Secret of the Red Lotus Flower (빨간 연꽃의 비밀)

Chapter 3

That night, Soo-yun could not sleep. Every creak and groan of the building would jolt her back awake. The shadows seemed oppressive and it felt like the room was slowly shrinking. She knew it was irrational to feel this way and she was probably the safest that she'd ever been in her life with guards all around to protect the future Crown Princess.

Finally, after having sleep elude her for hours, Soo-yun kicked off her blankets and got out of bed. The air in the bed chamber felt suffocating and she had the sudden urge to leave, if only for a couple hours. This could be her last chance for a few fleeting moments of freedom before her life is irreversibly changed.

There was a nearby archery field that she knew about. Her brother and other young noblemen would go there to use their bows. However, at this time of night, it should be empty of anyone and she might be able to see the stars. It wasn't the countryside but the closest thing that she could find within the city.

Soo-yun quickly got dressed and wound her hair back into a simple chignon, weaving the ribbons of her favorite baetssi daenggi hair decoration into her braid. Stepping out into the hallway, she saw that her maid, Yeo-jin, had decided to sleep there instead of asking another servant to watch over her mistress's needs that night. Soo-yun felt a slight twinge of affection and guilt for her caring maid, her steadfast loyalty, and what she was about to ask of her.

"Wake up, Yeo-jin," said Soo-yun as she shook her maid awake.

"Is it morning, mistress?" Yeo-jin asked as she stretched and rubbed her eyes.

"No, however, I feel the need for some fresh air," Soo-yun informed her maid. "I want to walk to the archery range that my brother practiced at. I believe it is near."

"Oh, mistress. It's far too late and dangerous to go out like that alone. What if someone saw you out at this hour? Your father would punish me if anything happened to you," Yeo-jin begged.

Soo-yun hadn't thought about that. She had been more concerned about getting out of the Detached Palace and getting some fresh air that the whole logistics of it slipped her mind. Her father would be livid if he found out that she snuck out or disgraced herself, ruining the plans he had put into place decades ago.

"Fine, I can't go out like this," Soo-yun conceded but pressed on before her maid thought she had abandoned her plans complete. "Find me a neoul veil and a guard you trust. I will wait half an hour for you to return and will leave by myself if you don't."

"Of course, mistress. I won't let you down," the young woman promised before running off to complete her tasks, leaving Soo-yun alone again.

The future Crown Princess stayed out in the hall near the open entrance while she waited for her maid's return. She could have gone back inside where things were nominally more comfortable. However, it felt too oppressive and was just a reminder of why she was stressing out. Instead, she merely paced back and forth outside while she waited.

After almost 30 minutes had passed and Soo-yun's resolve nearly fleeing, she heard the crunch of gravel as Yeo-jin and a young guard came running around the corner. Yeo-jin was carrying in one hand a wide-brimmed hat with black silk veil hanging along the edges while dragging a young guard in the other. Soo-yun was glad to see that her maid had been able to find a neoul on such a short notice.

"This is Kwang-sun," Yeo-jin panted as she tried to catch her breath. "He agreed to escort us to the archery field and not to tell a soul about it either."

Soo-yun looked the guard over. Kwang-sun was actually quite young, probably a few years younger than she was. Although plain and dull in appearance with the beginnings of a full beard, he had the bearing of someone with at least some experience with dangpa spear. Honestly, she didn't care much about that as long as he knew his way around Hanseong and his presence placated Yeo-jin enough to allow her to leave the Byeolgung grounds.