Wow everyone, I’m actually updating after only one week :O Ahaha, I was actually really eager to start up the story again, and since I had time this weekend, I figured I would update. Please let me know what you think, and I’ll see you in the next chapter!

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It had only been a week since Seol was born, and Soo was finding how difficult it was to take care of a baby. Not that she was complaining, of course. It made her thankful to her own mother in the future who took care of her since she was baby until now.

 

Rather, the harder part was trying to convince everyone that she was capable of caring for Seol. It was simply not done for a princess to care for her baby the way Soo had been: changing diapers, feeding the baby, changing clothes, or putting her to sleep. Soo learned very quickly that all those things were done by the court ladies or midwives during the time. However, Soo was adamant in doing all of those things herself.

 

“Do not worry! Where I am from, mothers do all of these themselves!”

 

It wasn’t as if she was telling a lie; rather, she didn’t give the entire context.

 

Eventually, the court ladies agreed to let their strange 4^th princess have it her way. Besides, it meant less for work them, and it made her happy; it was a win-win situation.

 

There were exceptions, of course. The only people Soo trusted fully were Arang and Eun Bi, and they were able to help Soo with Seol whenever she needed it. Besides Soo and So, Arang and Eun Bi spent the most time with Seol during this time.

 

That was not to say that Seol’s other relatives kept away. In fact, Eun, Soon Deok, Baek Ah, Woo Hee, Jung, and her father made effort to visit every day if possible. The King would visit when he had time, and he would often bring his daughter, who would coo at the sleeping Seol, excited that she would have a new cousin to play with in the near future.

 

The only people who had yet to see Seol were Wook, Yeon Hwa, and Queen Yoo. Even Queen Hwangbo had given a brief visit, despite her cool demeanor. Soo knew she fell out of the Queen’s favor when Wook revealed his feelings for her years before.

 

However, Soo could understand why the Hwangbo siblings didn’t want to see her or the new baby. Wook was always busy with court, and Yeon Hwa didn’t venture onto the palace grounds unless it was necessary or she was summoned. They both did live in a different compound outside the palace after all.

 

So imagine to her surprise when she was about to leave her quarters for Lake Dong Ji one day when the two of them were announced by the eunuch. Soo looked at Arang and Eun Bi worriedly, but quickly masked her expressions behind a neutral face as she turned to meet Wook and Yeon Hwa.

 

“Your highnesses,” Soo greeted as she bowed slightly.

 

She really didn’t have to greet them first, seeing as how her marriage to So had given her a higher status than the both of them. However, habits die hard, and she didn’t want to become pretentious.

 

Wook bowed but Yeon Hwa merely tilted her head, and Soo knew she was purposely refusing to properly acknowledge her.

 

“What brings you to these parts of the palace?”

“We received noticed that our niece was born. Please forgive us for not coming sooner to offer our felicities,” Wook said with a small smile.

“Oraeboni, you have been much too busy with the matters of the court to visit. I am sure Soo could have waited a bit longer,” Yeon Hwa said snidely, though still with a graceful smile on her face.

 

Soo smiled and nodded.

 

“Her highness is correct. I am well aware of how busy the court can get, though I appreciate your presence here today.”

“So where is the child? Or has she been sent to the midwife?”

 

Soo gritted her teeth ever so slightly, but she relaxed herself quickly. She would not fall for any of Yeon Hwa’s jabs at her, no matter how unpleasant it may be. Smiling again, she stepped aside to reveal the sleeping Seol in Arang’s arms.

 

“She just went to sleep, and we were about to take a turn of the lake before you arrived, your highnesses.”

“Ah yes, she seems to have taken after you. So oraeboni must be disappointed.”

 

Wook gritted his teeth and glared at his younger sister.

 

“Yeon Hwa…”

 

She simply looked at him innocently and smiled, seemingly oblivious to his discomfort at her not-very-subtle insult to Soo. However, all Soo could do was laugh, and took delight in the surprised faces of Yeon Hwa and Wook.

 

“Quite the contrary, your highness. My husband insisted that Seol look like me, claiming that he would want it no other way. He refuses anyone saying Seol looks like him.”

 

Yeon Hwa, stuttered, clearly caught unawares at Soo’s response.

 

“I..I see…”

 

Surprisingly, Soo noticed a small smile on Wook’s face, and it made her feel bit better. Deciding that their visit had gone on long enough, Soo thought it would be best to not prolong either party’s stay.

 

“Well, I thank you both again for gracing us with your presences. I would not want to keep you here any longer; I am sure you are both very busy.”

“Then, we will take our leave,” Yeon Hwa said, and with another tilt of her head, she turned around and left in a flurry of skirts.

 

Wook was a bit slower to leave, and just as he turned around to leave, he turned back towards Soo.

 

“I apologize for her…rudeness. She was out of place when she said those things to you.”

 

Soo shook her head.

 

“It is all right. You do not have to apologize for her. I am well aware of how she truly feels about me. It would be stranger if she does not say those things to me.”

 

Wook smiled and gave a bow before he too left the room.

 

“Your highness, are you really all right?”

 

Soo turned to address Arang, who had asked her the question.

 

“I am. I don’t think I can ever be truly comfortable in front of them, but I can at least keep my composure.”

“We think you did very well, your highness,” Eun Bi added quietly.

 

Soo nodded. To think years ago, she would have been the one to talk back at such rude quips. But now, she was a little wiser; she had learned to pick her battles.

 

“Shall we get going then? I believe we were on our way to Lake Dong Ji before we were interrupted.”

“Yes, your highness.”

 

And so they made their way to the lake after Arang handed Seol over to Soo. Although it was custom for a new mother to still be abed at this time, Soo refused to stay in bed the following days after the birth. She grew much too restless, and found herself extremely uncomfortable. Besides, didn’t they say that mothers who became active sooner after their birth recovered more quickly?

 

As the group arrive at Lake Dong Ji, they were surprised to find Queen Yoo and her entourage standing a ways back. As they got closer, they also saw Jung was there as well. Soo handed Seol off to Eun Bi before making her way towards the queen and gave a low bow.

 

“Greetings to your highness.”

“Ah yes. I heard you made your rounds by the lake often, so I thought I would meet you here,” the Queen said airily.

 

Soo smiled as she stood up straighter, wondering why of all times the Queen would want to meet her personally, and outside by the lake, no less. She also sent a smile to Jung, who returned it with one of his own.

 

“I apologize for not visiting earlier. I was told that you were not to be disturbed.”

 

The queen waved her hand dismissively.

 

“It was true. It has not been until recently that I had the urge to leave my quarters.”

 

She turned to Jung with a smile on her face.

 

“Jung ah, you should visit this mother of yours more often. It is so hard to see you nowadays.”

“Yes, eomoni. When I am not needed at the border, I will visit more often.”

 

Queen Yoo then moved her attention towards Eun Bi, and her eyes widened ever so slightly before returning to a neutral expression.

 

“Is that your child?”

“Yes, your highness. She was born just under 10 days ago.”

“She? It is a girl then.”

“Yes, your highness,” Soo said warily, wondering what the queen would say next

“Bring her closer to me.”

 

Soo nodded with her head, and Eun Bi slowly made her way in front of Queen Yoo so she could see Seol better.

 

“What is her name?”

“We named her Seol, your highness.”

“That is an adequate name. It is fortunate she takes after you and not her father.”

 

Soo’s eyes widened as she heard what the Queen said, and so did Jung.

 

“Why do you say that, eomoni?”

“We cannot have her turning out like her father, can we? Despite her mother’s previous status, her demeanor is much preferable to that of her fathers.”

 

Was there no end to the subtle insults she would get today? The royal family must have taken a class in how to prettily insult others. Soo knew she had to choose her words carefully, lest she awaken her mother-in-law’s rage.

 

“My husband may be difficult at times but I believe he has improved greatly in the past few years.”

“Yes, I think so too, eomoni. I was so terrified of him when he first entered the palace again, but now I no longer fear him. He has taught me many things, including swordsmanship. You remember how bad I was at that, do you not?”

 

Jung laughed and so did everyone else, except the Queen. She simply smiled a cold smile and waited until everyone stopped laughing.

 

“Then he must have never told you what he did several years ago.”

“What do you mean, eomoni?” Jung asked.

 

Queen Yoo stepped closer to Soo, and her smile grew wider.

 

“I can see from the look on your face that he has hidden it from you.”

“I do not know what you speak of, your highness.”

 

Queen Yoo leaned in towards Soo and murmured quietly in her ear so no one else could hear.

 

“He once killed an entire entourage of monks in the mountains before burning the entire temple down.”

 

Queen Yoo pulled away before giving a final smile and turning around to leave.

 

“Come Jung ah. I believe I had had enough of this air today. I wish to return to my quarters.”

 

And so she left with her entourage. Jung turned towards Soo, who had kept quiet up until now.

 

“Hyungsoonim, are you all right?”

 

Soo nodded quickly to reassure him. This was something that couldn’t be shared lightly. Why Queen Yoo decided to tell her that piece of information now, she didn’t know.

 

“Yes, I am all right. You should go with your mother. I am sure she would be upset if you did not hurry.”

 

Jung looked in the direction of his mother before turning his gaze back to Soo.

 

“All right, but I will come visit later. Are you able to return to your quarters?”

“Yes, I have Arang and Eun Bi with me. I will be fine.”

“Then I will visit you soon, hyungsoonim.”

 

With a bow, he quickly followed after Queen Yoo. After he left, Soo nearly fell to the ground in shock, realizing how weak her legs felt in light of what Queen Yoo just revealed to her. Luckily, Arang was there to support her.

 

“Your highness, are you all right? Your face has gone very pale,” Arang asked worriedly as she helped Soo stand up straight.

“I…I believe it would be best if we headed back to my chambers.”

“Yes, your highness.”

 

Soo quickly turned around, grateful for the renewed strength in her legs now that she had time to process everything, and made her way quickly back.

 

Why on earth did Queen Yoo tell her that? Was this to stir doubt and suspicion between her and So? But what good would that do for Queen Yoo? Did she think that Soo would eventually reveal this to the court and have So punished? Surely there was more to it.

 

Furthermore, was this piece of information really true? Did So really kill an entire team of monks before burning their temple down? And if he did, what was his reason for doing so? She knew that So hated his past actions, and that he rarely did anything without a good reason. But what was his reasoning this time around?

 

Was he trying to protect someone? Had he discovered their plans, and realized they would be sentenced to death if he did not act?

 

Could it be what So was trying to tell her before, during the night they visited Lake Dong Ji after Seol’s birth?

 

Whatever it was, Soo would wait until she heard the entire story from So before jumping to conclusions.

 

There was too much at stake.