Cheondeokjeon Palace

Throne Room - Coronation

Hae Soo was dressed in an elegant gown of royal blues, bright crimson, and embroidered with small gold dragons. A gold belt emphasized her tiny waist and delicate earrings dangled against her slender neck, her hair pulled back in an understated braid. Soo stood in line next to Baek Ah, Jung, and Won. She relied on her court lady training as she attempted to calm her nerves under the scrutiny of the curious stares from the clan leaders.

Soo causally glanced at the Hwangbo royals standing opposite of the Wang royals, taking note of Yeonhwa's clenched fists before she met Queen Hwangbo's guarded gaze. Taejo's second queen filed away Soo's status among the royals. An announcement jerked Soo's eyes away from the queen as the doors opened. Fourth Prince, Wang So marched forward, dressed in ceremonial black robes, the beads of the head dress swinging as he proceeded toward the throne. Grand General Park, the court ministers, and eunuchs trailed after So as he mounted the stairs then turned to lift the royal seal out of an ornate dark blue box Ji Mong held. So turned to face the General, the court, and his ministers, holding up the golden lion.

The Grand General's voice echoed throughout the room. "Panji, Pyeha." The entire court bowed deep before So. "Mansa, mansa, man mansa."

Hae Soo watched the man she loved with pride and amazement. Gwangjong. He's the fourth king of Goryeo. She smiled with thoughtful consideration. Now, you will no longer be remembered in history as a bloody monarch. I will be here to help you. She gasped as the doors flew open with a crash.

"My son would not abdicate to you!" All heads turned at Queen Yoo's declaration from the entrance to the throne room. "He is a traitor. He revolted against the king." She fiercely yelled as she stalked to where So sat on the throne. "Fourteenth Prince, Wang Jung should be king. I will summon the Yoo clan and fight you."

"Please stop, eomeoni." Jung pleaded as he stepped forward, kneeling before his older brother, as whispered murmurs filled the room. "Forgive her, Pyeha."

So's eyes hardened as he tilted his head at her audacity. Standing up from the throne, he descended until he was eye to eye with her hatred. "You were always greedy. Jeongjong abdicated to me before a room full of witnesses." He said calmly as the royal guards surrounded her. Hae Soo held her breath, afraid for Jung as So stood before Queen Yoo. "Do you honestly think Jung would survive a revolt against me? Are you still that greedy to sacrifice another son?" So asked as she seethed, the guards holding her.

He turned his back on her as he ascended to sit on the throne, then he peered coldly down at her. "For all the attempts of regicide against our brother, the Crown Prince, Wang Mu and against myself, I should declare you and your clan as traitors to the throne."

Her eyes widened. "I am First Queen. You cannot command me!"

"Father is not here to protect you nor to turn a blind eye to your sins." So stated clearly before the court. "Ji Mong, was I not born under the star of a king?"

"Yes, Pyeha." The court astronomer confirmed.

"And on the day that you informed the queen and King Taejo Wang Geon that Crown Prince Wang Mu and I were born under such a star, did she not attempt to take my life and rob the king of a regent to Crown Prince, Wang Mu?"

Ji Mong's eyes coolly fell upon Queen Yoo. "Yes, Pyeha, she did."

"No." The older woman growled with venom. "You were my mistake. I should have made sure you died that day."

"Pyeha, forgive her." Jung begged, his head bowed, helpless to stop his mother and his brother.

So considered his younger brother's plea. "Fourteenth Prince, Wang Jung, where does your allegiance lie? If you and the Yoo clan stand with Sinmyeongsunseong then you will be considered a traitor and dealt with as such. However, if you consider me as your brother, then I will spare her life and exile her to Chungju. She will be stripped of her title as queen mother. She will remain within her clan home, never to leave nor enter the palace within her lifetime ever again."

"I pledge my life and my allegiance to you, Pyeha." Jung raised his head to his brother. "Thank you for your mercy. Neither I nor my clan will stand against you, Pyeha."

"Please have this woman removed from my sight." So ordered, then calmly considered his brother. "Please rise, Fourteenth Prince, Wang Jung."

The next day, So tossed another scroll onto the table, then opened a map of the northern region, as Wang Jung and Grand General Park strode into the room and bowed before the king.

"Khitan remains a problem. Wang Jung, go to the northwest region and find out how many forces they have there. I will have you go as my ambassador and general to oversee the building of two fortresses in the northern territories. Take a small force of soldiers and builders with you."

"And if I need more men, Pyeha?" Jung inquired, as he studied the map.

"I will have General Park prepare a force of 400,000 to ride out soon after you." So replied. "Those forces will remain hidden along the Yalu River." He pointed to the area.

"Yes, Pyeha." Both men bowed, then left the throne room. So turned to Baek Ah, "As for my uncle's idea to move the capital to Seokyung, Baek Ah, issue a decree that it is completely canceled. The forced laborers displaced by this construction will be repaid per the duration of their service and returned to their homelands. I will handsomely compensate the workers and their families who remain and travel with Wang Jung to help build the fortresses."

"What about those who died in service?" Baek Ah asked.

"Do whatever their families want." So ordered, watching his brother scribe his commands. "Guarantee them jobs or compensate them with goods. Do the same for those who got injured." He sighed, giving a tired smile. "Then are we done for the night?"

"Yes." Baek Ah put the brush down.

"Pyeha." Eunuch Kim bowed. "Lady Hae is waiting for you in your quarters."

"Hae Soo is?" A sense of relief and urgency hit So as he hurried out of the throne room and down the hall. Baek Ah, Eunuch Kim, and a group of attending eunuchs trailed behind him as they threw open the doors to the king's quarters. He grimaced at Soo's sleeping form as she leaned her head against his bed. Stubborn woman, he thought as he lifted her into his arms and laid her on the bed, gently brushing her hair back from her face. So smiled as his name fell from her lips.

"Pyeha!" One of the eunuch's exclaimed at the breech of etiquette. So's cool gaze met the eunuch's, "Lady Hae Soo is no longer a court lady, she is to be treated as my wife. My door will never be closed to her."

"Draw the drapes, so Lady Hae can rest." So ordered as the attendants scrambled to comply. "Then have a light meal sent."

"You plan to marry Soo." Baek Ah said as he contemplated his brother's words. "The clans and ministers will fight you on this decision."

"Then they will find that I am still the wolf-dog." So gave Baek Ah an evil grin. "I'm prepared for that eventuality. Is the report complete yet?"

"Yes." Baek Ah answered. "It's ready for you. I'll have it in your private study in the morning."

"Good." So said, then flashed his brother a quick smile. "Bring Princess Woo Hee with you tomorrow morning.

"Pyeha?" Baek Ah inquired with surprise.

"No Pyeha." So requested. "Not here. I am your brother. You and Soo are my family." His eyes resting on the soft bundle of woman sleeping in his bed. "I will not stand in your way if you still want to marry Woo Hee."

Baek Ah grinned at So, "Yes, Pyeha."

So shook his head at him. "Do you want to stay and dine with me?" The he laughed at his brother's pained expression. "I thought not. Go and tell her the news." Baek Ah bowed and quickly left the room.

The sound of So's voice filtered into her dreams, waking her up. Where am I? Soo wondered as she felt the silky pillow under her head. She bolted up, remembering she was in the king's bedchamber. Embarrassed, she stood up, biting her lip, uncertain of her next move. She grasped the bed post, not wanting to startle the two servants setting food on the table. Her eyes searched the room for So. Through the thin crimson drapery, she watched as the king's eunuchs took off his belt and royal robes.

The servants bowed as they left the room. Soo tilted her head as the eunuchs folded the robes, placing the gold belt on top, then followed behind. So stood with his back to her, dressed in his undergarments. She ached for the feel of his warm skin, the definition of his muscles under her hands, tracing his scars with her fingertips.

She moved the curtain aside and gracefully walked down the stairs, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I love you." Soo quietly said, closing her eyes as she laid her cheek against his back. Her eyes flew open with a giggle as So gently grasped her hands, pulling her yielding body around into his hard embrace. "Pyeha." Soo's gaze drifted down to his lips in anticipation. With a soft sigh, she slid her arms around his neck and brushed his mouth with a kiss which was quickly captured and deepened by So.

Giddy pleasure coursed through her body as she tasted his kiss, enjoying the heated flutter deep within her belly making her knees weak until her stomach growled. So lifted his head, an amused grin at the sound. Soo blushed as she stepped out of his embrace, "I was waiting for you and fell asleep." She muttered, rambling, suddenly aware of her brazenness before her monarch.

So brought her face up and gently caressed her cheek, his gaze warm with love, then he took her hand and led her to the table. "Since you waited all evening for me, then let us dine before we retire for the night."

"Pyeha, I should return to the Damiwon." Soo stopped, remembering the court etiquette drilled into her by Lady Oh.

"Soo, I am not Pyeha here." So stated as he met her eyes. "You are not a court lady, but the woman I will make my queen. I will marry you. In this room, I am your husband."

"But I don't expect you to do so." Soo frowned at him in frustration. "I'm not sure if I want to be a queen. I'll be happy just being by your side."

He leaned forward until they were eye to eye, "Remember I told you to brace yourself because I will never let you go. You are mine."

Soo backed up until she bumped up against the table. Wide eyed, she coughed, attempting to evade him. "The food is getting cold, Pyeha."

"Let it." So commanded as he placed his hands on the table, trapping her within his embrace.

She caught her breath, raising her chin up. "Not without my permission. You promised."

With a hooded gaze, he lowered his forehead to hers, he picked up her hand, placing a sultry kiss on her palm. "I will gain your permission, Hae Soo." She closed her hand around the tingling sensation branded into her palm. A soft ragged sigh slipped from her lips, as he tugged at the ribbon on her belt, peeling back her jeogori to expose her collarbone, skimming hot kisses over her bare skin.

"So." Soo moaned, giving up as her hands slid to his shoulders, gradually guiding him to sit down on the chair. So peered up at her as she stepped between his thighs and plucked the pin out of his hair, releasing his sangtu. Placing the pin and golden headdress on the table, Soo slipped her fingers through his hair, allowing it to fall from his top knot and down his back.

"Does this mean I have your permission, Soo?" He looked up at her as he gently gripped her waist. Flushed with need, she nodded, then kissed him. Standing up, So swept her up into his arms and strode to the bed. He set her on her feet, a seductive smile on his lips as her jeogori and undershirt tumbled to the ground at her feet, and with a calculated yank, her chima spilled to the floor.

Damiwon

Woo Hee glanced at Baek Ah as he stopped before the door of the royal bath, "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, curious about his elated mood.

"I didn't want prying ears to hear." He said as he lovingly pulled her down to sit next to him by the water. "The king has consented to our marriage. We will meet with him tomorrow at dawn."

"Baek Ah, are you sure?" A worried frown flitted over her face. He nodded as he tenderly held her hand in his. "Also, I wanted to prepare you for the news. He found where Foreign Minister Park and Wang Shik Ryeom had sent Bok Soon and had her placed with Lady Mong in General Park's household."

Tears filled her eyes, spilling over at the news, "When will I see her?" she choked out as Baek Ah slid his arms around her, settling her against his chest. "Soon, Woo Hee." He kissed her temple as her body shook with sobs. "We will see our daughter soon."

Throne Room

That morning Princess Woo Hee of Baekje tightly gripped Baek Ah's hand in hers as they stood before So. Her face remained calm despite her anxiety over news of her daughter. "Because of the information you and my brother have gathered over the last two years, I will be able to order the arrests of the traitors who aided in the assassination of King Hyejong." So smiled down at her. "I am grateful and I welcome you as a sister."

"You no longer have to worry about Foreign Minister Park Young Gyu." Baek Ah said, squeezing her hand gently. "He has been imprisoned for treason. His execution will be this evening."

"As we discussed before, Princess Woo Hee, the marriage decree will unify the people of Baekje and bring them under Goryeo's protection from Khitan." So picked up a scroll from the table in front of him, handing it to Ji Mong to give to Baek Ah and Woo Hee. "I have troops under Grand General Park and Prince Wang Jung riding to the northern territories. This will give the refugees in Jeongan protection against Khitan soldiers."

Woo Hee regally met So's eyes, her head held high. "As the last royal representative of my people, I accept your protection, but under the condition that the Baekje slaves be freed."

"Agreed." So said with ease, then he motioned for Eunuch Kim to open the door. Grand General Park Soo Kyung and Lady Mong Ryang Won entered the throne room, followed by a nurse holding the hand of a shy little girl who peeked around her skirts.

Woo Hee and Baek Ah turned to greet the general and his wife. Her voice catching as tears filled her eyes at the sight of the child. "Bok Soon?" She rasped out, afraid to reach for the girl. Lady Mong nodded with a sad smile as the nurse encouraged the child to go to her mother. Woo Hee bent down to the child. "Do you remember me?"

Bok Soon hesitantly nodded her head. Woo Hee caressed her daughter's downy cheek. "You are with eomma and appa." She tenderly informed the child. Bok Soon lifted her eyes to Baek Ah who knelt down to greet her. Bok Soon suddenly flew into her father's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Baek Ah wrapped his arms around both his girls. With a bright smile and tears in his eyes, he leaned his head against Woo Hee's as he noticed his eyes staring innocently back at him with curiosity. "Thank you." He whispered as he brushed a kiss against Woo Hee's cheek.

A cough came from the General causing Baek Ah and Woo Hee to look over at him. "She is a good girl. She would follow me around like my daughter did at her age."

So's smile faded at the haunted expression on his mentor's face. "Prince Baek Ah, I order you to have the bodies of Prince Wang Eun and his wife Soon Deok exhumed and brought back to the palace." He commanded, his eyes never leaving the general's. "Ji Mong, send order the monks to prepare for a burial ritual to ease their spirits."

"Yes, Pyeha." Ji Mong said, bowing his head.

Standing up, Baek Ah smiled up at So, gratitude shining in his face. "Thank you, Pyeha." He kissed Woo Hee then faced General Park and Lady Mong. "I promise to bring Eun and Soon Deok home."