Seo Yeon's gaze met Hyun Yeol's, her voice laced with an icy authority.
"Your Majesty, Joseon cannot endure a King bound by the weight of the past. The Soron Guksa awaits your attention."
Frustration surged in Hyun Yeol, but beneath it, something darker festered—doubt. His grip tightened around the ceramic jar, its cool weight a stark reminder of his inner turmoil. With a sharp motion, he slammed it against the table; the noise reverberated like a thunderclap. His voice trembled—not solely with rage, but with a nameless despair.
"Am I truly so insignificant?" he demanded, his words echoing hollowly. "Is this why Hae-ju chose death over remaining by my side?"
Seo Yeon's steady gaze held his.
"She is gone because of your choices, Your Majesty."
Her words struck him like a blade, reopening old wounds. His jaw clenched, and his hands curled at his sides. He stepped toward her—a silent threat—yet an image of Hae-ju's tear-streaked face flashed unbidden, stalling his advance with a flicker of restraint he barely understood.
Seo Yeon felt her pulse quicken beneath his looming presence. With no further warning, his hand swept across her face—a sharp, cruel slap. The sting was soon eclipsed by the wrenching pain in her abdomen. For a moment, time seemed to still as she crumpled to the floor, her bloodied skirt clutched in trembling hands, her breath ragged. The room spun, as though she teetered on the brink of darkness.
Hyun Yeol's voice broke through the haze of panic.
"Queen! Summon the physician—quickly!"
Soon-i rushed in, her face pale with dread.
"Hold strong, Your Majesty!"
Yet Seo Yeon could feel the life within her slipping away, darkness closing in like a suffocating shroud. That night, whispers slithered through the palace: the Queen had lost her unborn child.
Later, Seo Yeon lay motionless upon the bed, her gaze distant and hollow. Hyun Yeol lingered nearby, his presence as insubstantial as a ghost. He had summoned the physician and ensured she received the best care, yet the chasm between them remained—unbridgeable. Placing a tonic on the bedside table, his fingers hesitated on the porcelain rim. Words of remorse and something deeper hovered on his tongue, but he swallowed them back. She did not glance his way. With a rustle of his robes, he turned and stepped away, burdened by the unbearable certainty that she would never forgive him—and perhaps, he did not deserve it.
Soon-i entered quietly. "Your Majesty…"
Her response was a mere breath. "Fetch me the sewing basket."
Pressing a cold cloth to her chest, her hands trembled as she spoke, her voice thick with grief.
"I was prepared for this child," she murmured. "But the Heavens have turned cruel—another life slips from me."
Soon-i's breath caught, her fists clenching in helpless anger.
"Had you not gone to him, this might not have happened."
Seo Yeon shook her head slowly, sorrow heavy in her motion.
"No… It was already too late."
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Your Majesty, the Prince has arrived."
Wiping her tear-streaked face and composing herself, she said, "Let him in."
Lee San entered hesitantly, his small frame trembling with emotion.
"Mother Queen… I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you."
Without thinking, Seo Yeon pulled him into her arms. His sobs wracked his body as she held him tightly.
"Come here, my son."
"I should have spoken to Father…" his voice broke.
Running her fingers through his hair, she soothed him, grounding herself in his small, comforting presence.
"No, my son. You did your best."
Outside, Hyun Yeol stood motionless in the hallway, hidden in the shadows. Eunuch Lee glanced at him uncertainly before returning to the closed door.
"Your Majesty…"
Hyun Yeol raised a hand sharply.
"She has finally allowed herself to grieve. Let her be."
Yet as he turned to leave, his eyes darkened, his hollow gaze betraying a deeper intent. If a hidden hand were responsible for her suffering—if someone had stolen his child—he would find them, no matter the cost.
A heavy silence now weighed upon Do-hyun's estate, the air thick with unbearable sorrow. Kim Gyu returned, his face ashen, his steps burdened as he approached Do-hyun. Without a word, he knelt before him.
"What has happened, Kim—"
"Lord…" Kim Gyu's voice cracked under grief. "The Lord has collapsed upon hearing of the Queen's misfortune… he..." His throat tightened, and he struggled for strength.
Do-hyun froze, a fierce, painful ache gripping his heart. "Father… He…" Kim Gyu's words struck him like physical blows. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the steps, gasping, his hands trembling violently.
Kim Gyu lowered his head, sorrow plain in every trembling gesture.
"Lord could not bear this agony. First, the loss of Hae-ju... and now, the Queen's child..." Tears traced silent paths down his cheeks as his fists clenched.
Do-hyun's hands tightened into fists, his breath hitching as his world spun. Summoning urgency, he forced himself up.
"Take me to Father. Now!"
Without another word, Kim Gyu helped him onto a horse. They rode through the night, the weight of his father's condition pressing with every mile.
Upon arrival, Do-hyun bolted from the horse, heart pounding, and rushed to his father's side, clutching the frail, cold hand.
"Do-hyun…" In-Myeong's whisper was warm—the kind that had once steadied his heart.
Tears blurred Do-hyun's vision. "Father… I'm here," he choked, his voice thick with emotion.
A faint, tired smile tugged at In-Myeong's lips.
"I… I can no longer protect them. Do-hyun, you mustn't carry this burden alone. It is not your fault…"
Do-hyun shook his head, his voice breaking.
"Father, they are family. Even Seo Yeon would say the same. Their mother treated us with kindness. We did all we could to repay that kindness."
In-Myeong's labored breath softened.
"Then promise me, Do-hyun... Take care of Seo Yeon. She is strong, but even she... needs someone."
"Yes, Father," Do-hyun whispered, grief tightening his throat. "I swear, I will take care of her."
A fleeting relief crossed In-Myeong's features before his eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Do-hyun's grip tightened, unwilling to let go.
"Father…" His voice cracked as silence grew deafening.
The servants gathered, lowering their heads in quiet mourning. Do-hyun's heart shattered as he cradled his father's lifeless hand, tears falling freely.
The funeral was quick yet dignified. Do-hyun personally washed his father's body, prepared him for the final rites, and burned incense in his honor. Kim Gyu stood by him, silent support heavy with grief.
"Lord…" Kim Gyu's whisper now acknowledged him as head of the house.
Do-hyun exhaled shakily, wiping his face.
"Send word to the palace immediately."
Kim Gyu hesitated before accepting the sealed letters. Their eyes met briefly.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I will deliver the news myself," Do-hyun replied, his voice steel beneath the tremble. "My sister needs me."
Without delay, they mounted their horses and raced toward the palace, the weight of the news pressing on Do-hyun's heart.
Arriving at the Queen's chambers, Do-hyun stormed through the doors, breath ragged from the ride. Seo Yeon looked up, her eyes hollow with exhaustion, her face pale.
"Oreboni…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Do-hyun's heart clenched as he dropped to his knees before her.
"Your Majesty... Father has passed away."
The color drained from her face as her breath caught. Her body trembled, eyes glazing with shock.
"Fa... Father... He..."
"He collapsed upon hearing your loss," Do-hyun whispered, struggling for composure. "His body was too weak... He is gone."
A strangled sob tore from Seo Yeon as she crumpled to the floor, her cries echoing with raw agony. Do-hyun rushed to her, gathering her into his arms.
"Why? Why is the world so cruel?" she cried, overwhelmed by sorrow.
Unable to face Hyun Yeol—who had brought her so much pain—she clung to Do-hyun, allowing him to deliver the news to the King.
When Do-hyun finally stood before Hyun Yeol, his eyes burned with simmering fury.
"Your Majesty, I have a request."
Hyun Yeol regarded him coolly, eyes narrowing.
"What is it?"
Do-hyun's jaw clenched, his voice resolute.
"Reinstate my father's position as Left Prime Minister. Honor him as he deserves."
Hyun Yeol's gaze darkened, unreadable.
"And if I refuse?"
"If you claim to have loved Hae-ju," Do-hyun spat, "prove it. In-Myeong loved her as his own. If her death means anything to you, honor the man who protected her."
The tension was palpable, silence stretching long. At last, Hyun Yeol exhaled sharply, conceding.
"Fine. In-Myeong shall be reinstated and honored in death."
Despite this, Seo Yeon never spoke to Hyun Yeol again. The rift between them, deepened by loss and betrayal, could not be mended.
Over the years, Seo Yeon maintained her distance from Hyun Yeol, a silent estrangement that only deepened his unease. She remained the closest reminder of Hae-ju—a living echo of what was lost—while Do-hyun secured his position as Left Prime Minister, his stature growing with his father's posthumous redemption. Yet four years later, rumors began to swirl through Joseon, carrying the scent of impending tragedy.
Courtiers moved cautiously under the King's volatile moods. When the rumor reached the palace, Concubine Yoo Ha's name was whispered in shadowed corners—a name linked with secret schemes and quiet manipulations. It was an opportunity she had long prepared for.
"Your Majesty, King…" Eunuch Lee's measured yet urgent voice cut through the silence as he approached, his eyes meeting Hyun Yeol's tense gaze.
Hyun Yeol's eyes darkened.
"Go find out the truth about this rumor. Immediately."
Eunuch Lee bowed and departed swiftly.
Passing through the corridor, Seo Yeon called out calmly to Eunuch Lee, "Commander Yul Nim."
Yul Nim halted and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Queen."
"Why is the King's bodyguard leaving the palace in such haste, rather than staying by his side?" Her tone was steady, her eyes sharp with suspicion.
Yul Nim hesitated before replying, "The King has heard rumors—someone resembling the missing Crown Princess, Hae-ju, has been seen near the Ming borders."
Seo Yeon froze, her breath catching.
"Hae-ju's child?" she whispered, a tremor in her voice as the possibility crushed her chest.
Forcing herself to focus, she thought: Could it be true? The ache of Hae-ju's death gnawed at her, and her fingers curled into a fist.
"My Queen…"
Hyun Yeol's voice cut through her thoughts. She turned to find him emerging from the shadows, his gaze fixed on her grip on Yul Nim's wrist.
Yul Nim bowed and stepped back.
"Your Majesty, King."
Taking a steadying breath, Seo Yeon asked, "Tell me the truth. Has someone seen a child resembling Hae-ju?"
Hyun Yeol's expression remained unreadable.
"I don't know yet. That is why I sent Yul Nim to investigate." His eyes darkened. "If this concerns Hae-ju, you will report directly to me."
Seo Yeon's fists clenched, but her tone stayed even.
"I brought dates. My brother received them from the Ming Crown Prince—I thought you should have some."
Hyun Yeol studied her, then nodded.
"Come to the King's Quarters."
She paused, then nodded.
"As you wish."
In the King's Quarters, Soon-i placed a lacquered box on the table. Hyun Yeol took a date, pressed it between his fingers, and slowly brought it to his lips.
"These are good," he said, watching her.
"These were a gift from the Ming Crown Prince," Seo Yeon replied evenly. "My brother received them near the border."
Hyun Yeol nodded, taking another.
"Did Hae-ju ever eat these?"
Seo Yeon did not flinch.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Her father would bring them back for us from his travels."
A faint smile tugged at Hyun Yeol's lips, though it never reached his eyes. Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.
"You may stay here tonight, My Queen," he said quietly.
Seo Yeon hesitated, unease stirring within her. She had kept her distance for years.
"I'm returning to my quarters. Lee San has been asking for me."
Hyun Yeol did not press further.
"Take some for Lee Hae as well."
Seo Yeon nodded curtly before departing.