Chapter image by the lovely Imbyul <3 Go PM her for a request!

3 July 975, 26^th Year of Gwangjong’s reign

The Palace was too quiet for his liking; but then again, it has always been like this since he ascended the throne. There wasn’t much of a difference.

The Royal doctors advised him against walking out during the night. His frail condition combined with his illness suggested he should get enough sleep. But he was the Emperor—no one could tell him what and what to do.

Tonight was the perfect night for a stroll.

As he made his way through the empty halls, he couldn’t help but cringe as a singe of pain shot through his chest. His hand immediately touched the place of his heart, rubbing the sore spot. The sudden sting of unpleasantness caused him to catch his breath and stop.

He wasn’t the young man he used to be. On top of that, he was sick.

The Emperor hated this feeling of weakness. Given the countless battles he’s been in, he always felt like he was on top of his game. There was no such thing as rest, pause, or stop—it was always go, go, and go.

But alas, time has caught up with him. Here he was, out of breath and dying.

Yes, he knew he was dying.

The Emperor, however, did not believe in giving in. It’s the reason why he still stood where he was.

The dark night was littered with stars as he walked. He couldn’t help but gaze at them, admiring their unique shine and tracing the shapes. He tested his astronomy skills, naming as many stars as he could. The little activity resulted in a wave of nostalgia for his old mentor, Choi Ji Mong, who, unfortunately, passed away three years ago.

It took the Emperor a minute or two to realize that his feet had brought him to Damiwon—the place of the noble court ladies.

Since it was the middle of the night, the exterior was deserted. Only a few palace guards were littered around the corners, checking for thieves or trespassers. He might be the Emperor, but he knew full well they wouldn’t stop at nothing when they see him up and about despite the Royal doctor’s strict orders. He decided to take a little detour and walk towards that place—

Their special place by the lake.

It has been years since he last heard her voice. Every day, he would still hear her voice, but only in his memories.

As his feet traversed the path, his mind recalled beautiful images of the only woman he ever loved—her laughter, that feisty look in her eyes, her voice of reason, as well as her pure heart. Everything about her came back.

Life in the Palace has been lonely since her departure. When she died, his automatic response was to build an unbreakable exterior to rule the country without emotions compromising him. His brothers passed away one by one and his living brothers chose to live a life outside the Palace. He wasn’t fond of his wife either—his half sister who was obviously scheming for the throne with their son.

No one was on his side.

It was always her.

He stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of a tall figure pacing back and forth beside the lake. Apparently, the Emperor wasn’t the only one who knew about it.

Rather than use his power and shoo the person away, he ended up watching from behind the trees.

After all, it was his son who was pacing.

The Emperor knew that his eldest son took after him—tough, determined, and focused. Another thing Wang Ju inherited from him was resentment; in his son’s case, it was 24 years of resentment against a father who never cared. But if the Emperor survived 25 years of resentment against his mother, Ju could surely survive.

It was hard to trust a son whose mother was determined to bring the King down.

He wondered what the Crown Prince was doing by the lake at this time of the night. Was he already plotting against his father? If so, then the Queen was probably nearby.

“There you are!”

The Emperor was startled at the harmonious voice and so was his son. The King looked around for the owner of the voice. Returning his gaze to the lake, he saw a young woman, excitedly threading the garden. Her bright smile was enough to lighten up the darkness.

Wang Ju, in his panic, shushed the girl.

“Don’t be too loud,” he told her, “Someone might see us.”

The girl frowned at him. “Who cares? Everyone sees me anyway.”

“Well, your father might lose his head.”

“He’s your uncle.”

“Exactly.”

The girl flashed his son the most adorable pout. Wang Ju, on the other hand, couldn’t help but smile, clueless to the fact that his father was watching from afar. The Emperor was amazed at this sight; he has never seen that smile on his son’s face.

But how could he when he’s never been much of a good father?

“Aren’t you scared of my father?” Ju asked the girl.

She snorted. “Pfft, the King favors me,” she replied, “I don’t think he’d mind if I take a nightly stroll.”

“Lucky you then,” complained Ju, “I wish he favored me as much.”

The young woman sensed the sadness on his son’s face. She reached out to him and knocked on his forehead, causing him to cringe. Ju immediately rubbed the sore spot, glaring at her.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“To show you how much I favor you.”

The pair shared a secret silence. The Emperor watched as his son gazed into the girl’s eyes, obviously enamored by her presence.

He couldn’t blame Ju; the girl inherited her mother’s enchanting charm. He could still vividly remember how she gazed at him with those same eyes—that girl’s eyes. It was also the first thing he noticed when he met the young woman years ago—as a little girl carried by his youngest brother.

“Soo-Young, are you not afraid of the Emperor?” joked the Crown Prince, “He can have you thrown off or exiled.”

She laughed. “Again, I don’t think the King will do that,” she insisted, “But if he does, I don’t have to worry.”

“Why not?”

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Ju. “Because I know you’ll find me anyway.”

The Emperor felt like he was intruding on a private moment shared between the Crown Prince and Soo-Young. But he couldn’t help but stare as the two laughed and made their way towards the deeper end of the area, to explore, probably.

As the young couple left, the Emperor went out from his hiding place to watch their retreating backs.

He could feel that pain in his chest for the nth time; instead of cringing, he stomached it, trying his best not to be affected. He might be dying, but he wanted to keep this moment in his head as long as he breathes. Apart from it involving both his children, it reminded him of a significant moment in his life.

The Astronomer said it himself—she was not from this world. It was then he swore that he would find her.

I have not found you yet, my Soo, he thought, But soon, we’ll see each other. You just wait for me, all right?

--

Chapter image by the lovely Imbyul <3 Go PM her for a request!

4 July 975, 26^th Year of Gwangjong’s reign

The Kingdom of Goryeo mourned as their Emperor passed away in his sleep. He had been ill for a period of time, but no one expected him to die this early—only days short before his 51^st birthday.

Crowned Prince Wang Ju stared blankly as his mother, Queen Daemok of Hwangbo, placed the ceremonial funeral robe over his father. She did so without an ounce of sadness nor any tears on her face. His sisters, on the other hand, sobbed quietly beside him.

Outside the Palace, the people of Goryeo heard the unfortunate news. Everyone was on their knees, shedding tears and mourning the loss of their great monarch—Wang So, the Fourth Prince, who fought for equality between classes.

Lady Soo-Young (also known as Seol) of the 14^th Prince Wang Jung’s household gasped when her father broke the news. Her eyes, which the King always said he adored, rounded in sadness as the tears started to form. Her father enclosed her in a tight embrace, his adopted daughter’s head as he silently mourned the loss of his brother.

The King looked peaceful—a stark contrast while he lived. Gone were any traces of the turbulent life he lived; his infamous look of fury was also gone. In its place was a calm face of death, as if he had just fallen asleep.

Or perhaps, gone his way to find the one he lost.

“If you and I are not from the same world, then I will find you, my Soo.”

--

A/N: Part two out of three shorts; see you on the next one ;)

P.S. I wasn't sure if Seol is the official name for So and Soo's daughter, but I've always figured that if Soo had a daughter, she'd name it after Court Lady Oh. :)