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Chapter 05
“Chief Eunuch, what shall we do about His Majesty’s morning meal tomorrow?”
The owner of the shadow was Court Lady Kim, who guarded the main hall. A new morning had already come. The chief eunuch, who had merely stood by watching the three carry out their treatment, looked helplessly at Ham.
“Without my permission, let no one enter this place.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Court Lady Kim, His Majesty has ordered that he will forgo his morning meal tomorrow. He also said that he will summon it when he desires, so no meals are to be prepared until then.”
“Chief Eunuch! I fear His Majesty’s royal body may weaken further.”
“It is all His Majesty’s will. Withdraw the meal accordingly.”
While the two conversed, everyone inside the chamber could only hold their breath. After lingering outside for some time, the shadow finally retreated.
After Ham and Lord Jeong left, Soheon remained by the King’s side the entire day in an air frozen with tension. A dull, heavy footstep echoing somewhere startled her awake. Night had passed; a new dawn was breaking.
It was the second day since the secret method began. Three days remained until the envoys’ arrival.
A sudden wave of dread swept over her. She turned to look at the King—and gasped.
In a single night—no, in mere hours—the corpse had changed drastically.
The bluish pallor had darkened to an earthy hue. The lips had turned a deeper blackish red. No one could mistake this for the body of a living man. Yesterday’s treatment had long since lost its effect. The force of decay was devouring the King’s body at a terrifying speed.
“At this rate, we won’t last three days—let alone seven.”
Her voice trembled close to despair. In panic, Soheon rummaged through the medicine chest beside the bed. The bottom lay exposed, scattered with remnants of herbs.
The supplies from the previous night were already insufficient. Even the acupuncture’s effect had faded far sooner than expected. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.
Steadying herself, she placed her fingers on the King’s wrist to check the pulse. Only coldness met her touch.
She had to go out. She had to secure more herbs—before it was too late.
The moment she stepped outside, Ham—just entering the hall—noticed her pale expression and approached.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty’s condition is deteriorating far more rapidly than expected. The first day’s treatment will not suffice.”
“Time is not on our side. What must be done?”
“We require the second stage of the method. There are herbs I must examine with my own eyes and hands. I must go to the market at once.”
“Then I will accompany you. It is too urgent for you to go alone.”
“That cannot be, Your Highness. You cannot leave the palace unguarded.”
“Even so, it is better than sending you alone. We have no time to hesitate. Let us depart at once.”
Was it the hidden gentleness in his tone? Or simple stubbornness? She did not know that unseen eyes still monitored the unsettled Crown Prince—eyes that might soon turn toward her as well.
Yet she had no time to weigh such dangers.
“I studied medicinal herbs in my youth,” he added. “I can be of help.”
Perhaps he was right. In such a crisis, even one extra pair of hands could make a difference.
With no grounds left to refuse, Soheon agreed. They prepared quietly to leave through the rear gate.
Ham donned a gat pulled low and changed into plain, worn clothing—so unlike his usual noble attire that it felt strangely foreign. Soheon exchanged her physician’s robe for a muted jeogori.
They walked in silence along the stone walls of the palace. The guards’ footsteps echoed faintly in the dawn air.
Suddenly, he stopped.
“This path—I used to slip out through here as a child. Even in a palace as guarded as this, there is always at least one secret way.”
His voice was playful, but his eyes were serious. Beneath the brim of his hat, his face lay in shadow. Yet compared to yesterday, he seemed more human, warmer somehow—and that warmth eased her heart.
“Where did you go?” she asked softly.
“To gather herbs. Even then, I preferred the mountains to the palace. There was a certain noona who taught me much about medicinal plants.”
“How curious. I, too, preferred the mountains as a child, studying herbs there.”
Footsteps echoed nearby. Without warning, Ham grasped her wrist and pulled her behind the stone wall.
Their breaths mingled in the cold air. His warmth against her chilled skin sent her heart racing.
“Now.”
The marketplace alley was quiet, still shaking off sleep, though several apothecaries had begun to open their doors. The heavy scent of herbs filled the air.
Soheon examined a handful of ginseng, studying its color and texture.
Then a man approached, hat drawn low, his gaze slowly sweeping over her face and waist.
“Why would a lady come alone at dawn to choose herbs? Such a pretty face does not suit the marketplace.”
The oily tone made her flinch. As his gaze grew more brazen, Ham stepped between them without hesitation, his hand covering hers.
“What business have you with my wife?”
“Ah—I saw she had not arranged her hair, so I thought her unmarried… My apologies.”
The man stammered, backing away before disappearing down the alley.
Ham watched him leave, still feeling the warmth of Soheon’s hand in his.
It was an absurd pretense—but strangely, it felt real. Like a husband protecting his wife. His heart stumbled at the thought.
Her small hand shifted in his grasp—perhaps trying to pull away. Though he knew he should release her, his fingers tightened unconsciously.
“Your Highness… the man is gone. Please let go.”
“It seems unsafe for you to walk alone here. It may be best to continue the pretense. There appear to be no suitable herbs here—let us try another shop.”
As she moved, he silently lifted the hem of her skirt from the damp ground.
“If it soaks in the dew, you’ll catch cold.”
The words were brief, but filled with care. She looked at him, startled. His expression seemed indifferent, yet warmth lingered in his eyes.
A faint pine scent drifted from him, oddly calming her restless heart.
At the third apothecary, they finally found proper Seoljung-hwa and thousand-year he shou wu. The price was steep. Ham bargained briefly, paid, and thanked the merchant sincerely.
Soheon was quietly astonished. Though a crown prince, he bowed his head in gratitude to a commoner.
He truly loves his people.
She watched him with admiration. Sensing her gaze, he glanced at her. She quickly turned away. A small breeze passed between them—yet their hands remained joined.
Back at Gangnyeongjeon Hall, the tense ritual resumed.
Ham set down the bundles of herbs. Soheon immediately began decocting them. A pungent medicinal scent filled the chamber. She measured time precisely, combining ingredients with care. Ham stood beside her, offering silent assistance when needed.
Focus, Yun Soheon. If the concentration is off, the skin may begin to rot instead.
Repeating the warning to herself, she applied the thickened liquid to the King’s face and hands. As it seeped into the skin, the bluish hue gradually faded.
Two tense hours passed.
At last, wiping the final traces from the King’s face, she exhaled.
“The second stage appears successful, Your Highness.”
The King’s face regained a natural pallor. Signs of decay seemed halted.
Ham smiled in relief. But more than the King’s complexion, it was her unwavering gaze that caught him. A selfish desire stirred within him—to claim that gaze for himself alone. The thought startled him.
“However, Your Highness,” she continued, “the second stage cannot be done only once. Until the envoys arrive, it must be performed morning and night.”
“Then we must move even more discreetly.”
She nodded, yet another worry settled in her heart. If a physician were seen entering and leaving the bedchamber too frequently, suspicion would surely arise.
And before long, that fear became reality—standing directly before her.
