Kyuhyun feels a smile creeping onto his face as he walks into the Palace again with a bag of pumpkin pie. He opens and looks at it again. The smell of hot pumpkin slips out of the bag and crawls up to his nose. He slightly frowns, and closes the bag. He can never understand how someone can eat this all day, everyday. But, for some reason, he feels eager to go all the way to the market, then all the way back to the Palace just to bring back this piece of pumpkin pie. For some reason, he finds himself grinning with all the vendors in the market, and the guards at the gate. For some reason, he is happy.

- Ahh, I haven't had this for so long.

Sungmin says to him, while chewing down on the piece of pie that seems way too big for his mouth.

-Yah, slow down. You might choke.

Kyuhyun could only watch, while trying to hold back his laugh.

- It's worth it.

They burst into laughter. Kyuhyun could not remember when was the last time he had laughed like this.

The next, and every day after that, Kyuhyun gets off his shift and goes to the market to buy a pumpkin pie. It has become a routine of his, so much so that the vendors can time his arrival and prepare the pie for him ready to go. So much so that, the guards at the gate no longer seem surprised at his comeback at the gate. So much so that, if Kyuhyun is late due to some unforeseen incident, he would see Sungmin pacing around the gate to Geoncheonggung waiting for him. Every time, he would feel an indescribable feeling in his stomach. He does not know what the feeling is. Nor does he know what it means. But there is one thing that he is sure of. He does not hate it.

The next day, Sungmin prepares a jug of soju for them. He does not know when was the last time they had sat together drinking and chatting like this. Was it the day the four of them had finished the exams and gone out to celebrate? Or was it the night they had gone to say farewell to Sungmin before he was going to the Palace? Or was it when they were still in Seowangmyeong, sneaking out of the residence whenever they could and hanging around the markets until dawn? When everything was simpler and they were just two playful students having the time of their life? That last time, for him, seems like a lifetime away.

- Kyuhyun ah...

Sungmin starts to slur his words. Kyuhyun could see that he had hit his limit. But Sungmin looks into his eyes and continues.

- Is it... as cold outside the Palace as it is here?

Kyuhyun does not know how to respond. It is in the middle of summer.

- It's... really cold here. - Sungmin continues.

Then, before Kyuhyun knows it, Sungmin has already rested his head on the table to sleep. Kyuhyun almost calls out to the eunuchs and court ladies outside the room to come get him ready for bed, but he suddenly gets a glimpse of something shiny on Sungmin's face. A shiny liquid. Lingering at the corner of the other's eyes. Sungmin...is crying?

Sungmin, who has never shed a tear before another human being in his life?

Sungmin, who would endure the most fatal wounds, rather than let others worry?

Sungmin, who always opens his arms and heart to others' sadness, but would only cry to himself when he is alone?

His Sungmin, is now crying about the Palace?

He slightly lifts the other's head and lets him rest on the floor. Slowly, he puts his lips on Sungmin's eyelids and starts to sing. A song that Sungmin had asked him to sing on nights he could not sleep. A song that has become his own favourite tune since when he does not know. A song that, as he feels, has become their own song.

I should have held onto you,

I should have told you that I love you more,

But I have nothing, nothing to give you,

So I thought I couldn't,

I should have waited,

If only I had known you'd return,

But because I'm not alone, I can't have you,

Though it may seem foolish, I'm sorry,

I'm going to send you away again.

(Long time no see - Lim Changjung

Kyumin's song T.T)

On Kyuhyun's face, a tear sneaks out of his eye, rolls down his cheek, then disappears into thin air.

The muggy summer night has suddenly become damper than ever before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning,

In downtown Hanyang,

Siwon tightens his grip around his sword. He walks down the streets of Hanyang in casual clothes, disguising himself as a commoner. In front of him, a local official leads him around the city, showing their great developments this year, and areas that need improvement. On his face, a smile is always present, even though Siwon does not know how much of it is genuine. Being the King of Joseon, he is used to people faking smiles and taking advantage of him. Friendships and family, things that are supposed to be so normal, are a luxury to him. Sentiments and feelings, which are common to other people, are like forbidden fruits to him. No one shows their true emotions around him, and he cannot afford to show his either.

He truly thought that Lee Sungmin was different than everybody else. For the first time in his life, he thought that he had finally met someone who did not want anything from him. Someone that he can talk to, and can talk to him. Someone that he can trust. But, as it turns out, he was just like everybody else. He is either a liar is trying to dupe Siwon into some scheme. Or he is just a moron, believing the rumours circulating around Hanyang. Either case makes Lee Sungmin just like everybody else around him.

His father died when he was only little. Yet, even before he died, he was one of the most distant men that Siwon could remember. Other than spending time in meetings with government officials, the rest of his father's time was wasted at different concubines' places. He remembered his eunuchs' faces even better than he remembered his own father's face.

And then there was his mother. She was the most beautiful person that he had ever seen. But she was also the saddest person he had known. She was convinced that every concubine in the Palace had turned against her and that they would do anything to harm her and himself if they had the chance. Even though she was a Gwibin, she lived in fear of what others might do to her and her only son. She taught Siwon never to trust anyone in the Palace, or anyone in this whole world, for that matter. It was her and him against the rest of the world. But in the end, it was only him, because she, just like everybody else, had chosen the easier way and left him all alone on this earth to fend for himself. She had succumbed to the sadness and madness that were always inside of her, driving her to self-destruction. She took her own life when Siwon was barely six years old.

So, family, and friends, for him, are mere words for people that have control over your life. His father left him his whole kingdom with no choice other than to rule it. His mother had taken any hope he had left of a good life and kindness to others. What is he now, if not just a puppet, mastered from above and laughed at from below?

- We're at Gyeongnam, nauri*.

(* "Nauri" is used to address a general person of a higher class in Joseon. In this circumstance, the official addresses Siwon as "nauri" and not as "jeonha" because he is undercover).

The official reminds him, pulling him out of his long endless thoughts.

- Yes. Show me around.

- Yes, nauri.

The official continues to lead his way. He goes on with his endless anecdotes of his families and government pals. Siwon is close to telling him to just "shut up", but his self-control got the best of him, and he settled to faking smiles at every end of the story.

Gyeongnam was no different than the last time he visited. The houses were small and old, but people could fit families of four into them. The streets were cleaner than the last time he was here. Along the sides, people were trading produce or handmade crafts. Somewhere inside the houses, he hears a few cries from a baby, then a soft hush and a melodic lullaby. Everything was as hopeful as they can be. There were no tiny houses made from leaves, no beggars, no corrupt officials like Lee Sungmin had said. Everything was good, and everything was normal.

When he passes an alley that leads to another road, his eyes catch a middle-aged couple standing with a few guards on the other side of the alley. The man, out of the couple, wears the raggedest of clothes. He also has to lean himself onto a cane. His skin is tanned and blemished like he has been exposed to the worst outdoor conditions. The woman, standing next to him, is holding a baby. Siwon guesses that must be a quite difficult baby, since she is constantly soothing it by singing and shaking it from side to side. On their faces, an intense worry is present. Siwon cannot hear what they are saying to the guards, or what the guards are telling them, but judging from their body language and facial expressions, he guesses that the conversation cannot be too pleasant. 

Only after a swift moment, did they make an extremely disapproving expression, then turn around like they were leaving. This has certainly piqued Siwon's interest, and he signals for his eunuchs to distract the official, then quietly digress from them. He starts to follow the couple but keeps a safe distance between them.

He follows them through the busy markets in the city, then to the less occupied streets in outer Hanyang, and then out of the gates to the Capital city. They pass all the empty grass fields, then paddy fields, then a small river. Occasionally, the baby would start fussing again. The mother would lightly soothe it, but she would end up sobbing herself.

The sun is about to set. Just when Siwon feels like they will be on the road forever, the smallest house appears before his eyes, in the middle of an empty land and amidst all the dirt of the roads. As he gets closer to the house, he finally sees it. What he has been told, but could never believe. The truth that was easier to condemn as a lie. 

A whole slum village becomes visible. House after house sticks together as if they would not be able to stand by themselves. Some are made from bricks, but most are assembled from big tree trunks and leaves. Sometimes, when the wind passes, he can see the roof slightly swing itself with the wind.

The main roads that lead to the village are filled with dirt and water. An unbearable stench immediately surrounds him, and he knows that it is from those houses, these people, and even the roads that he is now walking on. He knows that it consists of sweat, tears, blood, waste, and human waste.

He walks around until he is completely surrounded by those houses and people. Until he realises, there is no end to this place. Until, he realises, this place IS his Joseon.

Lee Sungmin once said, that there are villages in Joseon where the houses are so old and small that they can only be used for shelter when it rains.

He walks around, and he is surrounded by those houses.

Lee Sungmin said that, the real poor in Joseon are not even allowed in Gyeongnam, and that they are cast out to the outskirts of Hanyang where it would take a day to get there.

Siwon looks around, and the couple that led him here are still sitting on the side of the road, soothing their baby, and silently sobbing.

Lee Sungmin said that, there are 'fake' slums and there are real ones.

Siwon looks around.

He has now seen the real slums of Joseon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sungmin feels Geocheonggung is somehow noisier than usual today.

He starts to hear arguing voices from the gates, all over the yard, and to the door to his room. Curious, he peeks out of the door, only to see Jang Sugwon and Park Gwiin standing in the yard, quarrelling with his eunuchs and court ladies.

The alcohol from last night does not seem to have left him yet. His head feels like it is being banged against a wall. Everything seems to float around him. He tries to take one step ahead, but stumbles around until the third time. Once he is outside the door, he walks towards Park Gwiin and bows to greet her.

- Good morning, Park Gwiin mama. I wish you well...

 Sungmin is barely finished with his greeting when Jang Sugwon interrupts.

- Do you, Lee Sugyeong mama?

Sungmin stands up to look at her.

- Is there something wrong?

- You have to ask that question? You...

Park Gwiin signals for her to keep quiet, and raises her voice for the first time.

- Lee Sugyeong, we wonder if you have been in Jang Sugwon's gung lately. She recently lost some money, and both her eunuchs and your eunuchs have recalled seeing you nearby. 

Sungmin turns to look at his eunuchs. Who among these people have the guts to frame their own masters?

- We don't have to ask him, mama. I know that he stole my money as payback for the last time I tried to teach him and Kim Sowon a lesson. My eunuchs have seen you around my gung, and your own eunuchs say that you often sneak out of your own room at night. Is that not enough proof?

- Park Gwiin mama, Jang Sugwon, this is only a misunderstanding. - Sungmin calmly explains. - I have only been to your gung once and that was when I first came to the Palace. I've never set foot inside anymore time since then!

- Then you wouldn't mind us searching your gung, Lee Sugyeong?

Park Gwiin continues.

Sungmin thinks for a short while and agrees. 

- You can search all you want. I have nothing to hide, mama.

The eunuchs seem to have been waiting for this cue, and proceed to his rooms immediately.

They wait for a long while. Just when Sungmin thinks that they are done, they appear before their eyes with an elegantly sewn bag used to hold valuable things for royalties. One look at it and Sungmin knows that he has been set up.

- Lee Sugyeong mama, we have found the most solid proof here! - Jang Sugwon sounds more excited than angry.

- Park Gwiin mama, Jang Sugwon, I have never seen that thing in my life! - Sungmin explains.

- Really? Of course you would deny!

- Lee Sugyeong, I really wanted to believe you - Park Gwiin interferes. - But all the evidence we have point to you. I can't imagine anyone can just come into your gung and plant the bag there!

- But would I just hide it in my gung if I had stolen it, mama? It's too obvious. - Sungmin remains calm.

- Maybe the best place to hide is the most obvious place, Lee Sugyeong! - Jang Sugwon retorts.

Sungmin can only glare at her. He does not know how to argue with her.

- If you have the guts to do it, then you have the guts to pay for it, Lee Sugyeong. - Jang Sugwon continues and turns to Park Gwiin. - We have to punish him, mama.

Park Gwiin nods her head and signals for the eunuchs to come closer. They start to approach Sungmin, and when they take his arms and force him to kneel down, he could see a whip in Eunuch Kim's hand. 

He only chuckles. He now understands. This is Jang Sugwon's pathetic payback for missing Ryeowook last time.

He looks up up and glares at Jang Sugwon a second time. This time, he announces clearly.

- Jang Sugwon, if this is your pathetic revenge for last time, then just know this, you will not get away with it.

His words startle her slightly. But she regains her attitude immediately and yells to the eunuchs.

- What are you doing just standing there!? 

Upon her command, the whip comes down on Sungmin's back. A stinging pain makes him jump in his spot. But the eunuchs' hands are strongs to keep him in place.

The second one comes immediately after the first, exactly where he was hit last time. The eunuchs are experienced.

The third one.

And fourth.

He finds himself biting his own lips to keep from groaning. On his forehead, sweats start to appear.

But he would endure this. He did not do the things that they had accused him of, but he would not beg them. Doing that would only mean admitting guilt.

The fifth and sixth whips hit him even harder than the last ones. On his back, there is no spot that has not been hit.

The whip is about to come down for a seventh one, when they hear an eunuch announcing loudly.

- The King approaching.

Jang Sugwon and Park Gwiin's faces turn immediately. The arrogance and satisfaction have completely disappeared and are replaced by worry and fear.

They kneel down on the ground, waiting for the King to make his appearance.

Sungmin is thrown to the ground as the eunuchs try to kneel as quickly as possible.

- We wish you well, jeonha.

They greet the King simultaneously.

Sungmin tries to lift himself up with his arm, but fails. He falls to the ground again, making a slight 'Ah' grunt. He finally manages to kneel down on the third try. The King's eyes remain glued on him.

- What on earth is going on here? What are you doing? - The head eunuch enquires.

No one dares to speak.

- What is going on? - He repeats.

Jang Sugwon looks at Park Gwiin anxiously. She has to think carefully of what to say next.

- Jeonha, - Park Gwiin starts speaking. - Jang Sugwon and I suspect Lee Sugyeong had something to do with the stolen money in Jang Sugwon's gung, so we came here to ask him. Jang Sugwon's eunuchs said that have seen Lee Sugyeong around her gung. Even Lee Sugyeong's eunuchs confirm he is often out at night alone, so we....

- Enough. I don't want to hear it.  - The King looks at her solemnly.

- But, jeonha....

- I said, I. don't. want. to. hear. it. - He emphasises each word, then, as swiftly as he came, the King goes over to where Sungmin is kneeling. He lifts Sungmin up and easily carries him up the stairs, through the patio, and into his room.

On the yard, Park Gwiin and Jang Sugwon remain silent at what had just happened before their eyes.

~~~~~~~~~

The head eunuch finally manages to take care of everything on the yard. He turns to look at the gung right before his eyes, and lets out a small sigh. Jealousy and rage. Competition and schemes in the Palace. When will they end? This place is like an ocean. In just a blink of an eye, a bigger fish will have swallowed whole a small fish without even a trace.

It takes the Royal Doctor hours to finish rubbing healing ointment on Sungmin's wounds. Outside, the King patiently waits for the Doctor to inform him of the other's status. When he hears that Sungmin's wounds will unlikely leave any long-term effects, he lets out a smile that even he feels unfamiliar with. 

The eunuchs open the door for him to enter the room. On the white and soft mattress, he sees Sungmin lying up side down. Sungmin immediately turns to kneel to him, but he only signals for him to lie back down.

- Jeonha, are you okay? - Sungmin speaks up.

- Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that? - He looks at Sungmin.

Sungmin only chuckles nervously at his question.

- It's just that ... you haven't been here for a while. I just thought maybe something had happened.

The King ponders his answer for a while, then starts speaking.

- You were right.

Sungmin looks at him confusedly.

- You were right. About the slums of Joseon. I went to Gyeongnam, and it isn't a real slum, is it? I followed a poor couple to the outskirts of Hanyang, and I saw it. Village after village. I saw the small and old houses. I saw the starving beggars. I saw the dirty and smelly roads. For the first time in my life, I saw all of them.

Sungmin looks at him more carefully. The King's face seems sadder than ever. And somehow, Sungmin could see a lost look behind those eyes that always seemed so strong and solemn.

He slowly picks himself up and sits next to the King. Without any struggle from the other, he takes that tall and strong figure into his open arms. The King's head rests on Sungmin's shoulders, and after a while, he could feel his shirt getting damper.

Neither of them knows what to say at that moment. But, as Sungmin feels clearly in his heart, words are overestimated sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~

Kyuhyun closes the paper bag that he has been holding tightly from the market.

He quickens his steps to get to Geoncheonggung. He imagines, that if he is late again, Sungmin will smack his shoulder and yell at him irritatedly. But he would just end up laughing. Sungmin could never get angry with anyone.

The gate to Geoncheonggung is visible before his eyes. But this time, he sees rows of guards and eunuchs standing at the gate and in the yard inside. Worried something had happened to Sungmin, he paces forward to the gate.

- Is everything alright? - He asks one of the guards.

- Yes, Jo yeonggam mama. Just that... the King is here.

Confused, Kyuhyun asks another time.

- Why is the King here?

The guards only look at each other. Something suddenly hits Kyuhyun, but he would not believe it unless they tell him word by word.

The guards finally tell him.

- He... is spending the night here, mama.

His heart skipped a beat.

He feels as if the light in his eyes has now disappeared forever.

As if someone had stolen a piece of his organs because, at the moment, all he could feel was something broken and empty inside his chest.

The paper bag drops silently to the ground.

His Sungmin, has officially become The King's concubine.