Even though Iseul liked to think that she was independent, walking beside Jae-sung, in the midst of a group of soldiers, made her feel save. They marched straight to the palace, where they were left in the care of two eunuchs and one court lady. Iseul was ushered away from the two boys and taken to a secluded building where a luxurious bath awaited her. Astonished she stared at the rose petals that littered the water. It was warm, she could tell from the temperature in the room. Various layers of semi-transparent curtains hung from the ceiling and secured her privacy. Sweet smelling fragrance came from several bowls that stood on heaters. Even though her grandfather was the second most powerful man in the kingdom and his wealth was considerable, their own bathing chamber couldn't compare to this one. And this wasn't even the one the king himself used. She wondered whose quarters these were, but didn't dare to ask.

With a little help from two maids she stripped herself of her Wonhwa outfit and stepped into the water. It was wonderful and as she submerged completely she felt her nerves dissipate. It was over. No matter how the coming days would enfold, no matter the outcome, she had pulled through and there was nothing more she could or had to do. It was up to the king to decide, so Iseul closed her eyes and enjoyed the water.

After the bath she was clothed in night wear and taken to a large inner room where an elaborate meal stood in front of a plush pillow that was embroidered with her favorite flowers. Was that mere coincidence or did someone prepare this room especially for her? She was too tired to dwell on it and after she finished almost all the side dishes she laid down on the bed and closed her eyes.

🌸

She awoke to the quiet footsteps of the court lady entering the room. The empty bowls had been removed and to the side now hung a beautiful dress. Iseul almost cried when she realized she could enjoy rich silks and colorful satin once more. To her great surprise the maid who entered the room next was Nari, but just before she could envelope her in a hug, the court lady clucked her tongue and Iseul quickly moved back. The dress and matching ornaments were even more elaborate than what she was used to in the house of her grandfather. It was clear that Nari was glad the court lady was in charge, because there were a few extra layers of clothing. For a moment Iseul was scared she wouldn't be able to move, or that she would knock everything over with the enormous sleeves. The headpiece they placed on her head was also a bit heavier, but when Nari finally held a mirror in front of her, Iseul sucked in her breath. Could she really look like that?

"I look ..."

"Regal," finished Nari softly for her. Iseul could only nod.

She practiced in her room until she was confident in her movements and then she walked to the door. It took her a while to notice, but halfway the courtyard, when she looked around to get her bearings, she suddenly saw the string of people following her. Nari and the court lady were in front, but behind them were four maid servants. Would they all be following her from now on? She would ask Nari when they were alone again. Or would she never be alone again from this moment on?

The thought consumed her so much that she didn't notice there was someone next to her until an arm pulled her aside. "Careful where you step. It would be a pitiful sight to see the future queen trip over a tree root."

Iseul's eyes shot wide open and her gaze moved from the patronizing glare of Jae-sung to the offensive root of an old cherry tree and back up at him. Her cheeks reddened instantly. "Why are y-you here?" she managed to ask, ignoring the slight giggle that escaped Nari's lips.

"The king isn't expecting us until the afternoon, I thought perhaps you cared for a stroll." There was a hesitant smile in his expression and Iseul bit her lip before looking away from his face.

"S-sure," she stuttered.

As they began to walk Jae-sung's hand fell away from her arm and as she followed it down she caught the almost hidden gesture he made to the servants behind them. She wondered what he meant by that, but apparently the court lady understood, because the next time Iseul peaked over her shoulder, the women and the eunuch that now accompanied them were a lot further back. The temperature in her cheeks rose to an alarming degree when Jae-sung subsequently led her to a broad bridge that crossed a pond filled with lotus flowers.

She missed the carefree atmosphere that had surrounded them in Bongyo, yet part of her rather enjoyed this quiet time with Jae-sung alone. And that surprised her. When did the arrogant young man become somebody she felt comfortable with? Was it purely because he had promised to aid her in winning the contest? Somehow the thought of him becoming crown prince didn't bother her so much anymore. What would have happened if the king wouldn't have been so set on having a queen on the throne after him? Would Jae-sung have been the first choice? Or would Hojin have been able to beat him?

Thinking about the treacherous True Bone made a shiver run down her back.

"Are you cold?"

She was startled when Jae-sung asked his question. She hadn't been paying attention, again. They were standing in the middle of the bridge, the servants barely in sight, and Jae-sung's hand were hovering at shoulder height. For a moment she stared at them. What was going through his mind? She looked in his eyes and saw the same vulnerable longing she had seen once before. With a jolt she was thrown back to the memory of them, not so long ago, when they were spying on Hojin and Whan-wook. The thought made her heart race, but before either of them could say or do anything, a eunuch rushed up to them.

"Forgive me, the king has requested your presence in the throne room." He turned around and briskly walked back without checking if the two followed.

Iseul moved her gaze back to Jae-sung and saw how a deep sigh left his mouth. She wondered what would have happened if they hadn't been disturbed. She felt the increasing need to talk to him in private to figure out what was happening between them and whether she needed to put a stop to it.

Silently they turned around and the string of servants followed them once again when they walked towards the main building. Why did the king want to see them now? Wasn't he still in session with his council? She pushed the thought about her confusing relationship with the young man that walked one step behind her to the back of her mind and concentrated on facing her grandfather for the first time in his official status as prime minister.