Cheondeokjeon Palace
Throne Room

Grand General Park Soo Kyung stood before the throne as So peered at him worried. He noticed how much older his teacher and general had become over the last few years since his daughter had died. The older man smiled wanly up at So, resolute in his decision.

"I am tired, Pyeha. I cannot go back to the north this time." Voice low, his gaze tormented. "Every time I close my eyes, I see my daughter and she calls out to me." He said, the look in his eyes haunted, his heart and spirit gone. "I would like to rest now and go back to my hometown."

Concern for the general filled So face as Park continued, his eyes dropping down. "I thank you for bringing her home to me. But even though I try my best to pretend this is not the case, I cannot rid myself of the image of you welding your sword, Pyeha. It has been very difficult."

Saddened, So grimly accepted his former mentor's words. "I understand." He said hoarsely at the bitter reminder of his brother and sister-in-law. "I will promote General Moon Ji Chang to the position of Grand General as your replacement.

"For the sake of this nation and our people, Pyeha, I hope you become a strong and wise king." Park smiled at his former student, now monarch, in gratitude. "That way if I ever get to see Taejo again, I will have something to boast about." He bowed before So. "General Moon is a good, honest man and will serve you well as my replacement. Your subject, Park Soo Kyung, is saying his last farewell to you."

Manwoldae Palace

"The king has arrived." Soo heard the eunuch shout from the courtyard. Nervous, she quickly stood up, placing her book down on the bed. She cursed at her stiff knee as she carefully made her way to the courtyard to greet So. Nibbling her lip, she worried if he was still upset about her defying his orders not to bring Lady Sun Hee to Chungju.

He had immediately sent her back to the palace that day and order her moved to Manwoldae while he remained behind with Jung for his mother's funerary rites. Soo was glad he had stayed with Jung, but she was concerned by his silence. He had barely said a word to her and had gone straight to Cheondeokjeon palace upon his return to Songak instead of coming to her at Manwoldae.

She thought back to Baek Ah-nim's gentle rebuke when she arrived back. "Soo-ya, this matter is not simply between you and Wang So." He scolded as he paced back and forth in front of her as she sat listening, trying hard not to flinch. "So-ya is a king now and defying his decrees can put you in grave danger. Especially if the ministers or clans demand he make an example out of you."

Sighing, Baek Ah halted before her. His placed his hands on her shoulders, saying firmly. "He loves you and it would kill him to be forced to give you up or harm you in any way."

"I'm sorry, Baek Ah-nim." Soo solemnly said, her concerned gaze meeting his. "I wasn't thinking clearly. I just thought..." Her voice trailing away as she frowned, her eyes darting to the corner when she cocked her head. Fidgeting, she looked back at up at Baek Ah. "Will he be alright?"

Baek Ah gave a quiet chuckle as his tirade fizzled. "As long as you are alright, he will be as well." He gave his best friend a wicked smile. "Pyeha has his ways around the ministers. However, he should have locked you up in your quarters before leaving for Chungju. He may next time."

Watching So stalk toward her, Soo pouted as she realized that locking her up was exactly what he had effectively done. Without saying a word, So laced his fingers in Soo's tugging her along after him. Eunuchs scurried ahead of them as they opened up the palace doors for the royal couple. "Are you still angry with me, Pyeha?" Soo asked, peeking up at So with large brown eyes.

So didn't respond as he marched her down the hall and into her quarters, the eunuchs quickly shut the door behind them. Soo braced her hands on his shoulders as he locked her into a tight embrace, kissing her roughly before he pulled away. "Don't ever do that again, Hae Soo."

"I'm sorry. I thought it was important for Jung to have Lady Sun Hee there with him so she could comfort him." Soo said. The sting of his kiss still on her lips.

Soo felt the prick of tears as she realized the anger in So's eyes hid his fear for her and their unborn child. She splayed her hands over his chest, not pushing him away as So's grip tightened around her waist. Tracing a circle on the gold dragon adorning the black satin robe with her index finger, she glanced up at him. The heat in his eyes making her nervous. Her tongue flicked out, licking her lower lip. "I also wanted to be there for you as well. I was worried about you. I don't like seeing you hurt." She rushed on under his heated stare. "I promise I won't defy you again, Pyeha."

"Soo-ya." So breathed. His worry for her turning into something more urgent as his eyes fixed on her glistening lips and darting pink tongue. "What am I going to do with you?" He bent his head, sucking on her lower lip then deepened the kiss when she gave a sigh. Her body melted into him as she wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him closer.

Releasing the kiss, So swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Soo felt the heat of anticipated pleasure course over her flesh causing her to flush with want. Their clothes quickly removed, she pulled him down next to her. His hand easily finding her sensitive ribs as he caressed the expanse of her waist, moving up to encircle a tender breast, gently squeezing as his hot mouth enveloped the nipple. His teeth scrapped over the sensitive bud before he suckled, twirling his tongue over the tip causing a low keening moan to issue forth from his lady.

Her arms slid around him, tugging him against her as her need built high within her. Wrapping her legs high around his waist, she tightened her hold, wanting to feel all of him. So pulled back, peering down at her as she mewled under him. "Now, So." She cried out, panting with need. "Please."

Later, Soo sighed as So curled around her, spooning as they lay on their sides. His breathing growing steady as he gently cuddling her close to his warm body. Nuzzling her neck, So's low masculine voice caused heated tingles of remembered pleasure to skim along her nerve endings. "You are the only woman who owns my heart and soul, Hae Soo." Soo trembled feeling the hard length of him gently penetrate her, buried deep within her, growing harder. "You are always there when I need you. But this time you put yourself in danger. I cannot allow that to happen again. Do you understand?"

Soo turned her head on the pillow to peer over her shoulder up at him. "I understand." She whispered to So as he bent down to kiss her, igniting the passion within them again.

King's bath chamber

Steam billowed out from the flower strewn pool as So helped Soo up the steps. He settled Soo down next to him on the satin covered lounge. Soo leaned back against So, glowing with satisfied bliss. So lifted a cup of loose leaf tea to his lips as they relaxed near the water's edge. She sighed as his hand caressed the curve of her belly, knowing he was lost in thought.

Placing her smaller hand over his, she softly asked, "What is troubling you?"

"General Park requested to leave." His voice weary as he leaned his head back against the teak headboard. "I don't blame him. I released him from his duty as my commanding general and from the palace. General Moon will replace him."

"That is understandable. However..." Soo sat up, turning toward him. Taking his hand in hers, she tilted her head, frowning in concern. "I know that is not the problem."

Pain filled So's face as grief hit him. "Maybe I am cursed with ill luck. My mother still saw me as a monster, Soo-ya." A tear slid down, trailing along the uncovered scar. "And, General Park cannot stop blaming me for his daughter's death."

"General Park doesn't blame you, Pyeha." Soo calmly stated with conviction as she pulled him close. "The pain of the last few years has aged him. His heart is no longer able to hold back his grief and he needs time to heal. It's good for him to retire from service now, while he still has his health."

"I don't know." So sighed, wrapping his arms around her.

"What happened back then was not any of your doing." Soo said, raising his head up so he could see the truth in her face. "There was no way you could have stopped it from happening." She reached out, caressing his cheek. "Believe me, I tried. You are not a monster. You are a survivor. Please don't feel guilty for surviving."

"She was staring at me but I don't think she saw me when she died." So whispered, his voice rough as he laid his forehead against Soo's. "Jung held her in his arms until the end. She told him that she had killed me as a child. Do you think she regretted what happened?"

"I think she pushed the guilt away, hardened her heart so she wouldn't have to face what she did to you. But in the end, the past haunted her so much until weight of her sins forced her to face the damage she did her sons." Soo's quietly explained as she pushed his hair back, soothing him. "Honestly, I think you were the lucky one and that Wang Yo never stood a chance against her corruption."

So frowned in confusion, pulling back from Soo, his hand resting in hers. "How so, Hae Soo?"

Soo bowed her head, closing her eyes as she relived the years of abuse under Wang Yo's reign as Jeongjong. When she opened them, she had a far away look in them. "Sometimes he would threaten to kill me just to torture you with the news of my death, but he knew that the only way to control you was to keep me alive."

"Soo-ya!" So wanted her to stop. He hated his older brother for the hell she went through.

She swallowed hard at the memory. She placed her trembling fingers against So's lips as he scowled in rage. "No, let me finish." Shaking her head, she continued on as she lowered her hand. So grasped it in his, holding onto her. "He would talk when he was drunk. Confess his sins to me. Tell me about the past and what Queen Yoo had done as well as what he had done under her command."

Sighing, she went on, gazing at his strong hands holding hers. "Sometimes he would laugh about how he would make you his crown prince just to pay her back for all the years he was a faithful, loyal son to her and all she could see was placing Wang Jung on the throne and throwing him away."

Her eyes were sad when she looked at So. "And your brother knew she would eventually throw him away. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew she would from the day she scarred your face and sent you away. It was his greatest fear."

A tear fell down Soo's cheek and So wiped it away, wrapping his arms around her as she began to sob against his chest. When she was able to speak again, she quietly said. "I feel sorry for him. She destroyed him thoroughly, So. You're the better man. Remember that always. Promise me, you will remember that."

"I promise, Soo-ya." He sighed as they sat holding each other against the pain of the past. Smoothing her hair back, he brought her chin up. "I must have done something right for the gods to have brought you into my life. I won't ever let you leave me, Hae Soo. You are mine forever. I'll follow you even in death and into the next lifetimes and beyond. Nothing will ever stop me from finding you."

Soo's eyes widen as he placed a fierce kiss on her lips. "So-ya!" With a wolfish gleam in his eyes, he settled her down beside him on the pillow. "Mine." He growled low and for her ears alone.

"Never harm yourself." She grasped his shoulders as she searched his face. "No matter what happens to me, I need to know that you fulfilled your duty here as a good king and that you will be here to protect and raise our child. I want to know that you were able to find happiness even when I'm gone. Promise me, So."

"Nothing will happen to you. I will make you queen." He demanded.

"My love, promise me." Soo coaxed, calmly smiling up at him. His long black hair falling over his shoulders creating a haven for them both. So struggled with feeling of helplessness then a quiet knowledge filled him with hope. "I promise I will catch you when you fall, Ha Jin. I will be there this time." He vowed as he bent to place a soft kiss on her lips.