14

Nothing is More Revealing Than Movement

"I have to tell you something."

"I don't want to hear it."

Nokdu's response was instant; he needed to be on his way to escort Madam Cheon and wasn't in the mood to deal with anything else at the moment. Danho however, seemed adamant about saying what was on his mind right then but Nokdu's words seemed to make him pause for a moment before he spoke again.

"You don't even know what I'm going to say."

"This is about last night, isn't it?"

Even in his hurry, Nokdu was not going to be able to pretend that he didn't remember last night, where Danho not only attempted to kiss him… but very nearly succeeded.

Danho hesitated.

"Well, yes but –"

"Look," Nokdu said, his voice firm. "I'm sorry. We were drinking and I don't want to talk about it. So, let's just forget it happened so that things don't get awkward between us. Okay?" Nokdu let the words out, strangely finding himself trying not to be affected by the saddened look on Danho's face.

"Forget it?" Danho asked, his voice now barely over a whisper. "Just like that?" Nokdu swallowed the knot that seemed to be in his throat.

"It's not that hard. Besides, I'll be leaving soon enough so it might be a relief for you."

Danho scoffed, disbelief on his face.

"Right."

"Great. Now, I need to get going." With that, Nokdu nodded and rushed away without turning back, knowing he wouldn't be able to deal with Danho's look of dismay.

As approached the Kisaeng house, he couldn't help but think about Dongju; he wondered if she was safe and hoped she was eating well.

He was walking alongside Madam Cheon to the Premier's quarters when he started to notice people were staring at them. He would have suspected people seeing through his disguise as a woman but there was no chance since he had a neoul on, a veil that covered one's face and maintained their privacy. Madam Cheon, on the other hand, seemed completely fine and Nokdu had to ask.

"Madam Cheon, wouldn't people be suspicious that you are going to visit Premier Yoon at this time of day?" She simply smiled at him.

"People already think we're having an affair of sorts so this is nothing unusual since he is unwell right now," she gestured at the basket she was carrying. "It's the perfect cover to meet him."

"I see."

Nokdu wasn't expecting to be a part of the meeting but could only hope that some information would be shared with him and the Muwoldan soon.

x-X-x

Danho's brisk walk to work did nothing to take his mind of the fact that his day hadn't exactly started on the right note.

"Really, what gave Kim Nok-soon the idea that her leaving soon would be something that gives me relief?" He mumbled to himself, his frustration brimming to the surface. He hoped today was a busy day; anything he could do to take his mind off Lady Kim was welcome at this point.

He was just about to turn the corner to Lord Yulmu's office when he heard a woman's voice, a familiar one at that. He stopped in his tracks and took a peek around the column to see Dongju in conversation with Lord Yulmu. They hadn't seen him but he was close enough to overhear what they were discussing.

"I'm just here for my wages," Dongju said, her hand outstretched towards Lord Yulmu, looking like she expected him to pay her immediately.

What's this?

"I'll do so at Hanyang," came Lord Yulmu's short reply. "That way I'll know you reached there safely."

She's leaving for Hanyang. Why? I wonder if Lady Kim knows about this.

Dongju dropped her hand simply and walked away without another word. Danho took this as his cue to join Lord Yulmu, who's face changed as soon as he spotted him.

"Ah, Danhoya. You're here," he said with a sad smile.

"Yes, my Lord," Danho naturally responded with a curt bow.

"Thank you for coming today, dear friend," Yulmu said, putting an arm on Danho's shoulder. "But your services aren't required at the moment." Danho blinked, his surprise easily hidden behind a mask.

"Oh," was all he said.

"I have some things I need to do by myself," Yulmu explained, almost apologetically. "In the meantime, you my friend, are free to spend the day doing as you wish," he said, patting Danho's back. "I'll see you in the evening."

Of all days, he had to pick today to give me the day off…

"Ah, alright," Danho responded with another short nod. "Thank you, my Lord."

Lord Yulmu walked away and Danho squeezed his eyes shut, knowing the memories of yesterday with Lady Kim that he was trying to distract himself from were going to come rushing back in.

He couldn't go back home; that was only going to make things worse. That was when he remembered this was probably a good time to go check up on something that had been on the back of his mind.

x-X-x

"Catch!"

Kim Yeo-wool tossed the ball of straw he had made earlier towards the boy sitting quietly in a corner outside the back of his house. He had his tiny arms wrapped around his knees and his gaze darted towards the ball for a moment when it lightly bounced off his side and came to a rolling stop next to him. He slowly looked up at Yeo-wool, his teary eyes full of sadness.

"When can I go see my mother?" He asked in a low voice and Yeo-wool's heart broke to see the child this way.

It had only been a few days since Danho had unexpectedly shown up at his door with a sleeping boy in his arms and firm instructions to move out of the Kisaeng house. Yeo-wool had been taken aback at the time but when Danho hurriedly informed him that the child was the Crown prince he had been ordered to kill, he understood. Without any hesitation, he had packed up his things and left his quarters at the Kisaeng House that night with the boy and moved into his family's now empty home in a corner of the town where he was sure no one would come looking for them.

The young boy was still in shock when he woke the next morning and his immediate reaction was to ask where his mother was. All Yeo-wool could do in the situation was tell him he couldn't see her at the moment.

"I'm sorry, young Prince," Yeo-wool said gently, walking up to him and picking up the ball. "If you go back to the palace, you will be in danger."

"I don't care," the Crown Prince mumbled, a tear flowing down his cheek.

"It will be dangerous for your mother, too," Yeo-wool tried to explain to him.

"I don't believe you!" The little prince yelled and moved to run back into the house when he bumped into someone else who came into view through the backdoor.

"Danho, my dear," Yeo-wool started, a smile appearing on his face. "It's quite the pleasant surprise to see you during the daylight hours."

"I don't…" Danho started just as the young boy pushed past him and into the house. He watched the kid run into the next room and turned back to face Yeo-wool. "The boy seems fine," he said shortly. Yeo-wool wondered if Danho was making an observation or trying to convince himself. He gestured towards the door.

"He's… adapting," Yeo-wool explained with a shrug. "Let's talk inside." He nudged Danho into the house and shut the door behind him. He seated himself on his bed that he hadn't yet gotten around to rolling up from this morning and looked straight at Danho, who was simply standing straight, looking tense.

How he manages to look this handsome and frightening at the same time still baffles me.

"You can sit down, you know. I won't bite, well, unless you want me to," Yeo-wool added with a wink, knowing his words would rile Danho up. He enjoyed watching Danho squirm too much to stop doing it. Danho however, simply cleared his throat.

"I…" he hesitated slightly. "I have the day off." Yeo-wool's jaw nearly dropped in surprise.

Could it be?

Did the dashing Park Danho have some spare time on his hands and think of… me?

This was definitely a development in their relationship, especially when most of Danho's visits were based around having had to do something terrible for work and needing to relieve some of his stress. Unless…

"Oh my," Yeo-wool began, leaning back and fanning himself. "Danhoya, surely you didn't think we could continue our activities like before," he said with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"You know I'm a father now."

"He's not your child."

"No, he's our child."

"NO, I just brought him to you temporarily until –"

"Until what?" Yeo-wool interrupted him, sitting up and pointing the folded fan at Danho. "What exactly is the plan here?"

"I'm… working on it," Danho said quietly, folding his arms behind him and averting his gaze.

"I have quite the active social life you know," Yeo-wool pouted, playing with his loose hair. "I can't wait around playing house while you think of some way to –"

"I thought he was your child."

"Ah Danho, you're so sharp," Yeo-wool said with a dry laugh. "Now tell me…" Yeo-wool put his palms on his face. "Why are you really here? Be honest."

"I just needed someone to talk to," he replied, his voice so low Yeo-wool barely heard what he said. He probably wouldn't have, if it wasn't for him being so tuned into that deep voice of Danho's he adored so much.

"Oh no…" Yeo-wool fawned over him with a sing-song voice he only reserved for a few special people he cared for. "Our dear Danho looks sad about something," he added with a tilt of his head and patted the space on the bed next to him. "Come here honey, tell your Yeo-woola all about it." Without any hesitation, Danho seated himself next to him and Yeo-wool had to hold back a smug smile at how Danho was always this free around him. He looked at the swordsman expectantly and Danho instantly took the cue to explain.

"I… I confessed to Lady Kim."

Yeo-wool's pleasant face melted away in a second and he felt a chill tingle from the ends of his fingers and toes up his spine.

He did not see this coming.

"What?!" He barely choked the words out, his eyes wide in shock.

"I mean, I might have…" Danho fumbled his words slightly. "I don't know, it just slipped out in the heat of the moment and then when I went to confront her about it the next day, she just told me to forget about it."

"Heat of the moment?! What were you doing with her?"

"Nothing! I was just lying next to her and… Argh!"

Danho plopped down flat on bed next to Yeo-wool staring up at ceiling looking frustrated. Yeo-wool frowned.

"Yah… I'm not sure whether to empathize or feel jealous," Yeo-wool grumbled with a disapproving pout.

"Yeo-Wool…"

"Fine, I know you and I have no strings attached but you can't blame me…" He bent over Danho's face and slowly slid his index finger across his cheek. "You're such a beautiful man…" he whispered and Danho lightly slapped his hand away.

"I'm serious…"

"So am I," Yeo-wool said with a sigh and lay down next to Danho, looking at him.

"Are you sure you know what you're feeling for her? You're –"

"There may be many things I'm unclear about in my life but if there's one thing I'm undeniably sure about, it's who I am. I've always known, ever since I was young." Danho groaned and pressed his palms against his face. "That is, until Kim Nok-soon came into my life. Why! Why does this one woman make me so confused?"

It took Yeo-wool a considerable amount of will power to not be affected by that statement; despite knowing since the beginning that there was never going to be anything permanent between them in reality but this was coming in the way of his imaginary life with Danho that existed only in his mind. He swallowed and tried to think rationally.

"Maybe… she has a strong masculine energy," Yeo-wool offered. "Clearly there is something about her that attracts you that way…"

"It doesn't matter," he said shortly. Danho was looking up but Yeo-wool could sense his voice had gotten thicker. "She's leaving soon anyway and clearly doesn't see me the same way I see her." He turned his head to the side and Yeo-wool could make out the hint of emotion in his eyes. "Who knows, maybe then I can finally sort my feelings out and move on." Yeo-wool smiled at that.

"Yes, then you bring your attention back to sweet little me."

"You're not helping."

x-X-x

"Please, your Majesty, let me go!"

Yeon Geun was brought on his knees before the King by the palace guards and was crying after being hit by them every time they wanted him to answer a question.

"As the Administrator of this so-called Widow Village, how does that place survive?" The King demanded.

"The Courtesan House sponsors them and the Village makes materials for the House," Geun said, in tears. "They help each other out and function that way." The guard moved to hit him again but the King stopped him.

"That's enough, let him go."

"Thank you, your Majesty!" Geun cried as he was untied. "Thank you!"

"Bring me the Widows who work closely with the Head of the Kisaeng House."

Meanwhile, Kim Ssook and some of the other Muwoldan women tread silently with their bags as they left the Widow Village gate behind them.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" One of them asked her.

"We have our orders from the boss and we need to follow them," Ssook said simply. "I know it's tough to leave the place we have called home for so long but I'm sure there is a good reason we have been advised to do so," she added, her voice more reassuring than before. The other women looked slightly more positive on hearing that and continued to move along.

x-X-x

Park Danho jogged through the woods as his eyes darted all over in search of Lord Yulmu. He knew he had been given the day off but out of habit, not knowing Yulmu's whereabouts made him nervous about not doing his job right.

One of the guards had mentioned seeing him heading out in this direction of the woods and Danho couldn't help but wonder why. As he went deeper into the thicket of trees, he began to worry more, knowing that many thieves resided in the area.

Just before he could panic, he spotted Lord Yulmu in the distance, walking away from a bunch of dangerous looking men as cool as ever. Thankfully he seemed unharmed and greeted Danho with his usual smile.

"Danhoya, I thought I told you to rest today," he teased as he joined Danho. "Were you worried about me?" He asked with a smirk.

"I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't sure you were safe, my Lord," Danho stated plainly and Yulmu laughed, placing a hand on Danho's shoulder.

"I'm okay," he assured him. "I just had some... let's say, errands, to assign to some of these lovely people," he added, gesturing to the group of large men behind them walking away. "You don't have to worry about anything, my friend."

Danho was now convinced that something strange was definitely going on.

But out of respect for his 'no-questions-asked' policy when it came to Lord Yulmu and his work, he simply nodded.

"Alright."

"You know sometimes your loyalty makes me forget you're a friend first and my right-hand man second," Yulmu pointed out as they walked together towards town.

"I'm honored to be at your service, my Lord," Danho responded with a light bow.

"Anyway, since we have this free time on our hands, I thought we can make some plans," Yulmu said, his smile still pasted on his face. "As friends."

"Plans?"

"I think it's about time you introduced me to your wife, Park Danho."

x-X-x

The Premier looked at Madam Cheon like she had lost her mind.

"I'm sorry?" He repeated in surprise.

"I was wondering if you might be able to put your plans to overthrow the King aside and just let Yulmu take the throne," she elaborated. "He has promised us that he will look after the widows and all of us at the village."

Yoon scoffed, unable to believe what he was hearing. But he knew there was only one way to prove Yulmu's real intentions to her and was prepared for it. He pulled out a garment from a bag and slammed it on the table. Cheon gasped and he knew she recognized her Muwoldan Min Deul-re's blouse.

"Do you still believe him after seeing this?" He asked, trying not to sound too harsh. After all, Cheon had just found out one of her warriors had died.

"How? Why…" Her voice choked, unable to form full sentences.

"Prince Neungyang did it to find my weakness and use it against me," Yoon said bitterly. "He will not spare anyone to get what he wants."

After Madam Cheon left, Yoon knew the first thing he needed to do was get Yunjeo's son away from Yulmu.

He had to act fast.

x-X-x

Nokdu frowned and clutched his bag tighter as he observed Madam Cheon leaving the Premier's quarters quietly. He was about to walk away when he saw the Premier step out soon after; Nokdu decided to follow him and see what he could find out. He stayed close behind as the Premier went around his house and to a corner where Nokdu saw a small group of guards waiting discreetly. He saw him address one of them directly.

"We need to be prepared," Nokdu heard him order the guard. "Yulmu is a step ahead of us and we need to get back the islander boy he has kept captive," he urged.

Who is… Are they talking about Hyung?

"Should we kill him?" The guard asked and Nokdu's eyes widened.

"He had to live on that island because of his father and no fault of his own," the Premier sighed. "Bring him back alive."

Nokdu shook his head and walked away, his mind occupied with thoughts of what steps to take next. He decided the best way to know for sure about where Yulmu's prisoner is, was to keep an eye on the Premier's guards when they went to retrieve them. Maybe then he could figure out where his brother was and rescue him. He headed back to the house that he currently shared with Park Danho with one question still on his mind: was the Premier actually the boss?

"I'm home!" He yelled out in his distinct Widow Kim voice, stepping into the house from the back even though he was still in his Widow disguise. He moved to see if Danho was home when he heard a voice and nearly jumped.

"Your job tonight is to guard the house and make sure the man stays inside," he heard someone speak. "I have a feeling that things are going to get a little exciting." Nokdu gasped, having recognized the voice.

What was Yulmu doing here?

"Yes, my Lord," he heard Danho reply. Nokdu had to hold back a scoff at his diligent sounding response.

"Enough work talk," Nokdu heard Yulmu say suddenly. "I thought I heard your wife come in. Will I finally get to meet her?"

Nokdu froze.

Oh no.

"She's actually… very shy," he heard Danho start to explain before Yulmu interrupted him.

"Come on, is this how you treat guests, Danho?" Yulmu's voice was teasing now. "This is taking it too far. How long will you keep her hidden from me? I'm very curious to see the woman who actually managed to… catch your attention." Danho let out a dry laugh.

"I'm so sorry, let me just check on her," Danho said apologetically and before Nokdu could move, Danho rushed into the kitchen.

"Hey…"

"Why is he here?" Nokdu whispered angrily at Danho.

"I wasn't expecting him to come home either! He's never done this before," he whispered back.

"Well, get rid of him already," Nokdu snapped, turning to take his bag inside.

"He… wants to see you," Danho said quietly.

"I know. Tell him he can't."

"I've known him a long time. It would be strange if he didn't get to meet my 'wife'," Danho pointed out. Nokdu placed the basket back down again and walked closer to him, taking a deep breath.

"Park Danho," he said slowly, "Listen to me very carefully. Yulmu can NOT know that I'm your wife."

"And why is that?" Danho asked, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at Nokdu who was now starting to feel frustrated.

"It…" Nokdu hesitated; he needed to come up with a good enough reason for that without giving anything away about the truth. "It's embarrassing!" Danho frowned.

"What?"

"Are you telling me you've forgotten that time I actually kissed the man in front of all the kisaengs?"

"That's not exactly easy to forget," Danho mumbled in annoyance. "But I thought you both talked it out!" His voice raised lightly and Nokdu shushed him.

"Yes, but being married to his trusted soldier? That might be too much for him." Danho didn't look convinced so Nokdu continued. "More importantly, did you forget in the midst of all this that I'm actually living with you to hide from people who are trying to kill me? I can't have anyone connected remotely with the palace knowing that I'm here." That seemed to get Danho's attention.

"I'm connected to the palace," he stated.

"Well I trust –" Nokdu started before clearing his throat. 'We have a deal to keep each other's secrets, remember?" Danho let out a frustrated sigh when a voice called from outside the room.

"Park Danho? Is everything alright?" Yulmu's voice rang out and Danho shook his head.

"Yes, coming," he responded and turned to Nokdu. "I've an idea. Where's the neoul you were wearing this morning?"

Nokdu shook his head in frustration underneath the veil that Danho had covered his face with as he walked into the room two minutes later. He lightly bowed his head, placed the tray of tea on table and stepped back, hoping he could leave the room without another word but Yulmu spoke up.

"This is highly unusual, Danho. Please tell your wife there is nothing to be afraid of." Danho laughed awkwardly in response.

"That's not it, my Lord. You see, her face was scarred from an accident during her childhood so she is always hesitant to meet new people," Danho explained.

"But –" Yulmu began to protest but this time Nokdu interrupted him.

"My Lord," he said, putting on his best female voice, "I hope you can respect my wishes and keep our proper meeting for another day when I am better," he said sweetly, hoping his fake smile would come through as genuine in his tone. After a moment's pause, he heard Yulmu sigh.

"Ah, very well," he said, to Nokdu's relief. "Thank you for the tea." He stood up and turned to Danho. "We should get going. I'll meet you there." By then Nokdu had already rushed out of the room. He pulled the veil off his head and heaved a sigh of relief just as Danho come back in looking worried.

"Are you okay?"

"Is he gone?" Nokdu asked, ignoring Danho's question. He nodded.

"I'm heading out too. I've work to do," Danho informed him and was just about to step out when Nokdu quietly spoke.

"Do you really have to work for him?" He asked slowly, looking straight at Danho and instantly knowing at least some of the disappointment in his voice had gotten through. Danho cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders.

"Yes," he said simply but Nokdu could hear the prick in his voice. That gave him a glimmer of hope that maybe Danho would realize he was better than just being Yulmu's guard. He nodded in resignation and decided he needed to let it go for now… he had other things to worry about at the moment.

He needed to find his brother.

x-X-x

Danho followed Yulmu through the gate enclosing a compound with a large home that seemed like it had long been abandoned. Looking around as they walked past some of the independent houses within, the only things that seemed to have any kind of life were the orange trees that were blossoming in the garden. A few moments later, Lord Yulmu came to a halt in front of a door and glanced at Danho.

"My guest inside is a very important player in my plan who has very valuable information about the identity of the missing man everyone has been looking for," Yulmu explained. "Something tells me our dear friend the Premier is going to try and steal him away from me." He put his palm on Danho's shoulder, with a small smile on his face. "Danhoya, you're the only one I trust to keep us safe."

Danho stiffened slightly at Yulmu's touch and looked back at him flashing his signature smile, one that Danho could never find in himself to say no to. He had a funny feeling that Lord Yulmu was aware of this too.

Do you really have to work for him?

Lady Kim's last words to him rang in his head for reasons he wasn't completely sure but he shook his head. He wasn't doing anything wrong, just protecting his friend and another person important to his friend. He straightened his back and bowed lightly at Yulmu.

"Yes, my Lord."

x-X-x

Nokdu peeked from the top of the roof that lined the compound wall of the place he had followed the Premier's guards to. It was dark now so he had that to his advantage as he lay low and watched the group sneak towards one of the houses. He adjusted the collar of the Guard outfit he had stolen of one of them while trailing behind them earlier and watched as they closed in on the house, ready to attack.

That's when spotted someone step out to the front, moving slowly with the stealth of a tiger as he eyed the guards like they were prey ready to be eaten alive. The man whipped out his sword and lifted his head, making Nokdu's eyes go wide as he realized who it was.

Park Danho?

He shouldn't have been surprised – if anyone suspicious was going to be involved with the whole drama behind the attack on his family, who couldn't think of anyone better to look at than Yulmu. And as much as it hurt to think that Danho would willingly support Yulmu's questionable activities, he wanted to believe Danho was unaware, at least of the gruesome details behind Yulmu's scheme for committing treason.

Not our Danho.

Not the man who makes dinner for his wife after a bad day.

Not the man who wears his mother's binyeo in his hair to protect her memory.

Not the man who changed Nokdu's wet socks so he wouldn't have cold feet.

That was probably the first time that Nokdu came to the realization about how much closer he had gotten to Park Danho over this time. He truly did care about him, which was a sad situation to be in considering Danho didn't even know Lady Kim was actually a man.

The sounds of swords clashing brought his attention back to the intense fight that was unfolding below him. He pulled up his mask over his nose and took another peek over the roof to see Park Danho slicing his way through the group of people attacking him with what looked like such graceful ease. He had to tear his eyes away from being enthralled watching his fighting technique so he could focus on the real reason he came here.

Is his fighting technique all you are enthralled with?

Nokdu blinked and shook off the strange thought that had crossed his mind out of nowhere. Right now, he had to find a way into the house Danho was guarding to know for sure who was inside. Luckily for him, at that very moment he saw Yulmu step outside.

This was his chance.

As soon as Yulmu came out and walked towards Danho who was still fighting off the last few guards standing, he crept across the other side of the compound wall and managed to sneak into the room from an entrance at the back. He swung the door open and tiptoed in only to find…

"Hyung!"

Hwang-tae, turned around to look at him and Nokdu then realized how much he had missed his big brother. He ran up to him and wrapped him in a tight hug, unable to hold back his relief on finding him.

"Hyung, I'm so glad to see you," he started before letting go and checking on his brother's wounds. "Are you okay? Have your injuries healed? How did you get captured? Don't worry, I've come to rescue you." When his brother didn't respond, Nokdu stopped fussing and looked up at Hwang-tae's face, surprised to see an expression of shock.

"I almost died on the island because of you," he said frostily. "I came here willingly." Nokdu felt a chill go down his spine as his brother continued to talk in a strange tone. "You are the reason that Mother had to die, why we had to keep running because –" Hwang-tae paused trying to keep his calm as Nokdu continued to stare at his brother. "I need you to leave," he said simply.

Nokdu couldn't believe his ears.

Was this really his brother with whom he had playful fights on the beach?

The same one who wouldn't let him fall asleep on the beach lest he fell sick?

There had to be a reasonable explanation why his brother was being like this to him, so cruel, so… cold.

"Hyung…" Nokdu started, feeling the prickle of tears in his voice, "What are you talking about? What is my fault and why –"

"You can't handle the reality of things."

"Just tell me…" Nokdu's voice was now pleading, he needed a reason, any reason, to justify the fact that his brother was treating him like this.

"All of this…" Hwang-tae said slowly, gesturing around them, "…is because of you. Because…" He paused and Nokdu thought if his brother didn't spit it out soon, he would scream. "Because you are the son of the nation's king."