"Soojin-ah, are you sure he'll help us?" Soojin's mother asks.

Soojin smiles to herself as she manages to navigate the way into The Capitol.

"Eomma, we're crazy in love. I'm sure he's read my letter and is already out and about to look for me."

Soojin manages to steer the horse the right way and finds herself taking the back gate.

"Eomma, we can't enter the Palace looking like this, the staff could spread the news of us arriving in whole of Baekmin. We'll have to take the back entry." Soojin explains, pointing at their soiled and bloodied clothes.

Parking the carriage a little distance away from the rusted gates of the Garden entry, Soojin climbs off, aiding her mother and lending her brother her supporting shoulder.

Soojin takes small steps, with Joon Ki by her side and her mother trailing behind her.

"Just a few more steps, Orabeoni. We're here, almost!" Soojin consoles as they reach the rusted gates of the back door.

Just as she's about to rattle the gate, so the chains can draw the attention of just about anyone, she takes a peak into the garden.

What she watches before her is enough to blow her mind.

There stand Yun Ki and Areum, wrapped in each other's embrace as their lips work against each other's, furiously.

She watches how Yun Ki's large hands trail down Areum's buttocks, ploughing and squeezing.

She hears the shluck-shluck of their tongues and the low pitched raspy groans that leave Yun Ki's lips as Areum tugs at the nape of his neck.

Tears well into her eyes.

Didn't even take a day for him to forget her.

What had he said to her?

'I'm only yours.'

'I belong to you.'

"Ssibal." Soojin curses as she watches Joon Ki's eyes widen at the scene.

"Soo-Sooj---uuh" He tries to mumble but Soojin clamps a palm over his mouth.

Soojin's mother expresses her concern from the back.

"Why? What happened?" She asks.

Soojin begins to walk away from the gate.

Away from the rusted doors as she turns her head away, wiping away the stray tear that threatens to spill down her face.

"Liar." She mumbles to herself.

She seats Joon Ki in the carriage as her mother rants and questions her about what has happened.

"Eomma, sit back inside.." She mutters, no explanations, nothing.

Soojin's mother climbs into the carriage, knees producing a clicking sound as she bends inside.

"What happened, Soojin-ah?" She asks, for the Nth time.

"Nothing!" Soojin shouts, a little too loud as it causes her mother to flinch back in her seat.

"Nothing at all..I-I just don't think it's safe for Y-Yun Ki if we head back, immediately.."

"T-Then where will we go? We have no other place to go...He'll track us down, Soojin. Never underestimate that scoundrel."

"I don't know Eomma...Where could we go.." Soojin thinks loudly as she begins to lead the carriage out of the Palace exit.

Soojin's heart aches.

Aches because she'd thought that the least Yun Ki would do would be to look for her.

What had she expected of him?

She'd expected him to go pale.

To go crazy and delusional, to show his desperate side as he looked for her, in every nook and corner.

Sure, she'd mentioned him to forget her but.

A part of her believed that they were more.

That they went beyond handwritten letters.

That they were perhaps connected to eachother's soul by telepathy.

Especially, after the days they'd spent in Goryeo, getting to know eachother and weaving dreams of togetherness.

That's right!

Goryeo.

Wang Taeiji and his wife, would love to welcome Soojin.

They'd be more than willing to lend her a shelter, until she figured out a plan for herself.

"I know where we're going.." She mumbles, hastily.

"Where??" Her mother asks.

"Goryeo."

"But that's out of the Kingdom." Her mother protests.

"Believe me, it's the only place we're safe." She replies, curtly, tightening the reigns.

------------

"Soojin-ah! What brings you here? Have you fallen in love with our Kingdom? Where's Yun Ki?" The Queen of Goryeo asks, as she welcomes Soojin and her family, into the court house, taking a second glance at their clothes.

"I know you're surprised at seeing us here. Your Majesty, please meet my mother. This is my elder brother, Joon Ki." Soojin introduces.

"W-We're not safe in Baekmin. Yong Sun is out to kill me and my family. I-I, W-We've run away from his clutches." Soojin explains to a very worried looking Queen.

Soojin breaks down the entire story before The Queen of Goryeo.

"Soojin-ah, it'd be an honour for me to house you, of course. You're always welcomed in Goryeo..However, why haven't you told Yun Ki, yet? Do you want us to send in a letter to him?" She asks.

Soojin kneels before the elderly Queen, shaking her head fervently no.

"N-No please. He mustn't know I'm here..At least, not now." She begs.

The Queen looks rather perplexed as she runs a hand down the side of her face.

"I'll help you!" She chimes, standing up.

Soojin's eyes well up in tears.

"Y-You don't know how much this means to me, Your Majesty...You've been doing favours after favours for me. You've really been bending backwards, all for a nobody from Baekmin.." Soojin cries.

The Queen cradles her in her arm.

"Aigoo, Soojin-ah! I've told you this before..You and Yun Ki are like my very own children! Don't you ever doubt that!"

With that said, The Queen signals to a group of 5 maidservants who guide Soojin and her family into a luxurious outhouse for long-term staying guests.

Soojin sits by the foot of a big bed.

"We're safe here, Eomma....You and Orabeoni needn't worry anymore.." Soojin exhales, running a palm over her sweaty face.

Soojin's mother settles Joon Ki in bed as she makes her way towards Soojin's slumped and exhausted figure.

"I realise that you're tired from the driving however, as your mother, I believe there's something else that's troubling your mind. It's alright if you don't want to share it with me but you don't have to fight every battle by your own self, Soojin-ah.." She consoles, pressing the balls of Soojin's heels.

"We haven't had the best relationship but I hope you will understand the worries that plagued me when we were forced to live without your Father...The Lord hasn't been so kind over a Widow with a Handicapped son and a young daughter...The adversities and responsibilities that had been thrusted upon me made me bitter. They made me push you away.." She accepts.

Soojin shakes her head.

"Y-You've only ever been a mother to me. Don't feel guilty for anything..We've never had it easy." Soojin smiles, lacing her fingers with her Mother's.

"You've blossomed into a mature woman, Soojin and I think I have Yun Ki-ssi to thank for that."

Yun Ki-ssi.

The words produce a bitter taste in Soojin's mouth.

" Gae saekki..." Soojin whispers, looking away.

----------------