Norahn walked slowly. He wished the distance to the room would lessen with each stride. Yet, with every reluctant footfall, it drew closer. The closer he got, the more intensely the blue light in his eyes flickered. Soldiers lined the passageway, their heads bowed in respect, but Norahn ignored their greetings.

As he neared Yeong's chamber, he noticed a line of guards stationed outside. They bowed as he approached, but the guard standing before the door blocked his path, his expression troubled.

"Step aside," Norahn commanded.

"I apologize, Your Sanctity," the guard replied, "but the Guardian and the High Councilor have given strict orders..."

"I come on behalf of the High Councilor," Norahn interrupted.

"Even so, Your Sanctity," the guard insisted, "may I see your tablet?"

Norahn's eyes flashed blue. The guard's resolve wavered. Norahn produced the commend tablet Ryang had given him. The guard stepped aside, and Norahn entered the room.

The air within was stale and damp, despite the burning incense. A faint candlelight illuminated the room, revealing Yeong standing with her back to the door, her posture rigid. She turned as she sensed his presence. Norahn approached, his hands clasped within his sleeves, and bowed his head.

"You who bear the light of Sahngjon," Yeong said, "how ironic that you find yourself in such a predicament."

"Humility before Sahngjon and before all people is fitting for the High Emissary Divine," Norahn replied.

"What happened earlier was not humility," Yeong countered. "It was humiliation. As is my current situation."

"Forgive me for failing to receive you with the honor you deserve," Norahn said.

"It is not your fault," Yeong assured him. "Nor is it the fault of that young High Councilor. He merely does what he believes is right. He is loyal and unwavering. The current state of the Ministry, and the High Councilor's insolence... it is all a consequence of your ancestors' sins. You bear the burden of their mistakes."

Yeong spoke with an air of authority, as if intimately familiar with the history of Wi and the inner workings of Wicheong Palace. Her tone towards Norahn was equally casual, suggesting a long-standing acquaintance. Norahn, unable to fathom her depth or formulate a suitable response, remained silent. Yeong turned to face him fully, her white robes casting a shadow over his face.

"Lift your head," she commanded.

Norahn obeyed, his gaze meeting hers. Yeong studied his face, taking in the delicate features, the pale skin, the long, slender neck, and the dark hair that curled around it. He was tall and thin, his eyes always downcast. He seemed fragile.

"Is life a burden to you?" she asked.

"Not at all," Norahn replied.

"Yet you carry yourself like one who wishes to relinquish it all," Yeong observed. "Much like your Guardian."

"It is not easy," Norahn admitted, "but the High Emissary Divine endures the trials of Sahngjon."

Yeong's lips curled into a faint smile. "Perhaps those trials would be easier to bear if you possessed true power. Compared to the glory of the past, the power you wield is but a meager spark."

Norahn's gaze fell to his feet. "I do not desire power," he murmured.

"Then what do you desire?" Yeong asked.

"The Guardian's trust," Norahn confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yeong smiled knowingly. "His trust is the High Councilor's power."

"How much do you know about us?" Norahn asked.

"I know everything," Yeong replied. "From the beginning of time to the moment I descended upon this land."

Her gaze pierced through him, her words stirring something deep within his soul.

"You must reclaim your power," she said. "Only then can you guide your Guardian towards the path of light."

Norahn attempted to steer the conversation back on track. "There are many questions we need to ask you, Guardian Crimson," he began.

"Is it the High Councilor’s order?" Yeong interrupted.

"The High Emissary Divine answers to no one but Sahngjon," Norahn replied.

"That principle holds little weight these days," Yeong said.

Despite her dismissive tone, Norahn pressed on. "We searched for you tirelessly after the Crimson Star appeared. Where were you?"

Yeong's lips, which had been curved in a faint smile, now formed a thin, straight line.

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"How did you end up on that ship?" Norahn continued. "And why are the Emissaries dead? I am not like the High Councilor. Tell me the truth. Only then can I help you."

Yeong remained unfazed by his questions, her expression serene. Norahn, however, felt a growing sense of unease. Finally, Yeong spoke.

"I believe I already answered your question about the Emissaries' deaths."

"The Guardian is the last descendant of the Wi royal family," Norahn argued. "If he is not worthy, then who is?"

"Norahn," Yeong said.

"Yes?"

"Do you believe I am the Guardian of the Crimson Star sent by Sahngjon?"

The question, though unexpected, was met with immediate conviction. "Sahngjon has bestowed his light upon me," Norahn said. "I believe in that light."

The moment Norahn finished his reply, Yeong drew the dagger Cheon Hwan had given her. Norahn froze, his eyes widening as the blade slipped from its sheath. He stood rooted to the spot, Yeong close enough for him to feel her breath on his skin. The dagger slowly moved towards his throat. Norahn didn't flinch or raise a hand to defend himself; he simply closed his eyes, his hands hidden within his sleeves.

The blade stopped just as it grazed his skin.

"Will you spill your blood only for the light of Sahngjon?" Yeong whispered.

Norahn's eyelids fluttered open. "That is my purpose," he said. "The purpose of every Scion."

A slow and faint smile spread across Yeong's face as she lowered the blade. Norahn shuddered.

"Why did you speak to the Guardian in that manner?" he asked. "He is the chosen one."

"Chosen by whom?" Yeong countered. "Sahngjon has made no such choice. It was you who chose him."

Her words struck Norahnt. "But Sahngjon sent you to us," he argued, "as soon as the new Guardian ascended."

"There is more than one who claims the title of Guardian," Yeong replied cryptically.

"I don't understand."

"The dead mother carried twins in her womb."

"Cheon Hwan... is he alive?" Norahn asked in shock.

Yeong nodded. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

"Was he the one who brought you here?" Norahn asked. "The one who placed you on that ship?"

Yeong nodded again. Norahn absorbed the truth, his mind reeling. "His hands are stained with their blood," he murmured.

"The Emissaries died by Cheon Hwan's sword," Yeong confirmed. "But it was Cheon Seong who failed to protect them."

Norahn's mind raced. The revelation that Hwan was alive was shocking enough, but the question of why and how the Guardian Crimson had encountered him first, instead of Seong, remained a mystery. He struggled to formulate a coherent question.

"Why didn't you tell us the truth?" he asked. "The High Councilor is suspicious."

"And why should I care about his suspicions?" Yeong asked back.

"I have no power to help you," Norahn explained. "It is the High Councilor who holds sway over the Guardian."

Yeong shook her head slightly. "You misunderstand your Guardian. Cheon Seong is easily swayed by no one."

Norahn's brow furrowed.

"Cheon Hwan made me promise not to reveal his existence," Yeong said.

"Why would you agree to such a request?" Norahn asked.

"Curiosity," Yeong replied. "I want to understand his motives, his plans. He has nothing but a single ship with a black sail, yet he claims to be following Sahngjon's will."

Norahn struggled to comprehend her reasoning. "He is a traitor who defied his own father, killed his own uncle," he argued. "And if your story is true, he is a murderer who slaughtered innocent Emissaries. Why would such a man conceal his existence if he truly intended to do good?"

"What is good? And what is evil?" Yeong asked.

Norahn was taken aback.

"Sahngjon is good," Yeong declared. "To defy Sahngjon is evil."

"But..."

"Only Sahngjon is good," Yeong repeated.

Norahn fell silent. Yeong turned away, gazing at some distant point.

"Though they share the same blood," she said, "only one can be chosen. In the end, only one Guardian will remain. He will fulfill Sahngjon's plan."

"Who is the chosen one?" Norahn asked.

Yeong turned to him. "Abandoning your Guardian so quickly?"

"That wasn't my intention," Norahn denied.

"If Sahngjon's will favors Cheon Hwan, you will eventually have to abandon Cheon Seong," Yeong said.

"But Sahngjon hasn't chosen Cheon Hwan yet, has he?" Norahn asked. "Isn't that why you've come to us?"

Yeong's eyes gleamed as she envisioned the twins, their gazes burning with different ambition. "They share the same blood," she mused. "It's only fair that they each have a chance."

"If Sahngjon hasn't made a choice," Norahn pressed, "why did you say the Guardian was unworthy?"

"Do you think Sahngjon chooses the king?" Yeong asked. "He merely separates the grain from the chaff. Cheon Seong doesn't know how to be a king. If he crumbles under my words, he'll never be able to bear the weight of Sahngjon's will. That burden is not for the weak."

"Tell me Sahngjon's plan," Norahn pleaded.

Yeong shook her head. "When the time is right, you will see it with your own eyes."

Norahn's lips tightened as he bowed his head. Yeong reached out, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

"To fulfill Sahngjon's plan," she began, "you must obey me. Until the true king ascends, your loyalty lies with the Guardian Crimson, not him. You must not breathe a word of what you have heard here today. What punishment awaits the High Emissary Divine who betrays Sahngjon's will?"

Norahn's shoulders slumped. "I... I know what pain is," he whispered, his voice trembling.

"The pain you know is but a sweet dream," Yeong said.

Her grip tightened on his jaw, and Norahn flinched, memories he had long suppressed rising to the surface. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Yeong gently caressed his cheek, her touch sending shivers down his spine.

"Only Sahngjon can grant you what you truly desire," she murmured.

Norahn's eyes met hers, a flicker of hope igniting within their depths. "What do I desire?" he asked.

"An end to your suffering," Yeong replied.

Her fingers traced the line of Norahn’s cheekbone. "Guardian," he breathed.

"To wield true power," Yeong said, "a Scion must learn to endure suffering. You have forgotten this. You believe you have suffered enough, exiled to this remote island, forced to endure hardship. But your trials have only just begun. Once you have learned this, Sahngjon will reward you with true joy."

Norahn remained silent, his heart pounding in his chest. Yeong's gaze fell upon the faint red line on his neck, a mark left by her blade, a symbol of his submission. She was confident in his loyalty, and Norahn, in his silence, surrendered.