(The Woods, Songak)

~Yeonhwa's POV~

"How was your day, Yeonhwa?" Eun asked as our horses trotted at a casual pace. "I hope it wasn't anywhere as boring as mine. With no one to play with. You can't imagine the pain," he shook his head.

"My day wasn't boring, but it was serious," I replied neutrally.

"Then you need to lighten up, don't you?" He grinned and patted me on the shoulder. I couldn't help but return the smile. This time I was sincere. I knew I seldom had a genuine reason to smile. But this little brother of mine was, although childish most times, constantly so optimistic and hopeful. It was difficult to not be cheery along with him. It was contagious and he never even had to try, whereas with everything that I did, it took so much effort. Suddenly it hit me that — not that failure was ever an option but — if I couldn't get to stay in Songak after I get married, Eun's laughter and the joyous atmosphere he'd create and spread just might be something that I would miss.

"I know I can rely on you for that," I said to him warmly. I sighed inwardly and realized just how exhausting it was to constantly have to put up a facade, to shut people out and manipulate those I keep in my circle. It was tiring but no doubt necessary to consolidating my place at Court. With Eun, however, he really didn't have any ambition or ulterior motives. Sure, it was immaturity as he failed to see the royal court for the dangerous and dark place that it really was, but he was also pure and innocent.

"Of course I'll be able to make you cheer up! You can count on me to do what I do best," he said and held out his hand with his index finger pointed upward.

"What does that sign mean?" I asked as I made an attempt to imitate him.

"Well," he explained as he made another sign, this time curling his fingers into a fist but his thumb was pointing upward. "This sign means the best, but since we can't be the best because obviously our father the King's Majesty is the best, we can be second best," he said, switching back to the original hand signal.

I tried a few times to switch between the two. "I've never seen anybody do this before. Did you come up with this?"

"No, it wasn't me. Lady Hae Soo taught me this," he revealed.

My smile was gone. I looked away for a moment so that Eun didn't have to see me rolling my eyes. Hae Soo again? Who did that girl think she was? Fooling around with this Prince and that Prince.

"It seems you and Her Ladyship are quite close, is that right?" I inquired, keeping my tone flat.

"Yes! We're great friends and she's willing to play with me," he answered joyously. "It must be so nice that you get to see her all the time since she lives in Yeondeok Palace with you!"

No, Eun, I strongly dislike her and I would like her to get out of my house, I thought to myself. But I didn't say it to Eun because I wouldn't have liked to make him upset by insulting his friend. He must have forgotten the time I whipped Hae Soo. But I hadn't forgotten.

"You can come by as often as you like," I replied, deciding it might be better to change the topic. "I mean it. Once I get married, I can't be sure if I will get to stay in Songak to see you frequently, let alone play with you."

His expression and mood turned somber and grave now. "You're going to get married? So soon?"

I shrugged. "His Majesty has discussed the matter with me a couple of times. I'm of marriageable age anyway. It's no surprise."

"But...but you've lived here all your life. Wouldn't it make you uncomfortable if you have to move away all of a sudden? If it were to happen to me, I don't know if I would be able to adjust to it. If I can't get used to it, I will be very unhappy and I don't want that," he said worriedly.

"Then it looks like it's a good thing that you'll never have to worry about being sent to a foreign nation to marry a member of the royal family there," I said wryly. Really, his worries were so simple. But he spared a thought for my comfort, and there weren't a lot of people who'd care about that.

"Don't worry," he said breezily. I really wished it could be that easy. "His Majesty will choose a good man for you to marry. And any man would be honored and lucky to marry a sister of mine," he smiled.

Eun was truly too precious for this world. From the bottom of his heart he loved and cared for all our siblings and merely wanted all of us to be happy and enjoying life. I almost felt as if I was failing him, for having so many concerns and burdens. I did feel ashamed to be his sister. He deserved a better sister than one who'd scheme and lie and use everything about her future husband to her own advantage. No one would be honored and lucky to have a wife like me.

Although I was filled with remorse in this moment, I could only harden my heart once more like I'd had to do every day, because I could not let a brother's innocence weaken my resolve to get myself a husband I could exploit. I needed and wanted power, and one way or another I would get it.

(Hyunhui Mansion, Songak)

~Hyeong's POV~

In the afternoon, most of the guests had left. My parents and I could now spend some time on preparing for our meeting with the King tomorrow. But then Woljin had informed me that the 3rd Prince Yo's concubine, Lady Sinye, had come over. I wasn't expecting Her Ladyship, although at the back of my mind I was constantly hoping that His Highness himself would be here.

Lady Sinye was here, and her maid had returned the umbrella to Woljin that I had lent to Prince Yo the other day when our date on the Peak was cut short because of the weather. I looked up at the sky and today was such a fine day. If His Highness were to take me out today, we wouldn't have to worry about the weather.

"Happy birthday, Lady Hyeong," said Lady Sinye, smiling. "I'm still very happy about the crystal cakes last time. This time for your birthday I made some coconut bars for you."

"Thank you! That's so sweet of you. It's a very pleasant surprise," I said jocundly. "Why don't you come inside?"

I then introduced Sinye to my family and we spent the rest of the afternoon chatting. When it was dinnertime and she had to go home, I didn't offer to walk her back to Gyeongchun Palace, not because I didn't want to run into the 3rd Prince again but because it would make my parents ask questions. However, I did find out from Sinye that Prince Yo had in fact become quite busy recently. As a sign of the King's trust, His Majesty had entrusted Prince Yo with additional duties and tasks. I guessed that meant he wouldn't be paying any attention to me these days. It was a pity and I was a tad bit disappointed. I did miss being so close to him, and he did say that he would play chess with me so that I could lose to him. Alas, of course his royal duties were much more important than spending time with me. I didn't even know what I was to him. Technically I was just one of his subjects, as I couldn't really say that we were friends. Not like how I was friends with Won and Jung and even Baekah.

I had a lovely dinner though, with my family. Geolha and I were on good terms again, and I could always count on Geolsang to make the atmosphere lively and jolly.

After dinner, I thought about our family's meeting with King Taejo tomorrow and how frightening Hae Soo had described the King to be. But then while I was still preparing my hanbok for tomorrow's occasion, I heard a loud crackle. I looked out my window and gasped when I saw that fireworks were going off in the night sky. It was a spectacular sight. Awestruck and delighted, I neglected being ladylike and rushed down the stairs, and sprinted outside. I was a few steps from my residence when I caught sight of somebody approaching Hyunhui Mansion. Although the lighting was dim, the figure did look remarkably like Prince Yo.

To make sure it was not just my wishful thinking, I ran toward the figure and got a better look at him when the lighting was better. It was indeed Prince Yo!

"Your Highness!" I panted, but had the biggest smile on my face.

"Happy birthday, Hyeong-ah," he said, coolly, but not with a poker face. "The fireworks are for you. I thought it might make a special treat from me."

"It is special," I agreed. "Nobody has ever done this for me before. It just...lights up the dark."

"You are the light to my dark, you know," he gazed at me intently and said. "Because you're uncomplicated and easy-going, even though living at the royal court can make us the exact opposite. I like that about you. Don't ever lose who you are. I'm glad our lives crossed paths."

I really wasn't expecting that from him. I did not expect him to be so open with me regarding his feelings, nor had I ever dreamed that I would mean that much to him. I was still out of breath, but spoke anyway. "I thought Your Highness was busy with work these days. But you still did this for me...thank you. I'm glad we met too."

"But last time, didn't you say that the next time you saw me, you were going to run from me?" He asked mischievously. "You should've, because I was rather looking forward to running after you and chasing you, especially catching you, of course."

"I don't want to run away from you, my Prince. I'm not going anywhere. I just want to be...in your arms," I confessed. He did tell me that I could've just asked if I wanted him to hold me.

"I'm here," he said with so much warmth in his voice, shedding his cool exterior as he opened his arms. I stood on my tiptoes and threw my arms over his shoulders, allowing him to engulf me in his embrace. His arms wrapped around my waist were tight enough to make me feel safe and wanted. The hunch I had this morning was correct: today was indeed a very, very good day.

(Cheondeok Hall, Songak)

~Chronicler's POV~

All 5 members of the An family knelt and bowed at King Taejo. Lord An was used to being in the King's presence, so he was the most at ease. His wife Lady Choi was not graced by the King's presence as often, but she was still a high-ranking noblewoman and she carried herself gracefully and calmly. Their eldest son Lord Geolha wasn't exactly comfortable with having to meet with the King. After all, he was having an affair with one of His Majesty's concubines. As for the younger children, Lady Hyeong and Lord Geolsang, they were nervous to be meeting the single most powerful person in Goryeo. Apart from knowing to copy their parents' every move, they were like deers in the headlights.

There were cakes and tea on the table, served by the Sanggung, Court Lady Oh Sooyeon, whom the King did not spare a glance at. Although the An family was allowed to sit and chat with His Majesty, the atmosphere was tense which convinced Geolsang that he would be better off doing sit-ups or lifting weights under the supervision of the 14th Prince Jung. Like his brother, Geolha secretly just wanted to be out of this. And if Hyeong had a choice, she wouldn't have chosen to be here either because of how jittery it made her. It did not help that she knew that this meeting had to do with the fact that she had just turned 16. Even though she didn't do anything wrong, she was so scared that at any given moment she would feel the need to fall to her knees and beg for mercy. Her anxiety was driving her insane.

Naturally, it was His Majesty who spoke first. "I am pleased that your clan has been loyal to me all these years," Taejo began. "As a reward for your fealty, I am interested in marrying someone from your family."

And then the King's sight landed on Hyeong.

A/n: Suspense! Is King Taejo really going to marry Hyeong? What's going to happen to her now? I have answers to those in the next chapter, but I'd like to hear some of your guesses, and what you thought of the chapter, especially the scene in Yeonhwa's POV. Thanks for reading; don't forget to review! :D