Chapter 11

It was the day after the banquet.

Hae Gi, who was supposed to go back to the Blue Courtyard, stayed and is now sitting on a stone bench facing the garden.

It was full of peaches and pink, the whole field brimming with cherry blossoms.

It looked beautiful, but she couldn't appreciate it.

She was too nervous, her thoughts muzzled. Trying to think of a way, a solution.

But up until now, she couldn't think of one.

Hae Gi tried to remember what the original Minjoon did and what of his achievements. Remembering the plot, Minjoon's deeds were quite many. Instilling proper irrigation, building dams, improving the trade-It was a trail full of success.

The country changed and became better, more whole, and compact. But what of Minjoon's future? How can she change that?

She couldn't just get one of his ideas. It wasn't right. He thought of all of that and she has no right to steal it.

It was the result of Minjoon's hard work.

Even without a mother nor a father, he still moved forward. He taught himself and made his own values. He achieved many things and soared to greater heights using his own talents. Yes, the original Hae Gi was there to protect his back, but he defended his front. He overcame those obstacles and fought with all his might to achieve greater power.

Hae Gi couldn't help but admire Minjoon's resiliency.

So she couldn't, she has to find the best solution that will change his fate. What could influence a shift? Who could cause a ripple?

"Hae Gi? Is there something wrong?"

Someone sat on the seat next to her. Looking up, Hae Gi saw the original's best friend, Eunjung.

Hae Gi stared at the woman in front of her, her gaze solemn. She was envious, envious of the original Hae Gi who was lucky to have met this kind of person. A person who values her and treats her almost as a sister. A loyal and kind person, who gave the current her strength and guidance as the years pass.

She felt thankful that Eunjung was there. But she felt guilty, it felt like she was deceiving her. Conversing with her now as she thought of her as the original Hae Gi, it was too remorseful. Yet the current Hae Gi continued, for the sake of her mission.

"Jungji."

"Yes?"

"What do you think causes change?"

Both women looked at the field of cherry blossoms, the leaves swaying with the wind.

Eunjung looked ahead while thinking of her own childhood. Her mother scolding her when she'd done something wrong, her father's apathy towards her, her cousin's cowardice, her own fears, and thoughts.

"Ourselves, or maybe our mothers and fathers, our family, or maybe our teachers..."

Looking down at her own hands filled with callouses, Eunjung lamented.

"The ones who took a step forward, and set an example are the ones who started change."

Suddenly, Hae Gi's eyes widened. She couldn't believe she almost forgot. She abruptly stood, making Eunjung jolt on her seat.

"Thank you Jungji, I now know what to do."

Eunjung inspects Hae Gi, her brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"I think I can cause a change."

And with that, Hae Gi proceeds forward, taking a turn. Following through the hallway, where the Emperor was situated.

As Hae Gi walked off already meters away, Eunjung couldn't help but shake her head, recalling the banquet yesterday.

"Hae Gi, you already did."

She stood in front of Daehyun's study biting her lip. Taking a deep breath, she signaled the guard to send a word. The soldier bowed and proceeded inside.

Daehyun sat in his study, the compiled papers and books still sprawled across his desk. As he was about to speak, a guard stepped forward and bowed.

"Your majesty, the Empress is here to see you."

Daehyun stilled, learning that Hae Gi was there behind the door. Composing himself, he commanded.

"Let her in."

The huge doors opened, the sunlight coming in the dim lit room, lighting the whole place. In the middle stood Hae Gi. Daehyun noticed that she was wearing a pale blue dress, almost white. As always, she wore no ornaments. Only a pin was present to hold her hair in place.

Daehyun recognized that pin, It was the pin that he gave her on her birthday. After that day, he couldn't come back anymore. He was bombarded with papers and tasks that he wasn't able to visit them for years.

He remembered the banquet yesterday, where he saw his beloved walking towards him with poise and lithe, yet she was leading herself all alone. There was no announcements made, nor any acknowledgments. He saw her, how her eyes trembled becoming moist. He could feel the sense of longing and despair, the shame that she had felt, and at that time he felt helpless. He couldn't do anything to save her, from the prying eyes of people and this whole scheme.

He holds the most power, he is the emperor, yet he couldn't feel an ounce of it as he stared at Hae Gi.

The moment she was about to fall, Daehyun almost ran to her. But he stayed glued to his seat, paralyzed.

He saw Yoonjae about to catch Hae Gi, and by then his heart pricked. He was only thankful that it did not happen and Hae Gi was able to steady herself.

Yet, it did not end there. As Hae Gi walked, Yoonjae walked. His friend helped his beloved through the carpet, escorting her to her seat.

He was relieved and thankful but he couldn't help but feel jealous. If only he wasn't the emperor-If only he wasn't. But in this life, he was. He could only condemn himself for his failures and inadequacy. To the point where it made his knuckles white, shaking.

Hae Gi saunters forward, her steps wide. The high walls dark and bleak, there was no other color except for a vase filled with cherry blossom. In the middle of the room, a wide desk displayed along with a huge stack of papers. There was a lantern in the side, the vivid light creating a glow.

She looked at the Emperor, that familiar ashen hair flowing down his back. He looked tranquil as he writes, his big wide hands jotting on the paper. His long lashes that Hae Gi thought of as like that of a girl fluttered as he blinked. His broad shoulders drooped as he sighed. Then, his eyes looked up, staring right at her own.

Both looked at one another, the other with grit, a purpose, while the other with longing.

The door closed but nobody spoke. The crackle of the candles sounded in the background. Noticing the silence, Hae Gi decided to break it.

"Your majesty."

Hae Gi bowed with elegance, her back straight as she bends.

"Daehyun."

The emperor replied. he clasped his hands as he leaned forward, his eyes warm.

"Call me Daehyun."

Hae Gi's eyes widened as she quickly looked up at the Emperor. The man in front looked distant, yet the way he looks at her is different. She couldn't grasp what it is but she knew that something changed.

"I-"

She stammered her fists in a tight grip. Taking a deep breath, she collected herself. She stood upright as she looked at the lantern on the side.

"I do not think it is proper, your majesty."

The slight smile in Daehyun's lips twitched, turning into a straight line. He leaned back on his chair as he turned his eyes away from Hae Gi, looking at the bluish fabric placed beside the door.

"State your purpose then."

Hae Gi's eyes sparkled with determination as she sauntered a step forward.

"I ask your permission to see Lee Wong."

Daehyun dropped his brush as he looked at Hae Gi astonished.

"Why do you look for him?"

He stood up from his chair walking to Hae Gi's front, his royal robes sliding through the wooden door as he advanced. He easily towered over her, almost a head taller. His gaze electrocuting as he pried for an answer.

"It is for Minjoon. For his future."

Hae Gi looked at Daehyun. They were so close that she could see herself being reflected from his eyes.

"I believe that having Lee Wong as his mentor can steady his path."

Daehyun observed Hae Gi. Her eyes were bright and misty, yet he can see dark bags under her eyes. Her lips that looked soft yet a bit chapped, perceiving a small red wound from her mouth. Her scraggy built although had taken shape looked feeble with her sharp collar bone. Yet he was again enraptured by the blue, reminding him of an ocean.

After minutes of silence, Daehyun decided to turn away, looking through his back as he took a hold of his chair.

"Who will be with you?"

Hae Gi hesitated, her mouth opening and closing.

"I will ask Eunjung."

Daehyun faced Hae Gi, standing at the back of his seat. Holding the seat's back with both of his hands, he rebuked.

"I won't approve."

Hae Gi's lips pursed as she clasps her wrist in her opposite hand.

Daehyun seeing this studied her for a minute. Afterward, he exhaled, conceding to her wishes.

"I will provide you an escort, only then I will approve. "

Hae Gi's eyes expressed relief as she bowed.

"Thank you, your majesty."

Sitting on his chair while arranging the papers, he exclaimed.

"You will set off tomorrow morning. For now, prepare. "

"Yes."

"You can go if you wish."

Hae Gi straightened her back, a soft smile on her face. Saying thank you once again, she reached for the door. It opened, giving an entry.

Once the door closed, a man in black steps forward. A sword hanging from his right.

"How does she know Lee Wong?"

The man in black questioned Daehyun.

"I don't know."

The man pads forward with his hand resting on his sword. He looked at the door, recalling the woman's sky blue orbs.

Daehyun closed his eyes as he rested his chin on his clasped hands. He had a lot to do, a lot to protect.

"Yoonjae."

Yoonjae, the man in black shifted his stance to face Daehyun. Narrowing his eyes, he declared.

"I know."

Taking hold of the sword's handle, he breathed.

"I will protect her."

After a while, Yoonjae exited the Emperor's study. As he trudged along the long empty hallway, the night rises. The moon shimmered, lighting the whole kingdom with its nickel-silver rays.

It signaled the end and start of another day.

Hae Gi heaved her suitcase up as she arranged her shawl. She already asked Eunjung to take care of Minjoon while she was gone, even though she knew that he was still in the Emperor's courtyard. Already watered the plants and completed her chores, she closed the door of their home and left with a happy heart.

Turning around, she saw a man in black standing in front of her. It was the same man from the banquet, and from long before. She couldn't help but wonder how many clothes does he have in black for it seemed that whenever they meet, he always wore the same color.

Yoonjae bowed as he placed his right hand on his chest. Gliding forward, he took hold of Hae Gi's luggage and proceeded to the gate.

Still processing what happened, Hae Gi stood agape.

Yoonjae, taking notice of Hae Gi lagging behind, stopped and glanced at her.

"I will be your escort for today."

Nodding at her, he continued on his path.

Hae Gi's brows furrowed as she looked on the man's back. Having always been the one in front, she became used to carrying her burdens and trying to be independent. But looking at the man's sturdy back, she felt calm and warm. Like she could depend on his shoulders when needed. It was a new feeling that she wasn't accustomed to.

Yet as she zips forward, she welcomed it. It was a precious moment after all.