Chapter Text
Haesoo boringly threw a rubber-tipped arrow into a narrow necked wooden jar.
Chaeryung clapped and asked with amazement, “Agassi, how are you good at this game?”
Haesoo answered with a straight face, “I have been playing this for hours. If I am still bad at this then that would be strange.”
She looked at the arrow in her hand and irritatedly threw it away, “Aish, I am sick of this.”
How did people of the ancient world survive without smartphone, WiFi and television?
“Chaeryung, is there nothing else to do?”
“Do you want to play The Rose of Sharon has bloomed game?”
“We played it in the morning.”
“Gongi?”
“Yesterday.”
“Do you want to read some books?”
Soo glared at her, “I cannot read. Are you making fun of me right now?”
“I cannot read too”, Chaeryung murmured, looking on the ground.
Soo immediately regretted her words and changed the topic and started talking about weather, dresses, anything she could think of. She heard some maids whispering and walked to them, hoping they would have something interesting.
“What are you guys talking about? Share with me too.”
The maids just looked at each other nervously without answering her.
“What is happening here?”
The commanding yet soft voice made everyone turn around. Myung Hee approached them with a stern face. After hesitating for a while one of the maids finally revealed that they are trying to avoid taking a meal up to the 4th Prince out of fear.
“How can you take the Prince's meal so lightly?” Myung Hee rebuked them. “Someone take up the 4th Prince's meal”, She ordered. Noticing that the servants were reluctant she looked at Soo with innocent eyes.
Soo shook her head vigorously, “He dislikes me. He would rather starve than eat the food I would bring him to.”
“Why would he dislike you?” Myung Hee was confused. According to her they met only once and she couldn't find any reason why the Prince would dislike her sister.
“Have you forgotten I lack manners? I will end up doing something silly in front of him.” She started making excuses.
“Do some work. You are always playing around or sleeping.”
“You were the one who had ordered me not to work because of my heart condition. Now you are saying this to me!”
“Are you arguing with me right now?”
“When did I argue wit-”
“Go”.
***************
The path up to the mountain was not easy. Haesoo was never a mountain fan so she wasn't used to it either. With much difficulty when she reached the top she saw Wang So sitting quietly.
Soo frowned, “Yesterday, he made such a commotion at the temple of prayer. He sure looks innocent from the back. He actually looks lonely.”
Holding the basket she walked to him.
“I am such a nice person. You scared and threatened me yet I am delivering meals to you.”
Wang So glanced at her, “So do you want me to say thank you?” His voice cold as ever.
“An-niyo, I am just requesting you to not be so mean to me next time.” You should say sorry to me not thank you, you rude jerk.
Although So told her to leave the food and she tried to comply but in the end she couldn't help herself from sitting down.
“I have to take back the empty plates anyway otherwise the servants will have to climb up here just for them.” She told him her reason for staying.
She hesitantly asked, “Did...did you apply medicine on your wounds?”
He stiffened at the mention of last night. A night when his own mother expressed her disgust for him. “You didn't see anything. Don't you dare talk about this again!” He warned her.
She rolled her eyes. “I am being concerned for you and you are threatening me! I have my own issues. I don't have time to go around talking about other people.”
The winds up the mountain were especially cold. Her hands were freezing but to her dismay he hadn't even touched the food let alone eat them.
“You should eat them whilst it is still hot.”
“So that you can return early? You don't have to force yourself to come here if you don't want to.”
“You have already scared off the servants. If I don't deliver meals to you then who would do it?” She turned to him. “I don't really have that much problem delivering meals to you but is it really necessary for you to eat here? Do you know how tiring it is to climb the mountain?”
After not getting any response from him, she followed his gaze while controlling her irritation, “Are you looking at the Palace over there? Must you eat looking at your own home? No you live in Shinju right? It's understandable then I guess.” After a pause she said thoughtfully, “You are quite lucky.”
The word made him turn his head. After the night he got the scar he never once considered himself lucky. “Why do you think I am lucky?” He hesitantly asked.
“Well, you have your parents. Even though you don't live with them, both of them are still alive. Moreover you have two mothers. Some people don't even have one.”
He remembered his brothers talking about how cousin of Wook's wife became an orphan at a young age and grew up under her uncle's care. He looked at her with pitiful eyes.
She laughed, “You don't have to give me that look. I am fine now. It's been a long time and I have my Myung Hee Unnie with me now. Ever since I met her I have realized one thing as long as you have at least one person in your life, who genuinely loves you, cherishes you and cares for you, it's enough. You don't need many people to make your life bearable or colorful one person is enough. I used to blame the Heavens for giving me such a sad fate but I no longer do so. People say everything in this world happens for a reason. Who knows maybe there is a reason why I had to live such an unhappy life?”
“Reason! What reason can justify the sufferings of an innocent child?” He snapped at her. Soo flinched at his sudden high-pitched voice. Little did she know he was talking about himself.
“If that's the case then answer me would the reason behind your parents’ death be enough for you to forget all your pain?”
“No never. But why are you being so upset? It's not like you have ever suffered in your life. You must have lived a life full of comfort and warmth.” She pushed the meal nearer to him. “Just a few more days then you will be able to eat with your mother and she may even feed you with her own hands considering you live far away from her. Just the thought of how much your mother will pamper you is already making me jealous.”
So didn't correct her misconception and quietly ate his meals with a heavy heart.
***************
By the time they were returning the sun had already set. The moonlight shone down, a diffuse glow, lighting the forest from pitch black to charcoal grey. Haesoo walked in slow pace, afraid of tripping and dropping the food basket. Wang So followed her in close distance, contemplating whether to help her or not.
Soo sorrowfully sighed when she saw the small brook before her. Crossing it was a risky task even in the daylight. If Soo was in her modern attire she could have jumped over easily but her hanbok was the main problem. She cautiously took a long step but to no avail. While managing her skirt and basket she lost her balance and her right foot touched the water. Before she could fall completely on the water, a hand grabbed and pulled her back. Her back touched So's chest and she breathed heavily in relief.
“Wait”, So said in a soft tone. He then moved to cross the brook and after reaching the other side he extended his hand. Soo glanced over his hand and handed the basket to him before jumping over the brook with ease. So stared at the basket in his hand. He was definitely not embarrassed. He turned around to leave but Soo was not behind him. He looked down only to see her taking off her socks.
“Ya! What are you doing?” He yelled, looking all scandalous.
“You surprised me. Can't you see I am taking off my socks?”
“Exactly, why are you taking them off?”
“Am I supposed to walk with wet socks then?”
“You must have really hurt your head bad. Don't you know nobody can see a girl's feet except their own husband? Girls treat their feet as preciously as their life and here you are baring them in front of me over a small matter.”
If I take that into account then I must already have more than 100 husbands in South Korea. She thought to herself.
“I don't believe in such things.” She was about to touch her socks again when So abruptly held her hand. Soo scowled, “Rest assured. I would kill myself before marrying you. You never have to marry me, So Wangjanim. Are you satisfied now?”
Letting go of her hand he innocently asked, “Why are you talking about death all of a sudden?”
“You are the one who is always threatening others”, she said incredulously. “Turn around.”
“Why?”
“So that you don't have to be my husband.” She gritted her teeth.
She quickly took off her socks and put on her wet shoes. It's so uncomfortable. She lamented.
“Are you done?” His voice impatient.
“Yes.” She got up from the ground. “Let's go”, she said while holding the basket with one hand and dusting her skirts with another.
“Give it to me.” So stretched out his hand with an uncaring expression.
“Unnie will scold me if she learns that I made a Prince work.”
“I am not going to tell her”, he said just as he snatched the basket from her and started to walk.
Haesoo walked or more precisely ran after him as she was unable to keep up with his long steps.
***************
Myung Hee's condition deteriorated each day. There were nights when Soo had to stay up all night to nurse Myung Hee. With her limited knowledge on medicine she tried to treat Myung Hee as much as she could but she was of not much help as necessary materials weren't available then. Soo couldn't understand her sister; despite her sickness she was concerned about leaving her husband alone. She wanted to talk Myung Hee out of this and make her think about her health first but then she realized she was doing this out of her love so she just let her be. She often questioned her own feelings for Junwoo. She loved him there's no doubt but maybe not that much considering how quickly she got over him after arriving in Goryeo. She didn't miss him but she remembered his betrayal. She knew that his betrayal is going to make it difficult for her to trust someone again.
Befriending 10th Prince Eun was a good decision. His light-hearted jokes and playfulness could make her laugh even when she was in her most dull mood. 8th Prince Wook was as usual kind and gentle towards her. She tried to be in her best behaviour so that she doesn't cause any trouble for him as she believed he was already stressed about his wife's sickness. Then there was this cold but handsome 4th Prince. After that day he started eating in his room so it was easy for her to deliver meals to him since the servants were still scared of him. Usually Soo would just quietly place the meal on the table and leave but sometimes she would sit with him until he finished his food. Their conversations were brief and would mostly be just her chattering. The more she talked to him the more she found him less irritating. She discovered he had a great sense of humor which she hadn't expected and was impressed by some of his thoughts which she thought were unusual for that time. Soo noted how the three brothers were so different from each other.
On a sunny afternoon, Haesoo joined the ladies in a knitting session. Myung Hee and Queen Hwangbo were making sweaters for their husbands and Yeonhwa was making a pillow for her father. Sitting beside Myung Hee, Soo tried to help her but whenever her sister gave her something to do she'd mess up so Myung Hee ordered her to just sit quietly. After some time passed she remembered about her sister's medicine.
“It's time for your medicine. Let us come back after you take them”, Soo whispered to her sister quietly but it was still heard by Yeonhwa who was sitting just opposite of Soo.
“Are you not tired of taking so many medicines? Even my father who is way older than you must take fewer medicines than you. But then you are older than my brother too.” Yeonhwa's smugness behind her pretty smile was visible.
“I will take better care of my health.” Myung Hee meekly said, keeping her head down.
“What's the point now? If you had taken better care of yourself earlier than my brother won't have been childless now and our family would have an heir too.”
“It's my fault also. After all, I was called to look after her but.....” Haesoo sighed. Nobody was expecting her to speak and her sad voice urged everyone to focus on her.
With a gentle smile she continued, “It was generous of the 8th Prince to marry my cousin sister. If he had married someone younger then he would've been a father already. He must have received lots of proposals.” Soo looked up to meet Yeonhwa's eyes.
Yeonhwa's face darkened at her words. He didn't and they both knew. No clan wanted to associate themselves with a fallen Prince. Even Hae clan agreed for the marriage because Myung Hee was adamant that she would not marry anyone else other than Wook.
Putting on the most apologetic face, Soo said, “As a member of the Hae clan I sincerely apologize for the uselessness of my clan and sister.”
Yeonhwa was smart enough to realize the reminder behind her apology. She wanted to shout at her for being impudent but she wasn't wrong either. It was because of Myung Hee and her clan's influence that she and her family were able to return to the capital. However her pride was not letting her to let go, she pursued her lips but her mother spoke before her.
“You should eat your medicine on time. Haesoo, take your sister.” The Queen ordered them as she didn't want to ruin her household's atmosphere anymore.
Soo knew from her sister's glaring that she was definitely going to be lectured from her later.
***************
Haesoo had instructed Chaeryung to hide the hairpin So had left behind in a place where he’s not likely to find it right away so he’ll think he just misplaced it on his own. When Chaeryung was taking too long to return, Soo herself went out to look for her. As she was passing a pavilion she spotted Chaeryung tied up and being whipped by another maid and Yeonhwa standing behind them.
Soo rushed to the pavilion and stood protectively in front of Chaeryung. “What did she do so wrong for you to do this?”
“She stole something important from the 4th Prince”, Yeonhwa explained.
“Are you talking about that hairpin? I asked her to put it there. She didn't steal it.”
“Why would you have it?” Yeonhwa felt jealousy in her heart to see some other girl owning something of the 4th Prince.
“I picked it up from somewhere.”
“From where?”
“I don't remember.” She refused to answer, remembering Soo's words.
“You are not willing to answer then what should I think of this situation.” She swept her eyes around the ground acting as if she was really thinking.
“Are you implying I stole it? Talk some sense. I might not be a Princess like you but you also know that I can afford to buy 10 or even more hairpins like this.”
“You can afford this but not her. Maybe you are lying to save her.”
Soo didn't say anything and just observed Yeonhwa. After a few seconds she raised her chin. “You actually don't care whether she stole it or not right? You just want to show off your power.”
“How dare you!”
“Fine then. Tie me up.” Soo moved to untie Chaeryung and while untying the knot she continued. “Since I was the one who had asked her it's only fair that I get the punishment.” She offered herself as she realized the Princess was using this matter to vent her anger on her and she could not think of any other way to save Chaeryung.
Yeonhwa happily complied and had her servants tie Soo. It hurt more than Soo had expected and it was understandable since Yeonhwa was using all her strength to whip her.
Soo tightly closed her eyes expecting the third strike which was weirdly taking too long to come. She turned around her head to see So holding Yeonhwa's hand.
“She is mine”, He said, looking directly into her eyes.
Soo stared at him dumbfoundedly. What nonsense is he spewing?
Even though his "she is mine" line irked her, his presence and 10th Prince's little lie actually saved her and Chaeryung from Yeonhwa's beatings.
Soo wanted Chaeryung to rest and offered to talk to Myung Hee for her about taking a day off from her duties. But she refused her fearing that the Princess will use this chance to trouble her or even worse kick her out of 8th residence. Despite Soo's continuous persuasion she didn't budge and worked with her injuries the whole day. Later at night Soo brought Chaeryung into her room to tend to her.
Soo was finished bandaging Chaeryung wounds and was arranging the medical kit when Chaeryung spoke, noticing her gloomy mood. “I am alright, Agassi.”
“I can see that.” Soo said with a grim voice.
“This seems painful on the outside only in reality it hurts a little more than a mosquito bite.” Chaeryung said with a big smile on her face in hopes of cheering Soo up but Soo's expression remained unchanged so Chaeryung continued, “Moreover this has not happened for the first time.”
Soo put down the box with a loud thud. “Because this has happened before does it mean this is okay?” Anger and frustration was evident on her face.
“You are a human. How can they tie you up like an animal and whip? This is a violation of human rights.”
“Human rights?” Chaeryung blinked in confusion. First time hearing such words.
Haesoo bitterly laughed, “Of course. You must have never even heard this word. I was a fool to forget that this is an era where human beings are treated on the basis of their status. If you are of high status they will worship you like a god but if you are low status then you will be nothing more than dirt to them.”
“This is all my fault. If I had not been caught by Princess Yeonhwa then none of this would have happened. Because of me you quarrelled with her and she.....” Chaeryung broke down into tears before she could finish her sentence.
Soo wiped Chaeryung’s tears and assured her that she's not at fault. “I shouldn't have asked to put that in his room. I am sorry. You were punished and treated like that because of me.” She held her hands together. “I promise you I will not let anyone hurt you from now on. You are my friend and attendant. Nobody can touch you without my permission.”