Cheondeokjeon

Throne Room

So listened as the ministers grumbled amongst themselves while waiting for him to ascend to the throne. Baek Ah stood quietly to his left, while the eighth prince and the Hwangbo clan official strode forward. So noticed with satisfaction an older man patiently standing behind the ministers.

"It is good to see you, Wook." So greeted his half-brother, raising a brow at Wook's lack of respect as he approached the throne.

"I am here on behalf of the Hwangbo clan and the ministers." Wook announced, not attempting to hide his disdain.

"On their behalf?" So cocked his head, a cool smile played on his lips.

"You have ignored their warning about marrying Lady Hae Soo." Wook stated curtly emboldened as a segment of the men behind him nodded, voicing their agreement with the prince. "She is a mere court lady with no background and cannot be queen."

"Hyung-nim! Do not dare." Wook turned as he heard Baek Ah's aghast tone. "So easily you forget Lady Hae's love for Lady Soo." The thirteenth prince admonished, disappointed by Wook's callous disregard of Myung Hee's final request of her husband.

"Pyeha, you must marry Princess Yeonhwa." The official standing next to Wook demanded. "The marriage between the throne and the Hwangbo clan will strengthen the throne. Lady Hae Soo does not have any power to give to you."

"Hae Soo is the daughter of the Hong Hae clan and a noble woman." So stated clearly, his fist curled.

"Hong Ha Jin disgraced the Hae clan with his dealings with Khitan." One minister grounded out as other officials around him nodded agreement. "The Hae clan disowned the girl when she refused to marry Taejo and fulfill her duty as a daughter. It is not proper."

Before So could respond, Wook declared before the throne and the court. "The Hwangbo clan of Hwangju propose a marriage to the king!" With the declaration ringing out before the court, suddenly the stranger marched forward, scattering the ministers like a cat landing among pigeons. Ji Mong announced to So, "Hong Ha Seung Go, head of the Hae clan has arrived. He has come to give his answer to you, Pyeha."

"It is too late for that." Seung Go said to Wook as the prince turned to stare daggers at him. The older man held up an envelope. "Pyeha has already proposed marriage to the Hae clan. As the head of the clan and Lady Hae Soo's cousin, I have accepted. She was a reckless child. I have forgiven her youthful carelessness and adopted her back into the clan."

So rubbed his forehead as the room erupted in an uproar. "Silence!" Standing up, he growled, his eyes locked on Wook's, then he focused on the court. "Lady Hae Soo is with child." A hush fell over the court. "If this child is male, then she will be the queen mother to the crown prince. And she will be queen."

"So be it." Wook blanched, attempting to hide his anger under his cool response.

An elderly official held up a hand, then moved forward. "Pyeha, I have a suggestion." He graciously offered. "I suggest that the officials wait until the baby is born before we approve your marriage. If, as you say, she delivers a crown prince, then we shall accept your marriage to her. If she has a girl child, then we will accept her as your second wife and you will marry Princess Yeonhwa of the Hwangbo clan."

Tired of the bickering, So sat down, contemplating the situation. "The offer is not unreasonable, Minister Ahn. Allow me to think it over."

"Yes, Pyeha." Minister Ahn bowed then returned to his place among his peers.

"Is there any other business other than my marriage that I must attend too?" So inquired with a wry smile. "If not, then you may leave, I have other matters to attend too."

As So released his breath, Baek Ah glanced worriedly at his brother as the ministers filed out the open doors. Their voices could be heard down the hall. Wang Wook gave So a cool glance before he left the room. "Have you achieved what you fought to obtain, Pyeha?" The older man inquired, his eyes calculating.

So smirked. "Possibly, but either way the Hae clan will be related to the throne."

"How does my cousin fare?" Seung Go insincerely smiled, a gleam in his eyes. "I do hope she and the baby are well. And that Pyeha is blessed with a crown prince."

"Thank you." So replied, ready to be rid of Soo's cousin. "You may go." Seung Go bowed before the throne, then left the room.

Damiwon

Tea Room

Woo Hee and Hae Soo sat, cozily chatting about Goryeo prenatal care while Soo gingerly blew on a spoonful of porridge. "I was both happy and sad to be pregnant at that time." Woo Hee's eyes grew distant with the painful memory. "Living as a gaisang taught me how to be proud and humble in ways being a princess never could."

"It makes me sad you had to endure the hardship alone." Soo commiserated, her hand coming to rest protectively on the small swell of her belly. "I don't want to imagine the pain you went through when Minister Park and the Wang clan took your daughter away from you."

"I'm glad Baek Ah made me tell him the truth then took me to see his fourth brother." She smiled at Soo, not wanting to cause her friend discomfort. "I was scared, but it worked out for the best." Woo Hee picked up her tea cup and sipped, then brightly she announced with an enigmatic smile. "We might have happy news soon ourselves."

"Oh!" Soo's eyes widened in surprise. She raised her hand to her lips gleefully. "Really?"

Woo Hee raised her hands up. "I'm not certain yet. I have an appointment with the royal physician today." She leaned closer to Soo. "I have to say though, this is how I felt when I found out I was pregnant with Bok Soon."

Soo hugged her friend. "I can't wait for the news!" She laughed and was about to say more when Bok Soon's nurse came into the room, bowed before Woo Hee as the princess pulling back from Hae Soo, grinning. "Little princess is awake from her nap."

"Thank you, Nurse Kim." Woo Hee said to the servant, then turned back to Soo. "I will be right back."

Soo waved her away then looked at the bland gruel with a sigh. "Go see to your daughter. I'll be right here. I was ordered to finish my meal." She grumbled as she lifted the spoon.

Standing up, Woo Hee chuckled as she left the tearoom with the nurse behind her. Happy for Woo Hee, Hae Soo relaxed as she gazed at the leafs on the trees which had turned the gold and red hues of autumn outside the window. Sunlight reflected off the lake and dappled through the leafs. Her thoughts drifted of how So's day was faring drifted through her mind as she slowly ate her porridge.

Suddenly a commotion among Soo's attendants caused her to return her attention to the door as it opened. Soo felt her mood sour as Princess Yeonhwa sauntered in despite Lady Han's protest.

"I thought I might find you here." Yeonhwa eyed Soo with disdain. "I see you still have no manners."

"Gongju-nim." Soo refused to take the bait as she pushed away from the table, standing to face the other woman. She silently waited for the princess to make her move. "I am not interested in what you have to say." Hae Soo coolly frowned at her, suspicious of Yeonhwa. "We have nothing to say to each other."

"I did not come here to fight." The princess sat down at the table, raising a brow. A court lady quickly brought in a tea tray and served her. "I came to make it clear to you as to who will be queen."

Yeonhwa sipped the tea, pleased with herself. "I don't mind if you stay here as the king's woman." Setting the cup down, she gave Soo a patronizing smirk. "However, you will not be a wife or a royal concubine. I won't get involved with who takes care of the king's needs. What I want is recognition and honor. Also, I want my son on the throne." She continued, her eyes focused on Soo. "As you will soon find out, I will be marrying the king."

"I won't believe you unless Pyeha tells me himself." Soo bit out in disbelief. It's not true! So would have told me if it was. A cold sweat broke over her brow as she began to grow anxious. Her heart pounded in her chest making her breathless.

"Pyeha is discussing our marriage in court today." A satisfied smile pasted on her face as she carefully watched Soo. "The Hwangbo clan will declare a marriage pact between the throne and the clan today. He needs us, Hae Soo. You cannot do anything for him."

Pale, Soo closed her eyes as she heard her blood pound in her ears. "Don't..." The room grew hot as the walls closed in on Soo. "I don't understand." She gasped, clutching the wall, sweat beading up on her forehead. Dizzy, Soo slipped to the floor, her vision narrowing beyond the room. She closed her eyes as Yeonhwa's cries for her child rang in her ears. Then silence filled the scene before her, a cold chill ran through Soo as a vision of So appeared, the left side of his face covered, and blood dripping from his sword. Suddenly, she found it hard to breath, there was a sound of snapping and then nothing.

"Hae Soo!" Soo lay on the hard wood floor, allowing the coolness to seep into her shivering body. From a distance, she heard a struggle and Woo Hee's voice calling to her then threatening. "If anything happens to Lady Hae Soo or the baby, do you think your title will save you or your clan? Pyeha would make sure not one member of your clan survives." Woo Hee growled at Yeonhwa as Lady Han rushed to Soo's side. Soo blinked as she attempted to sit up, leaning against her lady in waiting.

"Please, don't tell Pyeha." Soo pleaded under her breath.

"Baby?" Yeonhwa screeched, turning to glare at Soo as Woo Hee continued, "Hae Soo is pregnant with the first royal heir. Do you think you will be able to become queen so easily? The ministers have put aside the question of who will be queen until after the baby is born."

Soo flinched at the hatred in Yeonhwa's livid expression. The Hwangbo princess shook with rage, her hand tightening on the tea cup. Woo Hee grabbed her arm, "I think it's best you leave. Now." Yeonhwa opened her mouth to protest, then dropped the cup from her grip allowing it to shatter. Gritting her teeth, her hands fisted, she hurried out of the room.

Lady Han gently helped Soo get to her feet. "Do you feel faint, Lady Hae?" Concerned for Soo, as her mistress swayed a little. Soo looked at Woo Hee, "Please, don't tell Pyeha, Woo Hee. I don't want him to worry."

"Hae Soo, he will find out." Woo Hee smiled gently at Soo, then commanded, "Lady Han, please take Lady Hae to lay down and call the royal physician."

"Yes, Gongju-nim." Lady Han wrapped her arm around Soo's waist as Lady Song ordered the court ladies to prepare a room.

Throne Room

Relieved that the ministers had taken the bait and stalled the marriage plans between him and the Hwangbo clan, So relaxed slightly. However, he knew the battle wasn't quite over yet, suspecting another attempt to force the issue would come from Wook in due time. He couldn't help thinking about Soo's morning, missing her.

"Baek Ah, has everything been prepared?" So inquired with a satisfied smile.

"Yes, Pyeha." Baek Ah replied as he stopped gathering up the decrees in front of him to give his full attention to his brother. "She'll love it, stop worrying." He grinned, satisfied with the day's events. "The ministers took it better than expected. You have achieved stalling the alignment of the throne with the Hwangbo clan, but it's not over yet. Yeonhwa is ambitious for power and determined to be queen. You might have to agree to the marriage in order to control the clan."

"I know." So grimaced at the thought. He had promised Soo that she would be the only wife, remembering back to his first marriage with Princess Kyung Hwa and the guilt he felt over not being able to keep his promise. Soo had forgiven him for saving his innocent niece from being used as a hostage, but she would not accept it a second time around. Not if the other woman was Princess Yeonhwa. His Hae Soo had an interesting notion about marriage and a jealous streak when it came to sharing her husband, he chuckled.

"What do you find amusing about the situation, Pyeha?" Baek Ah asked, curious.

"I was thinking about Soo and how she is able to get her way with me." A warm glint lit his eyes as he thought about the first day he met her. "She was the first girl of nobility to argue with me. To lecture me. Hae Soo." He said her name fondly, remembering the sweet flavor on his lips when he first uttered it under his breath. "Who would believe that such a girl would grow into such an amazing woman."

"Hae Soo has always been an unusual girl." Baek Ah laughed. "For such a tiny woman, she's so stubborn and tenacious. Woo Hee and Soo-ya are a lot alike."

"What is the news from the court physician?" So inquired as he stood up and made his way down the stairs. Baek Ah stepped beside his brother. "He will see her tomorrow and then inform us if she is pregnant or not. Woo Hee claims that it's useless to do so, she said she remembered feeling like this with Bok Soon."

"Then congratulations will soon be in order." So said with a grin.

"Yes, Pyeha." Baek Ah said happily as the door burst open and Eunuch Kim rushed in, panting.

"Pyeha, Lady Hae collapsed in the Damiwon." The little man wheezed out. "The royal physician has been called to her side."

"Soo collapsed?" So grabbed the older man by his shoulders, brows furrowed. "Yea, Pyeha..." He let the man go then frowned at Baek Ah as the men rushed down the hall. Eunuch Kim huffed as he and the king's attendants tried to keep up. "Princess Yeonhwa requested an audience with Lady Hae before she fainted."

"Why would Yeonhwa want to speak with Soo? She wouldn't be that reckless, would she?" Baek Ah speculated, but So remained silent as they hurried across the courtyard, reaching the lane to the Damiwon. So slowed his pace as his half-sister appeared before him.

"Pyeha." The princess graciously bowed, assuming an air of innocence. "Lady Hae is not feeling well and I was coming to tell you." Yeonhwa let the lie slip easily from her lips.

So grabbed her arm, searching her face, then released her. "Don't ever come near her again." He ordered, turning his back on her as he entered the Damiwon to find Soo.