Chapter 9: The Chess Game

"Jade, put that down," the king requests gently, his hands hovering above the table.

I ignore his request and keep my eyes on Sunwoo who sits straight with his eyes narrowed towards the sword I still clench against his neck. "What is your relationship with the princess?" Sunwoo clenches his fists on the table. Oh yeah, you're busted, buddy.

"What do you mean?" He attempts to bluff.

"Let her go, oppa. I've figured it all out. You're the only one with a motive and the power to do it."

The king silently watches the interrogation with curiosity and so does everyone around us. I hear someone mumble, "should I call the royal guards?"

"Yes, I'd appreciate that. I'm your king. Jinheung," he tells them. The people all gasp and whisper amongst themselves. "Sunwoo... Is it true?" I can hear the heartbreak in his voice.

To think he only pretended to forgive the king two years ago. This is some revenge plan he's put together.

"That's right," Sunwoo replies confidently. He turns his head slightly to look at the king. "Did you really think I would forgive you so easily after what you did to my friend? Have you ever watched your best friend die painfully in front of you while all you could do was lay there hopelessly? I don't think you have."

His highness grabs Sunwoo by the collar and I retract the sword. "Let go of my sister. Where is she?!"

Sunwoo simply snorts, unaffected by the king's temper. "Is that all you have to say to me? You know you've never once apologized to me."

The king tightens his grip. There's a heart-wrenching silence until Sunwoo has calmed down and speaks again.

"Don't worry, my little elves are taking good care of her." I can see the mixed emotions in his eyes: fury, heartache, pain.

"That's not an answer. Where is she?"

Before the king could do something he might regret, five royal guards appear and bow down to him. "Your majesty, we have come at your request," greets one of them.

"Lock him up," orders his majesty as he lets go of Sunwoo. "Interrogate him and don't stop until he reveals where he's keeping my sister." The guards take him away and we watch until they've turned the corner.

"Come on, lets go home," I insist as I lock my arm around his. He looks at me and his eyes soften. We walk back to the palace without saying another word.

He sits and ponders as I prepare hot tea on the small table in front of him. Occasionally, I'd sneak a peek to check on him. He doesn't speak at all. Once his tea is ready, I place it in front of him, then I bow and get up to leave.

"Wait-" he stops me in a soft voice. I turn back around. "We need to figure this out now. We have no time to waste." I plop down on the chair that sits diagonally from his and place the little tray I brought the tea on, on my lap.

"How can I help, your highness?"

"Those guards- they wouldn't have listened to Sunwoo - he doesn't have that kind of power. They wouldn't have helped without getting something valuable in return. But that boy doesn't have money nor gold. Unless..."

"Unless?..."

"Unless someone with more power is helping him."

"Like who?"

"Another person who holds a grudge against me."

"Okay, so, lets go through all the hundreds of people that hate you or may hate you."

He gives me a half-smile, clearly affected by my impressive sense of humor. "Well... I don't know. I guess I've never really payed attention to what my subjects think of me. I've always only focused on their well-being."

"What if... It's another member of the Hwarang? They're the only friends Sunwoo has - no offense to him. They supported his attempt to reign before, so I'm pretty sure one or two of them would help him with this."

The king nods. "Get me Pao. Starting today, we need to keep a close eye on all the Hwarangs."

"Yes, your majesty." I get up to go find his most trusted subject.

I find Pao playing chess in the courtyard with some of the Hwarangs. "Check. Mate. Whoo!" Soo-ho cheers with his hands raised up.

"Hey, Pao," I greet him with a smile. They all get up to bow.

"Lady Jade," greets Pao. "How may I help you?"

"The king is calling for you. Lets go." I realize Sunwoo's been released and is sitting amongst the boys as if nothing's changed. How... "You- Why aren't you locked up?"

Sunwoo crosses his arms and leans back nonchalantly. "I'm innocent, didn't you hear, Miss? They didn't find any dirt on me."

Stay calm, now. For all we know, I could be wrong and he really is innocent.

"I'm only letting you go this time because the king is waiting. But I've got my eyes on you," I warn him. "Pao, lets go."

Pao toddles towards me and then freezes, realizing he's gripping a chess piece: a knight. I try to contain a giggle. He's so funny. He turns and tosses it to Suho and follows me to the King's chamber's.

I knock on the door and announce Pao's arrival- "your majesty, I have brought Trusted Subject Number One."

"Wow, is that what he calls me?" Pao smiles shyly. I giggle and nod.

"Come in, Pao," orders the king. Pao slides the door open and I close it behind me. "Come. Sit. I have a very crucial task for you."

"What can I do for you, your majesty?" Pao asks as he takes a seat across from his majesty.

"Lady Jade and I've already been working on it, but we need to you to do some digging from the inside, you know?"

"Of course, your highness. And, what kind of digging would you like me to do, exactly?"

"We believe there's a person- or rather, people - who're working with Sunwoo and have my sister. And we believe they are also... Hwarang." He says the last word with uncertainty as he's probably having a hard time wrapping his head around the idea.

Pao gasps. "Are- are you sure, your majesty?"

"We're pretty sure. And they're most likely doing this for the sake of their parents," He says as he glances at me for confirmation. I nod.

"Okay, I will be right on it sir. I will keep a close watch on all the boys and their parents."

"Thank you, Pao." Pao nods, bows, and takes his leave.

"Oh, Pao!" The king calls after him.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Keep an extra close eye on the aristocrats - the boys with the most power. And their parents too."

"Your majesty," I cut in. "Did you know about Sunwoo's release?"

He sighs. "We couldn't find any proof. But don't worry- I've got the swordsman keeping a close watch on him."

I hope that's enough.

That night I have trouble sleeping as my heart won't stop pounding in my chest. My anxiety is killing me. I give up on trying to fall asleep and instead rise, grab my robe, and step out to the garden. After admiring the slumbering sages for a little while, I make my way to the swing where I unexpectedly find Pao and the swordsman fussing about something. I slowly inch closer, unsure of whether I'm encountering something I'm supposed to be encountering. They don't notice my presence as they're too busy bickering.

"How could this happen? We've increased the nighttime surveillance since Princess Sookmyung's disappearance!" I hear Pao say. I've never seen him so panicked and... Afraid. What's going on?

"Some of the guards must be in on this. There's no way anyone could have gone past my men without getting noticed. We have over thirty well-trained guards walking around in and out of the palace." It's dark, but judging by the content of their conversation, I know immediately that the opponent is the swordsman.

"Well, this proves that we haven't been good enough," murmurs Pao. Then he starts whining - something I've never seen him do before. "The poor king. If they hurt him in any way-"

Wait, what? I step out, unable to hold myself back. "What did you just say?"

The two men acknowledge my presence and bow.

"Miss Jade, I- I'm so sorry, this is all my fault," Pao starts.

"My lady-" The swordsman steps in. "It is my fault for not being more aware during such a dangerous time. We... do not know what to do, as we cannot trust my guards any longer."

Think, Jade, think. There's no time to waste. We'll just have to go ourselves.

"Soo-yeon unnie. Go wake up Miss Soo-yeon. She's a trained fighter." The men stare at me, utterly confused. "Hurry! I'm serious!"

"I will go get her, my lady," says the swordsman, and in a fleet second he's gone.

"I will go get some swords, Miss. Please wait here," says Pao. I nod.

Please be okay, your majesty.