Seowoo attempted to walk away, but Lord Shikryeom cleared his throat, halting Seowoo in his tracks.
"May I dare ask if the royal noble consort favors the crown prince compared to your highness?" Lord Shikryeom asked, his gaze lingering on Seowoo. A sly glint played across his face.
Seowoo froze, his back rigid and tense. He turned around slowly, his eyes showing a mix of anger and sorrow.
"What are you implying, Lord Shikryeom?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Lord Shikryeom.
"Nothing, your highness, just expressing my concern about how tough it must be walking in the crown prince's shadow," Lord Shikryeom said, his tone flat, smiling subtly at the prince.
Seowoo stepped forward, only a foot separating him from Lord Shikryeom. His jaw tightened, his fist clenched, but he forced a polite smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Shikryeom, but my family is not your concern."
"Of course, your highness," Lord Shikryeom said, bowing slightly.
Prince Seowoo returned the gesture and walked away, his mind racing with Lord Shikryeom's insinuation.
Lord Shikryeom watched Seowoo's rigid back, a sly smile creeping on his face as he stroked his mustache.
Haesoo and her best friend Myung Hee sat at the center table of a popular liquor stall. Myung Hee burst out laughing, spitting liquor all over Haesoo's face after Haesoo narrated her predicament to her.
"Hey! Do you have a death wish?" Haesoo yelled, twitching her face in disgust as she wiped off the liquor with her right hand and tried to hit Myung Hee with the other.
"Hey! Wow! Haesoo," Myung Hee squealed, mimicking a kissing sound into the air, quite amused.
"Do you want to die?" Haesoo yelled at her friend, who continued laughing, finding the situation quite entertaining.
Haesoo banged the table fiercely with her hand.
"I'm sorry," Myung Hee said, squinting her mouth shut, seeing her best friend's murderous gaze.
"Did you really...?" Haesoo trailed off, cackling, as Myung Hee touched Haesoo's lips.
"Hey!" Haesoo yelled, beginning to chase her friend around the table, who didn't stop laughing.
"Please!" Myung Hee pleaded, coming to a halt, panting, her hand resting on the table.
"Wow! You're really a crazy lady," she said, tuttering as they both got seated, their breath haggard.
Haesoo let out a sigh, pouting her lips.
Myung Hee's face widened suddenly, and she snapped her fingers, motioning for her friend to come closer. She dragged Haesoo's ear to her mouth and said what she wanted to before they began another cat-and-dog fight.
"I found out the location of the former inspector," she said, letting go of her friend's ear and smiling triumphantly.
"What?" Haesoo asked, bewildered.
"Inspector Kim Hyung Do, he lives in a small inn deep in the mountains. He goes by a different identity to conceal his identity from the king and others."
Haesoo stood up abruptly, her hand shaking.
"My... Myung Hee..."
"I know, I'm super amazing," she said, stroking her chin, smiling.
Inspector Kim Hyung Do was one of her father's closest friends, whom they had worked with in the palace back then. She had been on a search for anyone who could tell her the truth behind the history...
She hugged Myung Hee dearly, tears striking down her face. She had been on the search for the truth, knowing her father would never betray the royal family. She hoped to find out the truth soon so she could restore her father's glory.
"Wow! Inspector Kim Hyung Do would be on his way out of the capital by now," Myung Hee said, jolting Haesoo awake.
Haesoo picked up her hanbok and ran as fast as she could. Myung Hee let out a deep sigh, sympathizing with her best friend. She gulped down the alcohol, which burned down her throat. She stood up, ready to take her leave, then a shadow appeared.
"Who...?" Myung Hee trailed off.