6. Bumping Into Shadows

With steady, yet quiet steps, a tall man, hidden under a wide black hat, entered through the large wooden gates of the only place in the city where red lanterns were brighter than the cheeks of a bride on her wedding night. He went straight to the room that he knew so well, stepped in and closed the door fast behind him to not let anyone see the woman sitting and waiting in there, in her black skirt and mauve top.

"So you have updates. The man in the other room finally did a move." asked Lee Sun, fixing his gaze upon Madam Moon.

Every time Madam Moon wanted to inform the Prince about something, she would meet one of the girls working in the palace's kitchen, who was placed there by Madam Moon herself as she considered the girl was too skilled and bright to be lost in this house of frivolous pleasures. They would meet in the market and give her a handful of dill. The Prince would know who sent it as he hated this condiment.

"Strange things have been happening since your last visit, Your Majesty. The same night you left this place, he told me to prepare a girl. You know that he never asks for girls while he stays here." whispered Madam Jang, while kept looking at the door.

"That would not seem that strange to me…" replied Lee Sun, slightly annoyed.

"No, no Your Majesty. It is somehow strange because he also had specific requests."

Lee Sun bent over as he became more interested.

"He asked about the tattoos my girls have.You know that all get one if they work in this house. And also he asked to not see the tattoo on the girl that will enter his room." spoke Madam Moon

"Maybe it is just a fantasy of him," laughed Lee Sun.

"I do not believe so. Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I think he did not want the girl, but something else. This girl I sent to his room is sick. Her mind is not sane and every time a man touches her she makes a scene. No man could sleep with her till now and I only keep her to take care of the house and the other girls. After Minister Jang left, I entered the room and she spoke as they did something and claimed that he was rough even on her. But, Your Majesty, I promise you that he did not touch her as a man. Nobody can. This girl is not a normal girl." said Madam Moon with a worried face.

Lee Sun thought for a moment. Maybe Madam Moon is not exaggerating. Maybe Minister Jang is hiding another thing and he is using that girl for something.

"When was the last time here?" asked the Prince, with squinting eyes.

"This happened five nights ago, Your Majesty. Two nights ago he was here too, as normal, meeting some merchants, gentlemen. Nothing special." said Madam Moon.

"Very well, then. Keep an eye on him and on that girl. Let me know as soon as possible if there is something important." spoke Lee Sun while standing up to leave the room.

Of course, Your Majesty. I won't accompany you out tonight. I shall inform you soon about other updates." replied Madam Moon after standing up immediately and slightly bowing her head.

Gently pulling the brim of his large hat over his face, Lee Sun stepped out of the wooden gates, into the dark alleys. The nights of the end of July are usually calm and warm, but that night it was chilly and a crisp wind blowing through the trees, covering the sound of the crickets by the rustling of the leaves.

Rushing to arrive at the Palace before the rain would begin, Lee Sun increased the speed of his pace. Also he was out alone, without his guard and to avoid complicating things in his quarters, he moved faster, keeping his face to the ground. The streets were empty and with each step another lamp was fading away and the moon getting more and more opaque behind the thick black clouds.

A strong wind blew Lee Sun`s face and he felt his eyes filled with dust that made him tear suddenly. Rushing to rub his sore eyes and trying to squeeze his sight to see ahead, he immediately clashed into someone.

"Watch out, you…!" shouted Lee Sun mad, but stopped as soon as he bumped into someone who fell to the ground.

A short figure, trapped under puffed garments and head hidden under a cloak, was struggling to get up.

"I did not see you coming this way. Let me help you." talked Lee Sun while being over and spreading his right arm.

The shadow stood up alone, refusing the arm and turned face up showing a very familiar sight for Lee Sun. A person who he had seen before. The eyes, not common and this stubborn fragility that made him once tormented.

The girl turned her face down immediately and ran past him. The Crown Prince stood tall in the pouring rain and looked behind him, following with his eyes the rushing figure who's flowy velvet black cloak was fading into the darkness.