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During the next week, So took Soo to the last region where he resided during his travels as an ambassador. A part of Soo was sad at the thought of their journey ending, but she felt ready to return to Songak. Days upon the road had made her tired, and she was sure So and their guards thought the same.

 

Soo and So were currently visiting the apothecary to see what kind of herbs were available. The guards were given time to their selves, as So always allowed when they came to a new town, but only after making rounds to make sure it was safe.

 

Soo was currently holding some dried flowers to her nose to take in their unique sent. According to the apothecary, this flower was very rare and only able to grow in this region. Soo thought it would be a good ingredient for making soaps or even perfumes if she seeped the petals and distilled their extract.

 

She stood up and let the petals fall back into their container, before turning to look for the apothecary. When she did, she saw So talking to the elderly man and smiled. He was most likely buying medication for her knee and a tonic for her heart. Although he already knew about her knee, when she told him about her heart condition, he worried greatly for her.

 

However, she assured So that she had been doing fine before the journey. True to her words, Soo hadn’t even had one panic attack these past months traveling with him. Furthermore, she was taking the tonic the royal physician prescribed her diligently, so there was nothing to worry about. He only relaxed slightly after she promised she would tell him immediately if she was in pain.

 

Her knee was basically healed now. It was only during days when it rained or if the weather was very cold that she felt a dull ache deep in her bones. But even then, it was not pain, only a simple reminder of what she had survived.

 

She saw the apothecary nod before turning around to gather and pack the herbs So had asked for. After the apothecary left, So turned his head in her direction and smiled to see her looking at him. He walked over and placed a soft kiss on her temple.

 

“Did you find anything to your liking, Soo ya?”

“I did find a couple of things. Mostly just necessities for our journey, but I particularly like these flowers. The apothecary said they can only be grown around here, and they give off a very nice aroma. I was thinking about making some soaps or even perfume with this. Do you think we can afford it?”

“Of course we can. I will let the apothecary know so he can pack this along with our other purchases.”

“Thank you, So ya!”

“Anything for you, Soo ya.”

 

He smiled at her indulgently before turning away to find the apothecary. After he left, Soo took another look around the small shop to see if anything else caught her eye. All of a sudden, her sight clouded over, and she prepared herself to see another vision.

 

The edges were tinged with red, and as the scene grew clearer, she saw King Hye Jong with a pale face and sunken eyes. The scene then switched to what seemed like the pool at Damiwon, and she saw the King’s face down into the water, sinking slowly to the bottom.

 

As the vision cleared from her sight, her knees grew weak and she dropped down to the wooden floor noisily, trying to control her breathing. Luckily, her chest did not feel stuffy and she quickly took deep breaths to calm herself down.

 

“Soo ya!”

 

So ran to her and grasped her shoulders, kneeling down next to her. She looked up at him to meet his eyes, a worried expression on his face as he searched her up and down.

 

“Soo ya, are you okay? Why did you fall? Is your knee bothering you again? Why did you not tell me?!”

“So ya, please calm down.”

“Soo ya, you are making me worried. How can I be calm?”

“I am fine,” she said as she glanced at the apothecary standing at a distance, before reverting her gaze back to her husband.

“I just tripped on my skirt! You know how clumsy I am,” she said before laughing nervously.

 

So let out a sigh of relief and shook his head admonishingly before slowly helping her up.

 

“Soo ya, what am I to do with you?”

“Take care of me, of course. I am your wife after all!”

 

She smiled at him reassuringly before addressing the apothecary, giving a small bow.

 

“I apologize for the ruckus, sir. I will be more careful next time.”

“No need to apologize! I am glad you are fine, lady,” the apothecary said waving his hands in front of him.

“So ya, is everything packed and ready? I believe I am famished. We should go get some lunch now.”

 

He nodded silently, smiling at her before putting an arm around her waist to help guide her out of the shop. So accepted their package from the apothecary and the couple thanked the elderly man gratefully. Before leaving the shop, the apothecary thanked them for their generosity, wishing them future happiness. As they exited the shop and entered the busy market, Soo took the opportunity to tell So what really happened.

 

“So ya.”

“Hmm?”

“I couldn’t say the truth while the apothecary was still there, but I had another vision.”

 

He glanced at her from the side as they kept walking. Stopping in the middle of the market would look suspicious, and right now they did not want to draw attention to themselves. Besides it was better like this, where people weren’t paying attention to their conversation.

 

“Judging by how you ‘tripped on your skirt’ it must have been a bad one.”

 

She looked up at him to meet his gaze before turning her head forward, frowning and nodding once to affirm his suspicions.

 

“What was it about this time?”

“It was about the King. I saw him looking sickly…and then dying in the Damiwon bathing pool.”

 

She felt the arm holding her waist tense before he quickly led her to an alley where they couldn’t be seen. After looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was around, he addressed her.

 

“Are you sure? Did you really see that?”

“Yes. I think we should head back to the palace, So ya. I am worried.”

“But your visions have never come true before, right?”

“Yes, but I think this one is too important to ignore. What if something is really happening to your brother? We need to at least confirm it.”

 

He nodded silently, agreeing with her words. He thought for a minute before speaking again.

 

“I am not sure where the guards went, but I will go searching for them. I will take you back to our horses and carts. The guards should be taking turns resting, so at least one person will be there. Help him pack up while I round up the rest of the men, all right?”

“What should we tell them when they ask why we are returning to Songak so abruptly?”

 

He hesitated after she asked him that question, and she held his hand reassuringly.

 

“So ya. All of my visions have been about events that will happen very far in the future. I know that much. I think we should leave early in the morning tomorrow. That was our original plan, but we will try to take as little breaks as possible during the journey.”

“All right. Let us do that. It will be less suspicious that way.”

 

Soo nodded and stepped closer to give So a hug, wrapping her arms around his waist tightly.

 

“Everything will be all right, So ya.”

 

So wrapped his arms around her to return the embrace, nodding.

 

“I hope so.”

 

And so the next morning they left towards Songak as fast as they could. Within a few days, they arrived on the outskirts of the capital city. When the men guarding the entrance realized who had returned, they sent a messenger immediately to the palace. After greeting the 4^th prince and his wife, they cleared a path for their party to enter the city.

 

As they rode through the town towards the palace, Soo could feel the stares of the villagers on her. Additionally, she could hear words like “wife” or “4^th prince” floating in the air. However, she dealt with it all graciously, and smiled at everyone whose eyes she met. Thankfully, she was on her own horse this time around. She didn’t want to think about what would have happened if they saw her and So riding the same horse.

 

Eventually So and Soo along with their guards reached the palace, and after dismounting, So and Soo thanked the guards, promising rewards for their service and protection during the past months. After the guards bowed and thanked the 4^th prince and his wife, they left to clean up and get some much needed rest.

 

Soo and So however did no such thing, and both headed to Damiwon quickly to wash up, before heading to the throne room to have an audience with the King. Soo was glad to see Arang and Eun Bi again, both who helped her wash up and change into her royal robes, and promised to catch up with them the next day.

 

When she met up with So again after her preparations, she was surprised at the sight see saw. Although So had tied all of his hair up in a sangtu for their wedding, he had preferred to have most of his hair down, or at least some fringe over his forehead. Today however, his hair was up in a sangtu again and she couldn’t help but admire how handsome he looked with the hair out of his face. Not that he didn’t look handsome without it, of course. He noticed her staring and looked down at his robes, patting it down.

 

“Soo ya, is something wrong with me? Why are you staring?”

“I’m not used to you with your hair up.”

 

He patted at his hair self-consciously and looked at her with a lopsided grin.

“I figured I should try dressing like a married man. Besides, since I am back, I will be expected to attend court again, and it would be best if I dressed properly…”

 

His voice grew softer and he hesitated before speaking again.

 

“Do you not like it?”

“Nonsense, I think you look handsome with or without a sangtu. Nothing is wrong with it,” she said reassuringly, smiling as she reached up to caress his cheek.

 

So smiled and reached up to hold her hand, before pulling it down and intertwining their fingers.

 

“You look beautiful as always.”

“Thank you, So ya,” Soo said softly as So reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear.

“Let us go greet the King. It has been awhile.”

 

And so the couple made their way to the throne room, waiting for the eunuch to announce their presence before stepping through the doors. They both focused their eyes in the direction of the throne situated at the end of the room, and were relieved to see that Hye Jong was doing fine. He looked like he was in good health as well. At their appearance, Hye Jong grinned and set down the scroll he had been currently reading to properly greet them. Soo and So both gave low bows to show their respect before standing up. Both also noticed Ji Mong standing to the side of the throne, and they all exchanged smiles before turning their attention back to the King.

 

“The 4^th Prince Wang So greets you, Paeha.”

“The wife of 4^th Prince Wang So, Hae Soo greets you as well, Paeha.”

“My 4^th brother, and Hae Soo. How good it is to see you both again!”

 

Soo and So grinned at each other before turning their attention back to King Hye Jong.

 

“Although I am grateful you two are back, I did not expect you for at least another month. Why the change of heart? Have the days upon the road been too weary?”

“I believe that we have visited all the regions within the kingdom and have collected enough intelligence to bring back to you, Paeha,” So said calmly.

“Furthermore, we wanted to make sure you were in good health, so we came back as soon as we could, Paeha,” Soo said before adding in another line cheekily. “And I know you would be missing my teas, so I could not keep you waiting Paeha.”

 

King Hye Jong laughed heartily and So along with Ji Mong chuckled at Hae Soo’s remark, all of them enjoying her sense of humor. Ji Mong was the one who spoke up after their mirth subsided.

 

“You would be right, your highness. All I have heard these past months was how much the King missed your tea each time he had a meal!”

“It is true, in addition to your skin treatments. It is not quite the same with the royal physicians. However, I am glad to say that I am in good health, and with your return, I expect to be in better health.”

“You are too kind, Paeha,” Soo said humbly.

“My 4^th brother, do tell me what you have gathered from your travels. I am eager to hear what the people have to say.”

 

And so the rest of their time was spent reporting about happenings during journey, with So reporting on his encounters with the people and Soo adding in when she could. When they were done, the King informed them that their quarters were ready and So and Soo could retire there for the night. So’s old quarters were remodeled slightly to accommodate Soo, and was located near lake Dong Ji on the more quiet and isolated side of the place.

 

When they arrived, dinner had already been prepared so Soo and So took their seats before digging into their meal. It had been awhile since they had such a fancy meal, but their travels had made them humble and they appreciated every little morsel of food that was on their table.

 

“It seems strange to have so many side dishes after these months, does it not Soo ya?”

“It does. Most of the time I can never finish all of it either. Do you think it would be possible to tell the royal kitchens to limit the amount of food sent up to us? I don’t want to waste good food that won’t be eaten.”

“It has not been an entire day since you have arrived at the palace, and you already want to stir up trouble?” So asked teasingly.

“Who was the one who refused tea during the drought when everyone else had theirs? I don’t think you should be talking, So ya.”

 

So chuckled at her retort and nodded.

 

“All right, you win. I do think you are right. We do not need this much food for one meal. Perhaps we can have them switch the side dishes around but no more than half of what we have right now per meal.”

“Do you also think we could give food away once in a while, to those who don’t have enough to eat?”

“We can speak to the King, but seeing how you have him wrapped around your finger, I see no problem with that.”

“I am glad that nothing is wrong with King Hye Jong. I was worried right up until the eunuchs opened the doors to the throne room.”

“So was I, but it seems your vision was a warning of what might happen in the future,” he said before stopping. Soo saw his hesitance and set down her utensils.

“What is it, So ya?”

“I just…you told me your vision changed after agreeing to marry me?”

“Yes, it did. Are you thinking about doing something to change my vision?”

“What if we could do something?”

 

Soo sighed and shook her head.

 

“If I knew how to do that, I would. But I think we have to play this one by ear. We will keep vigilant to protect the King. Until then, that is all we can do.”

 

Soo looked up at So.

 

“You trust me, right?”

 

So smiled and nodded.

 

“Of course I do.”

 

With that, the two of them resumed with their dinner. When they had finished, several court ladies cleared the table before setting down a pot of tea. Soo poured So a cup before pouring herself one, and the two sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying the fragrant drink.

 

“Soo ya.”

“Yes?”

“On the day I refused tea, you served everyone their favorite teas and snacks because you knew of it before hand.”

 

He said that as a statement and not as a question. Soo nodded, looking down at her cup in embarrassment to avoid his eyes

 

“How did you do that?” he continued.

 

Soo kept silent for a bit before answering, shyly meeting his curious gaze.

 

“I had Baek Ah find out.”

“But why?”

“I wanted to make it up to you after you revealed your scar…without being suspicious that I was favoring you over the others.”

 

Realization dawned in his eyes and it was his turn to look down at his tea.

 

“I never pitied you, So ya. When you said you hated the look in my eyes, I was confused because it wasn’t pity that I had. I had sympathy, but never pity.”

“I know that now, Soo ya. But I was too insecure at the time and jumped to conclusions. I was so used to everyone looking at me the same way. And then when it came to you, I simply assumed you would be like the rest of them.”

 

He took her hand in his and squeezed it affectionately.

 

“But I was wrong. And for the first time, I was glad to be wrong. You surprised me in so many ways, even before you covered up my scar. I have so many things to thank you for, Soo ya, and I will spend the rest of my life doing so.”

“Ey, you make it seem like you owe me a debt. But it’s far from that. I didn’t offer my friendship or help you to expect something in return, So ya. That is just how friendships work. And that friendship resulted in a marriage. A husband and wife should never be in debt to each other. We help each other because that is what it means to love someone. So please, don’t think about repaying me or anything of the sort, okay?”

“O..kay?”

“Okay!”

 

She held up the sign with her fingers, and vaguely remembered teaching Baek Ah this while she was half drunk. She blushed and dropped her hand, fiddling with her skirts and averting her gaze. There she went, revealing her modern persona again. What was she going to do if things got worse? It was already hard being Hae Soo, but it was becoming increasingly harder to hide Ha Jin’s quirks.

 

She was broken out of her reverie when So chuckled and tugged her out of her chair into his lap, holding her close and eliciting a gasp out of her.

 

“So ya!”

“I have not held you at all today. Let me do this just for a little while.”

 

He rested his head in the crook of her neck, right by her pulse and tightened his arms around her waist. Soo relaxed and wrapped her arms around So as well, taking in his warmth.

 

She wondered if there would ever be a chance for her to freely reveal who she really was: a girl from the future who somehow transported back into time, into a body that was not hers, yet looked like her; a girl who was vastly different from the previous girl who had lived, and had modern quirks that could not be explained in this time, without raising more than a few eyebrows.

 

Soo could only hope that So’s love for her would be strong enough, and that their trust would survive the truth of her presence here in Goryeo.