Chapter 24

His adoptive mother, Lady Shinjuwon, is sitting at the middle of her bed, poised and regal, as if she's still sitting at her throne back in her palace at Shinju. Her dress, only a thin layer of silk white sokgot (undergarment). She looks every bit beautiful and repulsive to So.

"Won't you come nearer your mother?" Lady Shinjuwon asks.

A glint of shine in her eyes is absent tonight, which means the lady consort is lucid thus every alarm bell in So is screaming for him to leave but he'll only be dragged back again by Guen Sun if he did. So he walks forward instead, getting this over as fast as he can. He stands in front of the lady, nearer but still a good few meters away. He brings his hands together behind his back, pulling his height, looking straight to the open window, imagining the clean air he could breathe when he finally gets out of this place.

Lady Shinjuwon stands, her dress flowing as she leaves her bed. So is inclined to step back as she comes nearer reaching her hand to touch him. Those spidery thin fingers he so detest, is now gliding along his chest, up his neck. It's long nails scratching at his skin. She brushes his hair out of his mask, tangling her hand on his hair. Her other hand snaking its way around him so possessively. She comes closer, her body an inch from So. She tugs at his hair and plants a lingering kiss beside his ear,

"Didn't you miss me my dear son?"


So remains stoic, not even swallowing. Anxious that if he opens his mouth to speak, he'll be force to inhale much of that detestable scent lingering in the air. Her scent and her touch are like a poison to So. He'd much rather not have any of it if he can.

The lady consort presses her lithe body to So, closing that inch. Her lips that was at his ear is now sliding at his neck and up to his chin. With her hand tangled in his hair, she pushes So to bow at her and meet his lips with hers.

It first happened when he was fifteen. He had just came home from his first experience of war.

Just a few weeks after he was dismissed at General Park's camp to go back to Shinju, Guen Sun had fetched him and took him straight to their borders instead of the palace. Their private army is engaged with the invading Khitans for a few days now and their forces are starting to dwindle. They needed more people in the front line but the forces that the king had sent will take three days to arrive. Thus, So went to work in the front line, proving his worth as the best pupil of General Park. For three days, he went to war. Riding his horse and engaging in sword fight with soldiers who are older and more seasoned in war.

When the forces that the king sent, had arrived at the front line, Geun Sun takes So out before any of the royal soldiers sees him. He takes him home to their palace, straight to the lady consort's quarters.

Exhausted and still bloodied, So stood in front of the consort, struggling to stay awake. That heady scent of incense is floating around the room and is making So drowsier and nauseous. He looks up to observe if the consort is having one of her fits or if she is lucid. He doesn't think he can handle a lashing mad consort at the moment so he hopes she's lucid. He remembers feeling lucky to see that the gleam on the mad consort's eyes is missing so he thinks he's safe.

Watching So, the consort asks if he is exhausted, when he didn't answer, she commands her gungyeo(s) to fill her tub with warm water and bring some towels in.

So freezes in his stead, now fully awake. He wonders if he's wrong to think that the consort is lucid. He subtly looks around, shaking his dizziness. No one is around, not even Guen Sun.

The gungyeo(s) arrive to fill the tub at the consort's bathing room and hang towels at the side. Lady Shinjuwon then dismisses them and takes a confused So inside her bathing room.

At 15, So is only a little taller than the consort whose height is higher than an average women's height. In the next few years, So would out grow the consort by a foot. Lady Shinjuwon stands him beside the tub and begins to take his clothes off starting with the pony tail at his head. Then his belt that holds his jeogori, soaked with sweat and blood stain of his and from the soldiers he killed for the last three days. When he is only left with his paji, Lady Shinjuwon takes a towel and dips it to the warm water. Tenderly, she wipes the blood from the side of his face, down to his neck, his shoulders, his arms, his back, and then his chest. She untangles the strings of his paji, letting it loose in the floor.

So could only stand rooted in his spot, too perplexed. He had never seen this side of the consort nor was he ever touched like this before. He doesn't know what to think or do so he obeys when she tells him to get in the tub and lie down. The warm water instantly relaxes him, pulling at his consciousness, lulling him to sleep. The consort resumes with her caresses using the towel. So closes his eyes, giving in to sleep.

He awakes to the consort shaking him. He doesn't know how long he had been asleep but the water around him had become cold. Sitting-up, his back and neck ache from having slept with a cramp posture and when he stood up, only then did he feel the three days worth of pain in his body.

Lady Shinjuwon towels him off and puts a silk robe in him. They walk into her bed, with her sitting him down and taking care of the wounds on his shoulders, his arms and the back of his shin. The consort's actions is becoming more and more confusing to So by the minute but he'd much rather prefer this treatment than her ordering the man to beat him or dragging him to a cramp cell and starving him for days. Her next action proved So wrong.

After she was done taking care of his wounds, she unrobes him again and kneels beside him on top of her bed. She makes him face her and plants an open mouth kiss unceremoniously on his lips, making him open his mouth and forces her tongue in his. She luxurious trails her hands in his young body, pushing him to lie on the bed, taking off his robe completely. She goes on top of him, pulling at his hand and putting it at her breast as she leans further and starts kissing him again, trailing down his neck, his chest, down his abdomen. It wasn't a careful kiss, the kind full of wanton. She takes of her sokgot, now nude to him too. He was too confused and exhausted to fight her off. He was only 15 and that was his first encounter with a woman. Every bit of it an assault to his childhood that took away what little innocence he had. Although the physical beatings had stopped after that, the touches were different form of torture, one that scarred his soul.

That year, after So left for his training with General Park, Lady Shinjuwon had found out about the planted spy of the king and was angry. She had him hanged at So's quarter so he could see it when he returns from the border. The smell of decaying body never really left his quarters, even after years of having it clean. As a revenge to the king for fooling her, So was never allowed to visit the palace nor leave for the camp of General Park for his training. He became a trained toy to the lady consort, sending him to the fields of their border to fight, having him at her bed when she's lucid and leaving him alone when she's not. But for the most part, she's almost always lucid.

Lady Shinjuwon pushes So to a post near her bed, pulling at his belt insistently. So suddenly grabs her arms and reverses their position. He flattens her in the wall and steps back from her, keeping her at an arm's length.

"Da-si neun na reul man-ji-ji ma! (Don't ever touch me again!)" So quietly tells the consort.

Lady Shinjuwon looks at So for a few seconds and laughs, maniacally, "Wae? Have you gotten tired of my touches?"

She slaps So's hands away, matching his dangerous gaze, "My dear son, just because your father had allowed you to go home to that palace of his, doesn't mean you're no longer ours. Did you really think, you can get away from my grasp that easily?"

"Ani, I never thought for a second that I could easily be freed from you but I have my ways and before long, I'll be free from you completely." So bluffs, he doesn't have any idea how he could severe ties from his adoptive family. They are quite powerful, even holding a sway in the court. He thought that once his father allows him to come home, he would be free from them but the spy sent to him these past few months and even this night had proven him wrong.

So pushes Lady Shinjuwon away, turning his back to leave. The consort continues with her maniacal laugh, a noise to So's ear.

Lady Shinjuwon abruptly stops her laughing, "Do you enjoy playing classmates with your brothers and that girl?" with a stern voice, she commands him,

"Anj-a-ra! (Sit down!)"

Hearing the command, So automatically stops at the door. He shuts his eyes wanting to take a deep breathe to calm his self but refusing to intake that sickening smell around him. The mention of his brothers and Hae Soo is making him afraid.

Opening his eyes, he turns back to the lady consort who is now standing beside her bed, gesturing for him to sit. With no choice, he walks back to her abhorrent bed and sits obediently, fixing his eyes on the walls ahead, a dead doll with no emotions.

"What do you want from me eomonim?" So asks, remembering to call Lady Shinjuwon mother, regressing to his 15 year old self, powerless and tired.

"What do I want? What do you want? Mothers only want the best for their sons."

Lady Shinjuwon stands in front of So, taking his chin in her fingers and raising it, forcing him to look at her. She bends down, toying with him. Her fingers momentarily leave his chin only to grab at his neck, choking him.

So doesn't respond. He can feel the consort's hand tightening around his neck but not enough to cut his airways.

"I'm sure we could agree on something." Lady Shinjuwon captures So's lips, while her hand is still on his neck. She pushes him on the bed and comes on top of him, a hyena playing with her food.

So didn't come home to the sky tower that night, nor did he attended his class with Hae Soo the next day. He disappeared for a few days with Ji Mong and Mu looking for him, all worried.


Days after So went missing, Mu decides to pay a visit at his study chambers to check if his 4th brother would show-up.

"Annyeong haseyo, wangsejanim." Hae Soo greets the seja as he enters his library.

Mu returns the greeting and lets Hae Soo rise, walking to the table and reclining in it to talk. "Have you seen my 4th brother lately?"

"So wangjanim? Animnida. So wangjanim-e-ge mu-seun il-i iss-eoss-na-yo? (No, I haven't seen him, did something happened to him?)" Hae Soo worriedly asks. "He also didn't come to our class the other day."

"Ah kuere?" Mu thinks about it for a moment, "Did he tell you if he's going anywhere?"

Recalling all their conversations lately, Ha Jin shakes her head, "Though he says his favorite place inside the palace is the lake Donji. Have you tried there"

"Ah to his boat, the one Ji Mong gave him on his birthday." Mu nods. He and Ji Mong had been maintaining that boat since the last time So left it there. They know how much it means to his 4th brother so they made sure not to neglect it. "Ji Mong already went there to check on him but he hadn't come home since the other night."

Hearing that So is missing for a few days now, Ha Jin begins to worry and her reaction didn't go amiss with Mu. To not burden her, Mu changes topic, "Have you seen the lake? It's the best spot in the palace if you want to see sunrise."

Ha Jin nods, "So wangjanim brought me there the other day, when our tutor didn't show up for our class."

Mu suddenly glances at Hae Soo, surprise to hear that his brother had taken the opportunity he had open for him and whisk Hae Soo away. He chuckles to himself, unconsciously musing out loud, "That sly brother of mine and I thought it annoyed him that I didn't tell him their class is on a break."

Three nights ago, before So disappeared, Mu had visited him in the sky tower to ask him if he enjoyed his day, wanting to know what his 4th brother did with the break he had set-up for him. So only look at him, giving away nothing. He didn't bother to answer him, sporting his usual scowl.

"Hmmm? What did you just say?" Ha Jin asks, failing to catch the seja's musing.

"Nothing." Mu smiles, feigning innocence, "Hae Soo-ya, can I tell you something?"

Ha Jin nods, "Please do."

"My 4th brother might be intimidating and handful a lot of times but he is loyal. Once he finds something he values, he treasures it and protects it with everything he has. I hope you give him a chance to get to know you more. He is a nice person underneath the mask he wears." Mu tries to put a good word for So, unaware that So and Hae Soo had already bonded over a lot of things, even to a point where So, bared his vulnerabilities to Hae Soo.

"Gocheong haji maseyo wangsejanim, I understand that So wangjanim is quite a sensitive person underneath that façade of his. I'll be sure to look after him well." Ha Jin tries to assure Mu.

"Ah, I saw my brothers waiting for you outside, why don't you run along and see what they want now. I heard Eun is itching to teach you something." Mu dismisses Hae Soo seeing no point in keeping her here when his 4th brother is not coming anyway. He'll remember to kill him later for not showing up in their class twice. "I'll take care of your tutor."

"Cheong-mal-ya? Kamsahabnida wangsejanim." Ha Jin bows to leave her greetings and walks away.


"Oh! Hae Soo-ya!" Eun shouts as Hae Soo comes out of the corridor from the seja's library.

Ha Jin waves at Eun, Jung, Baek-Ah and Wook, who are waiting for the end of her class.

"I-sang-hae, eon-eul-eun neo jinjja su-eob-i iss-eo (You really have a class today?)" Baek-Ah tells Hae Soo as she approaches them.

"Actually, the seja came in today and dismisses me. He said he'll take care of my tutor since So wangjanim is not around." Hae Soo answers, bouncing in her steps.

"Right, I heard my 4th brother didn't come home the other day. No one has seen him yet." Jung adds, standing beside her.

"Ah kuere? I wonder where did he disappear to this time? Does he always do this?" Ha Jin asks now worried.

The three princess shrug, not really knowing anything about their 4th brother.

"Eii, kaja! We'll teach you something you're going to like." Eun changes topic, he takes Hae Soo by the wrist, pulling her with him, making Jung and Baek-Ah follow behind them.

Coming into the courtyard, fetching Wook this time, are the 9th prince and the 3rd prince, wanting a talk with him before the royal meetings resume next week. The three of them follow behind the four, with Wook watching over Hae Soo.

"Oe-di-ro kal keo-ye-yo? (Where are we going?)" Ha Jin matches Eun's pace.

"We'll teach you archery." Eun proudly answers, puffing his chest.

"Archery? Heol?! What for?" Ha Jin asks, looking incredulous, "I think it would be better if you teach me how to ride a horse instead."

"I'll teach you that too, if you want." Jung readily volunteers, walking at the other side of Hae Soo.

"We have two more free days this week, until the responsibilities and classes resume next week." Baek-Ah explains, beside Eun.

"With which you'd be running with me in the morning Hyung." Jung chuckles remembering that his 13th brother would need to render his punishment next week.

Ha Jin looks perplexed, not getting the inside joke. Jung explains to Hae Soo what happened in their game the other day, with Baek-Ah getting annoyed by the end of the story and the three of them laughing.

At their back, talking quietly is Yo orienting Wook with how they would proceed with the building of the quarters for the Chinese envoy, conveniently leaving out the change of materials.

Hae Soo's party arrives at the archery range as Eun takes the lead. He excitedly approaches the gears and picks a bow and an arrow. Without bothering to put on a gear on his left arm, he stands at the shooting range, making sure Hae Soo watches him. He raises his bow and draws the strings, getting ready to shoot.

Ha Jin moves to stand beside him, watching Eun attentively. Smirking as he side glances at Hae Soo, he releases his arrow, hitting the second smallest circle, well within the gold part of the target. The royal guard beside it, raises a gold flag, signaling the color where the arrow hit the target. It didn't accurately lodge the smallest circle that indicates bull's eye but from where they standing, 73 yards away. It looks as accurate as it can be.

"Oh! No-mu meos-iss-eo-yo! (That's so cool!) U-ri Eun-a-ga, jjang! (Your the best!)" Ha Jin gives two thumbs-up for Eun.

"Jjang?!" The three princes exclaims.

Ha Jin nods, raising both of her thumbs explaining, "Jjang! You're the best and the coolest."

Eun blushes, flattered that he had made Hae Soo compliment him, "keunde, I can't be the best, it's only reserved for the king. Kue-reo-ni-kka…"

Taking Hae Soo's hand and altering it so that her pointing finger is the one standing and not her thumb, "I could be number one instead."

"Ah kuere?" Ha Jin looks at her pointing finger and raises it in front of Eun's face, "Kuerom, u-ri Eun-a-ga, jjang! (To our Eun, you're the best!)"

Ha Jin smiles fondly, finding a cool side of the 10th prince that she didn't know. They all laugh, enjoying Hae Soo's flattery.

"Let's have you ready then." Feeling a little jealous, Jung pulls Hae Soo to the table, "What's your dominant arm?"

"hmmmm?" Ha Jin raises her right hand.

Jung fits Hae Soo with an arm brace on her left arm, "This, would protect your arm from having it scratch by the string as you releases the arrow."

Nodding thoughtfully, Ha Jin waits for Jung to finish tying it up for her. He then puts a protector at her fingers, so the arrows won't form calluses in her hands. Jung observes her, looking at her every now and then, his heart racing as he stands close to her and holding her hand. When it's done, Eun breaks into Jung's reverie and tags at Hae Soo and positions her at shooting line, touching her shoulders so carelessly. Baek-Ah notices this and takes a stick from the table and hits Eun's hands.

"Wae?!" Eun shouts, grimacing from the slight pain.

Feigning innocence, Baek-Ah explains smiling, "Joe-song-hae-yo Eun wangjanim, I only meant to correct her posture."

Taking Eun's position a while ago, Jung hands Hae Soo a long bow, explaining archery. Baek-Ah watches from the side sternly, ready to hit Jung too if he makes more intimate touches than what is needed to explain the craft. He knows Jung wouldn't dare to touch Hae Soo more than what is appropriate but watches all the same.

Raising the bow to 90 degrees, Jung tentatively touches Hae Soo's shoulder to correct her angle and puts his hand at the small of her back explaining the center of balance and why it is important to brace her back. He stands beside her, letting Hae Soo draw the strings. He corrects her bow hand and her dominant arm, turning her a few more inches to the target. At his mark, Ha Jin releases the arrow. Whizzing in the air, it misses the target by half a meter in the left, sending the royal guard beside the target, cowering.

Everyone laughs as Ha Jin calls out an apology to the royal guard.

Wook, Yo and Won who are watching from the corridor, wince as the arrow misses the head of the royal guard by a few inches. They couldn't help but burst into laughter too.

"Hae Soo-ya, our royal guard had done nothing wrong to you!" Won calls out, "Please don't kill him!"

"Joe-song-hab-ni-da, joe-song-hab-ni-da." Ha Jin clamors into apologizing to everyone, embarrassed of her mistake.


Standing at the hall of Hoegyong Hall having an audience with the king is General Park, reporting about the situation at their northern borders. His account comes a few days early in preparation of when the palace duties resume next week.

"As reported on my earlier correspondences, there are a few sightings of strange movement from the Khitans, it seems their long silence and diplomacy is coming to an end and is now getting ready to engage in conflict with our forces up north. And as you are well aware, the maintenance of our borders have been mostly left to the three most powerful aristocratic clans up north; the Kangs of Shinju and Chungju Yu Clan to the northwest, while the northeast is left to the Hae Clans."

"And the Hwangbo of Hwangju clan pyeha. Ever since the marriage of your 8th son to Lady Myung Hee of House Hae." Ji Mong adds, standing at his usual side of the king.

"Ma-ja-yo. (That's right.) With the Hae Clan and the Hwangbo Clan consolidating their power together, it is of no surprise that they now control majority of the lands up north and the situation is getting a little bit out of hand. I'm sorry your highness may I be blunt?" General Park asks, standing at attention.

"Hae-ra. (Do so.)" King Taejo answers.

"We might see a civil war in the next few years, if the powers of these aristocratic families are not contained. It would be a threat to any king who sits in that throne. It is better to curve their powers now while it is manageable. Not to mention that the Khitans might see this as an opportunity to seed doubts in them and take up arms against you." General Park straightforwardly gives his assessment.

"These aristocratic families wouldn't dare, not when their heirs, my sons, the princes of these kingdom, holds positions in my court." King Taejo dismisses the problems with the aristocratic families.

"They will not be a problem as long you hold the crown. Forgive me pyeha, but once you pass the throne to the seja, the whole kingdom will go to a civil war." General Park bows his head.

King Taejo understands what his general is telling him that's why even when he wants to finally retire; he can't because Mu isn't strong enough to take the crown.

"If I may speak pyeha." Ji Mong breaks at King Taejo's reverie.

Glancing at Ji Mong, King Taejo says, "You may do so."

"Sung-go-hab-ni-da pyeha, you might not want to hear my own assessment but I might be of help. I believe Mu wangsejanim is a great seja but if our problem is the threat of the three most powerful clans, we might be able to resolve it if we have a back-up crown prince coming from the three most powerful clan." Ji Mong chooses his words wisely.

"Back-up crown prince from the three most powerful clan?" King Taejo repeats.

"You're suggesting that we have three back up crown prince?" General Park asks, clarifying Ji Mong's suggestion, the side of his lips twitch to a sarcastic smile, "That sounds preposterous, we would still need to declare hierarchy among those three and that would create more confusion."

Ji Mong smile, "Who says we need three? We have a prince that satisfy those prerequisite."

"I have a son born from those three clans? How can that be?" King Taejo list in his head all 22 of his sons. None of which came from those three clans at the same time.

"Why we have the 4th prince pyeha. He is a son of yours from the Chung Ju Yu Clan, adopted to the Kangs of ShinJu. All he needs is to marry into Hae Clan."

"Or Hwangbo Clan. The Hwangbo clans are holding the vote of Hae Clan at the moment, are they not." King Taejo confirms.

"Andwaeyo! (He can't!)" Ji Mong exclaims, he always forget that the Hwangbo clan now holds the vote of Hae Clan.

Those stupid descendants! Why can't they help me, just once?!

In his anger, he momentarily loses control. He backtracks and apologizes, "Sung-go-hab-ni-da pyeha, (Forgive me pyeha,) what I mean is that the power of Hae Clan still resides with them in the north and not with the votes they have given to the Hwangbo Clan. So it would be good for our 4th prince to marry unto the Hae Clan."

"Or he could marry from both clans, that would solidify his power pyeha." General Park suggests.

No! He can't! That won't sit well with my little queen.

"I will not replace Mu as the seja but I acknowledge that my 4th son would be a good back-up crown prince, provided that he will only support Mu. I did not take him back from the Kangs only to have my hand be bitten by an ungrateful son." King Taejo warns Ji Mong.

"I assure you your highness, the 4th prince's loyalty is only to the crown prince." Ji Mong answers, hiding his relief, "Now, we only need to have him marry a Hae."

Thus the 10 point decree of King Taejo was created to ensure that the 4th prince would inherit the throne if something happens to Mu but the decree will not be put into enactment until the dying days of King Taejo, two years from this timeline.

"And our problems with the Khitan, your highness?" General Park reminds King Taejo. "I will need an ambassador to handle the matter but I would prefer a soldier rather than a politician pyeha. The khitans are not someone you play words with. They are seasoned nomadic soldiers who prefer to engage in war rather than diplomacy."

"I will have it arranged first thing, when the royal assemblies resume next week." King Taejo answers concluding their meeting.

"Yie pyeha, your benevolence is of no end." General Park bows in greeting.


As the last of the spring sun for that day, graces the main gate of General Park's household, So alights his horse and seeks the general at his pavilion where he is having tea with his daughter, an occasion that bores the father and his daughter but General Park observes so Soon Deok would be force to observe her manner as a noble lady.

"Oh! So wangjanim!" Soon Deok stands from her seat, her face lighting up, seeing a way out of this tiresome tea ceremony. "Wa-geon-na. (You came.)"

General Park sighs a relief, he too can finally drop the pretense. He stands, bowing to the 4th prince. Soon Deok runs to So throwing a playful punch that So automatically dodge. She was going to throw another one when she notices the dark demeanor of the 4th prince. Well he always look scary but Soon Deok had come to recognize that demeanor as how So looks when he just came from their palace in Shinju. She observes him now, wandering if he came from Shinju today, but as far as she had heard the 4th prince had been staying in the palace since autumn of last year and had never been back to their palace up north since then.

So bows to give a formal greeting to Soon Deok and General park.

"Soon Deok-ah, leave the prince alone for now." Observing the same thing as Soon Deok did, General Park dismisses his daughter.

Soon Deok smiles at So and leaves. General Park directs the 4th prince to have a seat at the chair, his daughter had just vacated. He calls to his servant for another cup to be served. As So sits down, General Park catches a whip of that nauseating musk he had come to observe as how So smells when he just came from the palace of the Kangs.

"What brings you here wangjanim?" General Park sits in front of So, cautious.

"What's the situation in our borders up north?" So asks, as a servant pours a tea for him that he only looked at.

Reporting to So what he had already told the king, General park recounts again the problems with the Khitan and the aristocratic families but leaving the part about him becoming a back-up seja. He watches the 4th prince, examining him. He agrees with the astronomer that So would be a great king, might be even better than Mu will. "Wangjanim, may I ask you something?"

Leaning back to his chair, rigid and quiet, So nods.

General Park plays with his tea, trying to not look condescendingly, "Do you ever want to sit in that throne?"

"What good will it do me? As you've already said, it is only another cage. Why would I covet it?" So answers matter of factly. He had never thought twice of that throne unless the girl wants it, which she clearly stated that she doesn't. "I thought you wanted me to come with you?"

It is true, the general did say he'd rather have So in the field than leave him inside the palace, playing politicians with treacherous ministers but if So has a shot to that throne, he'd prefer for the 4th prince to take it than let the whole kingdom fall under an incapable king who would lead it to ruins.

He shrugs, dropping the subject for now and focus on the more pressing matter of khitans, "Yes, I need someone experienced to assess our expansion in the north, to take back the lands of fallen Goguryeo. Have you made-up your mind?"

"You said only for a few weeks?" So wishes to leave the capital while his adoptive mother is staying in Songak, wanting some time to think, away from the choking grasp of Lady Shinjuwon.

"Give or take, maybe a month?" General Park, takes the tea to his lips, drinking it.

"I'll come with you then." So answers making-up his mind.

"Why do you suddenly want to come with me? I thought you enjoy playing normalcy with your brothers inside the palace?" Putting down his cup of tea, General Park wants to know why the sudden change in So, "Does this have something to do with your adoptive mother residing in the capital these days? Is that where you disappeared? I heard the seja and his astronomer are looking everywhere for you."

So had always maintained a tight lip on what's going on inside the household of the Kangs, especially after he disappeared for six years. It is of no surprise that he doesn't say anything, when people questions him about it, even if it's the general who is asking.

"I see. I didn't expect she'd let you go that easily. Well then, if you want to leave, I'd be happy to take you with me." General Park drops the topic of So's adoptive family, seeing as he won't get anywhere with So by discussing whatever it is that he's running away from. If taking him away would help him, then he'd gladly do so. The 4th prince is no stranger to him anyway, training him since he was a kid, he is the son he never had.

Hearing the general's answer, So takes his tea, finally able to breathe after being assured that he has a place to run to. He makes his self comfortable, the exhaustion evident in his eyes.

Smiling at him, General Park offers So, his household, sensing that the 4th prince isn't keen to go home to the palace yet, "Perhaps, you'd want to stay for dinner? or the whole night? I'm sure, the astronomer and the seja could survive another night without your scowling presence."

They both stand, moving to the household's daechung to have dinner. General Park signals for a servant to approach, "Show our 4th prince to our guest room and give him a new hanbok."

He turns to the 4th prince, wanting to get rid of that nauseating musk that is coming from the him, General Park subtly says, "So wangjanim, please relax in our bath that my servant will prepare. I will have you called, when the dinner is ready."

Nodding, So leaves with the servant, walking towards the guest room.


Having the weeklong spring break over, everyone – the princes, princesses, queens and royal ministers gather neatly in a line, over at the Hoegyong Hall, to open the palace assembly. It seems every aristocratic family's representatives are present, filling the hall, reeking of money and finer things, chattering and pretending friendliness with each other. Even the Kangs of Shinju had Guen Sun attend as their representative.

In a few minutes, the meeting will start. General Park and So arrive in time before the eunuch calls order and have everyone stand in their places. The man's presence didn't go unnoticed with So or the general. Smirking at the 4th prince, Guen Sun bows, feigning politeness. So saunters at his place, in between his 3rd brother and 8th brother, not bothering to look at the man. Mu peeks beside Yo, looking every bit as irritated with So, he'll remember to scold him later for disappearing without telling him.

"Did everyone had a good week? I hope that the turn of season had brought upon a new leaf and a fresh breeze to help us meander better with our accountabilities." King Taejo smiles openly, happy to see his subjects in order and contented. He knows this accord among the aristocratic families is only as good as the first flower of this spring but he takes it anyway, glad to have some form of peace in his court even just for a few days.

"Yie pyeha!" Everyone answers in unison, all having a light mood at the moment.

"Shall we start the report over our treasury?" King Taejo ask, looking at his 3rd son, "Please tell me you didn't spent it all, throwing parties this past few days."

Smiling at his father's attempt to joke, Yo steps out of his line, "Mul-lon anibnida, pyeha (Of course not, your highness.)."

Yo proceeds to explain what he and his ministers had agreed upon. Lying effortlessly, he tells the king that everything is going according to their plan and that in a few months, the imported ceramics from their suppliers from China, will finally arrive. "I'm sure we'd be able to meet the deadline."

"Joh-da. (That's good then.)" King Taejo compliments his 3rd son, bringing a proud smile to Queen Yoo's face.

Reporting next is General Park. Since he had the problem recounted last week already, his report now is more of concise bulleted points about his plans for the expansion in the north, leaving out the problems with the aristocratic families.

"Kuerom," Addressing his sons, King Taejo asks, "are there any son of mine who would want to become an ambassador to the Khitans, up north? I wouldn't go as to say that it is safe but succeeding in the task would mean a better position in my court."

Everyone looks around, anticipating who would take the task. The four younger princes who stand in the left only look to the ground, while the other four on King Taejo's right look far ahead, all thinking. Without preamble, So move to stand beside the general.

"The 4th prince and I already had a talk pyeha, with his experience in the battlefields and his connections in the north, he would definitely be a good ambassador." General Park puts his hand over So's back, assigning him to the task.

Everyone's attention focuses on So, while Ji Mong and Mu exchange a strange look, knowing So would never want to leave the palace but he definitely look like he agreed, seeing as he stand attentively in front of the king, bowing his head and accepting the task.

What's happening? He's not meant to leave yet. What about my little queen?

Ji Mong is lost, if he was feeling like they were circling back to the original events of this lifetime a few days ago, now he's not sure again. The 4th prince leaving is definitely not part of this timeline.

What am I not seeing? Damn it!

What are you hiding my prince?

Feeling like his coming down with a migraine, Ji Mong's face turns darker with frustration.

"Pyeha, if I may speak," Jung breaks away in his line, kneeling in front of the king, surprising everyone.

Baek-Ah moves to stop Jung, but his hand only grasp at the space where Jung was standing beside him a while ago.

Queen Yoo looks from Jung to Yo, a silent baffled question crosses her face. Yo could only return the confused look.

"Yes my son?" King Taejo answers, looking interested.

"As you have very well known, I have asked to be put in training under my 4th brother and training me well, he did." Jung tries not to fidget, "May I ask if I could come away with him this time too. I'd like to see the fields first hand and apply what I have learned so far."

So turns to his 14th brother, wanting to stop him, "Jung-ah."

An unexpected smile forms in King Taejo's face, cutting on So's sentence, he answers "Johda (That goods!), I'm sure your 4th brother would be glad to show you the ropes."

King Taejo consents at Jung's request, recognizing the courage and ambition behind his 14th son's bold move. He's been seeing changes among his sons lately, he wonders if they are starting to fill in the shoes they were meant to walk.

General Park could only exchange look with the 4th prince. He doesn't mind taking the two princes with him but So had made it clear, he doesn't want his youngest brother in the fields. Though, at least he's assured that the 4th prince will not be pulling any reckless move in him, now that he has someone to protect.


After the palace meeting, So disappeared as fast as he can not wanting to have a talk with his first brother. Mu was eyeing him with daggers a while ago after he volunteered to leave with the general. He's sure, the seja is imagining a hundred ways to kill him at the moment. He feels comforted to know that at least someone had looked for him when he disappeared or if he ever disappears again. He'd like to welcome the concern but with the grasp of his adoptive family extending inside the palace, any concern for him is a weakness. Thus, he chooses to leave instead.

In front of him, coming his way is his birth mother and his 3rd and 14th brother. All three look every bit the family So longs to belong to. Queen Yoo is scolding Jung for having volunteered to a dangerous mission with the general but she doesn't look angry or scowling. There are etches of concern and tenderness lining in her face, an expression he never saw her use on him. He stops, unable to help but watch. Queen Yoo tousles Jung's hair affectionately while while Yo puts his arms around his brother's neck, playfully choking him. Trying to push Yo away, Jung looks up to see his 4th brother, watching them.

"Hyungnim!" Jung calls out to So.

Still standing on his spot, caught, So wanted to turn around or be swallowed by the ground. He should have left the moment he spot them, now his family looks at him too.

Touching Yo, by the arms, Queen Yoo addresses his 2nd son,"Yo wangja, why don't you take your brother with you and have my court ladies prepare our lunch. I'll follow you afterwards."

"Let's invite my 4th brother eomonim, it would be nice to have family lunch with all of us present." Jung innocently asks his mother, smiling at So.

Queen Yoo fakes a sweet smile for his youngest son, "Let me talk to the 4th prince first. I'll invite him myself."

Taking Jung by the arm, Yo leaves with Jung, whose bowing and greeting to So.

The moment his two sons are out of earshot, Queen Yoo drops the pretence and saunters towards the 4th prince, annoyance evident in her eyes. So steps back, shivering from the cold glare his birth mother is giving him.

"Whatever is running in that mad head of yours. Why would you take my youngest son with you? Don't you think he's too young to be sent in the fields." Queen Yoo doesn't bother to hide her misplaced anger.

So could only hang his head bowed, too hurt to defend his self. With his adoptive mother lingering presence around him, whatever normalcy and freedom he had established for his self this past few months, crumbled with just a wave of her hand. Thus, standing before his birth mother, So long to be cared for even just a little, even just for today. He'd take a scrap, no, an ounce of anything that resembles affection that his birth mother would throw his way but to his dismay, his birth mother is still as unmovable and as insensitive as she can be. She couldn't care less with what So is going through.

"If something happens to Jung, I will never forgive you." Warning the 4th prince, Queen Yoo turns her back on So, no intention of extending the invitation that Jung was offering his 4th brother a while ago.

Not ready to let his mother leave just yet, still hoping, So appeals to his mother, his tone pleading, "Eomonim, can't you…"

Stopping at the 4th prince's appeal, Queen Yoo cuts So's sentence, "You are not my son, do not address me with such familiarity again."

She continues walking away, leaving a disappointed So at her wake. Every word of hers is a solid blow to So that batters his already exhausted soul. He sways, leaning on the wall and sliding to the ground, his legs no longer able to support his sagging form.


As the clear sky and bright sun, shines through the seja's library, Ha Jin can be seen standing beside a window, leaning into a shelf. She holds a book in her hand, trying to stitch a sentence out of the many unfamiliar characters of hanja.

So arrives at the library, his demeanor a stark contrast with the sunrays that are playing softly in the shelves and on the floor. His eyes automatically seeks for his warmth, his comfort, his Hae Soo. He finds her in between the shelves, pacing with her head glued to her book. She hadn't notice him yet.

Silently, like a ghost of a person he is at the moment, he approaches Hae Soo, whose now facing towards the window with all the sun rays falling softly all over her, a warm welcoming sight to behold. He walks to her and suddenly puts his arms around her, embracing her.

Ha Jin jumps at her feet, surprised to be hugged by someone from the back. Her book falls to the ground as she tries to see whose arm is encircling her.

"Ka-man iss-eo. Jebal, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-jwo-yo. (Stay still. Please, just a few seconds.)" So asks, his rough voice dripping with plead.

Ha Jin stills, recognizing the 4th prince, "So wangjanim?"

"Hmmm." So nods.

Ha Jin was going to uncrossed his arms when she felt So, trembling behind her, in spite of the comfortable temperature that the spring had brought around them. Confused, she doesn't know how to react.

So rests the side of his face on her shoulders, saying nothing, only holding her. Ha Jin naturally brushes her hair out of the shoulder where So is resting, putting it to the other side so it won't get in the way, unconsciously baring her neck to him. The movement jostles So, lifting his head for a second but comes back to resting it on her skin, now bare, as soon as it was cleared, basking in her smell and warmth.

Sensing that something is wrong Ha Jin asks in banmal, "So-ya, what's wrong?"

So doesn't answer. Ha Jin's next question dies in her throat as she feels So's tears, falling into her skin, sliding down her neck, soaking the upper back of her jeogori. Feeling him shiver, Ha Jin pulls at his arms, tightening it around her waist. She'd like to reach out on his head, pat those tears that are burdening him but she can only stay still, the way he pleaded her to do so. His weight falters at her and Ha Jin takes the burden welcomingly. She lets him rest on her back, waiting for him. Stroking his arms, Ha Jin quietly consoles him, letting her touch wash over him.

When So finally lifts his head and loosens his hold on her a little, Ha Jin didn't bother to turn around and just pull So out of the library, cutting classes for the day. Holding his hand, she leads him to the Donji lake, to the boat he so loved.

When they arrived under the Tangerine trees, Ha Jin reluctantly test his tied boat, putting her foot into it and tapping at its floor. When it seemed alright and she didn't get any rebuffs from So, she steps fully at the boat and takes So with her. She sits at one side of it while So chooses to lie down with his head on her lap, too tired to do anything. They didn't take the boat at the middle of the lake. They only stayed there, with the movement of the boat cradling both of them.

Ha Jin brushes So's hair out of his mask and wipes his cheeks dry with the sleeves of her jeogori. Softly, she laces her hands on his hair, brushing it and tying it neatly into a bun. She had meant to fix his appearance but her touches do more than that to So, it fixes the damage boy that he is, picking up pieces of him and putting it back together. Her care, a light that shines on So's dark world.

Staying at the boat until the sun dips low in the sky, So relaxes enough to quietly say, "I'm leaving for a few weeks."

His voice was too low that if Hae Soo isn't focus on him, she wouldn't have caught it, "Waeyo?"

"I have some things to do in our borders." So explains, conveniently leaving out the part that he volunteered for it.

"I see. Will I see you before you leave?" Ha Jin carefully strokes the side of his face.

"Do you want to see me before I leave?" So returns the question, hoping she does.

"Ne. Na reul man-na-ji anh-go ddeo-na-ji ma-ra, (Please don't leave without seeing me.)" Ha Jin answers thinking about her gift that she decided not to give because So annoyed her last week.

"Alright." So relents looking forward to meeting her one last time before leaving.

He captures her hand that is stroking the side of his face and stills it at his cheek, melting on it. Turning to his side completely, he makes a pillow out of her hand. He closes his eyes and sleeps, letting Hae Soo guard him and chase the nightmares away.


It is well into the night when So fetches Hae Soo home. Riding his horse to his 8th brother's compound, Hae Soo sits in front of him with one of his arm encircled at her waist, pulling her to his chest, touching her as much as he can to memorize the feel of her in his arms, taking the memory with him when he leaves.

Hae Soo regales So with a story about her first experience with archery the other day. She was embarrassed to share it but she tells him anyway, entertaining him and putting a chuckle on his throat.

They were both too busy with laughing that when they pass the main gate of Hae Soo's compound, they didn't notice Chae Ryung, worriedly signaling something to her lady.

As they enter the courtyard, So finally looks around, noticing that the whole compound is too busy and alive at this time of the night. The servants are everywhere, the quarters and the courtyard lighted, his brothers; 10th, 13th and 14th all present, gathered around Myung Hee, while his 8th brother stands waiting at the landing of the courtyard. His arms folded against his chest, sporting an angry irritated look.

So stops his horse in front of Wook, greeting him with a nod. Ha Jin finally catches up with the mood around their compound and abruptly stops laughing. She glances at Baek-Ah signalling that she is 'so dead'. In her haste to leave the library with So, they both forgot about the time, disappearing the whole day and well into the night too.

"Annyeong haseyo hyungnim." Wook politely greets his 4th brother, his eyes moving to his 4th brother's arm over Hae Soo afterwards.

Chewing her lips and bracing herself for a good scolding, Ha Jin tries to go down from the horse awkwardly but So tightens his arms around him possessively. The gesture not lost to anyone but Ha Jin.

Myung Hee walks to stand beside the 8th prince with the three princes following behind her. She greets the 4th prince with a polite smile,

"So wangjanim, was our Hae Soo with you all this time? Forgive us, we were so worried when Wook wangja didn't find her after your class." Turning to Hae Soo, "Hae Soo-ya, why don't you come down already and come away with me, have you both had dinner already?"

Stepping forward to help Hae Soo down, Baek-ah gives his greetings too and touches Hae Soo's arm. So comes down of his horse instead. Blocking Baek-Ah, he holds Hae Soo on both sides of her waist and helps her down the horse. Fidgeting on her feet once she gets down on the horse, Ha Jin hangs her head embarrassed for causing trouble again.

"Have Hae Soo fetched in her quarters," Wook addresses Baek-Ah.

"Yie hyungnim," Baek Ah answers.

Myung Hee holds Hae Soo by the wrist and pulls her away as politely as she can in front of the 4th prince. Ha jin thanks So and leave with everyone. Glancing at So and grimacing once So caught her eye. She mouths an apology as she is taken away.

"Hyungnim where did you take our Hae Soo?" Wook asks as soon as everyone is out of earshot. "Her cousin doesn't allow her to wander around the palace so we would appreciate it, if you will never do that again."

"Don't give her a hard time, I'm the one who took her away," So lies. Hae Soo did informed, him that she's not allowed to go anywhere other than the seja's study chambers.

"Don't take her against her wishes again." Wook gives out a warning. he bows to give his greeting, remembering his manners before walking away.

"She didn't exactly protested." So answers matter of factly, not in the mood to be polite.

Wook turns back to So, "Of course she wouldn't!" momentarily losing his composure, "She wouldn't be able to protest even if she wants to because you're a prince. She'd be put to death if she so much as utter a single word of refusal."

So understands where Wook is coming from. With the power his status carry, an orphan noble girl like Hae Soo wouldn't be able to say no to him even if she doesn't want to but Hae Soo is different. Hae Soo always comes to him willingly, even so far as the one who took him away this time.

"I would never hurt her." meeting his 8th brother's eyes, So sincerely tells Wook what Hae Soo means to him, briefly letting Wook see a different side of him but he puts his guard up as soon as a surprise expression shows on Wook's face, catching his self making a mistake.

Surprise is not the only emotion passing in Wook at that instant. Worry, dislike and something akin to jealousy simmers in him. His 4th brother definitely will not hurt Hae Soo but Wook is starting to feel an irrational animosity towards him especially when he saw his arms around Hae Soo. It wasn't just a simple hold, he didn't miss the possessiveness in his touch.

"If you're leaving, then leave. Stop leading my wife's cousin. The two of you going to classes and disappearing together already drew too much attention to Hae Soo. What if it catches the queen's attention, do you think Hae Soo will be safe? You wouldn't even be here to protect her." Wook holds back his anger, shaking from the effort.

More than his birth mother, So is more worried with what his adoptive mother would do to Hae Soo, "Yes I am leaving, so you don't have to worry if I will bring her misfortune. I only wish her to be safe. Please protect her."

So asks his 8th brother a favor, unaware of Wook's deepening feelings for Hae Soo.

"Of course I will. You need not ask." Wook answers, his expression, as guarded as So's. "She is of my household."

And Wook is determined to keep it that way.


The only thing that is keeping Myung Hee from scolding Hae Soo right now, is the three princes following them. She is really angry that Hae Soo left without telling anyone, a mother worried for her child.

"Where have you been?" Myung Hee starts, as she walk beside Hae Soo

Ha Jin bows her head and clasp her hand together, anxiously rubbing it. She doesn't have an answer for that. Whatever happened a while ago, is So's privacy. She intends to be quiet about it even though So never asked her to keep it a secret.

"Did my brother forced you to come with him?" Baek-Ah asks, standing at Hae Soo's other side.

"Aniya, jjinjja aniya," Ha Jin vehemently denies it but it's the only thing that she can say, "I went on my own."

"Then where did you both go?!" Myung Hee asks again, exasperated. "I thought I made it clear, you are not allowed to wander around the palace?"

They all reached Hae Soo's quarter and Ha Jin is itching to open her door and disappear inside, wanting to escape her cousin's anger. She bows her head in apology instead.

"Ei Myung Hee-ssi, gwaenchana, my 4th brother is quite scary so it is understandable that Hae Soo might be too afraid to say anything. Why don't we let her rest for the night." Jung comes forward to defend Hae Soo, worried that his Hae Soo might just be too shaken to say anything.

Hae Soo lifts her eyes to meet Jung's, uncomfortable to take the excuse Jung had given her. Jung smiles at her, signaling that it's alright if she takes it.

"Kuere, our 4th brother is really intimidating." Eun also comes to Hae Soo's defense, he turns to her and say "I hope he didn't scared you that much."

With everyone thinking that Hae Soo was forced by So to come with him, Ha Jin escapes Myung Hee's scolding at the moment.

"Is that so?" Myung Hee asks, looking pointedly at Hae Soo.

Ha Jin wanted to tell them it was her who took So away and not the other way around but being honest would entail revealing So's secret too so she shuts her mouth and fidgets on her feet, waiting to be dismissed.

Mulling over what the princes had just said about their 4th brother, Myung Hee agrees and drops her scolding for now. They all seem to think that Hae Soo simply went with So because she had no choice in the matter.

"Alright, go and rest now. Let's talk in the morning." Myung Hee dismisses Hae Soo, her expression softening.

"Yie unnie." Ha Jin automatically answers and greets everyone good night, opening her door and disappearing inside her quarters as fast as she can.


Late that night, Ha Jin waits for everyone to fall asleep and leaves her room, intending to get supplies in their storage room. She couldn't fall asleep and decided to make her gift for So instead. As she steps into her foyer, she sees Jung sitting at the balustrade with his head leaning in the post. It seems, she keeps seeing Jung lately around her quarters.

"Jung wangjanim," Ha Jin shakes Jung awake.

At the sound of his name being called, Jung opens his eyes and sees Hae Soo beside him, "Oh, Hae Soo-ya!"

"What are you doing here at this time of the night?" Ha Jin asks leaning at the balustrade.

"Kuenyang," Jung shrugs glancing at Hae Soo, "Why are you up at this time of the night?"

"I couldn't sleep so I thought of making soaps. Do you want to come with me? I'm going to our storage room to get some ingredients." Ha Jin invites Jung to take a walk with her.

Going down the balustrade, Jung answers, "Kue-reol kka-yo? (Shall we?)"

They leave for the storage room, walking side by side.

"Na neun, myeoch-ju dong-an ddeo-nan-da (I'm leaving for a few weeks.)" Jung tells Hae Soo as they reach the storage room.

Ha Jin glances back at Jung, stopping in front of the door, "Neo-do ddeo-nan-ta-go? (You're also leaving?) It seems everyone is leaving these days."

A puzzled expression fleets on Jung's face, "Everyone?"

Ha Jin nods, "So wangjanim told me he's going to stay in the north for a few weeks. Are you coming with him?"

"Ah so my brother told you already. Ne, I'll be coming with him." Jung confirms Hae Soo's question, opening the door for her.

Ha Jin steps inside the storage room, bringing her lantern in front of her. "What are you both going to do there?"

Following behind Hae Soo, Jung answers, "Official business for the royal family."

"I see." Nodding, Ha Jin stands in front of the medicinal herbs that the 8th prince had given her, looking for something, "It's not dangerous is it?"

Standing beside Hae Soo, Jung shrugs not wanting to worry her.

"Please take care of yourself then." Ha Jin smiles at Jung so openly, catching him off guard. When she smiles like this, his heart can't help but skip a beat on his chest.

Ha Jin turns back to the boxes, looking for oranges and lime, the same ingredients she used to make the soap she's using right now. "What fragrance do you like Jung wangjanim?"

"Na? (Me?)" Jung asks, remembering Hae Soo's favorite flower, he automatically answers, "Lemony citrus scent, the one coming from your favorite flower."

Ha Jin freezes, her hand hovering above dried orange peels.

My favorite flower?

Ah Hae Soo's favorite flower! Jam-kkan! Hae Soo's favourite flower is also Mokran?

"You mean Mokran?" Ha Jin looks back to Jung, the mention of the fragrance naturally makes her think of the girl who brings her prince the same flowers.

"Ne, it grows beside your shrine during summers." Jung smiles, recalling what Myung Hee told him about the shrine, the daughter of the moon and his Hae Soo.

"Mwo rago?! (What did you just said?) It grows in our shrine here?" Ha Jin repeats.

So I don't need to go to the lake to see it?

"Are you familiar with it?" Ha Jin asks, her attention focused on Jung now.

"Ne, it also grows around our courtyard in our clan's household up north. Do you want to see it? I can take you up there when summer comes"

After Myung Hee told Jung about the flower, he started researching bout it, asking his court ladies, even his mother. It turns out, it really is a common flower during summers, one that he didn't payed attention to, before. He now remembers it as those fragrant shrubs that blossom in their household up north.

"Ah kuereyo? Do you also know of a lake surrounded with those flowers?" Ha Jin ask, wanting to finally see the lake that So talked about.

"Lake?" Jung thinks about it for a second.

"So wangjanim says there's a lake like that up in the north." Ha Jin recalls her conversation with So.

"Hmmm… I haven't really stayed in the north for too long. I usually go there to visit my clan every once in a while but I'll look for that lake when I leave for the north with my brother." Jung answers not wanting to disappoint her.

"Kuere? Do you mind writing to me about it? I'd like to know more about the place" Ha Jin answers nonchalantly, still lost inside the memories of the dream.

"I sure will." Jung assures her, looking forward to exchanging letters with his Hae Soo.

Ha Jin goes back into picking her herbs, taking ingredients that would resemble almost the same smell of the flower that So likes. Jung watches her, wishing he'd also get one of those soaps that Hae Soo meticulously crafts.

Done with picking her herbs, Ha Jin turns in the direction of the door to leave. As she takes a step forward, Jung catches her arm, stopping her.

"Waeyo wangjanim? Museun... (What's...?)" Ha Jin wasn't able to finish her sentence as Jung pulls her to his chest and embrace her tightly from the back.

There are moments like these when Jung slips out of his careful distancing from Hae Soo and lets his self be close to her. Ha Jin had learned to stay still and just let Jung puts his arm around her, the only consolation she could give him.

"Please always take care of yourself and stay out of trouble while I'm gone. Don't get sick and always be happy." Jung tells her, resting the side of his face beside her head.

Ha Jin turns a little so she could look at Jung. She touches her cheek and tells him, "Kueromyo! I hope you keep yourself healthy too and always, haem-bok-hae (be happy.)"

She smiles for Jung as Jung brushes her hair out of her shoulder and plants a chaste kiss on her clavicle, making her feel uncomfortable. An unwelcome blush spreads on her neck as Jung rest his forehead on her shoulder, holding her for a few more seconds before releasing her and they start walking back to her quarters.


A few days later, the general's party gathers in the courtyard in front of the main gate. So stands with Ji Mong and Mu, still not done with scolding him for the last few days. General Park and Soon Deok approaches them, making small talk.

At the other side of the courtyard, not far from them is Jung being showered with attention by the queen and his 3rd brother. Queen Yoo fuzzes over Jung's hanbok while Yo happily tousles his hair.

So looks over at them, every bit envious of his 14th brother being spoiled by their mother. This doesn't escape Mu's notice so he stands in front of So blocking his view. He arranges his jeogori, patting and smoothing it, doing the same thing that Queen Yoo is doing for Jung.

Entering the courtyard with Baek-Ah, is Hae Soo carrying a small silk box that she hastily hides in her sleeves. They pass over So with both of them bowing to give greetings to the seja. So follows Hae Soo with his eyes, expecting but the two didn't stop and continued walking over a few meters near Jung.

Jung had pleaded his 13th brother to accompany Hae Soo to the courtyard so he could meet her one last time. Seeing them coming over, Jung leaves the comfort of his family and meet Hae Soo and Baek-Ah halfway, with the two bowing and greeting to the queen and the third prince. He leads them away, farther from his family.

"Ya! You better come back after a few weeks or I'm going to go there and drag you back here. Al-gess-seub-ni-kka? (Do you understand?)" Baek-Ah slaps Jung's arms playfully.

"Kuereomyo! I could never stay away." Jung answers looking at Hae Soo.

"You better be safe, alright?" Ha Jin wishes Jung a safe trip too. They have already said their goodbyes the other night so Ha Jin's head is wrap around So, thinking how she could approach him with all these people present.

Ji Mong and Mu watches So and Hae Soo looking at each other, sensing that the two badly wants to talk before So leaves.

With a playful smirk spreading at his face, Mu calls for Hae Soo, cutting short her meeting with Jung. Ha Jin secretly releases a sigh, finding an excuse to approach So but she thinks twice, seeing the astronomer beside So. Luckily, Ji Mong leads General Park and Soon Deok away, creating space around So.

Ha Jin comes over as soon as Ji Mong leads the unfamiliar people away. She bows, greeting Mu and So.

"Chal chi-naess-eo Hae Soo-ya? (How are you?)" Mu makes a small talk looking from Hae Soo to So.

"Chal chi-nae-go iss-eo-yo wangsejanim (I'm doing well your highness)." Hae Soo answers smiling brightly.

Meeting eyes with So, Mu finds an excuse to leave, "Jam-kkan-man-yo Hae Soo-ya, I need to talk to the general, please stay with my 4th brother for a while."

Mu walks away hiding his mischievous smile.

With the two of them left alone in an open courtyard, Hae Soo and So suddenly feels awkward standing together, aware that a few people are watching them have a conversation. Hae Soo steps to her side, turning her back from their audience.

She takes out the small box she had hastily stashed in her sleeves and trust it in front of So, "I-geo seon-mul-i-ye-yo. (A gift, for you.)"

Except for the new masks he gets from his father every year and the gifts he got before he was adopted, So seldom receives gifts, especially not from a girl.

"Seon-mul-i-ye-yo? (A gift?)" So repeats, not sure if he heard it correctly.

Ha Jin nods, still offering the box to So. She looks away, a blush spreading in her cheeks, "I've never got to say thank you for saving me in the cliff… I mean… for pulling me… out of the water…"

She chews at her lips, the memory making her conscious of So's proximity to her, "It must… have been… freezing cold… Kamsahabnida."

The memory of what happened under the water comes back to So vividly, spreading a light blush on his cheeks too. He swallows, looking over at Hae Soo chewing her lips. He wanders if she is also remembering it at the moment.

Unable to stand the waiting, Ha Jin takes So's hand and puts her gift in it. "Take it!"

So steps to where Hae Soo is reversing their position, he now stands with his back to their audience, hiding Hae Soo through his tall and well-built physique. With their position affording them a little privacy, So finally smiles, Hae Soo's favorite smile. He brings the box closer to his face inspecting it, he notices the smell coming from it. It smells like Hae Soo, orangy and zesty with a hint of sweet-mint. He opens it curious.

"Oh!" The confusion on So's face is too apparent.

Inside the box is a rectangle solid shape thing, translucent and peppered with orange and green dots. Around it is a ribbon, carefully tied. So had never seen something like it before, confused he asked "I–ge mwo-ya? (What's this?)"

"Binu! (Soap!)." Ha Jin proceeds to explain what her gift is.

"Ah keureyo?" So nods, lifting the soap out of its box to smell it. Inhaling the scent helps So memorize this very moment.

Seeing as the 4th prince still sports a puzzled look, Ha Jin asks, "Waeyo? Silh-eo-hae-yo? (What's the matter? You don't like it?) I'm sorry it doesn't smell like the flower you like, but it's close to it. And oh! if you bring me that flower, I'm sure I'd be able to capture its fragrance and turn it to one of these."

Ha Jin rumbles, embarrassed that her gift doesn't have it's intended effect on So.

It's not that So doesn't like the gift, he just expected a different one. "Ani… I just thought …you'd… give me a… poem and… a lock of your hair… You know…"

"Poem? Jinjja? I've never thought you'd enjoy something like that." Unfamiliar with the customs of giving a lock of hair and a poem to a leaving lover, Ha Jin doesn't understand what So is insinuating. Hurt that So seemed to not like it, Ha Jin tells So "Kuerom, I'll take it back if you don't want it."

Ha Jin swipes her gift from So's hand but So's reflex is naturally fast, he takes it out of her reach before she can touch it, "Aniya! I never said I don't like it. Why would you take back what you have already given."

So makes as tsk tsk tsk sound, reprimanding Hae Soo.

"Ma-eum-e due-se-yo? (Do you like it then?)" Ha Jin asks pouting her lips. She looks like she's about to throw a tantrum if So doesn't like it.

Amused at Hae Soo, So proceeds to tease her, "Manh-i joh-a-ni-kka (I really like it.) Don't ever think of taking it back again. Nae-kkeo-ya, mo-du nae-kkeo-ya! (It's mine, all mine.)"

Seeing the 4th prince look like a kid protecting his toy, Ha Jin chuckles, feeling light. "Araseo, araseo!"

"So wangjanim, please wrap it up, we're leaving in a few." General Park calls to So, reminding him of the time.

Mu and Ji Mong would like nothing but to hit the insensitive general for his remark but the two is truly garnering quite an attention already. It's time for them to say their goodbyes.

Queen Yoo and Yo had been watching the exchange from the time Hae Soo approached So. Although they can't hear what the conversation is all about, Queen Yoo had already asked Yo, one too many questions about the girl whom So is talking to.

Jung and Baek-Ah are lightly exchanging banters but their attention is not in it. They're both closely watching Hae Soo and So, not missing the box that Hae Soo had given their 4th brother. Jung can't help but wonder if Hae Soo and So are that close for Hae Soo to be giving a gift. Even he didn't get one.

Glancing to where his name is being called, So nods at the general and turns back to Hae Soo, "Keureom, I shall leave now. Please take care. Stay out of trouble. Don't drown again. Don't get sick. Alright?!"

"Yie, you too, So wangjanim. Please take care." Ha Jin answers becoming awkward with So the moment she became aware again of people watching them.

"Kuereom…" So looks at Hae Soo, badly wanting to touch her and feel her warmth one last time but with eyes watching them, he settles with giving her his smile, memorizing how she looks. He turns to leave.

"So wangjanim!" Ha Jin calls out, chewing her lips again.

So turns back to Hae Soo, in time to hear her say, "Come home…"

Fidgeting in her feet, Ha Jin doesn't know why she's saying those words, only that she doesn't want to be parted from So. She takes a deep breathe, gathering her confidence and smiling, "Come home… to me… safely."

So's face softens upon hearing Hae Soo's words.

Home. She is home. His home. He doesn't know when it happened, when it all started but Hae Soo had truly become his shelter, his comfort, his little pillar of strength. When he looks at her, he doesn't understand how this small girl could light up his dark world or carry him on his vulnerable moments. All he knows is that under her touch, he becomes whole. With her light, he is no longer lost. In her strength, he can weather anything.

For a second So forgot why he's running away. It seems it's a stupid choice to leave when he finally found his place in her but then he remembers he can't protect that shining smile of hers right now. He needs to gather power and earn a higher position in the palace if he wants to keep her.

He answers her with a promise instead. "Always."

The end


Editor's note:

Hey everyone! I'm taking a three-week hiatus starting next week since I'm leaving with So wangjanim, joke! Kidding aside, I will be out of the country for three weeks. I don't think I would be able to write. Cheongmal mianhaeyo. For the meantime, I'll be updating this story at the other site so when I come back, everyone will be on the same page.

Anyway about the story. One. I can feel Ji Mong's frustration of trying to get Hae Soo and So together. Heol!

Two. Lady Shinjuwon is really scary. Queen Yoo is like a child's play compared to Lady Shinjuwon. Her sequence is always the hardest to write.

Three. Now that our OTP is temporary apart, I guess we'll be seeing more of the daughter of the moon and her prince instead?

Thanks for keeping up with me. 수고했어요!