Hello, I know I promised in the preview that it would be about Eun making So reveal his scar and the festival but apparently there's one whole chapter before that so mianhaeyo.


Chapter 33:

One morning inside the Damiwon, the three apprentices, kneeling with their folded legs underneath their thighs, are struggling not to fall asleep in front of their low table as Lady Oh teaches them the importance of the ritual of bathing for the Spiritual Cleansing Ritual. Since they only have two months to prepare, Lady Oh orients the apprentices on what are their chores for the festival.

"Hae Soo Ssi, could you read the next paragraph from your book?" Lady Oh holds her own copy of Myeobeop Yeonhwa Gyeong (Lotus Sutra) (1) pacing in front of the three.

Ha Jin is in the middle of yawning when Lady Oh addresses her. She quickly covers her mouth and takes her book in her hand to read,

Anoint your body with fragrant oil

After having washed away all dust and dirt,

And put on a fresh, clean robe,

So that you are clean both within and without.

Lady Oh stops in front of Soon Deok,"And what is the importance of having a purified body and mind Park Soon Deok Ssi?"

Soon Deok is ready to collapse anytime. Though she is kneeling attentively her eyes are fluttering to a close every a few minutes.

"Park Soon Deok Ssi!"

"Huh?" Soon Deok snaps out of her dream state upon hearing her name being addressed.

"It creates an insightful strengthening and purifying energy in our body that help us commune with our spiritual self and the world." Woo Hee answers for Soon Deok.

"What are you three doing late into the night that you seem to be dozing off always in the morning?" Lady Oh reprimands her three apprentices for not paying attention to their lessons. "Do you go out of your rooms after lights out?"

It's not that the apprentices are doing anything or staying awake well into the night, the three of them had just been busy with a lot of chores lately that they are all exhausted. And the cold rainy weather is not helping.

"Later on, I will teach you how to prepare the bath in the pool and the proper manners to welcome the princes in their bath. The three of you better pay attention well or I will punish all of you. Algessniya?"

"Yie Oh Sanggun" The three answers as attentively as they can so as not to extend their class any further. They can't wait to take a break for lunch.


Geun Sun knocks by Lady Shinjuwon's door to let her know that the servant she had called upon had already arrived. The servant stands behind him, trembling and keeping her head bowed.

It would take a few knocks before Lady Shinjuwon awakes from the heady effect of the berry she and So had shared. She had trained So to take a poison to make his body resilient to it. Starting with a little dose and increasing it as time pass by. She too, had experimented with the poison in her garden, trying it together with the 4th prince. It seemed they had taken too many doses the past two days that the effect on both of them had made them passed out on her bed numbed and trapped in a dreadful hallucinations.

She stands naked, taking her robe beside her bed. Swaying, she walks to her table and reaches for a glass of water, her mouth dry, her heart palpitating. She shakes her head, feeling better as the water passes in her throat. She pours herself another glass and drinks once more. Putting herself in order, she ties her robe and opens her door wide, seeing Geun Sun and the servant behind him. She almost forgot that she had called upon this particular servant, her spy inside the 8th prince household.

"Ah Chae Ryung-ah, why did it take you…" Lady Shinjuwon glances at Guen Sun addressing him, "What day is it now?"

"It's been two days my lady and you are due to appear at the court already." Guen Sun answers keeping his head bowed.

Chae Ryung mistakenly looks up when Lady Shinjuwon addressed her and sees beyond Lady Shinjuwon. Her sight reaching inside the room and found someone lying at the lady's bed, naked chest up with a blanket covering the lower part of his body. With a dark see through gauze curtain around the bed, Chae Ryung could only see a form of a man but not able to discern who it is. She quickly lowers her eyes, shocked with what she just saw. She tenses, her mind unable to unsee what she just witnessed. Guen Sun automatically steps in front of her, blocking her line of sight.

"I… I… saw… nothing… please… I swear… I saw nothing… sungohabnida Shinjuwon Soyong." Chae Ryung falls to her knees begging.

Lady Shinjuwon laughs, that irritating maniacal laugh of her, waking So in her bed.

As So's consciousness comes back to him, he becomes aware of the scene happening by the door. He tenses and stays still, trusting that the see through dark screen is hiding him well. He can hear Guen Sun and Lady Shinjuwon's voice plus another familiar one but with his head still throbbing, he couldn't think properly.

"My child, look at me."

The last time Lady Shinjuwon commanded Chae Ryung to look at her, Lady Shinjuwon had slapped her hard, cutting her cheek with the ring she was wearing. Chae Ryung doesn't want to lift her eyes but it's a command. She braces herself for the slapped that is sure to come.

Nothing.

"Do you want to look?" Lady Shinjuwon steps aside, revealing the inside of her room.

Guen Sun panics. Lady Shinjuwon is a king's consort, she would be put into death if someone finds out she's harboring a man in her bed but he knows well not to meddle with what his mistress wants.

So stays still, even controlling his breathing. He too is lost as to why Lady Shinjuwon would willingly reveal him to a servant.

"Anibnida, sungohabnida, jebal." Chae Ryung pleads once more, never taking her eyes off the floor.

"Such a disappointment. Tsk. tsk. tsk. You would have recognize him if you look." Lady Shinjuwon closes the door behind her back. "Guen Sun-i, draw me a cold bath. I'll meet the servant at our Daechung afterwards. We don't want to disturb the guest inside my room."

"Yie, my lady."

Lady Shinjuwon comes back inside her room.

Guen Sun pulls Chae Ryung from the floor and drags her with him.

"You will not speak a word of this to anyone." Guen Sun reminds Chae Ryung, "or I swear by the thrones, your sister and your mother will suffer a fate worse than death."

But he need not worry about it, Chae Ryung had agreed to become a spy for them, for as long as her family is kept safe and fed. She was deposited at the Daechung while Guen Sun comes back to his mistress' quarters to prepare her bath.

As he fills the wooden tub with water, Lady Shinjuwon enters her bathroom and steps inside the tub, discarding off her robe in the floor unceremoniously. Guen Sun stands by the door his back turned from her.

"My lady if I may ask?" Guen Sun tentatively inquires for permission,

"Hmmmm…?"

"Why would you let the child see you and the 4th prince? We don't know where her loyalty lies." Guen Sun maintains a monotone voice. "What if she speaks of it to someone?"

"Her loyalty lies in her family, isn't obvious?" Lady Shinjuwon reclines her back to the tub, closing her eyes to relax.

"I know but the servant is close to Lady Hae Soo, what if she slips?" Guen Sun voices his worry.

"Then good for her. She should warn her mistress of what kind of a man the 4th prince is." Lady Shinjuwon gauges how deep can she drive a wedge in between Hae Soo and the 4th prince. What she doesn't know is that as easy as for her to manipulate Chae Ryung, then so is the 9th prince. Revealing the secret to Chae Ryung means unknowingly revealing it to Won too, and in extension to Yo and the queen.

Lady Shinjuwon glances at Guen Sun's back, "Why is the girl not afraid of my son? Is she stupid or is she blind?"

It's a mystery to them why Hae Soo is so welcoming of the 4th prince. It bothers Lady Shinjuwon that Hae Soo is making So cares, something she had tried to extinguish in him. She thought, she had So brought-up well, her puppet and toy. It's the first time she saw the 4th prince wanted something so bad that he willingly walked in her den and made a deal with her.

"I have heard Lady Hae Soo freely cares, thus people around her easily mistakes her affection for something else."

"Is my son mistaking her affection for him then?"

"It might be that way but I have no idea." Guen Sun wonders too, "Though the servant said, Lady Hae Soo used to meet the 14th prince before her drowning."

Lady Shinjuwon finds the whole situation humorous, mistaking Hae Soo is in love with the 14th prince, "My poor son, did he really thought the girl would love him? I guess their marriage won't be as happy as he hope it would be."

Underestimating the bond between So and Hae Soo, Lady Shinjuwon makes her first mistake.

"Ah… my lady, the horse, provisions and your servants are all been prepared, we can leave anytime, just give the command. Kuende are we really leaving for the north and giving the 4th prince all the control?" Guen Sun is against his mistress' hasty decision.

Lady Shinjuwon laughs, "Let my son play on his own for a while. I have him leashed well. Don't worry."

And that would be her second mistake.


Under the tree, behind the apprentices' quarters, Ha Jin meets Baek-Ah on their nightly meetings. They had limited their hanging out to only once a week after Lady Oh told Hae Soo that she knows about their secret meetings.

Tonight, Baek-Ah is too agitated to wait for their usual day to come. He had just visited Myung Hee and found out about Hae Soo's betrothal to his 8th brother.

"Gwaenchanhayo?" Baek-Ah embraces Hae Soo the moment she appears.

Ha Jin lets herself be comforted at Baek-Ah's arms.

"I'm sorry to hear about your engagement. Believe me, Myung Hee never intended for you to marry my 8th brother. I think she's under a lot of pressure to provide an heir, seeing as she…" Baek-Ah couldn't bring himself to talk about the miscarriage.

"Gwaenchanha." For lack of anything better to say, Ha Jin feigns normality.

They sit by the roots of the tree with Ha Jin hugging her folded legs as usual.

"What do you plan to do now?" It seems only Baek-Ah asks her what she wants.

"To wait?" Ha Jin answers unsure, "The 8th prince promised me he'll find a way out for both us."

Baek-Ah looks every bit sarcastic, "and of course you believe him? Hae Soo-ya, look at me."

Ha Jin lifts her head to meet Baek-Ah's eyes.

"Do not trust my 8th brother. Sure my brother is nice, gentle, smart and stable but his loyalty lies to his family and his clan. If marrying you will ensure power for the second queen, trust me, the queen will change his mind for him." Baek-Ah conveniently leaves out the real reason why his 8th brother wouldn't let her go. Wook is in love with her and it's his only chance to be with her. He wouldn't blow it off. "You'd be better off with Jung, at least he's going to make you his first and only wife."

At the mention of Jung, Ha Jin remembers her letter, "Baek-Ah did you send my letter to the north?"

Baek-Ah stills. Since the night Jung came back and had him pushed to the wall and threatened, their relationship as brothers is on the fence. Though Jung was back to his normal self the next day, he and Baek-Ah never talked about the letter or anything about their 4th brother and Hae Soo again. A certain awkwardness had settled upon the two of them that they both ignored. If he is honest enough, he had become cautious of Jung after that.

"Kuereomyo, waeyo? Did Jung said something about it?" Baek-Ah skirts around the question.

"Aniyo, Jung a-ni-e-yo (No, not Jung)" Ha Jin thinks about it for a moment. Jung definitely got her letter but So didn't. She wonders if there was a mistake in the delivery. She can't tell Baek-Ah that So specifically told her he never got his. The seja had asked her to keep So's presence in the palace a secret for the meantime, "How did you send it?"

"Through our family messenger." That Baek-Ah fired after.

"Will you ask him if he got all the letters delivered?" Ha Jin tries to get to the bottom of the lost letters.

"I can't he's gone. My mother fired him a few months ago." Baek-Ah lies.

"Araseo. I think So wangjanim didn't get my letter at all." Ha Jin tells Baek-Ah, "He never wrote me back."

"Maybe he just has a lot in his plate." Baek-Ah avoids Hae Soo's eyes.

"I guess so…" Ha Jin couldn't figure out where her letter went.


By next morning, So enters the palace with Lady Shinjuwon and Guen Sun. They make it look like he just came back from the north. The assembly is at the middle of discussion when the three of them arrived. A eunuch nervously announces their presence at the door.

With Lady Shinjuwon known as someone who doesn't attend the assembly at all, everyone tenses as the three enters the court. Lady Shinjuwon might not be a queen but she came from the richest and most powerful clan, holder of the highest Chancellery seat and owner of the largest territory up north. They can easily best the treasury of the royal palace.

She wears a black and gold silk hanbok. Her hair, adorned with the most expensive dwikkoji and her skin with rare jewels. Even at an age almost double of her son's, she looks beautiful and reserved, much like the 4th prince and her right hand on both of her sides. The three of them looking formidable and dangerous together. They kneel in front of the king, with Lady Shinjuwon and So taking the lead.

Queen Yoo looks at the three with disdain while Queen Shinjong looks at them with wariness. It has only been few weeks since the Hwangbos started playing in the court, now Lady Shinjuwon appears. It's a bad omen for all of them.

"It is nice of you to join our royal assembly today Shinjuwon Soyong," King Taejo keeps a careful tone. He did order for all of his sons back into the palace but he wasn't expecting the 4th prince would come back with his adoptive mother in tow.

"Yie pyeha, forgive my inability to join the royal assembly. My unstable health wouldn't let me come everyday. I am very grateful that you let my absences go unnoticed." Lady Shinjuwon lies, keeping-up a polite facade. "Let me not trespass more on everyone's time by keeping their attention. Please allow me to be direct with my intentions."

"Guerehabnida my lady." King Taejo answers.

"My clan, the Kangs of Shinju, would like to formally express our intention to relinquish our Chancellery seat to our only heir, Wang So, the 4th prince and military commandant of the north."

In front of the royal assembly, Lady Shinjuwon formally abdicates her seat to So.

"4th prince Wang So would now be handling all our clans decisions in this royal court."

Murmurs starts among the ministers, officials and princes. The queens tense while King Taejo breaks into a smile, proud of his 4th son. Ji Mong catches Mu's gaze.

Good, now we're playing.

"I shall accept then. Rise my son." King Taejo commands.

As So stands, the murmurs instantly stop and everyone's eyes focus on him, all becoming aware that the 4th prince is now the most powerful prince in the court. The seja might still be the one next in line for the throne but with the militia in So's command and wealth of the Kangs to back him up, So will be the one controlling the court from now on.


By the corridor outside the Hoegyong Hall, Ji Mong, Mu and So go back to the sky tower with Ji Mong and Mu congratulating So for following their suggestion, unknowing of how much it cost So to obtain it.

So walks a little behind, still reeling from the poisoned berries he had taken for the past two days. It took a lot of his concentration to not fall on his feet while he was in court but now that the assembly is over, his head is starting to throb and his heart palpitating again. He holds by the wall, steadying his balance.

"So-ya gwaenchanha?" Mu asks as he notices So falling a few steps behind them.

So shuts his eyes, breathing through his purple, chapped lips.

Mu and Ji Mong quickly walk back to So, "Wae guere? (What's wrong?)"

"Nothing." So answers but even as he says it, he falls with his face first. Ji Mong and Mu move to catch him and caught that sweet smelling musk on him.

"You don't look alright. What happened?" Mu asks once more, worried. So disappeared on them again for the past two days and came back with his adoptive mother. He wonders if So stays with the Kangs every time he disappears. He didn't seem welcoming of the idea of living with his adoptive mother to begin with.

"I'm fine, I only need to take a rest. I'll go back to the sky tower first." So tries to move out of the two's grasp but wouldn't be able to maintain his balance for long.

"We'll take you to the Damiwon, Lady Oh will know what to do." Ji Mong suggests.


The moment the three steps inside the Damiwon, they run into Soon Deok, whose on her way to her sewing class. She stops to greet the three and notices So being supported by the astronomer.

"Oh! So wangjanim! You're back?!" Soon Deok exclaims, drawing the attention of the three. She bows to the seja and comes near So, excited to see a familiar face from her father's camp. She momentarily forgets her manners as a lady and addresses So in banmal, "Kuende…"

She wrinkles her nose, smelling the nauseating musk from him again, "You don't look alright at all."

Her eyes tightened, identifying his symptoms. Training with So in the wild, she and the 4th prince are well versed with poisonous plants and their effects. Soon Deok knows, So will not make a mistake of taking a poisonous berry of his own accord.

So is too dizzy but still recognizes Soon Deok. He tries to stand again, anxious that Soon Deok might discern his symptoms. He had forgotten Soon Deok is now an apprentice and is also living in the Damiwon. He didn't anticipate he would run into her.

"Soon Deok-ah," Mu calls Soon Deok's attention, drawing her away from So, "Why don't you call upon the Sanggun. Tell her we have a little situation here."

"Ah yie, joesonghabnida wangsejanim," Soon Deok steps back, catching So's gaze. His pupils a little dilated, no doubt an effect from the berries of belladonna.

So signals for her to not say a word and Soon Deok silently agrees, trusting the 4th prince. She bows to take her leave and informs their Sanggun. She tells Lady Oh So's symptoms and offered information on first aid but left out the information that the 4th prince is perfectly capable of identifying the poison and knows how to flush it out of his system on his own.

Ji Mong and Mu bring So to a private room on the second floor, putting him on bed. So assures them he only needs to sleep, that they should have brought him at the sky tower instead however the two wouldn't hear him out.


Soon Deok proceeds to their sewing class, bringing her tatami mat beside Hae Soo and Woo Hee.

"Ya! Hae Soo-ya! have you heard?" Soon Deok holds her silk screen on mid air. Today they are doing a plum tree embroidery on a silk handkerchief.

Hae Soo looks up while Woo Hee listens as she continues with her choir.

"Of course you've heard. I'm sure he wrote you a letter telling you that he's coming home, isn't it?" Soon Deok smiles, teasing Hae Soo. "Kuende… it seemed he had taken some poisonous berries on his way from the north. It's highly unlikely of him to do that. We both trained together, I'm sure he could easily distinguish between edible and poisonous berries."

"Who had taken what?" Ha Jin asks, not even bothering to pretend she's embroidering.

"The 4th prince. I run into them on my way here. He was being supported by the king's adviser and was taken at one of the rooms at the second floor. He looks ill, displaying symptoms of taking poisoned berries." Soon Deok nonchalantly answers, trusting Hae Soo with information she had conveniently never told Lady Oh.

"Mwo rago?!" Ha Jin exclaims. She knew So was back from the north since last week and he was doing fine the last time she saw him.

If he's here at the Damiwon, does that mean he had finally appeared in the court?

"I said it's highly unlikely of him to mistake a poisonous berry and eat it on his own. And it appears, he came from the Kang household first. He smells of that nauseating musk again." Soon Deak explains once more, "I wonder what the Kang household looks like? Do they burn incense all day all throughout their house for the smell to stay on your clothes?"

"What are you saying? So wangjanim smells of fresh morning dew and sometimes of the sun or nothing at all." Ha Jin recalls the many times So had enfolded her in his arms. He definitely doesn't smell anything other than the places he came to stay for too long that day.

She stands up, wanting to leave the room and run to So. She's too worried to stay put but she can't leave the room.

"Oh! You've never met him coming from their household, haven't you?" Soon Deok tries to give a vivid explanation of how So is like when he comes from their palace up north. "So wangjanim used to stay in my father's camp for two seasons every year since he was ten. Every time he comes, he brings with him that smell of incense and something like a sweet earthy musk mixed together. It's nauseating. The smell used to give me headaches. I don't know how So wangjanim could stand that smell but I guess if you grew -up inside that household smelling that scent in the air, you'll get used to it."

"Jinjja? I've never smelled that on him before." Ha Jin paces the length of the room, coming into the door every now and then. "Do you think he's alright?"

"With the berry he took? He seemed to be holding-up but don't worry, I already told Oh Sanggun, what to do with him." Soon Deok smiles, assuring Hae Soo, "He'll be fine."

"You should sit back and continue with your embroidery. Lady Oh might not let you out of this room if you don't finish this or worst she'll keep you here for the weekend." Woo Hee suggests, handing Hae Soo her silk screen.

Ha Jin remembers tomorrow is weekend, hence, they are finally allowed to come home tonight however she hasn't make-up her mind if she wants to go home, still afraid of how she's going to be welcomed by her cousin again.

Shortly, before their time of embroidery ends, a gungnyeo comes in and calls for Hae Soo. The seja had asked for Lady Oh's discretion in handling the 4th prince's illness, remembering that So doesn't like being touched by anyone. Lady Oh sends Hae Soo up then.

Ha Jin quickly goes to the second floor and enters the room, bringing with her a tray of warm water for burdock root tea, a tea to flush out toxins and purify the blood. Inside, she finds the 4th prince lying on the bed looking pale and ill. His jeogori is open upon his chest and his blanket only comes up to his stomach. A pail of cold water, sits at the floor beside his bed with a towel slung at its side. Lady Oh had tried to give him a half bath but he sent her away and changed clothes on his own.

She puts down the tray at the bedside table and gently sits by the bed, careful to not disturb So but even with only a little shift at his mattress, So awakes and opens his eyes discreetly to look. Upon seeing Hae Soo, whose busy with the towels at the moment, So relaxes and shuts his eyes once more. When Hae Soo returns her focus on him, she blushes, noticing his exposed chest. Tentatively, she pulls his blanket to cover him up, making sure he's not cold. She then takes a towel and dips it to the pale, wringing the water afterwards. She leans in to wipe the beads of sweat that had formed on So's forehead and catches that smell Soon Deok was talking about. It's stuck on his messy hair that's spread in the pillow and Ha Jin doesn't like it. She proceeds with wiping So's forehead, lightly patting the beads of sweat away.

As she takes away her hand to put back the towel beside the pale, So captures her hand mid-air, surprising Hae Soo.

"Joesonghaeyo did I wake you up?" Ha Jin asks, the worry still in her eyes.

"Aniyo, I've been awake." So pulls at her hand, putting it to rest at his cheek. "Mianhae Hae Soo-ya,"

Remembering the seja's word, So apologizes sincerely for disappearing on her, "Please know that you have always been on my mind since I left. There was not a day that I never thought of taking my horse and race home to see you. Even at night, my dreams are of always coming home to you."

He tightens his hold on her hand, pressing it to his cheek. He automatically seeks the warmth in her hand and the lime orangy sweet scent he so missed, willing it to envelop his nose and erase that nauseating earthy musk he had inhaled for the past three days. With his trembling voice, he pours his heart out to Hae Soo, "Cheongmal geu-ri-weo-seo (2) (I really missed you.) I promise I will never leave you again so if you could stop being angry, I only want to stay by your side."

With his chapped dried lips, pale complexion and cold sweat, So looks every bit ill and Ha Jin is sidetracked from her anger. She lets go of her annoyance and forgives him this time, "Araseo, da-si nuen a-peu-ji ma-se-yo (Please don't get sick again). You make me worry."

Ha Jin opens her palm and So naturally settles on it, sighing a relief.

"Where have you been? They told me, you've taken some poisonous berries." Ha Jin asks curious. "There aren't any poisonous berries inside the palace."

"Kuenyang… I took a ride outside Songak to make it look like I just came back from the north."

If not for Soon Deok telling her of how So smells like when he comes from the Kang's household, Ha Jin wouldn't know So is lying. She wonders why he would lie about coming back from their household.

"And why would you eat a poisonous berry then?"

"So I could crawl back to your arms?" So skirts the issue by brazenly joking about it and its working.

"Ya!" Ha Jin tries to take away her hand and stands-up, annoyed, "You are being shameless again So wangjanim!"

So chuckles and Ha Jin couldn't help but stop and listen. It's hard enough to make So smile, all the more with chuckling.

"Stay." So pulls at her hand again and traps it between his cheek and the pillow, "Please stay for a while. I know you are allowed to go home tonight. I'd really want to walk you home but I'm ill right now. If you could stay until I fall asleep…"

In a small voice, So admits, "You make my nightmares go away."

"Araseo," Ha Jin doesn't want to go home anyway. She moves closer to So and makes herself comfortable, catching that repulsive scent on his hair again. "So wangjanim pi-geon-hab-ni-kka? (Are you tired?) Can you not walk even just to the next room?"

"Wae?"

"May I wash your hair? I think you'll feel better once the cold water runs on your scalp." Ha Jin smiles, trying to convince So. She only wants to get rid of the nauseating smell on his hair.

"Oh?! What brazen attitude you have now? Just because I touch your hand doesn't mean you can see my body when you want to." So pretends to look scandalized.

"Mwo?! Wah… Ya!" Ha Jin pulls her hand from So once again, offended and blushing. She trips on her words, "Ani… I… fine! I only wanted to make you feel better… what are you talking about?... Dwaesseo, kuenyang na kanda (Forge it, I'll just leave.)"

She stands up and walks towards the door. So calls upon her and sits-up too fast his sight spins, dazed. Ha Jin turns back and see's him holding his head. She hurries back to him once more, "Gwaechanhayo?"

"Mianhae, I was only trying to make the mood light." So appeals to Hae Soo's caring side, "Please wash my hair."

"Araseo. Jam-si-man gi-da-ri-se-yo. (Wait here.) I'll prepare the bath."

Ha Jin comes to Lady Oh's office to inform the Sanggun that the 4th prince wants his hair washed. Lady Oh commands her gungnyeo(s) to help Hae Soo arrange the room next to So's and leave afterwards.


Shortly after, Ha Jin helps So to the next room, letting him lie down on a slightly inclined bed with his head sticking out at the edge, just enough to let his hair loose on a pale beneath it, situated on top of a table. He makes himself comfortable as Ha Jin stands by his side, beside his neck.

"May I?" Ha Jin asks for permission before touching So's ponytail.

This is one of the things So liked about Hae Soo, she always asks him. Whether it's as simple as his preference for a scent or something as invasive as touching him, she always asks for his permission first. Though Ha Jin is not aware, So doesn't mind her touch, even craving for it all the time.

"Shall I disrobe?" So plays a joke once more.

"Yaish! If you keep up with that I'll stop here now." Ha Jin warns, holding herself from blushing and failing.

"Araseo, araseo, I'll keep my mouth shut." So closes his eyes, keeping his smile.

In truth, So is nervous to be this close to Hae Soo, the situation being too intimate. While Hae Soo is maintaining a proper distance and even asked before she puts her hands on him, So isn't prepared when Ha Jin reaches to his ponytail with both of her hands and unties it. Her arms surround him on both sides, her lime orangy sweet scent engulfing him. He struggles not to open his eyes as her upper body hovers above his face, her sleeves lightly brushing upon his skin, waking every nerve in his body.

"Hae Soo..ya" His voice breaks, breathing her name.

Ha Jin frees his hair, letting its length hang over the pale, smoothing it, "I'll proceed with the water now. It's cold so you might get a little uncomfortable but it will help alleviate your headache afterwards."

She takes the dipper and scoops some water, pouring it slowly and gently upon So's head. The water feels good to So as it cascades on his scalp. Ha Jin uses her other hand to cover So's mask, blocking the water from entering it. She wonders if she's allowed to ask a question about it but since So is too touchy with the subject, she drops the matter and concentrated with her choir at hand.

Taking a small ceramic bottle, Ha Jin asks So to smell it first before she lathers it on his hair, "Eo-ddae-yo? (How is it?) I made this myself. It would wash up all the grime and dust from your hair. You said you like a lemony citrus scent, the one coming from Mokran? I couldn't perfect the lemony citrus scent yet since not much Mokrans grew around the palace lately so this one is made up of lime and peppermint. It would relax your senses and make you feel refreshed."

"Another soap?"

"Aniyo, this one is called shampoo, specifically used for hairs only but it functions pretty much the same with soap." Ha Jin explains bringing the bottle under So's nose.

"Johahaeyo, (I like it,) it smells like your gift to me before I left." So answers without opening his eyes.

Ha Jin pours the shampoo in her palm and rubs her hands together, creating a little amount of foam. She lathers it on So's hair luxuriously, working her way from the roots to the tips. She massages his scalp, pressing sensitively on pressure points, drawing circles with her thumb. So starts to relax under her careful hands, getting sleepier and lighter at the same time.

By the small opening at the door, Wook stands watching quietly. He came to take Hae Soo home and was directed by a gungnyeo to the room they prepared earlier. His face darkens as he observes how his 4th brother enjoys being taken cared off by Hae Soo. He tells himself that it is just a simple choir assigned to her but he too notices how intimate the situation is. A little jealousy starts to spring upon his chest, gnawing at the back of his mind.

Lady Oh slides the door close, cutting of Wook's sight. She came to check the two inside when he sees the 8th prince standing by the door. His face gives-away nothing but his hands behind his back are tensed.

"Joesonghabanida wangjanim, my apprentice is still at her chores. If you could wait upon the balcony, a gungnyeo would serve you with some tea."

"Ah yie, I'll join my brother and the astronomer then." Wook turns in the direction of the balcony, leaving as if he saw nothing.


Over at a garden behind the first queen's quarters, Queen Yoo and the 3rd prince are taking a stroll. The eunuch and gungnyeo(s) stay well behind them, giving the two some privacy.

"Your stupid 4th brother brings nothing but misfortune to us. How could he side with his adoptive mother? If he wanted me to take him back, he should have fallen upon his knees and begged me." Queen Yoo couldn't admit to herself that she had made a mistake of throwing his 3rd son.

Yo remains quiet. He knew better not to reason out with his mother when she's angry.

"First the Hwangbos and now the Kangs. They are taking over the court. Soon they will push us out. We need to do something about your 4th brother first. We can't let him lead the Spiritual Cleansing Ritual. People would start seeing him as the next seja. They already have the command of militia and the resources to take the throne, we can't let them have the people's opinion too." Queen Yoo tries to rack her brain for a plan.

"Queen Shinjeong is starting the preparation with posting the announcement at the plaza tomorrow." Yo updates his mother.

Queen Yoo smirks, coming up with an idea, "Have our messengers be the one to post the announcement at the plaza. Let's spread some rumors as to how hideous and scary your 4th brother is. Let's see if he still wants to lead the ritual after he hears the opinion of people about him."

She plans to crashed her son's confidence and make sure he never stand in front of other people again.

Yo would have suggested making an alliance with the Kangs instead of the Hwangbos. At some point, he still cares for his 4th brother but his mother is right, the Kangs are too powerful at the moment. They need to work with the Hwangbos to cut the Kangs first and then take care of the Hwangbos later.

"Yie eomonim, I'll put our people into it."

They walk some more, deeper into the garden.

"When is your youngest brother coming home? The south isn't that far from here. Have you sent a messenger to bring him back?" Queen Yoo asks, worried for his 4th son.

"I've already sent a messenger eomonim. Maybe he'll be here by the end of next week. He has to participate in the bathing ritual an the full moon before the festival itself." Yo assures his mother.

"Johada. (Good.)" Queen Yoo suddenly remembers something, "Find out why the other queen is suggesting for the king to hand out a favor on the night of the festival when it isn't long ago that they have been bestowed with one. What do they want? What would they cash in with their favor?"

"Yie eomonim, I'll see what I can uncover." To everything his mother asks, Yo only nods, his head aching with too much pressure on his shoulders.


By tomorrow morning, Queen Yoo's people would be busily putting up the announcement at the plaza, in the market, at the port, at the town, all over the kingdom. Her servants were stationed well to start up different rumors and make the people agitated.

"The 4th prince will be leading the Spiritual Cleansing Ritual? Isn't he a monster himself, hiding behind his mask?"

"The wolf dog of Shinju? I heard he killed and wipe out a whole clan who tried to go against the Kangs."

"I heard the 4th prince had been afflicted with a rare disease when he was young, causing half of his body to grow scales. They say they weren't able to completely cure him and his mask was put on to hide the hideous scales on his face."

"Still, I heard even at a young age he had a very nasty temper that he once tried to set fire on the bushes he and the seja were playing, trying to scare the seja away. It backfired and had his own face burned. He had a masked since then and was sent away to live with his adoptive family after."

"His hideous face will only bring misfortune to us."

The rumors take on a life of its own, morphing and growing into a more sinister gossip as each day passes by. Soon the people will become more fearful and agitated towards the 4th prince.


Late in the afternoon, So comes to visit Hae Soo on their household, feeling better after a day of rest. He walks by the courtyard, running into his 8th brother, whose reading by the foyer of his study chambers.

"Annyeong hashibnikka hyungnim," Wook says his greeting, ever polite. "What brings you to our household today? I heard you were ill, are you alright now?"

"Annyeong haseyo Wook-ah," So returns the polite greeting, "Yie, I'm doing good now. I came to express my gratitude to Lady Hae Soo for taking care of me well. May I see her?"

Wook's answer is a resounding no, "Please do so, she's in her quarters. Let my servant call upon her and meet you at our pavilion."

"Kamsahabnida Wook-ah."

So proceeds to the pavilion while Wook calls for Chae Ryung to inform Hae Soo. He'll remember to tell Myung Hee later that Hae Soo is meeting the 4th prince, making Myung Hee the one to reprimand Hae Soo.

Chae Ryung calls upon Hae Soo and walks with her to the pavilion.

"Chae Ryung-ah was there a letter that came for me this past few weeks?" Ha Jin asks remembering that So insisted he really sent a letter.

Inclining her head, Chae Ryung thinks about it, "Yie agassi, I have put it on your table beside your bowl of Mokran(s), waeyo?"

"Jinjja?" Ha Jin exclaims, "but I never saw it? When was this?"

"When you were resting and refusing to leave your bed." Chae Ryung recalls.

"I never got it, where is it now?" Ha Jin looks bewildered. So is definitely not lying to her.

"Chal mo-reu-gess-seub-ni-da agassi, I thought you've already taken it that's why it's no longer in your table." Chae Ryung looks confused too.

"Heol! Eotteohke?! Never mind, I'll just apologize to the 4th prince." Ha Jin voices what's running in her head.

They reached the pavilion and Chae Ryung stays behind with her head bowed as Ha Jin calls So.

"So wangjanim," Ha Jin greets so with a graceful bow and a pretty smile, "Are you feeling better?"

The refinement with which Hae Soo greets So, momentarily distracts him, "You do your bow with a grace now."

"Guerahabnida. Lady Oh had taught me well." Ha Jin answers formally, "Don't I look better?"

"I like the clumsier one." So makes an honest opinion with an amused face, teasing Hae Soo, "The noble manners don't suite you at all."

"Ya! Did you come here to fight me?" Ha Jin drops her formality.

"That's better." So hides his smile. "Will you walk with me? It's been a while since I was home, I'd like to see the Donji lake if you don't mind."

"Kuereyo? Gach-i kal-le-yo? (Shall we go together?)" Ha Jin readily agrees, keeping a little formality in her speech once more.

As they exit the pavilion, Chae Ryung automatically walks behind them. So turns to address her, "There will be no need for you to come, I can take care of your mistress on my own."

"Eh?" Chae Ryung looks up, "Ahm… I'm not allowed to leave my mistress side, Joesonghabnida wangjanim."

Wook had expressly told Chae Ryung not to take her eyes off from Hae Soo as she meets his 4th brother.

With the apologetic words, So suddenly remembers the familiar voice of the servant pleading with his adoptive mother, recognizing Chae Ryung as his mother's spy. So's face darkens a little, now cautious of the servant.

Chae Ryung for her part, doesn't recognize the 4th prince as the man inside Lady Shinjuwon's quarters. She really saw nothing, only a silhouette of him.

"Gwaehchanhayo Chae Ryung-ah, I'll be fine." Ha Jin assures her.

"Kagura. (Go.)" So commands not wanting his mother's spy anywhere near them.

Chae Ryung looks from Hae Soo to the 4th prince, doubting but with the command given, she has no choice but to follow.


The two arrives by the Donji lake, settling beside the tree-shrubs of Gyul (Tangerine) that are in full bloom. It's aroma fills the air with dewy fruit scent.

"How long have your servant been in your household?" So is worried upon discovering his mother's spy is residing inside Hae Soo's household.

It shouldn't come as a surprise then how his adoptive mother is well informed. So wonders if Lady Shinjuwon had something to do with Myung Hee's miscarriage as well, cutting off the heirs of the Hwangbos before it even sprung. Now the pressure to continue the line of the Hwangbos and seal their alliance with the Haes lies with Hae Soo. He doubts his adoptive mother planned for that to happen.

"Chal mol-la-yo. (I don't know.)" Since Chae Ryung had been by her side when Ha Jin awoke in this life, she had never thought to ask.

"Do you trust her?" So voices his concern.

"Kueremyo. Nae ching-gu-ye-yo (She's my friend). Waeyo?" Ha Jin takes a look at the Gyul, all early bloomers.

"Of course you do. You trust people too well." So is anxious. Hae Soo cares for too many people, he can't protect them all at the same time.

"Who takes care of Lady Myung Hee? I mean her servant."

"I guess Chae Ryung too? When I started with my apprenticeship, Chae Ryung was assigned to Myung Hee unnie when I'm not around." Ha Jin answers nonchalantly, taking all the sights around her, oblivious.

"And this was when Lady Myung Hee started with her pregnancy? How did your unnie miscarried again?" So's train of thought are trying to piece them all together.

"My unnie had always been sickly and the physician had already warned her before that the pregnancy would be hard for her. Her health is unstable, her body just can't accommodate another life inside her." Ha Jin explains.

For So, Myung Hee's poor health is too convenient of an excuse but it is also possible that she is actually just too sickly to carry on with the pregnancy. Either way Chae Ryung's presence in their household is too dangerous to be left alone. For all he knows, Lady Shinjuwon might have put Chae Ryung into poisoning Myung Hee with little doses, making it look like her health is failing progressively. He will have to find a way to take Chae Ryung out of his brother's household without arousing suspicions from his adoptive mother.

The other good thing about making the deal with his adoptive mother is that he now knows to some extent what Lady Shinjuwon is planning. He can work the other way to stop his adoptive mother but not too overt whilst she wield her card against him.

So picks a Gyul that Hae Soo is eyeing and hands it to her, "Do you trust me?"

Ha Jin rotates the Gyul in her hand, examining it, "Why the sudden question?"

So steps in front of her, towering and steady. He takes her hand in his and repeats his question once more, "Do you trust me?"

Ha Jin looks up to So, gazing at his eyes.

So holds her gaze, keeping her rooted in the ground. He makes a promise and asks for a promise in return, "I will never do anything to hurt you nor will I do anything to betray you. I promise to protect you with everything I have and never leave you at all. Would you trust only me from now on?"

The promise feels too heavy and serious to Ha Jin, she tries to make light of it, "Eiii what's with the hasty seriousness?"

She turns away only for So to pull at the hand he's holding. With his other free hand, he cups her face, stilling her once again. "Yak-sok-hae-yo. (Promise me.) Please."

The sincerity on So's eyes is raw and honest, Ha Jin couldn't help but be persuaded, "Araseo, I promise to trust you from now."

So brings her hand in between the two of them, letting it hover in front of his face. He asks for permission to bring it to his lips. Ha Jin suddenly tenses, her heart going double time. A bloom of pink colors her cheeks, warming So's palm that is cupping her face. Her throat becomes dry and she swallows to alleviate it. Without breaking their gaze, So brings her hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss at the side of her palm, near her wrist. Ha Jin stops breathing and releases the Gyul she's holding.


So fetches Hae Soo home around dinner with a few of the Gyul(s) he had picked at the lake. He tells her to share it with her unnie and her 'friend' Chae Ryung. She smiles at him and says her goodbyes.

Approaching her in a hurry is Chae Ryung, "Agassi, what took you so long? Lady Myung Hee and the 8th prince are waiting for you to have dinner."

"Mianhaeyo, I didn't know we were going to eat dinner together." Though Ha Jin came home the other day, she keeps away from her cousin, still uncomfortable from their argument last week. "Here."

Ha Jin hands Chae Ryung a few of the Gyul she has, "It's good for your health. Specially these rainy days."

"Eh?" Chae Ryung looks fearful the moment she recognizes the fruit.

Gyul (Tangerines) are rare and expensive during the three kingdoms, Goryeo and even in early Joseon. It is only available for the consumption of rich noble family and royalties. The Gyul tree-shrubs at Donji lake are the only Gyul in the whole Songak. Even then royalties and rich noble family has to go to Tamna (Jeju-do) to get such rare fruit and Ha Jin is unaware of it.

"Anibnida Agassi, I can't take it. Please have it back." Chae Ryung refuses the fruit, afraid that if she is caught with it, she might lose her hand.

"Ay wae…? So wangjanim gave this to me. He told me to share it with you and unnie. "Hae, bad-o dwae-yo (Go on, take it.)"

"Andwaeyo, jebal I can't accept it." Chae Ryung vehemently refuses.

"It's just a fruit. I'm going to get angry if don't take it." Ha Jin wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Agassi jebal… jebalyo…" Chae Ryung tries to give it back.

"Have it. I command you." It's the first time Ha Jin actually commanded someone and it feels off to her. She laughs afterwards but wouldn't rescind her words.

"Agassi…." With the command given, Chae Ryung could only accept.


Ha Jin enters the Daechung to join her cousin and the 8th prince for dinner. She gives her formal greeting and quietly sits in the middle of the two, the position of her seat too awkward. She silently puts the Gyul(s) on the table bringing a surprise look upon the faces of her cousin and the 8th prince.

"Where have you been?" Myung Hee asks looking at the Gyuls.

"The 4th prince brought me to the Donji lake to pick a few of these fruits." Ha Jin smiles at Myung Hee to lessen the tensed and awkwardness of the family dinner they're having. "Unnie, you should have a few of these, it's a good source of vitamin C. It will help boost your respiratory system."

"That's the last time you are going to leave with the 4th prince. Algessniya? Do I have to remind you all the time on how to conduct yourself?" Myung Hee reprimands Hae Soo once again, "A betrothed lady can not be seen with…"

"Araseoyo." Ha Jin cuts of Myung Hee's sentence, not wanting to hear anything about her engagement. The 8th prince had promise her an out soon, she only has to wait.

"Myung Hee-ya can we have a peaceful dinner just tonight. Hae Soo will remember it next time." Wook plays the referee between his wife and his soon to be wife but it was his idea to tell Myung Hee so Hae Soo would be reprimanded and make sure Hae Soo doesn't see his 4th brother again.

Myung Hee drops the matter out of respect for the 8th prince, "The princes will come here tomorrow to have lunch, you will be serving tea afterwards."

"Yie unnie." Ha Jin takes her glass of water and drinks, "If there's nothing else, I'd like to take a rest. Pi-geon-hae-yo (I'm tired.)"

Ha Jin excuses herself and leaves, seeing no point in trying to eat when she already lost her appetite. She takes a deep breathe of the cold night air, filling her lungs with it and calming her self down. She doesn't want to deliberate upon the worsening relationship she and her cousin have so she distracts herself by thinking about something else. Her mind automatically returns to the Donji lake, to the way the 4th prince held her hand and brought it to his lips. Ha Jin blushes once more, feeling her heart starting to race again. She raises her hand, the one the 4th prince held, looking at the side of her palm. She shakes her head and puts down her hand, denying herself to think about the kiss but failing miserably.


In the morning, Ha Jin is on her way to the Sarangchae to help with the preparation for their lunch when she passes by the pavilion and sees Chae Ryung being punished by Yeonhwa. Chae Ryung's hands were tied by the ceiling and her back is full of streaks of blood from the lashes she had just received. Yeonhwa stands near, watching as another servant whips Chae Ryung.

The servant raises her hand and is about to hit Chae Ryung once again when Ha Jin catches her hand and pushes it away.

"Why are you punishing Chae Ryung?" Ha Jin looks horrified, trying to untie Chae Ryung's hand from the rope.

"Kueman hara! (Stop that!) You will not meddle with the way I admonish our lowly servants. Kagura! (Leave!)" Yeonhwa looks angrier than she was a while ago, her left eyebrow twitching with hate.

"What have Chae Ryung done to merit such lashes?!" Ha Jin wouldn't back down, she puts her arms around Chae Ryung, protective, "What did you do?"

"Agassi Joesonghabnida but it was my fault please leave." Chae Ryung pleads crying.

"Aniyo, I won't have it!" Ha Jin wouldn't go.

"Your servant was caught eating a high valued Gyul(s). The servants or the free men are not allowed to eat such rarity. The royal family and the rich noble men are the only ones allowed to have it. She stole it, how else would a servant have it?" Yeonhwa explains daring Hae Soo to deny her servant's fault.

And of course Ha Jin doesn't know. She did read about the Gyuls being precious during Joseon Dynasty but she never knew that it's too precious enough to warrant castigation.

"I gave it to her! So let her be. She didn't steal anything." Ha Jin backtracks, now nervous upon learning it was her who caused Chae Ryung's trouble.

Soon the loud commotion attracts everyone and the princes, Yo, Wook, Won, Baek-Ah and Eun arrive in the scene, witnessing the quarrel.

Won looks at Chae Ryung, "I think the servant had enough beating, maybe Yeonhwa should stop."

"Why would she? The servant needs to be punished." Yo answers nonchalantly, watching Wook's next move.

"You do not meddle on how I give punishment to my servant. I am a princess and I run this household. You are being insolent towards me. Shall I punish you too?" Yeonhwa smirks, finding a reason to put Hae Soo in her place.

"Kuere you are a princess…" Ha Jin hides her nervousness by feigning brevity, remembering Baek-Ah's words about the true owner of the household she lives in, "But this household is not yours! It is my cousin's. You are as powerless as I am here."

Slapped!

Baek-Ah and Eun flinches while Wook gets angry.

That's the second time Ha Jin was slapped in a span of a week but Ha Jin only smirks, annoyed. The smile more insulting to Yeonhwa. She raises her hand once more,

"Yeonhwa-ya!" Wook calls at the same time that So arrives at the scene, holding Yeonhwa's hand away from Hae Soo.

"Kueman hae. (That's enough.)" So plays it coolly.

"Orabeonim. The girl insulted me. I can't just leave her be. Let go." Yeonhwa pulls her wrist from So but So will not release it.

So looks at Hae Soo, signaling for her to trust him, "Nae go-si-da. (She's mine.)"

Ha Jin' reacts dumbfoundedly.

Did So wangjanim just called me his?

Wook looks as shocked as everyone except Yo.

Yeonhwa glances at Hae Soo and then back to So, "What did you just say?"

"I said she belongs to me." So breaks his gaze with Hae Soo and returns it at Yeonhwa.

"The Gyuls are mine and I gave it to Hae Soo. If it reaches her servant then it is I who would decide on how to punish the servant." He then addresses Wook, "Isn't that the law Wook-ah?"

"Ani… So wangjanim, Chae Ryung didn't steal it." Ha Jin reasons out with So, unbelieving. He was the one who told her to give it to her, why would he punish Chae Ryung? "I shared it to her. Please spare her."

So grates his teeth together trying to not glance at Hae Soo. He had intended for Chae Ryung to be punished so he could take her away from his 8th brother's household and get rid of Lady Shinjuwon's spy. Hae Soo only needs to stay still and let him protect her and Myung Hee but as always she doesn't make it easy.

"Wook-ah, shall I bring this matter to the court and have your servant's hand cut off or will you hand her to me and let me deal with her?" So repeats. He releases Yeonhwa's hand and stands to his full height, looking dangerously angry at the moment and brandishing his rank over his 8th brother.

"Wangjanim jebal, Joesonghabnida. Please forgive me just this once." Chae Ryung throws herself to the floor, pleading with So.

"So wangjanim," Without understanding why So is doing it, Ha Jin is now scared for Chae Ryung. She too kneels in front of So, pleading for Chae Ryung's hand. She can't let her be taken to the court.

It takes all of So's self control to not pull Hae Soo up. It angers him that Hae Soo looks at him with fear even after she promised to trust him.

Wook closes his eyes, calming his self. He too couldn't stand seeing Hae Soo kneel in front of his 4th brother who had just stake a claim on her and his servant. He acquiesces to what So wants before So finds another thing to demand from him, "Forgive my servant's insolence. You can have her and do as you please. Chae Ryung-ah, you are free of my servitude and will serve the 4th prince's household from now on."

"Wangjanim." Chae Ryung wants to appeal to the 8th prince to not give her away but it's either that or So puts her in the royal court where she would be severely punished.

Wook walks to stand in front of So, stopping a meter and leveling his gaze with him. He looks at So with controlled anger and speaks to Hae Soo, "Il-eo-na. Il-eo-na-ra-go! (Stand-up, I said stand-up.)"

Wook pulls Hae Soo up and deposits her to Baek-Ah's arms. "Take her to her room."

Baek-Ah holds a shocked Hae Soo, dragging her away. So refuses to meet her accusing eyes.

Wook directs his anger to Yeonhwa, "You've overstepped yourself this time. The next time you do, I will forget that you are my sister."

It's a warning to So and everyone knows it.


Footnotes:

1 Contains the final note teachings of Buddha to achieve salvation

2 그립다 (Geuribda) is a deeper way of expressing I miss you. It's not normally used on an everyday conversation but rather mostly found in writings such as poems to express longing.


Preview:

Wook agrees with an alliance with Yo. So buys Chae Ryung's loyalty. Jung comes home.

Eun reveals So's scar (this arc is a little messy at the moment, let me organize it first.)

Other things:

Let's trust the 4th prince some more :)