(Both of them sat there in the hut next to each other in silence, their backs to the wall, their knees brought up to keep themselves warm. Soondeok said she’d stay awake all through the night, Eun was going to do the same too, but he gave in and fell asleep in the end, his head rested upon Soondeok’s shoulder.)

‘Deok…Soondeok ah…’

(Soondeok can hear him mumbling to himself in his sleep, she shuffles a bit so Eun can rest his head comfortably on her lap, she touches his head gently as she looks down at her husband. Eun, all curled up, looks like a helpless child, the entire opposite of how he looked earlier that day in the courtroom.)

‘We’ll live, my prince…we must…’

(Soondeok recalls what the doctor said to her that morning, but then shakes the thought away. She sighs deeply. What a long day it’s been…)

--------------------------------------------

‘Soondeok ah!’

(A loud voice made the couple jump to their feet, Bogum rushes in)

Bogum: Oh thank goodness you’re safe!

(He was about to hug her then sees Eun staring at him so he backed away)

Bogum: You can’t stay here, the soldiers are heading this way as we speak.

Soondeok: Boat? What about the boat?’

Bogum: It’s gonna take some time, around 5 days or so.

Eun: 5 days? We can’t even last another 5 minutes in here!

Soondeok: 5 days, we can wait.

Eun: Honey.

Soondeok: It’s too dangerous to leave any other way, the boat is the safest.

(Bogum nods)

Bogum: We need to get you guys out of here.

Soondeok: We’ll to go Damiwon, down this tunnel, if you want to leave me a message, just leave it here, I’ll come stop by every now and then.

Bogum: You sure? The palace security is even worse-

Soondeok: What choice do we have? Like what you’ve said, if they’re heading this way, there’s no escaping for us now…

Eun: Deok ah…

(Eun holds onto her hand)

Bogum: Meet you at the port after 5 days then, if there’re any changes, I’ll write to you. Ah, and here’s the thing you asked for.

(Bogum hands her over a bag)

Soondeok: Thanks.

Bogum: Hope you won’t have to use it, but in case you do, God forbid, it should do the job.

(They can hear soldiers coming, Soondeok quickly lifts the floor up and motions Eun to jump in)

Bogum: 5 days.

Soondeok: 5 days it is. Thanks. Bye.

Bogum: Deok ah…stay safe.

(Eun’s already made his way down into the tunnel)

Soondeok: How’s his family?

Bogum: The king just got them executed this morning…

Soondeok: As I thought…bye, you too be careful.

Bogum: I will. Protect the prince, don’t worry about your father, I’ll take care of everything.

(With that, Bogum puts the floor back into place and pulls a straw mat over it)

-----------------------------------------

(Eun and Soondeok meets Haesoo in the tea house)

‘Soo ah, it’s me.’

‘Your Highness- Come with me, quickly!’

(Haesoo directs them into a room then locks the door behind her after going in)

Haesoo: What happened? How did you two…

Soondeok: The new king won’t be able to figure out we’re hiding here.

Haesoo: Still, it’s too risky, My Lady.

Soondeok: We had no choice.

Eun: Anyway, don’t worry too much, Soo ah. We have a boat so we’ll be here until it leaves.

Haesoo: When? Where will you be going?

Eun: Well-

Soondeok: That’s enough. We’ll only put Haesoo in danger if she knows…

Eun: Right…

Soondeok: How about So Oraboni?

Haesoo: The 4^th Prince is currently looking for the two of you. Should I contact your father, My Lady?

Eun: Why don’t we contact Wook hyung instead?

Soondeok: Your Highness, we mustn’t tell anybody. If we make one wrong move, it’s all over.

Eun: I know I know…just asking…

(Suddenly Eun thinks about something)

Eun: Soo ah, what happened to my mother and aunt?

(Haesoo hesitated for a bit)

Haesoo: I…I’m sorry Your Highness. I’m not sure.

Eun: We should’ve done something…I’m bothered by the fact that I couldn’t bring them with me…I hope they managed to get away…

(Soondeok and Haesoo exchanged glances)

Haesoo: In the meantime, just stay in this room, I’ll bring in the meals personally. Unless you hear my voice, don’t unlock the door.

Soondeok: I might need to go around the palace, is there a way for me to do that?

Haesoo: Just do what you’ve been doing so far, My Lady, as long as you wear this around the palace, no one will question you. Of course, try not to do anything too risky, but you of all people should know that better than I.

Soondeok: Thank you.

Haesoo: The maids won’t be allowed to come here at night, so if you guys want to have some fresh air, you may once everyone’s gone. The place will be locked anyway.

Eun: We should be fine…

Haesoo: No one knows about this room but myself, so you guys should be safe here. Rest well now, I shall bring in some food when I’m free.

(When the sun’s still up, Eun and Soondeok dared not make a noise in their room, even whispering to each other seems loud to them. Fear is in the air, and there’s no use hiding it, both of them even tried to breathe slower just to make less sound.)