Soo woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, but as she was getting ready for the day, she couldn’t help but sense a foreboding feeling come over her. She clutched at the spot on her robes where she had hidden the hair pin, hoping that nothing bad would happen. However, just as she was leaving the Gyobang towards the river with the other musuris, she saw Ji Mong enter, walking past all the other water maids until he stopped in front of her.

 

“Lady Soo,” he said before bowing. Soo could feel all the other maids stare at her, and she swallowed before greeting Ji Mong with a bow of her own.

 

“Ji Mong, what has brought you to the Gyobang?”

 

He stood up, and the sense of foreboding came over her again as she saw his grim expression.

 

“You must come with me, an urgent matter has arisen.”

“Right now?”

“Yes,” he said before glancing around. “I will fill you in on the details once we depart.”

 

She got his hint, and she quickly went back to set her basket down. Before returning to the royal astronomer, she made a quick stop at her room to grab the pouch of tea that she had prepared ahead of time. She didn’t think she’d need it this soon, but she had made extra just in case the King asked for more.

 

As she exited the Gyobang, Soo kept her face blank and ignored the stares of the water maids. The urgent matter must have been something concerning the King, and by the look on Ji Mong’s face, he didn’t want anyone else hearing about it. It was only after they had departed on his horse that Ji Mong finally spoke.

 

“The King has summoned you to his bedside. I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left.”

“But why would he want me there? What can I do?”

“I believe he has something to tell you before he…before it’s too late. Also, it seems he wants more of your tea,” he said with a slight chuckle.

“Will it be all right if I enter the palace like this? Won’t it cause a stir amongst the nobles in court if they hear about me?”

“I will make sure that doesn’t happen, Lady Soo. But you should prepare yourself for anything that should happen. Things will be different after today.”

 

When they arrived at the palace, Ji Mong made sure to stay out of sight as he led her to the King’s Quarters. When she entered his sleeping chambers, she saw the King laying on his bed motionlessly. He must have been sleeping. Shifting her gaze to a table next to his bed, Soo saw that the utensils for tea preparation had already been set up for her. As quietly as possible, Soo began preparing the tea, the steam floating into the air as she poured the hot water over the herbs. After a couple of minutes, she heard the sheets rustle and saw the King open his eyes. She quickly set down the teapot and limped her way to the bedside.

 

“Paeha.”

“Even the aroma of your tea is like that of Soo Yeon’s.”

“Are you feeling all right?”

 

The King let out a long sigh.

 

“I will be dying soon. Bring the Crown Prince from Hubaekje. He must come before it is too late.”

 

Although she had never been close to the King, the thought of him passing away made her heart sink. This great man was going to leave this world, and she was here to witness it. But how could she bring the Crown Prince? She was half lamed and had no resources to do so.

 

“You want me to do it? I cannot possibly do that…but I will find someone who can go quickly!”

“No, it must be you.”

“But, Paeha..”

“No one from inside the palace must found out about my death before the Crown Prince arrives.”

“Are you afraid of something, Paeha?”

“Once you leave this room, someone will approach you. That person will ask you about my condition.”

 

She already had an idea to where this was heading. She remembered in history that after King Taejo’s death, there was much upheaval surrounding his successor. Although she did not remember who it was (and she wished everyday she had paid attention in her high school history classes), she knew that she would be here to witness it, just like the King had told her she would.

 

“To the person who merely asks how I am, tell that person I am asking for more tea. To the person who asks if I am dead, you must be careful. That person is after the throne.”

“I will keep that in mind, Paeha.”

“Get going. You cannot trust anyone. The fate of the Goryeo empire rests on your shoulders,” the King said as he took another difficult breath. “That is probably the reason why you were sent here.”

 

Soo took a deep breath and held in her tears. She couldn’t cry now. She had to make sure the King left in peace. Kneeling down onto the floor, she gave a deep bow to properly send the King away.

 

“Please rest in peace, Paeha. I shall do my best to carry out your final command.”

 

She got up and turned around, but his voice stopped her.

 

“Hae Soo,”

 

She froze and turned around, looking at the King. He had turned his head and smiled at her.

 

“Be on guard, my daughter.”

 

She nodded and smiled back, before turning around and leaving the chamber. She knew that that would be the last time she would see the great King Taejo alive, but she didn’t want to stay any longer and waste time. She had to try to find a way to get to the Crown Prince. As she exited the King’s Quarters, she saw the face of General Park. She gave a bow and he nodded.

 

“Be on your way, child. And be careful.”

“Yes, General. I will do my best.”

 

And with that, she took off. She tried to stay in the shadows, despite seeing the walkways empty. She knew that it wouldn’t be long until she ran into someone, and she tried her best to remember which exits she could go to, where there would be the least people she’d have to encounter. Just as she turned to look behind her, a voice made her freeze to a stop.

 

“Soo ya.”

 

It was Wook. She stopped in her tracks and he looked around before approaching her.

 

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“The King is asking for more tea. I am going to Damiwon.”

 

Thank goodness the direction she had been heading made that lie believable. She saw him nod before speaking again, his eyes catching hers.

 

“What is this about marriage with So? I didn’t know you had that kind of relationship with him….I was surprised.”

 

Why did he bring this up now? Did he still hold feelings for her, even after all she had said to him days before? That couldn’t possibly be…

 

“You are mistaken…” she said before holding herself back. Why was she trying to explain herself? There was no reason for her to. Their fate had ended the day he turned his back on her. Let him think what he wants to think. She had to get away from him now if she wanted to even have a chance at getting to the Crown Prince.

 

“I have errands to run for the King. I will speak to you once I return, your highness.”

 

She walked past him, feeling sorrow. Even if he had treated her poorly in the past, she should at least apologize for her recent actions. Perhaps she could still save their relationship; they still had happy memories together. Turning around, she tried to speak.

 

“I…”

“By any chance, has the King passed away?”

 

Her voice died in . No, he couldn’t be doing this. He said he didn’t want the throne before, didn’t he? But she knew that this was coming, after he told her he was trying to get more power. She just didn’t want to believe it. He smiled, and her dread continued to come over her.

 

“I’m worried about him. Has the King died?”

“Your highness, do you want to become King?” She asked the treasonous question, and she could see his face become determined.

“Are you…going to become King? Was this what you meant when you told me to wait while you get more power?”

“When I lost you, I could not do anything with the limited power I had. In order to protect those I love inside the palace, I realized I needed to become the most powerful. You ask me if I am to become King. For you sake, I will become King.”

“For my sake? You are doing this because of me?”

 

She could only gape at him in disbelief. He had gone down this path, all because of her? How could a mere person like her motivate someone like the 8^th prince to become King?

 

But then it hit her: the day after she saw a vision of the 4^th prince killing the 10^th prince and his wife. She never had any other visions after that, and she often wondered what they meant. But she remembered she had run away terrified, only to be caught by the 8^th prince, who tried to calm her down. In her fear, she had told him to watch out for So, to not anger him or else there would be consequences. She realized that the same face she had seen then was the same one she was seeing in front of her now. No, she had to stop this somehow. She had to save the 8^th prince from committing treason.

 

“No, you need to stop. I do not need that from you. Please, stop. We can try to fix this another way.”

“It has already started. Tomorrow, I will attack Cheondeokjeon with my 3^rd brother.”

“No! You cannot do that! That is treason!”

 

He stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, bending down to her height. His gaze scared her, but she could also see some desperation in his eyes.

 

“Soo ya, I know that I have wronged you. I have made you wait and wait, but please trust me this time. The Crown Prince will not be able to return in time before tomorrow. Fighting over an empty seat is just a battle for the throne. I will be fine. All you have to do is hide and wait for me. You can do that, right?”

 

She shook her head wordlessly. Who was this person in front of her? She could no longer recognize him. Seeing her shake her head, he sighed before letting her go.

 

“I will ask you one more time: has the king died already?”

 

How could he wish for the death of the King so ardently? She shook her head before giving a bow.

 

“The King has asked for more tea. I must get to Damiwon, it has been too long already. I will come speak to you later.”

 

She made to walk past him, but he said something that stopped her yet again.

 

“Crown Prince Moo is in Chahyeon. You will not be able to get to him here on your own.”

 

Was that a threat? Was he resorting to this now that he did not have her on his side? Furthermore, she knew he was testing her. The King had informed her about the Crown Prince’s whereabouts. This must have been his last attempt at trying to reach her. But it wouldn’t work. She had already cut her ties with him.

 

She waited till he began walking away before taking off again. As she rounded the corner, her knee started throbbing painfully, and she had to stop, shaking it out and massaging it before setting off again. She had to find the 4^th prince, or Ji Mong. When she arrived at the astronomy tower, she climbed the steps with a struggle, and let out a breath of frustration when no one was there. Upon her exit, she saw the 9^th prince approaching the guards, and she hid behind a column.

 

“Have you seen Hae Soo?”

“I do not know her,” replied the guard in a gruff voice.

“Come on, you know, that water maid from Gyobang?...”

 

Soo didn’t get to hear the rest of his words before her body was jerked back further behind the column. When she saw it was So who pulled her, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. He peered around the column to make sure it was safe before he set his gaze on her.

 

“What are you doing here? How did you enter the palace?”

“Ji Mong brought me.”

 

She looked around before pulling him back towards the astronomy tower, hiding in the shadows behind the entrance.

 

“Why did he do that? What is going on?”

“The King has passed away.”

“What?”

 

He stopped and forced her to turn towards him. She sighed, nodding.

 

“When I last saw him, he was just about to die. He sent me away to bring the Crown Prince without anyone finding out…by now…”

 

Funny how she had completely forgottten to wait for So to ask her about the King. She simply told him outright that he had died, without fearing what he would do. But she knew that she could trust him. He made it clear last night when he told her he had no desire for the throne. The throne! She gripped his arm tighter, eyes wide.

 

“The 3^rd prince is going to attack Cheondeokjeon tomorrow. You must bring the Crown Prince and stop him!”

“How do you know this?”

 

She diverted her gaze.

 

“I ran into the 8^th prince earlier. He told me to hide and wait for him…”

“Did you have feelings for the 8^th prince?”

“Is that what’s important right now?”

 

So was quiet as he clenched his teeth.

 

“The Crown Prince is in Hubaekje,” she said before he nodded.

“I know. I tried to go to him but all the roads out of Songak are blocked because of Wook. We need to find another way out.”

“He’s in Hubaekje…I know someone who might know a way out.”

 

Soo remembered Woo Hee told her she was from Hubaekje. Although she didn’t elaborate on this, Soo hoped she could help her this time.

 

“Soo ya, who is this person?”

“She’s someone I met at the Gyobang. We need to leave now!”

 

She made to leave but her leg gave out on her. Luckily, So was there to catch her, and he slowly helped her stand up straight.

 

“Soo ya, your leg is not well. Why are you running around on it?”

“It can’t be helped. I must carry out the King’s command.”

 

She looked at her leg disdainfully.

 

“Though it would help a great deal if my leg wasn’t like this.”

 

The 4^th prince let out a chuckle at her complaint.

 

“Come, I will help you. Your friend, is she at the Gyobang right now?”

“It’s Woo Hee. She had a performance for the peace gathering last night, but she should be back there now.”

 

He nodded and took a survey of their surroundings before he lead her out and towards the Gyobang. When they arrived, she saw Woo Hee and Baek Ah together. She wondered what he was doing here, but there was no time for her to speculate. There were more dire things at hand.

 

“Woo Hee!”

 

Woo Hee and Baek Ah turned towards her in surprise.

 

“Soo ya, what is the matter?” Woo Hee asked.

“You said your hometown is Hubaekje, right?”

 

At her question, Baek Ah moved in front of Woo Hee, almost as if he was shielding her. Why did he do that?

 

“Why are you suddenly asking?” Baek Ah asked in a clipped tone.

 

There was definitely something going on that she was unaware of. But she would save that for another day.

 

“We need to get to the Crown Prince.”

“What?”

 

Woo Hee and Baek Ah looked at each other before looking back at her.

 

“There will be an attack on Cheondeokjeon tomorrow. If the Crown Prince does not arrive before then, there will be blood spilt.”

“How can I trust this girl?”

 

Soo turned to face So and smiled.

 

“She is my friend. You can trust her.”

“I don’t know what this is about, but she is right,” Baek Ah added.

 

So nodded and looked at him before revealing the news.

 

“The King has passed away.”

“What?” Woo Hee asked before her knees gave out on her. Luckily Baek Ah caught her in time before he looked back at So.

“Are you positive?”

“We have to assume so. Soo told me Yo…and Wook are planning the attack to go after the throne.”

 

Soo hadn’t specifically told So that the 8^th prince was attacking as well, but she knew he was smart enough to deduce that. They definitely had some talking to do later.

 

“I will go stop them, so you go get the Crown Prince. It should take two days, but Wook has blocked all the roads out,” So continued.

 

Soo had been watching Woo Hee, and it seemed like she had gathered her strength again. She sighed before speaking up.

 

“There is a road in and out of Songak that only I know. I can take you there.”

 

They all looked at each other with grim expressions. The fight was only starting now, and they weren’t sure when it would end.

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