Damiwon

Sun Hee blushed at her mother's indiscreet remark as she touched the letter in her sleeve, instinctually knowing there would never be a right moment she rose from her seat, bowing before her future husband and the ladies at the table. "Please, excuse me." Her eyes pleading with Lady Song's.

"This way, Lady Moon." The head court lady guided the young woman out the door and down the hall. "Lady Song." Sun Hee stopped the woman in her tracks. "I must see Lady Hae alone before she leaves. Please, take me to her."

"Yes." Lady Song's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she bowed to Sun Hee, then hastened down the stairs to see Soo. "Lady Hae." Sun Hee called after her, awkwardly bowing before Soo as she turned around. "I have something to give you."

Soo glanced at Eunuch Kim and Lady Han then nodded to Sun Hee. "Lady Song, may we use your study? Eunuch Kim, please inform Pyeha that I will join him shortly. Lady Han, please follow us."

"Yes, Lady Hae." Eunuch Kim bowed his head and quickly left. Lady Song led the women to a room that Soo knew all so well. She had grown up within the walls, been instructed by Head Court Lady Oh and even held her own reign within the small room. A bittersweet smile crossed her face as she imagined the young Hae Soo kneeling before the desk as Lady Oh smacked down another book on top of many for her to read and study. Soo turned to Sun Hee, gazing at the young woman as though she were a novice. "Although there is no place safe within the palace to share a secret, I trust the walls of this room. Please, proceed."

"Thank you, Lady Hae." Sun Hee nodded to the king's mistress, feeling Soo's power for the first time. "Princess Kyung Hwa requested I give this letter to you in private." She said as she took the folded paper from her sleeve and handed it to Soo. With familiarity, Soo slipped around the desk and sat down, unfolding the letter from So's first wife.

Lady Hae Soo,

I hope you are well. I remember you as always being kind to me when I was allowed to visit my mother at the Damiwon when my father was king. You were the one who found me the day I hid from my nurses. You brushed off the dirt when I fell and gently wiped away my tears before leading me back to the Damiwon. You took a chance of being harmed by being kind to a royal princess, but the woman I am now is due to your kind guidence and I'm grateful to you.

I am also grateful to Pyeha. He saved my life. It was only as I grew into womanhood did I understand the sacrifice he made in order to do so. For a long time, he wished to marry you. But a child does not understand what an adult knows, and because of me, he was not able to do so.

I owe you both my gratitude and my life. I have heard about your pregnancy and welcome the child. I will not stand in the way of your marriage to my uncle. I was fully prepared to take the vows of a nun, however I know of the danger you are facing, Lady Hae. This is why I am requesting to return to the palace. Lady Moon Sun Hee is prepared to send your reply to me.

Princess Kyung Hwa

Pensively, Soo closed the letter, placing it inside her jeogori. "Thank you, Lady Moon."

"You're welcome, Lady Hae." Sun Hee said. "I am honored to be of service to Princess Kyung Hwa and Pyeha."

"Please call me Hae Soo." Soo gave Sun Hee a warm smile, stating. "Right now, Pyeha is waiting for me, I better leave. I will see you tonight at dinner."

"Yes, Hae Soo." Sun Hee returned the smile as Soo bid her farewell.

This might be the answer to my prayers, Soo thought as she placed her hand over her stomach. Memories of a gawky little girl with big scared eyes flooded back, now that girl would be a young woman of age. She closed her eyes attempting to remember the order of So's wives from history, then thought better of it. Her daughter would be in danger if Princess Yeonhwa was crowned as first queen, however if Princess Kyung Hwa agreed, then she would be the perfect shield for her daughter and a queen for Goryeo.

With her mind made up, Soo stepped from the Damiwon, stopping at the sight of So standing by the stairs. He turned, smiling up at her, offering her his hand and with a happy smile, Soo stepped into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing close.

She sighed within the warmth of his arms. Her heart felt light yet ready to explode whenever he was near. She had no words to express how overwhelmed, yet peaceful she felt within this love. No matter what happened to her, it would be all right in the end. She could protect them both.

So blinked down at her, the small bulge of her pregnancy evident in their embrace. "Soo-ya, what's the matter?" He laughed softly as he kissed her forehead.

"Nothing." Soo raised her eyes to his. "I just love you, that's all there is."

So shook his head, smiling down at her. "Babo sonyeo. I love you too." He stepped back, taking her hand, threading his fingers through her own. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they strolled their usual route, sunlight shining through the dappled leaves and glinting off the lake.

Releasing So's hand, Soo bent down to pluck wild daisies, arranging them into a small bouquet. She found a piece of red ribbon within her sleeves and tied it around the flowers.

"Who are you gathering the flowers for, Soo-ya?" So asked as he curiously tracked her every move.

"For Lady Oh. I feel she is smiling on us today." Glancing up at him, she added with a bittersweet smile. "I miss her."

"I know, Soo." So nodded as Soo put the flowers on the stones and clapped her hands in prayer. He stood next to her, paying homage to the woman who was like a mother to Hae Soo. Wrapping his arms around Soo from behind, he placed a kiss on her cheek. "After Lady Hae, she was the closest to a mother to you. I'm grateful to her. If there had been something I could have done at that time, I would have."

Hae Soo nodded her understanding, placing her hand over his as she rested against him. "I can finally think of her without pain. That is enough for me."

"Soo, Prince Wang Won is dead." So informed her as they stood near Lady Oh's prayer tower, overlooking the lake. Hae Soo remained quiet a moment, contemplating her emotions, confused as relief flowed through her. "I understand, Pyeha. What about Wang Wook?"

"Will you still beg for his life?" So sighed, pulling back as she turned to face him.

"It's not that I care, Pyeha, it's that I know he mustn't die." Soo answered mysteriously.

"Death is too quick and easy for him anyways." So growled, angry as he started down the path and away from the subject.

"Pyeha!" Soo called after him, frowning at his back. Rushing after him, she stood in front of him, refusing to budge.

"Soo-ya." He warned as he glared down at her. Closing her eyes, she threw her arms around his neck, burying her head against his nape as he bristled. Her lips scaled the sensitive flesh. "You will pay dearly for this tonight, Hae Soo."

"Yes, Pyeha." She kissed the frown from his mouth. He nipped her lower lip then deepened the kiss until she trembled him his arms, then he released her, heading back to the palace.

Cheondeokjeon
Dinner

"Woo Hee told me about your idea for an atrium, Hae Soo." Baek Ah said as the eunuchs and servants roamed around the table filling the cups with wine. So cocked a brow at the conversation as he raised his cup to his lips, keeping a sharp eye on his lady. "From the sound of the materials, the building might be expensive. I will have to look into it further."

Soo returned Pyeha's glance with a heated stare before turning to Baek Ah. "Thank you, Baek Ah-nim. I know it might be expensive to build, but I feel that it will be cost effective in the long run."

"Grandmother might know someone who can make the glass locally." Woo Hee added, backing up Soo. "I have the rough drawings you can go over at home."

"What is an atrium, dear?" General Moon leaned over to ask his wife, Lady Choi, as Baek Ah informed the two women that he and Pyeha would review the matter later. Soo sighed as she gave in, letting the subject rest, and gracefully took a bite out of a lotus root.

"From what I gathered at tea this morning, it is a building made of glass and wood which can be used to keep plants within." She quietly answered him back as she cautiously kept her vigilant gaze on Pyeha. Awestruck by the intensity of the monarch at the table, she sipped her wine wondering how Lady Hae could handle such a man.

"Pyeha, it has been a while since I practiced my martial arts." Jung began after swallowing a bite of meat that Sun Hee had placed in his bowl. "I was wondering if you would like to join me. You too, General Moon." He nodded to his soon to be father-in-law.

"I would enjoy that, Wangja-nim." General Moon grinned at Jung, flexing his muscles. "I can still take on a young pup."

"Appa!" Sun Hee smiled at her father, trying not to roll her eyes. Soo grinned at the younger woman's reaction, missing the look on So's face as he rose from the table. "I believe it is time for Lady Hae and I to retire for the night." So interjected as he walked around to Soo's side, Eunuch Kim trailing close behind.

Soo stilled, then calmly smiled at So as she nodded to her guests when she got to her feet. "It's been a pleasure, but Pyeha is concerned that I might overtax myself. So we will bid you all a good night." She finished pleasantly as she contemplated punishing His Majesty.

"Yes, Lady Hae, I remember how tiring carrying Sun Hee was for me. You should rest." Lady Choi nodded with understanding. "You are fortunate that Pyeha is a considerate man."

"Yes, Lady Choi, I am a very lucky woman." Soo beamed back at her as Woo Hee nearly choked on her tea. "Please remain and enjoy the rest of the meal and each other's company."

"I will see you tomorrow on the practice field, Jung-ah." So informed his younger brother as Soo gracefully laced her arm through his, both lovers leaving the room.

Outside the king's bedchamber

Soo released So's arm, bowing before him formally. "Thank you, Pyeha, I will retire to my bedchamber tonight." Upon seeing Lady Han opening the door to her quarters, Soo hurried away from So. Pulling the doors shut, she leaned against them as Lady Han stared at her in astonishment.

"Soo-ya, do you really think this is a good idea?" So calmly inquired from behind the doors. She bit her bottom lip, her eyes narrowing as she turned her head toward his voice, motioning to Lady Han not to respond. "Hae Soo, I will remain out here and howl all night if you don't open this door." He sweetly threatened.

"And he would do it too." Soo sighed as she banged her head back against the door frame. Lady Han gave her a grin before returning to her duty. Soo gathered her wits about her and opened the door to emit the king who peered down at her with a knowing smirk. "You are lucky I love you." He said before he picked her up in his arms and carried her back to his rooms.

So quickly ordered everyone out. Soo gave him a haughty, reproachful glance as he set her down. "This is where you belong." Looking away, she pretended to straightened her skirts. She sighed as she tried to settle her nerves by finding something to do.

Calming down, So peered down at her. Something was wrong and she was hiding it from him. He knew the signs by now. "What is wrong, Soo-ya? Whatever it is, don't hide it from me."

She thought over the conversation she had with Choi Ji Mong after her afternoon walk with So. The astronomer had not been pleased with the visit.

"You were not meant to change Gwangjong's history." Ji Mong sighed, a concerned scowl on his face.

"I know I will never be queen." Soo glared at him, acknowledging that much. "I know my time here is short as well, but I was meant to be here, Ji Mong. I know that just as I know the child I carry is a girl. If changing history will protect my daughter then so be it."

"Are you willing to accept the consequences of changing his future? The future of Goryeo? Even your own future?" He challenged.

"Yes." She met his eyes with a hard intensity. "I accept it all as long as I know he has a good queen by his side and my daughter will be safe within the palace. I would risk it all."

Ji Mong sighed, ignoring her as she turned on her heels, heading down the stairs of the observation tower.

Soo removed the letter from Princess Kyung Hwa and handed it to So. "So, please allow Princess Kyung Hwa to return to the palace." She quietly requested as he opened the letter. She sat down at the dining table, her confidence waning as So read the contents.

He frowned in confusion at Soo as he laid the letter down on the table. Bending down in front of her, he gathered her hands in his. "You are my only queen, Hae Soo. When the baby is born, we will be able to marry."

Sadly, Soo shook her head, leaning down to touch her forehead to his. "This is the only way, So-ya."

"I refuse to acknowledge her as my wife and queen, Hae Soo." He stubbornly stated, rising to restlessly prowl around the room.

"You don't have to do so now, but when the time comes, do it for us." Soo said quietly, a tear slid down her cheek. "Please, So-ya. I need to be able to do this for you and her."

So rushed to her side to wipe the tears away. "If it is that important to you then I will allow her to return to the palace, just not as my wife." He conceded as he took her into his arms, holding her tight.

"I won't allow you to leave me. Not even in death. You are mine, Hae Soo." He kissed her hotly, desperation spilling over into passion. Soo moaned his name as he nipped the nape of her neck. So hurriedly untied her jeogori and then chima, letting her skirts slip down and pool around her feet. His robe quickly followed her clothing to the floor as he lifted her up on the table, settling himself between her thighs as she clutched him to her.