Five warships dropped anchor in the harbor of Nahmgyo. Though the port bustled with activity, merchant ships coming and going, laden with goods and people, the largest of these vessels was barely seventy percent the size of the warships. The sight of the massive warships, their cannons lined along the railings, drew a crowd of curious onlookers. The captains were on high alert, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble, as armed soldiers stood guard around the ships. The presence of foreigners among the onlookers only heightened their vigilance.

The encampment was established on a flat stretch of beach not far from the harbor. Children, their voices echoing through the air like a flock of sparrows, gathered to watch the soldiers setting up camp. Their parents scolded and dragged them away, while the elderly observed the unfamiliar scene with apprehension, their eyes filled with a quiet anxiety.

While the camp was being set up, Hongyoo ventured into Nahmgyo, seeking out a blacksmith. Though he had brought his own blacksmiths from Sunyahng, he chose not to use them. He entered the blacksmith's workshop and presented him with a sheet of paper.

"Can you make fifty of these needles by tomorrow?" he asked. "Spare no expense."

The blacksmith squinted at the drawings, his brow furrowed. "What are these for?" he asked.

"That's none of your concern," Hongyoo replied.

The drawings depicted an array of long, sharp needles, some as long as a forearm.

"I need to know their purpose to choose the right metal," the blacksmith insisted.

"The metal must be flexible enough to bend without breaking," Hongyoo explained. "But not so flexible that it fails to penetrate."

"I… I'll try my best," the blacksmith stammered, still confused.

Hongyoo, ignoring his apprehension, left the workshop and returned to the encampment.

The camp was nearly set up by midday. As Hongyoo entered Kyeong'ui's tent, she turned to him, her face creased with a frown.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. "We're busy."

Gahngyun Hyeok, who stood beside her, glared at Hongyoo.

"I had to procure some necessities," Hongyoo explained, bowing his head.

"Did you leave something in Sunyahng?"

"I'll show you later."

Kyeong'ui held up a letter. "The Myeonghyeon siblings have requested an audience," she said. "Their servant delivered this message."

Hongyoo took the letter and scanned its contents. "Was it the female one?" he asked.

"Why?" Kyeong'ui asked, a playful smile on her lips. "Did you take a liking to someone at the inn?"

"There were so many," Hongyoo teased. "It's hard to remember."

Despite his nonchalant response, he couldn't help but think of the boy he had spent the night with. It had been an innocent encounter, but the memory of that night, the boy's youthful innocence and his own loneliness, filled him with a lingering sadness. He pushed the thought aside and addressed Kyeong'ui.

"Did you receive this letter personally?"

"Of course not. Young Master met with the servant outside the camp."

Hyeok, feeling Hongyoo's insistent gaze upon him, replied with a bored tone, "It was the female servant. Tanned skin, big eyes... Why do you care?"

"Do you think they'll accept your offer?" Hyeok asked Kyeong'ui.

Kyeong'ui shook her head. "They don't have much choice," she replied confidently. "If they intended to refuse, they wouldn't have come."

"They're both unmarried, aren't they?" she asked, turning to Hongyoo.

"They are, Your Highness."

"Excellent," Kyeong'ui remarked. "That will make it easier for them to settle in Sunyahng."

Hongyoo, catching her drift, couldn't resist teasing her. "Perhaps you'll even arrange their marriages," he said.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility," Kyeong'ui replied with a shrug.

Her gaze fell upon Hyeok. Though she had spoken in jest, she couldn't deny the complexities of her own situation. House Gahngyun might not offer significant wealth or influence, but Hyeok's support was still valuable. Have I been too harsh on him? Though she found his frivolous behavior and endless chatter tiresome, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him, excluded from their conversation. She couldn't offer him her heart, but she couldn't afford to lose his support either.

Their eyes met, and Kyeong'ui offered him a warm smile.

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Myeonghyeon Seon waited impatiently as Ryang fussed with his appearance in the mirror. Her fingers tapped a restless rhythm on the table, her gaze fixed on the crumpled paper Hongyoo had given the blacksmith.

"Why does he need such long needles?" she wondered aloud. "What kind of medicine requires those?"

Ryang, lost in his own thoughts, didn't reply.

"If he uses drugs," Seon continued, her voice rising, "I'm sure he knows how to use needles as well."

Still no response. Seon sighed dramatically. Finally, Ryang spoke.

"Torture."

"Torture?" Seon echoed, her brow furrowing. "Does something seem amiss?"

"You don't need to know," Ryang replied.

Seon glared at him. "You always tell me to be honest and open," she grumbled, "but you're as tight-lipped as a clam."

Ryang ignored her, his gaze fixed on his reflection. He adjusted his earrings and rings, his mind racing. Sungian. Sleeping drugs. Long needles. It was a stroke of luck that Hongyoo had chosen the blacksmith who supplied weapons to Wicheong Palace. If he could confirm one more detail during their meeting today, his suspicions would be confirmed.

"Did you bring the oil?" he asked Seon.

"It's wrapped in silk, in the ebony box," Seon replied. "But why that oil? We only have one bottle left. And it's irreplaceable."

"It's for the princess," Ryang explained. "We need to impress her." He adjusted his hat, a memory flashing through his mind. "She uses perfumed oil. I noticed the scent when we spoke in the tea room."

"Of course she does," Seon scoffed. "Who wants to smell like sweat while wearing iridescent-black silk?"

Ryang continued to stare at his reflection. Seon found his vanity both amusing and suspicious. He was clearly trying to make a good impression, but the thought that he might actually succeed was laughable. Though, even she had to admit, he was quite handsome. And if his vanity serves their purpose, then why not indulge him? It would be entertaining, at the very least.

"Why are you so concerned with your appearance?" she teased, circling him. "Are you going to a marriage meeting?"

Ryang frowned. "Should I go looking like a beggar?"

He adjusted his hat one last time and turned to face her. Seon's expression was strange, her eyes narrowed, her lips pursed.

"What?" Ryang asked.

"You look like a rebel," Seon teased again.

Ryang scoffed and headed towards the door.

"Shouldn't we at least hide a dagger in our robes?" Seon asked. "We're walking into the lion's den."

"They'll search us anyway," Ryang replied dismissively. "And we're not going there to fight."

"You never know what might happen," Seon argued. "Do you really trust the princess?"

"Trust is irrelevant in this situation."

Ryang stepped out of the room, and Seon, with a sigh, followed him.

The Myeonghyeon siblings, accompanied by Dara and a few guards, made their way towards the Dahnian encampment. As they approached, they spotted Hongyoo standing at the entrance, clad in his official attire. He had clearly been expecting them, his gaze fixed on them from afar, his hands clasped within his sleeves. When they were within a few paces, Hongyoo stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," Hongyoo greeted them, his voice smooth and polite.

"You seem to have gotten more sun," Ryang observed.

"Indeed," Hongyoo agreed. "The sun is quite strong here. It's remarkable how fair your complexions are, considering you were both born and raised on this island."

Ryang smiled faintly. "It seems to run in the family," he replied.

Hongyoo's gaze swept over them, lingering on the box Dara carried. "What's in the box?" he asked.

"A gift for the princess."

"May I see it?"

Ryang nodded to Dara, who presented the box. Seon untied the silk wrapping, revealing a glass bottle filled with fragrant oil.

"It's perfumed oil," Ryang explained.

Even through the glass, the sweet fragrance wafted out, mingling with the salty tang of the sea. Hongyoo's face hardened as he examined the bottle. He gestured towards the guards.

"Your men will have to wait at the entrance," he said.

Seon's smile faltered. "Why?" she argued. "The camp is full of armed soldiers. What threat could a few of our guards possibly pose? And who will protect us inside if they're not with us?"

"Your safety is not your concern within the camp," Hongyoo replied. He bowed his head. "Follow me."

He turned and led the way, the siblings and Dara trailing behind him.

Hongyoo led them deep into the camp, then stopped abruptly before a small, unimpressive tent. He pulled back the flap, revealing a man with a scarred face, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion. It was Jang'gyeong Yoon. He stared at them, his surprise so complete that he seemed to have forgotten about his disfigurement. Hongyoo remained silent, his gaze fixed on Yoon. Ryang and Seon exchanged confused glances.

"I seem to have taken a wrong turn," Hongyoo said, a forced smile on his face. "This new encampment... it's easy to get lost."

He bowed his head and quickly retreated, the tent flap falling back into place, concealing the startled faces within.