The sound of a slap sounded in the darkness. The man stayed silent as he adjusted his gaze to look again at the ground. His attacker took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Getting angry now would do nothing; things had already happened and she had to think of something else to make sure the rest of the scheme went according to plan.

“I underestimated how soft-hearted you were. You are doing this for your mother of course. However, I will not tolerate anymore failures; you know what will happen if you do, do you not?”

Her voice was coated in acerbity, and the man knew that he truly could not fail. The health of his mother was on the line and he had no doubt that the person in front of him would be ruthless if he failed again.

-----

It was the beginning of the week, like any other, when King Hye Jong a took a seat on his throne and waited as the royal court filed in and took their places in front of the throne, standing in separated clans.

His eyes scanned the room and he briefly connected gazes with So, who nodded in response. He turned his head to the side slightly and saw his royal astronomer and trusted friend Ji Mong who also gave a bow of acknowledgement before King Hye Jong again looked ahead to address his court. Taking a deep breath, he began to speak.

“Today I have a new policy to enact. Listen well as all those who enter this palace must heed my words.”

As expected he heard the restless murmuring of the various clans, looking at each other in worry and curiosity at what their Paeha would start now. It was no secret that many did not think very highly of him as a ruler. Though he could not blame them, as he was put in this position due to his success on the army field and not through familial succession; King Tae Jo had skipped over his elder half brother to appoint him as the crown prince. The late Paeha had much trust in him, and he was made the crown prince not very long after his father had united the Later Three Kingdoms. 

The younger version of himself was happy to have made his father proud, but as the years passed and he saw how the throne took a toll on his father, he slowly lost the urge to sit on the coveted seat. Despite the multiple attempts at his life, most recently from Queen Yoo, he still had managed to ascend the throne. Ironically, it was mostly due to the loyalty of his half brother, the son of that very queen who wanted him gone.

Hye Jong looked again at So, who gave another encouraging nod in return. He again addressed the court.

“Due to the many incidences of intruders in this palace, I have decided to create a system in which everyone can be identified.”

“I beg your pardon, Paeha, but we currently have such a system. All the nobles carry a nametag and we are checked before we enter the palace each day. Surely this method is enough for us?”

It was the prime minister Wang Gyu who had spoken. Several other clan heads agreed and nodded their heads.

“While that may be true, that has not stopped strangers from attacking the royal family. This policy will extend to all palace workers, and anyone who will leave or enter the palace. Currently only the clans have name tags, however that is not enough. We will have portraits of everyone painted and kept as files in the palace. You will also be issued a miniature which you must keep on yourself at all times. This miniature along with your name will be required to enter and leave the palace from now on.” 

Again there was a commotion amongst the clans. Wang Gyu spoke up to address the King once more.

“With all respect, Paeha, but this seems to be an unnecessary use of time and funds. Will this truly prevent future attacks on your family?”

“Are you suggesting that I sit still as my family continues to be targeted, prime minister?”

The room silenced and Wang Gyu cleared his throat in nervousness.

“Of course not, Paeha. I simply think there are other measures that we can enact that will be more efficient.”

King Hye Jong smiled, something he rarely did during his sessions in court. 

“If you are worried about efficiency, then worry no more prime minister. You see, I knew that there would be opposition and doubts about this policy when I brought it up. It seems you all are keen on disagreeing on everything I suggest.”

There was nervous shuffling of feet as everything continued to stay silent. Only So could be seen with the corner of his lips twitching in amusement as a response. If King Hye Jong had looked further back, he would have also seen Ambassador Hae smile, along with his fellow clan members who already knew about the process ahead of time.

“I have already begun the process with the palace workers who come and go from my personal quarters. My brothers have also done the same with theirs. Now let me ask you, prime minister: how long do you think it took for us to have this process finished?”

Wang Gyu hesitated before he cleared his throat once again and spoke in response.

“Seven days, Paeha.”

King Hye Jong shook his head slowly from side to side before he looked over to his 4th brother.

“Wang So, tell me, how long did it take for you to finish this process?”

“One afternoon, Paeha. Several hours at most, but we finished it within one day.”

“What a coincidence! I, too, took the same amount of time. Perhaps a bit longer, but I also finished the process in one day. Can you also speak on behalf of our other brothers?”

“Yes, Paeha. They have also told me they took the same amount of time, and were surprised themselves it was such a quick process.”

“I also nearly forgot; did the 4th princess also not do the same with all of Damiwon?”

“Yes, Paeha. It took her two days, however, there are at least twice, if not three times the amount of Damiwon court ladies as there are palace workers in my own quarters, so this is reasonable.”

The King again addressed the entirety of his court.

“There you have it: one day and two days at most. I know there are certainly fewer people in this room right now then the number of palace workers who enter and leave my quarters. There should be no further objections then?”

He waited, and while there were some questioning glances here and there, for the most part, his court stayed silent. Truly today must have been his lucky day; it was never this peaceful. 

“With all respect, Paeha…”

King Hye Jong put a hand up, and Wang Gyu stopped speaking.

“I am determined to enact this policy. Seeing the success it has been within my own family, and the peace and security it gives us, I seek to extend it to my loyal subjects. Of course, if you continue to disagree, you will be declared a traitor to the crown and disposed of immediately.”

It was satisfying to see his opposers’ mouths close shut. It was not often that he rendered his court ministers speechless.

“Now, if there are no more objections, we can move onto other dire topics. Tomorrow morning you will all have your portraits painted and filed away in the royal records, in addition to having your miniature issued.”

When the day had ended, and the rest of the court filed home, King Hye Jong was left in the throne room with So and Ji Mong. He found himself laughing as his 4th brother and the royal astronomer looked on.

“I have never seen them so speechless. Perhaps I should do this more often, what do you think Ji Mong?”

“Although that may be true, it would not do to become a tyrant King, Paeha!”

King Hye Jong continued to chuckle. So for one was happy to see his elder brother happy again. It was rare that he saw Moo smile after he ascended the throne. It did not help that he was constantly faced with opposition from the court. There were times where he thought the frown on his brother’s face was permanent. It was a relief to see after today that that was not the truth.

“I am glad to see you pleased, Paeha.”

“I really do owe it to Hae Soo. She was the one who started the idea. Imagine if the ministers knew that; they would be even more outraged than they are now.”

“Perhaps it is because the ministers do not give much credit to the women who are their wives. I believe that many of us underestimate the opposite , and that will be our downfall if we continue to do so,” So said matter-of-factly.

He spoke from experience, and he knew now that Soo had shown him much of what she was capable of. Thinking back to his own mother, and even Yeon Hwa, he realized that if there was something they set their minds to (whether it be bad or good), the women in his family were a force to be reckoned with. Besides, Soo frequently told him that women during her time held the same positions as men, and were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves if given the right tools and circumstances. Most of the inequality was due to existing rules and systems that favored men over women.

King Hye Jong nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. I believe our lives would have been very different if Hae Soo had not joined us, no?”

They all smiled at each other before King Hye Jong dismissed them.

“It has been an eventful but long day. I shall see you both tomorrow.”

So and Ji Mong gave a departing bow before they both left the throne room, glad that their plan had succeeded and the day was finally over.

“I believe Hae Soo will be thrilled to hear about the results,” Ji Mong said to So, who smiled in response.

“Yes, I am sure that will be one of the first things she asks about when I return.”

“In that case, I shall not deter you any further. Have a good evening, your highness.”

Ji Mong gave a departing bow before he made his way to the astronomy tower, and So back to his quarters where Soo was waiting.

He had just entered the courtyard when he heard an arrow coming from behind and dodged it deftly. However, when the arrow had landed in a nearby wooden pillar, he realized from the trajectory he was not the target. He quickly signaled to his guards to go in the direction of where the arrow came from as he approached the lodged arrow, seeing a note tied to the shaft. Pulling out the arrow, he unraveled the note and read its ominous contents:

You may have escaped once, but there will not be a next time.

His blood ran cold when he realized that this note was in fact not directed to him, but Hae Soo. 

What else were they planning now?