Seon arrived at Seong's chamber in the government office and, without waiting for the guard to finish his announcement, barged right in. Startled by the intrusion, Seong looked up and greeted Seon with an awkward smile.
"Seon, you're here."
He felt foolish for his forced smile and quickly replaced it with a neutral expression.
Despite being his cousin, Seon had always been a difficult person for Seong to deal with, almost as much as his deceased father, Cheon Yong. While Seong readily offered a friendly smile to everyone in Wicheong Palace, he found himself strangely ill at ease around Seon. He was aware of her lingering resentment over her father's death. He also remembered how, as children, he often envied Seon for being the one to sit on Cheon Yong's lap instead of him. And he simply couldn't handle her bold personality, which even her own brother, Ryang, found challenging.
Seon had always been told that she resembled her aunt, Myeonghyeon Jin, both in appearance and personality. While this made her a difficult presence for Seong, it also made her strangely captivating. However, as she grew older, Seon came to loathe those who saw Myeonghyeon Jin in her. Ironically, she and Hwan, who inherited their mother's traits more strongly, looked more like siblings than he and Hwan, despite being twins. Yet, no one dared to mention this resemblance.
The unspoken betrothal between the royal family and House Myeonghyeon also contributed to Seong's awkwardness around Seon. Everyone in Wicheong Palace expected Seon to marry either Seong or Hwan once she came of age. After Hwan defied their elders and chose Yirahng, Seong became the default choice. Although no one openly discussed the marriage after Myeonghyeon Seung's death and Seon's subsequent withdrawal from Wicheong Palace, it was widely believed that Ryang would have pushed for the union had the Crimson Star not appeared. Seong knew that Seon resented him even more for this reason.
Seon's smile as she stood before him was laced with venom, and her opening remark confirmed his expectations.
"You seem quite cheerful," Seon began, "considering you've just thrown my brother and me to the wolves."
"It's not often we see each other alone," Seong replied with feigned nonchalance. "What brings you here? Have a seat."
Seon sat down, her eyes still fixed on him with suspicion. Seong poured her a cup of water and asked, "Did you rush here because of the Ministry?"
"What else would bring me here?" she retorted.
"You know I can't stop them this time," Seong said. "I managed to prevent it last time, but not now. With Baek Ryucheon and everyone else watching, we can't allow the Ministry to openly rebel. And I understand your concerns about House Myeonghyeon losing its influence. But we agreed to give your house full authority over negotiations with Sung. The support from Sung will far exceed our current assets. That alone will prevent the Ministry from acting against you."
"That was already ours," Seon countered. "We don't need you to grant it to us."
Seong was taken aback. "You seem to have become quite close to him," he remarked. "He looks at arm's length with Ryang while he's treating him every night."
"Who besides you gets along with my brother?" Seon scoffed. "He's too arrogant… Surely you haven't told the High Emissary about his treatment, have you?"
"They're already looking for ways to attack Ryang, even without that information." Seong paused, then asked, "Can we trust Baek Ryucheon?"
"Trust?" Seon scoffed. "We're just using each other."
"If that's true, then we don't have much to offer Sung," Seong pointed out.
"There's always a reason when a significant amount of money changes hands," Seon countered. "We need to find out what we're unknowingly offering them. What's certain is that we're not their target. We're just bait."
"If we're bait, what's your strategy?" Seong asked. "Just go along with whatever they want?"
"For now," Seon replied.
Can I trust you?
Seong wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come. Seon had just mocked the very notion of trust between people. Her flawless, confident smile unnerved him. Is she only staying by my side because she has something to gain from the fallen prince? Or does she have a different agenda than Ryang? Seong scrutinized her face, his thoughts swirling with suspicion. He realized that Seon was staring back at him, her eyes challenging him to voice his doubts.
Seong quickly masked his suspicion and asked, "You didn't come here just to complain, did you? What is it?"
Seon didn't hesitate. "House Myeonghyeon is moving to Hyangdo."
Her swift, decisive response caught Seong off guard. "Does Ryang agree?" he asked in disbelief.
"I've already persuaded him," Seon replied.
"You don't trust the Ministry that much?"
"I won't be fooled a third time," Seon said, her eyes filled with a steely determination that pierced Seong's heart.
A Third time. He didn't need to ask what prior two times she was referring to. He felt a pang of guilt, and though he resented Seon for her words, he couldn't fault her decision. Instead, he tried a different tactic.
"Seolyo Jin will demand Hyangdo for herself," he warned.
"You sound just like my brother," Seon scoffed. "I'm not asking for Hyangdo. Honestly, whoever controls Hyangdo now will struggle to rebuild it without us. Why would they refuse our offer to revitalize it before we leave? Besides, who would dare challenge us with you by our side?"
Seong straightened, surprised. Seon pressed her point.
"Come with us to Hyangdo."
"But that's…"
"We can't all stay here in Nahmgyo," Seon argued. "We reclaimed Birahng, not just Nahmgyo. There are four cities to manage. What will you do once we land on the southern coast? Will we all huddle together? We lack the forces to secure all four cities. Hyangdo is the most fortified, and it's where the supplies from Dong'gyeong arrive directly. Leave Nahmgyo to the Emissaries and Seolyo Jin. They'll be happy to remain in the Sahngjon's holy city. You can take the rest of the troops and come to Hyangdo with us."
"The Ministry will see it as being entrusted with Nahmgyo. Won't Seolyo Jin be upset?"
"We're not saying we won't provide them with resources. Once we leave, Yeonyahng will naturally fall under her control. She won't have any major complaints. She knew we would leave eventually."
Seong was swayed by Seon's arguments, but he couldn't make this decision alone. He listened without committing to an answer. Seon, however, seemed confident of his agreement.
"We'll take the Princess with us," she added.
"Why?"
"Do you think she'll be safe if we leave her here?"
Seong pondered her words. Seon had rushed to him the moment she heard the news from Ryang, bombarding him with her demands—or rather, her pronouncements. He felt overwhelmed, but he couldn't deny the soundness of her reasoning. The matter of Hyangdo had been weighing on his mind as well. Although the governor sent from Sunyahng had committed suicide and his second-in-command had surrendered, it was safer to assume they could betray them at any moment. They couldn't relocate soldiers and their families to Hyangdo with its meager resources. Seon's proposal, with House Myeonghyeon taking charge of Hyangdo and receiving support from Sung, offered a compelling solution. Nahmgyo was already bustling, with limited space for expansion. Relocating House Myeonghyeon and the main forces to Hyangdo would solve several problems. However, he was concerned about taking the Princess with them, especially given the existing suspicions. But Hyangdo was free from the Ministry's watchful eyes, reducing the risk of malicious rumors and misunderstandings.
Seong agreed to Seon's plan. "Very well. Proceed with your preparations. I'll inform the Ministry and the lords that this was my decision."
Seon bowed in acceptance. Even after their conversation ended, Seong continued to gaze at her intently. Seon, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
"Indeed, you're capable of things Ryang can't," Seong replied quietly.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Can you appease the Ministry?"
Seon scoffed. "That's not something I'm particularly inclined to do, either."
"They'll be upset that I'm going to Hyangdo with you," Seong explained. "Even if I tell them it was my decision, there will be resentment. The Ministry will be left alone in Nahmgyo. We need to seek their understanding."
"Who knows? Maybe they'll be happy to see us go," Seon said with a sly smile. "I understand your concerns. I'll take care of it."
With a brief bow, she turned and left.
──────────
Cheongro entered the room, pushing aside the beaded curtain. Seon greeted him in a secluded room within another inn, a few doors down from Yeonyahng. Cheongro was dressed in plain clothes, his white robes shed. Seon rose as he entered, and after a brief exchange of greetings, they settled into their seats.
"I apologize for having to meet you in such a place," Seon began. "My brother is quite cautious, so I had no choice."
"I understand," Cheongro replied. "I wouldn't want to face the one who severed my hand either. By the way, I must express my gratitude to you, Lady Myeonghyeon. Thanks to your family's generosity, the Emissaries will soon be armed. And I owe my life to you as well, don't I?"
"I was merely protecting my brother," Seon said.
"Of course," Cheongro replied with a smile. He poured himself a cup of water and rested his arms on the table. A wooden prosthetic filled the space where his right hand should have been. He leaned forward and asked, "What was so urgent that you requested this meeting?"
Seon got straight to the point. "As you may have heard from the Guardian," she announced. "House Myeonghyeon will be leaving Nahmgyo with the Guardian. We'd like to entrust Nahmgyo to the Ministry."
Cheongro raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid of something?" he asked.
Seon smiled sweetly. "Of course not. Support from Sung will arrive soon. It may be just one shipment before the monsoon, but it won't be the last. Sung wishes to continue negotiations through House Myeonghyeon. It would be more convenient for us to relocate to Hyangdo. The Guardian, who will eventually cross the southern sea to Sunyahng, would also be better situated in Hyangdo."
"Nahmgyo is a sacred city by the Founder," Cheongro argued. "Hyangdo was built by another's founder."
"And it's more fortified," Seon countered. "We can't cling to meaningless sentiments when there's so much at stake."
As they spoke, three courtesans entered the room. Cheongro feigned ignorance. "What's this?"
"Chastity may be an Emissary's duty," Seon said, "but Sahngjon is merciful. Surely he won't withhold his light for a momentary indulgence."
Cheongro let out a loud, hearty laugh. He straightened and replied with a smirk, "You're concerned about the Emissaries' indulgence? I appreciate your consideration, but I have no need for such release."
Not unless you undress, Myeonghyeon Seon.
Cheongro scoffed at her clumsy attempt. If she thought she could silence him with these courtesans, who paled in comparison to her own beauty, she was sorely mistaken. He found it amusing that Seon, still bearing the vestiges of childhood innocence, would resort to such a shallow tactic. He was also relieved that she seemed ignorant of the Ministry's true nature.
Or perhaps you're not so ignorant after all. In that case, you're no different from me.
Cheongro said politely, "I understand your intentions. I'll convey your message to the High Emissary. Take good care of the Guardian."
He rose and left, leaving Seon alone.
Seon couldn't shake off the feeling of disgust on her way home. Though their conversation had concluded without any overt insults, and she had seemingly achieved her goals, the memory of Cheongro's sly grin left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Fucking son of a bitch," she muttered under her breath.
Upon arriving at the residence, she summoned Ryucheon to her chamber and pulled him into a tight embrace. Ryucheon, caught off guard by her urgency, chuckled.
"My, someone's in a mood today," he teased, his lips tracing a path along her neck. "Such a tight grip, isn't it?"
Seon's hand, which had been gripping the sheets, suddenly flew out, connecting with Ryucheon's cheek in a sharp slap. Ryucheon recoiled, nursing his stinging cheek.
"Feisty, aren't you?" he said. "OK. I'll keep my mouth shut."
"If you have the energy for idle chatter, then put it to better use," Seon retorted.
Ryucheon, taking the hint, eagerly obeyed her command. After their passionate encounter, the cool night air offered some respite from the summer heat. Ryucheon, naked and unashamed, strode towards the table and picked up his pipe. A small flame flickered in the darkness, and soon, the scent of tobacco smoke drifted towards the bed where Seon lay.
"May I ask you something?" Ryucheon asked.
Seon remained silent. Ryucheon moved closer and continued, "How did your grandparents survive the fire?"