Early the next day, the couple and Young-Sik bid farewell. "Have a safe journey, kind sir and ma'am," he said to the couple before galloping away. After some distance, he stopped and looked back at them.
He notices how Seuk struggles as he pulls on the cart shaft while Dam pushes the back. Young-Sik looked down at his horse and then galloped back.
"Hello again, young man, did you forget something?" Seuk asked enthusiastically
"Yes, sir, I forgot to leave your horse," Young-Sik replied with a smile. he dismounted and then guided his horse to the cart breech.
"Horse, what horse?" Seuk asked in confusion, "We don't own a horse."
"Well, not yet." Young-Sik dismounted and gave the reins to Seuk
"You're giving us your horse? Why?" Dam asked, bewildered at why a stranger would give them his horse.
Young-Sik patted his horse, "Freya has been with me for so long, she has served the Kingdom well. I guess it's time for her to retire and live out the rest of her life in freedom."
"But isn't she a precious friend?" Seuk asked, wanting Young-Sik to clarify the reason
"Yes, she is precious and a great friend. She has been a war horse most of her life, It is for that reason that I want her to live out the rest of her life in a carefree manner," Young-Sik explained, while he patted the horse
"But the travel to the capital will take four days without a horse, and the cold season is already here; it could snow at any moment. Will you be okay with that?" Dam asked, worried about Young-Sik and how long it would take.
"Please don't worry about me, I can manage. I wish you a safe journey," Young-Sik assured the couple. Patting his horse for the last time, he said, "You be a good girl, okay?" he whispered to the horse, and then he turned around and walked away.
"We will be passing the Jang River Falls, it's just three days away from the capital. Would you like a ride?" Seung asked the prince
Young-Sik smiled and nodded. "That would be nice," he replied
In the heart of the capital, Minister Lim requests an audience with her daughter at her residence. Minister Lim enters her private chambers, bows deeply, and takes a seat. "Father, you asked me for an audience?" Minister Lim did not answer immediately, instead, he glanced at all the court maidens within the room
Understanding her father, Ji-Hye dismisses her court ladies and maidens, ensuring the room is sealed from prying ears. Once the last one departs and the door clicks shut, she asks her father once more. "What is it that you wish to discuss in private, Father?"
"A special shipment will arrive tonight. I need you to make sure it is not delayed by inspection. Minister Gi and I agree that you can speed things up for us," Minister Lim inquires, urgency lacing his voice.
"What is in this shipment? Is this like all the other requests that you asked me?" Ji-Hye auspiciously asked her father.
"Just do as I ask, no need to concern yourself. The shipment will arrive by boat, from Guiong tonight by midnight. Just make sure it is cleared, and my men will do the rest," Minister Lim instructed his daughter
"I will tell my lady-in-waiting to bribe the guards," She replied to her father. "But...this time I want you to do something for me as well, Father."
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Minister Lim inquired of the Queen
Ji-Hye's voice dripped with venom as she spat out her disdain for the Dowager Queen. "That wretched hag has dared to undermine every decree I've issued within these palace walls. She still believes she holds the throne!" With a furious crash of her fists against the table, she continued, "She's even snatched control of the palace servants right from under me!"
"What is it you desire, my Queen?" Minister Lim inquired, fully aware of the dark request that would follow.
"I want that old crone cast out," Ji-Hye declared with a chilling resolve.
Minister Lim glared at his daughter, his voice dripping with disdain. "You are the Queen; wield your power and influence to banish her."
"She has her son to shield her, and the King can easily nullify my commands," Ji-Hye retorted, her frustration evident as she began to pace her chamber. "What we truly need is to ensnare her in a scandal so grave that even the King cannot intervene."
Minister Lim sighed and nodded. "I will do as you ask, Your Majesty, but you must be patient. This thing that you ask will take time to accomplish," he instructed Ji-Hye.
The Queen sighed, believing that her father was correct and that something like this must be carefully planned. "Very well, Father, I will leave this matter in your capable hands," she remarked, her tone laced with the disappointment of waiting.
Meanwhile, King Man-Ju with his entourage went to Prince Young-Sik's estate, where he saw Jin-Ri sitting by the window and drawing in the air with her hand. He signaled for his servants to leave so he could be alone with the court maiden. He then called out to Jin-Ri, "Hey, Miss Court maiden, could you come out for a while?"
"Your Highness?" Jin-Ri startled and snapping out of her daydreaming, she quickly ran out of the residence, brushed off her white mourning garments, and greeted the King, "What can I do for you, your Highness?" she asked while bowing
"The mourning period for my brother is about to end, and once it does end...The throne will claim the prince's estate." He told Jin-Ri and took her hand gently, "But don't worry, I will make sure that you have a good life here in the palace."
"Your Highness, why would the prince's estate be taken away?" She asked with utter surprise
Man-Ju grasped Jin-Ri's hand and conveyed, "The prince is dead, which means his estate and riches will be managed by the throne for the benefit of the Kingdom. As I mentioned, you need not concern yourself; I can promise you a life of abundance by offering you..."
"Please, Your Highness, don't continue," Jin-Ri said softly, withdrawing her hand.
Confused, Man-Ju can't help but ask the court maiden, "Is there something wrong? Do you not want a life of wealth and riches?"
Jin-Ri shook her head and said, "Forgive me, your Highness, but I can't. Please don't make me refuse after all the generosity you've shown me."
"Are you really going to turn me away? After all I have done for you, even with my brother gone?" Man-Ju asked, struggling to comprehend what it would take to win Jin-Ri's affection. "Why is that?"
"I'm not sure you can grasp this, but Prince Young-Sik has not only gained my respect and trust... he has also captured my heart," she replied gently.
"But he's gone! Can't you see that? Why cling to feelings for someone dead when I am right here, alive and present?" His voice began to escalate with frustration.
"Forgive me, your Highness, but I can't just let go of the prince...even if he is no longer here," She explained, her voice soft and laced with sadness
King Man-Ju's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness as he declared, "You once mentioned that only a fool would fail to trust me."
Jin-Ri lowered her gaze and replied gently, "I apologize, Your Highness; perhaps I am indeed a fool."
Man-Ju inhaled sharply, asserting, "You understand that I can compel you to obey me!" His tone was menacing.
With a timid smile, Jin-Ri met the King's gaze and responded, "Yes, you have that power, but will it truly bring you happiness, Your Highness?"
Unable to answer, Man-Ju shifted his gaze until he noticed something tied to the court maiden's back. "What is that thing on your back? Give it to me," he ordered the court maiden
Jin-Ri immediately unfastened the wrapped sword from her back, unwrapped the white cloth, and presented it to the King. "It is Prince Young-Sik's sword, Your Highness," she said to the King
King Man-Ju took the sword by the hilt and unsheathed it. Carefully examining the weapon, he marveled at how amazing the blade was. "Are you not aware that this does not belong to Young-Sik, but to our late brother Prince Seo-Joon?"
"I am aware, Your Highness," Jin-Ri simply replied with a meek voice
"This is now the property of the Kingdom! I can have you arrested for not returning it!" Man-Ju said and, in a moment of malice, pointed the tip of the sword at Jin-Ri's throat. To his astonishment, the court maiden did not flinch, nor did her eyes show fear. He threw the sword to the ground and scowled, "Keep it! Both of its previous owners are dead, I don't want to own something that could bring me the same fate!"
Jin-Ri picked up the sword, returned it to its sheath, and tied it to her back before bowing to the King. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said
Realizing that the moment was lost, Man-Ju turned his back on the court maiden and stormed away, but as he did, one thought kept running through his mind, "You will be mine, one day you will be mine, Hong Jin-Ri! And you will do so of your own accord."
Jin-Ri stood in silence as the King gestured for his entourage and departed, leaving her alone in the fading light. Her eyes wandered to the grand residence of Prince Young-Sik, taking in every detail of the magnificent structure. "The cold wind has been relentless, Yong. Is this truly the end for us? Have you really left me forever?" she whispered, her voice trembling as tears cascaded down her cheeks. "I refuse to believe you are gone, that you are beyond my reach, yet deep down, I know I must face this truth. When the first snow blankets the ground... I will leave this place and return to Mount Yangge." With a heavy heart, she wiped her tears and stepped into the prince's home.