Chapter 69: Shadows of Schemes (2)

Gon had crawled under the blanket to hide. What happened? He wouldn’t explain and kept trembling, leaving me no choice.

I leaned out the window, scanning the dark, but saw nothing. If someone approached this hall, the Wolhanseong soldiers on guard would’ve made noise.

Was it a hawk attacking? What’s a crow’s natural enemy?

Scratching the back of my head, I turned from the window.

“If you’re scared, I’ll check outside. Stay here.”

“Do that.”

His sluggish reply came. I left the room.

Outside, I saw soldiers on watch. One, holding a spear, was dozing, nodding off until his comrade tapped his shoulder, spotting me first. He quickly raised his head.

I circled the hall and returned. A figure in a white robe approached from a distance.

I glanced at the soldiers, but they didn’t react. They must see the figure too.

Is it just me?

A ghost?

No.

As the white-robed figure neared, the soldiers saluted her.

It was a woman, likely from Wolhanseong. No need for alarm, but wandering at night seemed odd.

“Did a bird fly this way?”

She asked the soldiers. Her voice carried in the quiet night, clear without straining. That confirmed it—she’s the one. I stepped forward.

Approaching, she stared at me, then frowned.

What? Frowning at me? I didn’t say anything.

I held back but spoke firmly.

“I’m looking for my crow.”

“What? You?”

I spoke, and she looked stunned.

“Don’t you know me?”

She turned to the soldiers, asking, “Who is this?”

The soldiers stammered, trying to explain, glancing at me nervously. To them, I’m just a warrior.

But even so, she’s not above the Lord of Wolhanseong, who bows to me.

Still, why doesn’t she know me?

“I’m Grand Prince Ikwon. Who are you, wandering near my quarters at this hour?”

Her eyes widened, staring at me, looking foolish and bewildered.

Then she spat on the ground.

What kind of behavior is this?

She rubbed her nose vigorously.

“Strange. There’s a smell. Really strange.”

Muttering nonsense about a smell from me? I bathed twice today.

She grimaced and spoke.

“Are you really the prince?”

I tilted my head, staring back.

What’s this? I’m at a loss.

Muttering must be her habit. After a while, she nodded as if realizing something.

“Are you truly His Highness?”

She didn’t know I was here, doesn’t believe I’m the prince—what kind of person is this?

“Call the Lord to confirm.”

The nearby soldiers glanced nervously.

She spoke.

“Then I’m sorry.”

Sorry?

What a fool.

If I’d revealed myself first, she might’ve done the same and apologized properly. But standing there, she seemed dim.

“Explain who you are and where you’re from.”

“I’m Son Cheonho, called Doyol. I serve directly under the Lord, no other affiliation.”

Directly under the Lord?

I eyed her suspiciously, recalling Hondon. He didn’t have a fixed affiliation either.

So, same as Hondon?

“Yes.”

Right.

Why do these people show up at night for first meetings?

“Can’t you walk quietly?”

“It doesn’t look good, wandering near my quarters at this hour. I’ll report this to the Lord tomorrow.”

“No, wait—”

Doyol’s mouth gaped, stopping short. After a pause, she spoke.

“Can you overlook it once?”

The Lord must be strict with subordinates. Why else would someone who doesn’t know a prince’s presence panic at the mention of reporting?

“Explain why you’re here at this hour, and I’ll consider it.”

“I was chasing a bird that flew this way. That’s how I ended up here.”

I already knew that.

“Why chase a bird?”

“No real reason. It seemed curious, like it understood words.”

Doyol scratched her face, mumbling.

“I wondered if it was a young monster.”

It’s my bird.

She froze.

I narrowed my eyes and spoke.

“You dare harm my property?”

Doyol’s eyes darted, searching for an excuse.

“I’ll let this slide.”

Or I’ll report it to the Lord.

It’s a small matter, but I’ll make her pay properly.

Leaving the shaken Doyol, I returned to my quarters.

Morning came. Sonkyedu stirred early, hearing a sound outside.

He was alone, but that was fine.

“May I enter, Elder?”

“Come in.”

Suha cautiously opened the door, eyes gleaming with curiosity. He knew about last night’s talk with the mad prince.

“You’re curious about our conversation?”

Suha smiled faintly.

“It seems so.”

“Don’t worry too much. He’s not that useful.”

Sonkyedu chuckled softly, his laugh kind, but he was far from kind. Suha’s smile faded, tension creeping in.

Turning his back, Sonkyedu clasped his hands.

“He wasn’t displeased. How long will we serve the cunning Ye clan’s heir? Are we their chained dogs?”

“No, Elder.”

“We’re closer to untamed wolves. It’s time to reclaim our place.”

A dream every noble clan heir held.

An independent state.

As a boy, Sonkyedu believed without doubt he’d be Lord of Wolhanseong, an old grudge.

His ancestors, rooted in this cold land, always coveted the south’s riches. They tried southbound invasions but were blocked by the Ye clan. Instead of celebrating as victors, they were bound in chains for generations.

The cost was bowing to the Ye royal family.

Resentments piled up to today.

He recalled glimpsing his ancestors’ grudge, his duty to resolve it, a heaven-sent mission.

Serving Son Cheongeum, a branch heir, as Lord was like a beast tearing its own flesh.

A beast can’t live tearing itself apart. Was that suffering his ancestors’ duty? No, it was meaningless, prolonging pain.

“My father always said this land is cold. Survival needs heat, and heat comes from water. Water is burned. So, I must burn something to live. That’s why Wolhanseong endured so long. What’s your reason?”

“The same as yours, Elder.”

Pleased with Suha’s loyalty, Sonkyedu nodded.

“Tomorrow, when Son Cheongeum leaves her post, it begins.”

“Yes.”

“Did you prepare what I ordered?”

“Of course.”

Suha swallowed hard. Following Sonkyedu meant recognizing Son Cheongeum as a mere puppet.

His task was grave: open the northern gate while the Lord was away, luring monsters into the city. If successful, someone would take the blame. Son Cheongeum, foolishly, would bear it instead of punishing another.

If the mad prince were harmed, the plan would be flawless.

With the court’s scrutiny, it’d be perfect.

The court’s reaction depended on the prince, who was tasked with drafting a letter to the capital.

Sonkyedu smacked his lips, wishing for certainty.

If only the madman would listen.