A warm breeze rustled through the trees lining the forest path as the Myeonghyeon siblings, accompanied by U'nso and their guards, made their way towards Wicheong Palace. The only sounds were the occasional creak of their saddles and the chirping of birds. Though spring was in full bloom, they were in no mood to appreciate the beauty of the forest. Seon broke the silence.

"So, the Guardian Crimson is imprisoned?"

"She is."

Ryang's silence indicated his reluctance to engage in conversation, but Seon, undeterred, continued. "I'd like to see her," she mused.

"No one is allowed to see her," Ryang said firmly. "Not even you."

"But you can make an exception for me, can’t you?"

"Why do you want to see her?"

"Don't you know?" Seon asked back.

"The Guardian Crimson might not be responsible," Ryang reminded her. "I told you, we're not sure it was her. Someone else might have wielded the sword."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a feeling."

"A feeling?" Seon scoffed. "Well, one thing's for sure, she seems to have the Guardian figured out."

Ryang, who usually ignored Seon's taunts, felt a surge of anger. "Cheongro said something similar to me earlier," he said.

"And?"

"I told him I'd behead him if I heard it again."

Seon remained nonchalant. "My, my, aren't we fierce? Threatening your only sister?" she said.

"Don't make me lose my fairness."

"Don't worry, brother. I'm not exactly a regular at Wicheong, and I know how to behave in public. If I have something to say about the Guardian, I'll save it for when we're alone."

"That applies to when we're alone as well," Ryang retorted. "Change your attitude towards the Guardian."

Seon's lips curled into a pout. Ryang felt a surge of anxiety every time he witnessed Seon's blatant disrespect for Seong. He sighed.

"Please, Seon, try to live up to your name."

"We are nameless, brother," Seon said.

──────────

Though it had only been a day since Seong had released Yeong from confinement, a renewed sense of excitement filled the Ministry of the Emissary Divine. The Emissaries had diligently prepared the Guardian Crimson's new chambers, and they gathered in groups, their conversations filled with anticipation for the future. Whispers of doubt and fear lingered - who else could have killed the Emissaries if not the Guardian Crimson? Why did she remain silent? - but they were quickly silenced, confined to hushed conversations within the walls of the Ministry. The Emissaries were skilled at keeping secrets. This newfound excitement quickly dispelled the gloom that had settled over them after the deaths of their comrades.

Cheongro, having delegated his duties to the confined Sobi, was enjoying a rare moment of leisure in his room when a sudden knock on the door interrupted his peace. He sat up abruptly. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a young face peering through the gap. It was Siu, a young Emissary.

Siu entered, her movements hesitant, and bowed deeply before Cheongro. Cheongro felt a surge of annoyance. It was always this young Emissary, appearing at the most inopportune moments.

"What is it?" he snapped.

"Second Emissary," Siu announced, her voice trembling slightly, "the High Councilor is returning."

The news, though unwelcome, piqued Cheongro's interest. He didn't recall asking Siu to report on the High Councilor's movements.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

Siu flinched, sensing the sharpness in his tone. "I... I thought you should know," she stammered.

"Why? Do you pity me for groveling before the High Councilor?"

"Not exactly..."

Cheongro's annoyance faded, replaced by a grudging admiration. Amused by Siu's flustered response, Cheongro smiled. "You're a curious one," he remarked. "What's your name?"

"Siu."

"And how old are you?"

"Sixteen."

Cheongro's gaze swept over Siu, taking in her small stature and youthful features. Siu's eyes darted nervously around the room, her face betraying her unease. The silence stretched, and Siu finally dared to raise her gaze. She quickly looked away, however, when she met Cheongro's intense stare. Cheongro chuckled.

"So young," he mused.

Siu, her eyes darting nervously towards Cheongro, seemed to be gauging his reaction. Cheongro waved a dismissive hand.

"You may go."

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Siu bowed deeply and scurried away. Cheongro, alone once more, tapped his fingers on the table, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. Myeonghyeon Ryang was still unaware that Cheon Seong had released the Guardian Crimson from confinement. He smirked, recalling how the High Councilor had lorded his authority over the Ministry. But the power dynamics had shifted. The Ministry now had the Guardian Crimson, the true emissary of Sangjon, and Norahn, bearing the divine light. It was time for a bit of payback. Cheongro rose and headed towards the Guardian Crimson's chambers.

As he walked down the corridor, Emissaries, their arms laden with various items, bowed their heads in greeting. Though the journey was long, Cheongro's steps were light. He felt no apprehension at the prospect of meeting the Guardian Crimson, despite this being their first encounter. The door to her chambers stood open, the room bustling with activity as the Emissaries prepared her new lodgings. Cheongro peered inside. Yeong sat alone at the table, her gaze fixed on some distant point. He entered and bowed respectfully.

"Guardian Crimson."

Yeong slowly raised her eyes, her gaze piercing. "Second Emissary Cheongro, is it?"

"You know my name?" Cheongro asked, surprised.

"What brings you here?" Yeong asked, ignoring his remark.

"I wanted to offer my apologies for your unpleasant confinement," Cheongro began. "The High Councilor is a fool who fails to understand the will of Sahngjon. Please do not hold his actions against us. The Ministry of the Emissary Divine will serve you with utmost devotion."

Yeong remained silent. Her cold gaze, however, made Cheongro shift uncomfortably.

"Now that you're free to move about," he continued, choosing his words carefully, "perhaps you would like to venture outside, enjoy some fresh air. You haven't had a chance to explore Wicheong Palace yet. I would be honored to escort you."

Yeong's eyes swept over him, her expression unchanging. "Very well," she finally said.

She rose and walked towards the door, Cheongro trailing behind her. She remained silent as they walked. Cheongro couldn't tell if she was enjoying her newfound freedom, but he didn't particularly care. His motives were far from altruistic.

As Yeong and Cheongro made their way towards the entrance of Wicheong Palace, the Myeonghyeon siblings arrived. Leaving their horses with the soldiers, they hurried towards Seong's chambers. Ryang stopped abruptly, and Seon bumped into him, her shoulder colliding with his.

"What was that?" she snapped, glaring at him.

Ryang's gaze was fixed on Cheongro, who was escorting the Guardian Crimson. Though they were now quite close, Ryang remained frozen, unable to offer the customary greeting. Cheongro, noticing his hesitation, smirked and bowed his head.

"Welcome back, High Councilor."

"Second Emissary," Ryang acknowledged curtly.

Cheongro, with a smug grin, continued towards the exit, Yeong walking beside him.

"I thought she was confined," Seon remarked.

"So did I," Ryang mused.

"You should go see the Third Emissary," he said. "I'll speak with the Guardian."

Without waiting for a response, he hurried towards Seong's chambers. Seon watched him go, her lips pursed in annoyance. Why does he insist on handling everything himself? He had promised they would face this challenge together, but his words seemed to have been empty. Grumbling under her breath, she headed towards the Ministry.

She hadn't been there in years, and she had to ask for directions to Sobi's chambers. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She cautiously pushed the door open, and it swung inward, revealing a dimly lit room. A figure in white robes sat with her back to the entrance.

"Third Emissary?" Seon called out.

Sobi turned, her face etched with sadness, and bowed her head in greeting. Seon entered and sat opposite her.

"What brings you here, Lady Myeonghyeon?" Sobi asked.

"I came to offer my condolences," Seon replied.

She placed a heavy box, wrapped in silk, on the table. "Please give this to the families of the deceased," she said. "If the Emissaries are uncomfortable accepting it, there's no need to mention that it came from House Myeonghyeon."

Sobi's expression remained unchanged. Seon, taken aback by her lack of response, shifted uncomfortably.

"There's no need for such generosity," Sobi finally said. "The deaths of the Emissaries weren't your fault. And your family also lost two men."

"Our grief is a personal matter," Seon said. "Don't worry about that. Please, accept this."

Sobi shook her head. "I’m in confinement," she said. "I'm not allowed to handle any official matters."

"Should I give it to the Second Emissary, then?" Seon asked, her eyebrow arched.

Sobi's gaze lingered on the box. She sighed. "No. Give it to me. I'll see to it that it reaches the families. And please thank the High Councilor for his kindness."

"My brother apologized," Seon began. "What did he do?"

"He didn't do anything," Sobi replied.

Seon studied Sobi's face, but she seemed genuinely clueless. Of course, Seon was unaware of the incident between them. She chuckled.

"He said you'd understand if I told you he was sorry," Seon said. "Perhaps he was mistaken. He can be quite oblivious at times."

A flicker of amusement crossed Sobi's lips, and Seon, her curiosity piqued, asked, "You don't have a thing for my brother, do you?"

Sobi's face flushed. "What are you implying?" she asked sharply. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Well, he is quite charming," Seon replied. "And he has a way with words. Though he seems to have strange tastes in women."

Sobi shook her head firmly. "I've never had such feelings for anyone," she said. "It's not something an Emissary would do."

An awkward silence settled between them. Sobi, regretting her harsh tone, spoke again. "I do respect the High Councilor," she admitted. "I wish he and the High Emissary were closer. Perhaps now that the Guardian Crimson has arrived, their relationship will improve."

Sobi's attempt to lighten the mood, however, had the opposite effect. Seon's eyes, which had been sparkling with amusement, now turned cold.

"That will never happen," she stated flatly.

Sobi, taken aback by her bluntness, asked, "Why not?"

"You haven't been in Wicheong Palace long enough to understand," Seon said. "You don't know what happened when the Guardian's brother left."

"I've heard the stories."

"Have you heard what the High Emissary said to us that day?"

Sobi shook her head. A bitter smile twisted Seon's lips.

"The Ministry handled Father's funeral," Seon continued. "I'll never forget what the High Emissary said to my brother that day. He said we should humbly accept the punishment Sahngjon had bestowed upon us for my brother's defiance. Right in front of Father's coffin."

Sobi stared at her, speechless.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Seon asked. "Don't you believe me?"

"No," Sobi whispered, her voice barely audible.

Seon's eyes blazed with fury. "What good is a High Emissary who can't even shed a tear for the son and the daughter who have lost their father?" she spat.

Sobi bit her lip, a familiar bitterness rising within her. Seon rose from her seat, composing herself.

"I should let you get back to your duties," she said. "I've taken up enough of your time."

"I'm not busy," Sobi replied. "I’m in confinement."

"I know how difficult it can be to even think straight after a tragedy."

Sobi offered a weak smile in return. Seon paused at the door, turning back to face Sobi.

"If you need a distraction," she offered, "come visit me in Nahmgyo before your confinement ends. We could share a cup of tea in the garden. I'd like to see your smile."