Seon's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Kyeong'ui. For a fleeting moment, she was filled with relief, but then a strange chill prickled at the back of her neck, stemming from the subtle coldness lurking in Kyeong'ui's seemingly kind eyes.

  Seon spoke cautiously, "But Your Highness, if the Dahnian forces search Birahng again, it might cause friction with Lady Seolyo..."

  Kyeong'ui cut Seon off with a relaxed smile. "Isn't this about finding Lord Myeonghyeon, whom Lady Seolyo holds in such high regard? Surely she's aware of the situation?"

  "She isn't yet."

  "I'm operating under the guise of a leisurely excursion, so no one can stop me from deploying troops to search for a private citizen. But Lady Seolyo is in a different position. No matter how worried she is, she can't mobilize her forces for the personal matter of locating Lord Myeonghyeon. So, wouldn't she generously understand even if the Dahnian forces rummage through Nahmgyo?"

  "Through Nahmgyo?"

  "We have to search the city first. Things can be hidden in plain sight."

  "That's true, but Your Highness, haven't you considered the unrest you faced at the south gate upon your arrival?"

  "That's why you must go and appeal to Lady Seolyo for her cooperation."

  Seon's expression visibly hardened. Kyeong'ui pressed, "Are you not pleased with my help?"

  Seon quickly schooled her features, offering an awkward smile. "Of course not. But I'm not sure if I can persuade her..."

  "With the same desperation you showed earlier, I believe you can."

  Kyeong'ui's smiling gaze felt heavy, almost oppressive. The shadow of the throne seemed to loom behind her graceful smile, and Seon began to understand the merchants' rumors that Princess Kyeong'ui resembled her father. A renewed sense of unease settled over her. She clearly foresaw the trouble that would erupt when she returned to Nahmgyo with Dahnian soldiers. Yet, having already made a misstep, Seon couldn't find a way to refuse Kyeong'ui's offer, nor the words to counter it. On the other hand, she desperately needed to find Ryang quickly, and Kyeong'ui's help was her only hope. Seon spoke, suppressing her nervousness,

  "I have a question."

  "Ask."

  "We haven't been much help to you so far. And it's uncertain how much assistance we can provide once we reach Sunyahng. Despite your assurances, if word gets out that you've used troops to search for my brother, it could cause complications with your enemies. Why are you going to such lengths to help us, given all that?"

  "You're asking if it's about money."

  That's not quite—"

  Kyeong'ui replied, cutting off Seon's hesitant denial, I can't deny that it's a factor. I lack a firm foundation in the court. My father's favor is my sole support. Your assistance could help me establish that base more quickly. That was my initial calculation: an exchange of what I want for appropriate compensation."

  "And now?"

  "I had a archery match with him a few days ago. His question that day has stayed with me."

  Kyeong'ui's expression was distant as if recalling a memory. Seon asked, "What did he ask?"

  "He asked me why I desired the throne."

  Seon's lips twitched involuntarily. Kyeong'ui, who had observed Seon's guarded composure throughout their conversation, was puzzled by this uncharacteristic reaction.

  "What are you smiling about?" Kyeong'ui asked.

  "It's something my brother would have asked."

  "Does he often catch people off guard like that?"

  A wry smile touched Seon's lips as she recalled Ryang's habitually chilly gaze.

  "'It's less about catching people off guard, and more a habit he inherited from our father. My brother was always on the receiving end of Father's endless 'why?' questions."

  Seon finished, meeting Kyeong'ui's eyes directly. Kyeong'ui countered with, "Didn't you inherit that habit?"

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  "I'm not particularly concerned with why you desire the throne."

  Seon's gaze was direct and unwavering as she answered. Kyeong'ui, a sharp glint in her gently curving eyes, inquired,"Then what does interest you?"

  "I'm more interested in whether you can claim the throne."

  Upon hearing this, Kyeong'ui burst into laughter. Her usually composed shoulders shook with silent amusement. After calming her laughter, she said, "You and your brother may look like twins, but your personalities are worlds apart."

  Seon only bowed her head slightly without replying.

  Kyeong'ui continued, "I couldn't give him a satisfactory answer that day. No one had ever posed that question to me before, so I'd never truly considered it myself. I knew I possessed ambition, and could confidently claim it surpassed anyone else's, but I couldn't articulate a proper response. It's been a source of shame and unease ever since. Yet, it's also made me yearn to have him by my side. Of course, there are many good teachers in Yeonghwi Palace. But teachers can only play the role of teachers."

  Kyeong'ui reached out and touched Seon's cold hand.

  "I need an ally. Our time together has been brief, so I can't claim to know you well yet, but I want to believe that you, as the sibling of such a brother, are also wise and righteous."

  Seon studied Kyeong'ui. Kyeong'ui's stance seemed to waver between a test and a gesture of favor. Or is she playing both sides? Seon's fingers twitched within Kyeong'ui's grasp, and her voice trailed off, "We are hardly deserving of such trust..."

  "Lord Myeonghyeon once told me that trust is mutual. I will offer mine first. As you pointed out, if this matter reaches my father's ears or those of others, it could put me in a precarious position. So, you must understand what it means for me to entrust you with my troops to find him."

  "I understand."

  Kyeong'ui's gaze locked onto Seon's. "This trust must never be betrayed."

  Seon's eyes remained fixed on Kyeong'ui, unmoving. The conflicting emotions churning within her were difficult to decipher, and she began to comprehend the turmoil Ryang must have experienced in his interactions with Kyeong'ui. Seon, too, felt a pang of regret for her inability to reciprocate the sincerity in those resolute eyes. Yet, a dangerous thought slithered into her mind: is it truly something to regret? Should our loyalty to Kyeong'ui remain a lie?Is that the inevitable conclusion to this fraught alliance?

  'I advise you to consider your options carefully, for the sake of your house.'

  Ryucheon's words, spoken through a haze of cigarette smoke, echoed alongside Kyeong'ui's offer—a lifeline that might well be a trap. Seon managed a stiff smile.

  "I hope the day arrives soon when I can repay your trust."

  Kyeong'ui smiled back. I also have an answer I haven't yet given him. Which makes his safe return all the more imperative."

  "What answer do you intend to give to my question?"

  "You mean whether I can claim the throne?" Kyeong'ui echoed, her lips curving into a wider smile. "Isn't that an answer you and I should find together?"

  Seon didn't reply. Kyeong'ui placed a hand on Seon's shoulder.

  "We have no time to lose, so let's make haste. If you'll wait outside, I'll instruct my Royal Attendant to assist you."

  Seon rose, bowed, and stepped outside. Her complicated emotions led her to pace back and forth on the soft sand. The hushed voices of the two inside the tent were too faint to carry beyond the flap. Soon after, Hongyoo emerged and approached Seon.

  "She'll provide you with two hundred soldiers. Take fifty of them and return to the city. The remaining one hundred and fifty will be deployed around the city."

  Seon replied with a wry smile, "Please tell her I won't forget this favor."

  Hongyoo glared at Seon, as if to burn her face. "One day, you'll pay for today's recklessness with tears of blood."

  "Almost everything I said was accurate. Of course, it wasn't exactly what you'd want your lover to hear."

  "If you're so fond of the truth, you should have told the truth about your identity."

  As Hongyoo's tone sharpened, Seon's smile widened. "Why are you so angry? We both survived today. If I had misspoken, we could have both died right there."

  "You seem to think you're quite clever," Hongyoo scoffed, "but it was you who created that dangerous situation by acting recklessly. Do you honestly believe Mihn is helping you out of pure kindness? You're so naive."

  Seon saw no need to respond to Hongyoo's provocation, fully aware of Kyeong'ui's underlying motives. Hongyoo sneered at Seon's silence and brushed past her.

  As soon as Seon returned to the city with the soldiers, Hongyoo sought out Gahngyun Hyeok. Lifting the tent flap, he was met by the sharp odor of alcohol. Hyeok's eyes were already bloodshot with drink. Slurring his words, he grumbled to Hongyoo,

  "What man in the world would risk his neck being chopped off by his own wife?"

  "Isn't it all something you brought upon yourself?" Hongyoo replied casually, sitting down opposite Hyeok. There was only one bottle and one cup on the table. Hongyoo filled the empty cup Hyeok had been drinking from and downed it in one gulp. Hyeok glared at him.

  "You came here and egged me on, and now you're playing innocent, you sly fox."

  Hongyoo chuckled. "When did I egg you on? I merely expressed my concerns. You're the one who mobilized the troops without authorization. My words didn't stretch that far."

  "Stop playing with words."

  Hongyoo's eyes subtly lifted. "I wonder if you remember the advice I gave you at the beginning. I told you that the woman you're betrothed to is not just any ordinary woman, so you should quickly abandon your misconceptions. If you just brushed it aside then, engrave my advice deeply now."

  Hongyoo filled the empty cup once again and drank. He slammed the cup down on the table and stood up.

  "Her Highness will dispatch two hundred soldiers to find Myeonghyeon Ryang. Fifty of them are heading to the city with Myeonghyeon Seon now. The remaining one hundred and fifty are yours."

  The effects of the alcohol instantly vanished from Hyeok's eyes. Hongyoo continued, "She instructed me to convey this: for your own sake, you must bring Myeonghyeon Ryang back alive."