After tidying up, he urgently exclaimed, "Someone, summon the royal physician; the Queen Dowager is experiencing seizures again."
In Hyuk was well aware of the Queen Dowager's recurrent seizures, due to her persistent health issues. Da Won swiftly entered, trailed by servants. One servant hastened to seek the royal physician.
Gently holding the Queen Dowager's hand, In Hyuk feigned concern and reassured, "Fear not, the royal physician will be here shortly."
The Queen Dowager's hiccups subsided, and her hands slipped down to the floor.
In Hyuk staggered backward, tears welling up in his eyes. With the physician's arrival, he solemnly declared, "She has already departed. I can no longer sense her pulse."
The servants, overcome with grief, collapsed to the floor, bowing in respect.
In Hyuk's voice trembled as he declared, "I will personally oversee her funeral." Through tearful eyes, he instructed Da Won, "Search for her will."
After a solemn pause, In Hyuk directed the physician, "Announce the news of her passing."
The demise of the Queen Dowager reverberated through the kingdom as the mournful beat of drums signalled the sorrow within the royal family.
Her chambers became off-limits, and her funeral was held secretly, attended solely by family members.
After the funeral, Prime Minister Jung Myeong confronted In Hyuk in the court, surrounded by officials. "Why were we denied the opportunity to pay our respects to the Queen Dowager?"
In Hyuk, seated on the throne, met the Prime Minister's gaze and replied, "I merely adhered to her wishes. She desired a quiet and humble funeral."
"We only wished to offer our regards."
In Hyuk said with a somber voice , "I will lay her to rest in the Family resting place, allowing me to visit whenever I miss her. You are welcomed to pay your respects there as well."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," responded Prime Minister Jung Myeong.
He attempted to sow suspicion in the officials' hearts but failed, as In Hyuk had forewarned Queen Dowager will.
Seated in the pavilion, King In Hyuk appeared engrossed in Eunuch Byung ho's was reciting state matters. In Hyuk's mind was wandering in thoughts and he didn't pay attention.
Eunuch Byung Ho ceased his recitation, paying due respect to the recently arrived Queen before exiting the pavilion.
In Hyuk rose from his seat. "Queen, what brings you here?" he inquired warmly.
"Your Majesty appears deeply immersed in state matters. I thought a visit might offer a welcome diversion," Queen replied with grace, a subtle smile gracing her face.
"You could have sent a messenger; I would have paid a visit to you"
"It's all right. I had some free time, and it allowed me to take in some fresh air."
Since the day of their marriage, In Hyuk hadn't ventured back to the Queen's chambers. He feigned busyness with state affairs and claimed fatigue as reasons for abstaining from night-time visits.
**o**
In the King's Chamber, Jiho sought an audience.
Eunuch Byung-Ho requested, "Kindly await here; I shall ask His Majesty."
Upon informing In Hyuk he said, "Grant him entry."
Exiting the chamber, Eunuch Byung-Ho instructed, "General Jiho, proceed inside."
Seated at a table, In Hyuk perused a book. Jiho, adorned in armour and gripping a sword, approached and stood before In Hyuk.
Closing the book, In Hyuk signalled for the servants to depart, leaving the two of them alone.
"As I expected," In Hyuk declared, rising from his seat to confront Jiho, whose countenance betrayed his anger. "You returned because you harbour suspicions about me, correct?"
"Is my suspicion valid? Did you do something that you are guilty of ?" Jiho inquired, his gaze fixed on In Hyuk.
In Hyuk maintained eye contact with Jiho's angered expression. "Wrong? So, you believe others are righteous and virtuous and I am always wrong?"
"In Hyuk," Jiho called out in a somber voice, his eyes reflecting uncertainty as he struggled to comprehend In Hyuk's reasoning. Eventually, he looked down and sighed.
In a prolonged silence, In Hyuk finally spoke, "You departed from the Palace because you couldn't accept the reality that your brother who is sitting on the Throne is a killer right ?"
"Yes," Jiho admitted, aching at the thought. "I despise the notion that my brother, once wise enough to govern Silla for centuries, is now tainted with blood."
He hesitated before continuing, his voice weighted with sorrow. "Did you truly killed Queen Dowager, as the rumours suggest?"
In Hyuk met Jiho's gaze squarely. "What if I say Yes?"
Jiho's eyes closed in disbelief, and frustration gripped him as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"Why?" his breath deep and emotions restrained.
In Hyuk responded with unwavering confidence, "Because she deserved it."
"Nevertheless, you could have administered a different form of punishment . You might have unseated her, or even exiled her. There are numerous ways to serve the justice "
"And why do you think that I was able to remove her from her seat?"
"By reporting her .Why didn't you report her?"
"I lacked the evidence to report her . She had eradicated all traces of her wrongdoing. Do you think reporting her would've effected her?"
Jiho advanced, poised to speak, but In Hyuk's voice rang out in a proclamation, "She supported treason, leading to the eradication of our entire family."
He averted his gaze momentarily before turning back to Jiho. "I admit that my approach was flawed. I'm giving you an opportunity to correct matters. Let's see if you can address things more righteously."
Jiho asserted, "As an army general, how am I expected to handle state matters?"
In Hyuk responded with a mocking glance, questioning, "Are you trying to escape?" Jiho, dismissing In Hyuk's childish behaviour, turned to exit.
In Hyuk's voice echoed, "If you won't resolve it, I will handle it my own way." Jiho halted at his words, observing In Hyuk's determined demeanour.
"Have you heard the rumours of the Black Night?" In Hyuk inquired, leaving Jiho frozen in thought as he walked out of the chambers.
Hyuk strode away accompanied by his guards and servants, leaving Jiho to watch his retreating figure.
Returning to his chamber, Jiho swiftly changed attire and sent a letter notifying the army of his temporary leave.
As Jiho moved forward, Ki Moon trailed behind him. "Your Highness, are we not returning to the army?" inquired Ki Moon.
"Not yet," Jiho replied, progressing through the bustling market toward a guesthouse.
Ki Moon, perplexed, questioned, "Where are we headed?"
"To search for Black Night," Jiho responded, entering the Boom guesthouse.
Ki Moon, still puzzled, pressed further, "Black Night? What is Black Night?"
"That's precisely what we need to know," Jiho replied cryptically, leaving Ki Moon to contemplate as Jiho gaze wandered around in search of someone .