Ryucheon's eyes were unreadable in the dim light. Seon shook her head.
"We don't know either," she admitted. "Father promised to tell us after I came of age, but he passed away suddenly before that... Why do you ask?"
"I've witnessed some strange things lately," Ryucheon replied. "I wondered if perhaps you possess some unique bloodline."
"If we did, do you think our ancestors would have been treated as Leftovers among the Celestial Scions?"
"If you don't," Ryucheon countered, "then how did your grandparents escape the fire?"
Seon chuckled. "Perhaps the story of the Founder setting fire to the house with them inside is just a fabrication."
"You think Yeongshin Hyeon let them escape?"
"Isn't that a more plausible story?"
Ryucheon laughed softly and walked towards the window, pushing it open. The humid air of the early summer night filled the room, dispelling the haze of tobacco smoke and moonlight. Ryucheon stood by the window and said, "Speaking of your father... I understand that the person responsible for his sudden death is the same one who recently caused trouble for your brother."
Ryucheon remained nonchalant, as he had been with Ryang. Seon simply stared at him.
"Cheon Hwan, precisely," Ryucheon added.
"I know who you're talking about," Seon said. "Did you tell my brother as well?"
"Indeed," Ryucheon replied with a smile. "It was quite amusing to see his usually pale face turn even paler."
His smile was light, his eyes gleaming with mischief. It was clear that he enjoyed provoking the siblings with the mere mention of Cheon Hwan's name. He seemed to believe he could manipulate them with those two syllables alone.
"You seem to spend your days digging into our past," Seon remarked.
"That's my job," Ryucheon replied. "Don't take it personally."
"Whether you know the full story or not," Seon said, "it's only natural for my brother and me to hate that bastard."
Ryucheon laughed and shook his head. "That reaction seems more like fear than hatred. Though I'm sure your brother wouldn't appreciate this assessment."
"Only a fool wouldn't be afraid after what we've been through," Seon countered. She paused, then asked, "Did you hear about it from Hongyoo?"
Ryucheon laughed. "So Hongyoo knew about Cheon Hwan as well. That damned traitor. This is why you shouldn't trust those with questionable origins."
"Where did you hear it?" Seon pressed.
"Even the lowliest soldiers know about your father's death," Ryucheon said dismissively. "Why are you so eager to uncover my source? Your enemy is your lord's twin brother, and thousands know of Cheon Hwan's existence. How long did you think you could keep it a secret? I hear he even sails around Soyeol with black sails on his ship."
"Soyeol is full of madmen," Seon retorted. "There's no benefit in revealing his existence ourselves."
Unlike the subtly threatening tone he had used with Ryang, Ryucheon addressed Seon with a gentle, almost comforting demeanor.
"Your father, and then nearly your brother, both at his hands," he said sympathetically. "I can only imagine the depth of your resentment. But your lord saved your brother's life. Surely you must repay that devotion with loyalty."
"Devotion?" Seon scoffed, unable to conceal her disdain even in the face of consolation. "It seems you haven't quite grasped how my brother ended up in that predicament."
Ryucheon observed her for a moment, then asked, "You evaded my question about your chances of victory the other day. Let me rephrase it. Which of the two descendants is more fit to rule?"
"Neither," Seon replied without hesitation.
Ryucheon chuckled softly. "Listen carefully," he clarified. "I asked which one is more fit to rule."
Seon glared at him. "That's a cruel question. You're asking me to weigh the man who murdered my father?"
"If, as you say, one of them murdered your father," Ryucheon countered, "and you harbor even a shred of loyalty towards your lord, you would have answered immediately instead of complaining about the question."
Seon turned away, her lips pressed tightly together.
"Why are you clinging to this cause?" Ryucheon pressed. He continued his provocation, "Is it merely a vague hope, clinging to prophecies and Sahngjon's mystical powers?"
"It's my family's legacy," Seon replied.
"Family is just a name," Ryucheon dismissed.
"Are you free from your name, Baek?" Seon countered.
"I still carry my name," Ryucheon conceded, "but I walk a different path than my ancestors. The weight of the burdens we carry may slow us down, but it shouldn't make us stumble and stray from the right path. If a name is too heavy to bear, it's best to cast it aside."
He leaned closer and asked, "What about Princess Kyeong'ui? Is she fit to rule?"
"Why do you ask about the princess?" Seon retorted. "You told us to kill her."
"It's just a casual conversation," Ryucheon said with a smile. "Surely we can ask questions."
Despite his friendly tone, a conversation with Ryucheon was never just casual. Seon feigned indifference as she replied, "She stabbed her lover to death, then killed my uncle and wounded the Guardian Crimson in the ensuing chaos. Even if she's skilled with a bow, that's not something just anyone can do."
"Hongyoo certainly misjudged her," Ryucheon chuckled. "To think he believed a girl like that would run away with him."
He took another puff from his pipe, amused by Seon's assessment. Seon watched the smoke curl from his lips and decided to reveal something that would surely displease him.
"Hongyoo confessed everything before he died," she said. "She knows Sung was manipulating her. If she survives and returns to Sunyahng, things will get very interesting."
Seon watched Ryucheon's amusement fade.
"That's why she has to die," Ryucheon said with a smile devoid of warmth.
Ryucheon extinguished his pipe and returned to Seon's side, lying down beside her. Seon ran her fingers through his damp hair a few times, then changed the subject.
"We're leaving for Hyangdo tomorrow," she announced. "The Guardian will accompany us, and the Ministry will remain in Nahmgyo. What are your plans?"
"I'm bound to House Myeonghyeon on this island," he replied without hesitation. "I'll follow you, of course. Besides, Hyangdo is where the Dae-Sung ships will arrive..."
"But why this sudden decision?"
"The Ministry is rearming because of my brother's blunder," Seon explained. "They'll outnumber our men significantly."
"I've had the opportunity to observe the Emissaries while tending to the wounded," Ryucheon said. "They don't seem like much of a threat, even with weapons."
"Our residence isn't an impenetrable fortress," Seon countered. "We can't withstand an attack from a force that size."
Ryucheon raised an eyebrow. "Was it your brother's idea to leave Nahmgyo?"
"It was my decision," Seon affirmed. "My brother has no say in the matter after his blunder…"
She muttered a curse under her breath, her annoyance still evident.
"It seems the monsoon will hit the moment you settle in Hyangdo," Ryucheon remarked. "You can't lay the foundation in the rain. Where do you plan to stay?"
"We'll stay at the government office during the monsoon," Seon replied casually. "It's empty anyway."
Ryucheon gazed at her, his eyes tracing the delicate curve of her face. Seon shifted under his intense gaze, about to speak, when he interrupted her.
"From my limited understanding," he said, "it seems you're the one protecting your family, not your brother. Trust your own judgment, no matter what wise words he offers. That's how you'll survive, and how you'll keep him alive."
"You always speak like a wise sage," Seon teased.
"Despite my pretensions," Ryucheon chuckled, "you're the one making the decisions. Perhaps my words sound wise to you?"
"Be quiet," Seon said, silencing him.
Ryucheon leaned back against the pillows. "In that case, I'll head to Hyangdo tomorrow at dawn," he announced.
"So soon? There aren't many decent lodgings there."
"I'm not picky about where I sleep," Ryucheon replied with a playful grin. "So maybe I could cuddle up on your tummy tonight?"
He settled himself against Seon's stomach, his breath warm against her skin. Seon rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile at his childish antics. Ryucheon fell asleep quickly, his soft snores filling the room.
Seon visited Mujin at dawn, who she had secretly smuggled into the residence. Mujin had been stabbed in the shoulder and severely wounded in the thigh towards the end of the battle. According to Ryucheon, who had treated him instead of the Emissaries, Mujin was lucky to have survived without any major arteries being severed, but it was uncertain whether he would regain full use of his leg. Mujin was awake when Seon entered the room, but he avoided her gaze. Seon had been checking on him daily, and his complexion was improving day by day.
"I saved your life," Seon remarked. "I told you I would remember your face and name."
Mujin didn't reply and closed his eyes.
As Seon left the room, she encountered Ryang, who had woken early for his training session with Joon. Whether he had been waiting for her or their encounter was coincidental, she couldn't tell, but his face was etched with worry.
"He's not going to be swayed," Ryang said. "What are you planning to do with him?"
"I'm not trying to sway him," Seon replied. "I didn't have any particular plan when I brought him here."
"Then why?"
"He knows where the assets are. It's safer to keep him under our roof, regardless of how we use him later."
Ryang didn't seem convinced by her casual explanation. But Seon no longer cared about his suspicions.
"What are you waiting for?" she asked. "It's daybreak. We have work to do. We don't have time for this."
She brushed past him and headed towards the inn. The morning sun dispelled the lingering silence of dawn, and the household was soon bustling with preparations for their move.
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On Seong's orders, Kyeong'ui was moved to the guesthouse. With High Emissary Norahn residing in the adjacent room, it wasn't a comfortable arrangement for either of them. As Ryang had promised, a physician from the Ministry, sent by Seong, examined Kyeong'ui's injured mouth and cheeks, and checked her overall health. Her wounds were healing well, and aside from some skin rashes caused by days of starvation and lack of hygiene, she was in decent condition.
Seong also allowed her to bathe on the day of her relocation. A young Emissary, several years Kyeong'ui's junior, attended to her. Despite being a captive, Kyeong'ui still held the status of a princess, which made the Emissary visibly uncomfortable. She couldn't meet her eyes whenever she exposed her body. Kyeong'ui took the opportunity to slip Hongyoo's ring, which she had been keeping hidden in her clothes, under her tongue, careful not to swallow it accidentally.
As she sank into the wooden bathtub, the steaming water turned crimson with sweat and blood. Consumed by anger and despair, she hadn't had the time to worry about discomfort or uncleanliness. But now, immersed in the warm water, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. It had been so long since she had experienced such comfort and warmth that tears welled in her eyes. However, she couldn't allow herself such self-pity and choked back the sobs, her throat aching. The Emissary changed the water twice during her bath and then handed her fresh clothes – not the black attire she was used to, but a crisp, clean set.
The same Emissary brought her meals the next day, both breakfast and lunch, indicating that she had been assigned as her attendant. Has Ryang dismissed the rough soldiers? There was no point in speculating about his motives, but it was certainly an opportunity for Kyeong'ui. When the Emissary entered with her dinner, Kyeong'ui seized her by the neck, grabbed a chopstick that had fallen from the overturned tray, and held it against her throat. The guards, alerted by the commotion, rushed in with their swords drawn.
"What do you think you're doing?!" one of them shouted.
"Bring me your rogue lord," Kyeong'ui demanded.