While U'nso escorted the princess and her entourage out of the inn, Ryang sat in silence, his mind still reeling from the encounter. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a mistake, that he had underestimated Kyeong'ui. U'nso returned with Dara, who had been observing the situation from the inn.

"The princess has left," U'nso announced, bowing his head.

Ryang's tense shoulders finally relaxed. He let out a sigh and buried his face in his hands. A floorboard creaked, and Seon and Sobi emerged from their hiding place.

"What were you thinking?" Seon exclaimed. "You scared me half to death!"

Ryang didn't reply, his eyes still closed. Seon stepped closer, studying his face. Though their meeting with the princess had been brief, Ryang looked exhausted.

"Well, at least we've overcome one hurdle," Seon said.

Ryang sat up. "Where did the leak come from?" he wondered.

"I'd rather not believe it came from within the merchant company," Seon replied, her voice trailing off.

Dara and U'nso exchanged nervous glances. Only a handful of people within the merchant company knew their true identities and had access to the rear garden. They were all loyal soldiers of Wicheong Palace, including Dara and U'nso. The thought that one of them might have betrayed them filled Seon with rage.

"I don't think it came from the merchant company," Ryang said.

"Why not?" Seon asked.

"She seems to know about the sword."

"The proof of our lineage?" Seon scoffed. "You think she was talking about the sword? Perhaps she was just bluffing."

"I hope so," Ryang replied "But if she wasn't, then the leak came from Wicheong. No one within the merchant company knows about the sword except for Dara and U'nso."

Seon's gaze swept over Dara and U'nso, who stood with their heads bowed.

"She knows too much for someone who just arrived on the island," Ryang mused.

After a moment of contemplation, he rose to his feet. "I'm returning to Wicheong."

Seon gently pressed Ryang's shoulders, urging him to sit back down. "Let's wait until tomorrow," she insisted. "It's too dangerous to leave now."

"We can use the secret tunnel," Ryang countered.

"We can't afford to make any mistakes," Seon argued. "We don't know what the princess knows. Let's wait until tomorrow, think things through. Please?"

Ryang shook his head. "At least, I need to see the Lady before nightfall." His anxiety was palpable.

Seon sighed. "Should I come with you?"

"No. You stay here and secure the merchant company. Go through all the documents and separate those that need to be kept at Wicheong. I'll take them with me tomorrow. Burn the rest. Tonight."

Seon stuck her tongue out playfully and nodded. Sobi, who had been drawn into this unexpected situation, spoke up. "I can help."

"I apologize for dragging you into this," Ryang said to Sobi. "I invited you here for a respite, but I need your help now. I hope you understand."

"It's the least I can do for Wicheong," Sobi replied.

"Thank you," Ryang said, then turned and hurried out the door, heading towards the government office.

"Let's get to work," Seon said to the others.

"Yes, My Lady," Dara and U'nso replied, bowing their heads.

Seon, along with Sobi, Dara, and U'nso, began sorting through the countless documents, separating those that needed to be sent to Wicheong Palace from those that needed to be destroyed. Dara and U'nso, familiar with the merchant company's operations, worked quickly. Sobi, though unfamiliar with the task, was a quick learner. Her experience handling the administrative tasks of the Ministry served her well.

As she sifted through the documents, Sobi couldn't help but marvel at the sheer volume of work House Myeonghyeon had undertaken to support Wicheong Palace, the sacrifices they had made. And Ryang, despite facing the princess's threats with unwavering courage, had still humbled himself, referring to himself as a mere merchant. But Sobi knew that few officials in Sunyahng would have been able to stand their ground against the princess with such conviction. The sudden arrival of the princess and her entourage was a crisis those confined within Wicheong Palace would never have to face. The Myeonghyeon siblings had clearly weathered countless storms to protect their secret.

Compared to the complexities of the merchant company's operations, the tasks of the Ministry seemed trivial. Ryang was only twenty-six, and Seon was twenty, barely younger than Sobi herself. Are they simply exceptional individuals, entrusted with such responsibilities by Sahngjon? Or do their roles shape them into the leaders they have become? Sobi felt a surge of admiration for them, and a pang of shame for her own complacency.

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She worked tirelessly, sweat beading on her forehead as she navigated the narrow aisles of the archive room, its shelves overflowing with documents. Seon watched her, a sad smile touching her lips.

"I invited you for tea, but it seems you've been put through quite the ordeal," Seon remarked.

The memory of them huddled together, breathlessly silent in the cramped space beneath the tea room, sent a strange warmth through Sobi.

She quickly shook off the feeling and asked, "Will we be alright?"

"We will," Seon replied firmly. "We have to be."

──────────

Seolyo Jin sat across from Ryang, a cloud of smoke swirling around her head as she puffed on her pipe. Ryang waited patiently, his gaze fixed on her. Though he was eager to understand the reason for the princess's sudden visit and the subsequent chaos, he held his tongue, allowing Jin to set the pace. Finally, she emptied her pipe and spoke, her voice raspy.

"The princess will be returning to Hyangdo soon."

"What was your intention?" Ryang asked.

"It seems she's decided to join the fray," Jin replied, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I suspected as much, but now it's clear. She's revealed her ambitions, which makes things easier for us. I granted her access to give you a chance to find a way to survive this."

"We've already chosen our path," Ryang countered. "We don't have the luxury of appeasing the princess. Do you know what she asked of us?"

"Your loyalty, and your coffers, I presume?"

"Our coffers are hardly overflowing at the moment," Ryang admitted. "But that's not all. She wants us to return to Sunyahng with her. She intends to use our name for her own gain."

Jin chuckled. "That's a bold move."

"Please!" Ryang's voice rose in frustration.

Jin calmly refilled her pipe and lit it.

"Have you forgotten your loyalty to the Guardian?" Ryang demanded.

Jin's smile vanished. "Neither of us knows what she truly seeks," she said. "She may have revealed her ambitions, but she could be hiding something more sinister. She may know more than she lets on. Perhaps she's aware of Wicheong. If that's the case, protecting you could put all of Nahmgyo at risk. My loyalty to your Guardian ends where the safety of my people begins."

"But Nahmgyo is a protectorate of the Azure Scripture," Ryang argued.

"The Azure Scripture is gone. Wi is dead."

"But the Crimson Star has appeared." Ryang countered, his words surprising himself.

"So it's true, then?" Jin asked, her eyes narrowing. "There is something to that star?"

Ryang remained silent. Jin chuckled, shaking her head.

"You haven't shown me anything yet," she said. "Why should Nahmgyo risk its neck for the Azure Scripture?"

Ryang's frustration grew. He had something to offer, something tangible – the Guardian Crimson, who had descended with the Crimson Star, her otherworldly presence undeniable. And there was Norahn, the High Emissary Divine, with the light of Sahngjon shining in his eyes. But he couldn't reveal his hand just yet. It was all they had. He couldn't ask Jin, a shrewd and calculating woman, to risk everything for an uncertain prophecy.

Jin, seeing his hesitation, emptied her pipe and rose from her seat. "It's getting late," she said. "You should rest. You must be exhausted."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Ryang replied, rising as well.

Ryang rose from his seat, bowed curtly, and exited the office. He didn't return to the inn until nightfall. Seon, squatting in a corner of the garden, was burning documents with Sobi, Dara, and U'nso.

"Is that all you're burning?" Ryang asked as he approached.

The three turned to face him, their heads bowed in respect. Seon, however, remained focused on the flames, poking at the burning documents with a stick.

"We burn documents regularly," she replied nonchalantly. "It's just a coincidence that we're doing it today."

"Thank you for your hard work," Ryang said.

Seon tossed the stick aside and stood up. "Aren't you tired?"

"I am. I need to rest." Though Seon seemed curious about his meeting with Jin, she didn't press him for details. Ryang headed towards his room, his footsteps heavy. He collapsed onto his bed, the ceiling seeming to spin above him. As he lay there, loosening his tightly bound robes, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.

"My Lord."

It was Dara. Ryang sat up and quickly adjusted his robes. Dara entered, bowing her head respectfully before settling beside him on the bed.

"You're leaving early tomorrow, aren't you?" she asked.

"I am," Ryang confirmed.

"Can I... stay with you tonight?" Dara asked hesitantly.

Ryang couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. He felt a pang of guilt. He had come to Nahmgyo primarily to see her, to make amends for his neglect. But the unexpected events of the day had once again pushed her to the sidelines. Is this how it will always be? He looked at her, her small face pale in the dim light, and felt a surge of affection. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. The hesitation that had marked the previous night was gone, replaced by a newfound freedom in Ryang's touch. Dara, lost in a haze of pleasure, found herself both thrilled and unnerved by his boldness. His advances, though gentle, were relentless, pushing her to the edge of her endurance. Exhausted, she succumbed to his desires, her body yielding beneath his weight. Ryang, spent from his own exertions, collapsed on top of her, their bodies entwined.

Dara, nestled against Ryang's chest, looked up at him. "I thought you were a scholar who only cared about books," she teased.

Ryang's eyes fluttered open. "There are many kinds of books," he replied, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Dara giggled, her laughter filling the room. Ryang smiled back, but his mind was still troubled by the princess's accusations, her questions about the books he read, the knowledge he sought. What have I been hoping to find in those pages? Knowledge? He already had access to the Azure Scripture and its commentaries. He had never desired power or prestige. Is it simply to fulfill my family's legacy, to complete Father's unfinished mission?

The reality of the situation came crashing back, shattering the intimacy of the moment. Ryang's thoughts returned to the princess. Kyeong'ui was fearless, and her ambition seemed close to innocence which might easily turn into cruelty. She struggled to maintain her composure, at the same time, however, didn’t hesitate to take off her merciful mask. She was a formidable opponent, her motives unclear, her resources unknown. He found it both ironic and frustrating that the young princess, barely a girl, had disrupted his life, his plans.

Dara, oblivious to his worries, snuggled closer, her hand tracing the lines of his chest. She soon drifted off to sleep. Ryang kissed her forehead and slipped out of bed before dawn, his heart heavy as he prepared to return to Wicheong Palace.