Hello readers,

I know it's been a month since I last updated. Big and sincere apology for these and for the coming weeks. I realized I've just passed our one year mark since the first time I published my story and I should have updated but I couldn't because of my crazy sched. My health is failing me and even then I still need to to go to shoots and post prod in between. I wish I have rita skeeter's magic quill that write on it's own. LOL. I'm trying to find rhythm on my sched so I could write but worst case scenario, my sched will only free up after christmas. I have 10 pages of the next chapter and a complete outline, I will try, really, really try.

'Til the next chapter then. Fighting!


Note: This one is two chapters long. Mianhaeyo, it took time for me to post. Please enjoy! :)


Chapter 41:

The ministers in red and blue uniform kneeling in columns at the courtyard look like a checkered board from the top steps of the Hoegyong Hall. King Taejo and Ji Mong watch them as the two enter the building and is welcomed only by the princes and a few ministers inside.

From the outside, they could hear the chorus of ministers, "Pyeha please reconsider the position of our seja."

All calling for Mu's resignation at his position as the crown prince.

The tea farmers who are protesting for the hike of their taxes had arrived at the capital and had been seeking audience with the king to have their grievances heard. When the ministers found out about it, they called for re-examination of inventory books and found the discrepancy with the policy of taxes being implemented to the tea farmers down south and what the seja had fought for in the royal court. Wook, Yo and Won were quick to blame Mu for it.

"Sunggohabnida pyeha. I have given a copy of this inventory book to my 4th brother so he could investigate it quietly and have it resolved before it blows over but I guess my 4th brother tried to cover it up instead of bringing the guilty people to justice." Won structures his sentence to frame So as an accomplice of the corruption.

"Pyeha, if I may, I think we should hear the side of the seja first." Ji Mong disagrees, "It is not that the 4th prince is covering for the seja or that the seja is guilty of anything. They were only busy with the unrest in the north so they are not here to explain. How about we have them called back here as soon as possible."

"And have our northern garrison unmanned and the investigation influenced by his authority?" Yo steps into the aisle to accompany Won, "I think we should finished the investigation while they aren't present. That way, we are sure that it would be clean and fair."

"Clean maybe, but fair? How can it be fair if the accused is not here to defend his self. Pyeha, jebal, let us have the seja called back first." Ji Mong curls his fingers into a fist, holding his self from trembling out of anger.

So and Mu had tasked him to find the culprit behind the anomaly with the inventory books before they left for the north. He was supposed to keep it quiet but of course Yo and Wook had already planned it so it blows-up while they are gone.

King Taejo closes his eyes, listening to the protest outside, "Have my first and fourth son home as soon as possible. Let the 14th prince and the general take care of the north first."

"Yie pyeha." Ji Mong quickly answers and bows, hurrying to leave the Hoegyong hall and send a messenger. He is nervous that it would take some time to reach the two. In the meantime, he would continue with his own investigation and hold the court at bay until the two come back to the palace.


"The 4th prince is home. Have you heard?" One of the gungnyeo(s) asks her companion as they walk towards the royal kitchen not far from jeong (pavilion-style building that was used as a space for relaxation or banquets).

"Ne and our soldiers say he no longer wears a mask." Answers another gungnyeo.

"Are we allowed to serve at the banquet later? I'd like to see for myself." The third gungnyeo adds, whispering with the other two young gungyeo(s) almost the age of Hae Soo. 'They say he looks more beautiful without his mask. Alluringly attractive like the lady consort."

The news of the 4th prince coming home without a mask spreads at the whole Kang household like a wildfire, consuming everyone with curiosity. The older gungnyeo(s) who had served at the palace for more than 2 decades could remember what the 4th prince's face look like without a mask but the 4th prince is only 4 yrs. old back then. When he grew to a teenage boy, only the eunuch are allowed to come near him. Even then, he doesn't like people lurking around him, scowling at people when they get near him.

Due to their busy gossiping, the three gungnyeo(s) made a wrong turn going to the pavilion pond not far from the private quarters of the guest and come face to face with the lady consort, Guen Sun and the 4th prince. They automatically lower their eyes to the ground but not without getting a glimpse of what they have been gossiping all afternoon. They stop and render a greeting to the three, which was completely ignored. They shuffle to their feet and release the breath they are holding the moment the three passed them.

"So that's how our 4th prince looks like without his mask?!" The second gungnyeo comments, blushing. "I didn't notice any scar in his face. He really is a beauty."

"He was beautiful even with his mask on before. Only he's less scarier now." The one in the middle giggles.

"No wonder the consort became possessive of him as he grew older. Will he stay in her quarters this time too?" The first gungnyeo comments.

"Shhhhh!" Both of the other gungnyeo tell off the first one, horrified of the girl's slip.

"Neo paboya?! (Are you stupid?!) Do you want to be hanged in the courtyard too?!" The one in the middle tensely grab the first gungnyeo's hand, "You know we're not allowed to talk about that."

"Joeseonghabnida." Slapping her own lips, the first gungnyeo nervously looks around, scared that someone might have heard her.

And to the three's surprise, the 14th prince is just at the round corner of the corridor. Jung wanted to explore the palace grounds and decided to wander around, accidentally coming across the three gungnyeo(s). He observes them as they greet him apprehensively, hearing the end of their conversation about the consort being possessive of his 4th brother, pensively thinking what it meant.

The gungnyeo(s) scurry immediately after they have been allowed to rise, avoiding any conversation with the 14th prince. They keep their head low and their mouth tightly shut. Jung inclines his head, watching them strangely, their figures becoming smaller and disappearing at the far end of the courtyard. Shrugging, Jung heads to the direction of the main gate first, looking for the familiar arrow that lodged itself on the ground.


"So, to what do I owe this pleasure of my son visiting me of his own accord?" Lady Shinjuwon asks, observing the bare face of the 4th prince. His scar, kept well hidden by the make-up Hae Soo had thought him. Her spy at had informed her the 4th prince no longer wears his mask after the Spiritual cleansing ritual last year and she had been curious to see what it did to So. The 4th prince seemed more confident these days but Lady Shinjuwon knows what will shake that wall of his.

She leads the three of them to the direction of her garden, passed her own quarters. Her hand still hooked on So's rigid arm.

"Lady Sewon is asking Hae Soo when will my mother and I formally ask for their daughter's hand." So goes straight to the point, not wasting another second under his adoptive mother's attention.

"Does the sneaking behind their back finally bother them?" Unphased, Lady Shinjuwon waves the idea off, "If it was my daughter, I would have locked her inside her quarters and have the boy thrown in jail for trying to taint her."

"No doubt, you would." The sentence more to So's self rather than to lady Shinjuwon.

He repeats his question once more, pressing for it even if he doesn't want to, "When are you going to formally ask for Hae Soo's hand?"

Lady Shinjuwon unhooks her hand from So, "When you finally get eomeoni her throne?"

"Eomeonim!" So abruptly stops walking, the cold air of spring adding to the chill of his mother's playful demeanor.

The garden at the back of Lady Shinjuwon's quarter is full of dark blue bell flowers and purple helmet ones that are stunning to look at but deadly to touch, even inhale sometimes. So and everyone in their household know too well not to wander around Lady Shinjuwon's garden. It is a distinct part of their household that defines his mother's peculiar madness and people who are uneducated of poisonous plants may view the garden into their liking.

"Wae? That was our agreement, wasn't it?" Lady Shinjuwon plays it innocently, smiling, "I'll have Lady Hae Soo clothe in the finest red silk Hwarot, embellished with embroidered flowers, cranes, whatever you prefer, walking down the aisle beside you if you get me the throne. Is your father abdicating the throne to you anytime soon? Or are we poisoning the seja while he is here? Tell me so we could act on it already."

So refuses to engage his mother's playful words, knowing full well it will turn serious anytime. He steps back as the wind blows to his direction, an instinctual aversion not to inhale the poisonous plants even when it doesn't have a foul smell.

"Your brothers from the Yoo clan and the one from Hwangbos had made their move for the throne. I wouldn't be surprise if after you come back to the palace, the seja is no longer a seja."

True enough the playful smile on his mother's face is gone, replaced with a gleaming squint full of malice, "I guess your beloved older brother isn't as clean as you thought he is."

Yo and Wook had planned for the seja's downfall. Whether it succeeds or not, the scandal is big enough to taint his name and doubt his capacity to rule. Lady Shinjuwon's spy who had been lurking at the palace, reports everything to her and she couldn't help but admire Yo and Wook's work,

"Nevertheless, I would provide you the help you need."

Seeing nothing wrong with playing along a little bit with the ChungJu Yu clan and the Hwangbo clan, Lady Shinjuwon wouldn't mind letting them eliminate a holder of power in court. It would be a lot less blood in her hands and more on theirs. That way, she can easily sway So to her cause and against his brothers who will soon become the root cause of So's beloved woman's grief.

"Why?" So asks matter of factly.

"Because you're my beloved son," Lady Shinjuwon turns back to the 4th prince. She advances towards him with silent self-assured coolness. "And you would do great to remember you belong to I and only I."

She lets her spidery long fingers skim at the side of his cheek, down to his neck, splaying it against his chest. Leaning forward to his ear, "I can't wait for the two of us to be sitting alone in that throne."

So stiffens and Lady Shinjuwon sports an utter abandonment in her face. Geun Sun averts his eyes, training it to the purple berries that had just blossomed from the falling petals of what was once a lovely deep blue of a flower.


The afternoon brings the three apprentices at the archery grounds of the palace. Hae Soo's mother, Lady Sewon had ask Lady Oh, if she could give a few hours of classes for Hae Soo to learn horse back riding and basic archery. Baek-Ah and Eun sit by the bench watching.

Lady Oh lets Soon Deok take over, her training on her father's camp coming handy. She stands in front of her co-apprentices, authoritative and commanding. These are the moments when Soon Deok feel most comfortable with her self. Even in a gungnyeo uniform, there is no mistaking Soon Deok is deadly when she wants to.

She takes a wooden longbow and stand at the shooting area confidently. Drawing the strings, she calmly breathes, her eyes seeking the smallest circle as the target. When she finds her aim, she releases her arrow and off it went straight into the yellow circle.

Baek-Ah and Eun automatically clap their hands, entertained.

"Na-ppu-ji anh-a. (Not bad. Not bad.)" Eun is unconsciously impressed, "I guess, my fiancée and I have one thing in common."

It's Baek-Ah's first time to hear Eun use the word fiancée when addressing Soon Deok and he finds it amusing.

"Wah! U-ri Soon Deok-ah wanjeon daebak! (Our Soon Deok is really amazing!)" Ha Jin claps like a kid, squeezing Soon Deok by the shoulders.

"Kuereomyo!" Soon Deok smugly smiles. "Don't tell So wangjanim I said these…"

She whispers to Ha Jin and Woo Hee, "But I'm better at him with archery."

And she laughs heartily, loudly.

"Cheongmal?" Woo Hee find this surprising not because Soon Deok is not a great soldier but because she thought the 4th prince excels at everything.

Soon Deok nods proudly, "He's good with swords, knives and daggers, mostly arm to arm combat but I excel better in long range fight."

Yo, Won and Wook were passing at the corridor when they see the apprentices at the archery range, practicing. They come over and join Baek-Ah and Eun by the bench, sitting with them to watch. They've seen how Hae Soo shot before and they imagine they would be entertained once more.

Several arrows into it later and Hae Soo doesn't disappoint. Soon Deok is in danger of losing her patience. She would have scolded her already if she's one of the soldiers under her platoon.

The princes couldn't help but laugh, enjoying the sweat on Soon Deok's forehead and the blush on the faces of Woo Hee and Hae Soo.


Lady Oh is on her way at the archery range when she had a run into her nephew while walking at the corridor.

"I thought once your beloved seja and 4th prince leave, you'll have more time to visit me." Greeting her ungrateful nephew. "I guess I should be thankful you're not visiting me since it means there is an absence of trouble in the palace."

"My dear aunt," Ji Mong renders a bow, "Mianhaeyo, I was a little held up looking at the treasury department. Our 3rd and 8th prince seemed to be brewing something against the seja. I think the Chunju Yu clan and Hwangbo clan are making their move for the throne already. In any case, joesonghaeyo, I'll come visit you more these days if you will welcome it."

They begin to walk once more.

"I hear Lady Sewon had asked for their daughter to be taught to shoot an arrow. I imagine she's not fairing at it?" Ji Mong looks reflective rather than entertained.

"I'm on my way at the archery range now. I put Lady Soon Deok in charge of teaching her co-apprentices, gat-i geo-si-gess-seub-ni-kka? (would you like to join us?)" Lady Oh politely offers, sensing her nephew's mood.

"Chega jom kki-eo-do doel-kka-yo? (May I join?) I would love to." Ji Mong accepts the invitation though his mind is flying elsewhere.

Putting his foot forward, the cemented corridor around him changes into a wooden one and Lady Oh becomes the other prince, accompanying the once king for another walk in the courtyard.

"I'm afraid I would be cutting my visit short since I am needed in my kingdom. I hope you don't mind. I'll come back as soon as the coronation is done. I'd hate to be parted to my soon to be wife." The other prince tells Ji Mong, cordially with a longing in his voice.

"You need not worry about it my prince, my little queen would be waiting when you return." Ji Mong amiably answers, "Again, let me apologize for my little queen's misconduct last night. You know how good her heart is, she couldn't resist taking pity of that dying boy she found by her mother's favorite lake."

The other prince smiles softly, "Is't wrong for me to wish that I should have been that dying boy in the lake, maybe I'll merit more time in her arms."

"Nonsense my prince. The boy is only a distraction. He'll remember her place soon enough." Ji Mong assures the other prince. They arrive at the far corridor of the archery range, watching his little queen practice with his sons, her cousins.

"Little queen. That's an interesting name to call your daughter. Have you always called her that?" The other prince asks, observing the daughter of the moon delightfully.

Ji Mong smiles, a sad one, "My daughter? As you know, she isn't really my daughter but my sister's. My sister died giving birth to her and I have taken her in as my real daughter since then. Everyday she grows to be more like her mother, resembling her in every way. If her mother is alive, I'm sure she'd fight to put her in that throne. Though no one would contest her for that, even my own children loved her more than they love me."

A chuckle escapes Ji Mong's throat on their family's inside joke, "She'll own this kingdom one day and we'll all be glad to hand it to her. Our little queen who innocently holds everything in that small palms of her hand. She had us all bewitched."

"You and my kingdom, I think your daughter captured my heart well." The other prince confesses lightheartedly, "My little queen. Do you mind if I start calling her that too?"

"No, no, not at all." Ji Mong spreads his arm in front of him, "Feel free to do so."

"My little queen." The other prince repeats, "May I join them? I think I could lend my skills on teaching her."

"Please go ahead."Ji Mong offers, content to be standing at his corridor.

The past slowly dissolves and Ji Mong finds himself on a different corridor with his aunt beside him talking about something he had missed. All he can see is the 8th prince approaching Soon Deok and Hae Soo, asking Soon Deok to step aside. He stands behind Hae Soo's back, tentatively touching her waist and turning her body to the right angle. Ha Jin stiffens, the 8th prince's touch a little uncomfortable. Soon Deok and Baek-Ah moved to find an excuse and put an end to the 8th prince's advances but Won and Yo are quick to block them both.

"Breathe in…" Wook instructs, his hand sliding down at the small of her back, "…and find the center of your balance deep within here."

Pertaining to her back.

Wook puts his arms over hers next, drawing the string with her. He whispers to her ear "On my command, we'll release the arrow together. Ready? Breathe..."

Ha Jin concentrates at the target in front of her, momentarily closing her eyes, only to open it into a different courtyard and a different time. She's lost inside the memory of her dream, hearing the other prince's voice. She would like to step away, bewildered of where she is standing but the other prince steadies her with his hold.

Wook's heart jumps in his chest, drawn to inhale her scent and look at her white neck down to the exposed skin around her clavicle. A few of what look like small purplish fading patches in her skin, hides underneath her uniform, "Hae Soo-ya, what's that down on your neck? Are those bruises?"

"Eh?" Hearing the 8th prince's question, Ha Jin comes back to the present, shaken by the dream.

"It's…It's… nothing… mosquito bites." She quickly lies. It's a mark left by So's lips, sucking at her supple skin.

She'd like to rearrange her jeogeori but Wook is still holding her drawn arms.

"Kuere?" Wook whispers at her ears, "Shall we concentrate once more?"

"Y..ie." Ha Jin swallows, zooming out of the present and falling into the dream again. She feels the string upon her cheeks, smell the faint lemony citrusy scent and have her skin kissed by the summer sun.

At the other prince's command, Ha Jin releases the arrow.

Swoosh.

It embeds itself at the yellow circle, right at the bull's eye.

"Oh?!" Soon Deok and Baek-ah exclaims.

"Daebak! You hit the target Hae Soo-ya" Eun calls, clapping enthusiastically.

The spell of the dream breaks and Ha Jin is standing at the present courtyard again, dizzy. Around her, the princes were congratulating her and Wook is smiling widely, confidently,

"See? I told you can do it." Wook compliments her, hovering around her.

Ha Jin shakes the spell out of her head, looking at Wook strangely. She had never dreamt wide eye in the middle of a crowd before. She smoothens her collar against her chest, uncomfortable with the spring gust that seemed icier than usual.

Please tell me we've never met before?


Luscious Gingko trees surround the pavilion where official functions and feast for the Kang household is located. During autumn, it's leaves create a golden carpet around the pavilion and from a far, the jeong looks like its coated with yellow snow of leaves, relaxing and lovely to look at.

On spring night like tonight, its greyish trunk with streaks of brown is alive with nocturnal insects, singing on its wake. The lanterns on its trunk cast an orange diffused light that is easy and soothing in the eyes.

The eastern breeze softly nips at the silk hanboks of Mu and Gen. Park as they find their way to the jeong after a restful sleep in their quarters. They meet Jung by the entrance,

"Oh Jung-ah where have you been?" Mu asks after Jung renders his greetings.

"Kuenyang, I wanted to explore the palace." Looking at the general, there is hesitation in Jung.

He had made his way to the main gate and found the arrow no longer there. He tried to make a small talk with the private soldiers but just like with the gungnyeo(s) he bumped into, their answers are limited to yes or no or simple instructions, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.

The palace is beautiful, no doubt in that. They are even free to explore it anytime they want yet the whole place gives Jung the creeps. It doesn't add up to the rumors they've heard of the Kang household while growing-up.

"And did you find what you're looking for?" Gen. Park asks.

Seeing the arrow shot at them this afternoon, he worries that the 14th prince might look close at it and realize it's the same arrow once targeted at him. He wonders if now is the right time to explain it to him before it becomes a problem between him and So.

Jung only shrugs.

"I didn't expect the Kang household to be this picturesque, isn't it? I've always imagined the insides of it to be…" Mu tries to look for the right word, "…unpleasant, I guess?"

"So do I." Gen. Park agrees, "Maybe because So wangjanim never shared anything about it or that no one has seen the insides of it."

"The palace would be perfect if not for that heady smell of musk." Mu points out.

"Ah the incense inside the close quarters?" Jung asks, wrinkling his nose. "Na-do naem-sae ga silh-eo-yo. (I hate it's smell too.)"

"The 4th prince's clothes always smell of it whenever he came from here." Gen. Park recalls the many times he had smelled it at the 4th prince' hair and clothes and he always send him to bath afterwards.

Reaching the entrance of the pavilion, Lady Sewon welcomes them with music from gayageum players, situated on the other side of jeong. She had changed into a wine violet hanbok that turns deep violet or black depending on the light that shines on it.

So sports the same luxurious fabric as his adoptive mother has, a detail the three have never seen before.

"I didn't know our 4th prince here could be so fine looking with the right clothes and without his mask." General Park good-naturedly comments.

Lady Shinjuwon glances at So, "I don't even know why people think my son, here, is a bringer of misfortune and bad luck. He had always been a delight to be around."

Her statement brings an awkward chuckle to everyone's throat.

She gestures for the long table, asking them to take a sit. She takes the head of the table while So seats on her right. Next to him is Jung. Adjacent directly to So is Mu and the general at his left.

"So how is our home? I heard our 14th prince had taken a stroll in our palace," Addressing Jung, "Did you find it to your liking?"

"Has your soldiers always used the same arrow ever since? My 3rd brother told me, those black arrows are common here in the north." Jung finishes his sentence before putting a meat on his mouth, tasting a finely grilled chicken, sprinkled with black pepper.

General Park catches So's eyes, his mouth twitching at the side.

"They say you're a very clever boy Jung wangjanim." And Lady Shinjuwon's words are full of other meaning, toying with her guests. "Ne, our private army is armed with the same arrows as everyone else in the north. Do you want to know the difference with our arrows compared to the arrows of other northern clans?"

She leans in, not waiting for an answer. She then lowers her voice as if talking in secret, "Our arrows are poisoned as my son here and the general very well know. Isn't it?"

Capturing the two in her nets, Lady Shinjuwon makes sure the general and the 4th prince are her accomplices whether they don't like it or not.

The chicken on Jung's mouth suddenly taste blunt, having his eyes go back and forth from the general and his 4th brother, uncovering there lie.

"Eomeonim," The address taste like the berry of belladonna, sweet that turns bitter and poisonous at the end. So never like this kind of dinner gathering with his adoptive mother especially when there are other people around, "Regarding the burnings of the farm in some areas here in the north, we thought it was a simple feudal problem with owners of the land. We manage to talk these farmers out of their anger and reconcile only for another farm or town to experience the same thing."

"People are getting restless and fearful. They think an outside kingdom is invading us from the inside but I've already had a meeting with the Khitans, they say they are keeping their men well into their own borders." Gen. Park adds, "Do you mind if we ask, how do you keep your borders free of this nuisances?"

"You're not implying my clan is the one behind these unrest, are you?" a mask of unreadable expression envelops Lady Shinjuwon's face,

"Joeseonghabnida my lady, it is only a standard procedure of enquiry." Gen. Park matches Lady Shinjuwon's mask of politeness.

"Johda. (Good.) I offered help did I not?" Lady Shinjuwon plays with her silver chopstick, holding it casually in her hands. "If you have come sooner, then you wouldn't have had spent too much of your resources quelling this planned disruption from one territory to another. I would have offered you an insight as to where to find these people who are causing these unrests but first, let me ask you something..."

Lady Shinjuwon turns to So "No, let me ask my son first,"

So warily lifts his eyes to look at his adoptive mother.

"What will you do if you find these people? Will you bring them to court, hear their grievances and have them tried or do you want them eliminated on the spot? After all, the death toll and lands being burned is still counting as we speak."

"They are entitled to a fair trial in our court." Mu answers for So.

Lady Shinjuwon doesn't take her eyes of So, a fair warning on him, "Are you sure you want them tried? You'll never know what will come out of their mouths. They might speak of lies or maybe truths or half lies. Who knows? The weakest will bear the brunt whether they are innocent or guilty."

"Not in my court." Mu strongly disagree, "I shall give them an objective tribunal and have the guilty castigated."

Yet everyone in the table knows Mu's proclamation is a far cry of a dream. Lady Shinjuwon's sentence still rings the truest.

She laughs wistfully, "I do admire the brevity in your vision my dear seja. I hope it gets realized when you finally sit in the throne."

A few gungnyeo(s) comes in to replenish the feast in front of them, serving more side dishes and wine in their glasses that empty faster than the servings of rice in their bowl.

"Kuereom my lady, are you offering information as to where we could find these people who are causing this unrest?" Gen. Park politely asks, getting to the point before the conversation becomes more tensed as it is.

"Information?" Lady Shinjuwon brings her glass of wine on her lips and drinks before answering, "I have something better. My private soldiers who are patrolling the borders on the south area where Hwangbos territory begin and our borders to the west where the Yoo's territory starts, had caught up with a group of people who look conspicuous. My men didn't bother with them for as long as they don't step in our boundaries."

Careful to leave out the fact that she had been spying on the movements of former minister Wang Ryeom Shiek, that's why her men kept running to the same conspicuous people. And to her delight, her men accidentally uncover the connection between the Hwangbos and Yoos conspiring. It wasn't an easy trace. There wasn't anything to connect the Hwangbos with the Yoos, except the land that was granted to Hae Soo, which Myung Hee innocently registered under the Haes and is being managed by the Hwangbos.

The conspicuous men belong to the "freed people" of Hubaekje, taken in by the Yoo clan when they migrated to Goryeo. Wook used the name of the Haes to house them temporarily and promised them that same land will belong to them if they do his bidding. The people of Hubaekje believed they are answering to the Haes as their master and not the Hwangbos. For the last half year, they stage these strife from town to town, always disappearing whenever Gen. Park's company shows-up. Thanks to the heads-up of Wook and Yo who conveniently listen to the reports of Mu and So on their assembly.

The two conspired to frame the Haes for the civil disruption and unrest in the north, their plan working well with the Haes unknowingly leaving their northern territory open while they stay in Songak, taking care of their daughter and their chancellery seat.

"Shall I have my men pursue these conspicuous people for you?" Lady Shinjuwon fully understood the whole scheme so she was giving a fair warning to So, not that she cared. She only wants him to see for himself, how treacherous his brothers are so he could decide which side he is going to take. Ultimately she knows, So would pick the side who would give him the only thing he had ever want, the girl. Her adoptive son isn't a complicated boy. She had brought him up, touched him to the core. She knows him pretty well, his fears, his dreams, his weakness, how to manipulate him. He'll choose her side over his family, for as long as she protects the girl, dangling her like a carrot in front of a horse.

"If you could point us to the right direction, I'm sure we'd able to find our way." Gen. Park refuses Lady Shinjuwon's outright help, distrustful of the hand she's extending, "We do not want to burden you any further of our incompetence."

"Nonsense, my son is never a burden to me." Lady Shinjuwon inclines her head, reaching to stroke So's cheek.

The gungnyeo(s), eunuch and other servants avert their eyes and shuffle silently, like a practiced dance that everyone is trained to do.

Were they imagining it?

Even the consort's right-hand man who never took his eyes from his lady, veered his eyes somewhere.

So clenches his teeth, taking all his self-control to not flinch from Lady Shinjuwon's touch in front of their visitors, acting his part of an obedient son.

Lady Shinjuwon inclines her head and looks at the 14th prince once more, her hand sliding down to So's arm, "Jung wangjanim… are you aware? You resemble your 4th brother so much."

So casually move to cover Jung, raising his wine glass to drink.

"Ah yie, I hear it all the time." Jung answers curtly, "Maybe because I look up to So hyungnim. I wanted to be like him."

Ironically, while So would have been like Jung if he was ever brought-up in a happy and loving family, Jung wanted to be So because he had everything he ever wanted.

"I bet you do." Lady Shinjuwon passes the plate of Sigeumchi Namul (seasoned spicy spinach) to Jung, "Please have some more, your So hyungnim love that vegetable dish."

Jung accepts the dish embarrassingly, glancing at So before putting some at his bowl.

"I heard you wanted to train under General Park, uninterested with the throne. Is that true?" Lady Shinuwon asks Jung.

"I am the 14th prince my lady. After Mu hyungnim here, there are 12 more of my brothers including So hyungnim whose in line for the throne. Even if I live my whole lifetime, I don't think I would ever come close to it, so why should I covet it? I don't think it would buy me the heart of the girl I wanted to marry anyway." Jung answers wearing his heart on his sleeve, a mistake he shouldn't be showing to Lady Shinjuwon.

"Such an honest boy. I'm beginning to wonder if you really are a son of your mother." Lady Shinjuwon's glass is automatically refilled once it halves,

"Do you know that our arrows have a different color compared to the one used by other northern clans."

Rewarding Jung's honesty with another trivial information about the Kang household, "If you look closer, its two shades darker than most northern clan's. How? Our arrows are left to soak in poison, which I personally grow in my own garden. Do you want to have a look while you're staying here?"

"Eh?"

The perplexity of Lady Shinjuwon's action baffles everyone in the table.

So couldn't guess where his adoptive mother is going with this. He couldn't excuse himself from the table, nervous that Lady Shinjuwon might say anything yet he couldn't sit still anymore. The dinner is turning to be a long one and So wants it to end and not end at the same time, dreading what close door quarters would bring after.

"The garden is at the back of my quarters," Lady Shinjuwon stands-up, done with her dinner. She walks by the back of Jung's chair and leans in to quietly say something in his ears, "You'll find a lot of secrets in it."

Straitening up, she smiles at everyone, "Please have a good night rest, my servants are waiting to do your biddings."

She looks at So playfully and leaves.


"You lied to me!" Jung angrily shouts while keeping his voice low, addressing the general as soon as they were alone on his quarters, "You and my 4th brother? Why?"

Mu is confused. He doesn't understand what's going on.

"To protect you." Gen. Park calmly answers, coming clean as to why they had to send Jung home without finishing his trainings last year.

"Hold on, it wasn't true that you were attacked by the Khitans and that Jung was instrumental at fending our borders?" Mu clarifies, looking from the general to his 14th brother. The smell of the nauseating incense not helping to clear their minds.

"We weren't sure if it was the Khitans or not but the poisoned arrows that was shot to Jung wangjanim definitely came from the Kangs, at least So wangjanim confirmed it and judging by the way Lady Shinjuwon described their arrows, it's a reminder and a warning." He casually leans by the door, sporting a calm demeanor, "But Jung wangjanim did help to fend off the attack and done a great job at it so he deserved the promotion he got."

"You and my brother are treating me like I'm still a kid." Jung contains his anger at his fist, shaking from the effort.

"Stop acting like one then." Gen. Park shrugs, "Your show of uncontrolled outburst is not helping your cause. Your brother doesn't want you here because the consort is targeting you for being the son of their rival clan. It would do you good if you listen to us and stay away from whatever the lady is offering you."

Jung could only look at the general, deciding on walking out of the room. Their presence, more than the smell of incense, is starting to suffocate him.


Strolling around with no direction in mind, Jung finds himself close to the quarters of Lady Shinjuwon and remembers her offer to show him around her garden of poison.

"Secrets?" he tells himself. It feels as if his life lately is built in secrets and lies and he doesn't know who to trust anymore. He understands all of them are only trying to protect him but he would appreciate it better if the secrets and lies would stop. It only serves to confuse him further.

Against the general's warning, Jung heads to Lady Shinjuwon's quarter, not knowing what he really wants to accomplish with it. He walks at the deserted pavement, unconscious of the eyes watching him from the shadows.

Lady Shinjuwon's guards, including Guen Sun, are all hidden in the dark, silently observing. One guard looks at the direction of Guen Sun, soundlessly asking if they should stop the prince from approaching. Guen Sun dismisses him with a wave of his hand. Lady Shinjuwon's instruction is to let the prince wander around unhindered yet Guen Sun is nervous as to how deep is Lady Shinjuwon going to let the prince in on the Kang's secrets.

Jung reaches the outer door and sees the next two layers of door wide open, as if an invitation to come in. He stops at the first door, looking around and found no one near. Ignoring it, he continues to walk to the last main door, where this one is slid an inch apart, showing a view of the inside.

A playful laugh echoes from it, "Don't be silly my dear son, it is not a hand they could give…"

Jung is enticed to lean in and take a peek. He couldn't see much as his view is limited to what the inch of opening can give. He can only see his brother standing by the window, looking outside. The smell of that nauseating musk is stronger in this room.

Lady Shinjuwon is at the other side of the room, sitting in front of her vanity table, brushing her long black hair parted to one side of her shoulder, "Hae Soo doesn't belong to the Haes anymore. So why would I waste my time and come to the capital to meet them?"

Jung's eyebrows turn together, perplexed of what he's hearing.

"Still, you could play the part of a gracious mother just once." So is aware that the probability of Lady Shinjuwon saying yes into meeting the Haes is next to zero but he tried anyway, hoping to win Lady Sewon's approval. It doesn't matter to him if the Haes doesn't like him but it matters to Hae Soo.

Lady Shinjuwon abandons her brush at the side table, her thin black satin night gown flowing and shaping against her body. She passes her door, seeing a shadow by the side of her eyes and ignores it. Reaching So, she touches his arm, turning him to look at her, his back to their audience at the door.

So automatically turns rigid. Lady Shinjuwon's fingers glide up his neck and then his nape, itching for his skin, "Haven't I've been gracious enough? You would do well to be grateful to me that I took your woman's registry and made her a Kang. They can't give her hand to anyone. She belongs to us, to you. Only I could give her hand in marriage... What have you done for me so far?"

If Jung was surprise to find that Hae Soo is now a Kang, nothing could prepare him for what he witnesses next. Lady Shinjuwon steps closer to So, her lips touching his stiff neck, caressing him the way a mother shouldn't. Her other hand goes around his belt at the back, unfastening it to open his jeogeori. She takes his hands and puts it at her waist, guiding it to untie the ribbon.

Jung steps back, covering his mouth, overwhelmed by shocked. Watching them, Lady Shinjuwon raises her eyes to meet their audience's gaze, toying with both Jung and So.

Jung's eyes widen, his high opinion of his brother shuttering to pieces as he discovers the nature of his relationship with Lady Shinjuwon. He turns to leave as fast as he could.

So still unaware of Jung's presence, takes his hands off the ribbon and pushes Lady Shinjuwon away, holding her by the shoulders to keep her at arm's length, "Eomeonim, please."

Lady Shinjuwon only laughs, enjoying the 14th prince' reaction. She looks at So, "What happened to your mask? I like it better when you were wearing one..."


The spring had brought forth a chilly wind and a dry one interchangeably at the capital and Hae Soo isn't the only one whose having her health falling over a flu. Today Lady Sewon is under the weather too so Wook comes in her place to take Hae Soo home.

Ha Jin is walking excitedly with Soon Deok and Woo Hee, happy to be coming home this weekend when they notice the 8th prince waiting at the main gate. He greets them with a smile, polite as always. Woo Hee avoids his gaze, saying her goodbye the moment they reach the main gate.

"Lady Sewon is sick today so I came to bring you home." Wook tells Hae Soo.

Soon Deok and Ha Jin exchange glances with Ha Jin hooking her arm to Soon Deok's and greeting Wook with the same courtesy and cold distance as of late. "You didn't have to come wangjanim, I'm sure I can find my way home by now."

"Ara. (I know) I came anyway." Wook answers, gesturing for them to walk, "Shall we?"

It was an uncomfortable silence for the three of them as they cross the palace ground and walk into town. Soon Deok talks about trivial things, from her failed attempts of preparing a mandu (dumplings) to the absurdity of taking care of the wild geese at the Damiwon's poultry house. It kept the atmosphere light until they reach her house and she is forced to say goodbye to Hae Soo, grimacing at her when Wook turned his back and Ha Jin had no choice but to walk with him alone.

A few blocks from Soon Deok's house, they turn into the town's park and Wook asks, "Do you no longer fear the park? Or do you want us to take a different way?"

A different way means a longer one and more alone time with the 8th prince, "Anibnida, I'm use to seeing the park now. I'm sorry if I worried you and my unnie."

"It was nothing." Wook shrugs, struggling to make the atmosphere light.

Silence one more.

"Hae Soo-ya, your parents told me, you'll be going back to the north after your apprenticeship." Wook glances at her, "I want you to know, you're welcome to stay in my household. It's your unnie's home."

"Kamsahabnida wangjanim." Ha Jin expresses her gratitude, the offer quite tempting but So made it clear he doesn't want her to live there and it would be uncomfortable for all of them, "but no thank you. I'll be returning to the north with my parents."

"It can also be yours if you want or I could give you your own place at the palace." Wook offers more than what his words are saying. "Whatever will make you happy."

Ha Jin glances at the 8th prince, trying to be objective of their situation, recalling their past interactions that might have mislead the prince. It was stupid of her to take over Hae Soo's life without listening to everyone's warning. They all cautioned her that her misplaced affection might cause great misunderstandings. Now, the pressure of knowing history and not repeating it befalls heavily on her shoulders.

"Wangjanim…" It is against Ha Jin's conscience to use the kind words of people against them but she uses it now if it would convince Wook, "What would make me happy is for you to find your happiness in someone else's heart and not mine. Joesonghabnida, it was my fault for overlooking people's affection and misplacing my own. If I had in anyway mislead you, please know I never intended for it to happen."

Her apology is a year, a broken marriage and a death late. There was no turning back for Wook.

Wook takes a hold of her hand, affectionately, gently. He was listening to her words but it sounds far away to him. He leads her to the park, to the market, passed the bridge and into the town where their home is. In all of it, he only held her hand, not saying anything. Ha Jin tried to take her hand back but Wook firmly holds it. She is afraid someone might see them and misunderstand.

They stop in front of their household's shrine and only then did Wook released her hand. He proceeds into lighting incense at the altar, bowing three times and offering a prayer to Myung Hee.

Without turning to her, he asks, "Do you know why your unnie went to the north and seek your parents?"

"Anibnida." Myung Hee only told her, she's visiting their parents because she misses them.

"She went to your parents to make our engagement official because she believes I'll be a good husband for you. She promised you to me before she left." At these words, Wook finishes his prayer and turns to Hae Soo, "I intend to honor her wish no matter what."

It's in the middle of Spring and though the weather is relatively cold, they are inside a hanok, well protected from the outside breeze and yet the hairs at the back of Ha Jin's neck stands, giving her a feeling of foreboding creeping down her spine. There is something alarming with the way Wook state his words. He truly believes he owns her in every way. Ha Jin unconsciously steps back, afraid of the 8th prince for the first time.

"Soo-ya…" He addresses her the way the 4th prince calls her. The same fondness, the same gentleness and yet she couldn't bear hearing it from him, "You don't have to be afraid of me. I will never hurt you. You belong to me."

"Don't. Please don't address me that way." Ha Jin can feel her knees shaking, her throat drying, and her heart racing. The dread of knowing its too late makes her more terrified of Wook. She tries once more, hoping her pleading will get to him,

"Wangjanim, I'm a person. I have my own feelings and I can think on my own. People are not things you buy or own or inherit or promised to. My unnie might have a good cause for seeing you as a good husband for me but she doesn't own me. Neither my hand nor my heart is hers to give. Please understand I want you to be happy. I wish you to be happy but I can not fulfill what my unnie promised you."

Drawing the line, she makes it clear once and for all that there can be nothing going on between them, not in the past nor will there be in the future.

"Why? Because of my 4th brother?" Wook advances towards her calm as always. Only the grey storm brewing on his eyes indicates the change on the 8th prince's mood. "Why him? Do you know what kind of a person my 4th brother is?"

Ha Jin doesn't answer. Wook is not the first person to ask her that.

And he misunderstands her silence. He had been trying to figure it out why Hae Soo would choose his cold brother over him, missing the point that So is a different person when he's with Hae Soo, that Hae Soo constantly chooses So out of love and not because of anything else. "Right. Of course, he belongs to the most powerful clan and would probably own that throne one day. Is that why you want him? Because he's all powerful and could afford to give you anything you want?"

Wook stops mid-advancing. The hurt clouding his judgment, the insecurities he had about himself surfacing against his self-control, "Kuereom… If I own that throne, will you finally look at me?"

Ha Jin continues to step back, wary of the sudden change with the 8th prince, "Aniyo, I never want it. I never will."

"Then what do you want? Tell me and I will give it to you."

Her words unable to reach Wook who refuses to listen.

"Do you honestly believe my 4th brother is not intending to get to the throne? We all are. Every single one of my brothers. It's just a matter of who will get into it first."

The expression on Wook's face changes once more, full of determination, "I intend to be the one who occupies it and I will make you my queen."

He reaches to touch her face delicately with the tips of his fingers, "My little queen."

My little queen?

The words freeze Ha Jin on her stead.

Where did I heard it?

Ha Jin is quite sure someone had called her that before but she can't remember who.

Wook walks away, leaving Ha Jin sliding to the ground, her knees giving way, terrified of the future to come that is already written in the history.


Gen. Park's company spends three more days at the Kang palace, planning on their own on how to move about the place where the conspicuous people were hiding. Lady Shinjuwon offered once more to do the dirty work for them, trying to convince So in private not to put them in trial and have them killed right away, her words playful and full of malice. Hence, So chooses not to listen and takes on the general's side. Over wine, Lady Shinjuwon only purses her lips warning him that he'll regret it for not listening to her.

Jung avoids his 4th brother again, mistrustful of him. He had been thinking if he should confront him of what he had learned the other night but he couldn't look at him without feeling conflicted. A curl of disgust swirls upon his stomach threatening a violent vomit but at the same time something feels amissed to him, as if Lady Shinjuwon wanted him to see it, even enjoyed watching his reaction. He couldn't comprehend why would Lady Shinjuwon act that way thus he follow So at a distance everywhere he goes, observing what else is being kept behind his brother's rigid silence and the consort's pleasant façade.

If there was any hint that So and the rest of the Kangs knew Jung is keeping tabs on him, no one came to meddle. They all reside in the shadows, watching him watching his brother.

On their last night, Jung observed So come out of the consort's quarter at the middle of the night and walk the grounds of the palace, out into the nearby forest. With no lantern and the thick trees covering the night sky, it was difficult for Jung to tail his brother, who almost dissolves to the black night.

Soon the path of coniferous trees gives way to a clearing. A glass lake of deep blue and sea green sits at the middle, reflecting the waning moon, its water pools at white granite and diorite stones. A hint of lemony citrusy scent fills the air as the nocturnal insects croon everywhere. Jung is enthralled of the dreamlike glimmer of the place, fleetingly forgetting what he came for. He closes his eyes to inhale that soothing spring breeze only to feel a sharp edge of thin blade suddenly thrust underneath his chin.

"Jung-ah?" So asks, confusion filling him.

Jung opens his eyes, careful to not make a sudden move hence his brother's sword draws blood on his neck, "Hyung."

Putting his sword down, the informality with the way his brother addressed him did not escape So, "Why have you been following me?"

"Kuenyang…" Jung shrugs, massaging his neck where the blade touch it.

It isn't a secret among his siblings that Jung likes walking at night, even hanging around their 8th brother's household before. This trait of his reminds So of Hae Soo's same habit so he casually dismisses it, finding no harm in his brother's action yet he doesn't welcome Jung's presence on his recluse, "What are you doing here?"

"Wah!" Jung looks around. He couldn't help but marvel, "Is this the lake Hae Soo was asking about?"

"You should rest, we're leaving early tomorrow." So turns his back on his brother, the discussion at an end.

"And you?" Jung walks past So, stopping by the edge of a granite stone to look over the water, "Is this where you spent your nights? I haven't seen you in your quarters since we arrived."

Jung cautiously sounds his brother who as always never answers when he doesn't want to, "Have you ever thought of coming back to our family? Your adopted clan seemed nice to you."

So only watches Jung settle his self by the waters, dipping his hands at it. The waning moonlight creates a nimble rim light upon Jung's figure, as if enveloping him with a bluish luminosity.

"Do you really love her?" Jung suddenly ask, his face turning a mask of neutral expression.

"Mwo?"

"Hae Soo, how much do you love her?" From a far, a sound of a barred owl calls into the night, mingling with the cicadas. "I've known her longer than you did… at least the old Hae Soo."

There's a sadness in Jung's voice that is hard to detect, "It's going to be her birthday next week. Do you know?"

So knows. He missed it last year so he promised not to miss it this year. He comes beside Jung, thinking twice if he should let Jung overstay his presence on his retreat. He had never shared this place to anyone and he would like to be alone. Nevertheless, he sits besides his brother, cross-legged and attentive.

"Did you know… her old handwriting has soft strokes almost like a flowing water. She sits by that tree outside Wook Hyungnim's library and reads literature all afternoon. At night, she hangs by their pavilion overlooking their pond, watching the stars and the moon. She loves looking at a full moon, she says it makes her feel sad... nostalgic even."

"It makes her sad?" So asks, curious. "Then why does she love looking at it?"

Jung shrugs, "She said it leaves her a feeling of longing, as if she's almost remembering something."

He proceeds on telling So things about Hae Soo, "She's allergic to persimmons but is always curious how it taste like. One time, when we were hanging at their pavilion, she brought me one and made me eat it so she could ask me to describe it to her."

The end of Jung's lips almost curve into a smile, remembering the memory. He leaves out the part of describing Hae Soo's pink blush spreading on her cheeks as she bites her lower lip, looking all innocent. He almost shared the juice on her lips with his if only they weren't interrupted with Chae Ryung's arrival.

"She wasn't as affectionate as she is now, always the gentle and shy girl like Lady Myung Hee but she finds joy in being close to a few people." Jung lifts his head to look at his brother in the eye, "She easily trusts but hates being lied to… even the simple ones... I bet she still do."

And So gets the message, clear as the water in front of them.

"What do you really want from her, hyungnim?" The atmosphere turning serious, "I heard she's not even a Hae. There's nothing in her name, just an empty title. I'm sure you know."

So wonders since when did Jung found out and how much does he know, "It doesn't matter. I have a palace and power from my clan, I am enough for both of us."

Jung looks at his brother for a long time, "No doubt about it."

He stands up, dusting his paji, their friendly discussion at an end. So stands with him and watches him leave. Jung stops just by the threshold of the coniferous tree, turning back back to look at him, "If you ever hurt her in anyway, I will come after you with everything I have. I don't care if you are my brother or… a son of a Kang… or the next king. I will take her back from you."

And in that moment Jung had never been as grim and dark as his full brothers are, matching his possessiveness that So never noticed before. It was only a flicker, a few seconds, a simple statement but So knew, Jung would burn everything to the ground the way he would to accomplish what he wants.


Ji Mong's messenger arrived at the Kang household just in time before the general's company is to leave, informing them of the on-going protest to depose the seja from his position. The group splits-up with Gen. Park and Jung taking in charge of capturing the conspicuous people with the help of Kang's private army while Mu and So come home to the palace to deal with the protesting ministry.

A few days later, Mu and So arrive at Songak in the evening and secretly meet Ji Mong at the general's house to discuss what will they be presenting to the royal assembly.

Early in the morning, Mu and So enter the courtyard of the Hoegyong Hall and was greeted with the same group of minister who are still on their knees and mats protesting his position. They walk at the middle aisle with their eyes focused on the stairs in front of them.

"Pyeha please reconsider the position of our seja." The head minister calls, making sure the two hears it.

Mu and So only continued with their walk, entering the Hoegyong Hall with all their siblings and only a handful of ministers present.

"Well then, it is nice of our wangseja to join our assembly this morning." Queen Yoo purports a bright smile as if she is only welcoming the two in her home.

"When did our two princes arrive?" Queen Shinjong asks, mirroring Queen Yoo's pleasantries, "Have you both had a rest."

"Resting would be a dishonor to our ministers who have been kneeling in our courtyard for more than a week now." Mu returns the pleasantry but without much of a smile like the two queens. "Shall we get on with the matters at hand? I believe I am being accused of implementing a higher tax than what I have fought for in this court."

He looks around, taking note of the only ministers left at the hall. It consists only of Wang Gyu Minister and his four cronies who are only taking the side of the seja because Wang Gyu Minister had more or less pledge his allegiance to the 4th prince as a way of thanking him for having his grand son engaged to the general's daughter.

Mu holds out his hand towards So and So puts two books upon it, "These are inventory books that my clan have kept well hidden even from me. It details the real taxes my clan collects from the towns we manage and what we remit in the treasury."

Kneeling, Mu touches his forehead at the floor, "Sunggohabnida pyeha, it is a fault in my part for not seeing thoroughly my clan's action. It was my uncle and my other relatives whose signatures can be found in the inventory books. Please punish me with them."

A eunuch picks up the inventory books Mu is holding and hands it to King Taejo to examine. Agonizing minutes pass as King Taejo analyzes the books and have it passed along to his ministers and the princes and back to him again.

Putting it down, he commands, "Have the people whose signature are signed here arrested and put in prison immediately. I shall be taking back the towns these concerned people are managing."

The queens hide the triumphant smirk threatening to come out of their lips.

"As for our seja, rise Mu wangseja..."

Mu holds back his hands from shaking, standing-up cautiously and having his eyes trained at the floor.

"I trust that you will not let this happen again?" King Taejo asks.

"Yie pyeha, certainly." Mu answers, gauging his father's mood.

"Then you can go." King Taejo announces, quiet but firm.

It takes a few seconds for the sentence to sink in in everyone.

"Pyeha…" Queen Yoo tries to argue.

"Didn't I afforded your clan the same leniency?" King Taejo cuts his queen's sentence, putting the protest reaction out of their faces, "Our wangseja here, will be shown the same courtesy."

"Pyeha, I do not deserve it," Reigning his nervousness, Mu calmly expresses his gratitude, "kuende kamsahabnida pyeha. I will not disappoint you again."

"I know you won't." King Taejo puts an unwavering support for his son in an effort to curve the damage to Mu's name made by his relatives. He can't have his people doubting the next heir of the throne.

Anticipating the king's decision Wook and Yo display no reaction, infinitesimally nodding at each other and agreeing to have the next stage in their plan executed.


After the assembly, Won catches up with So by the corridor, greeting Mu politely and addressing So afterwards as if they are comfortably close, "Ah hyungnim, are you staying longer this time? I noticed you didn't report anything about the northern unrests."

Mu and So walk on a slow pace, letting Won stride beside them.

"I guess?" So answers, his guard up, not disclosing anything.

"Well then, you didn't forget you promised to drink with me one of these days, right?" Undeterred, Won reminds So of their last conversation, "Mu Hyungnim should come too. I figure, we could all use some drink."

Mu politely smile at Won, "Maybe next time Won-i. We'd like to get some rest first."

"Right, of course." Won chuckles, "Then I'll see you at our 8th brother's household? I heard there's going to be a feast there this weekend."

The two only curtly nod at Won, agreeing so they could send him on his way.


Over dinner at the Sky tower, So, Mu and Ji Mong discusses the damage at Mu's reputation caused by the ministers' protest.

"I don't think the uneasiness and the gossiping about you would die out soon." Ji Mong sits in front of Mu, bringing his hands together upon the table.

"What do you suggest?" Mu ask inclining his back at his chair's headrest.

"Unless a bigger issue comes up, the people's distrust on you will only linger." Ji Mong explains matter of factly.

So sits by the balcony's balustrade, appearing to listen but his mind is at the Damiwon, wondering if he should ask Baek-ah to show him around the apprentices' quarters.

As if on cue, Baek-Ah reaches the top of the stairs and announces his self, greeting everyone. His appearance bringing a brighter tone in an otherwise somber mood, "Wah! Such serious faces…"

He positions his self beside So, leaning at the balustrade, "So hyungnim, what did you get Hae Soo for her birthday this weekend?"

"Oh! It's the lady's birthday? Is that why there's going to be a feast in our 8th brother's household?" Mu asks surprise. He kept thinking what feast Won was talking about.

"Yie." Baek-Ah answers, bringing the atmosphere into a lighter one.

"Are we invited? We sure could use some break." Mu expresses his delight at the prospect of a night celebration.

"Yie, all of us." Baek-Ah then inclines his head at So's direction, "except him."

"Mwo?!" More than perplexed, So looks a bit hurt, "Wae?"

Pulling his leg, Baek-Ah decides to play a joke on So, "For starters, where is your mother? Weren't you supposed to bring your mother to meet with the Haes."

So was going to lie and say she was sick but remembers Mu had just came with him from their palace up north.

"Lady Shinjuwon is a little busy with helping our general in curtailing the unrest." Mu answers for So.

Though Lady Shinjuwon had been a gracious host to them, he had a feeling it's all just a façade. When they were leaving the Kang household, So never said anything if Lady Shinjuwon will be following them or will be visiting Songak anytime soon. She seemed not keen to get his son engaged to the Haes anytime soon.

"Geez, what's with the somber mood? I was going to joke around but you all look serious." Baek-Ah rolls his eyes.

"Does that mean I'm still not invited? Or were you only playing with me?" So naively asks.

"Wae, are you going to sneak around with her again if you're not invited?" Baek-Ah mischievously raises his eyebrows twice, matching the smug smile on his face, "The library huh? Not the most original but cozy yes."

"Eh?" Ji Mong and Mu exclaim, all curious now.

"Library?" Mu laughs, "Shall I be thankful, I no longer lend my library to both of you?"

So keeps his mouth shut, his ears turning red.

Baek-Ah makes a show of sighing, "Would you please, for the love of everything under the heavens, not mark her somewhere everyone can see? It's a good thing Hae Soo is skilled with those powder that covers it up."

"Marked?" So isn't aware sucking at a skin leaves mark.

"Yes, marks. You left those on her neck down to her clavicle." Baek-Ah looked the older brother between he and So at this kinds of situation. " I understand its easy to get carried away during… you know…"

So listens reflectively.

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Ji Mong doesn't want to listen to this kind of conversation. Not when it involves his daughter.

Baek-Ah lowers his voice, as if sharing a secret, "You do know all the apprentices no longer share rooms with each other right? And though they have curfews, Hae Soo manages to walk around at night."

"Ya! Hajima!" Ji Mong warns, understanding what Baek-Ah is insinuating, "You'll get the lady in trouble."

So leans in to Baek-Ah and whispers, "Where are the apprentices' rooms located?"

Baek-Ah chuckles, "Did you get her a gift for her birthday?"

"Isn't a prince' presence enough?"

Baek-Ah is not sure if his 4th brother is also joking but So's face seemed genuine. He really thinks his presence is good enough. He motions for him to come closer, returning the whisper. Ji Mong and Mu can still hear it, "Do you want to get a slap?"

Ji Mong and Mu laugh together while So tries to figure what's wrong with what he said.

"Baek-Ah is right, please do not repeat that to Lady Hae Soo. It will definitely merit you a slap for being arrogant." Mu comments, finding So's naivety entertaining.

"But I am a prince." So argues.

"And so are we," Mu counters still laughing, "And yet, I wouldn't step anywhere near the lady's household without bearing gifts. Especially if I'm planning to meet her parents."

"Kuere? What should I bring then?" So thoughtfully thinks out loud. He had never brought a gift for a lady before. He remembers the dwikkoji he bought for Hae Soo last year from the lantern festival. It's still in his possession, waiting for the right timing to be given.

"Let me take care of it for you. I know just what her parents would love." Ji Mong volunteers, nodding to his self for thinking ahead, "But for the lady? You should be the one to come-up with it."

"She'll appreciate it better, knowing you put an effort to remember the things she like." Baek-Ah adds.

So thinks about it for a while, "I think I already have what she likes. Baek-Ah-ya will you show me to her quarters?"

"Eh?! Ya! we've already agreed you can't sneak into her quarters. What are you planning to do?" Ji Mong warns once more, his fatherly protectiveness coming out naturally.

"I don't remember agreeing." So sports a blank expression that Ji Mong couldn't read what he's thinking. He turns to Baek-Ah once more, "Can we sneak tonight?"

"Of course…" Baek-Ah abandons leaning at the balustrade, making a big gesture of leaving anytime, "…not."

He smiles smugly, "I'm not allowed anywhere near the Damiwon. Lady Oh caught me sneaking to their rooms the other day so I am barred from even hanging out or having tea in the Damiwon."

Leaving the fact that it was Woo Hee's room he was sneaking into and not Hae Soo's.

"Baek-Ah-ya," So turned serious once more, the kind with a close-guarded expression, "Can you be honest with me."

The three detects the change in So's mood and Baek-Ah suddenly feels uneasy.

"You're not the boy Hae Soo was seeing before, are you?"

Baek-Ah nervously laughs, "Anibnida. Hae Soo and I are just friends. We bonded over her appreciation for the arts, ceramics in particular."

"I'd hate for you to be that boy."

Mu stands from his chair and walks towards his two brothers. He casually puts his arm on So's shoulder and claps his arm, trying to diffuse the tension. He'd seen So turned mad against Ji Mong one time because of Ji Mong's connection to Hae Soo, he wouldn't want a repeat of So's volatile outburst, "Eiii. If they were seeing each other before it would be awkward for them to remain friends now, won't they.?"

"I wouldn't know." So answers and Mu can feel the tension on So's form, "When did she stopped seeing this boy?"

In Baek-Ah's nervousness he stammers with the truth, "Chal mo-reu-gess-seub-ni-da. Probably several months before she started seeing you?"

Ji Mong and Mu imperceptibly shakes their head at Baek-Ah, hoping he would get the signal to shut up.

"It was that recent?" So thought the affair would have been at least a year or two old, "Why did they stop seeing each other? Did Hae Soo loved him?"

"Does it matter?" Baek-Ah unconsciously steps back and walks over at the table beside Ji Mong, "She doesn't remember him… aw!... at… all"

Ji Mong's foot connects at Baek-Ah's leg, drawing pain.

"She doesn't remember?" The fact doesn't bode well with So, "You're saying they stopped seeing each other because Hae Soo lost her memory? What if she remembers?"

"She won't." Ji Mong promises him, knowing Ha Jin will never be Hae Soo, "It is unfortunate but she will never recover her lost memory. I assure you of it. So there's no point in being afraid of a ghost possibility."

And the three of them sense Ji Mong is not lying even when he doesn't look sad in spite of his words being kind and sympathetic.

"I'll… I'll show you where the apprentices' rooms are." Baek-Ah has no choice but to volunteer the information to prove his innocence and distract So.

"Ne, Baek-Ah will." Mu claps So's arms once more, relaxing the tension on his arm, "I'll walk with the two of you."

Mu leads So to the stairs with Baek-Ah following them, diffusing the grim atmosphere.

"Ya! ya! ya! Andwaeyo!" Ji Mong stands from his chair objecting, "If my aunt sees you, it won't matter if you're a seja or a wangja. She will throw a fit and have you and the lady punished."

The three doesn't listen and continue down the stairs.

They wouldn't be able to sneak past the main gate of the Damiwon. Lady Oh was just getting back from the king's chambers and is inspecting if her apprentices are on their quarters asleep, making sure none of the princes were sneaking once more.


Come the weekend, the 8th prince' household is alive with colorful lanterns and festive atmosphere with the Haes throwing a feast for Hae Soo's birthday. All the princes were invited and Hae Soo's only friends, Soon Deok and Woo Hee. The feast is being held at the pavilion beside the man-made lake. There were numerous candles floating upon lily leaves at the pond, lighting the whole place, simple and sophisticated.

Dressed in a creamy off white hanbok with pastel blue flowers lining the hems of her chima and the sleeves of her jeogori, Ha Jin stands by the corner, talking to Eun and Baek-Ah. Woo Hee and Soon Deok making a crowd of five with them.

"Baek-Ah-ya, do you think you could paint a picture of this night?" Ha Jin is not one to take pictures with her camera phone all the time but this is a few of those moments she would have captured in her camera if she has one.

"Dang-yon-ha-ji! (Of course)" Baek-Ah agrees, "It's not every year you celebrate being 18. Chok-ha-hae! (Congratulations!) You're fast becoming an old maid."

"I'm not that old." Ha Jin laughs with everyone, taking no offense at Baek-Ah's joke.

Won, Yo, Wook and Yeonhwa sit by the end of the long table drinking wine and enjoying the feast. Every once in a while Wook glances at Hae Soo, wanting to stand beside her.

Mu and So arrive with Ji Mong in tow behind them, bearing gifts not just for the celebrant but for Hae Soo's parents too. Ha Jin moves by the entrance welcoming her new guests,

"Joesonghabnida, my parents are still at the main quarters over looking the food that will be serve, please come in and have your selves comfortable at the table."

"Gwaenchanha, we don't mind." Mu greets Hae Soo happy birthday, handing her their gift, a cylinder wrapped in a silk.

Ha Jin looks it over, feeling the warm temperature underneath the fabric.

"It's a cocoa drink, the one we kept bringing you when you were sick." Ji Mong tells her, remembering that Ha Jin like chocolates in the present times.

"Wah? Cheongmal?" It's been two years since Ha Jin tasted a chocolate. She wasn't able to consume the last chocolate they gave her because she was sick and unconscious.

It isn't an easy commodity to acquire, too expensive for free folks. During this period, chocolate still functions as currency in other parts of the world so only the royal family have access to it.

Ha Jin excitedly opens the cylinder, inhaling its warm scent before putting it in her mouth and tasting the rich creamy drink inside, "Wah, I truly missed this."

Lamenting the fact that she had taken for granted these simple things at present times and is now hard to procure on this period.

Mu and Ji Mong chuckles, "We're glad you liked it."

So only smiles at Ha Jin, the one he shows when they are in front of everyone.

Ha Jin passes it along to Soon Deok, who drinks from it too and then hands it to Woo Hee who declines it firmly, knowing her status as a gisaeng doesn't afford her the same luxury as the other noble ladies.

"It's fine, you can have a drink," Mu assures her.

"Thank you wangsejanim but no, I'm all right." Woo Hee curtly declines again, "It's too sweet for me anyway."

"Oh, you've had a cocoa before?" Soon Deok casually inquires.

"I mean I don't like sweet foods in general." Woo Hee comes up with a lie easily.

"Ah kuere?" Baek-Ah nods thoughtfully, keeping it in mind.

Ji Mong and Mu move by the table, welcomed by Wook's company while Woo Hee, Baek-Ah, Eun and Soon Deok stand by the balustrade once more. Ha Jin and So occupies the corner half a meter from Soon Deok and Eun.

Ha Jin drinks from the container again suddenly feeling shy standing face to face with So in front of everyone. It leaves a small drop at the side of her lips.

"You really like this kind of drink?" So asks, naturally reaching to wipe the droplet out of her dainty lips with his thumb.

They both freeze at the contact of their skin, becoming aware of each other's presence. Ha Jin turns pink as So's ears burn hot. So finishes wiping the droplet and puts down his hand at the balustrade, near Ha Jin's own fingers curling at the container of her cocoa drink.

"Wh…en… when did you arrive?" Ha Jin stammers awkwardly. She doesn't understand why she feels shy towards him in front of everyone when they are perfectly comfortable with each other when they are alone.

"You seem to be asking me the same question every time you see me." So looks at their hands positioned side by side, enticed to touch hers.

"Kuenyang… you always tell me a different day." Ha Jin keeps still, wanting and not wanting for So to move his hand first and reach for hers.

So wonders what's making the situation too complicated. Their hands are only several inches apart. He could just reach for it and end the longing. He breathes and is about to confidently reach for her hand when the servants and a group of people arrive, effectively breaking the tension between Ha Jin and So.

Yeonhwa stands from the table and amiably introduces the group as a puppet theater-company who is going to stage a play.

"It is my gift to the lady of the household. I hope you enjoy it."

Ha Jin awkwardly turns to her guests at the table and graciously thanks Yeonhwa.

The group proceeds to mount their stage in front of the table while the servants dim the lantern around them. Ha Jin moves closer to Soon Deok and So trails after her.

As the light gets dimmed and the play starts, Ha Jin becomes acutely aware of So standing behind her. His breathe dancing at the tops of her head. She parts her hair to the side of her shoulders, revealing her nape to him and So loses his focus at the play fast.

He gulps, his fingers inching just below her waist, at the side of her hips digging softly at her chima. Ha Jin tenses and naturally inclines her back to his chest. The contact, however subtle, brings a delicious awakening in every nerve on So's body, enticing him to seek a skin to satisfy his wanting. He curls his fingers at the hem of her jeogeori, holding it tightly in replacement of a hand he couldn't touch.

They stay like that, innocently standing together from the perspective of an outsider but for the two, the experience feels intense. So couldn't focus at the play when all he wants is to touch his lips at her nape, seeking those marks he made himself. Ha Jin hungers to feel his lean arms around her waist, shaping her body to his.

Soon the play ends and the lanterns get lighted. Ha Jin and So wouldn't remember what the play is all about, even when they were watching like everyone else.

Hae Soo's parents arrive after and Ha Jin shuffles a steps away from So. The intensity of the last hour evaporating into thin air and replaced with anxiety towards how her parents would welcome the 4th prince.

Mu quickly greets the Haes, acting like a parent for So, "Thank you for having us at your daughter's birthday dinner. Please accept the gift we come bearing for the both of you."

Ji Mong stood stiff, looking at Lady Sewon like they have met before. His hands carrying the boxes that Mu is talking about.

Silence.

So move to reach for the box but Ji Mong is still a statue with no reaction.

Minutes pass and everyone is looking at Ji Mong, starting to be baffled by the astronomer's strange behavior.

"Is there something wrong seonseangnim?" Hae Hyeonhui breaks into Ji Mong's reverie.

"Anib…ni..da… Joesonghabnida, forgive my rudeness." Ji Mong clumsily hands the gifts at So who awkwardly holds it, "I thought I was seeing… my dead sister."

His last sentence a murmur to his self.

"Ji Mong seonseangnim has a sister?" Eun whispers at Soon Deok's ears.

"You have a sister?" Mu repeats Eun's question only this time it's address to Ji Mong.

"Eh?" Ji Mong looks at Mu blankly, "I… it was a long time ago. Sil-lye-hab-ni-da. (Excuse my presence.)"

He turns his back from them, lost to the image of his sister on his head. Lady Sewon certainly resembles the daughter of the moon's original mother. Only Lady Sewon is less alluring and more homey, pleasant and warm to look at. Maybe his sister would have grown like Lady Sewon if she had reached her age too.

"Right, forgive my adviser, he's a little strange at times but he means well." Mu apologizes for Ji Mong's sudden oddness.

Lady Sewon comes by the table and fills a glass of sikhye for Ji Mong, "Please have some, it might help to calm you. You look pale."

"Ah yie kamsahabnida," Ji Mong takes the glass from Lady Sewon, "Please don't mind me and go on. You had a lovely daughter by the way. She took after you."

The sentence structured as past tense because Ji Mong is pertaining to his sister and the daughter of the moon not to Lady Sewon and Hae Soo.

A fleeting odd feeling comes to Lady Sewon, "Yes of course,"

but dismisses it and leaves a smile for Ji Mong before going back to the seja's company. She stands beside Hae Soo, making a gesture of looking around, "I thought we we're going to meet your mother today So wangjanim?"

"Nae eomeoni? (My mother?)" So wonders if Mu would let him lie.

"Is sick." Mu finishes So's sentence for him, having his back covered, "We just came from the north and we would have taken her with us if only she wasn't sick. She sends her regards and is thinking of meeting you when you come home to the north."

"I see." Lady Sewon meets her husband's gaze before addressing So, "Would you mind bringing this gifts for us at our quarters?"

Everyone is watching the interaction with interest. Over by the table Wook's face darkens.

"Of course." So readily agrees and he follows them as they exit the pavilion.

Ha Jin walks beside So, offering a confident smile to calm him.

The Haes abruptly stop and turn to address their daughter, "Hae Soo-ya."

"Yie abeonim?" Ha Jin lifts her gaze to her father.

"It is rude to leave your guests at your own party, why don't you come back at the pavilion and accommodate them." Lady Sewon sends Ha Jin away.

"I'm sure our 4th prince can carry the gifts on his own." Hae Hyeonhu adds, "Right So wangjanim?"

Since Ha Jin only saw So tonight and they haven't really talk, she worries she didn't have a chance to warn him that her parents would probably asks a lot of uncomfortable things like every parent would when meeting the boy their daughter is seeing.

"Dol-a-ka-ya hae. (You should go back Soo-ya). It would be fine." This time it's So who assures Hae Soo.

Ha Jin nods at him and runs to Lady Sewon and suddenly hugs her, surprising her mother. Against her chest, Ha Jin talks to Lady Sewon in a low voice, "Eomeonim, o-neul nae saeng-il-i-ya. (Mom, it's my birthday today.) Could you be nice to him? I won't ask anything for my birthday again."

Their daughter, Hae Soo, the real one isn't as affectionate as the Hae Soo whose giving her a hug right now but Lady Sewon is touched nonetheless for her daughter's show of affection.

Putting her arms around her daughter, she matches the lowness of her voice, whispering into her shoulders, "Are you sure that's going to be your wish for the rest of your life? you said you wouldn't ask anything for your birthday again? Shouldn't you be asking us to let him marry you instead?"

"Eh?" Ha Jin breaks their hug to look at her mother, "You'd let us?"

Lady Sewon shrugs, "I… would? Maybe? But that's not what you wish for?"

"Eomma!" Ha Jin hugs her mother once more, talking like a kid to her.

"Araseo, araseo." Lady Sewon chuckles quietly as the two men curiously watch their exchange of affection. Fondness can be read on each of the men's eyes.

She sends her away and the three continue to walk at the Sarangchae with Hae Hyeonhu asking her what she and their daughter were talking about. Lady Sewon whispers to him what they talked about and Hae Hyeonhui adoringly smiles, even a little jealous that their daughter is closer to his wife rather than him.

The Haes are a picture of a perfect couple on So's perspective. It makes him all the more want to be part of their family.

Sitting upon the Sarangchae, with their view of the far away lighted pavilion and twinkling pond, Hae hyeonhu relieves So of the boxes and puts it on another table. Lady Sewon pours a tea for each of them and sits with So in front of them.

Minutes count and silence stretches, Hae Hyeonhui and Lady Sewon observe So who never touched his tea.

"It's rude not to drink a tea that was poured by the lady of the household." Lady Sewon tells So over the slim smoke curling above her tea, "It's a lemon balm tea, it would soothe your nerves."

With his back straightened and attentively observing the Haes too, So doesn't look nervous, if anything he looks the same as they first met him at their northern home, a strategic soldier who no doubts can hold his own port. But they've seen him with their daughter and he's definitely different when he's around Hae Soo, a little softer, more alive with expressions on his face. They like him better without his mask, makes them wonder what his mask for, when he clearly has smooth face unlike the many rumors they've heard about his scar.

"I promised your daughter I would never drink tea if it wasn't poured by her." So chooses to be honest, seeing no harm into letting them see the dynamics of his relationship with their daughter.

"Even if it is her mother who poured it?" Hae Hyeonhu starts testing So.

So nods.

"That goods. I like your loyalty to my daughter. It only feels… extreme." Hae Hyeonhu puts his own cup down.

"Tell us, what do you plan for our daughter? Are you planning to marry her?" Lady Sewon feels her cup on her palm, tentatively assessingt if it's less hot.

"Yes, I'd like to marry her after her apprenticeship is over."

So's answer is straightforward, one that doesn't ask for permission, just a statement.

"Wae? Wae u-ri ddal-eun sen-taek-hal-kka-yo? (Why? Why our daughter?)"

From the distance, they hear a loud crackle of laughter from the pavilion.

"You're a strategist, a soldier brought up under the general's wing." Hae Hyeonhui matches So's authoritative calmness, coming forth with honesty, "I'm sure you know and your mother knows Hae Soo is not our real daughter. She won't inherit anything from us. She's a meek girl, who doesn't like politics, a liability at the royal court. What are you planning to get out of this marriage?"

"Her heart." So quietly answers. It is more than just Hae Soo's heart; it's her touch that keeps the darkness away, her love that makes him a better person, her world that has become his dream.

Hae Hyeonhui and Lady Sewon are suddenly motionless, gauging the 4th prince's sincerity.

"I never imagined our 4th prince is poetic." Lady Sewon doesn't intend to insult So.

"I knew from the beginning that Hae Soo's title as a Hae is empty. I don't mind and I don't care. I have everything we need, palace, power, treasury. My clan has it all. So no, I don't desire anything other than her heart." So tells them what he had already explained to Jung just a week ago.

So's statement rings genuine to both Haes, impressing them with his confidence.

"But our daughter is weak, both physically and shall we say…. figuratively. She wouldn't thrive at the palace and we wouldn't want her left alone here." Lady Sewon finally drinks from her cup, "Won't you build her a house nearer our home, instead of your clan's? It's both north."

If it's up to So's decision, he would readily agreed. He'd love a life away from the palace but that's where the problem lies, he's tied to the court. He can't be away from it or he would lose all the power he has to protect Hae Soo, "I will make sure, she comes and visit you all the time. Joesonghabnida Lady Sewon, I'm afraid my life is at the court, it's what allows me to shelter your daughter."

And Lady Sewon understands but she's not thrilled to have her daughter having the same destiny with the 4th prince, unable to leave the palace.

"Our daughter isn't inclined to share her husband to a concubine, even if you're a king. She will divorce you right away if you ever become unfaithful. What do you plan on doing about it?" It's the last of Lady Sewon's questions and So doesn't find it hard to answer.

"Lady Hae Soo had made it clear from the beginning and I promised her just the two of us." So remembers his conversation with Hae Soo and appears amused to the Haes, "You said Lady Hae Soo is weak? I don't think she is. She doesn't normally exercise her authority but she's firm when she does. If I ever become a king, my ministers wouldn't be able to argue with her."

"Do you plan on becoming a king?" Hae Hyeonhui asks, not liking the prospect of it.

"If that means I could protect her, then yes. I will make myself a king for her." So answers matter of factly like the statement isn't a treason to the king, sitting at the throne at the moment.

Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhui smile for the first time at So, pleased by how confident it is for So to promise with the capacity of his power as the highest prince in the court and appears sincere at the same time.

"Joesonghabnida So wangjanim I do not like the clan where you come from so I don't like you for my daughter" Lady Sewon puts her cup down relaxing, "but my daughter loves you deeply. Will you promise us one thing?"

So nods casually, sensing the end of the test.

"Prove us wrong. Prove us wrong for doubting your sincerity over our daughter's heart." Hae Hyeonhui reaches to his wife's hand, "We'll agree to break her engagement to another clan but you have to promise us that you will do everything in your power to protect her no matter what."

So is surprised for a moment but recovers fast, misunderstanding the Haes. He thought they were talking about Myung Hee's plan of engaging Hae Soo to his 8th brother, unaware of their plan of marrying her to Jung.

"Of course, anything for Lady Hae Soo." So promises.

"Kuereom, let me welcome you to our family." Lady Sewon reaches at So's hand, squeezing it affectionately. Her warmth finally radiating form her once more. "Shall we go back to the party or am I allowed to see your gift?"

Lady Sewon doesn't wait for So's permission and stands up to get the boxes, fussing over the box with the delight of a kid. Hae Hyeonhui chuckles quietly then leans over at So to whisper, "Ah, I should warn you, since you're going to be part of our family, my wife has a tendency to fuss over our children. That would include you now. You've seen her with the 14th prince when we were in the north, did you not? I hope you don't get offended."

The mood suddenly turning light and cheerful.

"Shhhhh! I can hear you." Lady Sewon calls out from the other table where the boxes of gifts are lying. She carries it easily and Hae Hyeonhui rushes to take it from her, helping her out. He brings it by the table and Lady Sewon excitedly opens it.

"Omo!" Inside are silk fabrics, the finest of its kind in the whole kingdom. "How did you know my fond hobby of collecting silks?"

So didn't. He practically knows nothing about people's preferences. It was Ji Mong who chose the gift for him.

Lady Sewon picks up a dark blue silk and looks at So. She sports the same sweet expression, Hae Soo uses when she wants something from So, "So wangjanim… why do you always wear black?"

So didn't understand the question, finding nothing wrong with the way he dresses.

Hae Hyeonhui leans back to his chair, away from the side glance of his wife and infinitesimally shakes his head at So, warning him.

Lady Sewon approaches So and places the fabric at his shoulder, "I think this navy blue silk would look good at you. Do you mind if I embroidered a po (an overcoat worn over jeogeori) for you? Black makes you look... intimidating."

So awkwardly smiles at Lady Sewon and looks at Hae Hyeonhui who averted his eyes to the view outside, "Gwaenchanhseubnida, it's my gift to you. Please don't waste it on me."

"Nonsense. You're going to be my son soon, we will have to do something about your clothes. We can't let the gungnyeo(s) decide for your everyday clothes always."

Lady Sewon starts fussing over him.

"Don't scare the boy away." Hae Hyeonhui tries to restrains his wife, "Maybe we should go back to the pavilion. The kids look like they are having fun. Let the boy join his siblings."

"Araseo." Lady Sewon sighs and puts back the fabric inside the box, "but please come and visit me one of these days, I'd love to take you to my seamstress and have you sewn a new hanbok."

Hae Hyeonhui shakes his head once more, mouthing "You don't have to."

"Stop it!" Lady Sewon catches his husband undermining her.

Turning to So, she held up her hand, waiting to be escorted. So indulges her and offers his arm, happy to be of service. For the first time in So's life, he finally felt what a real mother's attention is.

Sometime along So's interview with the Haes, Jung and Gen. park join the group, arriving straight from the north and had their prisoners detained in jail. They came over after and catch-up with the merriment at Wook's household.

The Haes and So return and find Hae Soo standing at the middle of the pavilion, her hands clasp together in front of her, looking shyly at the ground. Everyone is quiet and mesmerized, listening to her sing a song:

It hurts me
as it blows past
But that one small sunshine makes me smile

Everyone is so busy
They get on with their lives
But that one friend makes me smile

When I find a place where loneliness does not exist
Join me there my friend, come with me
My dear friend
Thank you for being you

Although the silent sky
seems different from yesterday
How can you blame anyone?

Maybe everyone in the world
has nightmares
How can I cry by myself?

There's a place I wanted to return to
Now even my footprints seem unfamiliar to me

My dear friend
Thank you for being you

In that one moment, the differences among the siblings were forgotten; the tiredness on Jung and Gen. Park's body relieved and the mourning of the Haes over the sister that Hae Soo lost, alleviated. Everybody felt like family.

When the song finishes, it took a while before everyone realizes it's over. Eun is the first one to clap, breaking the serene atmosphere that had settled upon them, "Wah Hae Soo-ya! Could you sing on my birthday too?"

Everyone follows clapping and Eun looks like a fool, smiling ear to ear.

"Hae Soo-ya you sung better than most of the gisaeng I know." Won makes an insensitive remarks, not intending to insult.

"Aigoo! Your remark is uncalled for." Mu tells Won off.

Won looks around and sees the Haes annoyed. He quickly take back his remarks, "I… I didn't mean it… that way. I only mean she's a good singer."

"Gwaenchanhseubnida, please don't worry about it." Ha Jin tries to salvage the good atmosphere, smiling at Woo Hee.

Lady Sewon releases So from her service and he automatically sidles beside her, talking to her in a low voice, "I didn't know you sing."

And Ha Jin only shrugs, "How did it go with my parents?"

So meets Hae Hyeonhui and Lady Sewon eyes, the amusement still playing on his lips, "I think they like me?"

"Jinjja?" Ha Jin exclaims. The happiness etched on her face.

"Why the tone of surprise?" So pretends to be hurt and jokes "I am… charming when I want to."

Ha Jin chuckles at So's jokes, more comfortable with standing beside him in front of everyone now that her parents approve of him.

"Will it be too much if I hold your hand in front of them?" So asks leaning at Hae Soo's ears.

Ha Jin blushes, luminescent pink. She sees her parents try hard not glance over at them, "Maybe next time."

The two of them join the people at the table and everyone eats together, the night shaping to become the best night she'd ever had since she came in this period.


By the beginning of the week, all the noble families and the free folk were required to gather at the Hoegyong hall's courtyard. They were informed that the leader of the people who caused unrest in the north were caught by the general and was detained for questioning.

The royal family and the ministers were up in the stairs, assembled in their places. It seemed the whole palace also came, with the gungnyeo(s) standing behind Lady Oh and her apprentices. The eunuch and other soldiers were also present.

Moments later, the soldiers brought forward five men, all bloodied and bruised. Their hands tied, almost crawling to their feet. They looked like they were tortured to confess. They kneel by the aisle with their heads kissing the ground.

Woo Hee's eyes widen as she recognize the men as her people who were asked to work under the Yoos. She clenches her teeth together and fist her hands at the side. She could only look at the 3rd and the 8th prince, anger and accusation in her eyes.

Mu, So, Jung and Gen. Park stand by the aisle, uneasy. Something feels off with the whole situation. Gen. Park and Jung definitely caught the right group but they have a foreboding feeling that they are missing something important.

As the head of their operation, Mu didn't have a choice but to present the suspects in behalf of his team but he too, is worried that they are making a big mistake. The suspect caught never said anything under close scrutiny, even during torture. They only agreed to confess, if they are put forth in front of the royal assembly and the people.

"Do you confess to spreading lies about the monarch and creating dissent among people?" King Taejo's voice rings loud at the courtyard.

Swaying under hunger and tortured body, the leader tries to makes his voice heard, "We were free people before you conquered our kingdom, took our lands and brought us here to become your slaves, forgive us if we only aspired to return to our free ways. We do not want to divide your kingdom nor do we want to meddle in your affairs but we were promised freedom and a small land we can call our home if we do the bidding of one of your own."

"One… of our own? Are you saying, you were only acting under the orders of one my people?" King Taejo repeats, confirming the question.

"Yie pyeha." The leader answers.

"And whose order would that be?"

Silence falls at the whole courtyard.

"The… the… Haes… pyeha." The leader stammers through his lie.

A cumulative gasp from everyone is heard.

So closes his eyes, remembering Lady Shinjuwon's warning. He now regrets not listening to her.

Commotion ensues as the shock sinks in and everyone starts murmuring. Baek-Ah and Eun step into the aisle, wondering what they should do.

Jung is about to run towards Hae Soo, panicking, when the general holds him back, whispering at his ears, "Haji ma, you'll only going to make it worse. Let's be smart about this and think first."

Soldiers automatically surround Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhui, apprehending them.

Ha Jin pales and before she knew it, two soldiers appear on each of her side too, clutching her arms.

Soon Deok grabs the hand of the soldier who clasped Hae Soo and tries to free her, "Let her be or I swear…"

Lady Oh holds Soon Deok back, telling her it would only put Hae Soo in more jeopardy if she causes more fuss.

"Oh Sanggun, jebal. I don't know this people." Ha Jin is starting to be frightened seeing her parents and feeling herself being dragged at the aisle.

Lady Oh stops the soldiers momentarily, cupping Hae Soo's face, "I know. I know. Calm down. Come with them first and we'll sort it out. Alright?"

Against her better judgment, Lady Oh lets the soldiers take Hae Soo with them. She turns to look at her nephew, Ji Mong, beside the king, holding back his anguish.

Ha Jin is deposited on Lady Sewon's arms, questions floating on her eyes, "It's alright Hae Soo-ya. It's going to be fine. Eomeoni and abeoji will protect you."

"Pyeha, jebal. Please hear us." Hae Hyeonhui stands in front of his family, trying to protect them, "We've never seen this people before. We've been here at Songak all this time, how can we possibly meet them?"

Back against the wall, King Taejo had no choice but have the Haes arrested for now since the confession was made in front of the whole town, "Take them away."

"Pyeha!" Hae Hyeonhu pleads.

Wook clenches his teeth together, stopping himself from panicking as Hae Soo gets arrested with her parents. They didn't plan for Hae Soo to become a collateral damage.

So stiffens, holding himself back. He could only watch Hae Soo being dragged away. Lady Sewon and Hae Hyeonhui appeal to him with their gaze. He promised to protect Hae Soo and now they are counting at him to make good of his promise.

As the Haes disappear from the courtyard, So closes his eyes, his nightmare beginning.


Footnote:

** It's the same song Hae Soo sung at Eun's birthday. Mianhaeyo, I didn't have the time to translate on my own so I only looked it up on the internet.