[Time has passed and Gwangjong suffers from illness. Jung, Baek-Ah, Ju, and the princesses visits him in hope to heal him. But he kept seeks for his daughter, Seol, who went to Hwangju residence. But as the king’s health deteriorates, it was only the beginning of Hwangbo clan’s scheme.]

It’s been years since she stayed at palace. Seol, who is now twenty years old, was urgently sent to Hwangju due to the Dowager queen’s sickness, for a week. Her teas had managed to heal her conditions. But the elderly queen was not the only one. In Song-Ak, the throne room was filled with the king’s coughing. Baek-Ah insisted on him to rest. The king dismisses earlier in the night, taking more rest.

The royal physicians told everyone that the king didn’t get a proper healing and he wasn’t allowed to stay at the court for a long time.

The princesses and crown prince visited his chamber, hoping they could do something to make him feel better. However, when one of them tried to fed any medicines he refused to take it. Baek-Ah and Jung hoped Seol could come soon when the king spoke.

“…Seol…where’s she?”

Ju tried to calm his father.

“She’ll be back soon…”

Gwangjong’s voice had become more raspy due to his coughing.

“…Seol…bring her…,” he spoke within coughs, “…bring her …now…”

Ju nodded his head as he rushed to his chamber, pull out the papers and picked his brush to write letters for Seol. He scribbled about the king’s illness and his wish for her return. As soon as he finished write them, he asked Seol’s brother Cheon Chu-Jeon to send this to Seol and stay until she and her brother returns to palace.

Seol was serving the dowager queen Hwangbo with the teas. Fortunately, the tea she brewed seemed to match the queen’s taste as the elderly woman smiled in satisfaction after she drank it.

“Your teas are brilliant, child. I feel much better now.”

She bowed in bashful manner as the queen complimented. The dowager queen looked at Seol. The girl looked so much like her mother Hae Soo. Her doe-like eyes, fair skin, and long black hair…she was Lady Soo’s daughter, no doubt. But she found something different when Seol displays her polite, graceful demeanor. The elderly woman couldn’t help but see the unknown, mysterious, but regal aura from a young woman. Chi had told about her and as his grandmother, Queen Hwangbo couldn’t help but uneasy as she rewinded the times when her grandson mentioned about Seol. He was smiling fondly as he talked about her. It was the same smile his father made when he was around Seol’s mother Hae Soo, a long time ago.

When Seol excused herself, she heard the servant announced her brother’s presence and the queen let him in. Cheon Chu-Jeon bowed to the queen then approached to his sister.

“Jeon? What’s going on?” Seol asked.

Her brother excused themselves as the queen allowed them to leave her room. Cheon Chu-Jeon dragged her to the guest chamber. He stopped as he began to spoke.

“The Crown Prince told me to give you this…”

He handed the folded paper to Seol and she accepted as she began to read. Her face paled at the written messages. The letter told about the king’s worsening sickness, her father’s sickness. And that he wanted Seol to return to palace.

“I also let Ji-Mong know that you are here, but you must leave here quietly so no one could realize.”

Her brother’s warning caught her off guard. ‘Leave quietly?’ She questioned in her head. Her inquiring eyes demanded him some explanation. Cheon Chu-Jeon spun his head around, in case anyone would hear. Finding no one, he whispered.

“This residence has been heavily guarded now. So you cannot leave.”

Seol frowned. She looked around and also noticed the ominously quiet atmosphere. Finally noticing a rather dangerous situation, she made one confirmation as she was worried for the future. Her father, her friends, family, and her person, Wang Ju. ‘I’m sorry, mother.’ With serious expression, she stared at her brother.

“Bring Choi Ji-Mong here,” Seol said with determination, “call every member of Chungju when I return.”

Her brother blinked his eyes, but nodded his head and left, wishing for her luck. She nodded her head back and walked inside her guest room, repeating her brother’s word over and over. She noticed Hwangbo sisters rushed towards her.

“Seol, we heard from Chi, about the king’s illness.” Hwangbo Su informed.

“Your father’s worried about you, and so does uncle Jung and Baek-Ah.” Hwangbo Seol added, concerned filled her eyes.

Hwangbo Su grabbed Seol’s hand and was about to go outside.

“I’ve prepared the horse for you. You can go to the palace in time.”

Seol managed to nod her head. Before they could go outside, the soldiers blocked their way, confusing Hwangbo sisters. Seol, on the other hand, expected it somehow and glared.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Seol asked.

“I beg your pardon, lady. You can’t go pass this gate.” The soldier replied in monotonous voice as he stood on the gate.

Hwangbo sisters only glanced at one another. Seol squinted her eyebrows, then finally understood what Cheon Chu-Jeon meant. She glared daggers as her voice was hoarse, quelling her frustration.

“Keeping me here as a hostage…? Until the king pass away?”

Her words made the sisters speechless. They knew how the king dotes on his daughter Seol and one of Hwangju clan must have use it as as advantage…to cause a secretive treason. Clenching her fist in anger, she lashed her anger out using her one fist and hit on the wall, surprising Hwangbo sisters.

“Who told you all to do this?” Hwangbo Su demanded angrily at the soldiers.

They heard a footsteps behind them. The sisters spun around and surprised at his presence. Seol turned around and her eyes met the other’s virtuous eyes.

“Wang Chi?”

Chi walked over and smiled. He glanced at the necklace—which he gave it to her— that hung around her thin neck. Forming a sweet smile, revealing dimples, he finally spoke.

“Seol, why don’t we wait at my chamber? There’s something I must say to you.”

Giving his sisters a reassuring smile, Seol followed him.

They stopped at his room and he gestured her to sit on the chair. His eyes were on her neck that surrounded with a sparkling diamonds of the necklace he gave to her. His long fingers reached to the jewels. His fingertip brushed the skin of her neck as she flinched at his unintentional touch.

“I knew it,” Chi made an endearing smile, yet his voice was filled with fondness, and obsession, “the necklace really does suits you.”

His gaze bore into hers. Seol froze as his alive, yet somewhat dead eyes with a glimpse of hidden lust and darkening fixation could burn her.

Note:
Once again, I left this chapter in suspense! Did you all have a happy beginning new year? I will see you all with new chapters~!
Enjoy reading~! Let me know what you feel in comments! I love my readers!