Seon's slender hands clenched, the veins in her pale skin standing out in stark relief. She quickly hid her hands within her sleeves, a thin smile masking her unease.
"I'm the one who checks the ledgers last," she countered, concealing her anxiety.
"If she intended to tamper with them," Ryang argued, "she could've done so after your inspection. We can't rule out the possibility that Cheon Hwan, who plundered our ships, might have also targeted our finances."
"...Fine. I'll fetch them."
Further protest would only fuel Ryang's suspicions. With a resigned sigh, she motioned for U'nso to follow her to the library. She retrieved the ledgers from the shelves, stacking them neatly on the table. The final volume landed with a thud, echoing the turmoil within her. She had made her decision, and now she had to face the consequences.
U'nso stood by the door, his gaze darting around the room, unable to conceal his anxiety. Seon watched him, but he avoided her eyes.
"If my brother questions you," she instructed, "just tell him I ordered you to do it. There'll be no repercussions for us."
U'nso finally met her gaze, his eyes filled with apprehension. "There will be repercussions," he countered.
"And what about Dara?"
Seon's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare you defend her?! She betrayed us! She led my brother into Cheon Hwan's clutches! I could tear her apart with my bare hands and still not feel satisfied. She's already committed a grave sin. One more won't make a difference. If she must pay for her crimes, let her sacrifice benefit our house."
U'nso remained silent, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. Seon, irritated by his conflicted expression, bit back a retort. Even she, who had never been fond of Dara, felt a deep sense of betrayal. U'nso, who had shared Dara's burdens, her joys, her fears, must be feeling an even greater turmoil. With a curt nod towards U'nso, Seon exited the library, leaving him to gather the ledgers.
As the two hurried towards the rear garden gate, a voice called out from behind them.
"How fares your brother?"
They turned to find Ryucheon leaning against the wall, a casual observer amidst the bustling activity. Seon forced a smile, though she was acutely aware of its strained quality.
"He's awakened," she replied.
"And his mind?" Ryucheon pressed, his eyes searching hers.
"He's sound," Seon confirmed, though the image of Ryang's furious outburst towards Dara flashed through her mind, casting a shadow over her relief. She quickly pushed the memory aside, reminding herself that such a reaction was understandable, given the circumstances.
Ryucheon's brow furrowed, his smile fading. "That's unexpected. I've never witnessed such a complete recovery from that poison. Perhaps there's truth to your claims about the unique nature of the Scions' bloodline."
"I told you there was hope," Seon replied, her tone carefully neutral. Despite the miraculous nature of Ryang's recovery, his escape from both death and madness, she couldn't muster any genuine enthusiasm.
"Then why do you seem so unmoved?" Ryucheon pressed. "One might think you were the one who tried to harm him."
Seon, unable to muster even a strained smile, faced Ryucheon's playful yet imposing presence. His gaze swept over the stack of ledgers in her arms, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Gratitude for saving Ryang warred with a deep-seated distrust, leaving her hesitant to speak. Ryucheon, sensing her unease, abandoned his teasing and shifted the conversation.
"I was merely jesting," he said, his smile fading. "What's with the ledgers? Does he require them?"
"It's none of your concern," Seon replied curtly. "It's a family matter."
Ryucheon chuckled, silent amusement dancing in his eyes. He shook his head slowly.
"The affairs of House Myeonghyeon are no longer just family matters," he remarked, his voice laced with a subtle warning. "Or perhaps, they never were. Since your house's foundation, its affairs have always been intertwined with history. And you, Lady Myeonghyeon, are making history as we speak."
"Regardless," Seon countered firmly, "it's none of your business."
She turned to leave, eager to escape his scrutiny. As she reached the doorway, Ryucheon's voice stopped her.
"Has he been informed of the state of your finances?"
Seon glanced back at him, his gentle smile masking an unreadable intent. She couldn't bear to linger any longer. With a curt nod, she turned and hurried towards Ryang's chambers.
Ryang sat hunched over the table, his gaze fixed on the ledgers piled before him. Hours passed, each page scrutinized with unwavering intensity. Seon watched, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She marveled at his dedication, his ability to focus on such mundane matters after his near-death experience. Ryang's expression grew grimmer with each page he turned, his eyes occasionally flicking towards Seon with a hint of suspicion. Seon met his gaze with feigned innocence.
Finally, Ryang slammed the ledger shut, tossing it onto the table. "Explain yourself," he demanded. "Why are the accounts so incomplete? This is beyond simple theft."
Seon took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation. "Brother, please listen without judgment."
"Speak," Ryang commanded, his patience wearing thin.
Seon, cornered, began her explanation. "Dahnian soldiers infiltrated Nahmgyo. They reached our rear garden."
"How?"
"After you disappeared, I suspected Hongyoo," Seon explained. "I went to the Dahnian encampment to confront him. Our argument escalated, and Princess Kyeong'ui overheard us."
"You..."
"Please, hear me out," Seon interrupted.
Ryang closed his eyes, suppressing a surge of anger. Seon continued, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
"She learned of your condition. It turns out Gahngyun Hyeok had been using her troops to monitor us without her permission. He was furious, claiming you hadn't set foot outside the compound. That's how she discovered our hidden passageways. Using the pretense of searching for you, she deployed her soldiers throughout the city. They searched everything: our trading company, the inn, the rear garden, even the secret tunnels."
Ryang's head spun. He took a deep breath, then asked, "Did they find anything?"
"We'd already secured anything incriminating," Seon assured him. "We even disguised the Third Emissary as a courtesan and hid her in one of the guest rooms."
"Go on," Ryang urged.
"It was Baek Ryucheon who saved you," Seon confessed. "You remember him? The one you tasked me with contacting. I learned that Sungian spies had a treatment, but Hongyoo was useless. Then, Baek Ryucheon arrived earlier than expected, with a response from his superiors. It was a stroke of luck. He agreed to help, but he couldn't come to the compound with Dahnian soldiers swarming here. I had to do something to save you. He refused to act while the Dahnian soldiers remained, and the Princess wouldn't trust us. So..."
Ryang's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So you offered our assets, practically our war chest, to the enemy?"
"We can reclaim it later," Seon countered. "We were going to attack the Dahnian forces before the monsoon season anyway."
"And what if the Princess returns to Sunyahng before then?"
"Well..." Seon's gaze darted around the room, her uncertainty evident.
Ryang stared at her, aghast. "Such bravery you have, indeed."
"Then what should I have done?" she challenged.
Ryang's voice rose in frustration. "You shouldn't have let the Dahnian soldiers infiltrate the city in the first place! Why are you so reckless?"
"I know I made a mistake!" Seon retorted. "But... but it happened, and I had to save you. Our finances didn't matter when your life was on the line! You confessed everything to Hongyoo because of me!"
"And whose fault was that?" Ryang countered, his anger flaring. "Wasn't it your reckless pursuit of Hongyoo that led to that situation?"
"What?" Seon's eyes widened in disbelief.
Ryang bit back a retort, knowing further escalation would be disastrous. Seon pressed on, her voice laced with a bitter accusation.
"So you're saying this is all my fault?"
Ryang, his temples throbbing, steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. "How much did you give the Princess?"
"One-fifth," Seon replied.
Ryang's mind reeled. "That's impossible. It's worth far more."
Seon shook her head. "It can't be. Are you sure you checked properly?"
"The ledgers are accurate," Ryang insisted. "But they're the false ones. We burned the real ledgers the night the Princess arrived. But I haven't forgotten their contents. You remember them too, don't you?"
"After the Princess arrived, I created new ones to match the inventory, to avoid suspicion. I accounted for what we sent her. There's no way they're wrong."
"Then have the laborers cross-check the ledgers against the inventory," Ryang commanded. "If they match, then our fears are justified."
Seon and U'nso ventured out into the night, their footsteps echoing through the empty courtyard. The storerooms had been checked by the laborers, while Seon and U'nso personally inspected the valuables stored within the rear garden. It was a charade, a formality they both knew was futile. The outcome was already clear.
Late into the night, Seon returned to Ryang, her face grim. Despite her report, Ryang, his heart heavy with suspicion, insisted on confirming the truth himself. He dragged his weary body to the rear garden, his gaze sweeping over the diminished inventory. The missing items were small but valuable: gold, jewels, easily concealed treasures. The list of suspects was short.
Ryang made his way to the storeroom where Dara was locked. Seon tried to follow, but he waved her away. He opened the door to find Dara slumped against a pillar, her body curled on the cold floor. She looked up, startled by his sudden appearance. Ryang approached.
"When did this start?" he demanded. "What have you been doing? Did you steal our assets and deliver them to Cheon Hwan?"
Dara's eyes widened in denial. "I've done nothing but send a few letters every fortnight," she protested.
"The inventory doesn't lie," Ryang countered. "Those valuables aren't easily accessible. You know that."
"My lord," Dara pleaded, her voice trembling, "why would I lie now? I know nothing about this."
Tears welled in Dara's eyes, but Ryang remained unmoved, his voice sharp as he continued his interrogation.
"Can't you be truthful, even now? The livelihoods of our soldiers and their families depend on those assets. It's not just about my life or death. If you wish to atone, even slightly, for your actions, confess."
"My lord, I truly don't understand what you're accusing me of."
"I'd rather not resort to torture."
Dara's sobs echoed through the room. "Please, believe me," she begged.
Ryang stared down at her, his gaze fixed on her trembling form. "Do you have any idea," he whispered, his voice heavy with a mixture of anger and despair, "how much I want to believe you?"
Dara looked up, her eyes wide and pleading. "Then believe me," she implored. "Just this once."
Her eyes, usually bright and full of life, were now clouded with tears, the dark pupils stark against the bloodshot whites. Ryang felt a knot tighten in his chest, a surge of rage that threatened to consume him. Is this murderous intent I feel? He wanted to destroy her, to crush her beneath his heel, to punish her for her selfish betrayal. The intensity of his hatred, the helplessness of his own emotions, brought tears to his eyes.
"If you decide to confess," he said coldly, his voice devoid of any warmth, "call for me."
Unable to bear the sight of her any longer, Ryang fled the storeroom.