82: The Death of Seja Miju- Sejabin Athea

The boat reached the dock, with Min Jun and Dan, strolling in hurry among the crowd. Ever since they got a message from Taeyang a few days back, they left China at once. Though Min Jun was still slowly recovering, for him, this matter was much more important.

In the midst of the crowd, the two could see a man was waiting for them. Along with him were two more men and two horses. Upon seeing the arrival, Dan immediately ran towards the man.

"How's she? How's Soo Young?!" his breath became heavy and irregulate.

"Nobody is allow to enter the room. We have done everything..." Asura hung his head low.

"What do you mean? That's not fair!" Dan wailed. He looked at Min Jun. The man calmly stood there, handing his bag to one of the man.

"Daegum, I'm afraid the matter is serious. There's a foul play. Soo Young-ssi was false accused. Somebody set her up," said Asura.

"Do you think our cover got blown, Asura?"

The man nodded. Min Jun glared at Dan. He could see how anxious the man was, worrying about the safety of his wife.

"Let's start the journey, or else we'll never reach the kingdom on time," Min Jun patted Dan's shoulder. He gave him an assurance look.

"Don't worry. By hook, or by crook, we'll find a way to solve this matter," said the prince.

***

"How can I trust you, manora jaga?" asked Sun An. He was in disbelief upon hearing what he just heard.

"It's up to you, governor. I've told you everything..."

"So, you told me, the case was handed by the royal council to Jang Bin? For real?"

"They entrust her for everything; the funeral, the case, everything. As I am the Sejabin, my focus solely only for Seja. I need to mourn, pray and keep myself next to the deceased all the time, non stop," said Athea. Sun An sighed as he frowned hard.

"The close family should be the one who handle the funeral. Wife, parents or children. Jang Bin, she's just a Bin..."

"Jang Bin is not just any Bin. Do you know how got her position?" asked Athea.

Sun An innocently shook his head. He might be a man full of knowledge. But, for him, royal business is a private matter. And, it's not his nature to stick his nose in anyone's business.

"Do tell me now, although it's not that important," said Sun An. He tried to listen attentively. Who knows, maybe it might patch up some blanks.

"After giving birth to du beonjjae gongju, the physician told me I can't bare any more child. I was bleeding so bad. I almost die," Athea threw her sight outside the window. "That's a horrofied news. As Sejabin, I should be able to bore a male heir."

The information enlightened the way. Sun An nodded softly, grasping the idea on how Jang Bin could have her current position.

"Jang Bin gave birth to the first male heir of this kingdom. Too bad that she's just a Bin! But, that didn't stop jeoha mama to bestow her for her so called braveness and sacrifice," tears slowly rolling from the eyes of a woman who got hurt from the beginning until the end.

"So, jeoha mama let her rule?"

"Not really. But, she always have her way when it comes to make any decision. Plus, her family works with the ethic department, her father used to be a minister of cultural. So, her knowledge is well known among the others," Athea wiped away the tears and nack to her old self; calm but cold.

"Why she's not end up becoming Sejabin?" a big question from Sun An that made Athea sighed heavily.

"Jeonha mama didn't favor her. Although she seems perfect for the post, but her personal attitude is something that she lacks on. She loves parties and late night hangout at the questionable places like tea houses. That's why, she failed during the sejabin selection," Athea answered.

"She knows her way there, then. She must know a lot of people outside the castle..."

"Yes. When she was mingling around, she met my brother. And they eventually became friends..."

Sun An frowned. So that explained why Athea's brother was there during the tarot card visitation!

"So... All this time... I thought..." Sun An was freezing up when his eyes met Athea's. She blinked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You thought what?"

Sun An sighed. He believed he had no reason to keep anything from Athea anymore. If this lady had a malice, she might already kill her by now.

"Since the attack at The Red Ruby, daegum asked Asura and Indra to conduct an investigation. They did, and..." Sun An's hanging words made Athea sat on the edge.

"And?"

"I happened to know about this later. They said, jeoha mama was planning to kill daegum. Someone saw him having a gathering outside the palace with some people who had a connection to the attack. One of them is your orabeonim, manora..."

Athea frowned. She sighed as she slowly connected the dots.

"So, based on that, you think–"

"We have no reason not to associate you with attempted assassination, manora. Your orabeonim was there with them," said Sun An.

"You have to know something..."

Sun An lifted his brows. Athea took a deep breath before she speaks.

"We have a bad relationship. At least, according to me. Since he took over the throne, he seemed to ghost me away from my family. He is closed to jeoha, but he never treats me well," Athea sighed. "I think, I kinda know what's happening behind me..."

"You mean, jeoha and your orabeonim, they were allies?" Sun An shot a question.

"But, for what?"

It seems like there're too many questions to answer, and too much people tangled to each other.

"I think, I found a solution. But, you have to brace up yourself, manora...."

Athea's eyes turn larger as Sun An slowly stood up from his seat, and getting closer towards her.