Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Chapter 5

As Aaliyah enters the bath house Royal Concubine meets her. The skills inventory interview doesn't go as well as Aaliyah hopes when Royal Concubine realizes that she can't read or write. As Aaliyah leaves the room she finds Fourth Prince Andrew Anson in the hallway. Happy to see him she chatters animatedly about her hope that this new life will work for her. She tells him that she's relieved she didn't have to marry his father and thanks him. He startles her when he grabs her wrist. Looking at her wrist he tells her that she could have died if she cut just a little bit deeper. Aaliyah says she didn't cut deeper and she didn't die. Andrew asks that she know what it's like to live with a scar for the rest of her life. He tells her being a court lady isn't as glamorous as she thinks and she's, in essence, a prisoner of the palace. Andrew demands to know why she didn't take the path that would make her life easy by marrying his father. Aaliyah doesn't know why she did that. She told herself that she should just marry him. But in the end she couldn't do it. She looks into his eyes and states "no one can save me but myself. I thought of the idea and I followed through and now I have a scar". Andrew looks at her and calls her a fool, but he says it gently. He tells her not to hurt herself again. If she does, he won't forgive her. He stares at her with an intensity that unnerves her.

Andrew takes Aaliyah to a lovely Lake. He gives her the hard facts: don't trust anyone, exiting the palace is almost impossible, and you're always alone. Aaliyah looks out over the lake and declares she's not alone. Andrew asks how that's true. She tells him he's there with her, how can she be alone? He warns her not to be reckless. She declares she is who she is and she'll make this work. With grudging admiration, he admits his belief in her. In the most darling complement ever, Andrew tells Aaliyah that now that a noisy little chit like her is at the palace, it won't be boring ever again. He smiles and walks away. She smiles and follows him. 

A General and his daughter, Aria Krii, arrive at the palace. She's sporting a bearskin, including the head, as a gift for someone. The General greets the King Brody and apologizes for coming to him straight off the horse without washing first. The King thanks the General for taking care of Andrew. The General says that Andrew is a talented man and teaching him martial arts was a joy. The General states that if Andrew didn't have that scar on his face, he would be the perfect Crown Prince. The King asked the General if the Crown Prince is it right for that role. The General declares the Crown Prince while a skilled fighter has too soft of the heart to be a great leader. The King walks away.

Cameron tells the General that he's going to have to learn tact and sense if he's going to survive at the palace. The General asks Cameron what Andrew is learning at the palace.

Andrew and the princes play a variation of the game I call chicken. Andrew and the princes are schooled by a tutor.

Andrew walks with the General and tells him that he's learned enough martial arts, it's time to concentrate on learning to fill his brain with knowledge. The General tells Andrew he has the ability to understand who should live and who should die. The General tells him that no matter what he'll eventually have to pay for what he's done. Andrew says the General taught him how to kill to protect. He notes recently he stopped trouble in the royal family, so he protected the nation. The General asks why he wants to live in the palace. If Andrew returned to his home, he would have the upper hand. Andrew says it's time that he learned how to interact with the royal family. The General wonder what's the allure of being King that makes his mother and brothers so enraptured? The General wonders if Andrew isn't angling to become King.

Royal Concubine and Aaliyah visit Queen Gabriella who has complained of headaches. When Queen Gabriella sees Aaliyah and asks how she's adjusting to being a court lady. With enthusiasm Aaliyah says that she would be happy to make the Queen soaps, do her makeup, or whatever she can do to serve. Royal Concubine reprimands Aaliyah for her forwardness and tells her to leave the room. Aaliyah leaves. Queen Gabriella asks Royal Concubine how her stomach pains are. Queen Gabriella says her headaches and Royal Concubine stomach pains are all due to the stress of Queen Sarah. She urges Royal Concubine to see a doctor. Royal Concubine thanks Queen Sarah for her thoughtfulness.