When Junseo got back to his room, he quickly tucked the letter from Captain Shiro into the back of an anatomy textbook. He had trained himself not to be curious about the confidential packages he handled in the past but he could not help worrying about the delivery instructions and what might stop the captain from reclaiming the package in the next few days.

Tai Yi brought in an invitation from Madam Go that had just arrived. Junseo could not disguise his delight. He quickly asked Tai Yi if he would like to come along to meet everyone but the boy declined saying, "I don't want to put them through the trouble of having to go through the protocol office and everything. Besides the I would have to write a report for my brother and that would just make things awkward especially since you will probably be staying over with San Jin."

Junseo shrugged. He really did not know what to expect but Tai Yi's mention of reports prompted Junseo to check with the protocol office about an appropriate hostess gift. He waited in line for much of the following morning until he found someone to ask. "I'm sorry to bother you with such a minor matter but someone else usually makes these decisions for me. It isn't the first time I will be at their residence but it's the first time I hold my own invitation while staying here at the palace. If I had more time, I would try to craft something. Origami flowers usually go over well." Junseo realized he was starting to babble so stopped talking.

"You are right. That would have been most appropriate but since you are coming from the palace you can ask our gardeners to make up a bouquet. I will send one of our trainees with you. I just wish everyone in residence here offered us the same opportunities in advance. Instead, we are usually stuck with the headache of having to adjust the public registers after-the-fact." The trainee came forward to rescue Junseo from having to listen to the rest of the man's complaints.

"Don't mind him. Everyone is upset about something today. They are trying to hide it by sounding more officious than usual. Carrying on like ordinary petty bureaucrats. Most annoying." The trainee shook his head and then guided Junseo to the greenhouses and explained their mission to one of the gardeners.

Junseo was completely distracted by the large collection of bonsai trees on display and asked if he might come back and have a proper tour when he had more time. This request endeared him to the main gardener and he was assured he would be welcome anytime. On their way back the trainee warned Junseo the price of a tour would likely be having to spend much of the day weeding or moving rocks. This did not seem like a bad bargain to Junseo but when he said as much to the trainee, he was warned gardening could become a form of madness. Junseo was not sure if this was meant as a joke so only smiled and nodded his thanks.

It felt like no time had passed before he was presenting Madam Go with a beautiful bouquet with San Jin anxiously hovering around. They only had time for a quick embrace before the others started arriving. Junseo would have stepped into the background but San Jin dragged him into the reception line and whispered, "Let's try to mend the fences together."

Junseo couldn't decide if San Jin was being cagey or clueless so fell back to his courtly manners. Both boys were soon overwhelmed with hugs and good wishes. He would have gone through to the dinner area with the younger group but Madam Go linked her arm with his and said, "San Jin, please arrange refreshments for your friends while Junseo stands in with our other guests."

San Jin mouthed an apology and Song-hee whispered "Good Luck," before disappearing down the hall. It took a moment for Junseo to recognize Knight-Master Lie in his full court regalia. Junseo's greeting to the Knight-Master was to the precise degree owed a junior member of the royal family. He remembered his grandmother's advice that being vaguely pleasant would always keep everyone guessing so worked to maintain an entirely neutral look on his face.

He did not change expressions when Manager Doak and Scout Jia came forward with the team's gift for Madam Go. It was a beautifully presented bonsai. This opened a topic of conversation felt like a lifeline for Junseo, especially as there was much to be learned about the special artistry of the different miniatures. Minister Go was the last to arrive and offered apologies that he had be detained by a serious matter. He was a seasoned enough courtier to be able to steer the conversation beyond the virtues of different potted plants without letting things become too strained.

At the end of the meal, Minister Go made a series of formal toasts. First, he thanked the team for making it possible for General Tan to return to his country seat and disrupt the plots sponsored by the Misaon warlords. Then he raised his glass newly appointed Lord Lie of Gonlang, adding "I am certain the Crown Prince and his cabinet will benefit from the clear eyes and sharp mind of its newest member and all of our armed forces will one day benefit from the leaders you will train now and in the future." The others all cheered and clinked glasses. Junseo froze his most polite smile in place but made no move to join the celebration.

The new lord stood and thanked his host before saying, "For most of my career I tried to avoid getting pulled directly into court politics but the family business has been nipping at my heals for some time. Unfortunately, that put some of the people closest to me in danger and so I tried to push everyone away. That was wrong. I have more to say to each one of you gathered here tonight but I want you to know I am beyond grateful for what you have brought into my life these past months." Wen Hou then bowed to both sides of the table and sat down.

The other boys looked over at Junseo to see how he reacted to this public apology but did not know what to make of his fixed look. San Jin had once teased about the diplomat-in-training control Junseo had during events at the estate, seeing it now worried him. He gave his mother a pleading look and she signaled for flavored ice to be served.

"We rarely get a chance to have this northern treat but there were extra supplies brought in this week," She looked at her husband.

"That's right. We were expecting a delegation from Psyonan province but they were delayed." Minister Go picked up her hint. "I understand you have been staying with the young lord at palace," he looked at Junseo for an explanation.

"I met the former Heir Presumptive when he was at my uncle's school. He's a friend, and he just got the official word about his father's passing."

"It's kind of you to be with him while he grieves," Madam Go said quietly.

"It was kind of him to take me in when I needed a place," Junseo answered and Manager Doak drew a sharp breath over the implied rebuke.

"Well don't feel like you are going to be a loose-ends when your friend leaves. We have not forgotten we owe you our lives," Minister Go said firmly.

"You may have to get in line on that score," Xuiyang pointed to the gap in his teeth.

"What about my little finger? You get to be called a miracle worker and I get to be called stubby," Il-don stuck out his chin and waved his bandaged hand.

Madam Go looked completely flustered while the two boys burst out laughing. Song-hee muttered "Show-offs" under his breath and the pair settled down again. There was an awkward pause.

"If we are talking about debts owed, it is not just me, but everyone who also got the antidote in time after that dreadful incident at the wedding who should thank San Jin, Il-don and Junseo," the new lord said with a nod.

He would have said more but Junseo interrupted. "Right, I almost forgot something," Junseo dug into a pocket on the top of his belt and signaled for Il-don to put out his hand, "Healer Yang wanted you to have these new stones and I warmed them up a bit for you."

The bloodstones glowed for a moment and then Il-don brightened considerably. "Wow, I can already feel them wanting to come into alignment. How did you do that?"

"It helps they are a matched pair and we already did a lot of crystal work together," Junseo shrugged off the effort it took to get the stones ready. Scout Jia was not fooled for a moment but he also knew better than to draw attention to a matter of craft. Instead, he made a joke about needing to get new mattresses for the dorm if they had to compete with so many other offers. The tension came down so the evening could end on a lighter note even if things were not fully settled.