Sobi's eyes flew open at the sound of a voice, thick with tears. She sat up, startled, and saw Siu kneeling beside her bed, her small frame shaking with sobs. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on her back.
"Siu," she said gently, "there's nothing to fear. Those are old laws, and the High Emissary is different. We can change what is unjust. Don't do anything rash."
Siu slowly raised her head, her eyes red and swollen. "That's not why I'm here," she choked out.
"Then why do you come to me in the middle of the night, begging for your life?"
Siu hesitated, her gaze falling to the floor. After a long silence, she spoke.
"I am... not pure."
The words, though faint, hung heavy in the quiet night. Sobi's heart sank. This was more than just childish fear.
"Tell me everything," she instructed, sitting up straighter. "Tell me what happened."
Siu's confession tumbled out between sobs, her words painting a grim picture. Sobi listened, her mind reeling, her heart filled with a cold fury. Siu cried until she had no more tears left, her words punctuated by hiccuping sobs. Though she wasn't surprised to learn that it was Cheongro who had violated her, the sight of Siu's youthful face, her cheeks still plump with childhood innocence, ignited a rage within her. Yet, she also saw a reflection of her own past in her tear-stained face, remembering a time when she, too, had clung to strangers with shameless desperation.
"Why didn't you tell anyone sooner?" she asked gently. "You had so much time."
"I thought I would be killed if I told the truth," Siu confessed. "He's the Second Emissary. I'm no one. Who would believe me? Who would help me? But now... now I'm going to die whether I tell the truth or not. I don't want to die. I want to live. Please save me."
She collapsed again, her sobs muffled against the floor. Sobi regretted her earlier suspicions, the momentary doubt that had clouded her judgment. She almost told her to run away, then stopped herself. The thought of uttering such cruel words to a child who knew nothing but the Ministry filled her with shame.
Siu begged for her life, calling her "Third Emissary," and Sobi thought of her duty as Third Emissary. Her duty, in the name of Sahngjon, wasn't to follow this grotesque tradition, to force this child to bear an heir. It was to offer her a chance at a peaceful, free life. Whether Cheongro had forced himself on Siu or Siu had willingly participated didn't matter. It was wrong for a child to be chosen to bear a child, to be sentenced to death for a transgression she didn't understand.
"Why would you die?" she said fiercely. "That bastard is the one who deserves to die!"
Siu continued to sob, seemingly oblivious to her words. Sobi cupped her face in her hands, forcing her to look at her.
"Siu," she said firmly, "you're not going to die. Do you understand?"
Siu nodded, her small shoulders trembling. Sobi forced a smile and wiped her tears with her sleeve.
Hearing a noise outside, Sobi quickly opened the secret passage door hidden beneath the floor, the one she had discovered when Princess Kyeong'ui barged into her room. She grabbed Siu's arm.
"Hide!" she hissed. "Quickly!"
She practically shoved Siu into the hidden passage and covered the opening with the mat just as Cheongro's voice sounded from beyond the door.
"Are you there?"
Sobi took a deep breath, straightened her robes, and opened the door. Cheongro stood before her, peering into the room.
"What brings you here so late?" Sobi asked flatly.
Cheongro didn't answer. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room.
"I couldn't find Novice Emissary, Siu in her chamber," he finally said. "I wondered if you had summoned her."
"She could be elsewhere," Sobi replied calmly. "Why would she run away?"
"The lifespan of those who bear the High Emissary's heir is predetermined. You know that."
Sobi suppressed her anger. "Why are you looking for her?" she asked.
"I'm responsible for the marriage ritual," Cheongro replied casually. "It's only natural for me to be concerned."
"I'll find her before we depart," Sobi assured him. "Don't worry yourself over it."
"I appreciate that," Cheongro said with a smile. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to interrogate a child."
He turned to leave. "Let me know if you find her," he called over his shoulder.
Once Cheongro was gone, Sobi closed and bolted the door, covering the windows as well. Leaving Siu hidden in the passage, she gathered a few necessities, then grabbed a lantern and climbed down. Siu was huddled in the darkness, her body trembling. Sobi lit the lantern, her other hand reaching out to grasp Siu's.
The flickering light illuminated Siu's tear-stained face, and Sobi felt a wave of fear wash over her. The lords were divided, the command structure unstable, all because of Hwan's letter. The consequences of helping Siu were unpredictable. Is this child, whose name I haven't even known until today, worth more than the four cities of Birahng? She questioned her decision with every breath, yet she couldn't abandon Siu.
"Come with me," she said, pulling Siu to her feet.
"Where are we going?" Siu asked.
"I know a way out of the city," Sobi explained. "He intends to kill you before anyone finds out. We can't wait until morning."
It was the secret passage the Emissaries had often used to visit Yeonyahng after House Myeonghyeon's departure. It was fortunate that the inn was closed tonight. Sobi led the way, her memory guiding them through the narrow passage. They emerged outside the city walls, but Sobi's anxiety grew. They were still in danger. Even a swift traveler would need half a day to reach Hyangdo on foot. The fastest route was along the perimeter of Shinsuk Mountain, a path filled with steep climbs and descents. Siu, unused to long journeys, quickly tired.
"We're almost at Hyangdo," Sobi reassured her, glancing back frequently. "You'll be safe there. Just a little further."
"Will anyone protect me in Hyangdo?" Siu asked in fear.
"The High Emissary is there, and the Guardian," Sobi said. "They won't ignore Cheongro's crimes."
"But the High Councilor is there as well," Siu argued. "He despises the Emissaries."
"The High Councilor..." Sobi hesitated, then continued, "He's the one who severed Cheongro's hand. He won't turn a blind eye to this."
Siu nodded, her resolve renewed, and followed Sobi.
The two arrived at the south gate of Hyangdo just as dawn broke. Sobi headed straight for the Myeonghyeon residence, leaving Siu with Seon, who greeted them with surprise. She hadn't expected Sobi to return so soon, and the sight of her disheveled appearance and the young girl by her side filled her with a sense of foreboding.
"Why have you returned so early?" she asked. "What happened? And who is this child?"
"I can't explain right now," Sobi replied in haste. "Is the High Councilor here?"
"He left for the walls before dawn," Seon said. "Didn't you see him on your way?"
Sobi took Siu's hand and placed it in Seon's. "Lady Myeonghyeon," she pleaded, "could you hide this child in your residence until I return? Please don't let anyone take her, no matter who comes asking. It won't be long."
Seon, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded. Though she knew this could be troublesome, she also knew they were past the point of no return. She led Siu inside, her arm protectively around her shoulders.
"I understand," she said. "Return quickly."
Sobi rushed towards the government office the moment she left Siu with Seon. She easily passed through the gates, but a guard blocked her path to the guesthouse. Sobi presented the jade pendant Norahn had given her.
"I bring the High Emissary's pendant," she declared. "Step aside."
"Third Emissary, I apologize," the guard said firmly, "but without the High Councilor's permission..."
Sobi drew the dagger she had brought from Nahmgyo. "If the High Councilor sentences me to death for this, then I'll die here and now," she threatened. "Step aside."
"Please don't do this," the guard pleaded. "I cannot allow it."
As they argued, Seong emerged from the building, drawn by the commotion. Sobi bowed her head respectfully.
"You returned to Nahmgyo yesterday morning, did you not?" Seong asked, his brow furrowed. "How is it you're back so soon?"
"An urgent matter within the Ministry requires my presence," Sobi replied, her head still bowed. "Please grant me an audience with the High Emissary."
Seong looked at her travel-worn clothes and muddy shoes, then nodded, granting her permission to enter the guesthouse. Norahn, surprised by her sudden return, asked, "What happened in Nahmgyo?"
"It's not about Nahmgyo," Sobi replied, "but something that originated in Wicheong."
Norahn's eyes narrowed, urging her to continue. Sobi stood before him, her posture straight, and recounted Siu's story without embellishment. Her voice wavered with emotion, and she paused several times to compose herself. Norahn listened intently, his eyes half-closed, a deep sigh escaping his lips every now and then.
"Please, Your Sanctity," Sobi pleaded, "rectify this injustice."
Norahn didn't hesitate. "Forget about it," he commanded.
Sobi, who had braved the journey back, fueled by her faith in Norahn, was taken aback. "Your Sanctity."
"I'll handle the consequences of you bringing Siu here without permission," Norahn said firmly. "Do not involve yourself further. Your position within the Ministry is already precarious."
"But Your Sanctity, Siu..."
"Do you think she'll be safe if you reveal this?"
"She's done nothing wrong."
Norahn looked at her with pity. "That doesn't matter."
"But you have the authority!"
"Authority is to be used for duty," Norahn countered. "It is my duty to uphold Sahngjon's will as High Emissary, but it is also my duty to protect the Ministry."
"Isn't punishing Cheongro protecting the Ministry?" Sobi argued.
"Punishing Cheongro would destroy the Ministry."
"Why would the Ministry crumble because of one man's punishment?" Sobi's eyes widened with realization. "Unless..."
Recognition came to Sobi. "It's not just Cheongro," Sobi said quietly. "It's not just Siu..."
Norahn's silence confirmed Sobi's fears.
"You knew all along?" she accused.
"It's been happening since before I was born," Norahn confessed. "It was never something I could control. And we cannot be consumed by this now, not with the current situation. I'll ensure Siu's safety. Say nothing of this."
Sobi couldn't accept his resignation. "Your Sanctity, you can't say that. If it's not just Siu, then there are other children suffering within the Ministry. Will you abandon them? And as long as Cheongro remains unpunished, there will be more victims like her!"
"There have always been victims like her!" Norahn's voice rose in anguish.
Sobi stared at him in disbelief. "What did you say?"
"There have always been victims like Siu, and men like Cheongro," Norahn repeated, his voice hollow. "In Birahng, in Sunyahng... It's always been this way."
"But there's never been a High Emissary like you!" Sobi argued desperately.
Norahn's eyes, the blue light within them flickering weakly, met hers. "There have always been High Emissaries like me," he said.