Three

"I truly hope your expedition goes well," said The Grand Queen Dowager.

Her voice sounded weaker than usual. Hwi took immediate notice of the subtle crackle as opposed to her usual soft, gracious tone.

"It is in two day's time," Hwi replied.

She seemed pale, too. Her lips and cheeks weren't rosy but rather dull.

"Grandmother, you seem rather unwell," he finally admitted.

She gave a small chuckle.

"Well I am way beyond my prime," she croaked.

It had only been two months since she had learned the truth about Hwi. Although she played a minor part in this cruel twist of fate of his life, he couldn't blame her for it. She was just maintaining the status quo, and honestly, she didn't have a choice then.

"I will order for the royal physician to examine you," said Hwi.

"I appreciate your concern but you shouldn't worry about an old lady," she replied with a smile.

"You are the only family I have left," Hwi reminded her. "I can't set out on this expedition knowing you are unwell."

Taken aback by his response, The Grand Queen Dowager felt a sudden rush of emotions. What if the real Lee Hwi was in front of her now? Would his actions be as genuine as this, or, would he blame her for his twin's death?

"Don't let an old lady like me hinder you from what you are meant to do and meant to be," she replied.

Hwi gave a half smile.

"You played a part in who I am today," he replied, referring to his grandparents' actions many years ago in effort to ascending the throne and working to securing it with their bloodline.

"You are right to blame me for what has happened," The Grand Queen Dowager replied in a weak tone.

"I don't blame you," Hwi replied. "There was no way you could've prevented it from happening with my maternal grandfather at the height of his power."

He took a sip of his tea and gently set the floral porcelain cup back down.

"You should rest, grandmother," he added, getting up to his feet. "I'll have the royal physician tend to you as soon as possible."

Hwi gave a slight bow and exited the room.

"Summon the royal physician and see to it that he examines Her Royal Highness right away," Hwi ordered Eunuch Hong after stepping out of his grandmother's quarters.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Hong descended the steps in a hurry and headed towards the Royal Pharmacy.

"Perhaps she is just worried of your upcoming expedition," Court Lady Kim guessed.

"No matter the reason, I cannot leave without seeing to it that she is healthy first," Hwi replied. "She is my grandmother."

The morning assembly was less exciting than the preceding days. It seemed everyone has come to terms and accepted the royal expedition Hwi was about to embark on.

"Chief Guard Gu will station the best soldiers and rotate them as necessary at every door and quarters," said Hwi. "Safety is my top concern whether or not I am in the palace."

The Chief Palace Guard gave a bow to acknowledge his task. Safety was his main concern, too. Fortunately for him, His Majesty was generous enough to not remove him from his post after assisting with numerous sneak-ins in the past.

"Her Royal Highness The Grand Queen Dowager must be accompanied by the best soldiers at all times on palace grounds," Hwi continued. "Without my permission, no one but her personal maid will be allowed to prepare and deliver her meals and medicine."

This was to prevent any evil doing such as the one his late father, King Hyejong, experienced the year before. Although they didn't have to worry about Lord Sanghyeon anymore, Hwi still had to take precaution just in case evil is still lurking within the palace.

"Rest assured all of your commands shall be executed, Your Majesty," said Shin Yeong Su.

Hwi nodded and ended this morning's assembly with an optimistic outlook. He wholeheartedly trusted Shin Yeong Su to maintain order while he was away.

"Finally, the rain stopped," said Eunuch Hong.

Hwi took notice of the bright skies and fluffy clouds.

"Indeed it did," he replied, descending the steps of the assembly hall.

Hwi inhaled the fresh air, bringing upon a feeling of contentment. This is how he ought to feel, he thought.

"Your Majesty, Kang Eun Soo has returned," said Eunuch Hong, acknowledging the tall, handsome young man that was approaching them.

"Your Majesty."

The royal bodyguard bowed and looked up at Hwi.

"I assume you've completed the task I assigned?" Hwi questioned, unaware that in addition to completing said task, he also spent a few days at Samgaebang.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Kang Eun Soo, with a slight bow.

"Nothing questionable?" Hwi asked.

It was just almost a month ago that he had asked Kang Eun Soo to execute a thorough inspection of Prince Wonsan's residences. He didn't want to risk anything that could potentially bring upon a sequel of a revolution. Apparently, Hwi had previously underestimated this older cousin of his, and he didn't intend on making the same mistake again.

"All of the properties are vacant," Eun Soo replied. "Although the place near Yeoyeon seems well kept, it isn't inhabited."

Hwi thought for a moment. Yeoyeon was where Lord Sanghyeon raised a secret army and stored weapons. Could it be that there was more to just a tidy yet empty royal residence in that area?

"Someone is living there," said Hwi.

"I examined the entire grounds and didn't find anything," Eun Soo replied.

"It's rather odd that the place is tidy but empty," said Hwi. "Someone had to have been living there and whoever it was recently deserted it."

Kang Eun Soo bit his lip and thought for a moment. His Majesty had a point. How could he have missed it?

"We will revisit the place on my expedition," said Hwi. "Make sure this information stays far away from The Grand Queen Dowager's ears."

Kang Eun Soo and Eunuch Hong both nodded. The two followed Hwi to The Grand Queen Dowager's quarters where the royal physician awaits with his diagnosis of Her Royal Highness's condition.

"She's under a lot of stress," Royal Physician Choi began. "And she also has a cold."

Hwi's eyes rolled onto his grandmother.

"I've prescribed a tonic for her to take twice a day," the physician continued. "She will be her normal self again in no time."

"That's what I expected to hear," Hwi replied.

"I told you this isn't a major concern," The Grand Queen Dowager said to Hwi.

"It's always better to make sure," Hwi replied. "Please take care of yourself, grandmother."

"I will go prepare the tonics right away," said Royal Physician Choi.

The Grand Queen Dowager nodded.

"It's good to see you back by His Majesty's side," she said to Kang Eun Soo.

"Yes, Your Highness," the bodyguard gave a slight bow.

"I shall return to my quarters and let you rest," Hwi said to his grandmother.

She nodded with a smile and watched in adoration as Hwi exited her quarters. The one grandchild who she failed as an infant turns out to be her saving grace. Perhaps this was her fate, she thought.

"Prince Wonsan is dead..., right?" Eunuch Hong carefully asked as they entered the king's quarters. "We all saw his body."

"As we did with Prince Changgun when Prince Wonsan found him," Hwi reminded him in a rather calm tone.

"It turns out Prince Changgun wasn't dead after all," replied Eunuch Hong with a concerned expression.

"Dead or not, he has no supporters left to take any kind of action," said Hwi, sitting down at his desk.

"Even if that's the case, how could you be so calm with this information regarding Prince Wonsan?" Eunuch Hong replied.

Court Lady Kim entered with a pot of tea and paused for a moment at the name of "Prince Wonsan".

"This is a matter to be discussed later down the road," said Hwi. "We'll be leaving in two days so please rest as much as possible so you can be fully alert and energized by the time we leave the palace."

Hwi looked up at Kang Eun Soo.

"Especially you," he said to him.

The bodyguard, who was already a man of little words, gave a slight bow to show that he understood.

The mystery about Prince Wonsan's residence bothered Hwi late into the night. He wasn't worried about any danger, just curious as to who had been residing at his place. For as long as he could remember, the guy was always secretive about everything. Not only that, he was also patient and clever. He would've been a great king, honestly.

"You order Eunuch Hong and Royal Guard Kang to get lots of rest yet you are wide awake into the night deep in thought," said Court Lady Kim.

She'd come in to check on him upon seeing that his candle was still lit.

"You should turn in for the night, too," Hwi told her. "I won't be long."

"It is getting very late, Your Majesty," she said, proceeding to extinguish the candle on his desk.

Hwi lied on his back and propped the back of his head on his crossed arms. His mind had shifted from Prince Wonsan to Prince Jae Eun, Prince Wonsan's younger brother. He would've loved to accompany Hwi on a royal expedition. It was his thing.

Hwi's eyes began to fill with tears as he thought of his perfect older cousin. He would've gladly given Jae Eun the throne if he was alive. Growing up, Jae Eun always stayed by his side, catering to him every chance he had. Realizing that he was now lonely, Hwi wished for something good to come out of this expedition.