It had been a couple of days, and so far Soo hadn’t heard anything from So. She should have felt relieved, that he had not made any attempt to contact her after their meeting last time, but why did she feel so empty? For the past year, she had been living this same life: wake up, wash laundry, eat, wash more laundry, eat, and go to bed. But after seeing So again, she felt something stir inside of her. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. She felt, alive? She recalled him telling her that she was surviving, but not living. She supposed he was right. After her demotion, she had no reason to live, other than to just stay alive day by day. Somehow, she made it for the past year. But now? She wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

 

“Ya, did you hear? The 4^th prince returned to the palace yesterday.”

 

The other musuris were gossiping again, and usually whenever she heard any of the princes mentioned, Soo would tune them out. However, this time her ears perked up at the mention of So.

 

“Did he? It has been a year, has it not? Since he was sent away as an ambassador to Khitan?”

“Yes, and listen to this: he was wearing his mask again!”

“Ehh? But I thought he removed it. Apparently people say he did not have any horrible scar after the rain ritual.”

“Exactly! So why was he wearing the mask again? Do you think he got another scar on his face?”

 

Soo held in a scoff and finished drying her last garment before putting it into her basket. She stood up and heaved her basket, walking past the gossiping maids and back towards the Gyobang. There was a reason why she never listened to the gossip. But then again, if she had not met the 4^th prince yesterday, she would have been curious as to why he wore the mask again as well.

 

When she arrived at the clotheslines, memories of So surfaced again. She remembered how warm she felt when he hugged her, and how gentle he had been when he caressed her hand. It was to the point where every time she saw the sheets blow in the wind, she’d look over to see if he was hiding behind it again. Of course, he wasn’t there, and she shook her head at her paranoia. He wouldn’t be here, especially after what she told him last time.

 

When she arrived back at her room, she simply felt tired. Why was she so hung up over about him, especially now? It wasn’t like she ever had feelings for him, right? She was in love with Wook, not So. Yet, why was she feeling this way? Her heart fluttered as she remembered the tender look her gave her yesterday, when he told her she was beautiful. She looked up from her place on the floor and glanced briefly at the mirror on the wall.

 

She saw a girl who looked like she had aged years beyond her actual age. Her hair was limp and stringy, held back by old pieces of cloth. Her skin looked pale, and the bags under her eyes had seen better days. Looking at her hands, she pursed her lips and crossed her arms to hide them. They were dry and cracked, yet So held them as if he was holding something so precious. Putting her head on her arms, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. What did he see in her, really? She simply helped him cover up a scar, and he saw her now as if she was his whole world.

 

She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear the door open and close. It was only after she saw the tips of someone’s boots under the space of her arms that she looked up.

 

“Ji Mong?”

“Lady Soo,” he said before bowing to her.

 

She gave a wry smile.

 

“I am no longer a lady, Ji Mong.”

“You may not be one now, but you will always be a lady to me,” he said with a small smile.

“Thank you, Ji Mong…but what brought you here? Has something happened?”

 

Ji Mong’s face grew somber, and he averted his eyes before he looked at her again.

 

“The King does not have much time left.”

“Paeha? Is he all right?”

 

Ji Mong sighed and sat down next to her.

 

“His health has deteriorated in the past year. He no longer has appetite or energy. I fear it is because of a broken heart.”

 

A broken heart…because of Lady Oh.

 

“It’s my fault…I should have died that day. But the King sacrificed Court Lady Oh instead.”

 

She looked over at Ji Mong.

 

“But why did he do that? I don’t understand. Court Lady Oh didn’t reveal anything to me, except that she was sorry for putting the blame on me. I know it wasn’t her who poisoned the prince, so why?”

 

He sighed and shook his head.

 

“Court Lady Oh…she had stomach cancer. The royal physician told her she did not have much time left. Therefore, she made that sacrifice.”

 

She was really sick of crying, but every time she thought of Court Lady Oh, she could not help but cry.

 

“But, why? What kind of person am I to have caused her to make that choice?”

“She saw you as her daughter. And any true mother would sacrifice everything for her child. Do not grieve, Lady Soo. She died in peace, I am sure of it.”

 

Soo continued to sob and Ji Mong patted her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her. He let her cry and then calm down, before speaking again.

 

“Lady Soo, could I ask a favor of you?”

 

She looked up at him, silently asking what he needed of her.

 

“Could you make me your tea? Just like how Lady Court Oh taught you?”

“You came all the way here for me to make you tea?”

 

She almost laughed at the absurdity. But Ji Mong smiled and shook his head.

 

“Not tea for me, but the King.”

“The King?”

“Just so he can get his appetite back. Could you help me?”

 

She nodded before standing up, grimacing slightly as she stretched out her knee.

 

“Is your knee still not well?”

“No, but it only hurts when I work too much or if I am by the water. Do not worry, Ji Mong. It will pass.”

 

Smoothing out her skirts, she smiled at the royal astronomer before leading him to the kitchen at the Gyobang. She quickly took out the herbs she needed. It had been awhile since she had made tea, but she knew how to do it even with her eyes closed. After grinding the proper herbs together, she packed them up into a pouch and handed it to Ji Mong.

 

“I haven’t made it in a long time, but I hope it will be sufficient.”

 

He accepted the pouch and gave a slight bow, grinning as he stood up again.

 

“I’m sure it will be perfect, Lady Soo. Until later, then.”

 

She bowed as he turned and left, hoping that the King would feel better soon.

 

It had barely been a day before Ji Mong came back to her. She was sitting in the shared room again, and this time she saw him enter the room.

 

“Ji Mong? Why are you here again so soon? Does the King need more tea?”

 

He shook his head.

 

“The King wishes to see you.”

“Paeha wants to see me? Have I done something wrong?”

 

Could it be…did the King hear about So meeting her several days ago? Was he going to be okay? Was she going to be punished? Ji Mong must have seen the panic on her face, so he quickly reassured her.

 

“He simply wants to see you, Lady Soo. You are not in trouble. Nor is So.”

 

Soo looked at him in surprise. How did he know that So met her?

 

“I know So went to see you as soon as he came back, but the King does not. Do not worry.”

 

She nodded, relieved to hear that.

 

“Am I to go with you now?”

“Yes, Lady Soo.”

 

And so she was led to the palace by Ji Mong. When they arrived outside the throne room, Ji Mong told her to wait to be announced before entering. As she stood outside, she clutched at her skirts nervously.

 

For what reason would the King call her now? She could not fathom what he would want to talk to her about, especially if it was not about So. When the eunuchs opened the door, and she saw the King sitting on the throne, she gulped before making her way into the room. She looked over to see Ji Mong standing to the side, and he nodded once, reassuring her that everything would be fine. When she got closer to the King, she made a low bow and stood up again, keeping in a slight bow as she looked at the King.

 

He gave her a look before reaching to drink his tea. The way his hands shook as he held the cup to his lips made her think of her grandpa before he died. His face was gaunt and gray, looking as if he wasn’t far from death’s door. She wasn’t sure what year Taejo passed away, but she was sure he did not have much time left.

 

“You are thinking I do not have much time left,” the king said. She looked at him in surprise before averting her gaze.

 

“Where are you from? After what happened with Court Lady Oh, I looked into your childhood friends and hometown relatives.”

 

She felt a chill go down her spine. The King had been trying to find out more about her, but for what reason?

 

“I questioned all of Wook’s household members. I could only conclude that you suddenly became a different person.”

 

She gulped, feeling more nervous as she waited for him to continue.

 

“You were a completely different person after your accident. My senses tell me you are similar to Ji Mong.”

 

For the second time that day, Soo looked up at the King in surprise. She knew that King Taejo was a great man, someone who had the power to unite three kingdoms to become Goryeo, and a reputation for being a wise king, but she did not realize just how astute he was. She glanced over at Ji Mong, who smiled at her, before looking back at the king.

 

“You believe that Ji Mong and I are from the future?” She asked daringly.

 

The King smirked, and she was suddenly reminded of So.

 

“You know the future that we do not. You know my 4^th son was born with a star to become king, am I correct?”

 

She kept silent, and the King nodded, the answer to his question confirmed.

 

“Crown Prince Moo and So are both destined to become Kings. No one knows what will happen here in the palace. However, you will be observing all of it.”

 

The fear crept into her again. Soo did not want to witness the events that would take place after King Taejo passed. She did not want to witness the bloodshed she had learned about. She wanted to go far away, where no one could find her or bother about palace politics.

 

“Can you just send me far away? I no longer think I can handle living here.”

 

Her heart beat faster, and she could feel a panic attack start. However, she learned to close her eyes take deep breaths to calm down. Luckily, it subsided before she opened her eyes and looked at the king.

 

“Close your eyes to the things you cannot control. If you cannot keep silent about what goes on here, you will be in the same situation no matter where you go.”
 

“But..!”

“I would tell you not to get involved, but I suppose it is too late for that.”

“Paeha, what do you mean?”

“I told you the 4^th prince was born under a star to become King. But that was only before his mother scarred him.”

“His…mother?”

 

The king sighed and nodded slowly.

 

“Not many know of this, but Queen Yoo was the one who was responsible for So’s scar. And he has been suffering for it ever since. When I sent him to the Kangs in Shinju as an adopted son, his star no longer shined as if he was to be King. However, that all changed after the rain ritual, when you covered up his scar.”

 

“You knew I covered up his scar?”

“I am King, child. What kind of ruler would I be if I did not even know that?”

 

She bit back a smile. So got part of his personality from the King, she surmised. They both seemed to have the same speech.

 

“Soo Yeon called you her daughter, so you a daughter to me.”

“Paeha?”

“This is why I am giving you this advice: do not get so hung up on the future that you lose what you have now.”

 

The King smiled at her, before taking another sip of his tea.

 

“I did not send you away because I thought you were a problem. I sent you away to prepare yourself for what is to come.”

“Prepare myself for what is to come…”

“I am not blind to the affections my 4^th son carries for you. And I sent him away to prepare him as well. He has come back a stronger and determined person, and I believe you had a hand in that.”

“I am but a water maid. How can I do anything, your majesty?”

“Things will change around here soon, child. Do not fret but prepare yourself. Prepare yourself to support the 4^th prince.”

“But Paeha—”

“Ji Mong, I am tired. I think it is time I retire to my chambers.”

 

Ji Mong looked over at her in surprise before looking back at the King, bowing to him.

 

“Yes, Paeha. Allow me help you.”

 

Soo heard the doors behind her open, and realized that it was her sign to exit the throne room. She looked at King Taejo one last time before bowing and walking backwards, exiting the throne room before leaving the palace.

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No copyright infringement was intended. This is simply a fan work based on the drama "Moon Lovers - Scarlet Heart: Ryeo".