Cheondeokjeon
Throne Room
Once the brothers were alone, Baek Ah cleared his throat, pulling So out of his reverie. "Woo Hee had Lady Han compile a list of attendants who she trusts to be sent to Shinju." He walked to the throne and handed the scroll to his brother. So opened the scroll and reviewed the names on the list as Baek Ah went over the background of the serving women. "Every girl has been confirmed to be orphaned and each have been well trained under Lady Han. They know where their loyalties lay."
"Are you sure there are no weaknesses that our sister can manipulate?" So speculated as he stepped down from the throne and paced to stand before Baek Ah. "While Queen Hwangbo will try to persuade them to be sympathetic to her cause, Yeon Hwa has a reputation of using her ladies in waiting weaknesses against them for her vicious games."
"Lady Han has given them their instructions on how to conduct themselves. They will be accompanied by Lady Jo Seung who will report any activity back to Lady Han." Baek Ah confirmed with confidence, his eyes meeting So's. "Lady Han was the one who saved Woo Hee when our father invaded Habaekje. I trust her, Pyeha."
"Very good." So nodded, putting nothing past the ambitions of their half sister nor her mother. His felt grateful to the court lady for her part in helping to keep Soo safe. "She's very thorough and meticulous at her job. And Soo enjoys her companionship. I'm grateful to her for her hard work. I must think of a good reward for her." He grinned at Baek ah. "Please let me know what she would like and I will grant it to her if possible."
"Yea, Pyeha." Baek ah flashed a smile at his brother, then said. "Oh, it has been arranged for Jung-a to take Princess Kyung Hwa to Chungju to keep Lady Sun Hee company while he is away in the Northern Territories. He has asked permission to do so today. He said he was going to take them both out to see the lanterns in the market place tonight."
"Granted." So said swiftly as he gathered up scrolls and reports he needed to go through, preparing to return to Manwoldae. "Eunuch Kim, have the guards ready my horse." He called out as the door was thrown open by the royal eunuch.
"Yea, Pyeha." The small man bowed low as he hurried down the hall, calling out to the guards that the king was leaving the building.
"If Woo Hee is feeling well, then we may join Jung and the ladies." Baek Ah said as he walked beside his brother.
"How is my sister in law feeling?" So asked congenially, stopping before they reached the courtyard.
"She says she's not feeling as sick as she did with Bok Soon." Baek Ah shook his head with a sigh. "Stubborn woman. I wish I had known at the time."
"It worked out in our favor, Baek Ah." So said, trying to console his younger brother. "She and Soo will be fine. Take her to look at the lanterns and forget the palace, and the past for a while."
"What about Soo?" Baek ah lifted a brow at So. "It's been a long time since she has wandered through the market place and was allowed to be just Hae Soo."
So frowned in thought, intrigued the notion. "The king cannot go out among the people."
"No one would know you are the king if you are in disguise." A conspiratorial grin spread across Baek Ah's face as So gave him a meaningful glance.
"Perhaps." So said thoughtfully before striding off toward his horse, wanting to see Soo. His guard let go of the bridle as So mounted. The horse pranced as So took control of the reins and then with a 'ha' he galloped out of sight.
Manwoldae
So quickly dismounted from his horse, turning to the captain of his guard. "Have a carriage prepared by nightfall." He ordered, a playful smile flashed at the thought of surprising Soo.
"Yea, Pyeha." Captain Khim bowed in response as they climbed the stairs to the courtyard. "I'll have the royal carriage ready."
"Not the royal carriage." So shook his head instead instructing. "It should be non-descript. Also choose four of your best guards, but keep them at a distance. I will need one who can drive the carriage."
"Yea, Pyeha." The captain strode off toward the garrison. Eunuch Yi scurried toward So with his attendants following closely behind. So kept a grin in check while remembering a jest Soo made about how the attendants made her feel like a mother duck with hatchlings.
The head eunuch was about to announce the king's arrival when So silenced him with a motion. "Where is Lady Hae?" So inquired as he entered the palace.
"Lady Hae took her tea in the library, Pyeha." Eunuch Yi nodded with a smile.
"Tell Lady Han to dress Lady Hae in something warm but light this evening." So instructed as he stealthy moved toward the doors of the library. She was there, the other half of him.
Silently he opened the door to see his lady love deep in concentration while she searched the shelves a frown marring her smooth brow. She was biting her lower lip in that way he found endearing, yet seductive.
Soo reached up causing him to notice that the skirt of her chima stretched over the swell of her belly. So was struck at how beautiful she had grown over the years he had known her. He couldn't believe he could love someone as much as he loved her. And it seemed that this love only deepened every day.
She huffed in frustration, stepping up on the stool to get closer to her target. So rushed forward, catching her around the waist to make sure she didn't fall.
"Oh!" Soo's eyes widened in surprise as she turned, falling into So's arms. Chuckling, he easily hefted her up high as her hands landed on his strong shoulders. "Ya, So-ya! Don't startle me like that!"
"Hae Soo, you should call on the attendants for tasks like climbing up on stools. What if you had fallen?" So softly admonished her. His head tilted back to scan her pretty face. A stubborn glint in her eyes.
Soo felt a wave of ire, then blinked back the heated tears she knew were from her ever changing hormones and the restrictions of living within the palace. Frustrated, she pouted then decided to use the situation to her advantage. Peering over her shoulder at the elusive manuscript. "Please, move me just a little bit to the right." She directed So as she stretched toward the shelf.
Sighing, So moved until she could easily take the book into her hand. "I guess I returned from Cheondeokjeon because I knew I would have to play attendant for my queen."
"You may put me down now, Pyeha." Soo blushed, her arms around his neck as he slowly lowered her until she had her footing, but to her dismay, he didn't let go of her. The baby bump very obviously pressed against his solid body. "Thank you." She said as she gripped the book against her chest suddenly feeling flustered. She felt the beating of his heart beneath her hand as she placed it on his chest. "So, you may release me."
She gasped as his arms tightened around her waist. An amorous smolder emanated from his eyes as he grinned down at her. "I don't want to."
"So-ya!" Soo exclaimed, then hissed. "Not here."
"You must be punished, Soo-ya." So breathed against her neck.
"What is my sin, Pyeha?" Soo shivered in anticipation as his lips hovered over the throbbing pulse at the nape of her neck.
"For abusing the king." He said as he nipped her soft skin.
"We can't." She moaned, pushing back in his arms even though she wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet.
"Then I'll accept a kiss for your penance, Hae Soo." So sighed as he nudged her nose with his. Soo giggled as she raised up on tip toe and pursed her lips to give him a chaste smack on his lips. He grinned, shaking his head as he bent down to run his tongue over her full pink lower lip, breaching her barriers so easily to deepen the kiss.
Raising his head up, he grinned down at her, enjoying the view of her red swollen lips, slightly parted and well-kissed, as well as her dazed expression. He cupped her face with his strong hand, tenderly running his thumb over her cheek. "Lady Han will ready you for this evening. We are going out."
"Really?" Soo squeaked out. She tossed the forgotten book on top the nearest shelf in excitement before throwing her arms around him. "Are we going to the lantern festival?"
Her squeal of joy made him laugh as he nodded his confirmation. "Would you like that?"
"Very much, Pyeha." She quipped out, then pulled back as her enthusiasm dulled. She lowered her eyes. "But it won't be as much fun with our attendants trailing behind us." A feeling of guilt flooded her at the selfish thought, she shot her eyes up. "Not that I don't want the court officials to have a night out to enjoy themselves. Maybe..."
"Maybe I will give the night off to the court officials next year, but tonight is just for us." So confirmed, soothing her distress. He placed a kiss on her furrowed brow.
Stunned, tears gathered in Soo's eyes and spilled over. "Hae Soo, what is wrong?" Panicked, So reached out, touching her face. Then he glanced down, his hands moving from her face to her stomach. "Are you in pain? Is it the baby?"
"N-no." Soo hiccupped a sob. "It's only..." She paused catching her breath, trying to calm her overwhelmed hormonal response to her emotions.
"What is it, Soo-ya?" So asked, tenderly hugging her to him.
"I love you." She wailed against his chest, causing him to gently chuckle. "I love you too." He replied, holding her close to his heart, not caring about Soo leaving snot and tear stains on his royal robes. The court officials within the palace should be used to the anomalies created by his lady by now.
A tentative knock sounded at the door. "Pyeha, Princess Kyung Hwa, would like an audience. May I allow her to enter?" Eunch Yi inquired.
"Not yet." So called out as Soo took a deep breath, trying to steady her raging hormones. Sitting down in the nearest chair, she withdrew a kerchief from her sleeve and wiped the tears away, then nodded to So. "You may allow her to enter." So firmly instructed the head eunuch.
Apprehensively, Princess Kyung Hwa stepped hesitantly into the room. Her eyes darted to Hae Soo, then up to So. "Lady Hae?" She asked.
"Pregnant women cry for very little reason at all, Ongjunim." Soo laughed as she stood up to greet the Princess.
"Please forgive me, Pyeha. I did not mean for you to think I thought you had harmed Lady Hae." Prince Kyung Hwa quickly bowing her head. She peeked up. "I wanted to thank Pyeha for giving me leave to stay with Lady Sun Hee in Chungju. I know I just arrived and Sun Hee-ya has only been barely adjusted to married life, but it would help calm her during this time when her husband is away."
"Please, be at ease. I know you meant no insult, jokattal." So patted her shoulder. "I know her company will make you happy and keep her from feeling lonely while Jung is away. I hope you enjoy the lantern festival."
"Thank you, Pyeha." Kyung Hwa said again, her eyes lowered. "Lady Hae, I hope you and the baby are well."
"We are, Ongjunim. Thank you." Soo inclined her head at the young royal.
"May I take my leave, Pyeha. Prince Wang Jung is here to escort me to Chungju." Kyung Hwa waited patiently for So to dismiss her.
"You are dismissed." So declared as Kyung Hwa nodded her head at So and Hae Soo then withdrew from the library. Eunuch Yi carefully shut the door leaving an awkward silence.
Soo grimaced, then turned an apologetic glance at So. "I apologize, Pyeha. I tend to forget sometimes that we are trapped within this gilded cage where every emotion expressed is viewed as a weakness to be used as a weapon against that person."
"There is no need to apologize. I don't want you to ever hide your feelings from me, Soo-ya." So said solemnly as he peered down at her. "You are the only person who makes sense within this place. You, Baek Ah, and Jung are my family. I would never let anyone take my people from me. Especially you."
"I know. Thank you for allowing her to visit with Lady Moon." Soo whispered back. Feeling drained, she smiled up at him. "I think I should go lay down and take a nap before our adventure tonight, Pyeha."
"You're welcome. If I didn't have a country to run and reports to read, I would love to join you." He brushed a kiss across her forehead. "Go get some rest. I will come for you at sunset."
"I'll be ready." Soo grinned as she headed for the door. Closing her eyes, she summoned her training as a head court lady to calm her elation. Eunuch Yi automatically opened door as her eyes opened and she headed down the hall to her quarters.