GISEANG PARLOR

The entire room grows silent for a second or two after Baek Dol speculated that the attacker might be a woman. Man Ho exchanged glances with his underling and both of them burst into heavy laughter.

"What? The attacker happen to be a woman?" Dong Ju asks still laughing.

"You must be joking." Man Ho adds with laughs too.

"I know it sounds awkward." Baek Dol whispers and bursts into laughter too, even though he is really pained with the way they laughed at him and turned him to a Joker.

Man Ho stops laughing and frowns. "There is no time to be joking or playing now. We have just three days left to find that man."

"I will do my best sir to support you." Baek Dol says and bows.

"If you assist us well, I promise to reward you well." Dong Ju adds.

"There is a giseang parlor I heard of, it allows people to display their martial arts ability and archery skills. I think we should go there, at least, we might get an hint on something." Baek Dol whispers.

"Now, you are talking." Man Ho says getting very interested already. "So how do you think we can get in?"

"That place is actually meant for highly positioned people and influential members. The only way we can get in is by volunteering to showcase your martial arts too."

Man Ho sighs deeply, contemplating on what to do. "That is the only way I can come face to face with the attacker we have been looking for actually."

"Yes." Baek Dol nods. "We never can say, you might come in contact with that person and even spar."

"That good." Dong Ju whispers and nods. "Should I go and volunteer myself?" He asks his boss.

"No, I will do that myself." Man Ho rejects the offer. "I have to do all this myself and make sure there are no mistakes." He looks at Baek Dol and says. "When can I go to volunteer myself?"

"Everyday, so far it's in the morning."

"Alright, I will go there very early tomorrow morning."

*************

Suk-bin quickly stands and bows immediately on sight of the king. "Your majesty."

"Have a seat." The king says calmly and takes his position as the eldest in the room.

"How are you doing? You look so sad, is everything okay with you?" She asks as if she doesn't know what his problem is.

"It's saddens my heart a lot that i will be sending my own mother out of the palace." He whispers sadly.

"Please don't be, you are doing all of these for the sake of the nation."

"The most devastating part of it is that she will have to shave her head."

"You have to do that, shaving her head is the only way the people will know you are really punishing her for her crimes." Suk-bin whispers trying to be sorry but her gestures doesn't look sorry.

"I feel like there is one more person that I have to please aside the people." The king whispers as he locks eyes with his mistress.

"Who is that?" The Royal noble consort asks.

"You, Suk-bin. You!" He sighs and continues. "It's not easy at all for one to experience those things you experienced and choose to be still strong and keep on fighting."

"You flatter me with your words your majesty." She whispers shyly.

"I wish I can console you with something everlasting but unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about it. Is there anything I can do to ease your pains of loosing five children because of my mom?" The king asks directing the question to anyone in particular.

"Your majesty." Suk-bin calls and moves to his side embracing him gently. "It's all in the past now."

"But it's not something that is easy to forget or let go at all."

"Let's forget the past, focus on the present and prepare for the future."

The king let loose of the embrace and looks at his mistress helpless. "Even after all my mom did, I still find it very difficult to punish her. I have failed again as a husband, father and son."

She would have loved to agree to the last thing he said but it's best if she does not. "Stop saying that your majesty, I know it's not easy to punish one's mother."

"Once the queen dowager is out of the palace tomorrow, you will be free again to move around and take visitors as you wish."

"Thank you your majesty." Suk-bin says with a bow.

"I promise to make it up to you." He whispers and holds her hands. "Just bear with me."

"You have done more than enough already your majesty."

He slowly releases her hands and remembers there is something he needs to ask her. "Have you seen my beaded necklace by any chance?"

With shock and a bit of fright, Suk-bin shakes her head and retorts. "No!"

"Where could I have dropped it then?" The king asks looking round the room. "I mustn't loose that necklace for any reasons."

"May I know why you cherish that necklace so much?" She asks being a little sneaky.

The king takes a deep breath and tells a short story. "I remember clearly, when I was a kid, I fell very ill. Everyone thought I was going to die because I didn't happen to respond to any treatments at all. No one was optimistic about my health condition except my mom, she would make herbs herself, go to the temple to say prayers against evil spirits. One day, a monk told her to make that necklace and say some prayers on it for seven days, she did and it worked for me. I regained my strength again."

Suk-bin rolls her eyes and quickly thinks of it, won't she later regret her actions of taking the bead off him the night before when they were intimate? Whether she regrets it or not, it of no use now, her horse is already galloping, she can't possibly jump off. "I see" she whispers calmly.

"In case you help me find it, let me know about it."

"Yes." She nods.