Chapter 32
Seol was behind the bars, near freezing to death as nothing was her given beside a pile of dried straws. The emperor had left her without even caring while the dowager has turned her back against her. Seol had committed a crime beyond forgivable and also was to take the blame on herself. Solely.
Before Seol could even consider to plead repentance, the dowager threatened to expose Wohee if Seol was to say a word. As her life savior Seol of course couldn't let Wohee get involved and hence took the blame on herself. The court had suspected Seol for being involved with a group of traitors of former Silla, but Seol took the blame on herself.
When dawn breaks out she would be able to finally escape this prison and maybe come to a better place. When Seol had just put her heart to accept that tomorrow will be her last the doors to the dungeon opened and in came a person who had other plans for her. The guards were all knocked out and awake was only her and the intruder.
The masked man grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"Who are you?" Seol asked, pulling away from the man.
"First, get out of here,"
Despite the mask that covered the voice of the man, Seol was still able to tell who it was. Even in her dreams Seol wouldn't be in doubt.
"Brother-in-law?" Seol spoke "Aren't you supposed to mourn for Eonni? What are you doing here?"
Even with the layers of clothes covering her every piece of skin, Seol could still tell it was the eight prince. He always escorted Myunghee to visit the palace and also stayed to escort her back home. It hasn't been long after Myunghee's dead and, indeed, the sunken eyes showed more thousand of spilled tears. The dark circles had surrounded his eyes filling them with deep sorrow and grief.
"There is no time for this," Wook said whilst pulling Seol's arm.
"No I can't leave,"
If I go Princess Wohee will be in danger and the Silla peasant will die under the influence of the Dowager.
"My wife died in attempt of keeping that life of yours," His voice near a sneer.
Despite the guilt which Wook was able to awake, Seol couldn't move her feet. Myunghee had treated her no different from a real family, even risking her health into saving her and in the end die in the attempt. She couldn't let Myunghee's effort go to vain, but at the same time she couldn't take the risk of putting Wohes's life in danger.
"I'm sorry but I can't leave this place.... besides..." Taking in a deep breath Seol closed her eyes. She knew she would regret her following words, it will only become her a quicker dead, but if she didn't say it the prince wouldn't let her be.
"Beside... I'm not even the real consort. I'm sorry for your loss and also for fooling lady Hae, but the one you are trying to save is not me."
Wook's eyes lit with anger, his hand forcefully grabbed Seol's hand and pulled her along. Seol tried to yank away his arm but the prince's grip was firm and hard.
"Didn't your highness hear me? I'm not Hae S-"
"I know," Wook said with his deep voice.
"You... You knew?"
Of course Wook did. He had never been in doubt from the beginning. Although he pretended not to when Myunghee confessed to him that the consort wasn't Soo. Cause Myunghee, also realised that the one she was with was another person but Soo.
"Get out of here," Wook said, his voice filled with determination. "Seol."
It has been forever since people had called her that name. If Wook knew that it literally means that he had been in contact with Wohee. Him coming at this late of the night to rescue her, might as well also be a part of princess Wohee's arrangement.
The prince hand reached out for Seol which she hesitantly took.
Escaping the dungeon Seol followed Wook's footsteps. The patrolling palace guard didn't catch their shadow as Wook was fluent in navigating around the palace as it was his own playground. He would have been an excellent thief if it ever came to the worst case.
Outside the palace's walls where Wohee standing waiting for Wook and Seol to join them. At first glimpse Seoll thought she was hallucinating when seeing another figure standing next to Wohee, but to her realization it wasn't an imagination.
Soo was still alive.
At the sight of Seol and Wook the princess of Silla lit up, her facial expression radiated with the light of joy while her arms welcoming was ready to take Seol into a warm hug.
Princess, Seol couldn't help but smile seeing Wohee all good, while there was no reaction to the person she shared the same blood with. It has been weeks since Wook last saw Soothe sunken eyes and cheeks dried of tears, even in this state he couldn't help but let his eyes fell on her, admiring her beauty.
The inner palace suddenly lit up by the reflection of the fire in the night sky. The palace guards was running with speeding steps, while uncomprehending murmurs filled the air.
"What's wrong?" Wohee said, looking at Wook. "Could it be that they had realized that you are gone?"
While Wohee was worried that their escape would be a failure, Seol knew that there was something else going on. Last time, when she freed prince Yo, the palace's guards was searching all over the palace with torch in their hands but also roars was filling the air.
This time was much more quiet, as if they purpose was trying to be discreet for some odd reason.
Something is wrong. Wook mentally thought.
"Summon the imperial physician!" a voice suddenly yelled. No other than Jimong.
At the astronomers voice Soo' body stiffened instantly. Just as she was about to leave Wook's hand grabbed her from leaving. He couldn't just let her get out, if she were to get caught it would literary mean her dead.
"Where are you going?" Wook asked.
While Wook had the courtesy to ask, Seol was in no doubt what her twin sister was intending.
"You still want to check on that emperor? Are you a complete fool?" Seol said, her eyes belittlingly directed at Soo.
"Seol is right Soo, even if you meet the emperor, he will still think you are a spy. Without evidence we can't take down the Dowager."
"It's right Soo, let's get away before it is too late."
A/N: double update! I'm pretty active these past fews days don't you think? I considered to post it next week and be more stable with the regular updates, but here you go~
Not edited so bear over if there is grammar faults, I'll try to edit it soon🙏