The short walk from the storeroom to his chambers drained what little strength Ryang had left. Seon awaited him inside. As he entered, his eyes downcast, she wasted no time in confronting him.
"She claims innocence?" Seon asked.
Ryang sighed, sinking into a chair. "Of course she does."
"Then torture her until she confesses," Seon insisted. "She's lying."
"For what purpose?" Ryang countered, his gaze averted. "Torture won't recover the lost assets."
Seon's lips twisted into a sneer. "Fine. Then kill her."
Ryang's eyes flashed with anger. Seon met his gaze, her own unwavering.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she challenged. "She betrayed us. She must pay for her crimes."
"Since when do we have the authority to decide life and death?" Ryang retorted. "That's for the Guardian to decide."
"Is that so?" Seon scoffed. "Then I'll write reports and send her to the Guardian. Will that satisfy you?"
"Must you be so heartless?"
Seon let out a hollow laugh. "Are you mad? She tried to kill you! She lured you to Cheon Hwan, knowing he would torture and kill you!"
"Enough!" Ryang shouted. "I know better than you!"
Seon flinched at his raised voice, her shoulders slumping. Ryang, seeing her retreat, felt a pang of regret. Each surge of anger brought back the chilling memories of his madness, the fear of losing control. Seon's furrowed brow mirrored his own anxieties. Ryang took a deep breath, forcing his voice to remain steady.
"Exile her from Birahng," he said. "That should suffice."
"She knows everything," Seon argued. "Do you think exile is enough? Would you say that in front of the Guardian?"
"Since when have you cared about his opinion?"
"This isn't about him! It's about justice! That bitch deserves to die!" Seon's voice rose to a shout, her anger boiling over.
Ryang stared at her, aghast. "How can you speak so casually about taking a life? You frighten me, Seon. Are you even my sister?" He had expected her to retort, to lash out as she usually did, but her eyes held a deep sadness.
"I'm saying this because I am your sister," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Do you have any idea what I went through while you were gone? Do you know what it was like, waiting for you to wake up? I even begged that bastard Hongyoo to save you! I would've sold myself to him if that's what it took!"
"Seon!" Ryang chided. "Mind your words!"
Ryang's reprimand did little to quell Seon's fury.
"I would've done anything to find you, to save you," she spat. "And all this time, that bitch was hiding under our roof, betraying us! And you, you wake up and tell me I'm heartless?"
Seon's voice escalated, but Ryang's softened. "Seon."
"Do you know how terrified I was?" she cried. "Terrified that you would die, that you would wake up a raving lunatic like the others? And everyone blames me!"
"Everyone?"
"Even that bastard Kyeongseon Joon!" Seon's voice cracked. "He lectured me, judged me, without a shred of understanding! He has no idea what it's like to lose family, to watch them suffer!"
Seon turned away, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. Ryang's heart ached at the sight of her fragile form, her slender shoulders heaving with each choked breath. He had been so preoccupied with Dara, so consumed by his own pain, that he had neglected his sister's suffering. He reached for her hand, but she pulled away. He tried again, this time drawing her into an embrace. Her body was rigid, her neck stiff with tension, but soon, her sobs broke free, her tears soaking his robe. Ryang stroked her hair, his voice soft with remorse.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I shouldn't have spoken to you that way. It's alright now. I won't let anything happen to you again."
"Brother," Seon cried, her voice muffled against his chest, "let's leave. Let's abandon everything and start anew, somewhere far away. I can't bear this life anymore. I can't."
Her despair echoed through him, a painful reminder of their shared burden. But he couldn't offer her false hope.
"We both know that's not possible."
Seon wept, her sobs echoing through the room. She cried until her body shook with hiccuping breaths, and Ryang held her close, offering what comfort he could. When her tears finally subsided, he led her to the bed, tucking her in. Seon, her voice thick with exhaustion, recounted the events that had transpired during Ryang's absence. Sleep soon claimed her, a peaceful respite from the turmoil of the past few days. Ryang watched over her, his heart aching at the sight of her tear-stained face, her eyelids swollen and red. He imagined her lonely vigil, the fear and uncertainty that had plagued her, the constant replay of those blood-soaked memories. He felt a pang of guilt, a responsibility for her pain.
But Seon didn't know the truth about their father's death. Ryang, burdened by the secret, struggled to find the right path forward. Will revealing Seong's role in our father's demise only deepen Seon's resentment, turning it into a consuming hatred? Will understanding Seong's motives lead to forgiveness, or will it shatter the last vestiges of her loyalty? The choice, ultimately, belonged to Seon, but Ryang felt a responsibility to protect her, to shield her from the harsh realities of their world. He wrestled with the decision, the weight of it pressing down on him. There were no easy answers, no clear path forward.
By the time dawn broke and noon approached, Ryang sought out Ryucheon. Even though he'd been given the best private quarters, Ryucheon was already spending his morning in the bustling inn. Ryang pushed aside the bamboo curtain of the room where Ryucheon sat and entered. Through the haze of tobacco smoke, Ryang offered a brief bow. Seeing Ryang, Ryucheon straightened from where he'd been resting his chin on the table. Ryang sat opposite him.
"I've come to express my gratitude," he began.
Ryucheon's lips curled into a light smile. "Gratitude for what, exactly? For reviving you? Or for securing a favorable response from my superiors?"
"Both," Ryang replied.
Despite his words of thanks, Ryang's face remained impassive, his demeanor as cold and distant as ever.
"This is our first proper conversation, isn't it?" Ryucheon observed.
"I've observed you from afar, within Yeonyahng," Ryang countered.
"Well, it is the most entertaining establishment in Nahmgyo."
"I've always considered myself a poor businessman," Ryang remarked dryly. "Your patronage is appreciated."
Despite the repeated expressions of gratitude, Ryang's face remained devoid of any warmth. Ryucheon chuckled.
"Your lack of business acumen is well-known, even among my predecessors. The success of this inn is entirely due to your sister's efforts. Lady Myeonghyeon went to great lengths to save your life. You owe her a considerable debt."
Ryang, subtly unnerved by Ryucheon's unsolicited advice on familial matters, steered the conversation back to the task at hand.
"My sister informed me of the events that transpired and your superiors' response," he stated. "I'll be direct. I understand why the Princess must die if we fail. But why must she also perish if we succeed? That condition eludes me."
Ryucheon's eyes, half-hidden behind a sly smile, met Ryang's. "Do you have qualms about it?" he inquired.
Ryang met his gaze without flinching. "I merely seek understanding."
"You echo your sister's sentiment; truly siblings," Ryucheon observed. He picked up his pipe, lighting it with a practiced hand. The siblings' concern for the Princess intrigued him. He took a long drag, exhaling a plume of smoke towards the side before turning back to Ryang.
"Why do you think the founder of Dahn sought to eradicate your family?" he asked. "The reasons are the same. The survival of the Yeongshin bloodline, especially the potential heir, poses a threat to many, particularly one with Princess Kyeong'ui's temperament. Of course, this is merely my assessment, based on your accounts. I haven't met the Princess myself. The founder failed to eliminate your family anyway. And this rebellion is the consequence of that failure."
"It's not the consequence of failure," Ryang countered, "but of the attempt itself."
Ryucheon's smile widened. "I perceive a hint of regret in your words. Perhaps your grandfather would've cooperated had the founder shown leniency. The founder's cruelty was reserved solely for House Myeonghyeon, as I know, wasn't it?"
"I wouldn't dare presume to understand my grandfather's intentions," Ryang replied coldly. "I understand Sung's position. There's no need to elaborate further."
"Why the sudden inventory check?" Ryucheon asked casually.
"Are you monitoring us?" Ryang countered.
"Naturally," Ryucheon replied smoothly. "This is a matter of great importance to my superiors. We must ensure there are no irregularities within your organization." He leaned forward, his voice taking on a sharper edge.
"Any secrets you're keeping should be revealed now," he warned. "Including the circumstances surrounding your sudden disappearance and reappearance. It's in everyone's best interest."
"I have nothing to hide," Ryang stated flatly.
"Crystal Haze poisoning I know of doesn't cause memory loss," Ryucheon pressed, his eyes fixed on Ryang.
"How can you be sure it was only Crystal Haze?"
Ryucheon turned away, a silent chuckle escaping his lips. He took a deep breath, then turned back to Ryang, repeating his question.
"Why did you check the inventory?"
"I believe you already know the answer," Ryang replied, his gaze unwavering.
"If it's the reason I suspect, then such a thorough investigation wasn't necessary," Ryucheon countered. "Your sister already explained the missing assets. There must be something else."
"That, too, is none of your concern," Ryang stated coldly. "It's an internal matter, not yet resolved. Once the situation becomes clear, we'll inform you if necessary. Frankly, I don't understand why I'm explaining this to you."
"Assistance comes with a certain level of oversight," Ryucheon said smoothly.
"Is Sung truly assisting us?" Ryang challenged. "We've risked everything, while you've merely placed a wager. There's been no exchange between us, not even a written agreement."
Ryucheon's playful demeanor vanished, his expression hardening. "Don't expect such a guarantee before you even reach the southern coast. Do you think Dae-Sung would entrust such evidence to a ragtag band of rebels? You have no choice but to trust my word. Whether you do or not is your prerogative."
"Then we'll accept your intervention after we cross the South Sea," Ryang countered.
Ryucheon took another drag from his pipe, his eyes narrowed. "And how do you intend to cross the South Sea?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "Borrow a vessel from those Soyeolish seals?"
"It's a possibility," Ryang admitted.
"If that's your plan, I suggest you keep your dealings with them brief. Dae-Sung has no intention of extending its protection to Soyeol."
Ryang didn't immediately respond to Ryucheon's thinly veiled threat. He rose from his seat.
"Consider your expenses at Yeonyahng covered," he stated. "A token of our gratitude."
Ryucheon smiled. "I gladly accept," he replied with a playful bow.