**This episode includes scenes of sexual assault that may be disturbing to some viewers. Please be advised.
"What?" Seong's voice was sharp with disbelief, but Ryang remained calm.
"I won't survive this," Ryang stated. "I've seen what becomes of those addicted to Crystal Haze. Even if I'm lucky enough to live, I won't be able to serve you with a sound mind. I don't want to cling to life like that."
Seong fought back a surge of anger and grief. "I pulled you from that hell. And now you're asking me to kill you?"
"Please save me from this pain too," Ryang pleaded.
"No," Seong refused. "Don't even say such things."
Ryang's voice was hoarse with despair. "It's agonizing. I thought days had passed, but not even a single day has gone by. I'm terrified of when this pain will end. I don't want to die slowly, consumed by this poison."
"I can't do it."
"You can."
Seong met Ryang's gaze. His brother's eyes were filled with quiet determination, and Seong suddenly understood Ryang's time spent with Cheon Hwan. As if to confirm his realization, Ryang reached out and took Seong's hand, his touch breaking through the walls Seong had built around himself. Tears welled in Seong's eyes, and he wept, his shoulders shaking with grief. In his brother's prolonged sobs, Ryang heard echoes of the countless nights Seong had spent alone, consumed by fear and despair. Seong wept until his tears subsided, and then, holding Ryang's hand, he spoke.
"I'll save you, brother. I'll do whatever it takes. Don't give up. Norahn said you can survive this, that if you endure, if you fight, you can overcome this poison. Let's go to Nahmgyo. The Princess brought a skilled physician with her. So please, brother, hold on. You can see Seon when you return to the city."
"Guardian..."
"Just hold on a little longer, and we'll go to Nahmgyo. Alright?"
Ryang managed a weak smile. "Don't be lonely anymore."
His eyelids fluttered closed. Seong sat up abruptly, taking Ryang's face in his hands.
"Ryang?"
But Ryang was already drifting back into unconsciousness, unable to fight off the exhaustion. His breathing grew shallow and erratic. Seong, his heart sinking, knew they didn't have much time. He rose and left the room. The others, who'd been waiting anxiously outside, looked up as he emerged.
"We need to take him to Nahmgyo," he declared.
No one questioned his sudden change of heart. Joon stepped forward.
"I'll go," he offered.
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Joon and the soldiers departed for Nahmgyo with Ryang, leaving the Ministry of Emissaries Divine quiet once more. Cheongro, alone in his room, relished the newfound peace. Seong's efforts were futile, he thought. Despite the Guardian's desperate attempts, Ryang was unlikely to recover. He'd seen countless individuals succumb to Crystal Haze within the Ministry walls, and the knowledge brought him a perverse sense of satisfaction. With Norahn's weakness in his grasp and Ryang on the verge of death, his prospects had never looked better.
After downing a few cups of strong liquor, a pleasant warmth spreading through his body, Cheongro summoned Siu. The young Emissary arrived shortly, bowing respectfully.
"Second Emissary."
Cheongro, lounging languidly in his chair, beckoned Siu closer. Siu approached hesitantly, her steps slow and measured. Cheongro pulled her onto his lap, his hands roaming over Siu's body with practiced ease. Siu tensed, her body stiffening under Cheongro's touch.
"Still so rigid," Cheongro murmured, his breath hot against Siu's ear. "It's time you loosened up a bit."
The pungent smell of alcohol filled the air as Cheongro's lips trailed down Siu's neck.
"If you summon me this often," Siu said, her voice strained, "others will notice."
Cheongro paused, his hands gripping Siu's shoulders, pushing her back slightly. He stared at Siu, his gaze intense. Siu lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. Cheongro chuckled.
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'm simply afraid," Siu replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"Siu," Cheongro said, his voice smooth and dangerous, "do you really think no one has noticed yet?"
Siu remained silent, paralyzed by fear. Cheongro caressed her cheek, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"This is why I find you so endearing."
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Joon waited for the crossroads near the north gate of Nahmgyo to clear. He knew this path, leading into the mountains, was rarely used, but today it seemed unusually busy. Finally, as dusk began to settle, the road emptied. His soldiers, hidden amongst the trees, signaled to him. Joon approached, Ryang slung over his shoulder, and gently laid him by the roadside. Ryang was dressed in the same clothes he had been wearing when they rescued him from the cave, the scent of seawater clinging to the fabric. He seemed oblivious to the rough texture of the dirt beneath him.
"Hold on a little longer," Joon said.
"I'm sorry for bothering you," Ryang murmured.
"f the Princess asks, you remember nothing. Got it?"
"I can handle that myself."
Joon nodded, a grim smile twisting his lips. He and the soldiers retreated into the shadows, concealing themselves behind the thick undergrowth. As darkness enveloped the forest, a group of Dahnian soldiers approached, their torches casting flickering shadows on the trees. Joon and his men held their breath, but the Dahnians passed by, their torches failing to illuminate Ryang's hidden form.
"They're just passing by," one of the soldiers whispered to Joon. "If they miss him this time, they might not come back."
"Damn it," Joon cursed under his breath. He quickly drew his bow and nocked an arrow.
"Young Master," one of the soldiers warned, "what if they come this way?"
"Then I'll welcome them," Joon replied.
Without hesitation, he released the arrow. It flew through the air, embedding itself in a tree stump just ahead of the Dahnian soldiers. The soldiers, led by Mujin, instantly took defensive positions.
"Who's there?!" Mujin shouted, his voice echoing through the silent forest.
His gaze followed the trajectory of the arrow, searching the darkness. He gestured towards the shadows where Joon and his men were hidden. Soldiers with shields moved cautiously forward. A glimpse of tattered cloth caught their eye, barely visible amongst the undergrowth. One of the soldiers approached and parted the bushes.
"Sir!" he called out. "There's someone here!"
Mujin rushed over and instantly recognized Ryang. He knelt beside him, checking his pulse. It was faint, but steady.
"Sound the horn and gather the troops," he ordered. "Search the surrounding area thoroughly. Whoever shot that arrow must have left him here."
He pointed to one of the soldiers. "Inform Her Highness."
The sound of the horn echoed through the forest, and the Dahnian soldiers moved with practiced efficiency. They lifted Ryang onto a stretcher and carried him towards the north gate. Joon, watching from the shadows, waited until they were safely inside before he, too, hurried back to the city.
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Sobi was nervous. She had carefully considered her words on the way to Nahmgyo, but despite her efforts to deliver the news as gently as possible, Seon couldn't contain her emotions. She struggled to maintain her composure, her lips twitching into a manic grin.
"What does the Guardian plan to do?" Seon asked.
"He had no specific plan when I left," Sobi admitted.
Seon scoffed. "Typical. Soon my brother will be delivered to Wicheong in pieces."
"Lady, why would you say such a thing...?" Sobi asked.
"Cheon Hwan is capable of anything," Seon stated coldly. "When we were young, he once left a deer that my brother cherished, dismembered, at our doorstep. The next day it was a cat, and the day after that, a fox."
Seon's resentment and anger towards Seong were palpable. "That idiot. If only he'd told us he was alive..."
"Lady..." Sobi began, but Seon ignored her, her voice sharp as she continued her interrogation.
"You said he has a ship?"
"That's what the Guardian said."
Seon abruptly stood up. Sobi quickly followed, blocking her path.
"Where are you going?" she demanded.
Seon didn't answer, but Sobi instantly guessed her intentions.
"Lady, surely you're not..."
"Princess Kyeong'ui has a fleet as well," Seon stated firmly.
"No," Sobi said, her voice filled with alarm. "You can't involve the Princess any further."
"It's the only way to save my brother," Seon insisted. "He's my only family. I can't just sit here and do nothing!"
"But you don't even know where Cheon Hwan's ship sails!" Sobi argued. "What will you tell the Princess? That the twin brother of the lord you've been secretly serving has kidnapped your brother?"
Seon glared at Sobi. "Why are you stopping me? Did the Guardian send you here to do that? To prevent me from taking action?"
"That's not it," Sobi insisted. "I came here on my own accord."
"Then why did you come?" Seon pressed, her voice rising in anger.
Sobi answered calmly, "They said the situation would worsen if I told you about Cheon Hwan. But I disagreed. As you said, the High Councilor is your only family. You deserve to know what's happening. And you need to be prepared, in case Cheon Hwan targets you as well. Is my answer satisfying?"
Despite Sobi's heartfelt explanation, Seon remained defiant. "You could've just sent a letter."
"I was worried about you being alone," Sobi admitted.
Seon scoffed. "I'm not alone. The merchant house, the rear garden, they're all crawling with Dahnian soldiers."
Sobi tried to reason with her. "I understand how you feel, Lady. But you can't take any more action now. Think carefully. Even with the Princess's help, there's no guarantee that you'll find him. Some believe you've already hindered Wicheong by involving the Princess. Further entanglement with her will only harm House Myeonghyeon's standing..."
Seon cut her off. "My brother is the head of our house. If he doesn't return alive, House Myeonghyeon's standing won't matter! I have no loyalty left for Wicheong. I'm only loyal to the Guardian because it's my brother's will. Do you understand?"
Sobi's expression hardened as Seon's words hung in the air. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that," she said firmly.
"Whose opinion was it that I'm hindering Wicheong?" Seon pressed.
"Lady…"
"If you intend to build trust with our house," Seon interrupted, "you better make your stance clear. I don't trust anyone in white robes."
She stood up. "Stay here in the guesthouse, as frustrating as it might be. The servants will attend to your needs, so tell them if you require anything."
"Can I tell you now?"
"What do you need?"
Sobi composed herself and spoke in a measured tone. "Stay with me here until further news arrives."
"So you're here to keep an eye on me."
"I'm here to protect you."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I won't rely solely on trust."
Seon glared at her, but Sobi met her gaze without flinching. "I'm threatening you," she confirmed.
Seon's lips curled into a wry smile. "You want me to stay here, in this guesthouse, when there are eyes everywhere?"
"I'm a courtesan now, am I not?"
"So you intend to play the part every night?"
"If I must."
Seon scoffed and left the guesthouse without another word.
Night fell, and Sobi grew increasingly anxious as Seon remained absent. If she ignored her warning and sought the Princess's help again, the situation would spiral out of control. Just as her worry reached its peak, the door creaked open. Sobi stepped back, her eyes fixed on the figure entering the room. It was Seon, her face pale, her eyes red and swollen. Sobi pretended not to notice her tear-stained cheeks and prepared a bed for her.
Their awkward cohabitation continued for days. Seon spent most of her time with Sobi, leaving only to attend to matters at the merchant house. The Dahnian officer would occasionally visit, asking trivial questions before leaving. On the fifth night, as they lay in the darkness, Seon broke the silence.
"I'm sorry for my outburst earlier," she said.
"It's alright. I understand."
The silence returned, heavier this time. Sobi, desperate to keep the conversation alive, asked, "What kind of brother is the High Councilor?"
She instantly regretted her question, but Seon answered calmly, her voice filled with a distant sadness.
"There were two men who would do anything for me, who made me believe they were capable of anything. My father and my brother. My brother might seem cold to others, but he's not always like that. I still have the wooden doll he carved for me when I was born. He was the kindest person when we were young. Everything changed that night."
"That night..."
"Yes," Seon continued. "My brother and I were held captive in the courtyard while our father was dying inside. When we finally got inside, he was lying in a pool of blood, his throat half-slit. I couldn't stop crying. My brother didn't say a word. I was so angry at him, so I screamed at him, demanding he save our father. But he couldn't do anything. He just cried silently. For a long time. It was the first time I saw him so helpless. But at least we were together then..."
Sobi remained silent, her heart aching for Seon. Seon's breaths hitched as she choked back sobs.
"I wonder how he's doing alone. If he's even alive..."
She wept silently, her body shaking with grief. Sobi crawled towards her and embraced her from behind. Unable to offer any words of comfort, she simply held her close.
As Seon's sobs subsided and she drifted off to sleep, the door suddenly burst open. Dara rushed in.
"My Lady! Young Master Kyeongseon has arrived!"
"Joon?"
"He's waiting in the guesthouse."
Seon and Sobi exchanged glances. Seon left Sobi and hurried towards the guesthouse where Joon was waiting. He was covered in dust, his breathing still ragged from his journey. He met Seon's anxious gaze and said,
"The High Councilor will return soon."