Six

Just when she thought she could leave the past all behind, The Grand Queen Dowager suddenly rose from her slumber, trying to catch her breath. She didn't voluntarily wake from her sleep nor did the sudden insomnia derive from her aging. She'd consume all of her tonics the royal physician had prescribed, too, and was just beginning to feel herself again.

This wasn't the first time she experienced this awful flashback in its finest nightmare form. At first, it had happened quite often. It only gradually became better after her husband, the king before last, had passed. Then, when her son, Lee Hyejong, was crowned as his father's successor, the same nightmare occurred. It was as if she was being haunted by her in-laws' ghosts.

"It's not my fault," she sobbed silently to herself.

The royal lineage was anything but normal and Her Royal Highness had established that when she married into the royal family. She wasn't given any other options other than to marry the husband her father had chosen for her.

Now, as the Grand Queen Dowager, she had no choice either. Her bloodline was about to end with Lee Hwi, or should she say, Dam-I, yet there was nothing she could do.

If her husband hadn't seized the throne from his brother...

The Grand Queen Dowager sighed. She admits she had been guilt-ridden and this feeling seemed to have only worsened over time. Perhaps, it was due to how great Hwi had been treating her regardless of the decisions she had been forced to make. She found it ironic that her title was one that people highly respected yet she had so little power.

As she closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep, she tried to shift her mind from the horrible nightmare to Hwi. She was sure he was doing fine. Considering that "she" was raised to be a "he", The Grand Queen Dowager expected nothing less. Maybe these nightmares were just that.

The throne was safe and secure now...

The thought of losing Hwi eventually made her cry herself to sleep, even sleeping through her usual time to rise the next morning.

"Should we summon the royal physician?" one maid asked another.

"That is not necessary," The Grand Queen Dowager sat up just in time to ease the maids' minds.

They'd all concluded that it was a bit odd that the woman slept so late. It was so unlike her, considering she had been accustomed to early morning greetings.

"Your Highness."

Two maids helped her on her feet while another team of four tended to her bedding. In a short period of time, she changed into a fresh new set of daily attire, ready for the morning greetings.

"Your Highness, would you like your breakfast now since there will be no morning greeting today?"

The Grand Queen Dowager turned to the maid who piped the question. She had totally forgotten that Hwi had left for the royal expedition just yesterday. She nodded, and the maid signaled for the Grand Queen Dowager's first meal be served at once.

This would take some getting used to. She was lonely now. Other than daily walks around the palace, admiring the same plants in the royal gardens, and partaking in a little archery session, she couldn't seem to occupy herself or her mind of anything else.

"Your Highness, the royal physician will enter," said a eunuch's voice.

"Let him enter," she replied weakly.

"Your Highness," said Royal Physician Choi, kneeling before her.

"What brings you in this late in the afternoon?" The Queen Dowager wondered aloud.

"I am just following His Majesty's orders," the physician replied.

"Oh."

"His Majesty had tasked me to perform weekly check-ups on you, Your Highness," Royal Physician Choi further elaborated.

"That is not necessary," said The Grand Queen Dowager. "I am feeling better."

The royal physician did not move a muscle.

"But...

"You are free to go," The Grand Queen Dowager stated adamantly.

Royal Physician Choi didn't have a choice but to accept her indirect command. Although he had promised King Hwi that he would perform these weekly check-ups, he was certain The Grand Queen Dowager would have the same response again. His head would surely be detached from his body if anything happened to Her Royal Highness while the King was away.

"Lee Jeong."

It had been a while since Hwi had mentioned that name. He had always either referred to his eldest cousin as Prince Wonsan or just older cousin. He couldn't imagine the look on their grandmother's face when she learns that there is indeed another royal heir. Hwi could only hope for her to remain in good health until he returns.

"Lee Yeong," Hwi suggested. "Since his father was Lee Jeong."

They had gone through several names and none of which struck a mutual liking for him and Noh Ha Kyung.

"I should get to name him since I'm his Aunt," she frowned.

Both Kang Eun Soo and Eunuch Hong rolled their eyes.

"You mean mother?" Hwi corrected her.

They had agreed to play the parents role to this unfortunate little boy.

"Mother?" Kang Eun Soo questioned.

Hwi and Noh Ha Kyung exchanged glances.

"Allow me to explain," said Hwi, getting up from the table.

He motioned for the royal guard to follow him outside.

"I have a confession," he began.

"I already know," replied Kang Eun Soo, staring into the distance.

"You... you already know?" Hwi asked reassuringly.

"I've known for a while," Kang Eun Soo admitted.

"How?"

Kang Eun Soo bit his lip and dropped to his knees.

"What are you doing?" Hwi asked.

"I know I made a mistake," he replied. "I know your secret."

Hwi felt his heart drop. Honestly, he never saw this coming.

"I was standing guard outside your chamber one night and accidentally found out," he explained without making eye contact.

"That's why you ran away," Hwi nodded.

It all made perfect sense now. He was afraid that he would reveal the secret.

"You knew but you didn't reveal my identity," said Hwi quietly. "Why?"

"Because I vow to be forever loyal to King Hyejong's successor," he replied. "As my father was loyal to King Hyejong til the very end."

"My brother always considered Kang Hwa Gil as a father figure," said Hwi. "And our fathers always dreamt of building a great kingdom."

Hwi sighed. Maybe this was destiny.

"That baby," Hwi began. "That baby is Prince Wonsan's baby."

"Of course, Lee Jeong," said Kang Hwa Gil.

He knew the name sounded familiar.

"That's why you want to adopt him with...

He paused for a moment to find the right words but nothing else was fitting except for Noh Ha Kyung's former title itself.

"... the Queen," he finished.

Hwi nodded.

"I don't think I have to explain any further for you to understand that this was all both of my grandfathers' doing," he stated. "We were just caught in the war."

"Unfortunately," added Kang Eun Soo. "I will take this secret to my grave as well."

Hwi thanked him for his promise and loyalty.

"I also have a confession," said Kang Eun Soo.

Hwi froze in his tracks and carefully turned around.

"I spent a few days at Samgaebang," he replied. "And bumped into Jung Ji Un there..."

"If you want to prove your loyalty to me, I ask that you please do not bring up this name ever again," said Hwi, continuing back into the hut.

"What's wrong with Lee Hyeong?" Eunuch Hong's voice roared.

Apparently, they still hadn't settled on a name for the baby.

"My lord," said Ha Kyung, jumping up to greet him as if she hadn't seen him in ages.

She wrapped her arms around his right arm and made a face at Eunuch Hong, who looked from Hwi to Yu Gong, and then to Kang Eun Soo, who had just walked through the door. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Hwi detached Ha Kyung from him.

"How about Lee Beom?" Yu Gong suggested.

"I've already decided on his name," Hwi announced. "Lee Taeyeon."

"Lee Taeyeon?" they all said in unison.

"Lee Taeyeon," Noh Ha Kyung repeated. "I like it."

"It means great," Hwi told them. "For one day he will be a great Joseon ruler."

"It's a great name," said Eunuch Hong.

"This secret shall never leave this room," Hwi added. "Only a small number of people know of this and I intend to keep it that way."

Everyone gave a slight nod to acknowledge Hwi's request.

"Although how are we going to manage to travel with a baby?" asked Kang Eun Soo.

"That carriage doesn't sound too bad now, huh?" Eunuch Hong added.

They were right. A carriage is a must now that their youngest member of the expedition is an infant.

"Eun Soo, I'll leave it to you to obtain one by this evening," Hwi said to him. "Babies sleep at night so we'll leave at dusk."

"He does sleep throughout the night," said Ha Kyung. "He's a good baby."

Kang Eun Soo left to fulfill his task while Hwi explored the surroundings. He came upon a beautiful stream and watched as the water flowed upriver.

"A lot on your mind, my lord?"

Hwi turned to see that Noh Ha Kyung had followed him. Perhaps there was a lot on his mind, because he didn't notice her following.

"I don't know... I just feel like... I'm deceiving everyone," Hwi confessed.

"How so?"

Hwi let out a heavy sigh and sat down on the short, yellowing grass near the edge of the water.

"I made up my mind to be the best version of Lee Hwi I can be but for some reason, I just feel like I'm not worthy of it," he explained.

Noh Ha Kyung sat down next to him and smiled.

"Why?" she asked. "Because you're a woman?"

Her blunt answer took Hwi by surprise. He had almost forgotten that she had always spoken her mind. As a matter of fact, it was her clumsiness that brought out her distinct personality.

"If that's your concern then you shouldn't let that bother you," she further stated. "Technically, you're of royal blood, and being that there was no other heir at that given time, your mother did what was best for everyone whether or not it was in their favor. If you made up your mind to be the best version of Lee Hwi then everyone has no choice but to respect that decision because you are their ruler. You want to be a good ruler and that's what you're doing. There's no deception there."

Speechless by Noh Ha Kyung's response, Hwi couldn't help but to smile. The sparkle in her eyes returned.

"I...

Before he could finish, she leaned in and kissed him on the lips without warning. His eyes widened.

"I've always wanted to do that," she whispered.