Pacing anxiously before the tightly shut door, Myeonghyeon Seon strained to hear the muffled voices within. The rising tension was palpable, the heated exchange escalating with every passing moment. Seon bit her lip, her anxiety growing with each sharp retort that pierced the silence. Suddenly, the door flew open, and Hongyoo emerged, his face contorted in a grimace. Whatever his proposition had been, it was unlikely to favor House Myeonghyeon. A flicker of relief crossed Seon's face as she met his gaze. Hongyoo, noticing her presence, quickly smoothed his features, schooling his expression into a mask of composure.

  "Well?" Seon demanded, her voice sharp with impatience. "What happened?"

  Hongyoo's eyes narrowed. "Such disrespect for the Princess's Royal Attendant."

  "Cut the crap," Seon retorted. "Answer my question."

  Hongyoo smirked. He gestured towards the door with a tilt of his chin. "Go on in. He wants to speak with you."

  "Why me?"

  "How should I know?"

  Seon hesitated. Hongyoo's smirk widened.

  "Why the hesitation, esteemed Scion? Did that little incident scare you?"

  "Shut up," Seon growled, shoving him aside and entering the room.

  Despite the midday sun, the room was shrouded in darkness, the heavy curtains drawn tight. The air was thick with the lingering scent of tobacco. Through the haze of smoke, a figure emerged, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a lantern. As their eyes met, he set down his pipe, extinguishing the ember. He rose from his seat, offering a polite bow. Surprised by his courteous gesture, Seon offered a hesitant bow in return. He gestured towards a seat, then spoke.

  "I believe we have met before," he remarked.

  Seon, seated opposite him, replied curtly, "I've seen you a few times at this inn."

  He nodded slightly. "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Ryucheon of House Baek from Gahng'an."

  "Gahng'an, you say..."

  "Dong’gyeong, yes. But that name lacks elegance, wouldn't you agree? No one who has settled in Gahng'an for any length of time would use that name. Have you ever been?"

  Seon shook her head. "I would have been delighted to visit the capital of such a magnificent kingdom, but I'm bound to this island. As the last of House Myeonghyeon, my brother and I cannot easily venture on such a long sea journey."

  Ryucheon tilted his head slightly, speaking almost to himself. "House Myeonghyeon. The shining mirror of the royal house of Cheon. A truly honorable lineage."

  Seon offered a brief bow before introducing herself. “I am Seon of House Myeonghyeon from Sunyahng.”

  A smile touched Ryucheon's lips. “I’ve heard.”

  His response, deliberately vague, hung in the air. He studied her intently. Seon, though unnerved by his unwavering gaze, met his eyes, carefully studying his features. He wore a wide-brimmed black hat that offered a clear view of his face and a long coat draped over one shoulder, the sleeves tied beneath his arms. His attire was similar to that of Dahn, or even the old Wi. If he remained silent, no one would suspect he was Sungian. He seemed young, perhaps around Ryang's age. But then again, Hongyoo also looked younger than his alleged age, so Seon couldn't make a reliable guess. For a man who orchestrated schemes from the shadows, his demeanor was surprisingly gentle, his features soft and approachable. Even his Sungian accent seemed to blend with his affable aura.

  "I've heard some noise," Seon remarked.

  "Tender words are a rare commodity among those engaged in such endeavors," Ryucheon replied smoothly.

  Ryucheon leaned forward, resting his chin on his clasped hands. His eyes, half-lidded, studied her intently again. There was something enigmatic about him, yet Seon sensed no malice in his gaze. Unlike Hongyoo, who had filled her with unease, Ryucheon exuded a disarming charm. Still, Ryang's warnings and the harrowing memory of Hongyoo's poisoned needles made her tense. His relaxed demeanor, in stark contrast to her own apprehension, irritated her.

  Ryucheon continued. "I've heard of your ambitious plans. I must confess, I was growing tired of this island. Your story has certainly intrigued me."

  Seon, sensing an opportunity, cut to the chase. "Are you going to help us?"

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  A flicker of surprise crossed Ryucheon's face. "Are you asking me?"

  "I'm speaking to you, am I not?" Seon retorted.

  Ryucheon's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained fixed, a mask of unwavering courtesy. He chuckled softly. "That's not my decision to make. I merely report the situation to my superiors. You won't get an immediate answer from me."

  "Do you have no discretion?" Seon pressed. "If you can't give me an answer, why did you ask to see me?"

  "I've exercised my discretion," Ryucheon countered smoothly. "This matter requires my superiors' input. It's a rather significant issue, wouldn't you agree? A matter of life and death for your house. Do you really expect a minor official like me to resolve it on my own authority?"

  Seon didn't press further. Ryucheon leaned back in his chair, putting some distance between them. He reached for his pipe, his fingers tracing the cold bowl. "Do you mind?"

  "Do as you please."

  With practiced ease, he packed his pipe, lit it, and took a long drag. A leisurely voice drifted from his lips, accompanied by a plume of smoke.

  "Discretion, you say..." He paused, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "As someone who has met you face-to-face, I suppose I could add my personal assessment. But before I exercise my discretion, I have a question. How confident are you in your chances of success?"

  Seon was caught off guard by his unexpected question. Beneath his seemingly affable gaze, a sharp glint flickered. Seon couldn't tell if he was testing her or had genuinely seen through her facade. The unease she had harbored towards the Wicheong Palace, the doubts that had plagued her, now felt exposed.

  "I have nothing to say to that," Seon said. "My role is simply to manage the merchant company and this inn, to raise funds for the cause. The rest is my brother's concern. You'd be better off asking him when he returns."

  "I'm asking for your opinion, not your brother's," Ryucheon pressed.

  "It's not a question of whether we can win. It's a fight we must undertake."

  Ryucheon chuckled softly. Seon pressed her lips together, concealing her frustration. She needed to steer the conversation away from this unfavorable topic.

  "What assessment will you provide?" she asked, turning the question back on him.

  "I'll report what I've seen and heard, of course." He paused, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "That the rebel leader's trusted advisor lacks faith in their own plans."

  "Excuse me?" Seon's voice rose slightly.

  Ryucheon chuckled. "I was merely jesting. I know nothing of your forces, your plans, or the character of your leader. I intend to simply relay your request."

  "And what response do you anticipate from the Sung court?"

  Ryucheon took another long drag from his pipe before replying. "Acquiescence shouldn't be an issue," he said. "However, our final stance will depend on your progress. We may offer further support, or we may hand you over to the King of Dahn."

  Seon countered his veiled threat with one of her own. "If you betray us, your organization will be exposed as well. The King of Dahn won't be pleased to learn that Sung has been meddling in our affairs, whispering sweet nothings of brotherhood while plotting behind their backs."

  Ryucheon chuckled. "I expected as much. It was merely a jest. We have no intention of handing you over to Dahn. At least, not at this moment. But the future is uncertain."

  He leaned forward, closing the distance between them. "However, as someone involved in diplomacy, I prefer peace to war. Let me ask you this. Do you truly believe this war will benefit Dae-Sung? War is best avoided. The gains are uncertain, the losses are not. It may sound absurd, but Dahn serves as a valuable buffer for Dae-Sung. Their presence has significantly reduced the number of Soyeolish seals reaching our shores. But a war in Dahn? That's not a desirable outcome."

  Seon declared firmly, "Soyeol will not cross into Sung because of us."

  Ryucheon's eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement in their depths. "Have you already involved Soyeol? I would think the lessons learned from their misguided attempts to save Wi would still be fresh in their mind."

  "I've heard no such thing. I merely stated that neither we nor Soyeol will become enemies of Sung, during or after this conflict."

  "We're both minor players, Lady. Our promises hold little weight. We both know that."

  "Then there's no point in continuing this conversation. May I take my leave?"

  As Seon pushed back her chair, Ryucheon quickly interjected. "Don't be so hasty. I'd like to continue our conversation."

  After Seon settled back into her seat, Ryucheon continued, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling. "If it were up to me, I would certainly persuade Soyeol. After all, Wi's fight is also Soyeol's fight. And Dahn's fight is also Dae-Sung's fight. We are brothers, chasing the same light."

  "And yet, here you are, hiding within the kingdom of your brother."

  Ryucheon replied with a sly grin. "Even blood brothers turn against each other. Can you blame us for preparing for an uncertain future?"

  "Wouldn't it be wise to help us, then, to prepare for that uncertain future?"

  Ryucheon nodded, a broad smile spreading across his face. "It never hurts to explore all options. While I can't promise support, I can assure you that acquiescence is not out of the question. However, I advise you to consider your options carefully, for the sake of your house."

  Seon, engrossed in his words, hadn't noticed Ryucheon leaning closer, his face now inches from hers. But Seon was more preoccupied with his subtle suggestion: Explore all options. Unlike Ryang, whose confidence seemed unshakeable, Seon harbored doubts. Ryucheon's words easily preyed on her anxieties.

  Ryucheon, noticing Seon's preoccupation, shifted the conversation. "Well, let's set aside these tedious matters and indulge in some pleasantries. Both you and your brother are as beautiful as I've heard."

  Seon chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a compliment."

  A smile played on her lips, but her eyes held a hint of something more complex. Ryucheon frowned. "What's with that look? Don't misunderstand. I have no interest in your brother. If anything, my interest lies with you."

  His suggestive tone made her uncomfortable. Seon quickly changed the subject. "What brings you to this island?" she asked.