Haneul instructed her momjong to gather everything they would need for the journey. Without informing the other sibi, she ordered her to pack only a few simple garments and the finest medicinal herbs available.
The momjong asked no questions.
She simply bowed and left Lady Han's chambers.
By morning, the Daesagan's eunuch arrived to inform Haneul that all preparations were complete and that everyone was waiting outside.
When she stepped into the courtyard, she found her momjong already standing beside the supplies, surrounded by the soldiers assigned to escort them.
Her eyes immediately swept across the area.
Searching.
Waiting.
Looking for someone.
Her momjong noticed.
"Is something wrong, my lady?"
"No," Haneul replied a little too quickly.
Then she turned toward the eunuch.
"Where is your master? Will he not come to give the final instructions himself?"
The eunuch bowed respectfully.
"My lady, everything he wished to convey has already been delivered through me. Are you expecting additional orders?"
"No!"
The answer escaped more sharply than she intended.
Recovering herself, she asked casually,
"Do you know if he will be coming out soon?"
"Coming out?" the eunuch repeated, confused.
"Yes," Haneul said. "To say goodbye."
The eunuch blinked.
"I am sorry, my lady. The young Daesagan is occupied with other matters. His only instruction was that I personally escort you to the front courtyards and ensure everything was prepared for your journey."
Hidden beneath her long sleeves, Haneul clenched her fists.
"What is wrong with Jun-ho?" she thought bitterly. "Why has he suddenly changed?"
The memory of his cold voice still stung.
"Ingrate."
"Unbearable man."
"Completely ill-mannered."
The words slipped quietly from her lips.
The eunuch tilted his head.
"Did you say something, my lady?"
Haneul simply stared at him.
A look sharp enough to silence any further questions.
Moments later, she climbed into the noble gama alongside her momjong, who carefully arranged the bundles of supplies behind them.
What neither woman knew was that they were being watched.
Far above, hidden within one of the upper corridors overlooking the courtyard, Jun-ho stood motionless.
Watching.
Waiting.
He remained concealed until the palanquin finally passed through the estate gates.
Only then did he emerge.
The moment the eunuch returned from the courtyard, Jun-ho approached him.
"What were you speaking about with her?"
His expression remained perfectly composed.
Only the anxiety in his eyes betrayed him.
The eunuch bowed.
"She asked about you, young master."
Jun-ho's heart tightened.
"And?"
"I told her exactly what you instructed me to say."
A pause.
"Did she say anything afterward?"
The question came more quietly than intended.
"No, young master."
The eunuch hesitated.
"She boarded the palanquin without another word."
For several moments, Jun-ho stood in silence.
Then he nodded.
Nothing more.
He turned and walked back toward his chambers.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Because he knew Haneul likely despised him at that moment.
And yet—
If her resentment kept her alive...
It was a price he would gladly pay.
Hours later, Haneul and her escort reached the vessel that would secretly carry them toward the northern mountains.
The soldiers swiftly loaded every belonging aboard.
Another guard, stern and reserved, immediately escorted the women below deck to the private cabins where they would remain hidden for the duration of the journey.
The momjong watched the armed men with growing unease.
The medicinal supplies.
The secrecy.
The urgency.
She still had no idea what was truly happening.
But the atmosphere surrounding them felt so solemn that she dared not ask.
Elsewhere, far from the river, Kang-dae prepared himself.
Every movement was deliberate.
Every breath controlled.
He inspected his sword one final time before fastening it securely at his side.
Tomorrow night, he would step into the palace he had once sworn to protect.
Tomorrow night, everything would change.
Meanwhile, the outer courtyards of the royal palace buzzed with frantic activity.
Officials and servants raced against time to complete the preparations for the Sandaenori.
Platforms were erected.
Decorations hung.
Musicians tuned their instruments.
Dancers rehearsed the sacred purification rites.
Guards reinforced every perimeter.
Though countless people moved through the courtyards, an uneasy tension lingered over them all.
Everyone sensed that something important was approaching.
Even if they could not name it.
And from the shadows of the court...
Lord Min watched.
A cold smile curved across his lips as he observed the chaos unfolding before him.
Everything was proceeding exactly as expected.
His own plan had already been set into motion.
Every detail calculated.
Every piece in place.
Soon, the trap would close.
And he remained blissfully unaware of the move Jun-ho and Kang-dae had just made behind his back.
The final move.
The one neither side could afford to lose.
Cliffhanger — The Last Night of Ignorance
That night, three people went to sleep believing tomorrow would change everything.
Haneul believed she was traveling to save her father.
Kang-dae believed he was returning to rescue his King.
Lord Min believed he was about to destroy his enemies once and for all.
Only Jun-ho remained awake.
Alone.
Staring into the darkness.
Because he was the only one who knew what tomorrow would truly bring.
Not just a rescue.
Not just a battle.
Not just a conspiracy.
Tomorrow—
Haneul would discover that the man she had mourned for years was alive.
And for the first time since he had met her...
Jun-ho found himself fearing the dawn.