The night before the royal workers were supposed to leave, Beom Seok asked them if it was possible for them to take Jinwoon with them. The others listen to Beom Seoks arguments. Chulwoo took a peek at Sung Hoon before giving an answer. "You have to wait until Honorable Ki Ha comes. He's the one who can give the green light."
Beom Seok gave them a nod. "Then I'll have a talk with him, when he arrives." When Sung Hoon heard Beom Seok. He had a gleam in his eyes but he looked down to hide it. He didn't want Jinwoon to see the eagerness in his eyes. Jinwoon had been awkward towards him. Sometimes even walking around to avoid him. Jinwoon would be coming with them no matter what.
The next day before dawn Ki Ha arrived to pick them up. "Can we have a talk?" Beom Seok was already waiting for him. Ki ha shook his head. "If you can wait. I need to talk to someone else before I can talk to you." Beom Seok had a frown on his face. "Are you talking about Jinwoon? He is waiting for you in the workshop. Let me know when you finish talking to him." Beom Seok pointed at the building before walking back inside.
Ki Ha walked to the workshop and opened the door. Sung Hoon was sitting in front of the bottled machine with a far away look on his face. "My prince! I've missed you, did you miss me?!" Ki Ha ran towards Sung Hoon with his arms spread but before he could wrap his arms around Sung Hoon, the latter had stood up and gave him a soft push. "Don't, you give rashes."
Ki Han pouted. "We haven't seen each other for two weeks! How can you be so mean? Didn't you miss me? Don't I mean anything to you?" Sung Hoon glared at him. "Alright, Alright. I'll stop. Yeesh. You're so uptight. But how did it go? Is he the one?" Sung Hoon blinked a few times. "I'll take your silence as a no." Sung Hoon shook his head. "H... She's the one. Just like the elder said but she's been ignoring me like a plague." Ki Ha burst out laughing. "Did you say or do something bad to her?" Sung Hoon shook his head again. "I don't know. She might have experienced something else." Ki Ha turned serious.
"What did you feel?" Sung hoon got a far away look on his face. "Heat..." Ki Ha waited for Sung Hoon to tell him more but the latter had a dazed look on his face. "Then what are you going to do about it?" Sung Hoon didn't reply. Ki Ha jabbed his arm. "Huh? What?" "I asked what are you going to do about it?" Sung Hoon gave him a smile. "I'm taking her with us." Ki Ha stared at him like he was crazy. "What are you talking about?" Sung Hoon was already walking towards the door. "Go talk to Beom Seok." "Wait! I still have to tell you something1?"
Sung Hoon stopped but didn't turn around. He hated when Sung Hoon ignored him but the other was listening. "The Queen Dowager is still planning on holding the princess selection." Sung Hoon just scoffed before leaving. Ki Ha followed him outside wondering what was going on in Sung Hoon's mind. "What are you going to do about it?" Sung Hoon still didn't give an answer. "I'm your personal servant, shouldn't I know what is going on?" Sung Hoon looked around before giving him a deadly stare. "Not here."
Sung Hoon walked into the washroom to wash up, leaving a vexed Ki Ha behind. Ki Ha let out a frustrated breath before knocking on Beom Seok's door. "Beom Seok, sir. What did you want to talk about?" Beom Soek indicated the chair in front of him. "I wanted to ask if you could bring Jinwoon with you when you leave." Ki Ha looked surprised. "Ah, but of course, is Jinwoon also willing?" Beom Seok nodded. "Yes, he is." Ki Ha clapped his hand. "Then I don't see any problems. If that is all?" Ki Ha wanted to stand up but Beom Seok indicated for him to sit down again.
He knocked twice before pushing the door open. "Wake up! Get ready." Jinwoon was sitting on his bed with a scared look on his face. He turned to Beom Seok and his face turned dark. "Couldn't you knock! You scared the living day out of me!" Beom Seok didn't look impressed. "Stop being dramatic. Ki Ha agreed to take you with them. Wash up and pack up." Jinwoon looked surprised before giving Beom Seok a silly smile.
"I have nothing to bring with me." Beom Seok winched. "You're right. Come with me." Jinwoon followed Beom Seok to the room next to the kitchen. The room was a storage room with clothes. "Pick some." Jinwoon looked shocked. "Don't you need it yourself?" Beom Seok shook his head. "At the back are old clothes that are seldom worn. You can take some." Jinwoon walked further to the back and saw indeed clothes that were placed separate from the others. "But they look new?!"
Beom Seok smiled. "My wife is good at taking care of things like that." Jinwoon's mouth fell open. "You're married?" Beom Seok gave him glare. "Did you think I was an old bachelor?" Jinwoon wanted to shake his head but he just couldn't lie. His face had already betrayed him. Beom Seok gave him a slap on the back.
"I was quite a looker back in my days! I had girls and women chasing me everywhere I went." Jinwoon just laughed. "Why haven't I seen your wife?" Beom Seok's smile fell a little. "She's up north. My youngest daughter just had her first child. She's there helping her." Jinwoon again looked surprised. Beom Seok gave up. "I have 2 daughters and 3 sons. They all live in the capital except my youngest daughter." Jinwoon didn't know what to say. He had really expected for Beom Seok to be an old bachelor. 'Who would have thunk?'
"Let's hurry. I need to make breakfast." Jinwoon grabbed the clothes. Before leaving, Beom Seok stopped in front of some dresses. "Maybe?" Jinwoon shook his head. "I won't be crossdressing!" Beom Seok gave him an unimpressed look. "I thought you wanted to stay a woman? Are you going to act like a man in the capital?" Jinwoon nodded. 'Before I meet the prince, yes.' He was sure it would take a while before meeting the prince. He had no influence, wealth or present. He first needed to fix that.
"Alright. Here. Tell the other that breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes. Can you make sure that Do Hun and Jae Jin are awake? Tell them that there will be no breakfast if they don't help." Beak Seok handed him a sack for the clothes. Jinwoon laughed and took the sack. He put the clothes in it and left it near the door. When he was outside he saw that the royal workers, Do Hun and Jae Jin were already preparing everything.
Jinwoon walked over to help but Ki Ha stopped him. "My sweet lady. May I have a word." Ki Ha's words gave Jinwoon good bumps. "Ki Ha indicated for them to start walking. "I've heard that you'll be coming with us." Jinwoon nodded. "Then I need to give you this." He took out a black paper. There was red writing on it but Jinwoon couldn't read them. "Since you're coming with us. It will protect you against possession." Jinwoon slowly took the talisman. It was ice cold making him nearly drop it.
Ki Ha gave him a curious look. "What happened?" Jinwoon frowned. "Noting its really cold." Ki Hi brow when up. "That's unique. Keep it inside your clothes." Ki Ha gave Jinwoon another look. "I was wondering what you plan to do after you arrive at the capital?" Jinwoon shrugged "I haven't planned it yet." Ki Ha smiled. "If I might give you a suggestion?" Jinwoon looked at Ki Ha waiting for him to continue. "The palace needs some chambermaids for the princesses. Would you like to apply for the job. It will be hard work but the pay is really good."
Jinwoon's eyes lit up. 'How can I be stupid! If I act like a girl I can be a servant for the princess, as long as I'm not found out I could slowly get closer to the prince. This is much easier and faster." Jinwoon gave Ki Ha a genuine smile. "Thank you. If you could help me. I would very much appreciate it!" Ki Ha inclined his head. "For a beautiful woman like you always. Jinwoon's smile fell. "Ah... Thank you. I'll go see if Beom Seok sir is ready for breakfast."
Ki Ha smiled. He was very pleased with himself. He couldn't wait to tell Sung Hoon about it. He was sure that Sung Hoon would praise him.