A/N: Thank you, Davies467, and silkyjacob.
Heads-up for a long chapter. My plot is going to deviate from the TV plot, but there will some scenes from the TV series.
Have fun reading
-AG
Chapter 4: Back in his arms part 1
King Taejo
This was the second attempt to kill his son after announcing him as Crown Prince. He has his own suspicions. To add his burdens further, Choi Ji Mong informs that Wang So's star has risen over the palace.
King was worried whether So would join hands with Yoo Clan to kill Crown Prince Mu. When he raised his concern to Ji Mong, he assured him that he could trust Wang So.
Even in court, officials want to Crown Prince Mu to abdicate his positions. When that option was declined. They offered to select second Crown Prince if something happens to Mu. King Taejo knew by agreeing to their terms would send his firstborn to an early grave.
He blames himself for marrying into different clans, which cannot be avoided. He felt like he has one only option to left to secure Crown Prince's positions.
He plans to use the presence of different clans to his advantage. He needs to craft a decree in a way that cannot be altered. He intends to pass this on to his descendants so that his sons shouldn't be worried about Goryeo's future and their families' future.
He might be a King, but he is also a father.
Hae Soo
After faking her headache, she stayed in her room for the entire day, eating and sleeping. Her mind was catching up with her loss of sleep. She felt well-rested. Next Day, She met with Myung Hee early in the morning to let now that she was feeling better. She suggested Myung Hee switch tea herbs, which could help Myung Hee's health. She avoided Yeon Hwa and Prince Wook as much as she can. She knows it is inevitable as they all are staying in the same compound. She was hoping for some luck's favor. She doesn't have any childish crush or feeling for Prince Wook, but his betrayal still fresh. As for Princess Yeon Hwa, she knew Princess did things to survive. Hae Soo even cannot accept the fact that she lost her Prince to the Princess Yeon Hwa. Hae Soo's so-called lucky day went to drain when she was asked to help other ladies in residence to make lanterns for the festivals. She entered the room to find her sister Myung Hee and Princess Yeon Hwa, to be present. She greeted Princess and her sister properly so that Yeon Hwa couldn't bad mouth her. They all started to make lanterns silently. She smiles at Myung Hee whenever her sister examines her work. Occasionally, she will smile and praise Princess Yeon Hwa, which shuts her mouth. They all took a small break.
She wandered around the residence. She was happy that she wasn't given the herculean task of preparing glue-like last time. This time she saw a familiar figure walking towards the gates of residence. She then remembered her first-ever encounter with her Prince. She sped to follow Choi Mi Jong hoping to see her Prince.
She was in bridge crossing, still pretending to look for Ji Mong deep down; she was anxious every growing second. Like in movies, she could hear a horse galloping through a narrow street, and people were screaming and making way for the rider. She was thrown off balance. Suddenly she was lifted off the ground. She closed her eyes and hugged him. She doesn't need to look at him. She knew it was her Prince. He smells the same, and she feels safe in his warmth. She opens her eyes to find him staring at her in shock. He stops his horse, but this time he didn't throw her down like a sack of rice as she expected.
He simply asked, "Are you alright?"
Wang So
He was looking for Ji Mong to find answers. He still didn't know whether to trust him with his secret. He decided not to tell Ji Mong. Wang So can figure things out of his own. He was in Ji Mong's place, grazing around the bookshelves.
He knew Ji Mong was standing behind, hoping to scare Wang So, but it was futile. Though he ruled a country for 25 years, his warrior's instinct is sharper than before. He simply couldn't point it, whether it was because of his younger body or his 50 plus experience.
Ji Mong and Crown Prince approached him to help them during the cleansing ritual. Like the previous timeline, Wang So was promised something in return. Even if they hadn't offered anything, he knew he would have helped. He met his Soo for the first time in the forest after the ritual, so he wouldn't make any changes until he meets her.
He was running late to his practice dance for cleansing ritual, so he hurried from palace to 8thprince residence. He was tempted to see her, but he doesn't know what to tell her. Yesterday, he tried to sneak a look at her, but he found she was sick and never came out from her chamber. He was worried about her health. He needs to protect her and take care better than last time so they could live together for a very long time. He saw a familiar figure which was about to fall into the river. His heart started beating faster against his chest, he scooped her into his arms. His grip on her tighten to convince himself that he wasn't dreaming, He saw that her eyes were closed when she slowly opened her eyes to look at him. The world froze around them. He could get lost into her eyes forever.
He slowly asked her, "Are you alright?" she was baffled by his question. It was a simple question, but she was sure this conversation never happened in the previous timeline. She simply passed it as a consequence of yesterday's action.
She nodded, "Yes." She started wriggling from Prince's grip. He loosened his grip on her. He saw her servant Chae Rhung came running towards them.
She didn't want to start on the wrong foot this time. She tried to get down from his horse, but his grip on her was tight. Her thoughts were disturbed by Chae Rhung's voice.
"Lady Hae Soo, the Princess, is looking for you," she stated in shock.
"Are you staying at Wook's residence?" he asked her.
"How do you know?" she asked formally.
He pointed at Chae Rhung, "that's his servant costume."
"Ah," she forgot about that.
"Hold on, I will take you there."
He felt her rejection coming. He looked at Chae Rhung, "I will bring her," he started directing his horse towards Wook's residence. After so many years, he was finally able to hold her. He is not going to let the opportunity to end faster.
She was about to say yes, but he cut her off. She was wrong to think about he was concerned about her. He is still a stubborn jerk. She is angry at him and happy that she was back in his arms.
They both were silently enjoying each other's company for the first time; they both didn't care about the consequences.
A/N: There you go, first meeting. I know people don't usually forget their first meeting, but I like it when they are thrown out of the loop.
Thank you for reading
Let me know what you think in the reviews
-AG
