Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you’re starting off 2017 right :) Please enjoy this chapter and leave a comment to let me know what you think of it. Thank you to everyone’s continued support, and I hope to meet your expectations for this story in the upcoming year. See you soon!

---

 

Despite their increased efforts to protect the King, to everyone looking from the outside, it seemed he grew sicker and sicker. It grew to the point where the court ministers were getting worried, and some began to discuss about appointing a new Crown Prince, since the King had failed to produce any surviving male heirs up until now. He only had a daughter who managed to survive infancy.

 

Sometimes King Hye Jong would come to court despite the dark eye circles, and in the middle of the session would be racked with shivers. The ministers tried to voice their opinions, but the King would have none of it, sometimes even threatening their livelihood.

 

So would stand in court and be forced to listen to all of these greedy and power-hungry ministers, trying to suggest the announcement of a new Crown Prince, one that would increase their existing power. A few suggestions were offered here and there, but it seemed like the favorite contender was the 8^th prince. Wook was a familiar face in the palace court, and even though he protested to the ministers who were pushing for him to become Crown Prince, So would see a glimmer of a smile once in awhile, and he knew that Wook was pleased. It seemed he was planning something with these ministers.

 

Soo would hear all about the court politics when So came back to their quarters at night. She usually didn’t ask about those types of things, but lately with certain events going on in the palace, she found it pertinent to ask. She was a princess now, and although she had no prior knowledge of politics, it wasn’t too late to learn. Who knew when it would come in handy? So was surprised when she asked about it at first, but was happy to teach her something new. He would give her scenarios and she would give him solutions. Sometimes he nodded, approving her answers. Other times he would tweak her answer, or offer a better one, and then explain why.

He would also give her Confucian texts to look over, or major political works to expand her knowledge. Whenever she didn’t understand anything, he was there to explain it to her. Pretty soon, Soo became quite comfortable with politics, and from time to time engaged in political debates with So. This only served to make him more proud of her, and he never failed to let her know he thought so.

 

“Soo ya, you could rival the ministers in court.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course I do! I taught you everything I know, and not to mention, you have the King’s favor. You would be unstoppable.”

“One day, there will be Queens who rule instead of Kings and women who serve in the government instead of just men. It may not seem that way now, but just wait and see!”

“Is that how it is in the world you came from?”

“Of course it is. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true.”

 

So gave her a smile.

 

“I hope to see this world one day.”

 

Soo hoped he would too. She didn't know if she would ever return to the future, or how So could follow her back, but as her days increased in Goryeo, she realized she no longer had the urge to return. As long as she was with So, there was nothing else she needed.

 

It was a cloudy morning when Soo headed out to meet the King. When she arrived, she heard voices coming from inside the throne room, and could not help but overhear the ministers’ morning meeting.

 

“Paeha’s illness is worsening every day. You all know it is difficult for him to attend morning meetings. It is a royal order that we must not delay this urgent matter.”

“But what kind of royal order is that? How can we send our soldiers to serve in the royal army?!” A minister protested.

“Although it is an interesting proposal, I am unsure of its benefit in the long run,” Soo heard her father say.

 

It seemed King Hye Jong was not present today. She continued to hear the protests of the ministers to Wook’s words, before So’s voice rang out.

 

“No matter how urgent, this is the first time we are hearing of such an order. It will take time to process and discuss with the clans. How can we send the soldiers of these families to serve in a standing army? How will these families be protected if they are sent away?”

 

She heard murmurs of agreement, and smiled. So this was how her husband was at work.

 

“We will take it into consideration, but until then, we will not carry out such an order. Especially in the absence of the King. If we have nothing else to discuss, you are all dismissed.”

 

Soo heard the rustling of robes and footsteps, so she quickly rounded about the corner to keep from being caught. She waited for all the ministers to leave before moving again, but So’s voice stopped her.

 

“Wook ah, you are stepping out of line a lot lately. As if you are ruling as a regent with Paeha’s illness as an excuse.”

“Nonsense. The proposal did not pass because of your objection. I will be more careful so no one gets the wrong impression.”

“The fact that you are acting as a Senior Minister is already causing a lot of alarm for the clans. If you keep pressuring the clans as if it is Paeha’s will, their resentment will keep growing.”

 

There was a silence before So scoffed.

 

“You are smiling?”

“I thought you were only good at fighting, but now I see you are also good with politics.”

“I had to learn in order to face you. I am still suspicious of you.”

“I was just trying to fill in for Paeha’s absence and overdid it a little. I will take your advice; it was not something a mere Senior Minister can do.”

 

Soo waited for Wook’s footsteps to die away before she peeked around the corner, and saw So looking at his brother as he walked away. She saw her father place a hand reassuringly on his shoulder and both exchanged small smiles. When So turned around, his eyes widened to see Soo, and she smiled sheepishly before holding up a hand and giving a small wave. Her father also saw her and gave her an amused smile, he too realizing she had been eavesdropping. So smiled and shook his head, before he made his way to her along with her father.

 

“I don’t even have to ask to know you heard all of that just now,” So said matter-of-factly.

 

Soo rubbed the nape of her neck and nodded.

 

“I didn’t eavesdrop intentionally. It just kind of…happened.”

“What were you doing around here? I know you’ve had an increased interest in politics, but I did not think you would stoop to eavesdropping.”

 

She pouted at his teasing, and he grinned at her reaction.

 

“I told you it wasn’t intentional, didn’t I? I was planning to meet with the King, so I went to the throne room.”

“Yes, he decided to take a rest today,” So said as he looked at their surroundings.

 

Soo took note of his hint and nodded, she too taking note of who was around them.

 

“I suppose I will let him rest then. The matter is not urgent, so I will meet with him later today when he is well-rested,” she said before turning to greet her father.

“Abeoji, I did not realize you would be here so soon! I had only received your letter a few days ago.”

“Are you saying you do not want your father here?”

“Of course not! It's been so long since you visited for my birthday.”

“I am happy to be back. I have been missing your teas, Soo ya.”

“I will have that prepared for you whenever you need it, Abeoji.”

“I am a bit tired. I arrived early in the morning and attended court right away. I believe I will take a short rest before I send for you.”

 

He bid the couple goodbye before walking to his quarters. As for Soo and So, they both made their way to Damiwon, where they saw Soon Deok and Jung waiting.

 

“Jung ah, Soon Deok ah, what are you two doing here?”

“Noonie, I just came back from a campaign and that is how you greet me? That makes me sad.”

 

So and Soo laughed at his reaction.

 

“Jung ah, it is good to have you back in Songak. It must have been difficult on the warfront, but we are proud of you for taking on such a task,” So said as he reached out to place a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

 

Jung smiled upon hearing So’s praise, and that made Soo smile. Although it took a while for Jung to warm up to his 4^th brother, especially after the incident with Yo, he eventually learned what really happened, and grew to understand So better. Their relationship had improved immensely since the day So first arrived from Shinju.

 

“See Noonie? My hyungnim knows how to properly greet me.”

“I was just surprised to see you back, Jung ah. You did not give us any notice of your arrival. If you had, we would have expected you!” Soo said.

 

Everyone laughed, agreeing with Soo. Jung scratched the back of his head in shyness.

 

“I suppose I was in such a hurry to get home that I forgot. I came to Damiwon right away to see if I could find you here.”

 

Soo then turned to Soon Deok, who had kept quiet this entire time.

 

“Soon Deok ah, what was your reason for being here? I am assuming you did not come with Jung,” she said with a smile.

 

Soo Deok gave a small smile.

 

“I just wanted to ask you to do my make-up. It seems my skin has not been too good these days.”

“Of course, I would be happy to!”

 

She turned to see So talking to an eunuch, who left after a few moments. So turned around and gave a small frown.

 

“It seems I have matters to take care of. The King has summoned me to his quarters. You all enjoy your time together, and I will see you all later tonight? I think we should host a celebratory dinner for Jung’s return.”

 

They all agreed. So gave a nod and a smile before he followed the eunuch out of Damiwon. Soo then turned to Jung and Soon Deok.

 

“The two of you can follow me. I will give you the best treatment Damiwon has to offer!”

“Me too? I do not need my make-up done, Noonie.”

 

Soo shook her head and made a sound of protest.

 

“Nuh uh. You have been out in the sun for too long. We need to brighten up your face now that you are back. Do you not know? I do it for So all the time.”

 

She grabbed both of their hands and led them to a room before taking out her supplies. It seemed like a face mask would do well for the both of them. After she finished preparing her ingredients, she turned to examine each of their faces. When it was Soon Deok’s turn, Soo could see it made her visibly uncomfortable to be looked at for such a long time.

 

“Soo ya, you said you would do my make-up. Why do you keep staring?”

“Our first priority should be to clear up your skin. Putting on make-up without doing that will only make your skin worse.”

 

She had them lay down before making face masks embalmed in rose oil. She had already finished one for Soon Deok and was working on one for Jung when Baek Ah arrived.

 

“Well, well, what do we have here? Our 14^th brother receiving treatment from Hae Soo. What a sight it is!”

 

He bent down to sniff the scent from the oil Soo was brushing on Jung’s mask, and frowned.

 

“This smells like roses. You did not use the Bulgarian rose oil I gave you, did you?”

“You gave me so much of it, so why bother saving it? Your brother and sister-in-law are the perfect people to use it on. Their skin will become very soft,” she said as she continued to apply the oil.

“But Jung wields a sword every day and is so rough! What use would he have for such a precious thing?”

 

Soo could see Jung was being provoked by Baek Ah’s words, and barely managed to keep him from jumping off the bed and going at Baek Ah.

 

“Stay still, your highness. I promise you will not regret it! Who knows? You might attract a beautiful lady after you finish this treatment.”

 

Soon Deok was also growing restless and sat up. However, Soo saw to stop that.

 

“Please, Soon Deok ah. The 10^th prince will like it very much,” she said knowing that was the original intention for her sister-in-law to seek her out today.

 

Soon Deok took in a deep breath and laid back down. After Soo finished her ministrations, she sat down along with Baek Ah and the four of them caught up with each other, talking about their daily lives and joking around. It was particularly fun when everyone teamed together to tease Baek Ah about Woo Hee, who he was seeing more frequently now. Although she did not visit the palace often, everyone had met or knew about her because Baek Ah could not help but talk about her. Even when they were teasing him, he still managed to sing praises about her.

Once two hours had passed, Soo allowed Jung and Soon Deok to remove their masks and then wash their faces.

 

“Your skin does look much brighter and clearer, just like Noonie said it would,” Jung said as they both looked at each other.

“Really? Are all the spots gone too?”

“Yes, it looks very good.”

“Your face was very dark before, but it has brightened up, your highness. It is even firmer,” Soon Deok said before she reached out to poke Jung’s cheeks.

“Soon Deok ah!”

 

Everyone was surprised to see the arrival of Eun, who seemed to be very jealous that his wife was so close to his younger brother.

 

“Seobangnim…”

“Why are you so close to Jung ah? I am your husband, am I not?”

“Of course you are! But I did not mean anything of it. We have been close because we were both in the army together.”

 

She reached to hold his arm, pouting and trying to calm him down.

 

“Really? You do not have feelings for him?”

“Of course not! I married my first love. How could I have feelings for another?”

Soon Deok gasped and covered , embarrassed at her outburst before she ran out of the room. Eun stood there with a confused face before he realized what his wife had just said, and a grin broke out on his face. He bid everyone a hasty goodbye before rushing out after his wife.

Baek Ah, Jung, and Soo all looked at each other before bursting out into laughter. After their mirth died down, Jung excused himself, saying it was best he washed up before their dinner. Soo also invited Baek Ah for Jung’s celebratory dinner, and asked him to relay the message to Woo Hee, Eun, and Soon Deok as well. He agreed, and left, promising to bring enough drinks for everyone.

 

“It will be just like old times, you and I Hae Soo. But now we have a larger family to share our woes and happiness.”

 

After everyone left, Soo moved to clean up the room, before carrying the tray out of the room. When she reached the main foyer of Damiwon, she saw Chae Ryung descend the stairs. She was just about to call out her name, but saw the 9^th prince walking up to meet Chae Ryung. Closing , she hid herself behind a pillar and held her breath.

 

“How did it go?”

“I was unable to find her. She did say she was going to see the King earlier,” Soo heard Chae Ryung say in a hushed voice.

“All right. Try to find her later and ask her about the favor. You must remain at Damiwon.”

She heard a silence, and then the hesitance in Chae Ryung’s voice when she spoke again.

“Well, this is a chance. Can I not go to you now, your highness? I do not know when I will be able to leave the palace again…”

 

Soo felt the familiar feeling of dread consume her again, and she tried to keep from thinking of the worst possible scenarios. She had to find So, and speak to the King about what she had just found.

 

“Chae Ryung ah, there is still so much more you can do to help me here. When the time comes, I will take you out of here.”

“Yes, your highness.”

 

Soo peeked out from behind the pillar and saw Won leave, before she hid herself again. Chae Ryung was looking for her? But for what reason? And why was she talking to the 9^th prince again? When had they become acquainted with each other to be so close now?

 

Furthermore, what did the Won mean when he said Chae Ryung had so much more to help him with here at Damiwon?