Chaerin never saw Jiyong again, not after what she had said to him and what he had said to her.

According to the King, General Kwon had been sent away to guard the borders of Jeju Island from pirate invasions, and it was known that he would not be returning anytime soon. When Chaerin heard of this from the King himself, she was pleasantly surprised to find that, although her heart may have skipped a beat at the mere mention of his name, her mind remained empty. Unfazed, Chaerin replied, “Why do you suppose I would care of this, Your Majesty?”

Chaerin then pretended not to realize that her husband smiled.

The relationship between the King and Chaerin progressed in a better light as time gradually passed. Although the King never forgot how his wife and his general committed adultery together, he had chosen to leave it all behind—after all, General Kwon was no longer in the picture. Occasionally, the King would ask Chaerin if she has ever regretted her decision to abort her baby. And Chaerin would respond without hesitation, that there was no use in regretting, because there was nothing to regret for in the first place.

That satisfied the King, and their marriage proceeded on in a usual state purely of business. No love ever blossomed between the two powerful individuals, no matter how much glances they’d stole, or how much smiles they’d exchanged, but everything was at peace.

Royal Consort Lady Kim, on the other hand, bore the nation a princess, whom, although she loved dearly, knew that she had disappoint the Empress Dowager. Almost at once, Lord Yi reappeared, after so long of not stepping into the Queen’s residence, upon hearing such delighted news. He had a grin so wide he could barely hide it, much to his daughter’s chagrin.

“Do not fail me this time.” Was all he told her. Chaerin wanted very much to tell her father to leave, get out of my sight, but all she could do was to bite down her current predicament, eat her bitterness and swallow her own misery.

Regardless, she need not have to worry, for all problems the King have had before this, each passive evenings, seem to have disappeared. Initially, Chaerin wondered what made the King recover from his previous state of cowardice, (was it because there was still no prince for the nation? or…) but realized herself that all along, her question has already been answered.

Chaerin conceived again (she vowed to herself that this would be the last). Nine months went by safely.  And this time, the Queen bore a healthy prince for the nation.

Chaerin was finally at ease, free from all pressure her father had given her, free from all expectations the Empress Dowager had bestow upon her. She could stand tall again, proud of the name she was carrying, relieved that she has finally fulfilled her birthright duty.

When her prince grew up and became six years of age, she found out that General Kwon had return. Coincidentally, or by fate, Chaerin did not know, she met him on the way to visit the Palace’s garden. There was a pause as both of them fought hard not to look at each other in the eye. He bowed his head, as how a servant would bow to his mistress, and stood his ground until Chaerin walked past him.

She did not look into his direction.

A week later, Chaerin learned that Jiyong had request to formally leave h