Journey Into the Knight

Chapter Thirty-Seven

YongSun wanted to throw up. She stood still as the servants primed every inch of her body. Two hours from now she would be standing at the altar, across from Eric, saying the two words that would seal her future to his forever. She never thought it would get this close. She always assumed they would finish the mission long before this, that she would already be back at the Knight before this day ever arrived, but she was willing to do this for them. If anything she knew a fair amount of the royal secrets that they would be able to take the court down from the inside, hopefully exposing the king for what he is. That was the one regret YongSun had. She managed to tap into every single mind of the court, except the one that mattered the most. Trying only left her bedridden, proving she wasn't at the skill level she should be. There was something very dark about the king, something that needed to be stopped, perhaps if she has to marry Eric she can use that as her opportunity to get stronger and reveal the king's dark mind. "My Lady?" YooJin interrupted her thoughts. "I asked if you were ready?" YongSun mentally shook her head, she needed to be here, she couldn't afford to slip into her mind yet, she needed to be sharp and aware. "Yes." She answered.The group of servants led her into her bathing room. Her tub was filled with a milky white liquid, some sort of purification for the wedding. Some symbol of leaving her pure self behind, washing it away in preparation for consummation. She couldn't help but take pride in the small fact she was not pure, Byul made sure of that. Her heart ached at the thought of the warrior as they dipped her into the warm bath. She was sure she was going to see her by now, be with her. There was still time... or at least she hoped there was. She had barely spoken to TaeOh in the last few days, yesterday was most likely the last until after the wedding, they couldn't risk it, not now. She wished that last night she would have been awoken by him, telling her it was over, they could make their escape. But she awoke before dawn to YooJin, and the heard of servants, pulling her from the bed and starting the preparations. Since then YongSun had gone into an emotionless state. She let them do whatever they wanted to her, turning her into the bride she did not want to become, but this is what she promised to do, she would be the distraction they needed. And then they would come for her, she held on to that as she receded into herself. She needed to go through with this, it was her duty. TaeOh waited all night. He could not afford to sleep. He remained alert all night, making sure that if he heard one whisper of an attack, that he was at YongSun's room, taking her out of this place. However, the whole night passed with no word, which was a good sign. He still had to keep up appearances until there was some sign from the others. Everything had to be sure before they fled or they would be unsuccessful. TaeOh waited in anticipation all night and ever since the morning light started to show on the horizon. He wanted nothing more than to go up to YongSun's room right now and take her away from here because in two hours she would be tied to Eric in more than just a promise. He knew YongSun would go along with everything for the mission, even what followed the wedding, and he didn't want that for her, none of them did. There was one thing he could do right now. He had been working on it all night, something he could do for YongSun. Jin waited outside the barracks, just as TaeOh asked of him. TaeOh had known Jin for a good number of years now, he joined after TaeOh and Byul got back from the front lines. His information to Henry about the North, where he was from, earned him a spot in the castle and not on the front lines. TaeOh wanted to hate him at first, getting away with such privilege, but Jin was anything but a stuck-up boy. He fought hard for his position, being TaeOh's third. That was hard to believe now, there was so much that happened since YongSun's father died, it all seemed like another life, TaeOh hadn't been much of a leader since he got back. TaeOh led Jin to the edge of the castle grounds in silence. Only when they reached the limit, in a hidden spot he had used himself a few times to get off the grounds, did he turn to him. "I have a mission for you." He lied. "No one can know what it is or where you are going." Jin looked scared momentarily but he swallowed it well. "I want you to memorize this." He gave him a piece of parchment, mapped out was the location of where they were taking the survivors of the camp. He gave Jin a few moments to commit it to memory. "If you think you are being followed, don't go, go to a local tavern and stay there until you think it is safe." Jin was looking at him intently. "If you compromise this position then a lot of people will die, most likely including me and the princess." A dark expression passed over Jin's face. "I can not tell you what it is, I just need you to trust me that this is where you need to go."Jin was silent for a moment, then he nodded firmly. "I will not let you down." He handed the paper back to TaeOh, who immediately burned it. "I had a feeling something was going on, you've been different since... since Yul, that is all I thought it was."TaeOh sighed. "I wish I could tell you more, it will be explained eventually but this is for your safety. You will be met with resistance, tell them your name and you were sent by me, tell them the Sun sent you. If they do not understand that then ask for TaeOh's sister." Those words felt a bit foreign to him still, WheeIn was his sister, as was Byul, though they had not formed a strong enough connection yet, but he trusted she would understand the message."I didn't know you had a sister." Jin looked a bit confused. TaeOh smiled. "I have a few, something you will learn in time." He patted Jin on the back. "You must go now before the morning shift wakes and the night shift comes back, I will have you covered." Jin nodded. "You can count on me." He saluted TaeOh and started walking, casually looking around as he did, pretending to look at trees but looking for people who might see him, TaeOh taught him well. TaeOh knew that if Jin was the Lunarous there was no man purer to handle that sort of power. Byul arrived at the castle just past sunrise. She was all but ready to collapse on her horse, but she had to keep going. The hours it took to her here gave her time to come up with a plan. A crazy plan that would most likely get herself killed but it was the only thing she could think of, the only plan that would ensure YongSun and TaeOh got out... and hopefully her. She turned to the five of Blue's men that accompanied her, all looking equally exhausted, and gave them their orders. She didn't have much time to map it out for them, but they were Blue's men, which meant they were wronged by Henry in the past, meaning they most likely knew every nook and cranny of this castle better than she did. She left them after that, trying not to stumble her way onto castle grounds, she needed to find TaeOh now."You're insane," TaeOh growled at her. They were in their room at the barracks. She lucked out that he was still here. He was more than relieved to see her, and to hear of their success, that was until she told him her plan.Byul was sitting on her old bed, using the wall to support her back, keeping her upright, trying not to fall asleep. "There is no time for a different one TaeOh, and the fact the wedding is in less than two hours doesn't give us time to change it.""Then let me take your place." He was pacing the room.Byul shook her head. "Not a chance. You need to be where I need you to receive YongSun. I can get out, I know I can. They won't be expecting me." TaeOh just kept shaking his head. "TaeOh with JongKook's suspicions, there is no way they won't be watching you today." She knew he knew this, Byul was the only person that made sense, the walking ghost. "We just need to make sure YongSun knows the plan."TaeOh threw his hands up. "How? There is no way I can get close to her today for any reason, I risked it yesterday and I sent the only other person who could get close, off to find the others." He had told her about YongSun's plea to get Jin out of the castle, and Byul was thankful for it, he always felt like family. Byul thought for a moment, all the information YongSun was able to get from the court and TaeOh sent to them in code, who would be the best candidate to get this information to YongSun. "Eric wouldn't be seeing her until the ceremony." Byul thought aloud, not that she trusted him at all but YongSun expressed her trust in him...sort of. "What about her servant YooJin, she will be with her all day, we can get her a note?" TaeOh shook his head. "She won't leave YongSun's side today for anything.""What about Queen JooHee, She is still here isn't she?" TaeOh raised an eyebrow. "I don't think she would help us, and I don't think YongSun would want to see her at all.""But she will, it is customary to be given away by your family, they won't give up the tradition in the face of the king, JooHee will have to see YongSun before the ceremony no matter what." TaeOh stopped walking. "Still, how would we get the Queen to give YongSun a message for us? She would sound the guards immediately." That seemed likely, but still, she seemed to be the only resort. "I have another idea."TaeOh glared at her. "I hate when you say that with that face." Byul rolled her eyes and jumped from the bed, she had to prepare. Byul really hoped JooHee was the queen she remembered. The one who would look down on her servants, never giving them a second look, because if she recognized Byul now, the plan would go up in flames. Byul had knocked out one of the fifty or so delivery boys and took his uniform. They were running in all areas of the castle that no one would bat an eye at her. She tied her hair up so she could fit the cap over it, keeping her eyes down. She walked the familiar palace halls, knowing exactly where she was going. Queen JooHee would be leaving her chambers to go to YongSun's, the wedding was in an hour now, they would be there until the ceremony began so Byul had to move fast and do this right. JooHee walked right into her path as planned, Byul went sprawling to the floor, a bouquet sailing across the floor. "Watch where you are going." She snapped.Byul rushed for her flowers. "I'm s-sorry your grace." She said looking at the floor. "I was on my way to deliver these to the princess." She could feel JooHee's glare. "You are in the wrong wing." Byul put on her best performance. "Are you s-sure?" She pulled out a paper of the castle floors, looking it over. "I must have t-turned the wrong corner, oh my boss is going to be mad. If I don't get these flowers to the princess then I will lose my job, my family..." She trailed off. Making it sound like she had begun to cry. "Give me those." She snatched the flowers from Byul's hand. "Now get out of my sight before I get you detained." Byul bowed like ten times, still fake crying. "T-thank you, your grace." "Disgusting." She mumbled as she walked away, flowers still clutched in her hands. Byul made sure to follow her, making sure the queen made it to YongSun's chambers with the flowers, praying the message will get to her, it is the only way she can let her know what is going on. When the door closed behind the queen, Byul rushed off to her next task.YongSun couldn't breathe as they laced her into her dress. It was beautiful of course, only the finest for the future crowned princess. Rose gold fabric flowed around her, her shoulders were bare. Tiny leaf-shaped stones of the same colour were woven into lines down her skirts, getting more scarce as they reached the bottom. Her chest was looped with almost leaf-like designs of the stones, it was a beautiful dress but not the one she would have chosen for herself. Her hair was down and wavy, ending in tight curls. The long strands of her hair at the front of her face were braided back so her face was uncovered. Light makeup painted her face, except her lips, they have painted a deep red. YongSun could not sit in her dress, so until the ceremony started she would be stuck standing. Even worse, her mother had just shown up to her chambers as per tradition. Usually, it would be both her parents, and that left a bitter taste in her mouth, especially because her mother was the reason he was not here. She had not spoken to her mother since she told her to leave her alone, which seemed like ages ago, not a few days. She was of course dressed in a brilliant green gown, her hair was all pinned back and she was carrying a bouquet, which was strange for her. That was until she looked closer at the flowers, the bouquet was neatly arranged as any other, but there was something about these that made her look harder. "Where did you get those?" Her mother seemed surprised she was even talking to her.Her mother looked down at her hand and then back to YongSun. "A delivery boy was bringing them here, the apathetic child got lost and started to cry so I took them." She looked like she was about to throw them in the piles of other flowers YongSun received today.YongSun held up a hand. "Let me see those." They looked almost identical to the flowers they placed at Byul's village on memorial day, the ones TaeOh's mom made. YongSun's mother looked at her like she was losing it but she handed them over. YongSun turned them over in her hands. "Did they say who they were from?" Her mother shook her head. "They are pretty." She walked over to an empty vase and slid them into place, if anything she was glad for the reminder of Byul. As YongSun shifted them into place her finger grazed something, a paper, hidden deep in the stems of the flowers, impossible to see. She pulled it free gently. One sentence was on it, followed by a symbol she knew all too well, it made her heart stop for a moment. When the time comes, die. It was signed with Byul's moon.YongSun crumpled it in her hands, unsure of the meaning, but if Byul sent it that meant she was here and that YongSun would soon be free. "What did it say?" Her mother was watching her.YongSun tossed it into her lit fireplace and rolled her eyes. "Some admirers from the kingdom, their poetry sucks but the flowers are nice." She watched as the parchment burned to nothing, she was prepared to do whatever Byul asked of her. YongSun was being led by a group of women Queen Joy picked to be her escorts. They were all dressed in the same lilac gowns, YongSun could not tell any of them apart. They arrived at the back gardens where the wedding was taking place, her mother next to her. The setup was beautiful. She was greeted by an arch of roses, each as red as her lips. The ground was littered with white rose petals. Hardwood pews on either side of the walkway, leading up to a set of stairs, a small platform held Eric and the man who would wed them. The trees above were strung up with little gems, reflecting the midday light. Someone handed YongSun her bouquet, she wasn't even sure who. From here she could see the king and queen sitting in their pew, where YongSun's mother would join them in a few moments. Her bones were tired from holding her muscles so tight, in anticipation of what Byul had planned, and when it was going to go down. The band picked up their instruments and began to play, after a moment the ladies in front of YongSun started their descent of the aisle, she waited for a few beats before she followed them. YongSun saw the tight smile on Eric's face from here, the one that told her he wished that another woman was walking towards him right now, as YongSun was wishing there was someone else she was walking towards. Her mother placed a gentle hand on YongSun's, patting it gently. YongSun tried very hard not to pull her hand out of her mother's grasp, she could not make a show, not now. She endured her mother's touch until it was time to part ways. YongSun ascended the stairs on her own. There were only three, three stairs between her freedom and her being shackled to Eric. She held her head up high as she walked them, handing her flowers off to one of the ladies behind her. Eric was dressed in one of the warriors' uniforms, medals on his chest, as if he was some sort of war hero, it was an insult, one she wished to wipe off him. YongSun folded her hands tightly together. The man between them held up his hands. "Welcome everyone!" His voice boomed.YongSun had a hard time paying attention to him, her mind was going everywhere. She looked over everything, no one looked like they were out of place, she did not spot Byul or TaeOh and she could only hope that was a good thing. The man continued his speech, droning on and on with the familiar words of unions. "If anyone sees these two unfit to be wed, I ask you to come forth now." YongSun never understood why they said this, there would be no one in their right mind who would actually..."I do!" Every single head turned towards the voice. A figure stood in the middle of the walkway. The hood covering their face, connected to a form-fitting shirt that covered the arms. Green pants could be seen beneath the skirt that went halfway around, curling around knee-high black leather boots. "Guards!" The king called at the same time the person pulled their dagger free. YongSun knew that voice anywhere, just like she knew the blonde hair poking out. The guards began to move toward Byul, then the explosions started. So much smoke clung around them, making it hard to see even Eric. Hand grabbed her, she almost started to fight them. "Eat this." TaeOh's voice whispered in her ear at the same time he deposited something in her hand. Before she saw what it was she swallowed it and he disappeared just as quickly as he showed up. There was so much screaming and yelling around her. The king kept calling for the guards but he was further away, no doubt the first one they pulled away from the wedding. A different set of hands grabbed on to YongSun, a more familiar setting. "Get ready." Byul's words caressed her ear. The smoke began to clear, the crowd coming into view once again. Most of them were gone, but a few were frozen in fear, surrounded by hundreds of guards, all pointing swords in Byul's direction. None of them made a move because Byul's blade was at YongSun's throat.YongSun's vision was becoming blurry, the edges were going black. "This unholy union should never happen!" Byul spat with venom. "The princess should have never lived!" Then before anyone could move, Byul dragged her blade over YongSun's throat, warm blood running down her neck. "The princess of Thaiston is dead!" Byul yelled to them as she dropped YongSun to the ground, the world going black. "I love you." She heard Byul whisper to her as the third explosion went off and the world faded from her.