There's only one person who could clarify my doubts to me and he was none other than King Tae Jo's right hand man, Yong Jun, who had served King Hye Jong as well. But he wasn't someone whom I could see as and when I like...
Especially now that I'm being targeted by Queen Yoo and King Jeongjong...
There has to be a way.
"Prince Wang Eun." I greeted as I entered his household for the first time ever since he'd gotten married. I expected us to be very awkward but surprisingly, he was elated to see me.
"A-Yeon ah! What brings you here today?" The Prince questioned cheerily as he invited me in.
"Well...sorry to be visiting you out of the blue. How have you been?" I smiled as I asked about his day. There's always this comforting feeling when I'm around Prince Wang Eun. I guess it's because he's a carefree and approachable person who doesn't gives out an intimidate vibe unlike somebody...
"Nothing's changed I guess...Marriage is no fun at all. Without you as my wife..." Prince Wang Eun mumbled to himself as he looked away from me.
I blushed a little as I heard what he had said and I didn't know what to do. All these times and he was still thinking about me being his wife?
"Anyway," I decided to change the topic as I felt it was inappropriate to be talking about 'us' now that he's already married to Soon Deok. She would be absolutely disappointed if she had heard what Prince Wang Eun said.
"I need you to help me with something. You're the only person who could do me this favour at this point of time." I stared in to his eyes determinedly even though I knew he'd would say yes to any of my request. He had never rejected me and I hoped that he wouldn't this time too.
"Sure! How could I help you?" He was more than willing to help me as he accepted readily.
"I heard that your grandfather had some alliances that were still close to the royal family? I know this would be a difficult request when your grandfather had passed away but...could you possibly contact any of them?" I asked carefully.
"Well...it should be easy for me to contact them but why?" Prince Wang Eun asked back.
"I suspect that it was not poison that had killed the past King but something that could have been an allergy. Considering the cup and teapot that he'd drank from didn't turn black like it was supposed to." I told him about my findings even though I wasn't sure if Prince Wang Eun was able to understand any of it.
"What?! You mean Princess Yeon Hwa was lying about Hyung's death?" He was astounded by the new information and kind of gasped aloud.
"Yah! Quieten down!" I quickly hushed him in fear the servants might heard what we're talking about. I could never trust these people as they were easy preys to the Queen. Who knew they would spill the beans because of their cowardice?
"No way...I haven't heard Hyung having any allergies before. He was always healthy and out in the field with the past King." He was quick to dismiss the idea of Princess Yeon Hwa faking to cover up the cause of the King's death.
"I'm very sure it's allergy that had caused the death of King Hye Jong! Princess Yeon Hwa had been plotting to get rid of Hae Soo so that she could be with Prince Wang So!" I revealed absently about the interaction I had with the hypocrite princess.
"B-but...Princess Yeon Hwa would never..."
"Are you going to help me or what? Forget it...I guess I've came to find the wrong person." I was somehow irritated by how he doesn't seem to be faltered by the fact that Princess Yeon Hwa was no goody two shoes.
"W-wait! I didn't say I wouldn't help you! It's just...it's hard to believe my sister would do such things to our brother. If it's really true of what you've told me, then things really sucked big time." The Prince stood up after me agitatedly, seemingly to not want me to leave just yet when we finally were talking to each other again.
"So I will come and find you again once you've contacted the alliances. I still have other things to do, I should be going soon." I said in a rush as I quickly left the house.
It wouldn't be good for myself to be affected by his actions and emotions. Prince Wang Eun's already married for God's sake. I must dismiss any affectionate feelings towards him and focus on getting Hae Soo back in to the palace!
//
A week later, I managed to get hold of one of the ally who could help me to get a meeting with Yong Jun privately. I had secretly sneaked out from the palace at night with Prince Wang Eun, as he was the only one who knew the location of the house we're supposed to be meeting at.
It was not easy to sneak out as before, considering we could be betrayed by any one of the guards if we're not careful. I was lucky that Prince Wang Eun still had some good reputation and power to manipulate the guards on our way out.
We arrived at a humble house far from the palace and the ally with Yong Jun was already seated inside the room, having tea. At the sight of the both of us, they bowed respectfully at us as they invited us to take a seat.
"Princess Hwa Yeon, so the person who wants to speak with me is you..." Yong Jun started the conversation as soon as we're seated down.
"Yes...if you'll excuse us." I turned to Prince Wang Eun and the ally to leave the room. It was too much of a risk to involve Prince Wang Eun in this too, considering I've already asked his help thus far.
Of course, the stubborn Prince was not happy with my choices as he left the room whining, "Why can't I be in the discussion too?"
I shut my eyes in defeat as I sighed. When will this Prince listen to me completely?
"What do you want to ask of me, Princess Hwa Yeon?" Yong Jun asked directly, not giving any chances to be wishy washy.
"Does King Hye Jong had any allergies?" And I questioned him straightforwardly as well, not wasting any more time.
He had an expression of shock as he eyes grew wider a second, completely stunned by how I would knew about this. Seemed that it was a secret to everyone that King Hye Jong had an allergic...
"I believed he was not poisoned. Right?" I stared straight into his eyes as I confirmed my doubts.
"Yes...he was killed with the over usage of mercury in his bath." Yong Jun finally revealed the secret.
"Mercury...?" I couldn't believe my ears. Who would do such a thing...? And for how long?
"At first, it was for his own good. The King always had a health condition since young. We had been keeping this a secret for a long time. But I guess a secret would eventually be found out...and they used it as an advantage to get what they need." He explained regretfully as he clenched his fists.
"Is it...the King?" I asked the question, terrified.
Yong Jun responded with a nod as he sighed in defeat. He revealed to me that he's currently researching in to this matter with an elite group; finding ways to pull out the evil deeds of King JeongJong as he secretly served him.
It seemed that, that was only a part of the things that the King had been doing discreetly behind his loyal servants' back. The King was already part of the enemy that King Tae Jo had been trying to eliminate when he's alive. Seemed like he planned to build a new world and corrupt the history of Goryeo when he have the chance.
"We're not going to give him that opportunity to further destroy Goryeo." Yong Jun was ascertain as he told me about their plans.
"Please allow me to assist you. I want to get revenge for my mother and father as well. I know if the truth is out...most likely there will be a huge war but...I'm ready for it." I pleaded as I truly want to drag down the current King and Queen.
It was injustice for them to fake a cause of murder and put blame on to an innocent court lady.
"I guess an extra helping hand wouldn't hurt. Our first target will be Court Lady Hae Soo's loyal servant, Chae Ryung." Yong Jun said, leaving me dumbfounded at his confession.
Chae Ryung?!
Author's Note:
Hey guys, it's been a month since I've updated. I know...
I've been super busy with school work but luckily I submitted everything. But also because I didn't have any idea how to continue from the last chapter. But I thought I should just let the story and my idea flow naturally instead of having second thoughts that the story progression might not be smooth?
What are your thoughts now that the puzzle pieces are slowly forming?