Princess Kyeong'ui tossed and turned throughout the night, the silence of her chambers punctuated only by the rustling of the sheets. The reality of her actions, the weight of her decision, still hadn't sunk in. In three days, she would depart from Sunyahng, embarking on a journey to the southernmost reaches of the kingdom. Her father's stern gaze, his words of warning, and Kyeongshin's jealous glare, all swirled in her mind. It felt as though she had acted rashly, impulsively. But the yearning she had nurtured for so long, in the depths of her being, was too fervent to ignore. She couldn't wait until everything was clear, until she was fully prepared.

Before dawn broke, she rose from her bed, throwing on a robe. As she opened the door, she found Hongyoo sitting outside, a palace servant by his side. Both bowed their heads respectfully. Kyeong'ui raised an eyebrow.

"You haven't slept?"

Hongyoo smiled faintly. He had spent the night listening to her restless movements.

"Neither have you, Your Highness."

"I told you to rest," Kyeong'ui said. "Why do you insist on such needless devotion?"

Hongyoo shook his head. "You would have been furious had I slept soundly while you were troubled."

Kyeong'ui's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. He was right, of course. She had often scolded him for not being readily available, despite her insistence that he rest.

"Bring us some tea," Hongyoo instructed the servant.

"Yes, sir," the servant replied.

The palace servant bowed and retreated, leaving Kyeong'ui and Hongyoo alone. She gestured for him to enter, and he closed the door behind them. She sank onto a cushion, her chin resting on her hand.

"I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep."

"Tell me what troubles you, Your Highness," Hongyoo said. "Perhaps I can be of assistance."

"You know very well what troubles me."

"I would prefer to misinterpret," Hongyoo replied with a playful wink.

A small smile touched Kyeong'ui's lips, but it quickly faded. "I acted boldly, but now I'm filled with uncertainty."

"There's no need for concern, Your Highness," Hongyoo assured her. "The Chief Royal Secretary will arrive soon. And I've sent word to House Gahngyun. Your betrothed will be here by daybreak."

Kyeong'ui's eyes widened. "The Chief Royal Secretary?"

"You're not the only one who's been awake all night," Hongyoo chuckled. "It seems even the Queen visited the main hall."

Kyeong'ui sat up straight. "Why would Mother go there?"

"I'm not privy to such information," Hongyoo admitted. "I only heard rumors of a heated exchange."

"Arguments between them are hardly unusual," Kyeong'ui trailed off.

"Are you worried?" Hongyoo asked.

"Do you remember how my brother looked at me?"

"It was a memorable expression," Hongyoo nodded.

"Do you think I made the right decision?"

"Had you hesitated, you would have regretted it."

Despite his reassurances, Kyeong'ui remained troubled. Hongyoo moved closer.

"You are the king's true heir," he said. "The Crown Prince is not yet king, and your ambition is not treason."

Kyeong'ui's lips curved into a thin smile. "You seem to know my ambitions better than I do."

"If I don't," Hongyoo replied, "then no one does."

He reached out, his fingers gently tilting her chin upwards. "It's time to prepare yourself, Your Highness. You can't receive the Chief Royal Secretary in such attire."

As he pulled away, Kyeong'ui reached for him, her hands cupping his face, her lips finding his in a playful kiss.

Baekyang Seoh, accompanied by five palace servants, arrived at Kyeong'ui's chambers. Each servant carried stacks of scrolls and documents, their arms laden with the weight of knowledge. Kyeong'ui greeted them at the door, her gaze fixed on the approaching entourage.

"Your Highness," Seoh bowed.

"Chief Royal Secretary," Kyeong'ui replied with a curt nod, her eyes still fixed on the documents. Their sheer volume was overwhelming, and she bit back a sigh of apprehension.

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"These are documents prepared by His Majesty," Seoh explained. "They include texts from the Court Library. Please review them before your departure and take them with you. You'll need to make copies of the documents, but the sealed scrolls are original copies and must not be lost. Please handle them with care."

"This is... quite a collection," Kyeong'ui said.

Seoh, without missing a beat, produced another scroll from his sleeve. "This outlines the preparations for your departure and the procedures for governing in your absence. Following these steps should ease your transition."

Kyeong'ui unfurled the scroll, her eyes scanning the elegant script that filled the page. Seoh's meticulous handwriting was a testament to the long hours he had spent preparing for her journey. Kyeong'ui felt a pang of sympathy, imagining him toiling away through the night. His face seemed more lined, his eyes heavier than she remembered.

"Did you write all of this yourself?" she asked.

"I did, Your Highness."

"Thank you for your diligence."

"It was my duty."

"Not everyone is so dedicated to their duties," Kyeong'ui remarked with a smile.

Seoh returned the smile, but his voice remained formal. "My assistance ends with your departure preparations. The rest is up to you, Your Highness."

"Please come in," Kyeong'ui insisted, gesturing towards the servants. "Their arms must be aching."

Kyeong'ui led Seoh into her private study. Palace servants followed, their arms laden with scrolls and documents, which they carefully arranged on the table. Kyeong'ui retrieved a map from the stack and unfurled it, her brow furrowing as she took in the vast expanse of empty space. The map was rudimentary, depicting only the coastline, a few major ports, the four fortress cities, and the towering peak of Shinsuk Mountain with its sacred lake, Seong’go. A wave of apprehension washed over her.

"Is this the best you have?" she asked.

"Unfortunately," Seoh replied, "this is the most detailed map in our possession. At least it shows the location of Hyangdo."

Kyeong'ui bit her lip, her frustration evident. Seoh took the map and spread it across the table, his finger tracing the crudely drawn lines.

"Birahng is...nearly foreign territory," he explained. "There were more detailed maps, but they were lost during the unrest. No effort has been made to create new ones. We rely on this rudimentary chart to navigate the coast, to collect taxes from the four cities."

"Tell me about these cities," Kyeong'ui commanded, her gaze fixed on the map.

"Dongrahng, Seorahng, and Nahmgyo are ruled by hereditary lords," Seoh explained. "Only Hyangdo, built by the Founder, is governed by an appointed official. It's a relatively new fortress, its walls strong, but its garrison small. You could request assistance from the governor if needed. He is, after all, the most knowledgeable about Birahng."

"How many soldiers are stationed in Hyangdo?"

"Between one hundred and fifty and two hundred, to my knowledge."

Kyeong'ui shook her head. "You expect me to believe that? Can such a meager force truly defend a fortress?"

"Hyangdo is not the only city that requires protection," Seoh countered. "Our borders are vast, and our forces are stretched thin. The Founder built Hyangdo out of a misguided sense of pride. He couldn't bear the thought of Nahmgyo, the sacred city of Wi, standing defiant on Birahng. But he also couldn't destroy it, not with its thriving trade with Sung and Soyeol. Hyangdo is a fortress in name only, its population sparse, its strategic value limited. The true heart of Birahng still remains Nahmgyo."

He pointed to a spot on the map, his finger tracing the southern coastline. Kyeong'ui's gaze followed his movement.

"How can you be so certain?" she asked. "The situation might have changed."

"The tax records from the Board of Revenue tell a clear story," Seoh explained. "Nahmgyo's revenue is comparable to that of any major city on the mainland. And considering the potential for corruption and hidden wealth, it's likely even more prosperous. Hyangdo, on the other hand, is a drain on the royal coffers."

Seoh's confident answers, his detailed knowledge, surprised Kyeong'ui. He was no mere subject, as she had initially assumed. She studied the map, her earlier excitement replaced by a growing sense of apprehension.

"Are you feeling overwhelmed?" Seoh asked, his gaze softening as he noticed the worry in her eyes.

"Every beginning is a challenge," he reassured her. "Do not hesitate to seek assistance. A loyal servant not only follows orders, but also illuminates the path ahead."

Kyeong'ui met his gaze. "But I am not your king."

"A king’s offspring is an extension of the king themselves," Seoh replied.

Seoh bowed. "I'll take my leave now."

As he turned to go, Kyeong'ui stopped him. "Sir, please, wait."

Seoh paused, his brow furrowing slightly.

"I heard Mother visited Father yesterday," Kyeong'ui stated, her voice carefully neutral.

A flicker of surprise crossed Seoh's face, but he quickly recovered his composure. "Indeed, Your Highness."

"I was curious about the nature of their meeting."

Seoh shook his head. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know. I was dismissed before their discussion."

Kyeong'ui's gaze drifted towards the servants behind him. "Who are they? I don't recognize them."

"They are servants from the King’s Quarter, Your Highness. Given the circumstances, it was deemed inappropriate to involve the usual staff."

"The king’s?" Kyeong'ui's eyebrow arched. She had a keen memory for faces, especially those who served in her father's quarter. These servants were unfamiliar.

"They began their duties today," Seoh explained.

"Why the sudden change?" Kyeong'ui asked again.

Seoh's smile faltered. "I don't question His Majesty's decisions, Your Highness."

Kyeong'ui, sensing his reluctance, didn't press further. Seoh bowed once more.

"I must be going. I've been away from my duties for too long."

"Of course. Please, don't let me keep you."

"There's no need for farewells, Your Highness. I'm sure you're busy."

Kyeong'ui nodded, and Seoh exited the study. She immediately turned her attention to the documents, her mind focused on the task ahead. After a while, Hongyoo's voice broke the silence.

"Why do you think the Chief Secretary lied?" he asked.

Kyeong'ui looked up. "He lied?"

"He was present during your parents' meeting last night."

"How do you know that?"

Hongyoo smiled faintly. "My ears are quite adept at gathering information." He paused, his expression turning serious. "There's no reason for His Majesty to replace his servants without cause. And I suspect the Chief Secretary knows that reason."

Kyeong'ui tilted her head. "Do you think he's untrustworthy?"

"That depends on what he's hiding."

Their gazes met, a silent understanding passing between them.