Cheondeokjeon
Dawn - King's Chamber

Hae Soo snuggled into the warmth of So's arms, burying her head against his neck to block out the approaching daylight. Content where she lay, she refused to open her eyes. Just a few more minutes, she silently pleaded. Eunuch Kim, not yet! She held her breath as So placed a kiss on her forehead and combed his fingers through her hair.

"Good morning, Soo-ya." He whispered in her ear just as Eunuch Kim knocked on the bedroom door. "Pyeha, are you awake?"

Soo scrunched her face, burrowing deeper with a moan. "No!"

So gave a husky bark of laughter as he watched Soo rebel against waking up. "Pyeha, your morning meal is prepared and you have a meeting with the envoy from Jin." Eunuch Kim called out from behind the door interrupting So's good morning kiss. Soo let out an exasperated sigh, "He must have been a rooster in his last life. The crack of dawn every morning, Pyeha!"

"Enter." So said to the eunuch as he climbed out of bed, then grinned down at Soo who peered up at him, giving him a bleary eyed pout. "Then sleep until Lady Han sends your attendants to prepare you to meet Lady Sun Hee and her parents."

"The bed is not the same when you are not in it with me." She declared as she sat up, stretching.

"Good morning, Pyeha. Lady Hae Soo." Eunuch Kim bowed as he and the king's attendents entered the room. "Lady Han and your ladies-in-waiting are on their way, Lady Hae."

Eunuch Kim turned his head and fussed over the king's robes as So offered Soo his hand to help her out of bed. "Did you sleep well, Soo-ya?" So asked as he pulled her against him, kissing her temple, feeling her nod against his chest. Her arms wrapped tight around his waist.

"Always, Pyeha." She yawned, then leaned back to peer up at him with a smile. Eunuch Kim coughed, "Lady Han is here with Lady Hae's attendants, Pyeha."

"Good morning, Pyeha. Lady Hae Soo." Lady Han graciously inclined her head as the younger ladies bowed. "I hope you slept well. Lady Moon Sun Hee and her parents will arrive today. They will take tea with you and Princess Woo Hee in the Damiwon after they have visited the king. The Head Court Lady is preparing pressed cakes and chrysanthemum tea for the afternoon."

Soo made a soft regretful sigh and with one last look of longing at the bed, she released So, then squared her shoulders and nodded to Lady Han. Suddenly her eyes widened with a remembered thought. So enjoyed the play of emotions crossing her beautiful, guileless features.

"Very good." She replied as she descended the stairs, the younger ladies helped her into her outer robe. Turning to So, Soo bowed. "I expect to see you in the afternoon, Pyeha." She spun to Lady Han. "Today is going to be a very busy day." Soo led her procession of ladies out of the king's chambers and down the hall.

Throne Room - Morning

"Baek Ah Wangju has arrived, Pyeha." Eunuch Kim announced as he opened the door to the throne room. Baek Ah calmly approached So, bowing before him. Despite the calm, So felt the pain within his counselor and favorite brother.

"It has been done, Pyeha." Baek Ah said quietly. "Great Prince Hyo Eun Wang Won has been executed for treason. His body has been taken away. His property has been returned to the crown. The Uiseong Hong clan will not dare to take a stand against the throne. His wives and children have been given the choice to die with him or to be sent back to their clans." He inclined his head to So. "They have benefited much by your mercy toward them, Pyeha."

"I could not look Soo in the eyes if a child was harmed." So replied grimly. "Even his children."

Baek Ah remembered the scene that had greeted him earlier that morning at Won's residence. The servants had long since been released and the air was deathly silent outside. Upon entering Won's chambers, he heard his ninth brother shouting at the guards who refused to allow him to leave his rooms.

Residence of Wang Won

"I am someone who could have been a king." He shouted at the eunuch, then his eyes fell on Baek Ah. "If you are going to kill me, then hang me in front of Cheondeokjeon!"

Approaching Won, Baek Ah said nothing as the eunuch solemnly placed a tray with a bowl in front of the prince, folding his hands in front of him as he backed away. Won frowned at the tray then addressed his thirteenth brother. "Is Pyeha telling me to kill myself?" Won sneered. "Did the king send you to confirm whether I die or not?"

"I am only here to deliver something to you. Hae Soo requested it." Baek Ah handed Won a folded letter. Confused, Won carefully accepted the folded paper. "She asked me to deliver Chae Ryung's last letter to you. Soo felt it belonged to you more than to her." He said, somber as he held Won's eyes. "I can't do anything more for you. I'm sorry."

Bowing his head at Won, Baek Ah turned on his heel to leave, but was stopped by the tremor in his brother's voice. "Please stay." Baek Ah closed his eyes as Won continued. "She died a better death than a prince."

"Yes, I know." Baek Ah acknowledged. He listened to the sound of paper unfolding. The words written there already fully known since the night Chae Ryung wrote her confession in the cell.

I know the end is coming soon. I am just a person who couldn't stop loving once I started. I'm a foolish person like that. Chae Ryung doesn't regret it. I don't resent anyone. Whether there is value in doing something or not…that is something only you can answer for yourself.

A sick feeling settled in Baek Ah's stomach at Won's desolation. "Stupid girl. Why didn't you hate me? Why?" He shook his head and left his brother alone in the room.

Throne Room

"Lady Uiseongbuwon of the Uiseong Hong clan sent a petition for the life of her son." Baek Ah reminded So.

"No petition would save him from paying for his sins." So's eyes narrowed. "Have his remains sent to her. At least I am not ordering his body to be tossed outside the palace as carrion." He growled.

"Queen Hwangbo is requesting an audience, Pyeha." Eunuch Kim bowed at the doorway.

"Let her enter." So softly commanded, his eyes peering over Baek Ah's head to the queen walking toward him. "Baek Ah, prepare for the visit from the envoy from Jin and then, please go find Ji Mong and have him begin preparing dates for Jung's wedding. Lady Moon Sun Hee will be arriving today."

"Yea, Pyeha." Baek Ah bowed then inclined his head toward Queen Hwangbo as he left the throne room.

"Pyeha." Queen Hwangbo greeted the king. "Lady Uiseong is beside herself with grief over the death of her son. She wishes to know the sins Wang Won committed to be executed in such a vile manner. What did her son do to warrant such a death?"

"Why is she not here herself requesting an audience?" So asked his father's second queen, studying the woman.

"She is not well enough to travel to the palace." She explained, wary of So. "Her grief has taken a toll on her health."

"Then it will be at your discretion to tell her or not." So said. "But I do ask myself if you are here because you want to know if your son is complicit in Wang Won's treason. Or rather, how much do I know of my brother's treasonous activities. But you need not have come here have that question answered," He gaze cornering the woman. "You do not have to fear for your son as much as you should for your daughter."

"They have only wanted to strengthen the throne." She said, challenging So. "Your brother has counselled both Hyejong and Jeongjong, yet you do not allow him in your court. The Hwangbo clan can give the throne more power and you have refused it. The ministers are talking about your mistress, Lady Hae Soo, and that she has too much influence over you. Only if you unite with a powerful clan will the talk cease."

So took a deep breath, he felt the barely controlled rage rising up in him. "If you dare utter Lady Hae Soo's name again, I will wipe out your clan." So growled a low warning, slammed his fist onto the table before him. Queen Hwangbo paled, backing up from his tirade. "Your son deserves many deaths. However, it is amusing that the very person who keeps him alive is the one you and your clan wish to destroy."

"Please, Pyeha. I meant no offense." She dropped to her knees, her head down and eyes averted from his. "I only want what is best for your father's legacy."

So slowly descended from the dais, then wrapped his hand about her throat to bring her eyes to his. "I know that Yeonhwa was behind the poisoning the day Soo was accused of attempted regicide. Do you still want to sell your daughter to me? Did being a queen save you from being thrown away by my father when he needed to cover up my mother's treasonous sins? Do you think if your daughter is first queen, she will be safe? You are greatly mistaken." He let her go, then returned to the throne.

"You may tell Lady Uiseong that her son died the same death his machination led to for King Hyejong and for Jeongjong. My brothers did not die from natural illnesses. I know of Wang Won's love for studying alchemy and poisons. Poison was the only just death I could give to my ninth brother." So said dismissively to the shaken woman. "You may leave. Now."

Damiwon

"Woo Hee!" Soo grinned brightly at her sister as she measured out the liquid, pouring it into a bowl of warm beeswax. "No, don't stop whisking." Soo's eyes widened at the young court ladies at they attempted to greet the princess and whisk at the same time.

"Good morning, Hae Soo." Woo Hee trailed into the workroom with her procession of ladies. "I was informed I would find you here with Lady Song."

Head Court Lady Song turned from her scribing to bow to the princess. "Princess Woo Hee." Lady Han bowed to the princess. "Lady Hae is showing Court Lady Song a recipe for a moisturizer which can be used to clean off cosmetics and keep the skin supple."

"It will work well for stretch marks." Soo explained as Woo Hee bent forward to sniff the concoction. Soo wrinkled her nose at the thought of getting fat with child. A warm, fuzzy thrill raced through her at the thought of So's baby moving inside her. "It's a blend of almond oil, raw honey, and beeswax infused with peony water. It will soften the skin."

"It smells heavenly." Woo Hee exclaimed as she watched the young court ladies pour the cooling mixture into ceramic jars. Soo held up a pink jar and handed it to her. "I infused three jars with rosewater."

Woo Hee opened the jar, her eyes widened with pleasure. "I should get Pyeha to have more rose oil shipped to the Damiwon from Bulgaria." Soo sighed as she rolled down her sleeves then turned to Court Lady Song. "Lady Song, how would you like to have an atrium? I have to talk to Pyeha, but if we could grow our own roses and citrus trees then it would save money in the long run."

"An atrium, Lady Hae?" Lady Song narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I have not heard of an atrium."

Three pair of feminine eyes turned to Soo, looking for an explanation. Soo coughed delicately. "An atrium is a climate controlled building used to store exotic plants from around the world."

"Lady Hae, how is the climate controlled?" Lady Han inquired, clearly intrigued at the idea.

"By glass mostly." Soo explained, a creative gleam in her eyes. "Woo Hee, do you think Baek Ah could design such a building?"

Woo Hee crossed her arms and nodded. "Of course, however, Pyeha must approve of the idea first." The other two ladies graciously nodded in agreement with the princess.

"Then it is settled." Soo linked her arm through Woo Hee's, guiding the ladies to the tearoom. Woo Hee laughed, shaking her head at her friend. Lady Han and Court Lady Song followed behind them. As they neared the stairs a young court lady rushed up to Lady Song, whispering to her, then when the head court lady nodded she headed to the kitchens. "Princess Woo Hee, it appears that Her Imperial Highness Shinjeong of Silla will be joining Lady Hae and you for tea." Lady Song communicated.

Soo felt Woo Hee stiffened at the announcement of her grandmother by marriage arrival at the Damiwon. "Very good, Lady Song. Please announce our arrival to Queen Shinjeong." The court lady smiled, bowing to the princess then led the way to the royal tearoom.