When Soo and So neared the palace again, one of their guards approached them. 

“Guard Kim, what has happened?”

After greeting them with a bow, Guard Kim spoke.

“Your highness, we tried to follow them but they all entered the palace. It seems they are all working from within, so it might be easier to identify them that way instead of capturing them outside the palace.”

So nodded, contemplating.

“If we follow their movements we might be able to see who they are reporting to as well. Good thinking Guard Kim.”

“Thank you, highness. Shall we head back to the palace now? Our men will continue to keep a lookout.”

“Yes, let us head back. Did you want to see anything else at the market Soo ya?”

Soo shook her head and took So’s extended hand as they started towards the palace entrance with Guard Kim trailing behind. Although their plan did not go according to planned, what happened was probably for the better. 

“No, I think I have seen enough for today. Arang and Eun Bi will wonder why I have so many packages when we come back!”

----

Over the next several days, So would visit the royal guard training areas to scout out those who had been following them. He was accompanied by Guard Kim frequently during this time, who was able to discreetly pinpoint who they should pay attention to. When asked by the chief royal guard why he frequented the training grounds, So would coolly reply:

“I am looking for more guards to protect my quarters.”

“You have visited for many days now, your highness. Have you made your choice yet?”

“I have. What is the name of that guard over there?”

So smiled and pointed to one of the men who was currently sparring with his partner. He was relatively tall and slim in stature. Although he did not seem special, So had a keen eye and knew that he was leisurely practicing now, though his partner seemed to not notice. That particular guard had a lot more skill and strength than he let on. Perhaps that was why he was chosen as a pawn in this game. He had a portrait drawn last night and confirmed with Soo that it was the right person.

“Soo ya, I had portraits made of the suspected guards today. Would you mind looking at them?”

Soo put aside one of her medicinal texts and reached out to receive the rolled parchments that So handed to her. Upon unrolling one, she took a few seconds before smoothing out the paper onto her table. With the help of So, she placed a few paper weights on the corners before reaching out to cover the bottom half of the face. She did this for all of the portraits before finally seeing the last one.

“Do I have the right person, Soo ya?”

Soo nodded and began rolling the parchment back up to give back to So.

“Although I did not see his entire face, I recognized his eyes and the top of his face. The mole on the right side of his temple confirms it, and I saw it when we were in the village the other day as well. This last one is the guard we are looking for.”

The chief royal guard widened his eyes slightly when he saw the 4th prince choose a particular guard. He cleared his throat and looked back to the 4th prince to answer.

“That guard’s name is Hyeon Joon, your highness.”

“Is he currently assigned to any quarter yet?”

“He is new to the palace and is currently not assigned to anyone yet, your highness.”

“Adequate. Have him sent to the astronomy tower tonight after he finishes his training. I would like to meet him formally before we make it official.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

The royal chief guard bowed as So walked away with Guard Kim before standing up and took one last look at the sparring guard. He then turned to make his way to his office where he quickly wrote a note and had it dispatched.

-----

After his training was done for the day, Hyeon Joon was informed by the chief royal guard that the 4th prince wished to meet him at the astronomy tower. He quickly changed and made his way to the astronomy tower, where he found the 4th prince working at his desk. He warily made his way to the 4th prince and bowed, who looked up as he neared.

“Ah, you have arrived. Your name is Hyeon Joon, correct?”

Hyeon Joon stood up straight and met the 4th prince’s eyes.

“Yes, your highness.”

“I shall not waste time. I have brought you here for an offer.”

“An offer, your highness?”

“I would like you to serve as a guard for my quarters.”

Hyeon Joon’s eyes widened before he gave a deep bow.

“It would be my honor, your highness!”

“Adequate. There are several procedures we shall have to take care of before you officially start, but we can discuss those tomorrow. Please meet me at Damiwon tomorrow morning.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

The 4th prince gave a small smile and nodded before sending Hyeon Joon on his way. When he arrived back at quarters reserved for royal guards, he met with the chief royal guard.

He silently greeted his superior, who gave him a cool look.

“Did you just return from meeting with the 4th prince?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Remember your place and do not disappoint us again.”

“I will keep that in mind, sir.”

The chief royal guard gave him a stiff nod before walking past him. Hyeon Joon let out a deep breath before leaving as well. 

----- 

When Soo met with the new guard the next morning, she simply smiled and directed him to the room where a painter was currently waiting.

“I hope you won’t mind this new process. It is something the King wants us to do now with new workers who will be serving us.”

“Of course not, your highness. I shall do what is necessary.”

“Excellent! You can step in here and the painter shall paint several portraits of you; one shall be kept at the Damiwon, and one will be for you to keep. You should carry it on your person at all times if you wish to enter and leave the palace.”

“I understand, your highness.”

“I shall see you after the session then,” Soo said with another smile before she left the room. 

When she did, she met with So outside who looked at her with concern.

“Will you wait here until his papers are done?”

“Yes, I intend to introduce him to the rest of the guards within our quarters.”

“And what of the other guards?”

“Guard Kim will keep an eye on them for now.”

“It shouldn’t take too long. The painter is quite efficient at his job now. I should look into giving him a reward…”

“Are you all right, Soo ya?”

Soo looked up at So in surprise.

“I am. Why do you ask?”

“I know it seems strange for me to suddenly bring on a new guard, especially with recent events.”

Soo shook her head and waved her hand back and forth.

“Nonsense, I trust you and your judgement So ya. I know you believe this is for the best, and I shall follow through.”

“Let me know if you ever feel uncomfortable with anything, all right?”

“Of course! You won’t need to worry about me.”

So reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair from Soo’s face and gave her a smile that was oftentimes reserved only for her. She grinned and proceeded to drag him to one of the tea rooms in Damiwon, where she had already had an array of foods ready for them. Knowing Soo’s tendencies, So was not surprised she had this planned but was pleased that she did.

“Now, since you are here I wanted to make sure you had your morning meal. It is rare that we can spend mornings together so I am taking advantage of it!”

So had to chuckle at his wife’s antics and sat down with Soo, who automatically reached out with her chopsticks to place a few pieces of yakgwa onto his plate. It made him feel happy to think back to the time when she had gone out of her own way to ask for all his brothers’ favorite teas and snacks, in order to make it not seem suspicious she was trying to favor him. It was then that she found out he preferred green leaf tea and honey pastries.

“I made sure that the kitchen made a fresh batch this morning.”

“If you keep feeding me pastries I will grow large and immobile. Do you wish to condemn that fate upon me, Soo ya?”

“Nonsense. You are too busy training and running around for that to happen. Even Paeha who spends most of his days on the throne will exercise to prevent that. In fact, I haven’t seen you eat much recently so you’ll have to make up today.”

To emphasize her point, Soo proceeded to pile more honey pastries onto the plate in front of So. Of course, he had no heart to stop her; honey pastries were his favorite after all. And who was he to refuse his wife’s kindness?

“We are currently not in a drought now, so you can enjoy your tea and pastries, your highness.”

“Are you teasing me now? I have not heard that term from you for a long time now.”

“I suppose I have been caught!”

And so the 4th couple enjoyed the quiet morning to themselves before both had to go about their own duties.