A visitor from Sunyahng arrived at the bustling camp, where preparations for departure were underway. This was unprecedented since their arrival in Birahng. Although there were Sunyahng people in Nahmgyo, Kyeong'ui hadn't seen any because she didn't know any personally. Today's visitor was someone whose face and name she knew: Moonseong Yool, the son of Moonseong Ik, the Chief Supreme Councilor, the King's right-hand man. Kyeong'ui had seen him more often than her betrothed, Hyeok, during her visits to the Sanctuary of Intellect. As the son of the prestigious House Moonseong, Yool had more access to the Princess than someone from declining House Gahngyun. But in Kyeong'ui's memory, Yool was an idler, uninterested in associating with royalty or influential families.
He wasn't a welcome guest. Rumors about his behavior weren't favorable, and his father, Moonseong Ik, was known to be a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. Kyeong'ui was anxious, worried that Yool's observations and findings here might reach her brother's ears.
Hyeok exchanged a brief greeting with Yool at the entrance to the camp, then excused himself to focus on the loading operation. Kyeong'ui politely greeted Yool, who approached and bowed respectfully.
"What brings you here, Young Master Moonseong?" she asked. "I heard you were traveling in Birahng."
Yool straightened up and smiled. "I should have paid my respects sooner," he said. "I apologize for the delay."
"I thought you were avoiding Sunyahng people in Birahng," Kyeong'ui said. "What brings you to the camp? You're not here to see me, are you?"
"I'm about to depart," Yool explained. "I was staying in Nahmgyo and heard about the ongoing loading operation at the camp. If you're planning to return to Sunyahng soon, could I perhaps hitch a ride?"
Kyeong'ui smiled without answering. So, the son of Moonseong Ik can make such a request to the Princess. An untitled man could ask for a ride on a national warship as if asking for a favor. His innocent face, as if he expected such a favor, irritated her even more. Kyeong'ui cursed him inwardly but granted his request with a generous smile.
"Of course," she said.
"Thank you," Yool replied, bowing his head.
"But we won't be traveling together," Kyeong'ui added. "We're moving to another island, not Sunyahng. Only one ship will return to Sunyahng. You can take that one."
"Which island are you going to?" Yool asked.
"I can't tell you that."
Yool's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Not wanting to prolong the conversation, Kyeong'ui led him inside the tent, out of the scorching sun. Hongyoo followed. Once they were settled, Kyeong'ui offered Yool a cup of cold water.
"How was your trip?" she asked.
"It was delightful," Yool replied. "Especially recently..."
"You must be talking about Summer Greetings," Kyeong'ui said, finishing his sentence.
Yool's face lit up. "You know about that?" he asked.
"I heard about it."
"I heard you were busy," Yool said. "Did you get to see the island?"
"Not much," Kyeong'ui admitted. "But I'm content with seeing the clear sea. It's a sight I wouldn't have seen if I had stayed in Sunyahng all my life. Tell me about your trip. What did you do on the night of Summer Greetings?"
Yool's lips curled into a sly smile. "It's not something I can tell you, Your Highness," he replied.
Kyeong'ui chuckled, as if she knew.
"I'm not sure if it's because of the lingering effects of Summer Greetings," Yool said casually, "but the city has been restless these past few days."
The playful glint in Kyeong'ui's eyes disappeared. "Restless?" she asked.
"I don't know the reason," Yool replied, "but it seemed like the Lady of Nahmgyo was expelling outsiders."
"It's not because of the Lady," Hongyoo interjected. "It's probably because of the monsoon season. Summer Greetings has passed, so the monsoon season is upon us. Those who plan to stay longer will remain, and those who have to leave are preparing for their departure."
Anxiety was evident in Hongyoo's voice. Despite his vague explanation, Kyeong'ui couldn't ignore her suspicions. She dismissed Yool and instructed Hongyoo, "Summon someone from House Myeonghyeon. Either the brother or the sister. Someone I can see immediately."
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With U'nso standing before him, Ryang's gaze was sharp.
"I need to assess the sentiment on the southern coast one last time," he said. "You will go and return quickly. You must sail today."
U'nso's lips tightened as he bowed his head. Ryang had sent Sobi to Soyeol in the morning and was now sending U'nso to the southern coast in the afternoon. Based on his observations, the people of the southern regions still didn't distinguish between the rule of Wi and the rule of Dahn. Stone pagodas stood at the entrance to every village. Ryang relied on the people's stagnation. He believed that the power to open the way to Sunyahng after crossing the southern sea lay solely with those who still lived under Wi's rule.
Just as U'nso was about to leave, Seon barged in.
"The Princess has summoned us," she announced. "She wants to see whoever is available. Who's going?"
The summons was unwelcome with the war imminent. Ryang hesitated. It was better for him to go and assess Dahn's movements, but he dreaded facing Kyeong'ui. On the other hand, he couldn't trust Seon anymore.
"I'll go," he decided.
He made quick preparations and headed to the camp.
Kyeong'ui was hunting seabirds on the beach when he arrived. She shot an arrow, and a soldier retrieved the fallen bird. Kyeong'ui didn't waste a single arrow. She was skilled at predicting the birds' movements, her sharp eyes and keen senses detecting the wind's direction. Each arrow left the bow after the bird took flight, its sharp point reaching the bird's predicted trajectory.
Hongyoo and Yool stood beside her. Yool glanced at Ryang, a flicker of recognition in his eyes, then frowned as he searched his memory. Ryang avoided his gaze and bowed to Kyeong'ui.
"You were hunting," he remarked.
Kyeong'ui handed her bow to Hongyoo and dismissed both him and Yool with a gesture. Once they were alone, she said to Ryang, "There's not much I can do now that the loading has begun. I didn't bring my hounds, so the soldiers are retrieving the birds. I suppose they'll grill and eat them."
"I saw that most of the cargo has been loaded," Ryang observed. "You mentioned departing in five days. Isn't that a bit early?"
He thought of the sphere, conspicuously placed on the deck, and the family funds stowed somewhere in the hold.
"I want to give the soldiers a day or two to explore Nahmgyo after we finish loading," Kyeong'ui explained.
"It would be a shame to leave without seeing the city," Ryang agreed.
"I haven't seen that servant of yours lately," Kyeong'ui remarked.
Ryang froze.
"The one who always accompanied you," she continued. "The one with the ruby necklace..."
"You remember her?" Ryang asked, concealing his surprise.
"Anyone would notice a servant wearing such a necklace," Kyeong'ui replied.
Ryang resented her sharp eyes, but her tone was light, almost playful.
"I dismissed her," he said curtly. "She caused trouble."
"I saw her during my last visit," Kyeong'ui said. "You dismissed her since then?"
"Enemies reveal themselves in times of need," Ryang replied.
Kyeong'ui, sensing his reluctance to elaborate, offered a simple consolation. "It must be upsetting, considering how close you seemed."
"It's nothing to worry about," Ryang said.
"You seem accustomed to it," Kyeong'ui remarked. "Should I get used to such things as well?"
"I beg your pardon?" Ryang asked, startled by her sudden question.
"I've never built my own faction, my own following," Kyeong'ui confessed. "This is just the beginning. I don't expect everyone who follows me to remain loyal."
"You'll do well, no matter who you meet," Ryang assured her.
Kyeong'ui's gaze drifted towards the horizon.
"That man we saw earlier is Moonseong Yool, the second son of Moonseong Ik," she said. "I doubt you've heard of him, but you know who Moonseong Ik is, right?"
Although Kyeong'ui assumed he didn't, Ryang knew Moonseong Ik, his second son Moonseong Yool, and his reputation. He even knew Yool was in Birahng. Yool had been staying at Yeonyahng for quite a while. Although Ryang hadn't met him in person, he had kept an eye on him since he was the son of an influential figure in Sunyahng. Contrary to the rumors, Yool wasn't a libertine, which surprised Ryang. He seemed insignificant.
"He did have a noble air about him," Ryang simply replied.
Kyeong'ui continued, shaking her head. "He might look decent, but he has a bad reputation and is an idler with no intention of serving in the court. Quite the opposite of his upright father. I heard he came to ask for a ride back to Sunyahng because it's time for him to return. To ask for a ride on a warship commanded by the Princess... It seems the son of Moonseong Ik can make such a request."
Kyeong'ui's shoulders shook slightly as self-deprecating humor slipped out.
"What did you do?" Ryang asked.
"I couldn't get angry or refuse him." Her lips were curled into a bitter smile, but her eyes were cold.
"Remember the first day you came to Nahmgyo," Ryang said consolingly. "Even a king has humiliations to endure. You just need to distinguish between what to endure and what not to."
"Are you subtly boasting, saying I gained you by enduring humiliation?" Kyeong'ui teased.
Ryang played along with her joke. "I'm not sure if I'm a valuable asset, but the funds we offered are certainly more valuable than any person."
Kyeong'ui laughed, then fell silent, staring at Ryang.
"I heard outsiders are leaving Nahmgyo," she said. "They're not following us, are they? Is there something going on?"
So, this is the reason for the summons. Ryang, guessing that Yool had reported the atmosphere in the city, replied nonchalantly, "It's probably because of the monsoon season."
His answer was the same as Hongyoo's, and Kyeong'ui frowned.
"Does the monsoon season arrive that early in Birahng?" she asked.
"It's still a month away," Ryang explained, "but if they're not planning to stay until autumn, they need to prepare for departure. The merchants who visit Nahmgyo don't travel light."
"Are you also preparing to leave?"
It was difficult to tell if her question was a test or a playful nudge, but Ryang steadied himself and lied once more.
"I'll also join you before the monsoon season, Your Highness," he said.