I looked up to see a heavy old man in an official's robe. I recognized him immediately from the meeting. He had been part of the ominous group standing in the corner of the room. Now he had a smile on his face, yet it didn't reach his eyes or radiate from his figure. Reluctantly, I nodded. I felt uneasy, but I didn't have much of a choice.

He plopped down with a relieved sigh and began rubbing his swollen ankles. "When you get old like me, your body doesn't move as easily as it used to," he chuckled softly. He straightened then and looked directly at me, "You're Emperor Soo-Won's concubine, correct?"

"Yes," I replied succinctly, hoping that he would get the hint and leave. Instead, he started speaking again.

"I wanted to thank you on behalf of everyone in the council." I looked at him curiously, wondering what he was going to say next. "It's obvious that your presence has positively influenced his majesty. He used to cause us so much worry, the way he was so apathetic about his royal duties. But thanks to you, Lady Lily, he's begun to take some interest in being emperor for the first time. We are all truly grateful to you."

Completely taken aback, I stammered, "T-There's no need, really, Lord…"

"Fuwasa," he supplied.

"Lord Fuwasa. I really didn't do anything."

Perhaps I was wrong about him, I thought. He seemed to be sincere enough.

"Um, are you close to Soo—I mean Emperor Soo-Won?" I ventured.

He threw back his head and laughed. "I guess you could say that. I think of him almost as my own son. He had me worried for a time there, but it looks as if he's going to be a fine king with your help."

I once again assured him that there was no reason to thank me.

"I'm sure you're just being modest," he insisted. "Oh yes, I almost forgot!" He fished into his pocket. "Here," he thrust a small silk pouch towards me.

Instantly suspicious, I looked at him questioningly.

"They're tea leaves," he explained. "I was able to obtain a small amount of the new shipment from Sei in advance. Even the palace shouldn't receive them until tomorrow evening. It's only enough for one cup, but I'd like you to have it."

"I couldn't possibly…," I began. At that moment, all of my prior suspicions about him disappeared. If he had meant any harm, he would have asked me to give it to Soo-Won instead. I felt instantly guilty for misjudging this innocent old man.

"Please take it," he interrupted, holding it out to me. "You deserve it after all your hard work. I can't imagine that it was easy teaching that boy how to be king."

I felt myself blush at his words of praise. "I'll take it if you insist," I said as I reached out, "but the one who really deserves it is Soo-Won. He's the one who had to stand in front of the council after all, so I think I'll give it to him instead if that's alright."

He looked hesitant for a moment, but quickly brightened. "Of course, my dear! That is very generous of you. But do me a favor will you? Could you keep it a surprise?"

"A surprise…?" I asked slowly.

"Yes, yes," he said enthusiastically as if warming up to the idea, "Could you please refrain from telling him that it's special tea or that it's from me until he tastes it? It's just this old man's way of having a little bit of fun," he chuckled to himself.

The idea sounded fun to me as well, so I promptly agreed. Soon after that he left, and I headed back to the palace to dress for dinner. The feeling of the silk pouch in my hand and the thought of Soo-Won's reaction when he tasted the specialty tea was enough to make me smile and skip all the way to my room.

I walked down slightly early to get everything ready. I went to the kitchen under the pretense of wanting to oversee the meal preparations, and when no one was looking, emptied Soo-Won's gold cup and refilled it, then quickly seeped the pouch in the hot water. When it was done, I threw the tea leaves away and took a deep whiff. The aroma was incredible. I was tempted for a minute to drink it myself, but the thought of Soo-Won's face when he tried it was enough to keep me from doing so.

I took a moment to calm myself before entering the dining room. If I had learned anything in my time here, it was that Soo-Won was perceptive. My acting would have to be perfect.

He greeted me with his usual, "Good evening, Lily."

I smiled, thanked him as naturally as I could, and sat down. I watched eagerly as the tea was brought out and set before us. I tried not to stare as Soo-Won raised the cup to his lips and took a sip. I could tell from his face that he tasted a difference and waited impatiently for him to say something.

Finally, he asked me rather sharply, "Where did you get this tea, Lily?"

His severe tone dampened my excitement a bit. Perhaps he doesn't like the flavor, I thought to myself in disappointment, but aloud I said, "It's from Lord Fuwasa. Do you not like it?"

As soon as I said the name Fuwasa, Hak practically roared, "What?! From that old geezer?"

"Hak," Soo-Won said faintly, "don't be…angry with her…" His voice trailed off as he suddenly slumped forward in his chair and the cup fell with a clank to the floor.

"Lord Soo-Won!" Hak rushed to his side as I looked on in horror. Everything seemed to be colorless and moving in slow motion, much like a reoccurring nightmare I had had after my parents died. I watched in a daze as Hak lifted Soo-Won over his shoulder like a rag doll and sprinted out of the room.

Once Ayura and Tetora came and asked me if I was alright, I finally broke down. They led me back to my chambers, where I collapsed, sobbing, onto the bed as the awful scene replayed itself over and over in my mind. I knew that it was my fault that this had happened. Even though it was unintentional, because of my naivety Soo-Won was extremely ill, or worse. All at once it dawned on me how selfish I was being. Soo-Won was at this moment fighting for his life, and here I was doing nothing but crying helplessly in my room. With new resolve, I wiped my face and pulled myself into a sitting position.

"Ayura, Tetora," I began pleadingly, "please believe me when I say that I didn't mean for this to happen."

"We know, dear," Ayura soothed as she embraced both me and Tetora, who was also crying. "We know…," she murmured softly.

"He'll be alright, won't he?" I asked with an edge of fear in my voice.

They glanced at each other; then Ayura answered carefully, "I can promise you that they're doing everything they can, dear. We have the best doctor in the country tending to him. There is nothing more we can do except pray."

I nodded slowly, and struggled to push back the tears that threatened to spill over. Taking a deep breath, I said in a determined voice, "I have to go to him."

"Lady Lily…," Ayura began to object.

"Please," I said almost fiercely. "I want to be by his side."

She finally nodded silently in submission. I led the way down the now familiar path to Soo-Won's room. My heart began to pound as I got closer. I was fully aware that I could be tried and executed for what certainly looked like an attempt on the emperor's life. Worse still, what if it was already too late? I shuddered in horror at the thought. I finally arrived and stood staring at the door, too afraid to open it. I started at the feel of someone gently grasping my hand. I glanced over to see Tetora smiling reassuringly at me with tear-streaked cheeks. Seeing her strength gave me fresh courage. Together, we pushed on the door and entered.