Ryang and Sobi reached Wicheong Palace just before midday. Ryang reined in his horse and turned to Sobi.

"Third Emissary," he called.

"Yes?"

"I need you to keep the incident in Nahmgyo a secret for now," Ryang instructed. "The situation is delicate, and we can't afford to create suspicion and unrest within Wicheong."

Sobi bowed her head. "As you wish."

Upon arriving at Wicheong Palace, Ryang left his horse with the soldiers and hurried towards Seong's chamber, but it was empty. He found Seong by the spring, Sahngcheon(常泉), the source of Wicheong Palace's water supply. Seong was leaning against the cave wall, his back to Ryang.

"You've returned quickly," Seong remarked as Ryang approached.

"I only planned to stay for one night," Ryang replied.

Seong turned to face him. "Is everything alright?"

"Not exactly." Ryang's gaze fell upon Yeong, who sat by the spring, her hands moving rhythmically as she scooped water and let it flow through her fingers. Seong had clearly been watching her. Yeong seemed oblivious to their presence.

"There's nothing unusual," Seong said. "She mostly keeps to herself, though she occasionally wanders around."

"Since when?" Ryang asked, his brow furrowed. "What is she doing?"

"I don't know. Playing with water, I suppose."

"You need to get her to talk."

"Come," Seong said, gesturing towards his chambers. "Let's discuss this elsewhere."

They left Yeong to her solitary play and headed towards Seong's chambers. Inside, Seong retrieved a bottle of distilled liquor and two cups. Ryang looked at him in surprise.

"Why the liquor?"

"A man needs to unwind every now and then," Seong replied with a shrug.

His nonchalance was a facade. Ryang knew he was troubled, and Seong, sensing his concern, wished he could ignore it. Ryang rarely drank, but he didn't refuse the offer today. The silence in the room was broken only by the gentle clinking of the cups as Seong poured the liquor. He offered a cup to Ryang, who took it and drained it in a single gulp. The liquor was strong, and Ryang suppressed a cough.

"Guardian," he began, "I couldn't help but notice. Are you perhaps..."

He had seen the way Seong had been watching Yeong, the worry etched on his face. And Seong knew Ryang well enough to sense his concern.

"Are you asking if I released her because I was smitten?" Seong interrupted.

"She is quite beautiful," Ryang admitted.

"Do you think I'm that shallow?" Seong asked with a playful smile.

His attempt at humor, however, fell flat. Ryang merely nodded, his smile strained. Seong sighed, giving up on his pretense.

"I'm ready to hear your report," he said.

Ryang composed himself and reported, "Princess Kyeong'ui visited Yeonyahng."

The smile vanished from Seong's face. "What? What did she know?"

"She knew our names," Ryang replied. "But she didn't seem to know about Wicheong Palace. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here now. Though, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps she was feigning ignorance."

"But she's only been on the island for a few days," Seong argued, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Ryang hesitated, then spoke. "She seemed to know about our family's sword."

"There's a leak?"

"I doubt she discovered that on her own."

Seong closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. Since their arrival on Birahng, Wicheong Palace had remained relatively peaceful, aside from Cheon Hwan's departure. Though vulnerable to external threats, he had believed they were united. But this new crisis revealed a complacency, a naivete he hadn't realized they possessed.

"She came to the inn?" he asked.

"We spoke in private, in the back garden."

"That's bold."

"Or reckless. There was an incident at the south gate."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Seong's brow furrowed.

"She arrived with a considerable force," Ryang explained, "as if to make a show of strength. But the Lady refused her entry. They even threatened her with archers. Only three people entered the fortress - the princess, her Royal Attendant, and her betrothed."

"And?" Seong asked, his curiosity piqued. "What was she like?"

"She behaved like royalty," Ryang replied, "but her temperament is unrefined. But I think I understand why the king sent her instead of the Crown Prince. If the rumors I've heard about the Crown Prince are true, that is."

"You think highly of her."

"She seems capable," Ryang admitted.

Ryang rarely offered compliments, and Seong's lips tightened.

"What did she want?" he asked.

"She wants the throne," Ryang replied. "She wants us to fund her campaign. And she wants us to return to Sunyahng with her."

"And she'll guarantee your safety?"

"She intends to offer us to the king as a way to replace the current officials. It's her plan, not the king's. There's no guarantee it will work."

"She must have been impressed by you to make such an offer."

Ryang shook his head. "It wasn't an offer. It was a threat. She threatened to implicate us in the Crimson Star incident if we refused. Which wouldn't be difficult, considering our history."

"She's determined, then. She wouldn't have entered the fortress without her troops if she wasn't."

"It will be difficult to maintain contact with Wicheong Palace for a while," Ryang said. "We'll have to stop sending supplies."

"How long can we last with our current reserves?" Seong asked.

"We should be able to make it through the summer. Not everyone is stationed here permanently."

Seong fell silent, his brow furrowed in thought. The thought of being forced to bow before a princess with a mere thousand soldiers filled him with shame. The clues were tangled, the puzzle pieces refusing to fit. Each new challenge seemed insurmountable, and his resolve to fulfill the prophecy and bring an end to their suffering wavered. Ryang's voice broke through his thoughts.

"We need to find the informant, Guardian," Ryang said.

"We can't accuse our own people without proof," Seong argued. "It could destroy us from within. Do you know who else might be aware of this?"

"The Third Emissary, Sobi, knows," Ryang replied. "But I've warned her to remain silent."

"Sobi?" Seong's brow furrowed.

Seong's eyes narrowed, but Ryang quickly reassured him. "Sobi won't betray us," he insisted. "She might tell the High Emissary, but if we can't trust him, then Wicheong Palace is already doomed."

Seong sighed, his gaze falling to the floor.

"We need to find the leak, and quickly," Ryang urged.

"I'll handle it."

Ryang's brow furrowed. "You're not planning to find the informant, are you?" he asked.

"We need to understand the situation first."

Ryang didn't argue. Instead, he changed the subject. "If something happens to our family..." Ryang began, his voice hesitant.

"Stop there," Seong interrupted.

"We need to be prepared, Guardian," Ryang insisted. "We need a plan."

"If that happens, my only concern will be protecting you and Seon."

"You would sacrifice Wicheong to save us?" Ryang asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Abandoning House Myeonghyeon is the same as abandoning Wicheong Palace," Seong argued. "Don't you agree? Can we survive without your house?"

Ryang remained silent.

"How did your meeting with the princess go?" Seong asked, his voice softening.

"It wasn't pleasant."

"I gathered as much. Did she say anything else?"

"She demanded that I return with proof of my lineage."

Seong closed his eyes. His only goal was to protect both House Myeonghyeon and Wicheong Palace. He opened his eyes and looked at Ryang.

"Go to Princess Kyeong'ui and offer your cooperation," he instructed.

"Are you suggesting we deceive her?" Ryang asked back.

"It will buy us some time."

"Only for a while," Ryang warned. "If things go wrong, we could all be in danger."

"Then you'll have to use your ingenuity."

Seong smiled, but Ryang couldn't shake his apprehension.

"Diplomacy has its limits," Ryang argued. "The princess's intentions are clear. She'll bleed us dry to fund her own ambitions."

"Use every means at your disposal, except for that," Seong countered. "Sahngjon has blessed you with many talents."

Seong's gaze lingered on Ryang's face, and Ryang, understanding his meaning, shook his head.

"I never thought I'd hear you give such an order," Ryang remarked.

"Two thousand lives are at stake," Seong said firmly. "We have to do whatever it takes. We just need to hold out a little longer. It won't be long now."

"Do you have another plan?" Ryang asked.

"We can defeat the princess's forces," Seong replied.

Ryang's eyes widened in alarm. "Guardian."

"Summer is coming," Seong continued. "Unless she wants to be trapped here during the monsoon season, the princess will have to return to Sunyahng before then. And if anything happens before autumn, she won't receive any reinforcements."

"If we can reclaim Birahng in the meantime, it's not a bad plan," Ryang conceded.

"If we take Nahmgyo, it's possible. Try to persuade the Lady while I'm away. You can tell her about the Guardian Crimson."

Ryang bowed his head. "I'll do my best."

Seong's expression softened. "You seem worried," he remarked.

"I'm not," Ryang lied. "We have you, Guardian."

"Is there anyone else we can trust besides Dara and Unso?" Seong asked. "Someone who can travel to Nahmgyo?"

Ryang hesitated. "They're practically family," he said.

"You said the princess knows about the sword. They know about it too."

Ryang's jaw tightened. "Send the Third Emissary," he finally conceded.

"Alright."

Seong studied Ryang's troubled expression. "Are you worried?"

"It's not an ideal start," Ryang admitted. "It feels like we're being forced to dance to the princess's tune."

"It doesn't matter," Seong said. "Even the most difficult path is worth taking if it leads to our survival. We've been stagnant for too long. It's time to move forward."

He refilled their cups. They drank in silence, the strong liquor warming their chilled bodies.