now, one step at a time, I have one whole week for me to things through the plot. With my job and my married life, I never had time to think about the plot. As I am walking towards the expedition trope, I had an answer on tackling my mother-in-law confrontation. The expedition troupe had visitors other than me, The King and Queen Yoo, who came to send off the Princes. While the others were interacting, I tried sneaking herbs into Crown Prince's bag, but we are caught.

"Stop it right there; what are you doing?" asked Queen Yoo. Before the guards stepped in to hold me, my husband was standing in front of me with his sword pointing at the guards. We were standing still while other guards rummaged through Crown Prince's bag and found the herbs.

"What is this? Are you trying to poison the Crown Prince?" Queen Yoo shouted. The guards tried to step in and capture me, but my husband was staring back at them with a murderous glare. I stepped away and kneeled before them, "No, those are not for Crown Prince's, It's for my husband, your majesty," I said. I didn't dare to lift my face to look into anyone's face. The King asked in his commanding voice, "Explain." I couldn't stop blushing, "My husband and I are married for a couple of months. We want to start a family, so I want to give some medicinal for.." my husband started coughing while I turned my face in mortification. The King started laughing, my husband came and pulled me aside. I hugged him so that he couldn't see my embarrassed face. He pulled me away and whispered, "When I come back, I am going to show you that I am a capable person without any medicinal herbs." I blushed more. He kissed me; I asked him, "You do know that I lied there." He pretended to be shocked, "Really, I thought I was an incapable person," he was teasing me. "Shut up," and I kissed him. We went back, but this time I wasn't embarrassed, and we bid good-bye. I started missing him already on the way back; Queen Yoo stopped me.

"Tell me the truth, what is really for your husband and not for Crown Prince's disease."

"Oh no, is Crown prince sick?" I shouted. Queen Yoo got pissed.

"Are you pretending to be innocent?"

"I don't know what you are saying, your highness. I thought you would be happy if we start a family because you told my sister that babies are a blessing of married life."

"then why did you give to Crown Prince, not your husband directly?"

"Your highness, you do know that my husband is stubborn and his temper. Now that he is discovered in front of your highness. He was able to control emotions" so true else he would have proved that he is a very capable person in front of everyone.

I continued," Yesterday, we met Crown Prince and his family for dinner. At the same time, my husband was distracted. I voiced my concerns about starting a family, so Crown Prince pinched in to help me" after my explanation Queen Yoo. "Then you don't know about Crown Prince's sickness?"

"Is he really sick?, don't worry, your highness, we can ask our majesty to provide the best care to Crown Prince when he returns, and The majesty will be happy when he finds that you are anxious and care about Crown Prince's health". I returned to our place; I was lying on the bed, missing him so much, and went to sleep smelling his scent from his pillow.

After few hours, I woke up and was greeted by Deokie, "4th Prince told me to stay with you till he returns."

"What about General?"

"He is accompanying them on expeditions. Is it okay if I stay here?. I don't know anyone in the capital, other than 4th Prince."

"Thank you, Deokie" my husband is considerate about me. I hope that he comes back safe and hopefully after the rainy ceremony to turn tides of my fate.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

She was anxious from the time we received the royal edict about drought. I initially thought she was concerned about the nation or worried about the work. I tried asking her, but she was brushing me. She was on edge with her emotions till Crown Prince asked me to accompany me on the expedition. After that, she was relaxed like a weight lifted off her shoulders and back to her usual self went back to flirting. Though I have different scenarios going on in my mind, I don't want to accuse her of something immoral. When I go back, I am going to ask about her actions. I have also requested, Deokie to take care of her on my behalf. It's just been few hours since we left, but I already miss her so much. I still couldn't get her blushed face off my mind. Also, we need to talk about family. I need to find a secluded place in the capital. Times like this, I wish I wasn't Prince tied to royal duties. So many things to do when I return, and now, I have to finish my mission. When the day ends, Crown Prince is going to the part under disguise.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Things were going good, wake-up, work, eat and sleep. Sometimes, Deokie visits my grumbles about the 10th Prince's indifferent action towards her while console her. Whenever the 13th Prince visits, he gives her tips to woo the 10th Prince. Two days back, I started staying in Damiwon because the 8th Prince was trying to reach me. If he wasn't a prince, I could defend myself from him. I am running away from him; I should talk to my husband about the 8th prince probably coerce my husband to threaten the 8th Prince or something. This cannot continue. Today, the 13th Prince brought grave news.

"There was a raffle held in the temple to pick a Prince to perform the rain ritual in place of Crown Prince."

"What? I thought Crown Prince was on his way to the capital."

"Yes, but the court has raised a concern that he wouldn't be on time."

'Then, what happened?"

"All the princes' name excluding Crown Prince's name was in the raffle."

'Who was selected?"

"4th brother."

"But he isn't the capital shouldn't his name also be excluded."

"Yes, but he is also returning and raffle, to be fair."

"What if they both can't make it?"

"According to succession, if the Crown Prince and 4th brother don't return on time. 3rd brother will do it."

"Oh"

"Don't be worried, Hae Soo. He will be safe and back soon."

I wasn't worried about his arrival, I would be happier if 3rd Prince stops his return to the capital for the time being, but this stupid plot is trying to fight it. Should I give up my chance for happiness and accept my defeat.

Two days before the ceremony, Crown Prince returned to the capital with few guards told everyone that they have successfully handled the bandit's situation, and the 4th Prince was following up. In contrast, Crown Prince returned early, and the 4th Prince will be back tomorrow as well. This news was quite unsettling with the palace. To avoid unnecessary problems, the guards within the palace are strengthened. With guards often patrolling on palace guards, the 8th Prince stopped his stalking because people who are staying outside the palace cannot enter under they have the proper permission.

He was supposed to be back today, though I should be happy that his return is getting delayed; I couldn't stop myself from getting worried about him. 13th Prince visited me in the afternoon, and Deokie isn't allowed to enter the palace. I have been dreaming about my husband very often. Even now, I am dreaming that he is lying next to me. I touched his face. "I never knew that dream could be so realistic" he remained silent like every other dream. "How are you? Are you safe? Come back soon, I really miss you". Suddenly he pulled me in to hug, mumbled something. I closed my eyes, enjoying his warmth. Wait for a second, why I am feeling his warmth in my dream. I broke his embrace, stared at his face, and pinched his cheek. I realized it wasn't a dream when he winced. Unknowingly, tears started flowing from my eyes. "You are here." "Yes, I am back. I missed you so much" he kissed my forehead. We both fell asleep, embracing each other.

The next day, the first day of the rain ritual is when my husband was humiliated in the original plot. Now he is standing next to me, holding my hands, waiting for Crown Prince's arrival to start the ritual procession. Everyone was excited; it doesn't matter who performs the ritual today all that matters which Prince will perform it tomorrow. It's going to rain tomorrow. All I have to do is to stop my husband from participating in the ritual. The Crown Prince entered the arena; everyone was anxious and excited before he could step on the peddle. The Crown Prince fainted, the astronomer and my husband rushed to his side and carried him back to the palace. Like the plot, the first day of the ritual was failed.

It was very late; my husband entered our house staggering with a bloody wound on his arm. I was furious to see him hurt. I hurried to his side escorted him to my actual bedroom, where I had a stock of herbal medicinal. I immediately started treating him. a poison blade struck him. I had to keep my emotions aside to treat. Even after treating him for hours, he remained unconscious, and his heart was beating very slow.

"Please stay alive. It shouldn't be like this if I knew that my actions would hurt you. I wouldn't have tried to change my fate. Please god. I will accept my fate. Just bring him back to me. I will never walk away from the destined path."

"What do you mean, Soo-yah?" I gasped to see him awake. I hugged him tightly after letting him wail for few minutes. He asked me again, "What do you mean destined path, Soo-yah?"

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Everything was weird; from the time I set out on an expedition, many hidden bandits were planning to attack but never moved till I was returning. Those henchmen never attacked directly, as if their purpose was to delay my journey. My thoughts immediately went to Hae Soo, worried she might be a danger. I abandoned my soldiers as they intended to delay my return. When I returned, the palace was closely followed by troops unharmed and reached safely without delay. I had to report to the King on the expedition as soon as I came back. Crown Prince was briefed about the attack asked me to head home while he will brief on my behalf to the King directly. I ran to my home only to see her sleeping peacefully, hugging my clothes. Seeing her safe, I let off a sigh. I never realized that I was holding my breath. I climbed into bed with her; my movements have disturbed her. She was awake, but she was talking non-sense till she pinched my cheek. Only then I realized she thought I was her dream. I kissed her forehead and told her, 'I am back. After so many days, I had her back in my arms, and slowly, sleep started to invade me.

The ritual ceremony started without any hitch, but the Crown Prince fainted as soon as he stepped in peddle. Since only imperial family members can touch him, I stepped in to carry him back to the palace. The royal physician said that he drugged with a sleep potion, a hefty dose. He won't regain consciousness for days. I appointed the royal guards to investigate the drug incident; we found that he was drugged right before the ceremony. We searched for the maid who served him the drink and lied to him about the drink being a part of the ceremony. It was very late when I headed back; assassins ambushed me. I lost my concentration when I saw my mother and my brother at my hindsight. One of the assassins pierced his blade on my arm. I don't remember what happened. Next, I opened my eyes to see my wife crying. Though my eyes were heavy, I could hear very clearly talking about destiny, fate, and changing it. I questioned her, "What do you mean, Soo-yah?" she realized that I was awake, threw herself in my arms. Though it was painful, I realized that she was worried about me. My stupid actions could have hurt her as awell if assassins tried to follow me. I questioned her again when she calmed down, "What do you mean by destined path, Soo-yah?"

dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

A/N: Thank you for reading. Leave your thoughts in review section. Critics are highly encouraged.

-AG