Chapter 26: The Road to Wolha

I received a message. According to Hanseon, it was hastily drafted, far from trivial.

My going to Wolha was a problem in itself, but if I hadn’t stepped up, it would’ve been a bigger mess. That’s what I told King Bonhyeon.

The journey would take five days one way. Double that with rest, so at least ten days total. That was the minimum—likely more. There were places to stop along the way.

Several cities lay on the route to Wolha. Ignoring them would seem disrespectful. King Bonhyeon had summoned me earlier, saying, “Don’t let the lords feel neglected.”

It was a hassle, but I had to visit each one. Contact had already been arranged during my preparations.

I couldn’t visit cities too far off the route, but for those nearby, I’d bear the inconvenience and meet their lords.

Not that the lords were desperate to see me.

Lords in remote cities, holding their posts for generations, often cared little for capital politics. Especially in the north, where past invasions left no love for the royal court.

A direct visit, especially an urgent one in front of others, meant something significant. King Bonhyeon couldn’t refuse—it was a calculated move.

It wasn’t a trivial matter, and I knew it.

Did I regret volunteering? A bit, but it was necessary.

Just before departure, I finalized the escort arrangements.

“I’ll serve Your Highness,” Heo Seokkyeok declared.

The man who’d once picked a fight with me now volunteered to follow me to Wolha. It was unexpected but welcome.

I didn’t understand it, but if Heo Seokkyeok, a Geumowi captain, came, Yu Geung, his subordinate, would too. No need to refuse, and I had no reason to.

It’s all for the best, isn’t it?

Even if I rejected Heo Seokkyeok and called another officer, my escorts would still be Geumowi.

I nodded, then glanced at Hanseon, who was packing busily. He looked uneasy, which made me uneasy.

Maybe I should leave him behind.

“Hanseon,” I called.

“Yes, Your Highness?” he replied.

“How about staying here?”

“How can you ask that? I said I’d die by Your Highness’s side—have you forgotten?” Hanseon answered, his voice firm with indignation.

I’d already told him to do as he pleased.

“Before you said—”

Heo Seokkyeok interrupted, “There’s no need to worry, Your Highness.”

Was he reassuring me?

But the lands north of Wolha were too harsh for most. Would his words help in such a place?

Doing well and worrying were separate. I could strive to prevent worries from becoming reality, but I couldn’t avoid them entirely.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked.

Heo Seokkyeok’s expression hardened, as if he’d bitten sand.

I changed the subject. “The route?”

I’d studied the map, so I wasn’t clueless, but as a Seopyeong bumpkin, I needed proper guidance.

“How many stops?” I asked, curious.

There was another reason: one stop I wanted to make, but I wasn’t sure if I’d manage it.

“Three stops are planned, Your Highness,” Heo Seokkyeok replied.

Fewer than expected. Surprised, I looked at him, and he added, “At most, four.”

He seemed sincere.

I replied dryly, “Sounds manageable.”

No matter how many stops, the hardship was mine. Or rather, the retainers serving a prince bore it, not me.

If I were a real prince, I might’ve seen it as hardship. But I’m not, am I?

A beggar like me finding fault—wasn’t that absurd? I’d slept without a roof before. Staying in a castle? I’d take as many stops as they’d give.

“Which three?” I asked.

“Oroseong, Namakseong, and Gureseong, in that order,” he said.

I exhaled sharply.

Namakseong was the one I’d had in mind. It was slightly off the route, but among the three, it held the most influence. A key link between the north and the capital, it saw much traffic.

I’d chosen the route prioritizing influence over distance.

It was good news that Namakseong was included. Within a few years, a talent would emerge there—the adopted daughter of Namakseong’s lord.

I’d once been Hyeolyunseong’s adopted son, but Namakseong’s case was different. She had a special ability that caught the lord’s eye, earning her adoption.

They called it the power of foresight.

Later, she became the sister-in-law of Wu, Queen Wu’s brother, but her sharp mind made enemies. She was framed and executed.

That’s what I’d heard, secondhand and vague, so it might not be accurate. The truth was beyond me now. I’d see for myself.

If possible, I wanted to win her over before Wu noticed her.

If she was doomed to die, joining me would be better for her.

“I’ve notified them, but the duration of each stay is up to you, Your Highness,” Heo Seokkyeok said.

“That’s my call,” I replied.

He added, “This is the list of local lords who attended His Majesty’s banquet, as you requested.”

He handed me the list I’d asked for through Yu Geung. It seemed Yu Geung had relayed it to Heo Seokkyeok, who prepared it.

I showed my appreciation. “Thanks.”

Heo Seokkyeok looked at me like I was mad.

“What?”

His expression suggested he couldn’t believe my words.

I shrugged. “Let’s go.”

I waved at Heo Seokkyeok and Yu Geung as they left.

Reading the list, I found the name I sought.

Lord Baekyeon of Hyeolyunseong.

He really came.

I scratched the back of my head and finished the letter.

Lords not on the list either had poor relations with King Bonhyeon or no interest in capital affairs.

Since I joined Hyeolyunseong, Lord Baekyeon hadn’t visited the capital once.

He was busy, after all.

I marked the cities near Wolha on the map, cross-referencing their lords with the list.

Most northern lords hadn’t attended the banquet.

They weren’t hostile to King Bonhyeon so much as indifferent to the capital.

If they didn’t care about the capital, they’d dodge questions about the next king.

They wouldn’t care if a non-royal inherited the throne.

They neither supported me, the eldest, nor courted me.

But that didn’t mean they wanted Yehwi as king.

Bound by ethnicity, they weren’t a major force.

Yet their ancestors, who lived by the sword, were far from weak.

Neglecting them in the north, letting them fester, was foolish. Even kings knew that.

Still, they couldn’t be used—likely because they couldn’t be trusted. In the past, Mokryeo fought countless battles to subdue them. No king believed they’d stay bowed forever.

Same roots, after all.

So what?

I needed the north’s support.

To protect what I cherished.

Nothing was more important.

The departure day arrived.

I woke earlier than usual, rubbing sleepy eyes to prepare.

Finally leaving the capital. I’d barely slept, but couldn’t hide my origins—I’d slept soundly despite it all.

Hanseon, however, looked exhausted.

“You look tired,” I said.

“No, Your Highness, I’m fine. I’m grateful for your concern,” he replied, shaking his weary frame.

The farewell was modest.

Yehwi, hearing late that I’d represent the royal family in Wolha, glared at me.

As if he’d go to that far northern border himself.

His jealous stare was easy to ignore. The problem was Queen Wu standing beside him.

Her face was calm, but her eyes pierced me with suspicion. I could guess her thoughts but couldn’t act on it.

What a scene, I thought.

If Yehwi had been sent to Wolha, what would Queen Wu have done?

She’d have rushed to King Bonhyeon for a side job.

Distracted by Queen Wu and Yehwi, I barely recalled what King Bonhyeon said to me.

Something about returning safely, I think.

Sadly, his words didn’t stick.

I should’ve at least left a respectful gaze.

Finally, I mounted my horse. It was my first time riding since entering this body.

If Ye-kyeong’s body wasn’t so similar to Baekyeon’s, I’d have struggled to ride properly.

Hanseon said the prince had no talent for riding.

So, the curiosity and admiration in the onlookers’ eyes as I rode made sense.

“Let’s depart,” I said.

“Yes, Your Highness,” came the reply.

And so, I left the capital.