SungJong POV

Today I was so excited. I would finally be able to spend time with Jiae. I had seen her from afar, but today I could show my affection for her. Of course, my excitement was shattered when I found out that my father had invited Lord Jang's daughter too. Why does my father want me to marry her?

It seemed as though all the other nobles thought like me too, because once we were allowed to walk by ourselves, no one paid her any attention.

I was having a great time walking and talking with Jiae. She was not only beautiful, but kind and smart. She really would make the perfect wife.

"Look" she pointed across the pond.

"What is she doing here?" my happy mood was ruined.

"Why don't we play a little trick on her?" Jiae giggled.

I smiled and said "Okay."

Jiae snuck up behind Daeun and, just before she could turn to see her, Jiae pushed her into the pond. We both burst into laughter and then we continued on our walk.

The day passed quickly and soon the sun was slowly setting. As everyone was gathering to go home, Lord Jang looked around nervously. I saw him walk up to my father and I quickly ran over to see what was going on.

"Have you seen Daeun?" Lord Jang asked my father.

"No" my father replied. Seeing me, he then asked "Have you seen her Sungjong?"

"Not for some time" I replied.

"Let's split up and look for her" my father suggested and ordered his servants to go and look for her while he and Lord Jang also took off in search of her.

I found out later that my father had found her at the pond. I felt a bit bad about the prank, but was too ashamed to admit it.

Dongwoo POV

A couple of days after our trip to the palace, I received a strange letter from the temple asking me to make a visit. I found it odd because it was very unusual for anyone to be summoned by the monks.

The next day I made my way to the temple and was greeted by the head monk.

"Thank you for coming" he bowed. "My name is Soryong. I'm sure you are confused as to why we have asked you to come here."

"Actually, yes I am. Why did you want to see me?"

Soryong pulled out an old document and handed it to me "This is why we called for you."

I looked at the document and was shocked. "This.... This...."

"This is all part of the Royal Command head monk Daeryong received from King Lee and Queen Jang. We were told to summon you today and allow you to view all the documents in our possession. Also," he pulled out another document and handed it to me "we were to deliver this letter to you."

"Letter?"

"I will take my leave. You may stay for as long as you like and are free to come back whenever you wish" Soryong said as he stood and bowed before leaving the document room.

I opened the letter and was shocked once more. "What the hell is going on?"

I couldn't even begin to comprehend this outrageous situation. It made no sense. It was too unbelievable. To try and make sense of it all, I began looking through the documents hoping to find the answers to my questions. However, after looking through everything, I was left more confused than I was before.

"There is only one place I'll find the answers" I muttered to myself as I looked back at the letter that was given to me.

Hoya POV

It had been a long day filled with paperwork and I had just laid down when Woohyun called out to me "Jeonha."

"What now?" I shouted.

"Jang Dongwoo is here to see you" he replied.

What would he be doing here at this hour? "Let him in."

Dongwoo came in, but the look on his face had me concerned. "Jeonha" he bowed.

I smiled, chuckled and said "It's just the two of us here. You don't have to be so formal."

Dongwoo sighed "If it were for anything else, I would but....." he trailed off and then suddenly he bowed low to the ground. "Jeonha!" he nervously called out to me.

"What is it, Dongwoo? You are making me nervous."

"I must ask for a favor from you, Jeonha."

What is troubling him? "Tell me...... and if it is within my power, I shall grant it."

"I need access to the inner gardens this evening."

The inner gardens? "That shouldn't be a problem" I smiled. "We can go right away."

"No, Jeonha" he looked at me seriously. "I must go alone. No one else may be present."

"Can you tell me why?"

"No" he replied flatly.

This is unprecedented, but Dongwoo has always been a true and loyal friend to me. He would never do anything to doubt my trust in him, right? "You may go."

He looked up at me in shock and I smiled. "Thank you, Jeonha!" he bowed low once more before quickly rushing out of the room.

It was a few hours before he returned.

"Dongwoo!" I smiled when he stumbled back into my room.

The look on his face was one I would never have expected. "Hoya" he spoke so softly I almost didn't hear him. "We should stop with our plans to marry Daeun and Sungjong."

I was shocked "Why?"

He looked up at me and our eyes met. I had never seen him look so serious before in my life. Where had my smiling friend disappeared to?

"You must trust me Hoya. Fate has a far greater destiny in store for Daeun."

"What's going on Dongwoo? Why are you acting so strange?"

He contemplated deeply before responding "I was summoned to the temple today."

"The temple?"

"Yes" he spoke with caution. "That is why I came here this evening. There was something I needed to confirm."

Dongwoo POV

"And what would that be?" Hoya asked stoically.

"Hoya, I know that you are confused and want answers, but I can't tell you everything that has happened."

"Why not?" Hoya was shocked. "We always said that we could tell each other everything. Why would you break that trust now?"

I sighed "This is difficult to say, but I can not tell you everything because I received a Royal Command from King Lee and Queen Jang."

Hoya's eyes widened in shock. "You did! What did it say?"

I sighed again "I knew you would ask if I told you." I smiled a bit "I was given access to the records at the temple....." I saw Hoya's eye flicker in anticipation and hope. "With the understanding that I not disclose the contents of the documents to anyone."

Hoya sulked back to his previous state. "Figures" he mumbled.

"I'm sorry Hoya. I really am. I wish I could tell you everything I have learned, but it's just not the right time yet."

"And when will it be the right time? When I'm dead?" he pouted.

I couldn't help but smile and chuckle at his childishness. "Don't be so impatient" I spoke knowingly. "You will learn everything before you die. I can at least promise you that" I smiled brightly for him.

"I still don't understand" he thought hard on the situation. "Why you? Why now?"

"That was what I came here to find out" I sighed. "And now that I know the truth, I'm not sure what I should do."

"Dongwoo......."

I sensed the worry in Hoya's voice and quickly smiled. "The only thing I can say for now is that Daeun can not marry Sungjong."

"Are you sure about this? You won't regret it?"

"I'm certain" I spoke truthfully. "I will never regret this decision as long as it makes my daughter happy. Besides, Sungjong has another girl in his heart. As his father, you should be aware of that."

"He does?" his eyes widened.

I chuckled at him a bit "You really should pay more attention to your son, Hoya."

"Are you lecturing me now?"

"I would never do that" I sarcastically said and we both laughed. Once we had settled down, I spoke more serious than before. "Jeonha, there is one more favor I must ask of you."

"Enough with the seriousness! Just tell me what you want."

"If something should happen to me....."

"What are you talking about? Has someone threatened you?" he quickly interrupted me.

I shook my head. "Jeonha......"

"I told you to stop being so serious!"

I sighed "Hoya....."

"That's better" he smiled.

"I've been thinking about this a lot lately. My daughter is still young and if anything were to happen to me she would have no one to rely on."

"Dongwoo......"

"Hoya, you are my best friend. If something should ever happen to me, could you promise me that you will look after her?"

Hoya smiled and said "I would have done it without you asking."

I breathed a sigh of relief and we both smiled.

I finished the tea Hoya had served and made my way home. When I arrived, I went to Daeun's room and saw her sleeping peacefully.

"Father?" she spoke groggily. "What's wrong?" she asked as she opened her eyes in surprise.

It was then that I realized I was crying. "It's nothing" I replied. Then I leaned over her and gave her a hug. "I love you Daeun."

"I love you too" she replied as she hugged me back.