Sohee POV

Howon and I spent the next two weeks trying to figure out his disease and how to cure it. We determined that the high density of pollen in the upper mountain air helped to alleviate the pain and discomfort he felt and with the continued exposure to it, he had no symptoms of disorientation. Unfortunately, whenever we would travel below the dense pollen level, the symptoms would gradually return. The medicine I had given him when he first appeared at my doorstep, helped to return him to a healthier state, but it couldn't cure him of his disease.

"So there really is no cure" he sighed and collapsed on the bed.

"I've tried my best" I replied apologetically. "I just can't pinpoint the root cause. I've never seen anything like this" I pulled my hair in frustration.

He leaned over, took my hands in his and smiled "Don't get so worked up."

"How can I not? You've been here for two weeks already and we still can't figure this out! It's only a matter of time before they start venturing higher up the mountain!"

He pulled me closer and wrapped me in his arms. "Calm down, Sohee" he whispered in my ear reassuringly. "Whether we find the cure or not, I'm just glad I was able to meet you."

"What are we going to do Howon?"

"Well... I don't think I should be the Crown Prince anymore, but I can't lay that burden on my younger brother just yet" he pondered. "There are too many greedy people in the court and he is too young and naive. My father is insistent that I take the throne, so he doesn't even encourage my brother to learn anything." He sighed in frustration "It's going to take some time for me to get my brother ready to take my place."

I perked up a little. "I have an idea!"

"What?"

"Since you came here to find a way to cure your disease" I smiled. "You can tell your father that you felt better while here, but that you don't feel fully cured yet. Then you can ask him to send you back here periodically for 'treatment'. We can use this time to work on the medicine so that it can last longer and you will have time to teach your brother. Finally, when your brother is ready to take your place, you can come live here."

"I like the idea of living here with you" he smiled. "Okay! Let's do this!"

Prince Howon POV

Following Sohee's plan, she lead me down the mountain and showed me the path to the temple. As I emerged from the mountain path, I faked a stagger and collapsed to my knees. As if on cue, everyone came rushing towards me.

"Where have you been?" "We've been looking for you for weeks!" "Are you okay?" they all shouted.

"Make room!" a familiar voice called out over all the commotion.

I looked up and was surprised "Father? What are you doing here?"

Ignoring my question, he turned to his attendants and said "Take him to his room and summon the doctor immediately!"

His attendants rushed forward and helped me up by the arms. "This way Your Highness" one said as they escorted me to a room.

No sooner had they helped me into the bed, a physician came in hurriedly. He made short work of putting his things down and grabbing what he needed. "Let me check your pulse, Your Highness." I gave him my wrist and he got to work. After carefully examining my pulse, he asked "How are you feeling, Your Highness?"

I guess it's now or never. "I'm feeling much better than I did before. A little disoriented, but much better."

"The disorientation is to be expected, Your Highness. You have been lost for nearly three weeks" the doctor nodded.

"Where have you been?" My father asked from behind the doctor.

"I got lost in the mountain" I replied. "I just kept wandering around in circles till I finally found the temple."

I could see a frown appear on my father's face. I don't think he believes me.

He turned to the doctor and asked "How is he?"

"His pulse is very stable, Your Majesty."

"Is he cured?"

The physician looked back at me and sighed. Then he turned to my father and said "I'm afraid not, but he is healthier than he was before."

"Thank you, Doctor. You may go" my father stated and the physician quickly packed up and left. Then he commanded everyone else to leave the room. Once we were alone, he asked again "Where were you?"

I knew he didn't believe me. 

"I was lost in the mountain." I stuck to my lie.

"Really? Then why aren't you dead? If you had truly been lost for that long without food or water, you should be dead. So, I'll ask one last time, Where... Were... You?"

I guess I have to come up with some kind of excuse now. "Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I was being chased by an assassin, so I ran into the mountain. When I finally lost the assassin, I realized I was lost. As I was trying to find my way back to the temple, I found an abandoned house. Since it was close to nightfall, I decided to use it as a shelter. The next morning, I found a few fruit trees as I was searching for the way back, so I picked a few and ate them along the way so I wouldn't starve. The next thing I knew, it was getting dark again and I was back at the abandoned house. Every day I tried to find my way back, but I always ended up back at that house. I was so relieved that today I was able to find my way back to the temple."

"And this is the truth?"

"Yes, Father."

"Who was this assassin? Who sent them?"

"I don't know" I replied. "I didn't have the chance to find out. I was just trying to escape."

"Okay, I'll believe you for now" he thought for a moment. "Keep your guards closer next time."

"Yes, Father. I will."

"Get some rest" he said in more of a command than a statement. "We leave first thing tomorrow morning."