Leaving his office in haste, Ryang sensed something was amiss. Along the passageway, he encountered Emissaries returning from their search, their faces grim, their white robes stained with a dark, ominous substance. As the realization dawned that the stains were blood, Ryang quickened his pace. He spotted Kyeongseon Ung conversing with a group of soldiers. Ung noticed Ryang's approach and turned to greet him.

"High Councilor."

"What happened?" Ryang asked sharply, forgoing any pleasantries.

Ung sighed. "Eight Emissaries were found dead in a merchant ship off the coast," he reported. "Along with two of our men from your merchant company."

Ryang's blood ran cold. He stared at Ung, speechless. He quickly collected himself and pressed for more information.

"Why wasn't I informed immediately?"

"I was just about to send word," Ung said. "Where are you headed?"

"The Guardian summoned me."

"Then it must be about this matter," Ung surmised.

"Who did this?" Ryang asked with barely suppressed fury.

Ung's eyes darted towards the nearby Emissaries, then he subtly shook his head. Ryang's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He could feel anger rising within him, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Those fools," he muttered under his breath.

Ryang spotted Sobi shuffling through the crowd of Emissaries, her shoulders slumped, her eyes vacant. He rushed towards her.

"Third Emissary!" he called out.

Sobi stopped, her gaze empty. Her robes were stained with blood, the crimson stark against the white fabric. Ryang grabbed her arms.

"Why are the Emissaries dead?" he demanded. "Tell me what happened!"

Sobi's lips parted, but no words came out. Ryang shook her, his grip tightening.

"Sobi!"

Sobi swayed, her body limp. She offered no resistance, no explanation. Instead, she closed her eyes, a single tear escaping from beneath her lashes. Ryang instantly regretted his harshness. His gaze darted around, unable to meet hers. He released her arms, his voice barely a whisper.

"I'm sorry."

He stepped back. Sobi didn't respond, her face etched with a grief too deep for words. She bowed her head and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Ryang felt a pang of regret, but there was no time to dwell on it. He abandoned his attempts to get answers from the Emissaries and hurried towards Seong's chambers.

Ryang arrived at Seong's chambers and announced his presence.

"Your Luminance, it is I, the High Councilor."

"Enter," Seong's voice called out.

Ryang opened the door and bowed respectfully. "Your Luminance."

He straightened, his eyes falling upon Norahn, who sat opposite Seong. Norahn's robes, like those of the other Emissaries, were stained with blood. Before Ryang could even take a seat, he turned to Norahn.

"What happened?" he demanded. "Why are the Emissaries covered in blood? And why is everyone so tight-lipped?"

Norahn's gaze fell to the floor. Seong answered in his stead. "I assume you saw what happened on your way here, so I won't bore you with the details. The Guardian Crimson was found on the ship with the dead Emissaries. There was a bloodstained sword beside her."

"You found the Guardian Crimson?" Ryang asked.

"She's currently under guard in the Ministry."

"Are you suggesting the Guardian Crimson murdered the Emissaries and the crew?" Ryang asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"It would seem so," Seong replied.

Ryang struggled to comprehend the news. "How can you be sure it was her?" he asked.

"If we can't trust the High Emissary's judgment, then whose can we trust?" Seong csaid.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ryang looked at Norahn. Then, he turned back to Seong. "But why would the Guardian Crimson..."

"None of us know why," Seong said wearily.

"This news will cause chaos in Wicheong Palace," Norahn interjected.

Ryang glared at him. "It's already caused chaos," he retorted. "Everyone is in a panic. If you were so concerned about that, you should have informed me before returning, instead of trying to silence the Emissaries. Do you honestly believe you can handle this situation alone?"

As Ryang's anger flared, Seong intervened. "High Councilor," he said, "we need to focus on resolving this situation."

Ryang collected his thoughts. The Emissaries had returned to Wicheong Palace covered in blood, and news of their deaths was spreading like wildfire. Rumors, especially those involving bloodshed, were prone to distortion and exaggeration. The families of the deceased would be demanding answers, and the unrest could easily spiral out of control.

"Guardian," Ryang began, "regardless of the truth, the rumors have already begun to spread. Trying to conceal the facts will only fuel suspicion and distrust. We must gather everyone and present the situation as it stands. Then, we must question the Guardian Crimson directly. We cannot yet be certain that she is responsible for the deaths of the Emissaries."

"But the circumstances are quite clear," Seong countered. "Isn't that a bit naive?"

Ryang turned to Norahn. "Was the sword found beside the Guardian Crimson brought back to Wicheong?"

"I instructed them to retrieve it," Norahn confirmed.

Ryang looked back at Seong. "Even when a single person dies, we examine the body to determine the cause of death. In this case, eight Emissaries and two of our men were murdered. And the prime suspect is the Guardian Crimson. We cannot afford to jump to conclusions."

Seong hesitated. Ryang pressed on. "We may lose something in the process, but this is the only way."

"And what might we lose?" Seong asked.

"The Ministry will undoubtedly suffer a blow to its reputation," Ryang admitted.

Seong glanced at Norahn, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. "And what do we gain?"

"Trust," Ryang replied. "The trust of those who follow you. They will know that you will not deceive them."

Seong gave a bitter laugh. "But I am already deceiving them."

Seong's hand tightened around the edge of the table. Ryang's advice was sound, but Seong couldn't shake the feeling that he was being swayed by his own fickle emotions. It had only been a few days since he had decided to disband Wicheong Palace. Now, he was desperate to preserve it, but the reason for this sudden change of heart eluded him. He had wanted freedom, but perhaps he was merely clinging to the vestiges of his royal title. Am I, like those who have waited so long for the Crimson Star, seeking salvation? But what salvation can there be in a star that brought only bloodshed?

Norahn, sensing the tension but unaware of its cause, shifted his gaze between the two men. Ryang, however, understood the source of Seong's turmoil and grew increasingly anxious. Prolonging the silence wouldn't help.

"Guardian," he urged, "we must gather everyone and reveal the truth. It's the only way to maintain order in Wicheong Palace."

Norahn nodded in agreement. "The High Councilor is right," he added, his gaze fixed on Seong.

Seong, spurred by their insistence, finally made a decision. "How should I address the Guardian Crimson?" he asked Ryang. "Should I show deference?"

"No, Guardian," Ryang replied firmly. "That would be inappropriate. The Guardian Crimson is merely a guide. You are the true leader of this land. While you should treat her with respect, you must not bow to her."

Seong turned to Norahn. "High Emissary, fetch the Guardian Crimson. I will gather the others."

"Yes, Guardian," Norahn replied, bowing deeply. He rose and left the room.

Seong and Ryang sat in silence, waiting for the Ministry to make the necessary preparations. They didn't speak until a Novice Emissary arrived to summon them.

In the vast clearing within Wicheong Palace, a sea of faces, etched with worry and confusion, turned towards each other, seeking answers in the shared anxiety. Whispers and rumors filled the air, but none could offer the truth they craved. The clearing fell silent as Seong, flanked by Ryang, appeared. He took his place at the center, then nodded to Norahn.

"Bring forth the Guardian Crimson," Norahn commanded.

Yet, the command echoed through the clearing, silencing the whispers. Moments later, Yeong, the Guardian Crimson, emerged, escorted by a contingent of Emissaries. She was clad in fresh white and crimson robes, the bloodstains that had marred her face now washed away. Though her skin was tanned and weathered, her features were striking, her presence both exotic and captivating. The crowd instinctively knelt, their heads bowed in reverence. Norahn led Yeong to Seong and knelt before him.

"The Guardian Crimson has descended, bearing the will of Sahngjon," he declared. "I present her to you, Your Luminance."

Seong's gaze met Yeong's, his eyes drawn to the depths of her dark pupils. He felt captivated by their intensity, by the strange power that seemed to emanate from within. There was no doubt in his mind that she was the Guardian Crimson, even without Norahn's vision. Her otherworldly beauty, however, clashed with the horrifying reality of the massacre she was accused of committing. Seong, his heart pounding, finally spoke.

"Are you the Guardian of the Crimson Star?" he asked.

Yeong remained silent. The tension in the clearing was palpable, every eye fixed on the two figures standing before them. The silence was broken by Sobi, who stood apart from the crowd, her eyes filled with tears.

"Why did you kill them?" she spat.

All eyes turned towards Sobi. Seong, Ryang, and even Norahn looked at her in surprise.

"Sobi," he said.

Sobi was oblivious to Norahn's plea. Ryang, sensing the impending disaster, frantically tried to signal to Norahn, but it was too late.

"They were faithful and pure," Sobi cried, her voice cracking with emotion. "Please, tell me why. I need to understand."

Yeong turned towards Sobi. Her voice, though low and steady, echoed through the clearing.

"They paid the price for serving a false Guardian," she declared.

A collective gasp arose from the crowd. Sobi's face crumpled in disbelief. "What... what did you say?"

Yeong's gaze shifted to Seong. "Or perhaps," she continued, "an unworthy one?"