Dara froze, the weight of the ruby necklace suddenly unbearable. U'nso's eyes were cold and sharp.

  "I know you've been sneaking into the High Councilor's chamber every night," he said. "Behave yourself."

  Dara's face flushed. "Don't you think you're overstepping your boundaries?" she retorted.

  "You're the one who's overstepping," U'nso countered. "You're disrespecting both the High Councilor and the Guardian. The High Councilor is always in the rear garden, so no one in Yeonyahng knows about this yet. And hopefully, no one in Wicheong either. End this before it goes too far."

  Dara's heart pounded, her fingers tingling with a nervous energy. She forced herself to remain calm. "And why should I?"

  "What do you think will happen to the High Councilor's reputation if this gets out in Wicheong?" U'nso argued. "Are you that naive, or are you deliberately ignoring the consequences? Your father would be furious. He wouldn't have let things get this far."

  Dara glared at him. "Don't you dare speak of him," she hissed.

  "You're the one dishonoring him," U’nso chided. "He dedicated his life to protecting House Myeonghyeon. I don't think he failed in teaching you proper conduct."

  "What's so important about reputation anyway?" Dara scoffed.

  U'nso rose to his feet, approaching her. "The High Councilor is the head of House Myeonghyeon. Do you have any idea of the burden he carries?"

  Dara, her lips pursed into a defiant smile, shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes.

  "I don't care," she said. "I've never served this family. My loyalty lies with the High Councilor."

  "Do you really think he'll remain unscathed?" U'nso pressed. "Rumors of his affair with a servant will spread. You may be blinded by your infatuation, but people will gossip. And that's not the only problem. He's a Celestial Scion. Their bloodline must remain pure. It doesn't matter how many break that rule, it'll be used against him. The Ministry will seize this opportunity to attack him, and the Guardian will be caught in the middle, trying to defend him while appeasing those who oppose him. The High Councilor will be tormented, his honor dragged through the mud. He needs to focus on the task ahead. He can't be distracted by your selfish desires."

  U'nso's words, sharp and cutting, pierced Dara's heart. A tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek.

  "Don't tarnish his reflection," U'nso warned.

  Dara's voice cracked. "I won't stop this. And neither will he."

  "The High Councilor isn't blinded by his emotions like you," U'nso retorted. "He'll know when to stop."

  "How well do you even know him?" Dara challenged.

  U'nso hissed, "What do you know? Do you have any idea what they are saying about you?"

  Dara paused, her heart sinking. "What are they saying?"

  "I overheard them. They said a Scion's child must be born from a Scion, so he should have his fun and then be done with it"

  Dara's face contorted, but she refused to believe him. "She said that?"

  "You think he would disagree?"

  The pity in U'nso's eyes was more cutting than any mockery. Dara saw the unspoken confirmation in his gaze, the unspoken words of Ryang's agreement. She felt a fresh wave of pain, her heart bleeding. Exhausted from her encounter with Hwan, she could barely stand.

  "Did she put you up to this?" she asked.

  "No. I'm saying this myself."

  "Why bother telling me then? Does it make you feel good to see me suffer?"

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  U'nso, struggling to contain his own frustration, lowered his voice. "I don't enjoy this. I'm telling you this because I care about you."

  A choked sob began to escape Dara's lips. U'nso, wanting to end the conversation before things got worse, offered one more piece of advice or perhaps consolation.

  "Come to your senses. They're different from us. Being allowed to serve them so closely, under this very roof, is already more than we deserve."

  Dara offered a bitter smile. "You've turned him into a pathetic excuse for a man. You'll regret telling me this."

  "I don't care what he is to you. I'm protecting this house, and the Guardian. Return to your place. Or leave."

  With that, U'nso walked out, leaving Dara alone in her misery. She crawled onto the bed, curling into a fetal position, her face buried in her knees. The fabric of her clothes dampened with tears. She was alone on the bed where she had lain with Ryang, his warmth a distant memory. Her chest ached, each breath a struggle. Ryang's sweet whispers, his gentle touch, Hwan's burning gaze, and her father's hollow eyes, trapped somewhere in a leaking cabin, swirled in her mind.

  If only he had died then. Why did Cheon Hwan have to recognize Father on that blood-soaked deck? His sharp eyes were a curse. Dara had mourned when she heard her father's ship had been lost at sea. But now, she longed for the blissful ignorance of believing him dead. The monstrous resentment she now harbored terrified her. Hwan had no mercy. Both her father and her lover would die by his hand. She saw no way out, no path that didn't lead to despair.

  Dara clutched the ruby necklace, her grip so tight her knuckles turned white.

  ──────────

  "...The Crimson Star of Sahngjon has pierced the dawn of the dark night sky, so let the faithful children not miss the rising of the new sun. The Guardian of the Azure Scripture, bearer of the sacred will, calls to you. Emerge from the long darkness of half a century's yearning and embrace his light."

  Seong placed the paper on the table with a gentle smile. "Beautiful words," he commented.

  Ryang sat opposite him, the lamplight casting long shadows on their faces. He presented the letters for Sung and Soyeol, and Seong seemed pleased with their contents.

  "Beautiful?" Ryang echoed with a wry smile.

  "Indeed," Seong said, his expression playful. "The one going to Sung seems fine, but the one for Soyeol reads a bit like a love letter, don't you think? Shouldn't we refine the wording a little?"

  "Does it really?"

  "A little? Have you been keeping a secret romance from me these days?" Seong teased.

  Ryang, flustered, offered an awkward laugh. Seong chuckled, playfully tapping Ryang's hand.

  "Just kidding. When I was studying under my uncle, I always thought diplomacy was like a courtship. You can't push them away, but you can't be too eager either. It's a delicate dance, especially in the beginning."

  "All relationships are similar, aren't they?" Ryang remarked.

  "Do you think Soyeol will betray us to the Dahn King?" Seong asked, his expression turning serious.

  Ryang shook his head. "They may seem like ruthless pirates, but they value loyalty. Sung, on the other hand... Soyeol might refuse to help, but they won't betray us. Not entirely impossible, of course, but we can't expect assistance without taking risks."

  A flicker of worry crossed Seong's face, but he quickly recovered his composure. "You've worked hard. I'm sure we'll receive a favorable response. You've accomplished a lot in a short time. Are you returning to Nahmgyo today?"

  Ryang nodded. "I must. I've been away too long. The princess will grow suspicious. I told her I needed time to investigate, but that's just a delaying tactic. The Guardian Crimson didn't say anything, so I need to come up with an excuse..."

  "Tell her a partial truth," Seong suggested. "A few well-placed omissions, a bit of mystery... it might work in our favor."

  "A sound strategy."

  "Do you think the princess will try to uncover the sphere's true nature?" Seong asked.

  "She will. She's not one to ignore inconsistencies. She's driven by loyalty to her nation, but also by a genuine thirst for knowledge. She even requested a scholar from her father."

  "I can't help you with that. You'll have to handle it."

  "Leave it to me." Ryang bowed his head.

  Seong studied his face, the familiar features stirring a mix of sympathy and guilt within him. He also felt a growing sense of unease. The strange sensation he once felt around Ryang, a mixture of longing and affection, had vanished after his encounter with Hwan, only to return in recent days. He was certain Hwan was on Birahng. It was an ominous premonition. He didn't know what his brother was planning, but his presence couldn't be a good omen.

  He opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. He had never truly believed Hwan was dead, but Ryang didn't know he was alive, let alone that they had met. He knew Ryang's reaction to Hwan's actions would be explosive. His hatred for his brother ran deep. Seong wanted to protect Hwan from the world's hatred, but could he protect Ryang from Hwan?

  "Will you return with the Third Emissary?" he asked, his voice betraying his anxiety.

  "It's safer for me to travel alone," Ryang replied. "No one will suspect a lone traveler. Send the Third Emissary to Nahmgyo tomorrow. I'll inform them of her arrival."

  Ryang noticed Seong's hesitation. He waited for him to speak, but Seong remained silent, his anxiety palpable.

  "Is something troubling you, Guardian?" Ryang finally asked.