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Chapter 06
On the third day since the secret method began, two days remained until the envoys’ arrival.
Though they had tried to conceal it, there were far too many eyes within the palace. Between the layered walls and halls—so tightly built it seemed not even a breeze could slip through—rumors spread like running water. Soheon moved with care, yet it took only a moment for someone to notice how frequently she entered and exited the King’s bedchamber.
What began as small curiosity soon turned into whispers laced with suspicion and jealousy.
The hands of the physician women preparing the morning herbs faltered. Their eyes flickered with doubt and intrigue. Whenever Soheon passed, they glanced at one another as though checking reflections in a mirror, murmuring under their breath.
The gentle crackle of simmering herbs, the soft sound of rinsing bowls—over all of it drifted the whispers that settled upon Soheon’s back.
“Have you noticed how often Physician Yun goes in and out of His Majesty’s chamber lately? Isn’t it suspicious?”
“Indeed. We’re merely physician women. No matter how skilled she is, entering the royal chamber so often must have some special reason.”
“Surely you don’t think she has received royal favor?”
At the hushed suggestion, the others nodded knowingly.
The whispers passed from mouth to mouth. The glances grew bolder. Before long, the matter reached the ears of Court Lady Kim, the head court lady who oversaw the Inner Palace. Ever since the King had ordered his meals withdrawn—and Soheon had been entering freely under the chief eunuch’s tacit approval—Court Lady Kim had found her conduct displeasing.
“Physician Yun’s movements have been unusual of late. I hear she carries bundles into His Majesty’s chamber even at midnight. How does a mere physician of the Royal Medical Office dare move so freely? Bring her to me at once. Quietly. I will hear from her directly.”
Her voice was composed, but edged like a blade.
The maidservants bowed in unison, cowed by her cold gaze. Her sharp eyes turned toward the Royal Medical Office.
One maid ventured cautiously, “Your Ladyship, has Physician Yun caused some trouble?”
“We shall know once I hear her answer.”
They dared ask no more and hurried off—not to escort Soheon, but to seize her.
“Physician Yun, you must come with us.”
“Ladies, what is this about?”
“Ask no questions—just follow!”
Before she could protest further, a cloth was thrown over her face and a rope bound her wrists. Thus Soheon was dragged away without knowing why—or by whose command. Endless questions raced through her mind. Did His Highness know? But there was no time for answers.
After what felt like a long walk, she was brought to an abandoned storage house. The door hung crooked on its hinges; inside, there was not even a single lamp.
“Your Ladyship, we have brought her.”
“Good. Make her kneel. Remove the blindfold.”
When the cloth came off, the stench of mold and damp earth filled her nose. For a moment, her eyes could not adjust. Through the dim light filtering in, she made out the figure of Court Lady Kim.
“Court Lady Kim! Why am I brought here in this manner?”
“That is not for you to know. Answer my questions. I hear you have been entering His Majesty’s chamber often. Why? There has been no report to the Inner Palace, nor does the Royal Medical Office seem aware.”
“I cannot speak of it.”
“Is that so? It seems she does not grasp the gravity of her situation. Teach her.”
The lashes began at once.
Pain shot through her shoulders. Each strike burned against her arms; the rope around her wrists bit deeper. She clenched her teeth, swallowing the groan rising in her throat. The cold scent of the floor mixed with the heat swelling in her cheek until dizziness blurred her senses.
Yet she did not bow her head. If she faltered even slightly, she would give them an opening. She would never show weakness that might endanger the Crown Prince—or herself.
“I will ask again. Did you think your silence would suffice? Do you believe we are unaware that you enter the hall under the Crown Prince’s orders? For what reason?”
At the mention of the Crown Prince, her voice turned icy. Soheon recalled hearing rumors: Court Lady Kim did not favor His Highness.
“His Majesty is merely ill,” Soheon answered steadily. “He will soon rise. There is no cause for concern.”
Court Lady Kim stared at her without speaking, as though weighing truth against falsehood.
Soheon’s face remained composed, but the hand clutching her skirt trembled. Court Lady Kim’s gaze fell to it. She watched that trembling hand for a long moment before speaking again.
“If so, the Royal Medical Office ought to know. Should not the Royal Physician attend him? Why are you alone tending him? The Royal Physician seems unaware.”
“With respect, His Majesty feels discomfort toward the Royal Physician. By order of the Crown Prince, I attend him alone.”
“A king who trusts not his Royal Physician trusts you instead? And the Crown Prince places such faith in you? How… honorable. Then tell me plainly—how grave is His Majesty’s illness? Can he recover?”
Her eyes sharpened. At her gesture, a maid shoved Soheon’s shoulder. She fell forward, her forehead scraping against the ground.
Soheon sensed this was no mere curiosity. The questions were probing for something deeper.
“Recovery… depends upon His Majesty’s will.”
“Your eyes are too clear to conceal a lie,” Court Lady Kim murmured. “But the palace does not favor clear eyes for long. Speak. Is the illness more severe than you claim? Bring water.”
A bucket was lifted. Cold water drenched her face and shoulders, soaking her garments. Shame froze her heart—but she endured.
“His Majesty… will recover.”
“Can you stake everything upon those words?”
Court Lady Kim seized her chin.
“Remember this: upon your single mouth rests His Majesty’s safety and the Crown Prince’s fate. I spare you today. But if I see further suspicious conduct, I will bind your tongue myself.”
That night, when the hour passed for Soheon to appear at Gangnyeongjeon Hall and she did not come, the chief eunuch reported it to Ham.
“Your Highness, Physician Yun has not come this evening.”
“She is diligent. That is unlike her.”
“I hesitate to report this, but this afternoon, maids under Court Lady Kim were seeking her.”
At once, a foreboding seized him.
He searched through dark halls and empty corridors until he found her.
Relief lasted but a moment. Her condition was grievous. Scratches marked her face; bruises spread across her skin. Her garments were soaked, dirt clinging to the hem.
“Physician Yun!”
“Your Highness, you must not soil yourself. We shall assist her,” attendants urged.
“No. This is my responsibility.”
Ignoring them, he lifted her himself. The wet fabric clung to her slender form. For a fleeting, shameful moment, he could not look away. Heat rose in him, hotter than the cold night air. He despised himself—yet was strangely relieved it was he who held her, not another.
Soheon hastily covered herself.
“I should never have drawn you into this danger. I have repaid your kindness with wounds.”
“Your Highness… I am all right.”
Her voice was faint.
His fingers brushed slowly down her cheek. In that instant, he wished to cast aside princely dignity and secret burdens alike and punish those who had harmed her.
“Who did this?”
“Your Highness… beware of Court Lady Kim.”
He leaned close, whispering so only she could hear. Gone was the sharp authority he showed others; only concern remained.
But he was too close. His breath grazed her ear.
Heat flared across her skin. Her heart fluttered in a way she had never known. Exhausted from torment, she drifted into unconsciousness in his arms—before she could even begin to understand that feeling.
