FIB Ch 11 part 3

PR by neji

“I heard that SeoMoon declared war on Yeon. Have you heard anything about it, my lady?”

The old woman asked as she took the medicinal herbs. MoonWon shook her head.

“What would I know?”

“I was just wondering if the guest who visited you a few days ago had told you anything. Well, I guess that makes sense. You’re in a similar circumstance to us, so I can’t say anything… Aigoo.”

When MoonWon first came here, she told the villagers a brief summary of what had happened to her. She told them she was from a noble family, but the family had collapsed, and she alone had managed to survive. She bowed to them and asked them to just provide her some land on which to settle down. At first, the villagers were uneasy, but when they saw how she approached them first and bowed, they gradually opened their hearts.

“If a war begins, then the ones in rural areas like us will be the ones to suffer. A merchant stopped by from the capital, and he told us that all the nobles had already fled. Evil bastards.”

MoonWon bit her lips when she heard the news. When her face darkened, Hong-yeom stepped forward from behind her.

“Because the weather is so cold, it will be difficult for them to progress far with the war. All we can do is hope that it settles down soon.”

“I agree. Ah! I’ve given you a bit more for the medicinal herbs since they’re good quality, so please take it.”

“You don’t have to do that…”

“I receive a lot of help from you because you know how to read, my lady. And you handed out all those things to us last time. I’m still using it well. Just take it and pretend I didn’t give you more than usual.”

MoonWon declined and tried to refuse the extra money, but the old woman merely shoved the money into MoonWon’s hand and ran back into her store.

“I’m giving it to you so just take it.”

Although she was a noble, MoonWon always approached them first with a humble attitude. She never expected more than what she was given. Because of this, she received help from the villagers and managed to survive in the dangerous terrains of Yeon. However, desires began to slowly creep back.

“Everyone is having a hard time. It wouldn’t be right to take more just because I want the comfort.”

As more time passed since she had last left the bamboo grove, her old self was slowly returning.

“Let’s head back for now. Yeori is waiting.”

When MoonWon turned around, Hong-yeom followed behind her. MoonWon smiled and lowered her head in greeting at the people who greeted them, but the only thought in her mind was Doyoon’s words.

‘Heon was against it, but the Emperor and the Crown Prince thought differently.’

Just as the rumors said, SeoMoon had declared war on Yeon, and the towns along the border like this one would not be able to escape the consequences. She had just begun to settle down, but it seemed that they would have to move once again.

‘Where should we go this time?’

However, before she decided on a location, the actual act of moving would be difficult. Winter would come in full force in a few weeks’ time.

Yeon was known for its brutally cold winters, so moving to another country, no, moving to another town would be near impossible.

“I think we should move in the spring.”

Hong-yeom spoke up as if he’d read MoonWon’s thoughts.

“I guess we should, right?”

“I know you’re worried, but it will be difficult to move now.”

MoonWon sighed.

Although they weren’t on the run from having committed a crime, she couldn’t help but feel dread whenever people from SeoMoon came looking for her.

It had begun ever since she’d left the bamboo grove.

For some reason, she felt sorry towards Hong-yeom and Yeori.

“I keep making you two suffer every time…”

“If we thought we were suffering, we would have left by now.”

His self-possessed answer caused MoonWon to lower her eyes apologetically. As they walked through the crowd, MoonWon stopped in front of a woman selling snacks.

Hong-yeom stopped behind her as if this was nothing new.

“Are you thinking of getting something for Yeori?”

“Yeah.”

At first, MoonWon treated Yeori as if she didn’t want her there. But now, it seemed that all the resentment had faded away a long time ago.

Yeori had bowed down at Hong-yeom’s venomous accusations, but she continued to take great care of MoonWon more than anyone.

When they had both caught a terrible cold, she always put MoonWon first and nursed her through the night without sleep. She never took care of herself and always made MoonWon her top priority.

MoonWon tried to warn herself that she might be doing this with ulterior motives, but Yeori’s devotion caused the rage to transform into pity.

“Let’s buy a lot and eat them together.”

“Weren’t you uncomfortable just now with receiving extra money?”

“Mm, well, we’ve already taken it, so…”

Although she was the mistress he was serving, there were times when the boundaries between them were blurred.

Sometimes she was like family, and during hard times, she was like a reliable older sister. And at other times…

“It’s cold. Let’s hurry back.”

“Give it to me.”

“I can carry this much on my own.”

“I know that, so give it to me.”

He didn’t desire more than this.

He was just grateful that the one by her side right now was him.

Hong-yeom took the items from her hands and followed her from behind.

* * *

Consort Yeong followed the man leading the way. When she came across the magnificent view, she gasped in awe.

But that only lasted a moment. Consort Yeong bowed when she was guided to the front of a long pavilion.

“I apologize for my lateness, my lord.”

When she did not hear a response, Consort Yeong knelt down to the side. Although she was a maiden who directly served the Emperor, right now, she could not hold up her head.

“When His Majesty got ahold of the evidence from the royal physician that proved the Consort was adding an aphrodisiac to his medicine, he became enraged. He ordered her to be confined to her palace, and she hasn’t been able to take a step outside.”

“The Consort was merely confined?”

When she heard Heon’s cold, deep voice, Consort Yeong lowered herself even more.

“Court Lady Yeo and even the maids who serve them have been completely quarantined. Currently, the eunuchs we have planted inside are keeping an eye on her.”

Heon’s lips stretched into a smile when he heard Consort Yeong’s report.

Consort Yu’s foundation of support had originated from the Emperor’s overwhelming favor.

He should have taken away her authority and isolated her a long time ago. But he ended up accomplishing it three years after MoonWon had left.

Having lost the Emperor’s favor, the Consort could have used other methods to get what she wanted, but once Heon made his move, it would all be for naught.

“And some men selected by His Majesty have started moving towards Ju.”

“Ju?”

“He didn’t say who they were, but he said they needed to find someone no matter what.”

The Emperor had sent men to Ju when Yeon Doyoon had begun to move towards Yeon.

Was MoonWon in Ju? Or was she in Yeon?

“And His Highness the Crown Prince received a harsh scolding from His Majesty. At first, His Highness merely listened. But then he began to raise his voice, and it ended with both of them shouting at each other.”

Hearing these words, Heon looked out into the panoramic landscape.

He hadn’t come here to enjoy the view. Although his eyes looked distant, the gears in his mind were turning.

“Gradually begin to talk about the second prince. Even if it seems like a long shot, if you begin to slowly whisper how the second prince may be more adequate, even the Emperor’s most unshakeable opinions may waver.”

“Are you going to raise the second prince to become the crown prince?”

The peaceful atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Startled, Consort Yeong crouched down and lowered her head.

Born into a lowly family, this poor maiden had been sent to become a consort of the Palace. And the one who had done this was Heon. In exchange for becoming his eyes and ears, she was given a luxurious life.

“I have committed a crime that deserves death. I apologize.”

“I will give you some medicine. It should cancel out the effects of the aphrodisiac. Use it to gain His Majesty’s trust.”

Although she hadn’t told him that the aphrodisiac was bringing the Emperor great pain, Heon had already prepared for it. Consort Yeong bowed even more deeply as her eyes trembled.

“I will do as you say, my lord.”

“And your brother will not obtain a governmental post.”

“Gah!”

Consort Yeong gasped without realizing it. The plans she had set in motion had been revealed.

Consort Yeong fell to the ground and pressed her head to the ground. The moment Heon realized she had stepped out of line, she’d have to give up her life.

“I’m sorry, my lord! Please save…”

“It is good to obtain wealth and power. I was the one who put you in the Palace, but you can make your own decisions once you are inside. However, you will also have to take responsibility for the consequences.”

“M-My lord.”

“You may go.”

Before she could make a plea, two men came and stood at her side. Consort Yeong staggered to her feet and stared at Heon’s feet with terrified eyes. Then she lowered herself into another deep bow and followed the men out.

Once her presence had completely disappeared, Junghwan approached Heon and bowed.

“I received word that the duke and Lady SoHee have arrived at the main residence.”

Leaning against the pavilion wall, Heon pressed his brow with his finger. It was obvious why they had come, and he had no reason to meet with them.

In light of the Consort’s imminent downfall, they were trying to rope in another strong supporter. And the only strategy they had left was marriage.

“I’m going to the branch residence. Let the duke know.”

Junghwan lowered his head.

The branch residence was located at the hot springs. Even Junghwan was not allowed to enter as he pleased. Whenever Heon wanted to rest for a bit, he always went to the branch residence.

Junghwan diligently walked away, and Heon stepped down from the pavilion.

* * *

In the past three years, he had only found exactly one trace of MoonWon’s whereabouts.

Despite the torrential rainfall, Heon didn’t sleep that night as he urged his horse to go faster. The man from the countryside had taken a look at MoonWon’s portrait and claimed that he had seen her.

His blood ran dry, and his heart raced. He had run into numerous dead ends, and he did not want to miss this chance.

“This way, my lord.”

As soon as he entered inside, Heon’s eyes hardened as he looked around the shabby village.

The houses were incredibly old, and it seemed like they would collapse at the slightest gale of wind. They were houses in name only.

“It’s the house up on that hill over there.”

MoonWon’s house was even shabbier and dirtier than the ones he’d seen in the village. How could she have lived in a place like this? He felt as if his blood was flowing in the opposite direction due to the distress.

His racing heart grew cold as soon as he reached her front door.

“Wh-What in the world! Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on them?”

Before the man guiding them could shout, Heon ran ahead. Other than the squirming men groaning in pain, there was no other movement inside the shabby house.

Apprehension began to seep into his cold heart.

This had been the closest he’d ever gotten. He couldn’t miss this chance. As soon as he entered inside, a middle-aged woman sat up with much difficulty.

The man followed Heon inside and helped the woman up as he asked.

“Didn’t I tell you to keep a good eye on them?”

“I told them it wasn’t anything serious and managed to keep them in here at first. But they’re quite observant and caught on quickly. They held a dagger to my throat, so how could I hold onto them?! At least I had the men stationed outside, so I thought it was going to be okay. But the lady’s skills with a bow and arrow were incredible. Before the men could defend themselves, they all fell.”

The woman glanced up at Heon and spoke in a dejected voice.

When Heon heard what she said, he went back outside to the groaning men. He could see that something sharp had grazed their bodies.

And…

“Now that a year has passed, couldn’t you have at least given me a chance?”

Even through the torrential rain, he could see traces of her on an arrow that had lodged itself into the wooden fence.

After she had left, Heon hadn’t forgotten her for a single moment. No matter what, he needed to see her. Even if he had to search for her for the rest of his life, he didn’t plan on letting her go.

“I’d rather you look me in the eye as you push me away.”

He didn’t want MoonWon to live in hiding only to run away when she felt his presence. Why was she experiencing the pain and suffering that was meant for him?

“Don’t think that I will give up on you just because you’re hiding.”

Tears of blood trickled down his face and mixed in with the piercing rain.

Even though anger and apprehension continued to rage within him, he could not burst that bubble without having met MoonWon again.

“Master, why don’t we avoid the rain for now?”

Worried about Heon, Junghwan approached him.

Unfortunately, Heon did not hear Junghwan’s desperate plea.

Heon’s eyes grew bloodshot as he looked at the house where MoonWon had lived. If MoonWon was suffering because she was trying to avoid him, then it was only right that he suffer as well.

“Let’s go back to the bamboo grove.”

“Master.”

After pulling out the arrow MoonWon had shot, Heon spoke up.

Although his body was starting to grow numb from the cold rain, Heon ignored the pain.

And like that, one year turned into two, and two years turned into three. At some point, he stopped feeling pain, and Heon’s mind began to crumble.

* * *

When the fog in Heon’s mind gradually lifted, he narrowed his eyes.

‘I’ll stay with you.’

MoonWon had promised she’d stay with him when he asked her not to betray him. She dunked her foot in the warm waters of the hot springs before pulling him in with her. Then she gave him a bright smile.

The first day he’d taken her in as his wife… Even the traces she’d left on that day remained with him and did not go away.

‘I love you.’

Despite his calm exterior, his insides were rocked by a storm that threatened to topple him. No matter how much he missed her to the point of insanity, he could not grasp any trace of her.

‘You’ll protect me when I’m in danger.’

How foolish. He hadn’t been able to protect a single thing MoonWon had wished for. Heon knew he did not have any right to search for her, but all he could do was blindly cling onto her.

MoonWon dipped her feet in the warm water and smiled at him. Even though he knew it was a hallucination, Heon stretched out his hand.

Before he could touch her, someone’s hand closed around his.

The moment he saw who had broken him out of his thoughts, Heon’s eyes filled with rage.

“You dare!”

“Kyaa!”

As Heon flung her away, SoHee collapsed to the ground.

The momentary peace had completely shattered. The space where MoonWon had been was now empty. Heon’s bloodshot eyes glared at the woman who had ruined this moment.

“How dare you come to a place like this.”

SoHee hurriedly got up to her feet.

She already knew very well what kind of meaning this place held for Heon. However, if one looked at the facts, the one who was supposed to marry Heon wasn’t MoonWon. It was her.

“I know I’m being rude, but I wanted to speak with you just once, Chief Commander.”

Whenever SoHee spoke like this, most men would give her another glance or their sharp voices would soften. However, it did not seem like Heon would react this way.

“I understand that this is an uncomfortable marriage proposal. I also know very well that you have not been able to forget your wife, Chief Commander.”

At the beginning, it had been her.

Ever since she had caught a glimpse of him from far away, she had completely fallen for him.

Unlike the other men who easily expressed their emotions, Heon was difficult to read. The way he didn’t seem to be intimidated by the Crown Prince or the Emperor caught her eye.

“I would not dislike this marriage.”

In a marriage that she felt belonged to her, another woman had suddenly interfered.

Although it was a woman’s duty to marry into a household her family had chosen for her, she couldn’t help but feel angry and upset. And when she met his bride at the Palace for the very first time… she barely managed to suppress the anger that threatened to boil over. The woman was a disappointment.

She wasn’t beautiful nor did she have any feminine modesty. How could this woman be the bride of the Chief Commander? She couldn’t understand.

“I will do my best. I will work hard to not disappoint you, Chief Commander. So please give me a chance.”

Heon’s brow twitched, but SoHee did her best to endure the fear.

Just as her father said, if that woman from a fallen family could do it, so could she. She had better standing, and she was more earnest. There was nothing she couldn’t do.

“I can stay by your side till the end.”

When Heon heard her, he sneered.

Did she know the meaning behind the words she had just uttered? In order to keep her promise to Heon, MoonWon had sacrificed everything until the very moment she left. Even though she had lost everything, she left him because she still wanted to protect him.

Of all the people he knew, she was the strongest. Compared to MoonWon, even he, and least of all this woman standing before him, were nothing.

“Can you stay by my side even if I kill your father with my own hands?”

“Ch-Chief Commander?”

“Even if your family falls, will you still stay by my side just as you are?”

Just as she was about to say yes, SoHee closed her mouth shut. When he saw her hesitate, Heon sneered.

“Even if you can do it, I won’t accept you.”

If he had to give up everything he had in order to know where MoonWon was, Heon would throw it all away. His one and only wish. At one point, it had been MoonWon’s dream. But now, it had become his.

He wanted to spend the rest of his life with MoonWon.

The only thing that held him to this unbearable world and gave him the strength to endure was the wish deep within his heart.

“If not me, doesn’t your father have an alternative?”

“Pardon?”

“If you marry the second prince, you can become the empress, no?”

SoHee’s face reddened. She had heard her father ask about the second prince in case things had not gone according to plan with Heon. But she never expected Heon to know about this.

“That’s just what my father thinks!”

“It doesn’t matter. It has nothing to do with me, does it?”

“Chief Commander!”

“What are you all doing? How much longer must I speak with this woman?!”

When they heard Heon’s angry rebuke, the surrounding servants hurriedly ran over and surrounded SoHee. Startled, SoHee tried to approach Heon, but Heon turned around before she could get that chance.

“You will ultimately come to accept my heart, Chief Commander!”

Heon didn’t bother replying to her and walked away. SoHee continued to watch him until he completely disappeared. Her clenched fists trembled in anger.

If she had to marry that nasty second prince, she’d rather just die in front of Heon.

She hadn’t come all the way here only to give up.

As she trembled in anger, tears trickled down her cheeks.

* * *

As late autumn departed, the bitter cold of winter arrived.

After a brief moment of peace, the nation of SeoMoon declared war on Yeon.

“Moving troops in this winter would needlessly put their lives on the line. Please show some mercy and give us permission to move in the spring.”

Heon personally lowered his head, but neither the Emperor nor the duke said anything. Seeing their reaction, Heon’s brow slightly twitched.

“How can SeoMoon’s soldiers fall just because of the weather? We cannot sit by and do nothing after what Yeon has done to us. We must take this opportunity to pull them out by the root. That way, they will not bare their teeth at SeoMoon again.”

Having attended the meeting today, the Emperor cut Heon off. The other men murmured when they heard the Emperor’s resolute remark. One of the men glanced at Heon’s complexion and lowered his head.

“I heard that the winters in Yeon are a lot worse than the ones in SeoMoon. If our soldiers are harmed due to the bitter cold, it may give a chance for the other countries to attack us. Please consider the Chief Commander’s plea and reconsider.”

“Please reconsider.”

The Emperor’s brow twitched at their expostulation. His eyes traveled to JaeHoon who had also come to join this meeting.

JaeHoon glanced at the dissuading men before glaring at Heon.

“Are you telling me that the Chief Commander, who has won many victories on the battlefield, is at a loss when it comes to the small nation of Yeon? Is there a reason why you cannot go?”

Heon straightened up when he heard JaeHoon’s taunt.

If he didn’t want to go, then he didn’t have to go. The cold winters of Yeon were too harsh for the soldiers of SeoMoon.

Even though they could face a loss in Yeon, the Emperor and JaeHoon were desperate to have Heon leave the Palace. Additionally, the duke was pretending not to have heard them while silently agreeing.

“I will go.”

“Ch-Chief Commander!”

The protesting nobles were at a loss for words. The Palace would become tumultuous without Heon.

Having changed his mind, Heon was at peace.

If his presence was too uncomfortable for everyone, he was willing to fall for their tricks.

Because he had done as they wished, it was now Heon’s turn to get what he wanted in return.

Just as Heon’s eyes nonchalantly traveled in a different direction, a few men stepped forward and crouched down before the Emperor. 

“Your Majesty, we do not think it would be proper for the duke to be promoted to the position of prime minister. Although Lee Moon did commit a crime and stepped down, he has remained loyal to SeoMoon for a long time. We cannot let the duke become the prime minister, Your Majesty.”

The smile on the duke’s face disappeared with the sudden declaration. However, this was only the beginning.

“Why do you say that the duke cannot be promoted? The duke has also accomplished as much as Lee Moon! He must definitely be promoted! Your Majesty! Do not listen to their needless words!”

“There was an instance when the duke took advantage of a situation and made a profit! How can we leave the nation of SeoMoon in his hands?!”

The topic of the war with Yeon completely disappeared. Followers of the duke argued against the information given by those who were protesting, and those who were against the duke’s promotion continued to say that the duke mustn’t be promoted.

Although Heon did not know the reason why they were sending him to Yeon, it seemed that the Palace would be rocked by arguments regarding the position of prime minister while he was gone.

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”

“Your Majesty! Please do not listen to a word they say!”

As the room filled with their cries, the Emperor waved his hand.

“Enough! That’s enough! The important thing now is to show our strength to Yeon and… Cough!”

Just as the Emperor began to break up the fight brewing amongst the nobles, he coughed up blood. JaeHoon approached him. The nobles stopped arguing when they saw what was happening. Propping the Emperor up, JaeHoon shouted out.

“Call the royal physician!”

The room was plunged into chaos. As the nobles scrambled, not knowing what to do, Heon stood up. JaeHoon’s fierce eyes glared at Heon, but Heon merely bowed in the midst of the pandemonium.

After the Emperor collapsed at the royal court, he was bedridden for a month.

With his troops in tow, Heon moved towards Yeon.