Cheondeokjeon

Lady Hae Soo's quarters

"Whoa! This is what Cheondeokjeon looks like." Chae Ryung exclaimed as she spun around Soo's quarters. Behind her, Damiwon court ladies entered, carrying Hae Soo's personal items. Hae Soo directed where to place the crates. She opened a wooden box holding her copies of So's poem. Smiling, she leafed through them.

Chae Ryung grew silent as she placed Hae Soo's books onto the shelf. "I...have a favor to ask you, Lady Soo." She turned around to face Soo. "I want to be able to remain in the Damiwon and I'm afraid that if I don't learn to read and write, I won't be able to remain. I do not want to be one of the court ladies the king releases." She walked over and grasped Soo's hands in her own. "I want to become a head court lady like you were. I want to make you proud. Please help me."

Soo smiled brightly at her dear friend. "Of course, I will gladly help you. I will speak with the king to make sure you are not included on the list of court ladies to be released from service."

Chae Ryung laughed, releasing Soo's hands, giving her a quick hug. "Lady Soo!" She gasped, bowing as Soo sat on the edge of her bed.

Hae Soo sighed as she took in the strange, beautiful room, not knowing what to do with herself now that she was no longer head of the Damiwon. "It will be my pleasure and will give me something to do."

"Oh, thank you!" Chae Ryung grinned happily. "Thank you so much, Lady Soo. I will learn quickly, I promise." Her eyes widened as she bid Soo farewell, "It's time for me to return to the Damiwon."

"I will also talk to Pyeha about teaching you how to read and write." Soo promised.

Chae Ryung happily bowed to her again and left the room.

Damiwon

Chae Ryung crossed the palace courtyard and hurried down the steps toward the gate of the Damiwon. She made her way up the stairs to Hae Soo's old quarters. A court lady nodded to her and Chae Ryung smiled back, "Lady Soo forgot a book and I was sent to bring it to her." She explained as she entered the room. Upon leaving the room and heading downstairs, she slowed, her eyes darted around as she headed toward Wang Won.

"How did it go?" He asked her as she handed him a book wrapped in blue silk.

"She said she would talk to the king." Chae Ryung answered, her eyes worried.

"Good." He nodded, flipping through the pages, unable to read the script. "You must remain in the Damiwon."

Nervous, she searched his face, "Can I not go to you, Wangja-nim?" Won blinked at her request. "I don't know when I'll ever be able to leave the palace." She said with concern.

Won gently grasped her shoulders, "Chae Ryung-A, there is still so much you can do to help me here." He explained. "When the time comes, I will take you out of here." The promise fell from him easily as he turned to leave, neither noticed the woman listening in the from behind the entry way of the royal bath.

Cheondeokjeon

Throne Room

"The temple monks are overseeing the exhumation of their bodies from the forest." Baek Ah informed So and Ji Mong. "The funeral ritual will be prepared before General Park leaves."

"Good." So nodded, a sad smile passed over his face as he remembered the courage his tenth brother had when he requested that So give him a merciful death. "Hae Soo will be happy that they will be put to rest."

Ji Mong agreed, "Yea, Pyeha. The stars shine favorably upon their spirits."

"Pyeha." Eunuch Kim hurried into the room, bowing before the king. "Court Lady Han Bi has an urgent message for you."

So folded his fingers, placing his hand under his chin as he leaned forward, his gaze hooded. "Bring her to my private quarters." He shared a contemplative look with Baek Ah. "Prince Baek Ah and I will hear what she has to say there."

"Yea, Pyeha." The eunuch bowed again, then rushed out of the room. So turned to Ji Mong, "Instruct the eunuchs to not allow anyone entry into the throne room. If they ask, tell them I do not want to be disturbed while I go over my brother, Jeongjong's old decrees."

Ji Mong bowed, "Yea, Pyeha."

King's Quarters

So studied the woman bowing before him as Eunuch Kim handed a scroll to Baek Ah. "It is as we suspected, Pyeha." He informed So as he skimmed over the report.

From her dress, he knew she was a Senior Court Lady. She had warm eyes, a serious mien and a proud baring which reminded him of Lady Oh. "Princess Woo Hee informed me that you served her in the Baekje palace." So said as he motioned her to rise.

"Yea, Pyeha." Lady Han Bi answered, keeping her eyes down from his. "I am loyal to the princess."

"Does that mean that you will be loyal to Goryeo?" He inquired of her as Baek Ah folded the scroll.

"I am equally as loyal to Pyeha. I will serve you with my life." Han Bi respectfully answered, looking into So's eyes.

Baek Ah nodded, "Lady Han kept Woo Hee informed of Wang Shik Ryeom's movements when she was a nursemaid for Bok Soon. Once my daughter was safe, Woo Hee convinced Jeongjong to place her within the Damiwon as a spy. She helped keep Soo safe for those two years you couldn't protect her." With his hand settled on the report given to them by Lady Han, he further added, "And with this intelligence, we will be able to bring the Hwangbo Clan under control and bring justice to the spirit of Hyejong. It is nearly over."

"Senior Court Lady Han Bi, I promote you to Lady-in-waiting to my Lady Hae Soo, the former Head Court Lady of the Damiwon and future queen of Goryeo." So instructed, solemn as he explained. "We have many who will fight this marriage. I need you to be my eyes and ears when I cannot be with her to protect her."

"I understand, Pyeha." She bowed as she waited for further instructions.

"Please choose two of your most trusted court ladies to attend to Lady Hae today." He commanded as he peered out at the sun shining through the window. "I would like her to join me for a mid-day walk around Lake Dongji."

"Yea, Pyeha." Lady Han bowed, then left the room, Eunuch Kim closing the door behind her.

Lady Hae Soo's quarters

"Lady Hae Soo, may we enter?" Soo put the book down as a knock sounded from the other side of the door.

"Yes, please." Soo replied. Lady Han opened the door. Soo noticed the court lady was dressed as a court official and followed by two young girls in similar clothing, carrying a soft slate blue jeogori with a blush rose colored belt. Surprised, Soo got up, smiling in greeting as she approached the older woman, "Court Lady Han, it's good to see you, but why are you in Cheondeokjeon and not in the Damiwon?"

"Lady Hae, I have been promoted to be your lady-in-waiting now." Han Bi bowed before Soo. "Princess Woo Hee convinced Pyeha you would be more comfortable with familiar attendants."

"Yes." Soo said in relief, then glanced at the clothing with curiosity.

"Pyeha thought that you might like to take a walk with him around Lake Dongji." She smiled warmly at Soo.

"I thought he wouldn't have time." Soo cocked her head, then grinned in pleasure. "I would love to take a walk with him."

Eunuch Kim appeared at the door. "I will inform Pyeha that you consented, Lady Hae." He bowed as he left the entry way, closing the door after him.

Lady Han nodded for the girls to help Soo dress. "Which hairpin do you prefer, Lady Soo?" She asked as the hairpins were brought forward. Soo's eyes fell upon her favorite as she selected the pin with the ivory flower surrounded by red berries and blue butterfly.

"You look beautiful, Soo-ya." So said from the door as Lady Han placed the pin into Soo's braid. The women stepped back and bowed before the king as he entered the room.

"Pyeha!" Soo exclaimed as So took her hand in his, smiling down at her.

"Let's go." He said as he led her out the door, holding her hand in his.

Lake Dongji

Despite the slight crispness to the air, Soo felt warm as they walked down the tree line path, holding hands. She leaned her head against So's shoulder as they passed by the stone tower, the mid-day sun reflecting off the surface of the lake.

She smiled at the memory of the first time she walked this path with him. Or rather chased after him as she chatted non-stop about doing her best to survive in the palace and that she would not be alone since she had him with her. Soo sighed, she still had him by her side, giving a nostalgic smile at the memory of the girl she once was before Lady Oh's death.

So tilted his head to peer down at her, a contented smile shone on his lips. "What are you thinking about?"

"My first day as a court lady and how naïve I was back then." A shadow crossed her face as she thought of Lady Oh. Soo stopped in mid-stride, looking up at So as he let go of her hand to pull her close, caressing her cheek. "Thank you for being here with me throughout it all. Even when I tried to push you away, I'm glad you didn't give up on me."

Soo met his lips with a sweet kiss, then she pulled back, blushing. His mouth had tasted sweet and his eyes were alight with the promise of tender passion. So quickly coughed, looked around, capturing her hand in his again, he tugged her down the lane.

Remembering her knee, gradually their pace slowed to a comfortable stroll. "I have ordered to have Eun and Soon Deok's bodies brought back to the palace."

So gripped her hand tighter as tears welled up in her eyes at the memory of Wang Eun. "Stop blaming yourself, Soo." He said, halting in front of her.

"I'm not. I promise." She replied with a nod as So cupped her face, running his thumb gently along her cheek. "However he was my first friend and I miss him so much."

"I know." So soothed as she laid her head against his chest, her tears faded into soft laughter as the memory of her first day in Goryeo drifted into her mind. "How can I ever forget that day when you pulled me off of him." She peeked up at him. "I was so angry with you. And then the little prince who thought he could peek at servant girls while they changed their clothes. I had to teach him a lesson." She stepped out of So's embrace, grinning up at him as he leaned down to meet her gaze. "I do believe I got my apologies from you and then some, Pyeha." she said, amusement shone in her eyes as she turned and happily moved ahead of him.

"Why were you not afraid of me?" he mused as she plucked a leaf from a branch, twirling it in her fingers.

Soo contemplated his question for a moment before answering. "Somehow I knew you would not do me any real harm." She bit her lower lip, a slight frown furrowed her brow. "I wasn't too fond of you, but I couldn't stop myself from being drawn to you." So moved to stand next to her. She drew in a breath. "That was the part about you that scared me the most. Every time you found me, touched me, it made letting go of you all that much harder. I didn't understand why my heart was leading me to you."

"Are you sorry it did?" He laced his hands behind his back as he turned his head to peer down at her.

Soo closed her eyes, a blissful smile on her lips as she softly sighed. "Never." She reminded him of the fearless girl he met in the home of the eighth prince. The way she stood there, her radiant face playful and unguarded. He couldn't take his eyes off her. How could he tell her that she was his wish come true?

She opened her eyes, flicking a glance up at him. "I would like to ask a favor. Chae Ryung requested I teach her how to read and write so she will not be one of the court ladies named to leave the palace." She sighed, "I would like to teach her. And I need something to do, Pyeha, besides waiting for you."

So caught her hand again, turning her to toward him. "Soo-ya, soon you will be visited by the royal physician and afterward, you will be too busy to have time to worry about not having enough to do." She frowned in confusion as he grinned down at her. "You will be busy taking care of our baby." He clarified for her, enjoying the blush that heated her cheeks as she grew flustered.

"Baby?" Soo uttered, then it suddenly dawned on her what he was talking about. "Oh!" Her hand covered her mouth as her eyes grew wide as the knowledge sunk in. She frowned. What did they use for protection in this era? She didn't dare ask as So brought her hand up to his lips, kissing her palm, then happily continued walking down the lane and back to the palace.