CHAPTER 2

One week later

It's been a week since Hell on Earth began. Hae Soo felt like she was so close to hitting an iceberg the way she's been on her toes.

Wang Yo, now known as King Jeongjong, make alot of changes within a small amount of time. First thing he made sure of was changing majority of ministers who would listen to his command, making sure his uncle was the head of them. He also changed the positions of some of his brothers; Won gained more power while Baek Ah lost some.

Soo's position changed quite a bit too, ironically keeping her closer to the new king. As Head Court Lady, she was usually meant to concern herself with just about every part of the palace, save the Queen of course.

Yo decided it would be better if she had a stricter agenda concerning the King's daily activities. This meant that instead of just serving him tea or taking care of his bath, she now also had to help him when waking up and going to sleep; as well as assist him when he needed during his working hours. Usually, the head eunuch would be in charge of these tasks, but she knew why he changed it up a bit, he wanted to keep a close eye on her.

He knew she didn't kill the late king, even insinuated that it was actually the 8th prince who did it.

He also wanted her to keep away from the other princes as much as possible. She figured this out when So tried to take her somewhere to talk, only for Won to stop them by saying Yo would announce that she committed regency if he were to ever step foot of the palace. What wasn't seen by the fourth prince though was the new king was looking from his high place, where he used to shoot arrows when he was younger. Hae Soo saw him though, and knew what he was planning.

Now she was isolated to him alone. Looking outside, she saw the the sun was starting to rise; it was time to wake the king up. She usually like to sleep in, but now it was not an option seeing that she needed to be up before the king, and have everything for him ready.

Getting his gold regela ready, she walked into his bedchambers, the grand room smelling like incense. She started by opening the curtains of his room, letting the sun slowly start to shine in. She took off the candles which were burning bright in his room, it wasn't common for any person to really have so many candles on, but she figured that he may have some sort of fear. It was hard to imagine Yo having a fear, seeing how ruthless he was. Maybe it was a part of his ritual; she shook her head from drifting off and tried to do her task at hand.

Going to his bed, she looks at his calm face; it was surprising how innocent he could look when he wasn't upset. To her, he was no where close to ugly. She sure if she was still Ha Jin she would be head over heels for a guy like him . Shaking her head, the young court lady woke him up knowing his disapproval for lateness.

"Pyeha, you need to wake up it's sunrise." She spoke to him from the end of his bed, she knew better than to touch him. The man was still asleep, so she went up closer, only half a foot from his face. With a louder voice she tried again.

"Pyeha! Pyeha, it's morning you need to wake up. You have important matters to deal with today."

"Tell me something I don't know." She was surprised to hear his gruff voice, seeing that majority of the time he wouldn't address her. Majority of the time he would usually look at her with amusement, trying to no doubt figure out what she may be thinking.

"And if you still have any fear in you, you'd watch you tone; yelling at the king could be an act of treason."

She figured it was bait, so straighten herself she answered in a softer voice, "My apologies your majesty, I was just trying to wake you up." She walked away, giving him the space she knew he would demand. Eyes low, in her peripheral vision she saw the king move to the side of the bed, stretching himself out.

Wang Yo stood up, only in a white loungepants. He stretched out his arms up to the sides, clearing his throat. Soo knew it was his signal for her to dress him. Walking up to him, she helped the tall man into his royal attire. Silence ensued the room for minutes until the act was done.

The next step, his hair, Yo liked to sit near the window, watching inside the court place. Today was different though,seeing that instead he sat infront of the mirror. Soo stood still for a bit, not sure if he was really going to sit there. "What are you waiting for? Like you said I have matters to take care of today."

She took brisk steps to him, now remembering that she wanted to get away as soon as possible.

Wang Yo watched the small woman as she untangled his hair. There was a soothing effect to her soft gestures, but he knew she was truly doing it only because she didn't want to cross him. He made sure to keep a close eye on her, knowing her past antics if she had a change somehow it would inadvertently cause havoc.

He knew she was the key to control his brothers, no doubt, but what about her? He knew her weakness to help others, but she was slick, almost as slick as him. If she would've been born a man, he would've had her in his personal counsel.

He always heard her tell others that she never took sides, but he didn't believe that was true. If it were, then why help So for the rain ritual? Thoughts of that day brought him back to anger, realizing that he wouldn't have to do what he did in order to get the throne.

After she put his hair up appropriately, he watched her put the items down. His eyes took notice of the scar on her wrist which she put on herself in order not to marry his father.

"Why did you do it?" She looked at him through the mirror, confusion on her face.

"Why didn't you marry my father? You could've been a powerful woman."

Hae Soo cleared her throat, no doubt forming an admirable answer in her head. "I never cared for power pyeha. My main concern is for the king to live a long, prosperous life. Whomever it may be." She was keeping her distance, which he thought was interesting.

"You've changed, others may have not seen it but you've changed since you were younger. You know how to hold your tongue now, which I can't say is a bad thing." With that said, he walked out, leaving the young girl gaping quietly at his snide remark.

Two weeks later

Finished with majority of her duties for the king, Hae Soo finally had some time for herself. If this was the 21st century, she would get into a hot tub and relax her muscles, but seeing she wasn't in Seoul anymore, she could only crack her neck and relax by a high place, waiting for her remaining friend in the palace, Baek Ah.

She felt sad for him, seeing that for no good reason Yo had demoted him and then sent his love Woo Hee back to her hometown under an exile, separating them for an infinite amount of time. When asked why, the King said that she once tried to commit regicide against the 1st King Taejo; in order to protect himself she wasn't allowed near the palace.

Soo always thought one day Baek Ah and Woo Hee would end up together, maybe the only happy ending she would witness in the palace. She knew behind that smile he would paint on his face was only a facade to hide his grief. The only thing he ever really sought within the palace was a happy life, and Yo knew this. Maybe this was his way of controlling his younger brother even more, seeing that he was the one who supported both Mu and So.

Soo had waited a bit for Baek Ah, stretching her muscles a little from constant walking all day. One thing she knew she may never get used to was how bothersome the little wooden shoes she had to wear were. She would never again take memory foam for granted. Sitting back down, she eyes the box she had for the prince, knowing that there may be a chance that her gift might help him cheer up a little.

Sighing, she rested her head, only to be disrupted by a gruff noise. She looks up to see her friend holding onto his lute, an object she can never really see him without. She musters a tired smile, sitting up properly as an invitation for him to sit. When both were ready, Hae Soo poured some tea, allowing the hot aroma to fill the air.

"So, how's it been taking care of our new king?" She rolled her eyes with that statement, allowing a laugh to come out of elder male.

"Well, oddly enough it's been really quiet, and you know, the usual when it comes to the 3rd Prince." She covered her mouth realizing her mistake. "My bad I mean his majesty. How's it been being a royal weapons keeper for the king?" Despite the title of the role, all Baek Ah was meant to do was make sure all the supplies within the palace was sufficient enough incase of a surprise attack from a foreign enemy. It was the lowest rank the king could put a prince who did no wrong in, but also force him to stay within palace walls under the king's scrutiny.

"It's not too bad, I mean the job doesn't take too much out of me and I still have all the time to myself. " His eyes went a bit downcast after that, most likely thinking of his lover. Trying to cheer him up, she simply said with a small smile, "Well, it gives you plenty of time to write some more poetry and music for me." He smiles back at her, of course, knowing her sweet intentions.

There was a few moments of silence, the question she wanted to ask him was already known, but both knew better than to ask it out loud.

"I didn't receive anything, not yet at least." She nods a little, giving acknowledgement to the topic. Her head turns, looking at the setting sun. There wasn't a day she didn't think about the fourth prince, wondering how he was. The minute Yo offically became king, he sent both So and Eun out to Songak, So to help with construction of a new palace and Eun with his wife to also 'help'. Everyone knew Eun wasn't really one to have and 'use' in making a palace, unless it was with blocks. They figured it was maybe a way Yo could force himself to not kill the 10th Prince, seeing that he's been in recent cahoots with Wook, being that he's his closest personal adviser after his uncle. There was something odd about Wook, but Soo couldn't place her finger on it.

"I hope they're doing alright, I miss them everyday."

Clearing their throats, both members tried to lighten the mood for themselves again. Soo gave him the box she had at hand. "For you, I hope it'll cheer you up a little." The elder took it, glee momentarily in his eyes.

Opening the box, he saw inside was a set of two circular soaps with flowers and a intricate carved pattern. There was the smell of lavender and vanilla, which surprisingly went well together. "You know, it's been a while since I've seen you do this." She shrugged, "Well, with the little free time I have, I thought I would try to do something I liked, something that reminded me...of how life was back then."

"I can't wait to use it!" His fingers rub the substance lightly, noting how smooth it all felt. "I bet if you had a chance, you could make a business out of this." She laughed at the statement, "Maybe, if I'm ever our of the palace. I could become a female merchant for my products and travel. If anything you could always come along with me!" Both laugh at the dream, of one day leaving the palace at free will without any worried of who may be after them.

In the mist of the laughter, Soo and Baek Ah failed to hear the impending footsteps of the king and his courtmen. He must've heard from his spies that the two were with one another. Maybe he was paranoid about them wanting to overthrow him so early in his reign, but he need not worry. In their positions, both physically by rank and mentally by his threats, they weren't going to try to do that.

"Well, well; it looks like a mini reunion, how come I wasn't invited?" Soo had to hold the urge to roll her eyes, hearing the mocking tone in his voice. She learned to keep her mouth quiet when it came to him, but Baek Ah on the other hand spoke freely, only thinking of the king still as his brother. "We were just catching up, you know, since we haven't seen each other for weeks." The smiles exchanged between the brothers were full of hostile intent.

The king then looks down, taking notice of the small box his younger brother's hand was holding tightly onto. "Is that a gift from everyone's favorite court lady? Do tell what's in there" The air then turned tense, nervous for the latter sitting down and regal for Yo.

This could go either one of two ways; they go do the run-around of questions until Yo got what he wanted while annoying them or being upfront with small hopes of him going away. In the 13th prince's mind, being upfront would stand to be the best choice.

"Hae sangung made me some soaps." He held the box to the king, Soo's eyes widening not expecting this. With fast hands Yo takes a hold of the box, opening to take a look inside.

"Ahh, I remember you doing this when you were younger; I never expected you to still be into such childish things, at least not at your rank." Her cheeks turned red at his remark, hands folded tightly under her sleeves.

"Well, if you've heard, her soaps are known to smooth the skin, giving it a healthy glow."

"I didn't ask you did I?" The young prince kept his mouth shut tight, giving the court lady a apologetic look.

"If these were so helpful, how is it that the late king managed to die in your care? Maybe they aren't as helpful as you make them seem." Finally, she decided to make eye contact with the king. She knew when it came to him it was a battle of wits, seeing which one would cave; or in other words when Soo would decide to give up.

She decided to ignore the statement about the late king, knowing it was bait, "The scents put into the soap are meant to be refreshing, easing one from worry and anxiety." His mocking smirk turned downward, obviously not liking her change in subject. He then threw the box onto the table, nearly breaking it.

"Hae sangung, I'll be in need of my royal bath within the hour, make sure that it's ready, without any added ingredients." The king then walked away, the latter being quiet until the king and his goons made the corner.

"If I weren't sure of his hatred towards you, I'd say he was jealous."

Soo scoffed, "Jealous?"

"Yeah, at the fact you gave me a gift." There was a quiet before the boisterous laughter given by the two.

Little did they know that there were a set of eyes on the other side staring at them harshly, thinking there needed to be a change, a quick one at it.

Author'e Note: Hey guys! So sorry for the LATE comeback of this story I've been so busy with college lately but I do have most chapters pre-written so you won't have to worry about long updates for a while. This is a shorter chapter but I promise all of the others will be over 4k, so you'll be getting much more of Wang Yo and Hae Soo soon :) Please do leave me your thoughts guys!