Jinkyong’s posture stiffened like a piece of stone had been inserted into her spine. Her father smiled at the man while his daughter struggled to conceal the worry and doubt that was really glad she was back.

“This has been a hard time for you,” the king assured Jihoon. “We’re grateful for your constant prayers at the temple and the search parties you sent out.”

Jinkyong was sceptical that he had even done such a task but in front of her father she could not speak out of disrespect to him.

Jihoon glanced back at her. “Jinkyong, shall we commence with the wedding soon? Since the criminal that we caught you with is due to be beheaded soon.”

She wasn’t able to hide the gasp that escaped her lips or the way her palm rushed to cover her open mouth. The king stared at her and she was unable to speak.
“Maybe this has been all too much for her,” the king started to say. “I dismiss you both and allow you to spend some time alone.”

Jihoon rose first. “Your majesty,” he said to the king before bowing and then to Jinkyong he told her. “I’ll see you outside in the pavilion.”

“Enjoy your time together,” the king said with a ring of delight in his voice. Jinkyong stood up and left with a small bow. She wished her father hadn’t suggested such a meeting however she couldn’t refuse.

Outside it was cold and dark, stars shimmered above reminding Jinkyong of that fateful moment she once shared with a different man. Jihoon glanced at the men and ladies in waiting.

“You may all leave, I wish to be with the princess alone.”

“But sir—“

“—Rest assured that my desires are pure,” was his quick response. They all bowed to them both, lifting the hems of their skirts and robes off the ground with a swish before departing.

Jinkyong shivered, she was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “You weren’t hurt at all were you?” She almost didn’t hear him ask. Turning her head she studied his expression. He didn’t seem suspicious at all; it was almost as if he was actually concerned.

She shook her head. “Aside from that dreadful experience on board the Japanese ship… No harm came to me.”

He was close enough to wrap an arm around her and he did more than that. He actually pulled her into an embrace. Jinkyong froze; this sort of contact with a man she was arranged to marry was rather unheard of.

“I could never really express my heart around his majesty the king.” With a hand he ran a finger down the back of her neck. “Now is the only chance I can before we become husband and wife. Please understand that I am a man of many failings. But you are the only good blessing that I’ve received and to lose that blessing would make me less than a fool.”

Jinkyong had to close her eyes. She couldn’t let herself believe every word he said. However in that moment, she was starting to think he may have been telling her the truth.

Waiting around the corner of a stone wall the four all were kept out of sight by a guard who knew what action to take. “Sanghyun,” Changsun began. “You will distract the guards by saying there is a large riot happening in the middle of the village and people are getting killed. When they leave we will go in and meet Seungho.”

“Alright,” the others agreed. Sanghyun tried to leave but Changsun tugged his sleeve.

“Hold on, you need to appear as though you are completely scared and have been in a fight.”

Sanghyun was confused, “how would I do that?” Changsun slung a fist at him and knocked his friend over. Cheolyong and Byunghee stared at the guard in shock. A little shaken by what happened Sanghyun stood up, his cheek was already starting to bruise and his lip was bleeding.

He frowned at Changsun before asking “is there anything else?”  Changsun took the edge of his sleeve and pulled it. There was a tearing sound as the fabric lost its hemmed and sewn end. He did the same to the other sleeve.

“Much better,” Cheolyong clapped happily before he stopped on seeing the others staring. Changsun faced Sanghyun and then patted him on the shoulder, “do your best.” With a nod Sanghyun moved into sight of the guards to begin his act.

He ran to the guards and then collapsed like he had been running for a while. “What happened?” He was asked as the guards at the front returned their spears and came over to him.

“There’s—there’s a riot—in the middle of town,” he panted. “I only just escaped… People are dying… It’s the Japanese…”

This sent alarm through the guards who all took out their spears. “We should hurry, wait here.” They all ran away from the prison leaving Sanghyun by himself. Looking for the heads around the corner he gave them a wave over with his hand and they all came to him, Cheolyong helped him stand.

Inside the prison it smelt of blood and other unpleasant odours. It was lit with flickering lanterns along the walls and the bars were made of wood. Sitting in the corner of his cell on the itchy straw was Seungho. He stood up the moment the sound of running came in.

“What are you all doing here?” He demanded when they came into sight.

“Are you hurt?” Byunghee asked concerned.

Cheolyong patted Sanghyun on the back, “you should have seen this big brother. He managed to fool the guards so we could—“

“Ahem,” Changsun cleared his throat to interrupt. “We’re here because we need to break you out of here.”

Seungho smirked, pleased. “I’m glad you’re cutting to the chase.” Sanghyun tapped Changsun on the back and then showed a key dangling from his hand. Cheolyong wasn’t allowed to ask if Sanghyun could teach him. Changsun took the key and unlocked the door letting Seungho out.

“We need to find the Captain so an attack on Jung Jihoon and his men can be arranged.”

They stopped when they saw Seungho running in the direction of the palace. “Hey where are you going to now; do you want to be arrested again?!” Byunghee called.

Seungho slowed and turned his head slightly. “I need to visit her.”

They blinked in confusion, “and why the urgency?” He didn’t say and just kept running, going to a stone wall and leaping onto it. Taking out a piece of dark fabric he wrapped it around his face and tied it tightly behind before bounding down.

Jinkyong was sitting in her quarters disturbed by her recent encounter with her husband to be. He’d mentioned sweet things to her. She was concerned by how much it had stirred her insides and made her question her feelings towards him. Did she have a right to be suspicious of a man who said he was in love with her?

And Seungho, what was to become of him when dawn arrived? What would she tell Jihoon when he met with her again? He’d asked her a question and she hadn’t been able to give him an answer.

She was startled the moment there was a rustling outside. Standing to her feet she almost stood on the edge of her hanbok as a figure swung in through the window. was open to scream when a voice whispered harshly, “don’t make a sound.”

“Seungho,” he lowered his mask. She watched him, he didn’t look very good. Blood had dried on the side of his face and his cheeks were dirty. “Is it really you?” She said with a tingle of hope and awe.

He nodded, “they did not hold back their punishment for apparently taking the crown princess.” Jinkyong felt guilty for the way he had been treated. “I came here because I have to know.

“What do you have to know?”

“How you feel about me,” Jinkyong held her breath. He noticed her face flush and leaned closer. “Jinkyong, we’ve been through a lot you and I. Has it affected your feelings for me or not?”

She couldn‘t face him now. Jihoon’s face and his touch were starting to surface in the back of her mind. Seungho watched as she swallowed, suddenly acting more nervous than before.

“Why are you hesitating? Aren’t you sure how you feel?”

“No it’s just that Jihoon he…” She wondered how her answer would sound. “He came to me just before…  He loves me Seungho.”

Seungho was already shaking his head. “Do not believe what he tells you. Don’t you forget that he is the one who sent on that damn boat in the first place?!”

She hesitated and it caused paranoia to arise in Seungho. “Why are you behaving like this surely…? Surely you can’t be…” His pride was evaporating as he finished his words, “you can’t feel anything for him!”

“I-it isn’t what you believe I just think—“

Before Seungho could even say any more the doors burst open and Jihoon came in. He scowled at Jinkyong. “Why did you let him in?”

“I umm…”

“Tell me the truth harlot!” He raised a hand to her but Seungho grabbed his wrist. “So… Are you two in some sort of relationship with this criminal?” With a firm wave down he freed himself from Seungho’s grip. “Is this why you did not tell me how you feel?!”

Seungho stared at Jihoon with venomous rage darkening his eyes. “What is the difference? You’re just a criminal who knows how to dress well.”

This startled Jihoon who made noises like he was choking. He stepped back and reached for the long sword at his waist. “You will pay for insulting Jung Jihoon!”

Seungho reached for his own weapon, “and you will regret the moment you tried fooling the princess!”

The two stepped closer soon as Jinkyong was swept out of the way with a shove. She hit the ground hard but her eyes were more focused on the two men who were about to battle for their side and their way of life.

There was the sound of hundreds of footsteps treading in quick beats and soon they saw many men dressed in white with blue sleeveless robes over the top and black round brimmed hats, black boots and red trim on their white sleeves.

“We’re here,” Cheolyong declared spreading his arms out wanting acknowledgement for his presence. Sanghyun, Byunghee were beside him with Changsun leading the party.

“Jung Jihoon you’re under arrest for treason in the kidnapping of her highness princess Yi Jinkyong.”

Even though he had been caught the guilty party made a smirk. They stared at him in confusion but then they heard a whistle and a yell. Coming from the other side was men dressed in dark commoner clothes, all wielding swords and spears that did not look as though they had been cleaned recently.

Before anyone could speak further, Seungho charged forward and his sword clashed with Jihoon’s.

I realise that I haven’t updated for a week so I decided to do one for this week and I’ll do another the week after. Enjoy the drama I guess?