When So woke up the next morning, he saw that Soo was still asleep. It was rare that she woke up after him, but he knew with recent events, her body was still probably tired. Many people also decided to visit her yesterday after her return, including his brothers and her father. With that in mind, he didn’t have the heart to wake her up, and quietly got ready before leaving a note and heading to the throne room.

King Hye Jong was there as expected. So had asked his eldest brother about why he was ready so early in the morning, to which he simply replied that having the kingdom’s weight on one’s shoulders did not allow for sleep.

Although So was the current crown prince, he wondered how it would be like when he sat on the throne. Soo had mentioned in the past that she did not like the throne, and he hoped that when time came for him to sit upon it, she would have different ideas. 

“The 4th prince greets his majesty.”

“Wang So, I hope to hear good news from you? I was informed that you returned to the palace last night with Hae Soo.”

“You are correct, Paeha. I was able to find Soo where she was held captive in the woods.”

“Were there any difficulties?”

So had to smile.

“Surprisingly, the lead I followed led me straight to her location. However, when I had arrived, she had already escaped and was waiting in the bushes.”

King Hye Jong let out a laugh, and So grinned in response.

“I presume she had minimal injuries then?”

“Aside from a minor headache, it seems she is doing fine. I have made sure she is getting enough rest.”

“Strange how you were able to find her location so easily. Jung, Baek Ah, and Woo Hee had no leads until you came home.”

So did think that was strange. He hadn’t managed to keep following the lead because he had found Soo, however he wondered how he was led to Soo’s location so easily.

“I agree, Paeha. However I was unable to keep tailing the lead.”

“Perhaps they will come back again. We will need to be vigilant.”

“I understand, Paeha.”

At that moment, an eunuch came through the doors to announce the arrival of the court ministers. King Hye Jong nodded to allow their entry, and So took his place at the front right of the court as usual. He shared a look with his eldest brother, knowing today would be another long day of proposals and complaints.

So was not able to leave court until much later in the day, and when he did he immediately went back to his quarters to check on Soo. To his dismay, she was not there, so he made his way to the next place he could think of: Damiwon.

True to his prediction, she was at Damiwon and seemed to be busy with a very serious overview of her staff. She was conducting interviews with each and every Damiwon court lady, and then verifying their identification via Eun Bi and Arang. Additionally, So noticed something very peculiar: several painters present, painting portraits of every single Damiwon court lady after their interview. 

It was rare that So got to see Soo so focused during her duties as the head of Damiwon, and he felt it would have been improper of him to disrupt so he simply stood to the side and observed the procession. When it seemed like Soo had decided to take a break, he revealed himself.

“Soo ya, I thought you were to be resting.”

Soo finished signing one of the documents before she looked up at him with a smile.

“You know I have had plenty of rest. Besides, I was feeling fine today and made the decision to come here today in order to take a full overview of the court ladys at Damiwon.”

He peered over her shoulder to look at all the documents she had been checking over and delegating to Eun Bi and Arang to triple check.

“Is there a reason why you have decided to do this?”

“Due to the situation with our guards around our quarters, I realized that I did not truly know all of the court ladies here. Therefore, I wanted to see and learn about every single lady that enters these halls, as they will be in contact with everyone in the palace, especially the royal family. Should there be any issues, consequences would befall upon me and I never want a repeat of what has happened again.”

So knew what matters she was referring to and deemed it proper to stay silent.

“Besides, where I come from, everyone is required by the government to have photo ID everywhere they go. This way if there is any question of identity, there will be a way to verify it.”

So was unfamiliar with the term “photo ID” but he had assumed it meant something close to a portrait or painting of oneself. He did not feel the need to clarify about it with Arang and Eun Bi present, but they did not have any surprise at hearing their superior speak of it. Perhaps they were also used to Soo’s speech.

“Is that why you have the painters here today?”

“Indeed. From now on, I am requiring all the court ladies to carry a portrait of themselves at all times. We will also have a copy within my quarters at Damiwon, and any new court lady that enters will have this same process given to them. I will not be negligent anymore.”

So would have expected shock from Soo, after the ordeal she had recently experienced. That was what any normal person would have done. But of course, his Soo surprised him yet again. She was resilient, and instead of taking the experience as a bad one, she used it to do something productive. It was a very good idea to have identification of all their staff, and So made a note to do the same with his own guards at their quarters. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, and would give him a way to monitor anyone going in and out.

“I wonder why we have not done this sooner. There are so many people coming in and out of the palace. You would wonder why such incidents happen.”

Soo finished signing the last of the papers and stood up, excusing Eun Bi and Arang for their own break. 

“Please store these in the document room and make sure they are secure.”

“Yes, your highness,” Eun Bi said with a bow before leaving. Arang stepped up and addressed both Soo and So.

“Your highnesses, shall I have lunch sent to your quarters, or would you prefer to have it here at Damiwon?”

“Actually, I would like to have them sent to the 10 prince and princess’s quarters. They have been looking after Seol and I would like to check on her.”

“Of course, your highness. I shall send word of your arrival,” Arang said before giving a bow and leaving.

As the 4th couple left Damiwon, So couldn’t help but be serious.

“Why did you have Eunie and Soon Deok watch after Seol today?”

“They had been meaning to visit her many times, but due to recent events have been unable to. I figured that it was high time Seol spent time with her 10th uncle and aunt, and because I had duties to attend to today, it was the perfect opportunity.”

Hearing Soo hear that made So dismayed; it had been a long time since the royal siblings had a gathering. They used to have it so often, but as of recently everyone had been busy with their own responsibilities and their weekly dinners had been repeatedly canceled. Perhaps after all this was over, they could resume those meetings again.

When Soo and So arrived at the 10th royal couple’s quarters, they were immediately ushered in. Upon entering the doorway, they could see pandemonium that had ensued.

Seol was sitting at the center of a blanket that had been laid out for her to play. Around her was a plethora of toys and knick knacks that Eun had prepared for her to play with. Currently, it seemed that she was preoccupied with a doll in her hands as she played with it.

Eun was on his stomach on the ground with her, talking to her in a baby voice and Soo couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Soon Deok on the other hand had retreated to the table where lunch had been set up and stood up at the sight of Soo and So.

“Soo ya, So ya, you are here! I have been trying to convince Eunie to come eat for some time now, and thankfully you sent food over.”

Eunie had risen to his feet now and reached out to pick up Seol from the blanket, walking up to them.

“Hey, if I had not ‘stalled’ as you so put it, we would already be eating before Soo and So ya came to visit us. Now that we are all here, we can start eating.”

Soon Deok shook her head helplessly and Soo grinned, reaching out for her hand to pat it reassuringly.

“Oh it does not matter Soon Deok ah. I know you were concerned for Seol and Eun about getting their meals but it isn’t so late. Let us sit down and eat now. I will take care of Seol so you both can eat peacefully.”

“Oh I don’t mind! She’s such an angel really, I’m sure she will be easy to feed.”

“That’s what it looks like, but she’s surprisingly fussy.”

And so they all settled down to eat, and took the time to catch up with each others’ lives. Of course, Soon Deok and Eun knew about the recent happenings, but asked after Soo to make sure she was all right. She answered in the affirmative and told them not to worry. She would be careful not to let anything like that happen again, and so would So. 

After lunch was over, Soo and So again entrusted the 10th royal couple to look after their daughter. So escorted Soo back to Damiwon where he made sure she entered safely and was greeted by Eun Bi and Arang before he left.

There was much to be done, now that Soo was safely back at the palace. He decided to send word for Baek Ah, Woo Hee, and Jung. It was high time he was informed what had occurred at the palace during his absence.