He found her sitting by herself at the bank of the lake and he took notice of how she had become fond of the lake. He began to contemplate if or not reaching out was a good idea. Yet, he walked slowly to where she was and stood beside her.

Realizing she wasn't aware of his presence, he sat beside her and looked at the moon that hung in the sky through the lake and sighed,

"She was my Noona, the only family I had left. I never knew our parents and didn't care because she took care of me. Nature was her first loved and the solitude life, away from the village was her second.

I on the other hand was the opposite of her, she became a healer and I became a soldier, before every war she'd make bottles of medicines for me and my friends to carry along and if I sustained any injury, she'd treat and heal me." he paused to look at me whose attention was all in before he continued.

"I was at the camp during heated war between our nation and the Ming Dynasty awaiting another battle cry when I received word that she was missing. Nobody had seen her for days and there was no way I could return... to find her, " he stared at the lake looking lost and pained,

"After we lost the battle to the Ming Dynasty I rushed home to find my Noona, deciding I would come here for a start but I searched and searched for days and nights continuously through rain and snow, heat and cold but I didn't find her.

After weeks of relentlessly searching, I found her here in the woods where she loved so much, dead for days... " his voice hanged with regret starting each sentence,

"If, if I had come sooner, if I was there for her like she was for me. If I had searched harder, if I had... " Ok this wasn't going anywhere...

"Shhh... " I moved closer to him and held his hands before resting his hands on my lap.

"Regrets is never going to help you here, you did the best you could do, she understands and loves you. Don't keep blaming yourself for anything out of your control and let go of things you can't change, like the past. Everything happens for a reason.. " I encouraged and held him up by his shoulder.

"Life isn't a flower bed, it won't be good all the time but it’s up to us is to make the most out of it. Don't always remember the sad days, she wouldn't want that instead she would want you to remember the good days and laugh always. What was her favorite word? " I smiled at him.

After a moment of thoughtful silence he smiled and said,

"Aigoo.. " before he opened his eyes slowly to look into the jungle. Seeing my trick was working, I turned to him and made him sit like Buddha facing me.

"Now, close your eyes... " I whispered,

"Remember the ways she'd always say it, the words and actions that would follow... The good times and joyful moments... ". Quietly, I left him for the waters while he explored his forgotten memories and I enjoyed seeing my trick working like -that-.

I sat a few meters from him and saw the striking resemblance he had with someone I had seen but who?? I thought.

"Not bad." I complimented when I bent my head to an angle admiring his features. He wasn't the type of man you would say was handsome with just one look, he was the type you'd have to glance at the second time but his body screamed masculinity unlike the King, he is 'FINE!!!!'

Under the moon light, he looks... Why does he always have to look so FINE under shed light? Like the fire place, the kitchen even under the moon light? And his scarred torso would look like tattoos.

"He didn't kidnap me, he said he found me on the mountain unconscious and left for dead or to be devoured by wolves, but how did I get from the palace to the mountain?. I guess have been seeing him the wrong way when he actually saved my life because it didn't seem like he was lying.

How could I have been moved from the palace and nobody saw, or noticed or even suspected? Except somebody with high status ordered it. In Mok?! She is behind this!

But wait, I already made an enemy? What if it affects The bunch or even my little gift? I don't want to bring problems to you, Min Soo. If I knew somewhere else to go so that I wouldn't... make enemies, I would... Even if it would take me not..... to.... see.... you... again.... " My eyes fell on the still Yeong Su thankful for the solution to this created problem.

I realized the bitter pain of this difficult decision I just made wrecked my heart so bad that I felt suffocated and gasped for air.

I felt my eyes prick with tears but before it fell I swarm deeper into the water with my eyes open hoping to wash them away.

When I felt my lungs were about to explode, I swarm up to the surface to find Yeong Su waiting for me at the bank. So I went out of the water and sat by him hoping that his mood was as fine as he looked.

"So! What do you say? Should are you going to try happiness or excuses for more mistakes?" knowing those words were mainly for me, he wasn't my abductor and I had just decided not to return to the palace anymore, either we both liked it or not, this place has become our house...

I stood up and reached out to him waiting for the expected positive answer that I got when he took my hand and walked with me into the lake but, I hurried him out of the water when he informed me that there was lanterns to be lit.

As he lead me to where we would get a VIP view of everything, we stood while watching the hundreds of lit up lanterns soar into the sky. I needed something to work away my sadness so I hoped this might do the trick.

I sighed as I watched them go while trying to guess what 'the bunch' might have written. We continued to watched the night and enjoy the breeze together until he woke me twice and insisted we retire for the night.

As we left for the hut, I took a glance at this man I have chosen to live with until I could find a way home. Yes home to Seoul. When we got to the house, I silently prayed that all he told me was nothing but the truth and that he doesn't kill me before I leave for home...

Seon Jo

"Your majesty." a middle aged man with distinct dressing bowed slightly to me and I nod offering him a sit as I sat down before him.

"I hope you enjoyed our festivals? " I asked him,

"It was alright, I had a good time. Good effort, your Majesty." the man complemented with a bow.

"It's a double celebration after all, it should be grand." I said with a good laugh that hid the tension in my veins.

"So, the reason the Ambassador is here?" I said expecting the worst,

"Let me cut to the root, we've heard rumors about the 'one whose shadow could darken the sun' her beauty like no other and the Emperor has sent me and the royal painter to paint a picture of the one and bring it back home, with your approval of course.

Can we meet this 'the one'?" he looked around with expectation as if Hye Jin would be hanging on the wall like a portrait or curtain and when he saw no one he returned his face to me.

I don't understand why they would come when she hasn't been found yet.

The Ambassador reveal the Imperial Request, at this time? I felt my saliva slowly go down my throat but I quickly cleared my throat to calm myself as I thought of a way to stall him while Young Pil tracked her location.

"Your Honor, at a very crucial time as this, you arrived with such an important request. We would require your stay with us for longer days.. "

"I would if I could but the Emperor only gave me few days, nothing more.. " I was interrupted by the Ambassador who looked too ready and expectant to be delayed.

"I understand but, She has been out of the palace for some days, seeking solitude and we can't trouble her so, when she is back you can fulfill your task. What do you say?. " I watched as the Ambassador's face brighten at the mention of a 'she' before he agreed to wait till Hye Jin came back.

"It's agreed then. during your stay, you will be taken care of, you and the Imperial painter of course. In the meantime let me entertain you with the finest of everything." with a silent breathe of relieve...

"Thank you, your Majesty. " he bowed and was led outside by a Eunuch.

I looked at the exiting Ambassador and Imperial painter so much grateful to have been given a tangible reason to find Hye Jin without any obstacle.

Inside the Royal Chamber...

Her lips soft as water and smooth as silk yet so full as a ripe grape waiting to be squashed into wine. Kissing her like he did every night, healed his aching spirit and his lonely heart.

He could sense her withdraw her lips but he wouldn't let her go, no, he couldn't let her leave like she would do, always promising to come back the following night.

If she could allow him kiss her longer, more deeper and pour all his emotion into her lips, only if she knows how much he missed and yearned for, her face, her smile, those brown eyes, her touch, she'd stay longer and console him with sweet kisses and love.

Just a little more then he'd let go, a little deeper now... a little more... a little deeper... a little....

"Your Majesty? "Eunuch Park called outside my door,

I opened my eyes with anger hanging on my shoulders and looked at the Eunuch who crouched before me.

"What is it? Eunuch Park. "I rubbed away the sleep in my eyes so I would be fully awake.

"Your Majesty... " he stepped forward and showed me a blank paper that made me sharply sit up and stare at the ray of hope in his hands.

I have not heard from Young Pil or General Yi and with Hye Jin has been gone for a month now, my every actions got to the Queen Dowager no matter how, where or when, I ordered him to be discreet on any matter concerning Hye jin, and here he is, doing so.

Gratefully, I nod to his Eunuch to put the paper aside among the stacks on the table before I got ready to meet Young Pil. As I rushed to where Young Pil was waiting, I kept hoping to get good news of her whereabout because, it had been long enough and I couldn't take it any longer.

The Queen or Queen Dowager shouldn't know he came to me or if I went out at all, that was why I had to dress up like a noble man meeting a friend that lived on the outskirts of the village, Eunuch Park's idea.

The door to the inn was opened open by Eunuch Park and I entered with him entering after.

This inn was owned by Young Pil's mother Seul Bi, my mother's childhood friend, meaning It was the prefect place for anything I wanted to keep away from the Queen Dowager.

As I got in and raised my head to see Young Pil, my eyes fell on the person next to him....

"Hye Jin...? " I whispered halting in front of the door to see the person whose absence almost drove me mad with sorrow and loneliness.

I took every step cautiously so as not to make this image of her run away which I continued to hope it wouldn't until I stood in front of her.

She smiled at me, like she knew that I really missed her, I took her hands in my to comfortably stare at the face i always wanted above everything and everyone and confirming that she was real,

"Hye Jin, are you OK? Are you hurt? Does anywhere hurt?" I pulled her into my arms like it had been 7 years and not one month since I saw her last. My joy erupted like a volcano.

I looked at him and had to admitted that I missed him. All those nights without him near made me feel alone even if Yeong Su kept me company. I missed his voice, his face, presence, longing and his desires that danced in his eyes whenever he looked at me and made me feel special.

"How are you? Are you hurt? Do you... " I returned the hugged quickly before he would finished his question and it was obvious that he was surprised, he returned the gesture happily knowing I missed just like he did and it was satisfying.

"Let's go home..." he suggested releasing me from his embrace but I stood still as the smile on my face disappeared and he was about to question why I wasn't moving as I shook my head to a 'no' before freeing my hand from his and there I knew he could tell that I was objecting.

He wouldn't understand why, even if I explained with pleas and sadness, and made so obvious. Yes I missed him and I wanted to go back but our main problems had great difference.

He was out for me but I was all out for my bunch, I couldn't and wouldn't let them suffer for knowing me, if I could be put through this, then what about them? I only agreed to just see him and return back because Young Pil had asked me to, desperately.

"Why what's wrong? Hye Jin ah, what's wrong? You don't want to return with me? " I could feel the pain and disappointment in his voice and that look that made me want to darn the consequences and follow him but I knew better.

I slowly nod a yes and he stood upright and looked at me as he gradually let my hand go, he was frustrated, I had frustrated the hope of going home with him and it was clear to everyone in the room. Especially to the Eunuch, when he got it, he asked the others to exit the room leaving just us in the room.

As everyone left the room, his eyes stayed on her, the only one that brightened up his day, just hearing her name brought joy to his heart even knowing her residence made his legs itch to go find her but knowing the predators he lived with, stopped him.

He had lost her once and he wasn't not going to, again. This time he was going to keep her by his side, so close that they would have to go through him to her, only if she could just follow him.

The quietness of the room loomed over us as he stared at me with a pained and sorry expression.

"Hye Jin ah, you don't like the palace? Or should I get you a house to stay along with your handmaids and Min Soo..? " I looked up at the mention of my little gift,

"Min Soo could stay with me and the Bunch, we could be safe, happy and together but the Queen won't leave us alone because of her husband. If I'm heavily guarded what about my bunch? Would they be guarded? Their safety is it guaranteed? She would get at me through them.. I can't risk it or them just because I'm in love... " I widened my eyes at my words,

"I'm in love with the King??" I looked at him, placing my hand on his face, feeling like everything was alright and as far as he was here with me, nothing else mattered.

Now aware of a major discovery, she moved closer to him staring deep into his brown eyes, her chocolate pool of comfort with sweetness and shook her head indicating a 'no' and the longing and pain in his eyes washes out to his face,

"What is it you want? What should I do for you to come back? Who should I get? Min Soo, Your handmaids? Why don't you want to come back?? Don't you miss home... and.. me..? I miss you, I want you to come with me, please.... come back with me.. please..." he begged holding my hand, while being just a breath away.

My heart ached for him, clearly we both missed each other enough to do things we never could imagine that we would. But, I had to stay away for the safety of Dong Yi and Min Soo that I had grown to love like my own, while he has taken the road of going against rules darning all consequences.

I couldn't let us both tamper with anything we'd regret later and seeing the pain and hurt he felt, rimmed my eyes with tears, so I stared away to blink them off but he caught her face and held it still as he looked into the eyes I knew he, longed for, waited and prayed to see.

Before I could tell him I was really happy with him, he planted his emotion filled and longed awaited kiss on my lips.