Chapter 38:

The lady turns to Hae Soo next, "Won't you give eomeoni a hug Hae Soo-ya?"

Everyone looks at Hae Soo who stands from her sit, lost. She doesn't recognize Hae Soo's parents, Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhui.

"Eomeonim?" Ha Jin repeats unbelieving.


Lady Sewon advances at her, surrounding a confused Hae Soo with her soft arms for an embrace, "My daughter, how have you been? Your father and I have constantly been worried about you."

Ha Jin tenses at Lady Sewon's touch, unfamiliar to it.

Ah Matda (Oh! right!). Myung Hee unnie's parents are still alive.

Hae Hyeonhui steps beside his wife and stokes the back of Hae Soo's head gently, speaking softly towards his daughter, "Did you had a rough year? We came to take care of you so you can rest easily from now on."

It's been a while since Ha Jin felt a parent's touch. She was too busy with her job at present times that she seldom sees her own parents. It's not surprising that she misses their touch.

Ha Jin leans to Lady Sewon, raising her arms to return the hug. She softens to a mother's cradle of arms, letting it comfort her, "Eomeonim…"

Tightening her arms around Lady Sewon, a sob escapes Ha Jin's chest, brought upon by her longing to her own mother. She rests her head on her Lady Sewon's shoulder, basking on their kindness.

"Shhhh… Eomeoni is here now… Shhh…" Lady Sewon assures Hae Soo, a mother's reminder of love for her daughter.

Hae Hyeonhui addresses Lady Oh, "Can we bring home our daughter tonight? My wife and I would love to spend time with our Hae Soo. We haven't seen since she left our home."

"Joesonghabnida Hae hyeonhui. I do have a strict policy of keeping my apprentices here during weekdays. You can fetch her home tomorrow night if you want." Lady Oh respectfully declines.

Lady Sewon nods, understanding the sanggun's strict policy, "Can we at least have tea with her before we leave?"

"You may do so." Lady Oh bows in greeting and directs them inside the Damiwon.


At the other side of the Damiwon, at the other garden, So sits alone having tea. When he arrived a while ago, he opted to choose to have his tea here in spite of the weather getting cold lately. He avoids the princesses and concubines who came to hang at the Damiwon lest he earns Hae Soo's ire once more.

Yeonhwa unfortunately finds him and makes her way towards him. Well dressed with her hair fancifully done, she greets him with a bow and sits uninvited opposite So.

"What brings you here Yeonhwa-ya?" So puts his tea cup down, observing her.

"I never needed a reason to see you before, do I need one now?" Yeonhwa graciously answers with a calm pretty smile on her face. "Why are you alone here? It's cold."

"Mu Hyungnim had a few things to do in his office so he couldn't come today."

Yeonhwa picks up the carafe of tea and carefully pours for So's cup. So takes his hands out of the table, watching Yeonhwa's graceful hands, remembering he promised Hae Soo that he would never drink a tea that is not poured by her own hand. He leans back casually and rests his hands on his lap, avoiding his cup discreetly so as not to offend Yeonhwa.

"Do you remember when we were younger and we were invited to the palace because one of the concubines had given birth to another princess? I was naively happy to attend it and you disappeared the moment we entered the palace." Yeonhwa recalls nostalgically.

"When I found you, I was crying and you held me assuring me that everything is going to be alright. It was the first time I saw you care about something and I never forgot about it since then."

So only listens, waiting where this conversation is going.

"I knew right there, the two of us were meant to be together. We were both outcasts back then but we struggled to get where we are now. If we both push through, we could marry and have the throne together." Yeonhwa confidently proposes to So believing So shares the same sentiment of wanting the throne.

"The throne?" So repeats, his face a careful neutral expression with a hint of kindness that he don't normally gives anyone, he tells her, "Yeonhwa-ya, I think you are mistaken. I do not covet the throne. If I am a given a choice, I only want a simple household, away from the politics of the palace."

So lets Yeonhwa see a glimpse of his honest heart.

Yeonhwa tries a smile, recognizing her 4th brother's intention to not offend her. For once, she's not full of hate but a mere lady whose looking at a man. "Pity us then who scrams to get to that throne and here you are, holding the highest seat in the court yet you tell me you don't covet the throne. That is endearing orabeonim. I've always known you are a better man than most people think of."

"Kamsahabnida Yeonhwa-ya." So accepts the compliment humbly.

"Kuende orabeonim…" Yeonhwa's heart pounds hard on her chest. "Is it wrong for me to ask you to look at me... as a lady? I have cared for you since we were kids, can you not see my heart that is longing for you?"

Yeonhwa would like to reach to So's hand but keeps her touch to herself, "Marry me."

The words coming out like a business proposal rather than the warm feeling that should come with it.

Surprise by the sudden proposal, So stills. He never figured Yeonhwa ever looked at him that way and yet he understood that this proposal is mainly for the throne and not for his heart.

"Mianhada Yeonhwa-ya, I only have eyes for one woman." So curtly declines keeping to a few words so as not to upset.

"It's Hae Soo isn't it?" Yeonhwa isn't surprise at So's answer yet the rejection stings even with the business like proposal she had just served him. "You should know by now, Hae Soo is already betrothed to our 8th brother."

"That was her cousin's choice. Lady Myung Hee is gone. Your mother had failed to even ask our father to grant blessing to the union so the betrothal is no longer valid." So dismisses Yeonhwa's reasoning.

"She's clan less and no one…"

"And yet your clan insist on having her." So cuts Yeonhwa's sentence not liking Yeonhwa's tone of insult for Hae Soo, "It doesn't matter to me if she's clan less and has no power in her name. My clan is enough. I, am enough to protect her."

"She's a liability orabeonim." Yeonhwa backtracks, keeping the softness in her voice. She didn't mean to offend So, she only wants to explain to So what she had been trying to tell their 8th brother and like Wook, So also doesn't care.

"She's not a liability. She's my everything and without her I am nothing." So stands up, trying to end their discussion before he gets angrier. "You mean well Yeonhwa-ya and I appreciate it but never insult my woman again. I do not take kindly to it."

So turns away, leaving.

Yeonhwa purses her lips, keeping the stinging rejection to herself. She takes the cup of tea she had poured for So, seeking it's warmth. She breathes deep composing herself, reminding herself that it was all for the throne and not for her heart that had already gone cold a long time ago.


Wook comes hurriedly to the Damiwon the moment his servant lets him know that Myung Hee's parent had just arrived. He sees them entering the Damiwon from another side with Hae Soo in tow. Lady Oh and Jung following behind.

So and Yeonhwa come in at the opposite door, unaware of Myung Hee's parents arrival.

Ha Jin catches So's gaze, a hint of warm smile passes in between them. Their form of acknowledgement when they are inside the Damiwon and So can't approach Hae Soo freely.

"Eomeonim," Wook bows in 90 degrees, a respectful greeting for his wife's parents.

Slap!

Lady Sewon's palm snaps at Wook's cheek fast the moment he stands. It rung clear and crisp, earning everyone's attention, "How dare you call me eomeonim?!"

Everyone was shocked by the sudden cold reception Myung Hee's parents have for Wook. Ha Jin holds her mother back while Yeonhwa hurries in front of her 8th brother, taking a defensive stunt. Wook touches his cheek, the humiliation stinging more than the slap.

So and the rest of the people freeze. The tension hatching in the air.

"You've let… my daughter die… and you dare address me… eomeonim!" Lady Sewon's voice shakes even when she maintains a very low tone that only a few people near her can hear, "I married my daughter to you because she loved you so much. You promised to protect her and where is she now? I didn't even get to see her before you laid her to rest."

Lady Sewon anchors herself to Hae Soo's touch, keeping the sobbing pain in her chest.

"It is not my brother's fault. It was an accident, one that can not be prevented." Yeonhwa reasons out, maintaining the same tone.

Wook touches his sister's hand. Even he blames himself for what happened to Myung Hee so he understands how Lady Sewon feels at the moment, "Forgive me eomeonim. There are no words I could say to unburden your grief, please know, I never wanted any of this to happen."

Hae Hyeonhui only nods, keeping the peace between his wife and his daughter's husband. He too doesn't approve of Wook but he understands that it was not Wook's fault and that his wife is too emotional at the moment for the two to stay in one room.

Ha Jin bows in apology to Wook as she and Myung Hee's parents leave.

"Abeonim at least let my servants prepare a room for you in my household." Wook still politely offers.

"Please do so. It is OUR household after all." Hae Hyeonhui curtly points out.

Yeonhwa and Wook only stay rooted at the ground, thoroughly humiliated.


"How could you?! How could you let them insult us like that?!" Yeonhwa couldn't help but make her voice loud as she and Wook gather in their mother's quarter.

"Their daughter just died." Wook takes a sip of his tea, calmly, "Forgive me if I don't want to offend them more."

"What do they want? Why are they here? Are they taking back the Chancellery seat from us?" Queen Shinjeong throws question one after another, worried as to why the Haes suddenly turned up in the palace.

Yeonhwa watches Wook carefully. Something had changed in her brother and she can't point it out. He feels different. Though Wook had always been quiet, Yeonhwa has no problem reading his mind before. Unlike now, everything about him is guarded, a tightly shut box with no glimpse of key anywhere.

"Maybe they only want to grieve over their daughter. Let's not jump to hasty conclusions." Wook puts down his tea, uncharacteristically composed. He looks at the garden outside the window, lost.

"The land that was given to Hae Soo by the king. It lies outside our territory, wasn't it?"

"Your wife registered it under the Haes and not Hae Soo's." Queen Shinjeong answers. Observing her son, she too feels the difference in him.

Wook only infinitesimally nod, continuing with his tea. His mind is elsewhere, busily planning for that land outside their territory.


Tea cups, plates and spoon are arranged like place holders on an imaginative map as Ji Mong, Mu and Gen. Park are studying the intricate web of roads from the north to the capital. They are at the general's house looking over it and planning. By now, they too are aware that Myung Hee's death was not caused by mere thieves.

"The three powerful clans of the north had agreed to an accord the last time I and the 4th prince made rounds." Gen. Park explains to Ji Mong and Mu the statuses of the warring clans in the north. "Though we all know the Kangs and the ChungJu Yu clans are not above hiding tricks in their sleeves if it will further their clan's power. Lady Myung Hee's case is an isolated incident from the thriving thieveries in these roads."

"So we should be holding separate investigation on the matters." Mu adds.

Ji Mong nods, staring at their make shift map, his mind elsewhere. The spy he had sent to dig around the 4th prince's life under the Kang's household stopped reporting a week ago. He suspects, his spy is lying rotting under some dirt already but not without informing him of a few strange gossips circulating inside the Kang's household in the north.

So joins them shortly, a little late coming from the Damiwon. He nods to the three and looks at the make shift map on the table.

"I do not think we could man every roads coming and going to the north. What we can do is to widen our main road and put a checkpoint in every town to encourage our people not to use the steep paths inside the forest." Gen. Park suggests. "I'll be returning in our northern garrison in a few days, I could check our main road on my way and send a messenger as preliminary steps."

"Yes, please do so. Kamsahabnida." Mu appreciate's the general's help. He then turns to So and explains what he had missed.

"Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhui are here in Songak." So informs everyone of what happened at the Damiwon a while ago.

Mu, Ji Mong and Gen. Park exchanges glance.

"They're here?" Mu mirrors the same surprise everyone had in the Damiwon when the Haes first arrived.

"Of course their daughter's death doesn't sit well with them." Gen. Park deducts from a father's point of view, "If it was my daughter, I too, will not take kindly to my in-laws after."

"That and I think they have another reason for being here." So touches the cup that stands for the Haes territory.

"What do you mean?" Ji Mong asks, wondering how Ha Jin is faring with Hae Soo's adoptive parents, "And how is Lady Hae Soo with her adoptive parents around? Is she alright? Are they treating her nicely? Does she even remember them?"

"The Haes are kind people. I think they love all their children fairly." So answers. He had met them before and he likes them as people, though he too shares the same curiosity with everyone else. "I heard there is a deal being broker between the Chungju Yu and the Haes, have you heard about it?"

"There's a deal going on?" Mu asks, "What is it?"

"A few of my men reported that the former minister, the queen's cousin had been seen going back and forth at the Haes household in the north." Gen. Park tells the three.

Ji Mong racks his brain to remember how this lifetime went. He is sure the Haes in the original lifetime are not power players and from what he had heard about them in this lifetime, they are kind people. Even the general and the 4th prince attest to it.

But then I don't even know this lifetime anymore.

Leaning in one of the post, Ji Mong crosses his arms against his chest, he hates how blind he is here.

"So-ya, can I ask you something? I hope you don't take this wrongly but the arrows that struck Lady Myung Hee's group are…" Mu carefully asks not wanting to offend his brother.

"Not from us. Not from the Kangs." So confidently denies, "But it did come from a northern clan. Those kinds of arrows are common in the north."

"Lady Myung Hee is Hwangbos only hold at the Haes. They will never kill her." Ji Mong adds nervous that his little queen had just lost one of her protection.

He wonders if he made a mistake of not pushing for Hae Soo to be registered under the Haes. His little queen is vulnerable and clan less at the moment though he believes Myung Hee's parents will not cast Hae Soo away now that she's their only daughter remaining. He'll have to meet them one of these days and see what they're planning for his little queen or he'll have to work harder to push So to marry Hae Soo before both of them lose her.

"Do you think Lady Myung Hee's death has something to do with the deal going on between the Haes and the Chungju Yu clan?" Gen. Park tries to piece together the puzzles. "Didn't Lady Myung Hee just came from visiting her parents? She might have heard the deal, disagreed to it and so the Chungju Yu Clan got rid of her secretly?"

"That would be quite bold of the Chungju Yu clans, wouldn't it?" Mu asks.

"But they're not above it, aren't they?" Ji Mong reasons out.

"No, they're not." Gen. Park confirms it, "Every clan in the north protects their own. If Lady Myung Hee is a threat to them, they won't think twice of getting rid of her but we better be sure, we wouldn't want to spark a civil war in the north."

And everyone agrees with the general.

"Anyway," Mu turns to So to explain their plan for the network of roads, "So-ya, we'll have to check all these viable roads on the coming days. You and I will have to leave for a few weeks every now and then. Mianhaeyo for cutting short your meetings with your woman. Make sure you tell her how long will you be away and don't forget to send a messenger to her or Lady Hae Soo might just kill you and I this time around."

"Yie hyungnim." So answers obediently.

"Jam-si-man-yo (Hold on), You're leaving again? Will you not be meeting Hae Soo's parents to ask for her hand?" Ji Mong addresses So. He won't let him leave again without an assurance for his little queen, "Have you even told Lady Shinjuwon you want to marry the lady?"

So is about to put down the teacup he's holding and freezes mid way, his hand hanging mid-air, "Lady Shinjuwon will not be a problem."

"Then you should take this opportunity to go and talk to Hae Soo's parents while they are here." Ji Mong reminds So. "At least get their approval so we could present it to the king when we get another chance."

So puts the cup on the table, turned up side down once more. If it is up to him he would have taken Hae Soo and run away, leaving all this clan and palace politics behind but he is anxious that Hae Soo is not ready to be married yet. She had mentioned it plenty of times already and he doesn't want to push her, afraid that he might lose her more if he does. So he is letting her take her time and truthfully, he isn't confident to take Hae Soo into his adoptive clan nor does he want her to live under the Kangs. If he marries her, he need to have his own power to protect her from Lady Shinjuwon. The consort had him by the neck, he is not condemning Hae Soo to the same life.

"Ah, I think Ji Mong is right, shall I arranged a dinner with the Haes in place of Lady Shinjuwon?" Mu volunteers as an older brother and as the seja, patting So's back.

So falters a bit, "May I speak with Hae Soo first."

The hesitation on So doesn't escape Ji Mong's notice.

"Araseo, let me know when do you want us to have dinner with them. Hopefully before we leave for these roads." Mu smiles and Ji Mong could only watch So.

One of these days, you will have to tell me what you're hiding my prince.


Inside one of the tearooms of the Damiwon, Hae Hyeonhui, Lady Sewon and Hae Soo gather at a tea table. Hae Soo prepares the tea for the three of them, pouring one for each of their cup, careful with her actions and nervous to please.

"I'm glad you are doing well in your apprenticeship." Hae Hyeonhui speaks up, observing his daughter's grace, "Your mother and I are very much worried when they told us that you drowned and lost all your memories."

Lady Sewon touches Hae Soo's hand that had just put the carafe of tea down, "I told your father that we should visit you and your unnie at least once to see if you are doing well."

"But as you know, you're mother is as sickly as you and your unnie so we trusted on your unnie's and the 8th prince letters to inform us about your recovery. Forgive us that we only came just now." Hae Hyeonhui explains why they couldn't come earlier.

"Gwaenchanhseubnikka abeonim, I do not mind. Myung Hee unnie and the 8th prince had taken care of me well." Ha Jin assures them, squeezing Lady Sewon's hand back. "Have you seen unnie's…"

Ha Jin doesn't want to say 'grave' and the two understands, sighing.

"Ne, we went there first before coming here." Lady Sewon answers with a sad voice, "We planted Mokrans around it. I think your unnie would love that."

"I'll make sure to visit it every weekend when I'm allowed to leave here." Ha Jin promises Lady Sewon.

Picking up her teacup, Lady Sewon asks, "And how are the Hwangbos treating you in our household after your unnie's passing?"

Ha Jin thinks about it for a second, "The same, I guess? Wook wangjanim always make sure that I am looked after well and I mostly live here in the Damiwon now."

"Johda. They might be royalties but it is our household, they should be nice to you." Hae Hyeonhui drinks from his cup, "Hae Soo-ya, your mother and I agreed that it would be best for you to take a break in our household up north after your apprenticeship. Do you mind if you start living with us again? Now that your unnie is gone, we worry that no one would be looking after you here anymore."

"Live in the north Abeonim?" Ha Jin is apprehensive about it. Baek-Ah and her had talked about it plenty of times before and her only concern is that she doesn't know anyone in the north. Now that she had met Hae Soo's parents and find that they are pleasant and warm towards her, she has nothing to be afraid of, only that she would be away from So.

"Just until you get married." Hae Hyeonhui adds.

"We know you're slightly behind your other peers in terms of marriage prospect…" Lady Sewon reaches to pat Hae Soo's head affectionately, "but you need not think about it, your father and I will take care of it."

Ha Jin's eyes are round of surprise, mistaking Myung Hee's parents' meaning, "Cheongmal? Then I am no longer betrothed?"

"Not to the 8th prince if that is what you mean?" Hae Hyeonhui smiles at his daughter adoringly, "Forgive your unnie for forcing your hand, she was only trying to protect her husband and looking after you. I hope you don't resent her for it."

Upon hearing that the engagement is no longer pushing through, a burden lifts at Ha Jin's chest and she stands up to give Myung Hee's parents a hug each, forgetting her lady like manners. They no doubt won her trust and love, "Kamsahabnida eomeonim, abeonim."

Sitting down once more, Ha Jin folds her sleeve at her left arm to show the red bracelet on her wrist, "Then I wouldn't be needing this anymore."

So wangjanim hates this bracelet.

"Our family's heirloom? Waeyo?" Confusion floats on Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhuis face, uncomprehending.

"When unnie betrothed me to the 8th prince, Wook wangjanim gave me this as a sign of his promise that he would find a way to let me off the engagement."

"But it is our family heirloom?!" Lady Sewon points out, irked by Wook's unmindful use of the Hae's heirloom, "It has been in our family for centuries, handed to every daughter of our family. How dare him use it for his own gain."

"At matda, Wook wangjanim told me it was a gift from Myung Hee unnie. I forgot. Joesonghaeyo." Ha Jin recalls Wook once told her it came from Myung Hee and he had only been tasked to give it to her. With all the arguments and commotion between her and Myung Hee that time, she had come to associate the bracelet with Wook's promise.

"It was owned by your unnie first since she is older than you but we're happy she was able to passed it to you. It's yours now." Hae Hyeonhui assures his daughter.

"You probably don't remember the story behind these bracelet," Lady Sewon touches the red string on Hae Soo's wrist, "I'll tell it to you when you start living in the north with us once again."

"Are you not staying here until I finish my apprenticeship?" Ha Jin asks,

"We'll see, we only came to visit you and have a talk with the queen." Lady Sewon holds her daughter's hand once more.

"The queen? Waeyo?" Ha Jin is lost.

"You'll find out soon." Hae Hyeonhui catches his wife's gaze before smiling to Hae Soo, "This weekend when you come home, we'll have dinner with the queen."

"Kuereonikka I brought you a new hanbok to wear. You'll look lovely in it." Lady Sewon adds, her eyes tearing up a bit. "Our daughter had really grown-up into a fine lady."

What does that mean?

Ha Jin doesn't understand what Myung Hee's parents are talking about. She agrees nonetheless. Nothing can dampen her good mood today after meeting Myung Hee's parents and being secured of their love for her. It feels as if she had gotten new parents, one that she loves.


The dinner at Wook's household that night is quiet and tensed. With the Haes coming home unannounced, Wook and Yeonhwa are up on their feet, trying to please their in-laws.

"I hope you like the feast we have prepared." Yeonhwa tries for a small talk, pouring a glass of water for Hae Hyeonhui. The commotion at the Damiwon a while ago set aside for them to have a talk.

"Forgive my audacity a while ago. I was overwhelmed with emotions, seeing our Hae Soo all alone, her unnie gone..." Lady Sewon apologizes for slapping Wook, "Please understand a mother's heart for their child."

"It was nothing eomeonim," Wook swallows his pride, polite as always. "Let me apologize for failing to protect Myung Hee. It was a fault in my part for letting her leave here without accompanying here."

Wook look every bit sincere. The agony well seen on the tears he's trying to hold back in his eyes.

The Haes only nod and they all continue eating in silence. Though only curt words were exchange the tension is visible in the air as the four people at the table succumbs in their own reverie.

"About my daughter, Hae Soo, we are taking her home to the north after her apprenticeship." Lady Sewon breaks the silence to deal with the engagement issue.

"This is to make it clear that we do not agree to our daughter, Myung Hee's careless betrothal of her sister to you Wook wangjanim." Hae Hyeonhui supports his wife's choice, "We mean no disrespect on you wangjanim but please understand we only have one daughter left. We want to be very careful with her from now on."

Yeonhwa and Wook look up from their food, the falling out on the agreement of the engagement should not come as a surprise on both of them. The Haes are out of their leagues from the beginning, Wook was only lucky to have captured Myung Hee's heart.

"You can have this household of ours after my daughter leaves but I can not say the same for our Chancellery seat in the court." Lady Sewon adds, appeasing the Hwangbos sibling.

She and his husband had talked about sending their son, Kyung Hee, here to take over the Chancellery seat but Kyung Hee is doing well with managing their lands up north with Hae Hyeonhui and they wouldn't want him to be caught at the middle of the palace intricate web of politics. Hae Soo couldn't be considered next since her registry is still missing and even if turns up somewhere and they manage to register her, their daughter is too innocent and gentle to survive the palace. They've decided to hand over their seat to Hae Soo's would be husband, the 14th prince, if they managed to seal the engagement with the queen.

"Eomeonim, Abeonim, I hope you reconsider taking away your daughter from this household," Yeonhwa curtly disagree. With a pleasant smile on her face, she tries to broker an agreement with them, "My brother is perfectly capable of protecting your daughter the way he had bailed her out on the royal court when Lady Hae Soo had the misfortune of accidentally running into an argument with a minister. He even won her the king's favor. Hae Soo was granted a land just outside our territory."

"It was not our daughter's fault that your ministers are too greedy or that they were stupid enough to get caught." Lady Sewon doesn't appreciate that her daughter was put in danger, "It is your brother's duty to protect her. We gave you temporary control over our Chancellery seat, didn't we?"

Lady Sewon's acidic words don't come off well with Yeonhwa whose patience is wearing thin. Now she knows where Hae Soo got her temper. Irritated, Yeonhwa maintains her grace. She will not crumble against Lady Sewon.

"With all due respect Lady Sewon, I also want the same thing for your daughter. Please know that my intentions with Hae Soo are pure. I have never, not once, did I feel burdened protecting your daughters and I will continue to do so. I only ask that you give me another chance to redeem myself." Wook speaks up wearing his heart on his sleeves.

"Young prince, I understand how you feel towards my daughter but you should know by now, we as parents love our children to the extent of letting them be free to choose whom they want to be with and if we in the north knows our Hae Soo is seeing another boy, I'm sure you are also aware of it. Our daughter is at her prime age of marriage. It is only fitting that we commit her to the boy she's seeing before word gets out and our daughter becomes the center of gossip." Hae Hyeonhui declines Wook once more.

Wook and Yeonhwa exchange gazes thinking about the 4th prince and Hae Soo's relationship. They wouldn't be able to fault the Haes if they want to align with the Kangs, even Yeonhwa wants to marry their 4th brother for power.

Yet, the Haes and the Hwangbos are thinking of two different men. The Haes were informed that Hae Soo had been secretly meeting the 14th prince since Jung admitted it to his mother and so they agreed to the betrothal, unaware that Hae Soo is now seeing the 4th prince who belongs to the Kangs, a clan they are wary of. They have met the two princes before, Jung and So, and though So is quite capable and belongs to the most powerful clan, they approved of Jung more who seemed innocent like their daughter.

"If your daughter chooses me, will you let me marry her?" Wook dares to ask.

"I don't think my daughter will. Joesonghabnida wangjanim." There is a finality in Lady Sewon's voice that will not be contested. She puts down her chopstick and takes a glass of water. She's only staying at the table out of politeness.


Coming on time to take Hae Soo home, So waits by the main gate of the Damiwon, turning in his hands the dwikkoji he bought for Hae Soo at the lantern festival.

Not far, Ha Jin skips happily, light and full of smile. So immediately hides the dwikkoji by his sleeves.

"So wangjanim!" Ha Jin prances towards him, stopping too close to him,"Have you heard?"

Hae Soo's smile is infectious, So couldn't help but smile with her, "About what?"

"I have a mother! And a father!" Ha Jin turns in circle, animatedly describing Myung Hee's parents to So. She steps in front of him, entering his personal space, tipping her head up to look at his towering form.

She only spent a few hours with them yesterday and she likes them very much. She misses her real parents and having Myung Hee's parents around reminds her of her own family before her parents got divorced and she had to become a bread winner for her ailing father and irresponsible brother.

"I'm glad you're happy to see your parents." So brushes the little strands of hair on Hae Soo's forehead with the tips of his finger. "I've met them when I was still in the north. Your mother is very beautiful by the way and your father and brother love indulging your mother's whims."

"You did?! They're amazing, aren't they?"

They start walking together with So matching Hae Soo's pace,

"Yes, they are." So tugs at Hae Soo's wrist, "Cheon-cheon-hi. (Slow down.)"

Ha Jin abruptly stops prancing, "Waeyo?"

"Kuenyang…" He chuckles amusedly, wanting to hold her hand. He can't do it if she's skipping and her hands are swaying in a larger arc beside her. He reaches into it, interlacing his fingers with her soft little ones.

"Oh?" Hae Soo looks at their intertwined hands, feeling the blush spreading from her neck to her cheeks.

He had never held her hand like this before and somehow it feels more intimate to her. They've shared countless embraces and a private kiss or two but this simple gesture of holding hands while they walk around in an open ground where there is a possibility of someone seeing them is different. It makes her feel more feminine, shy and ladylike.

The innocence in Hae Soo's reaction brings out a tenderness in So, the kind that calms him and makes him hope of better days to look forward to.

The two of them slows down and walk leisurely at a slow pace.

"Soo-ya, nae-il bwol-kka-yo? (Will I see you tomorrow?)"

"Hmmm…" Ha Jin thinks about it, lowering her head "I want to…"

"But?" So senses Hae Soo's hesitation.

"My parents are around."

The simple sentence expresses a complicated condition. Even in modern times, it's hard to introduce the boy you're seeing to your own parents.

"And?" So halts in his steps, though he understands that being introduced to the parents of the girl he's seeing isn't just a simple meeting but entails a certain terms of a future together, he all the more wants it.

"Haji ma. (Don't)…" Ha Jin meets So's gaze, "Don't feel bad about it. It's not that I don't want to introduce you to them, I just want… to… to… get to know them… again…You see…"

"You don't remember your own parents." So nods understandingly, "Araseo, I shall wait then. When you're ready."

Ha Jin squeezes So's hand reassuringly, "Joesonghaeyo."

"I was wondering if I could take you to the middle of the Donji lake. I haven't rowed my boat since I came back because I wanted to do it with you. I'm sure you're going to like it. Will you come out tomorrow for a few hours?" The pounding in So's chest is back, feeling the dwikkoji, underneath his sleeve.

Ha Jin inclines her head, thinking. She doesn't want to disappoint So for the second time today, "I can try?"

"Please do." So asks once more, trying for a smile that Hae Soo likes. He squeezes her hand back, hoping.

"Araseo." Ha Jin returns the smile.


"Oh Junga-ah?" So calls his 14th brother's name as he sees him sitting with his back to him at the balcony of the Sky tower, "Wae yeo-gi-ro u-syeo-sseub-ni-kka? (What brings you here?)"

Jung turns to smile at his 4th brother, "Kuenyang… we haven't really hang out together since we both came back from the north."

With nowhere to go and no one to talk to about their family, Jung seeks his 4th brother, remembering that he once looked-up to him, once liked him. If only he didn't lose Hae Soo to him.

Even from a far, So senses something is wrong with his youngest brother. He walks towards Jung and they go over the balustrade. They sit by the roof, their backs resting at the balustrade of the balcony.

"I hear, Baek-Ah hyungnim hangs around with you guys these past few weeks. I don't see him here? Where is he?" Jung asks concern.

"I saw him at the plaza the other day, drawing once more. It must have been hard for him to lose a friend. Hae Soo told me, Baek-Ah and Lady Myung Hee are quite close." So glances at Jung, sounding his 14th brother's somber mood.

Jung has no words for that. He remains quiet, burdened by the mention of Myung Hee's name, "Hyungnim…"

He hasn't addressed So, 'hyungnim' since he found out about him and Hae Soo. It was painfully to lose Hae soo to him but since Jung is sincere on letting Hae Soo go, he swallows his agony and implores on So, seeking the older brother he had in him.

Jung quivers, unable to ask his next words. He wanted to know if So ever knew how cruel their birth mother and their 3rd brother are, wondering if he was the only one who doesn't know. He asks a different question instead,

"What was it like to grew-up in the Kang household? I realized I've never asked you."

So doesn't answer, abruptly surprised to hear his 14th brother being curious.

"We only know, you live in the north, that the Kangs have their own palace up there." Jung explains, "They say you were cold and cruel just like the lady consort who adopted you. Me and our 10th brother, we used to be scared of you. You look intimidating and you always scowl but after you saved Hae Soo at the cliff and I came to know you when we were in the north, I no longer think you're scary. I like you better than our third brother."

Jung's last sentence is a give-away and So catches the hurt in his words, "Jung-ah you can tell me what's going-on. You can tell me anything."

Jung purses his trembling lips, grating his teeth together. He tries to be still and is failing miserably. His whole body shivers, balling his hands into a fist, his eyes are starting to swim in a haze of tears.

"I wonder, was the Kang household better than ours, your biological family?"

Even under the dim light, So can easily see Jung is struggling with something.

"Anywhere is better than the Kang household, trust me." So assures Jung.

Jung doubts it. To him, their biological mother and 3rd brother as murderers are the worst and yet he couldn't hate them and that was the most painful part of his burden. His morals couldn't reconcile his love for his family and the fact that they are cold-blooded murderers.

"Hyungnim, if you found out that the person you love is not the person you think he/she is, what will you do?"

For someone who grew-up unloved, to So, all love is the same. There is no level into it. It's just love, plain and simple.

"It's not the person's fault that we put a certain expectation on them or that you saw them differently from who they really are. I understand that you might feel betrayed if that person doesn't turn out to be what you thought of them yet sometimes, it is also our fault for not seeing through them from the beginning."

So would know. He's hiding way too many secrets even now that he no longer wears a mask. If it was reverse and Hae Soo finally finds out how horrible his past is, he wouldn't want her to cast him aside.

Defensively, he tells Jung, "I wouldn't care if the person I love turns out to be a different person. It's only a matter of choosing. I love her and I will choose to still love her no matter what."

"That's easy to say." Jung counters, "Harder to act upon when you're faced with it."

"There's no such thing as easy."

The word 'easy' is missing in So's vocabulary. He doesn't remember what it feels like to have an easy life since he was four, "You choose what will make you survive."

Jung lifts his eyes to the sky above, wishing he hadn't knew what he knows now, "Hyungnim, after I pass the Gwageo (National civil service exam), will you let me be assigned to the north again? I'd like to train under Gen. Park like you did."

So wouldn't want his brother anywhere near the Kangs. He wouldn't be able to protect Jung this time since he's staying in the palace already, "I heard you and you're platoon were doing good down south, maybe you should stay there or here in the palace."

"Kamsahabnida hyungnim but I'd really want to see different places. I don't want to be coop up inside the palace. I don't think the politics of our court is for me."

"How about we talk about it after you pass your exams. Let me consult with the general first." So will have to make sure the general will take good care of Jung if Jung really wants to be assigned in the north.

"Hyungnim, I can deal with the Khitans." Jung assures his 4th brother,
"I was only unlucky that their poisoned arrows graced my cheek."

"I'm not worried about the Khitans," So answers, avoiding Jung's eyes.

"Kuereom, I'll trust in your word then." A sincere smile appears in Jung's face, misunderstanding So. "And Hyungnim… please don't ever hurt Hae Soo. Promise me you'll make her happy so I could be in peace while I'm away."

Hae Soo's name being brought-up sounds strange to So but he shrugs it off thinking, Jung is only concern because they are friends, "I will never hurt Hae Soo."

Jung bites his lips once more, holding his self together, his act of freeing Hae Soo, completed.

"Then I'm happy to hold your promise.


Walking around the compound late at night, Ha Jin passes at Wook's darkened quarters. From the outside, Ha Jin couldn't see any lanterns lighted. The prince didn't join them in their family dinner a while ago and Ha Jin is worried as to why. She heard from their servants that Wook doesn't eat lately and from the few times she saw him, he looked tired. Though his appearance is neat and is dressed appropriately as always, he seemed to have aged a little over the past week of losing Myung Hee.

Ha Jin steps at his foyer, holding a lantern by one hand and knocking by the other. She came to check upon him and apologize for Lady Sewon's behavior yesterday at the Damiwon.

"Wangjanim?" Ha Jin calls, repeating it several times.

She wonders if he's asleep already. Knocking a few more, she opens the door a little and takes a peak through the small crack. Inside, the whole room is dark and there isn't much to see. She brings her lantern in front of her and finally sees a silhouette of someone huddled at the floor. Wook is seated with his back to the side of his bed, hugging his knees together. It is in the darkness of his chambers that he grieves for the lost of his wife.

Ha Jin enters the room and walks to one of the candle stand by the corner to light it.

"Haji ma. (Don't)" Wook stops her, his voice unsteady.

Ha Jin stills, turning to Wook. She hesitantly blows at her lighted stick. She walks towards him, putting her lantern down and taking a seat beside him on the floor. Wook is resting his forehead on his knees and Ha Jin doesn't need the dim light from her lantern to see that Wook is trying to hide that he is trembling, holding his self together as his insides fall apart from pain of losing Myung Hee.

Silence stretches between the two of them and Ha Jin only waits for Wook. She remembers Myung Hee made her promise to take care of the 8th prince before she left for the north but she was too busy with her own grief that it is only now that she notice Wook needed someone to lean upon.

"Wangjanim, I'm sorry for how my mother acted towards you yesterday. They've just lost my unnie."

"Ara. (I know.)" Wook answers quietly, "I lost her too."

Silence.

Ha Jin doesn't have words for that.

"Your unnie, she loved me so much to the point of giving up her happiness just to see me happy and I… couldn't even return… what she felt for me… I tried… I really did." And Wook couldn't say he attempted sending Hae Soo back to the north just so he could focus on Myung Hee but Myung Hee wouldn't have any of it. "It is only know that she is gone that I realize I never deserved her…. I never will."

"Myung Hee unnie wouldn't want you to be like this. She wouldn't want you burdened of her passing." Ha Jin comforts Wook, gracing him with her warm smile even when Wook isn't looking at her. "She would want you to be happy."

Wook lifts his forehead from his knees to look at Hae Soo, "Hae Soo-ya, am I allowed to be happy?"

"Kuereomyo!" Ha Jin assures Wook without comprehending what he really meant. She touches her shoulders to his, playfully pushing at him. "Everyone deserves to be happy."

"Hae Soo-ya na-ui haeng-bok-ib-nida. (You are my happiness.)"

It takes a few seconds for the words to sink in to Ha Jin.

"You are my happiness…. My only happiness." Wook bravely meets her gaze.

Without his responsibility to his wife and misunderstanding Hae Soo's answer as acceptance to his unsaid feelings, Wook takes a step closer to Hae Soo's heart, knocking by it's door,

"In the beginning, after your first drowning and you lost all your memories, I worried a lot because you seem like a different person. You were more cheerful and more accepting, bringing smile to everyone you meet. I never knew how much I was looking forward to seeing you care for me until that moment I lost you in the cliff. I couldn't stop thinking about you, thinking about what kind of Hae Soo will we be meeting this time around. I was relieved that it was you who came back, the one whose carefree and affectionate. You once promised me that I can lean upon your shoulder when I feel burdened the most. Am I allowed to make good of your promise now?"

"Eh?"

"Ni-ga pil-yo-hae-yo (I need you.) Please stay with me." Wook slowly lowers his head on her shoulders, gauging if he could.

Ha Jin stills, tensing upon the remembrance of her promise under Hae Soo's tree a year ago. Her head swims in confusion, deliberating if she understood it correctly.

Gobaek? (Is that a confession?)

Wook sighs a relief as his head touch her shoulder, resting his weight on it and Ha Jin is still caught up with Wook's words, discerning it carefully.

"Hae Soo-ya sa-rang-hae-do duil-kka-yo? (Can I love you?)"

With his head still resting upon her shoulders, Wook touches Hae Soo's cheek and made her look at him. He lifts his head and comes closer to her, connecting their lips together.

The color on Ha Jin's face drain.

The 8th prince had two wives… but was in love with an unnamed girl who subsequently became the one true love of the 4th prince.

They say the fight for the throne was only an aftermath of the 8th prince and the 4th prince fighting for the heart of the same girl…

Their Helen of troy…

A light bulb clicks on Ha Jin's head as Wook's confession sinks on her. The unnamed girl in history finally named.

An older Hae Soo and a So without a scar are at a boat in the middle of a lake. It's spring and all around them are trees in full bloom, the flowers of orange blossom are being carried in the wind, filling the air with that citrusy sweet fragrance of new beginnings…

It is Hae Soo?!

Now my 8th brother loses a servant and my 4th brother gains one. Let's hope it stops there because you've just sparked a tension between the two princes and in extension, their clan…

Ha Jin pushes at Wook, his lips unwelcome and uninvited.

Wook holds her still, his hand moving at the back of her neck while the other grips at the hands that are pushing at him, desperate for the touch he had desired for so long.

Ha Jin struggles against Wook's hold. The frantic kiss feels more like an assault with every second that passes.

"Stop… please…" Ha Jin begs in between, her head spinning between pieces of history, flashes of memories and Baek-Ah's warning. It was Hae Soo in the history and now it's her.

Wook stops long enough to ask, "Can you not choose me instead?"

Ha Jin scrams the second Wook lets her go, panicking as the information convolutes her head. She's afraid of Wook and what she had unknowingly started between him and the 4th prince.

The fear in Ha Jin's face is like a doused of cold water on Wook. He instantly lets her go and he leans back, "Joesonghaeyo Hae Soo-ya, I… didn't… I mean no disrespect."

Ha Jin backs away fast and Wook stands with her, flustered for losing his self-control. She runs out of the room without giving Wook a chance to explain.


Ha Jin wakes up with the sound of Lady Sewon's voice, shaking her.

"It's late in the morning my daughter, are you not going to rise and join us for a lunch?" Lady Sewon's soft hands are gentle as she wakes Hae Soo up, "Your father wants to see you."

Rubbing her sleepy and puff eyes, Ha Jin squints at Lady Sewon, seeing her real mother in her, "Eomma?"

"The head servant told me your personal servant was punished by the 4th prince and you refuse to have another one. Whose taking care of you then?" Lady Sewon smoothens her bed hair.

"She wasn't punished. So wangjanim freed Chae Ryung." Ha Jin answers with her eyes half closed.

"So wangjanim did what?"

"He freed her, even given her some silver to leave town and start a new life with her family."

But that's not what Lady Sewon had been informed.

When the news of Myung Hee's death reached them, they have conducted their own investigation and they are in the same page with the 8th prince. They know their daughter was not a mere victim of random thievery but was targeted by another clan in the north. They have sent their own men to find their daughter's servant, Chae Ryung, in the hopes of questioning her since she have been closed to both of their daughters and she might know a valuable information about what's going on in their own household but just like the 9th prince's servants, they only found her falling abandoned hanok. Their men had asked the whole village where Chae Ryung's family had gone and no one could tell where they are. They suspect, either the servant went in hiding or she and her family were gotten rid off because of something.

Ha Jin covers her mouth as she yawns and the memories of the night come back hitting her. She couldn't help but hug Myung Hee's mother, seeking her own mother in Lady Sewon, "Eomeonim…"

In the course of her one year stay here, Ha Jin had come to love the people around her, establishing friendships and relationships. Along the way, she had stopped looking at Hae Soo's circle as mere historical people, just another piece of information to memorize. These people had become part of her life and she had become part of theirs and only now did it strike her that her actions might have consequences that affect people and possibly the history that she had known.

"What's wrong Hae Soo-ya?" Lady Sewon pats Hae Soo's head affectionately.

"Keunyang…" Ha Jin wants her mother right now, "Pogo sipeoseo. (I Miss you.)"

"Yie, Na do. (Me too.)" Lady Sewon strokes Hae Soo's back, feeling her daughter shake as Hae Soo cries. "Shhh… it's alright I'm here now. Did you miss me and your father that much?"

"Eomeonim…" Ha Jin tightens her arms around Lady Sewon's waist, holding to the only mother she has.


Cold and tense atmosphere abounds as Queen Yoo, Yo and Jung eats their family lunch together. It is Jung's first time to eat with his family after he found out about them. He didn't want to come but there's one thing he wants to ask.

"Eomeonim,"

Queen Yoo lifts her eyes as Jung addresses her, hopeful.

"Did you like the food prepared by my gungnyeo(s). I made sure to make them cook your favourite."

"The arrow that pierced Lady Myung Hee's servant came from ours, isn't it?"

Yo meets his mother's gaze before asking, "Wae?"

"I want to confirm something." Jung doesn't bother to look at his 3rd brother, training his quivering eyes in his bowl of rice. He only came to ask about it.

"Ne, it's ours." Yo answers for their mother.

"Is the arrow unique to our clan or can it easily be purchased by any army?" Jung's hand shakes as he holds his bowl of rice hanging in mid air.

"The wood use for that arrow is commonly found only in the north. So only private armies from clans up north uses that kind of arrow." Yo explains, waiting to see where this questioning of his youngest brother is going to.

"So the other kingdoms that lie outside our borders up north, it's not possible for them to have such arrows?"

The matter of arrow had been on Jung's head ever since he saw it handed to his 8th brother's hand by his servant. He and his 4th brother had easily identified it. If what his 3rd brother just said is true then his 4th and 8th brother have a hunch by now on whose arrow was it yet So and Wook never brought it up, not even when their father had assigned the investigation to the seja and their 4th brother. Jung is sure he's missing something about it but he can't point it out.

"I don't think so, it is only us, the Haes, the Kangs and the Hwangbos who use such arrows that's why our uncle had instructed our men to not use or leave one behind but our men were stupid enough to let a servant live. Let alone with an arrow lodge in her arm but don't worry, I doubt our 8th brother would be able to pin it on us." Yo assures Jung, trying to comfort his youngest brother and yet Jung's head is not focus on whether their 8th brother is able to pin it on them or not, his mind is busy putting information together.

"So, the Khitans wouldn't have access to those kinds of arrows?" Jung confirms once more.

"I highly doubt it." Yo answers, sure about it.

Jung loses the color on his face, suspecting his 4th brother is also hiding something from him.

"Why is my son suddenly interested about it? Would you like to run our own private army after you pass the Gwageo?" Queen Yoo speaks up, misunderstanding Jung's curiosity. She'd been trying to get back to her son's good graces that she'll agree to anything for as long as Jung stops looking at her with hate.

"Anibnida." Jung stands-up no longer wanting to eat. It seems everyone is keeping secrets from him and he doesn't know whom to trust anymore.


The afternoon lunch at the Hae household is as awkward as the ones at Queen Yoo's chamber. Hae Soo made sure to sit beside Lady Sewon, avoiding the 8th prince' gaze. Wook wanted to talk to her but Hae Soo stays by her mother's shadow, inseparable from Lady Sewon.

After their lunch, Ha Jin comes to Lady Sewon's quarters where she was seated in front of the vanity table and her mother braids her first layer hair into a simple waterfall twist. Hae Hyeonhui sits by the tea table watching over the two ladies fondly.

"Who takes care of your hair now? You seem to always put it up in a simple bun?" Lady Sewon brushes her hair into a smooth straight, "That's fine if your inside the Damiwon and performing duties as the Sanggun's apprentice but when you're outside, it would be better to keep it cascading behind your back and pretty it up with your dwikkojis. You love these pins."

The words remind Ha Jin of Myung Hee's words before.

"Shall we get you a new servant?" Hae Hyeonhui asks, a little bit worried, "Your mother told me you told her that your servant, Chae Ryung, was freed by the 4th prince."

"Gwaenchanhseubnida abeonim, silheoyo (it's fine father, I don't want another one.)" Ha Jin looks at Hae Hyeonhui through the mirror, assuring, "and yes, So wangjanim freed Chae Ryung. She came to me before she left town and told me herself. She was really happy. She promised to write me a letter but I haven't heard anything from her yet. I guess she hasn't find time."

Lady Sewon stops brushing Hae Soo's hair, exchanging a hint of gaze with her husband. They have met the 4th prince before and they find him 'reserved' rather than cold and ruthless like the rumors about him. Still, they couldn't help but be wary of the 4th prince since he came from the Kang clan.

Of the four clans from the north: the Haes, the Hwangbos, the Chunju Yu clan and the Kangs of Shinju, the Kangs are the one they are most distrustful of. They couldn't find any motivation for the Kangs to target their daughter and yet they are the only ones whom they think the arrows would come from. The Hwangbos will not get rid of Myung Hee because and the Chungju Yu clan had just made a deal with them, surely the Chungju Yu clan wouldn't break faith with them now.

"Your unnie informed us before that the 4th prince lived here in our household for a short period of time. Was he nice to you? He didn't scare you away, did he?" Hae Hyeonhui voices their distress for their daughter.

"So wangjanim?"

Ha Jin's heart races in her chest, a little nervous as to how her parents perceived the 4th prince and again that nagging feeling at the back of her head. Something about the 4th prince ascending the throne.

"He's a very warm person once you get to know him."

Her nervousness noticeable with the telltale signs of her hands playing around the ceramics of make-up at Lady Sewon's vanity table.

Lady Sewon admires her daughter's ability to see the good in every person. She brought up her children that way but of the three children they have, Hae Soo is the most sheltered, the one with no experience in politics because they have always kept her close to them. They were even against sending her here in the capital but since Myung Hee needs a family, Hae Soo was permitted to live with her.

"Hae Soo-ya," Lady Sewon continues with brushing the tips of her daughter's hair, "It's good to know that you keep my teachings with you always even when you have lived apart from us for a while now. I only think, there won't be any harm in being a little guarded when dealing with these princes, especially with the 4th prince."

Ha Jin stills, the warning similar to Baek-Ah and Lady Oh's.

Hae Hyeonhui leaves his seat and stands beside the two ladies. Hae Soo is now in between him and Lady Sewon,

"The Kangs of Shinju are not exactly known as agreeable people, especially after Lady Shinjuwon sat at the head of their clan. There's a good reason why the Kangs are the most feared clan and our family had long since stayed clear from them. I'm not saying that the 4th prince is not trustworthy but there's a chance that the apple might not have fallen far from the tree."

"So wangjanim? But he was only adopted to the Kangs, wasn't he?" Ha Jin becomes defensive of So.

"Yes and that's where the problem lies, they brought him up." Lady Sewon carefully tries to explain to their naïve daughter the status of the warring clans in the north, "The Kangs are known to not make deals without asking anything in return. I just don't want you to get hurt by continuously trusting these kinds of people."

"Eomeonim, abeonim…" Ha Jin plays around the ceramics once more, tensed to even meet her parent's eyes. "So wangjanim will never hurt me. He cares for me."

She stops in those words, sensing that her parents will not take kindly to the idea of her being with the 4th prince at the moment.

"Hae Soo-ya, you told us that your servant, Chae Ryung, was freed by the 4th prince and yet you haven't heard anything from her." Hae Hyeonhui hesitates a bit, "We've sent our own men to look for her but no one can find her or her family. Are sure she wasn't forced to lie to you?"

"What do you mean abeonim?" Ha Jin lifts her eyes to catch her parent's observing look on the mirror this time, "Chae Ryung wasn't forced to lie to me. She was really happy that night and So wangjanim will never do that."

"My daughter, how well do you know the 4th prince?" Lady Sewon puts her hand on Hae Soo's shoulder, squeezing softly, "The servants in these household told us that the commotion that had Chae Ryung dismissed from this household was because of the Gyul(s) given to you by the 4th prince. Was it not?"

"I'm the one who handed it to her." Ha Jin reasons, "and So wangjanim was only trying to protect me from Yeonhwa gongju so he stepped up and demanded for Wook wangjanim to hand Chae Ryung to him. So wangjanim freed Chae Ryung afterwards. He would never do anything that will hurt me. He promised me."

"And why would the most powerful prince in the court promise you that?"

If whatever his daughter is saying is true, then Hae Hyeonhui is grateful to the 4th prince but Hae Hyeonhui is nervous as to why would a man like the 4th prince would care for Hae Soo that much. "Hae Soo-ya, the Kangs do not make deals and certainly not make promises that they will not benefit from. What if you capture the 4th prince's affection and he asks for your hand? Will you want me and your mother to agree to it?"

Hae Soo lowers her eyes from the mirror. A subtle pink blush colors her cheeks.

"Hae Soo-ya, you would never want to be part of the Kang household and we would never permit it. Trust me and your mother on this. I would never want my daughter to be anywhere near that clan. They are a spiteful people." Hae Hyeonhui argues.

He firmly tells Hae Soo, "We were repeatedly informed that you have been close to the princes lately, including the 4th prince but your mother and I would rest better at night knowing our only remaining daughter is safe from that vile household. Stop entertaining the 4th prince's attention, we do not have faith in his clan."

"Abeonim…"

The conversation between her and Myung Hee's parents quickly spiraled out of control. Ha Jin was planning to gradually let them know about her and the 4th prince but seeing as how Hae Hyeonhui had already put down his foot, the conversation about her relationship with the 4th prince is out of the table at the moment

"Forgive us, Hae Soo-ya…" Lady Sewon moves her hand from Hae Soo's shoulder to Hae Soo's hand. Holding it tightly, Lady Sewon hesitates a little before disclosing the information they have gotten from their own investigation, "Your unnie was not a victim of random thievery and the arrow that the lady servant brought back from the attacked… it was an arrow commonly used by clans up north and we suspect... it was from the Kangs…"

"Eh?" Ha Jin's eyes are wide with shock, "So wangjanim wouldn't..."

She stands up, the distrust in Myung Hee's parents' words is dancing in her eyes. She looks from Hae Hyeonhui to Lady Sewon, backing in her steps.

"Hae Soo-ya..."

"He wouldn't!" Ha Jin shakes her head, her voice rising in denial. She runs out of the room. Her head spinning once more, pondering if she was wrong to trust So all along.

The 4th prince will ascend the throne and Hae Soo will leave the palace after.

Why? Why would Hae Soo choose to leave So?

Why would I choose to leave?


Preview:

Ha Jin speaks to Ji Mong about the history she knows. Wook makes his move. So and Mu leave for their assigned mission. A clan will fall (this one will span one more chapter to complete it's set-up).

The next update would be in three weeks? or two. Mianhaeyo.


Editor's note:

To that guest reader who called me out on my mistake in my grammar, thank you. I know it's not an excuse to say I'm too tired so I didn't proof read my last chapter. Joesonghaeyo, even my English grammar is not perfect and there are still words and phrases I miss after I re-read my chapters. Romanized Hangeul is just harder to proof read.

We've had this discussion before, why I still write in Romanized Hangeul. And I beg to disagree, 걱정 can't be spelled as "Guhk-jjeong". There's a standard Revised Romanized Hangeul and according to it, it's spelled as "Geok-jeong". I made sure to follow it since Chapter 10, when another reader complained about the spelling. Though I admit I sometimes still get confused with the usage of G to K and J to CH and R to L. Yes I still commit errors with spelling. And I traced it back to chapter 20 when I started writing geok-jeong as go-cheong. That was a fault in my part. Again let me apologize for my wrong spelling.

Thank you for still choosing to read my story in spite of my shortcomings XD 수고하셨습니다!