“Baekhyun!”

A low voice woke Baekhyun from the slumber he was in, but he didn’ actually open his eyes until he felt a light touch on his chest patting him awake.

He woke up to see Gayeon hovering over him in the darkness. “What is it?”

“Get up Baekhyun. I have something to tell you.” the girl whispered, eyeing Jongin who slept beside him, as if to say they should not wake him with their talk. Groaning, Baekhyun sat up, and rubbed his face. “Tell me what?”

“I couldn't sleep, and I tried to recall all the connections between the noblemen I might know.'' Gayeon explained in her lowered voice, settling to sit beside him and eagerly leaning close. “And I actually recalled something quite useful. Lord Do’s brother, I mean Do Kyungsoo’s uncle, was once suspected for helping Prince Jeonghoon for illegal gold trading from middle east countries. If those people who trapped your father and tried to dethrone HIs Majesty are actually related to Prince Jeonghoon, His Majesty’s cousin, that Do Kyungsoo’s uncle is probably the one funding for everything!”

Baekhyun listened in silence, and slowly nodded. “And?”

“Maybe they’re using Do Kyungsoo’s father without telling him their actual intentions.” Gayeon explained. “Like someone they can throw into fire if they ever get caught. Maybe that’s why they hide their documents in this Do’s mansion.”

“Good thinking!” Jongin's voice made both Gayeon and Baekhyun jump in surprise. “You were awake?” Baekhyun asked, as his cousin sat up and stretched himself. “I’m quite a light sleeper, you know. And good to hear that we are getting somewhere with this case. So what’s our plan hyung?” He turned to Baekhyun.

“Breaking into the Do’s place.” Baekhyun replied. “Again.”

* * *

And so they were there, Baekhyun and Jongin, inside the Do Mansion’s library just a few hours prior to dawn.

“You said you found those letters in the master bedroom. Didn’t you hyung?” Jongin asked, as Baekhyun frantically went through piles of parchment stacked on a table. “I did.” Baekhyun nodded as he searched. “But there might be evidence here as well. Within the least expected books.”

“Fine. Then you search here, and I’ll look in the master bedroom.” Jongin walked towards the door.

“Jongin!” Baekhyun called out before his cousin could exit. “He’s in there! What if he wakes up while you’re going through his belongings?”

“Chill, hyung.” Jongin smirked. “This is not my first time breaking into a house you see.”

Jongin left the library for Lord Do’s bedroom, and Baekhyun continued his search through the bookshelves.

History of Joseon, History of the Qing Dynasty, Pirates of Western Sea, World Geography, Indian Culture…

A tickly folded parchment fell out from the book Indian Culture.

Baekhyun picked it up and unfolded it into a large white sheet, full of written oaths and signatures.

Reading through, his knees went weak at the oaths written on it.

They were all written by numerous Noblemen from all over Joseon, pledging their loyalty to Prince Jeonghoon, the King’s cousin, and vowing to help him to abdicate the throne from the current King.

“And for all of this…” he leaned against the nearest shelf, gripping the paper in his hand. “It was my father who had to pay.”

“Hyung!” Baekhyun raised his head to see Jongin peering through the door, holding up a small booklet in his hand. “Guess what I found.”

“What…” Baekhyun hurried to him, and Jongin waved the book in front of his eyes and shoved it into his robes. “A list of Trade Unions helping that Prince. We can read it later. But first we have to leave as soon as possible!”

“But Jongin i still have more-”

“Just get whatever you’ve found and let’s leave! We thought everyone’s asleep but DO Kyungsoo is still awake and crying over the bride he lost!”

* * *

In their hideout in the woods, Jongin and Baekhyun joined Gayeon, to discuss the information they had found.

“So many powerful trade unions here…” Gayeon muttered, as she turned the pages of the booklet Jongin had found. “And so many high-ranking officials in this list of signatures.” She looked at Baekhyun. “Do you think just these will be enough evidence to prove their guilt?”

Baekhyun shook his head. “They will deny no matter what. So I have to get more evidence.”

“And how are you going to reveal the evidence you find?” Jongin inquired. “You can’t freely enter the palace or any magistrate’s office, hyung.”

“Kim Junmyeon will help.” Baekhyun replied. “He will. Because Gayeon is with us.”

Jongin scoffed. “If you think that arrogant jerk will happily help you just because of his stubborn sister…