Juyeong Hyo, with the help of his soldiers, hastily erected a tent on the sunny beach near the harbor and furnished it with tables and chairs. The impromptu tea party, arranged as a gesture of goodwill towards the people of Birahng, was off to an awkward start. The fortress masters and local dignitaries huddled in separate groups, their conversations a low murmur of whispers and rumors. Hyo, seated beside Kyeong'ui, droned on and on about trivial matters. Hongyoo, sensing her growing boredom, leaned in and whispered, "Should I summon the Lady of Nahmgyo?"

Kyeong'ui glanced at Jin, who sat amidst a group of merchants, her pipe clenched between her teeth, a relaxed smile on her face. There was an air of defiance about her that irritated Kyeong'ui.

"Yes," Kyeong'ui replied. "Bring her to me."

Hongyoo rose, smoothing his robes, and approached Jin. She was leaning back in her chair, her arm resting on the table, her posture casual. Hongyoo bowed respectfully.

"The princess requests your presence," he said.

Jin took one last puff from her pipe, then rose, a smile playing on her lips. "What could the princess possibly want with an old woman?" she murmured.

Though her dismissive tone irked him, Hongyoo maintained a neutral expression. He knew that Jin held more influence than Hyo, and her cooperation was crucial.

Jin approached Kyeong'ui and bowed. At a subtle gesture from Hongyoo, Hyo vacated his seat. Jin settled beside Kyeong'ui, smoothing her robes.

"You summoned me, Your Highness?"

"I couldn't visit Birahng without sharing a cup of tea with the Lady of Nahmgyo," Kyeong'ui replied.

"It is an honor, Your Highness."

Kyeong'ui poured a cup of tea and offered it to Jin, who accepted it with both hands.

"I've noticed that many people here still wear the old way," Kyeong'ui remarked.

Indeed, the clothing worn by those gathered at the tea party differed significantly from the styles prevalent in Sunyahng and the mainland. The nobles in the capital typically wore their outer robes with the ties fastened at the chest, the garment draped over both shoulders. Here, however, the ties were fastened under the right arm, the robe hanging diagonally across the left shoulder. Kyeong'ui had seen similar styles depicted in ancient Wi paintings kept in the palace archives.

"Islanders are behind the times," Seolyo Jin replied with a shrug.

Kyeong'ui glanced around the clearing. "I see some young faces here," she remarked, her gaze lingering on a group of men standing near the edge of the crowd.

It was clear who she was referring to, as there were few young men present besides Seolyo Yeong, Ryang, and Seon. Seolyo Jin gestured towards her son.

"That is my son," she said. "I have two daughters as well, but they've both married and left here."

"Did they settle on the mainland?" Kyeong'ui asked.

"It seems they found Dahnian a bit lacking," Jin replied with a playful smile. "They both married Sungian."

"I imagine you miss them dearly," Kyeong'ui remarked.

Jin let out a hearty laugh. "One can't keep their children forever," she said. "It's better for them to find happiness elsewhere than to be stuck on this island."

"Are Sungian men more...appealing?" Kyeong'ui asked with a hint of amusement.

Jin took a sip of tea, her eyes twinkling. "They have a certain boldness," she replied. "I've seen many things in my long life, but Dahnian men are by far the most uninteresting. They're all scholars and gentlemen, with no passion to break one’s heart."

Kyeong'ui glanced at Hyeok, who was clearly trying to suppress his annoyance. Amused by his discomfort, she continued her questioning.

"And who, among those you've encountered, has been the most memorable?"

"Soyeolish men are the best," Seolyo Jin replied.

"Those uncivilized barbarians who do nothing but swing their swords?"

Seolyo Jin placed a hand on Kyeong'ui's arm, her touch surprisingly gentle. Ignoring the startled glances from Hongyoo and Hyeok, she continued.

"You've clearly spent too much time within the palace walls, Your Highness," she said. "You misunderstand them. That's precisely what makes them so charming. They live each night as if it were their last. And for many of them, it is."

Her blunt words intrigued Kyeong'ui. Jin's eyes, though framed by yellowed whites, were sharp and intelligent, her gaze steady and unwavering. Kyeong'ui found herself curious about her past.

"How do you know so much?" she asked with a playful curiosity.

"The father of my youngest son was a Soyeolish merchant," Seolyo Jin replied. "Though he was more pirate than merchant, if I'm being honest."

Kyeong'ui's eyes widened.

"They have no reservations when it comes to matters of the heart," Jin continued, a sly smile playing on her lips. "It's an experience worth having at least once in your life. Though it seems you've already made your choice with your betrothal."

"That's rather disappointing to hear," Kyeong'ui said.

"But marriage doesn't preclude other dalliances," Jin said. "It's simply a matter of discretion."

Kyeong'ui's smile widened, her dimples deepening. "Such conversations are rare within the palace walls," she said.

"The most valuable lessons are rarely taught within the palace," Jin remarked. "You must seek them out yourself."

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"I'll keep that in mind," Kyeong'ui replied, her smile fading as her gaze swept across the clearing once more. It settled on the Myeonghyeon siblings, their faces strikingly similar. Both wore silver earrings adorned with gemstones, and their wide black hats were also decorated with silver accents. Their silk robes shimmered with an elegant sheen. Though all those gathered by Jin seemed affluent, there was an air of refinement about the siblings that seemed out of place on this remote island.

"Who are they?" Kyeong'ui asked, her curiosity piqued. "The two who look so alike."

"They are siblings," Jin replied.

"That's quite obvious," Kyeong'ui remarked. "Did you summon them?"

"I did. They run a rather successful merchant company in Nahmgyo. They also own an inn."

Kyeong'ui's eyes narrowed. "What are their names?"

"The brother is Ryang, and the sister is Seon."

"Are they of noble lineage? Granted their family name by the king?"

"There are no such nobles on this island, Your Highness. Except House Seolyo."

Kyeong'ui studied the siblings, her eyes narrowed in appraisal. "They both seem rather young to be leading such a large merchant company," she remarked.

"Their parents were close friends of mine," Jin explained. "The mother passed away many years ago, and their father a few years ago, leaving the siblings to inherit the business. Both Ryang and Seon are quite capable, and they've managed to thrive."

Sensing that further discussion about the siblings would be dangerous, Jin changed the subject. "It seems rather reckless of His Majesty to send his precious daughter on such a long journey," she remarked. "The South Sea is teeming with Soyeolish pirates. And if the monsoon season arrives early, you could be stranded on this island for months. It's still early spring, but the weather can be unpredictable."

"It wasn't my father's decision," Kyeong'ui replied. "I chose to come."

"Why, Your Highness?" Jin asked.

Kyeong'ui smiled enigmatically. "I'll tell you eventually. I plan to stay on Birahng until the monsoon season. We'll have plenty of opportunities to chat."

The tea party concluded, and Kyeong'ui, accompanied by Hyo, departed for Hyangdo. Jin and her entourage boarded their ship and set sail for Nahmgyo, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and red.

Ryang and Seon had been straining to hear the conversation between Jin and Kyeong'ui, but they were too far away to catch anything of substance. The princess and Jin seemed to be enjoying each other's company, their conversation filled with laughter and smiles. Though such pleasantries were usually meaningless, Ryang couldn't shake the feeling that Kyeong'ui's occasional glances in their direction held some deeper significance. He chided himself for reading too much into a simple gesture, but he couldn't afford to ignore any potential clues about the princess's intentions. Every glance, every word, every gesture was a piece of the puzzle he was desperately trying to solve.

Jin emerged from the cabin, leaving her son behind, and slowly made her way to the deck. She leaned against the railing, puffing on her pipe, her gaze sweeping across the horizon. Sensing the siblings approaching, she turned to face them.

"The princess was curious about you two," she remarked.

"Why?" Seon asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, you're a striking pair," Jin replied with a shrug. "You naturally draw attention. But she knows nothing about you. Be careful, though. She's not as naive as she appears. Despite her youth, she carries herself with a certain regality."

Ryang recalled Kyeong'ui's easy smile and casual demeanor during the tea party. "She seemed eager to get close to you," he observed.

"She wants something from me," Jin said.

"What makes you say that?" Ryang asked.

"Those who seek me out usually want only one thing," Jin replied cryptically. "Though in my younger days, there was another motivation."

"I suppose the simplest explanation is usually the correct one," Ryang mused.

Jin's eyes gleamed. "Indeed. There's only one reason a royal would seek out a merchant: money. Whether she's here to secure funding or gain influence, her motives are clear. Keep her happy, and we'll all benefit."

"Our goal isn't simply to appease her," Ryang said.

Seon gasped, and Jin's eyes narrowed. "Are you planning to capture her and bargain with the king?" she asked.

"If necessary," Ryang replied calmly. "Not yet, but it's a possibility."

Jin exhaled a long plume of smoke. "The king would rather have another child than negotiate with rebels," she said. "Since when did you become so bold, Ryang?"

"I've been waiting for the right opportunity," Ryang replied.

Jin chuckled. "Your grandfather said something similar when he first arrived on Birahng. Perhaps it's time to break with tradition. You have the boldness; now make the opportunity."

The ship arrived at the Nahmgyo harbor as dusk settled over the island. Ryang and Seon exchanged brief farewells with Jin and mounted their horses, their figures silhouetted against the fading light. They rode in silence, the only sound the rhythmic clip-clop of their horses' hooves against the cobblestones.

"I have a favor to ask," Ryang said, breaking the silence.

His tone was unusually subdued, and Seon raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Tomorrow, I need you to accompany me to Wicheong and speak with the Third Emissary."

"Why?"

"She's blaming herself for the deaths of the Emissaries," Ryang explained. "I think she could use some comforting."

Seon scoffed. "I've never even spoken to her. What am I supposed to say? If you're so concerned, why don't you go yourself?"

"I don't want to risk any rumors," Ryang said.

Seon's lips curled into a sly smile. Ryang, irritated by her reaction, reined in his horse, turning to face her.

"What's so amusing?" he asked.

Seon's smile widened. "Such confidence."

Her words, laced with a subtle mockery, stung Ryang. He thought of Dara, and his anger flared. But this wasn't the time for a confrontation.

"And you," he warned, "be careful what you say in front of others."

"What things?" Seon asked innocently. "About Dara?"

Ryang's voice rose. "Won’t you be quie?!"

"Did I say anything untrue?" Seon countered with a playful challenge.

Ryang sighed. "Will you speak with the Third Emissary, or not?"

"What am I supposed to say to her?" Seon asked, her irritation growing.

"If you can't think of anything, just tell her I sent you. Tell her I'm sorry. She'll understand."

Seon's eyebrow arched. "What did you do?"

"It's none of your business," Ryang snapped.

Seon's curiosity piqued, but before she could press further, Ryang continued.

"And see to it that the families of the deceased receive some compensation. It won't be much, but it's the least we can do."

"Won't Wicheong Palace be providing for them?" Seon asked.

"It will," Ryang replied. "But I want you to offer something from our own share as well. Give it to the Third Emissary. She'll know what to do with it."

"Our share?" Seon scoffed, rolling her eyes. "What do you mean 'our share'? It's all our money, isn't it? And why this sudden concern for the Third Emissary?"

"Things have changed," Ryang replied. "We need someone we can trust within the Ministry."

Seon shook her head. "Norahn and Cheongro may spout nonsense, but they're both cunning and self-serving. It won't be easy to plant someone in their midst. And that Third Emissary... she doesn't seem like someone who's easily manipulated."

"You're one to talk," Ryang retorted.

Seon glared at him, but Ryang ignored her and continued. "I'm not interested in playing games. She is different. If we show her some compassion, she'll be our eyes and ears within the Ministry. They're rife with corruption."

"Fine," Seon conceded. "I'll go. Though I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ryang frowned. "Must you always have the last word?"

"And you could do with a bit less criticism to every last word," Seon shot back.

She nudged her horse forward, leaving Ryang trailing behind.