The night breeze slipped through the cracks of the stone palace walls, carrying with it whispers of fear and hope intertwined. In the lower chamber of an old pavilion, Areum and Yu Jin carefully studied a map of the palace spread out on the floor. The dim lantern light danced across the surface of the aged parchment.
"This is the passage to the old underground chamber. It was used during the war era but has been locked for a long time," explained Areum.
Yu Jin examined it closely. "If we enter through the kitchen corridor, we can reach that section unnoticed. But we have to move after the second night bell. That's when the guards change shifts."
Areum nodded. "Tonight is our only chance. By tomorrow, it might be too late."
Elsewhere, Prince Wang Joon unfolded a small note hidden within an intelligence report. The writing was in simple code, yet clear: "Not all of your men are loyal."
Wang Joon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew someone was betraying him. He summoned one of his longest-serving officers – Ji Seong.
"You once fought beside me at the border. You saved my life. But now, I need to know one thing…" Wang Joon looked Ji Seong straight in the eyes.
Ji Seong looked startled but didn't speak. Wang Joon gave a small nod. "If you're still loyal, prove it tonight. Follow and protect Yu Jin. He'll be leaving the palace in an hour."
In another wing of the palace, Lord Baek sat in a secret chamber. Before him were five noblemen, their faces tense yet forced to appear brave.
"The time for transition is near," Lord Baek said calmly. "In two days, Prince Wang Joon will be declared unfit to rule. And the King… will soon hand over power to someone more… stable."
An elderly minister interjected, "But what if King Gojin does not agree?"
Lord Baek gave a cold smile. "Then we shall help him see things… more clearly."
King Gojin sat alone in his old chamber, clutching a letter he had written. His hand gripped the paper tightly, as if every word carried the weight of history and the future.
"Send this to Mount Yeonhwa. Only that person knows what needs to be done," he said to his loyal guard.
The guard bowed deeply and departed.
The king then turned toward the portrait of the late queen hanging on the wall. "I may be old, yes. But not a fool. They think I'll sit quietly while they burn this legacy? Not this time."
The night sky was dark, blanketed by heavy clouds hiding the moonlight. Dressed in black, Areum and Yu Jin slipped out through the kitchen corridor. Ji Seong followed from a distance, making sure the path was clear.
After nearly an hour crawling through narrow, dusty passages, they arrived at an old rusted iron door. Areum pulled out a small key handed down by one of the late king's advisors, and the door creaked open.
Inside, it was damp and dark. They lit a small lantern.
"Do Kyung?" Yu Jin called out.
No answer. They walked slowly down the stone steps toward the old prison chamber. At the far end, a frail figure sat slumped against the wall.
Do Kyung slowly lifted his head. His eyes were sunken, his voice weak. "Who… are you…?"
Areum stepped forward. "We came to save you. We know you know something. We need to hear it before it's too late."
Do Kyung hesitated, then murmured, "I… I heard them mention… Lord Sim. He… he's not who you think he is."
Before he could say more, his eyes shut again – unconscious from exhaustion.
Yu Jin panicked briefly. "We can't go back the same way. It's too risky. We'll use the hidden chamber under the old pavilion."
Areum nodded. They carefully lifted Do Kyung's body.
Hours later, they hid inside the secret chamber beneath the old pavilion. Areum sat watching Do Kyung's unconscious face.
Outside, the rain had begun to fall. Thunder rumbled across the sky.
"Tomorrow… it all begins," Areum whispered.
And far away in the palace, Lord Baek was speaking to a shadowy figure. The person handed him a small parcel.
"With this, no one will be able to stop us," Lord Baek said, his voice full of satisfaction.
To Be Continued…