Hello everyone! I want to start off by apologizing for such an unplanned hiatus. I have been so fortunate this quarter to take classes which have me taking midterms every week. I cry, but not right now because I can finally update this story! I assure you, even though I didn’t have much time to write, I had ideas swirling in my head all the time. Thank you for waiting ever so patiently, and I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

 

Also as a note: I know Queen Yoo had a first son who died and was the cause of her grief that caused her to scar So, but for the purpose of clarity, I will just refer to Yo as the eldest son and So as the second eldest, since they are both alive.

 

As for Soo’s dream, it was loosely inspired by the Vietnamese version of Cinderella. Read on to see what happens!

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Soo was walking through a wide field with green grass as far the eye could see. The wind was just right and when she looked to her side, she saw So was with her. Suddenly, they happened upon a tall and wide tree. Its branches were filled with lush green leaves and there was no fruit to be seen, except for a very large peach on a high branch, one well out of their reach. However, a slightly wind shook the branch, which sent the ripe peach falling straight into her outstretched hands.

 

When Soo woke up again, she found herself staring at the canopy of the bed. Blinking a few times to clear her groggy vision, she propped herself up on her elbows and looked around. Arang and Eun Bi, who both had been sitting at the table heard the rustling of sheets, turned around to see their princess awake. Both ladies stood up quickly and rushed to the bedside.

 

“Your highness! Are you awake now?”

 

They both helped Soo sit up, and Soo smiled gratefully for their help.

 

“Yes, it seems I am awake now. How long was I out?”

 

Soo remembered the last time she was awake, and that was after she sent So off to court, following the capture of the 3^rd prince. After So left, she suddenly found herself getting very dizzy and dropped to the floor in a faint.

 

“It’s been a little over a day, your highness. You had everyone so worried, especially the 4^th prince!”

“Over a day?”

 

But what could have cause her to faint and be knocked out for that long?

 

“Yes, your highness. The royal doctor said you were under stress. Furthermore, you had not been getting enough sleep or food. It must have been worse with the baby.”

 

There was a silence as Arang realized what she had revealed. Eun Bi glared at her, elbowing her friend in the side. Soo took a moment to process what Arang had just said.

 

“B…baby?”

 

She looked up at both of her ladies in waiting with widened eyes.

 

“What…did you just say?”

“The doctor said your baby was also taking some of your energy, which was why you were out for so long,” Arang said hesitantly.

 

Soo thought about it again. If the doctor could sense the baby, then it meant she was at least three months along. Sure enough, when she counted back, Soo realized she had missed her courses for the past three months. With all the events happening in the palace, she wasn’t surprised that she had overlooked that fact.

 

Looking down at her flat stomach, Soo placed her hands on top. The baby was still too small, and it would be at least a couple of more months before she could really feel the baby, but a warm feeling spread across her body.

 

A baby! She and So had created a precious child together. When she had first landed in Goryeo, Ha Jin would have never imagined anything like this. But here she was, years after her first awakening in Goryeo. She was now the 4^th princess, and had a baby on the way.

 

However, the recent events came back to her mind, and worry began to overtake her thoughts. Would it be safe for her to have a child in the palace? Would she be able to save her child from any harm that came their way? She knew that living in the palace was dangerous, but how would her future daughter or son fare?

 

No, she couldn’t think this way. She had to be positive. Soo vowed that no matter what happened, she would protect the baby with her life, and she knew So would as well. They would try their best to raise their child to become a kind and courageous person. Their future son or daughter would learn to survive in the palace but at the same time also be a compassionate person. That was what Soo vowed to do.

 

“Where is So? Does he know of the news?”

“He knows that you fainted, and was the one who took care of you last night. However, he does not know about the baby,” Eun Bi answered.

“He has been busy with the King and the royal court this past day, trying to come to a consensus about how to punish the 3^rd prince,” Arang added. “He only knows the initial reason you fainted. It was only this morning that the doctor came to check on you again, that he discovered he could feel another pulse along with yours.”

“I see…”

 

Soo was glad to hear that So had not heard about their baby. She would be able to tell him herself.

 

“Are you hungry or thirsty your highness? Shall I call for someone to prepare something from the royal kitchens?”

“I am a bit famished. I think that would be a good idea,” Soo said with a nod.

 

Eun Bi stood up from her seat.

 

“I will go send for someone, your highness,” she said with a bow before quietly leaving the room.

 

After the doors closed, Soo looked over at Arang.

 

“What is it, your highness?” Arang said after seeing the look of fear come over her princess’s countenance.

“I am scared, Arang ah.”

“What scares you, your highness?”

“I am not sure if I will be a good mother.”

 

Arang reached out to hold Soo’s hand in both of hers. Soo looked down at the contact before looking up to see Arang’s encouraging smile.

 

“There is no reason to doubt yourself, your highness. You will be a wonderful mother. You may not notice it, but I see how you treat all the ladies at Damiwon. You are kind as you are beautiful. You are compassionate as you are loving. You know when to be strict but also when to be lenient. We may not be your children, your highness, but I already know that you will be just fine. Furthermore, you have your husband to help you, and all of us. You are not alone, your highness. Never forget that.”

 

Soo slightly teared up at Arang’s positive words, and she reached over with her other hand to squeeze her lady’s hand gratefully.

 

“Thank you, Arang ah. You always know just what to say.”
“Omo, I think the pregnancy is showing now, your highness. I did not say all that much but your eyes are already filled with tears!”

 

Soo couldn’t help but laugh and Arang soon joined in.

 

It was their laughter that So heard as he walked through the doors to the bedroom, and upon seeing the sight of his wife sitting up in bed with a healthy flush on her face, his worries melted away. This past day or so had been very taxing on him. Not only had he helped capture his 3^rd brother, he also had to endure the endless arguments in court about the impending punishment that would befall Yo. Furthermore, when he came back after a long day to hear that Soo had fainted, his worries grew tenfold.

 

He already knew that Soo was not entirely healthy. With her heart and previously injured knee, So was afraid that something worse would happen to Soo. He had been alone his entire life up until the moment he met Soo. If she were to disappear from his life, he didn’t know what he would do.

 

Thankfully, the royal physician had told him she was merely lacking sleep and enough nutrition. All she needed was extra rest and proper meals to recover. When So looked over her during the night, he couldn’t help but think about what Soo had gone through these past months. She was not born nor groomed for palace life or politics, but she had willing agree to participate in their plans to lure out Yo. She would wake up extra early every morning to help the King prepare, and after that she would take care of her duties at Damiwon. After the day was done, she would return to the King’s quarters to help remove his make up. At first, So had been the one coming back to their chambers late. Now it was the both of them, and So could see how tired Soo was some nights. However, just like she always did, Soo covered it up with a smile and told him that she was all right.

 

So felt guilty. He was busy but he should have paid more attention to Soo. He was the one who wanted to live in the palace, and she had willing agreed to follow him, even though she wanted to leave the palace. She already suffered so much behind these walls, and now it would be even harder for them to leave. He vowed that he would take better care of her, and would do anything to make sure she was happy and content.

 

When Soo saw her husband enter the door, a wide grin made its way across her face. Arang smiled and quietly stood up, bowing to the royal couple before leaving the room. So took the seat Arang had left vacant and reached out to hold both of Soo’s hands in his own. They both stared into each other’s eyes before So found the strength to speak up.

 

“Soo ya, you had me so worried.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll try my best to take care of my health in the future.”

 

So sighed and dropped his head.

 

“This is all my fault.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I should have taken better care of you. These past few months have been hard on you, and I haven’t been helping.”

“So ya, you were busy with your own duties. And I chose to do this, so don’t you dare for a minute take all the blame. I should have taken better care of myself. There’s no one at fault except me.”

 

So looked up again, a frown still etched on his face.

 

“Maybe I made the wrong choice.”

 

Soo could sense that there was something deeper rooted in So’s worry for her. She scooted closer to him and squeezed his hands.

 

“What choice are you talking about?”

“I should have never convinced you to live in the palace. I broke my promise when I told you I would take you away from the palace. I know you tell me you’re happy here, but I know it’s not what you really wanted.”

“Why are you suddenly thinking about that So ya? It’s been over a year. We’re doing fine here. You and I both know that even if we lived away from the palace, we would feel a sense of discontentment and guilt for leaving the King alone.”

“But, we could have saved you from all of this, this stress and late nights. We barely see each other nowadays because of our duties.”

 

Soo couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Reaching up, she brushed away the stray hairs that escaped So’s sangtu.

 

“Are you complaining right now, So ya?”

 

So had to grin sheepishly at his wife’s reaction.

“I suppose I am, aren’t I?”

“Maybe just a bit,” Soo agreed.

 

All this time So had been with her, Soo had been contemplating how she would break the news about the baby to him. To be honest, she was a bit worried about how he would react. Did he want to have children now? They were both very busy, and they had never extensively talked about having children, especially within the palace. Should she just tell him outright? Or should she wait for an opportunity? She didn’t have to wait very long, since So then asked her about the royal physician’s visit.

 

“Soo ya, have you seen the royal physician since you’ve woken up?”

“I haven’t, but Arang and Eun Bi said after you left, he came to check on me while I slept. He says I’ll be just fine….and they told me something else.”

 

So’s face began to grow worried again.

 

“What did they tell you?” he asked cautiously.

 

It was now or never.

 

“The royal physician told them I was with child.”

“He…he said what?”

“I am with child, So ya.”

 

It was amusing to see the emotions progress across So’s face. At first it was confusion, then bewilderment, and then pure exhilaration.

 

“You are with child?!”

“Yes!” Soo said with a laugh.

 

So quickly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

 

“You are with child…” he whispered, still unbelievingly before he pulled back with a wide grin.

“You are with child…our child!”

 

Soo nodded and couldn’t help but laugh at So’s reaction. It made her feel relieved that he was so happy upon hearing the news. To think she had ever been worried about his reaction. So may have not received enough love from his own parents, but Soo knew he would bestow the love he had always wanted tenfold upon his own children.

 

“I’m relieved that you are happy about the news, So ya.”

“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

“No reason. We just didn’t plan for this, and you are right: we both have been very busy these past few months. We won’t know what could happen in the future.”

“Soo ya, you made me a happy man when you agreed to marry me. But you’ve made me an even happier man by giving me the gift of our child. There is nothing else I could want.”

“Really? There’s nothing more you would want?”

“Well…perhaps a few more children after this one?”

“So ya!”

 

She was barely months along and he was already thinking of more children? Soo reached to swat him in embarrassment but So caught her hand after she got in a few hits, laughing the entire time. Seeing his mirth however made her embarrassment melt away. Soo supposed that if she made him this happy with one baby, a few more shouldn’t hurt, right? Figuratively of course. There would be much pain along with childbirth. Ha Jin belatedly remembered there was no such thing as painkillers during this time, but pushed the thought away before it could ruin her good mood.

 

Soo spent the rest of the afternoon and had lunch with So before he had to return to court. Actually, she had to convince him to leave, especially since he was still very worried about her, even more now that he knew about the baby. She only managed to persuade him after she promised him she wouldn’t leave the room unless it was an absolute emergency.

 

The rest of the day was spent sleeping, as Soo admittedly still felt a bit weak. She was awoken later that evening when So returned to their room. As the doors closed behind him, she sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. So began to light the candles in their room as she slowly awakened.

 

“You’re back, So ya?”

 

He nodded, and it was only then that she noticed his hunched shoulders in the glow of the candles he had just lighted. Pushing back the covers, Soo swung her legs down and stood up before making her way to So. He continued to keep his back to her, and it wasn’t until she placed her hand on his shoulder and pulled him to face her that she noticed the silent tears streaming down his face. That could only mean one thing.

 

“They…made a decision, Soo ya….they decided…”

 

Soo pulled him into a hug and held him tightly, patting his back as his tears continued to flow and his sobs became audible.

 

“You don’t have to say anything else, So ya. I know…I know…”

 

She eventually led him to their bed and had him lay down with his head resting in her lap as she his hair and held his hand. Eventually he calmed down and was able to tell her the entire news.

 

“It was nearly unanimous. He is to be executed.”

 

That much Soo had expected. It was difficult to let someone who had tried to usurp the throne not once, but twice, live. Furthermore, she could guess who didn’t vote in favor for the execution to make the vote nearly unanimous. It would be none other than the King and So.

 

“And then they couldn’t agree on the mode of execution…it took hours before they agreed.”

“What…did they decide?”

 

So a deep breath before answering her question.

 

“Death by poison.”

 

Soo closed her eyes and tried to hold in the tears. Granted, she never felt any camaraderie with the 3^rd prince, and he certainly went out of his way to mock and insult her every time they did meet, but knowing that he would really die made her sad. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Of the few times she had seen him with his mother, she could see the amount of pressure that the queen put upon her eldest son. Sometimes, it felt like Yo would do certain things to please her, and not for himself. She wondered if he ever did anything for himself, or if his mother was always hovering over his shoulder telling him what or what not to do. Was he ever happy?

 

Furthermore, even though Yo never regarded So as a younger brother due to his scar, Soo surmised that Queen Yoo had everything to do with that. So on the other hand, despite the scorn and hate he received from his maternal side of the family, still regarded Yo as his brother. How So could hold any amount of concern or love for a practically nonexistent brother amazed Soo, but it also didn’t surprise her. So, she had learned, was filled with an infinite amount of love. He was willing to share it with anyone who asked and she could only thank the heavens for that.

 

“When will this take place?” Soo asked quietly after she calmed herself down.

“Tomorrow morning when the sun rises.”

 

There wasn’t much time left then. They had to move now if So wanted a chance to see his eldest brother before he left this world.

 

“So ya, stand up and change into your simplest robes.”

 

So looked up at her in surprise before he sat up. She took this chance to stand up from the bed and find some dark robes to wear.

 

“Soo ya, what are you doing?”

“We must hurry, So ya.”

“Where are we going?”

 

She finally found the infamous black robes So used to wear in the back of their wardrobe and turned around to lay it out for him. Along with it, she laid out his cape with a hood before turning to find robes of her own. She was gifted hers by Queen Yoo on her wedding day, no doubt to mock her for marrying her scarred and unlucky second son. The fabric was dark as the night sky and although they were to be clothes for a princess, there was nothing glamourous about them.  However, Soo finally found use for them, and frowned ironically at the thought. She would finally wear them to visit Queen Yoo’s eldest son under the shadows of the night.

 

“We are going to see Yo.”