The Cherry Blossom was alive with a gentle hum of laughter and conversation, the air thick with the sweet scent of cherry blossoms and the tantalizing aroma of traditional dishes. As Prince Young-Sik walked through the entrance, his demeanor was calm, but a glimmer of purpose shone in his eyes. Captain Gi followed closely behind, a sense of intrigue bubbling within him.
"Your Highness, I never knew that you liked to go to this place," Captain Gi expressed, his voice tinged with surprise.
Young-Sik turned slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I come here to escape the palace," he replied, his tone light yet contemplative. "This time, though, we are going here for a specific reason."
Curiosity piqued, and Captain Gi followed the prince deeper into the establishment. They navigated through the vibrant common area until Young-Sik paused near one of the intricately carved posts. Captain Gi watched, bewildered, as the prince's fingers grazed the wood, a subtle shift revealing a hidden door that he had never noticed before.
"Your Highness!" Captain Gi gasped, his eyes widening as Young-Sik stepped through the threshold. Without hesitation, he followed, the air shifting as they entered a long, dimly lit corridor. Muffled voices echoed from the other side, laughter, and chatter swirling around them.
At the end of the corridor, Young-Sik pushed open a concealed wall, revealing a lavish room adorned with ornate decorations and an inviting table set for guests. The atmosphere was rich with opulence, a stark contrast to the simplicity of the Cherry Blossom's exterior.
Taking his place at the head of the table, Young-Sik pulled on a golden cord that dangled gracefully from the ceiling. Captain Gi settled into his seat, his curiosity mounting. "Why are we exactly here, Your Highness?" he asked, his brow furrowing in anticipation.
"I want to know who wanted me dead!" the prince declared, his voice steady yet fierce. Recognition dawned on Captain Gi; this was not merely a retreat but an information market, a sanctuary for secrets and whispers.
Before he could respond, the doors swung open, and Lady Hu entered, accompanied by several ladies, each carrying a spread of delectable dishes. The sheer beauty of the room paled in comparison to her presence. Captain Gi's heart raced, entranced by her fluid grace and striking beauty. His breath caught when Lady Hu bowed to the prince, her long hair cascading down her back, accentuating the elegance of her neck.
As she settled into the seat across from him, her alluring smile nearly rendered him speechless. Young-Sik, keenly observing his friend's captivated expression, stifled a chuckle. He swiftly snatched a napkin and playfully covered Captain Gi's mouth. "Wipe your mouth; you look ridiculous," he whispered, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Shaken from his reverie, Captain Gi hurriedly wiped his lips, the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck.
"Your Highness, I humbly ask for your forgiveness for this simple gift; your presence was a delightful surprise," Lady Hu stated with a graceful poise. She then turned her attention to Captain Gi. "And you'vebrought a friend along today. I am Lady Hu Mun-Hee, the owner of this modest place." She extended her hand toward him, her gaze warm and inviting.
"Captain Gi Kwan," he replied, grasping her hand firmly, a spark of connection igniting in that brief touch. Lady Hu's eyes sparkled, her focus fixed on him, and in that moment, the world around them faded, leaving only the three of them enveloped in the stillness of secrets waiting to unfold.
Young-Sik raised an eyebrow, glancing at Captain Gi, who was still trying to regain his composure after a rather embarrassing moment. "Seriously? You're bleeding?" The prince slapped his forehead in disbelief, exasperation clear in his voice.
Captain Gi quickly shielded his face, a sheepish grin spreading across his features. "I'm sorry, Your Highness; this is quite out of the ordinary for me." He turned his attention to Lady Hu, his voice softening. "I must apologize, my lady; it's just that I've never seen anyone as breathtaking as you."
Lady Hu gracefully covered her smile with a delicate fan, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh my… at least someone here knows how to flatter a lady," she teased, her voice lilting.
Captain Gi felt a rush of warmth at her words. He let out a raw, magnetic smile that caught her off guard, making her cheeks flush a delicate shade of pink. Her soft giggle sent a shiver of excitement through him, leaving him feeling hot and thirsty for more of her attention.
"Ahem," Prince Young-Sik cleared his throat, interrupting the flirtatious exchange. "Can you tell me something about this dagger?" He handed the ornate dagger to Lady Hu, his tone shifting to business-like seriousness.
Lady Hu took the dagger from him, her brow furrowing in concentration as she studied it. She removed it from its sheath, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the hilt. "This is beautifully crafted," she commented, her voice filled with intrigue. The pommel, adorned with a dragon symbol, caught her eye. She looked up at Young-Sik, her curiosity piqued. "Your Highness, may I look at your sword?"
Without hesitation, Young-Sik handed her his weapon. She compared the two pommels side by side, a look of alarm crossing her face. "This dagger is of Aranes design, much like your sword." She laid them side by side, her expertise shining through. "Look at the feathered pattern; it's only present in blades forged by Aranes sword masters. It's a complex process, requiring immense skill and specific materials. Even the pommels are almost the same. Where did you get this?" she asked, her gaze sharp.
Captain Gi shared a knowing glance with the prince, the gravity of the situation settling in. Young-Sik picked up both the dagger and his sword, his expression serious. "I got this from the corpse of one of the assassins that tried to kill me," he explained matter-of-factly.
Captain Gi's brows knitted together as he observed Lady Hu's reaction. "Why are you not surprised by this news?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
Lady Hu turned to him, her expression steady. "The prince's loyalty to the crown and the nation makes him a dangerous man to anyone who seeks to overthrow the royal family," she explained. She shifted her gaze back to Young-Sik, her tone shifting to a more serious note. "Asking who would want the prince dead is not the right question. The question we should be asking is, 'Who has the means to pay Aranes assassins to go after the prince?'"
She turned her attention back to Young-Sik. "Are we in accord with the price, your Highness?"
Young-Sik pulled a bag filled with gold coins from his belt, handing it to Mun-He with a resolute expression. "That is the question I want you to answer, Lady Hu. I know how deep your connections can go. Dig around and see if you can get the name of the person who wanted me dead," he instructed her firmly. "If you find anything, you can let me or Captain Gi know. I trust him, so should you."
The atmosphere shifted, the playful banter replaced with a weighty alliance forged in the shadows of danger. Captain Gi felt a mix of admiration and trepidation as he stood next to Lady Hu, realizing the stakes had just risen significantly.
The residence of Lord Lim Do-Yung was a place of terror, where even the most powerful ministers cowered in fear. Minister Gi, once a formidable political figure, now lay helpless on the floor, his body bruised and battered by Lord Lim's ruthless bodyguards. The old minister's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears, his voice cracking under the weight of his torment.
Queen Eri, an observer to this brutal scene, showed no sympathy. Her cold gaze swept over Minister Gi, and she uttered words that sealed his fate, "What a pitiful display."
Lord Lim, the orchestrator of this violence, finally intervened. With a mere command, the beating ceased, leaving Minister Gi's broken body trembling. He knelt beside the minister, his grip tightening on the man's hair, "Your mistake, old friend, was not trusting us with your plans. The prince still breathes, and now they search for answers." With a swift move, he slammed Minister Gi's face against the ground, silencing him.
His attention then turned to the Queen, his tone laced with menace. "Your loyalty is tested, Your Majesty. I hope your words hold more weight than his."
Queen Eri's voice trembled, but her resolve remained. "My son's heart is mine to control, and the poison... it awaits the opportune moment. I will not fail you, my Lord."
Lord Lim's eyes narrowed, "See that you don't. Remember, failure is not an option. You will meet the same fate as this traitor if you dare to disappoint." With that, he departed, leaving the Queen trembling, her knees weak from the encounter.
The scene served as a stark reminder of the cruel power dynamics at play. Lord Lim and the Queen, a deadly duo, were not to be crossed, their threats leaving no room for doubt. Minister Gi's suffering was a testament to the consequences of defiance, a warning to all who dared challenge their authority.
After regaining her composure the Queen put on her head covering and made her way out of Minister Lim's residence. Once back in the palace, she cursed at her predicament "I should have not aligned myself with such a treacherous man" She said to herself. She picked up the hand mirror and threw it to the wall shattering it. But it was enough, she was still furious, and she would need to hurt someone to calm herself. She picked up her horsewhip and stormed out of her room, Her court ladies panicked when she raised her hand to whip them. Then something or someone caught her eye, It was Jin-ri casually strolling the palace grounds.
She put her hand down and walked out of her residence, the court ladies breathed easily knowing that the Queen found herself a target. Outside the Queen slowly followed the oblivious Jin-Ri. When they reached Prince Young-Sik's residence, she surprised the court maiden
"Where is your master?" She shouted from behind Jin-Ri, who turned around and bowed to greet her
"Your Majesty, the prince is inside, when I went out to do some errands," She said her head still bowed.
The Queen gestured to two of her court ladies to go inside the house and look for the prince. Jin-Ri raised her head when she saw the court ladies entering the prince's residence without permission. "Your majesty forgive me, but they cannot enter without Prince Young-Sik's permission" she protested, but the Queen pushed her aside as she waited for her court ladies to come out.
After a few moments, the two court ladies exited the residence and reported to the Queen "Your Majesty, Prince Young-Sik is not in his house, it seemed that he went out without permission again"
The Queen pointed her whip at Jin-Ri "Where is the prince? Why are you not with him?" but Jin-Ri could not answer as she did not know where the prince was nor did she even know that he went outside.
"Hold her!" Queen Eri commanded. The two elder court ladies grabbed Jin-Ri by the arms and turned her around so her back faced the Queen.
"What are you doing?" Jin-Ri asked in a panic "Let me go…Your majesty, what have I done?" Two more court ladies raised her skirt and inner garments to expose her legs and calves
"Did we not tell you to never leave the prince's side?" The Queen repeatedly whipped Jin-Ri using the horsewhip. Each strike left a red mark on her skin,
With each lash, Jin-Ri's screams pierced the air, a symphony of despair. She clenched her lips, trying to stifle the cries that threatened to escape as pain coursed through her. The queen, a vision of malevolence, reveled in her torment, her smile a cruel mockery of satisfaction.
The once peaceful palace grounds now bore witness to a heinous act, a display of power and cruelty. Jin-ri's loyalty and innocence were no match for Queen Eri's wrath.
Suddenly they heard someone shout, they all turned their heads and saw an angry Young-Sik marching toward them. "Release her now!" He ordered the court ladies, but the Queen ignored the prince and continued to whip Jin-Ri.
The prince came in between the Queen and Jin-Ri, blocking the whip with his arm. The whip broke into pieces the moment it struck the prince's arm. "You dare attack me?" The Queen shouted at the prince "The King will hear about this and I will whip you myself!"
"Attack you, your majesty? The way I see it you attacked me and I just defended myself" The prince looked around "Who do you think his Highness would believe? The words of your lackeys? Or the word of a royal captain that he honored for loyalty?"
The Queen glared at the prince, her gaze sharp and menacing, as if she intended to stab Young-Sik with her eyes. Ultimately, she relented and lowered her hand. The prince turned to the court ladies holding Jin-Ri back, his voice icy and composed as he declared, "I will not hesitate to kill anyone who dares to restrain her!"
The prince's intimidating presence sent a shiver through the old court ladies, leading them to release Jin-Ri in unison. Overcome by the physical abuse she suffered at the Queen's hands, Jin-Ri fainted. Just before she hit the ground, Young-Sik caught her, lifting her into his arms as he walked away.
"How dare you meddle in my affairs, you brute!" The Queen screamed at the prince, her anger, hatred, and disdain for him were unmistakable.
Young-Sik let out a derisive laugh, not even turning to address her. "My mother was right about you; you have no sense of boundaries. You can punish every lady in this court... except for her. You would do well to take my warning seriously."
She charged at him, intent on striking. "You worthless, rude..." Yet, Queen Eri's words were cut short; the sheer force of Prince Young-Sik's glare left her frozen in terror. He continued to walk away, Jin-Ri cradled in his arms, with Captain Gi trailing behind.
Young-Sik gently laid Jin-Ri down on the bed. He placed her on her belly, allowing him a clear view of the bruises and cuts that marred her delicate skin. A wave of sorrow washed over him, tightening his chest as he surveyed her injuries. The sight of her suffering ignited a fierce protectiveness within him.