Chapter 49
An Uneasy Heart
“The sun will set soon.”
At Taeyeom’s voice, Danseol rose to her feet. As he had said, the western horizon had begun to glow red.
The swampland and the distant forest, burning red in the sunset, looked incredibly beautiful.
At first, this place had felt strange — the climate, the landscape, the culture were all foreign — but now she had grown accustomed to it.
Of course, the hot and humid weather was still somewhat difficult to endure.
“It seems the day is favorable; it must be for some good news.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Danseol lightly nodded at Taeyeom’s remark.
“The Heavens and Earth shall hear Dan Gu‑in’s sincere wishes, so have no worry.”
This time, Danseol simply smiled without responding further.
Ever since Gyeom had left with the army, Danseol had quietly stayed in the barracks as he suggested. She no longer even wore pants.
“I mean to tell you to be careful while I’m away.”
Although most of the soldiers had recovered, and she had little to do, it was a matter of safety. As Gyeom said, no one could know what might happen in his absence.
But staying only in the barracks was suffocating and boring, so she would step out once a day to enjoy the breeze and the scenery. Perhaps following Gyeom’s prior instructions, the general responsible for her protection thoroughly guarded the surrounding area, allowing her to walk freely.
Yet to Taeyeom, her demeanor seemed pitiful.
Like a woman anxiously waiting for her beloved to return from the battlefield.
In truth, it was merely an act to relieve boredom.
“Today seems unusually lively.”
Unlike her leisurely walks, the garrison’s atmosphere now felt chaotic. Taeyeom, sensing something amiss, stopped a passing soldier to ask.
“Hey, why is it so noisy?”
“They say His Majesty’s envoy just arrived.”
Hearing the word “envoy,” Taeyeom grabbed the soldier, urging him to continue.
“Do you know what news the envoy brought?”
“They say His Majesty has reclaimed three strongholds that Yuldo‑guk had taken!”
“That’s not all. He is said to have advanced like a storm, capturing several Yuldo‑guk castles along the way.”
Taeyeom’s face lit up at the soldiers’ joyful news. The soldiers were busy praising Gyeom’s valor.
But for some reason, Danseol felt her spirits sink.
Why is Yuldo‑guk coming to mind now…?
While everyone rejoiced at the news of victory, she could not. Seeing Yuldo‑guk reminded her of her homeland, destroyed by Hwangseon‑guk.
Memories of the painful destruction under Hwangseon‑guk’s conquest kept surfacing.
It was difficult to watch a nation fall from Hwangseon‑guk’s perspective, not that of a defeated country. Her grief and frustration had now become something that, by rights, should have been celebrated.
What am I even doing here?
She had come to kill Gyeom for revenge, yet she had achieved nothing, leaving her frustrated.
No, she was angry.
Angry at herself for forgetting her parents, who had died in pain.
Angry at herself for forgetting the tears of the people and the blood of those who died for her.
Somewhere along the way, she had let go of her mission to kill Gyeom, always making excuses that “the timing isn’t right.”
This time, I will make it happen.
Danseol steeled her lax resolve. The next time she met Lee Gyeom, she would kill him with her own hands.
Not long after the news of victory, news came that Gyeom had finally captured Yuldo‑guk’s capital. During the campaign, he had apprehended a Hwangseon‑guk general colluding with Yuldo‑guk.
Yuldo‑guk, blind and deaf without Hwangseon‑guk’s oversight, had collapsed helplessly and expressed their intention to surrender. This was the latest news relayed to where Danseol was.
“Move quickly! Quick!”
“We must arrive before sunset!”
With Yuldo‑guk’s surrender, the soldiers stationed at Danseol’s garrison also headed for Yuldo‑guk’s capital.
“Escort Dan Gu‑in with the utmost courtesy.”
The soldiers’ urgency was due to Hwangmyeong, who had arrived at the garrison days ago.
Thus, Danseol was treated with the highest respect as she moved toward the capital. Even though she could have ridden a horse, the generals deemed it too risky and had her travel by carriage.
Of course — she is His Majesty’s woman! This much is necessary!
And His Majesty favors Dan Gu‑in greatly, so making a good impression now can’t hurt.
Before long, the generals and soldiers were convinced that Danseol and Gyeom were inseparable. Their previous actions, and Gyeom’s immediate attention to Danseol after Yuldo‑guk’s surrender, fueled misunderstandings. Jokes circulated that one would need to gain Danseol’s favor to succeed in life.
Though physically comfortable, Danseol’s mind remained uneasy.
Being the center of attention is troublesome…
She could not move quietly or discreetly. As they neared Yuldo‑guk’s capital, her anxiety worsened.
“This is Yuldo‑guk’s capital.”
“It’s very… exotic.”
Indeed, the capital felt entirely different from Hwangseon‑guk. While the southern borderlands were hot, the capital, further south, was almost tropical.
Yuldo‑guk men went bare‑chested, wearing only sleeveless thin clothing. Their skin was dark, some adorned with tattoos. Tropical plants, previously seen only in books, lined the streets.
Danseol stared in awe at a massive tree heavy with long yellow fruits.
“You must be tired; we will escort you directly to the palace.”
Danseol nodded, and the carriage headed toward Yuldo‑guk’s royal palace. The palace also contrasted sharply with Hwangseon‑guk’s. The multi‑tiered buildings were topped with tall gourd‑shaped roofs, and their golden exteriors shone brilliantly.
“The royal family has fled, so His Majesty is currently staying here.”
“So, His Majesty is here?”
At the thought of Gyeom being present, Danseol’s heart raced. To complete her revenge, she needed to be near him — but now, oddly, she did not want to see his face.
She did not know what expression to wear or what to say upon seeing him.
“His Majesty has temporarily left to accept the surrender of the fleeing royals.”
“Oh, I see.”
Danseol quietly exhaled in relief.
“Gu‑in, we will guide you to your room.”
“Alright.”
Following the palace maid, Danseol headed to her room. The golden‑adorned room had high ceilings, large windows for ventilation, and smooth stone flooring.
“Do I use this room alone?”
“Yes. His Majesty is using the room across from you.”
At the garrison, she had shared a room with Gyeom, so she had worried. Now, having a separate room was a relief.
“If you wish to stay with His Majesty…”
“Oh, no!”
Startled by the suggestion, Danseol shook her head, which also surprised the maid.
“I do not wish to trouble him while he is busy with Yuldo‑guk’s affairs.”
“Understood.”
Danseol’s excuse softened the maid’s expression.
“You must be hungry after your journey. We will bring you something to eat.”
“No, it’s alright.”
Danseol stopped the maid from leaving. She was not hungry, only utterly exhausted. The heat and humidity only worsened her fatigue.
“Is there anywhere uncomfortable…?”
“Just tired. No need to worry.”
Danseol smiled, yet she wished the maid would leave quickly. She only wanted to rest.
“Would you like a bath?”
“No….”
“This place has a royal bath, using natural hot spring water. I’m sure you will enjoy it.”
Danseol nodded at the mention of a royal hot spring. She had not bathed freely while at the garrison and had longed for one.
“No one may enter, so enjoy it freely.”
The maid guided Danseol to the bath and left quietly.
“Royal, huh… nicer than I expected.”
Expecting only a small wooden tub, she found a large open‑air bath connected to the mountain behind the building.
Wearing only a thin undergarment, she cautiously stepped in. Despite the heat, the warm water eased her accumulated fatigue.
Now… what should I do?
Moments of leisure passed, and worry returned. To kill Gyeom and escape, this place was safer than Hwangseon‑guk.
Yet her mind was blank, as if lost.
The uncertainty made her anxious.
As she soaked in the open‑air bath, lost in thought, she suddenly sensed someone approaching.
Footsteps — thump, thump — echoed in the distance.
