38. Daehyun
Daehyun stared down at Wonsik’sjournal. He had hoped to return it to her, along with her mother’s ring, but he had lost the chance to do so. He shoved the journal inside his robe, securing it under the sash band. I will see her again, he assured himself, then looked up at the pack of rebels surrounding him and the three prisoners. Dawning a mask of nonchalance, Daehyun watched as Maggot circled the sweating men.
“Dusty footprints on their backs,” Maggot sneered. “Such petite footprints, too…” He walked over and sniffed Daehyun’s robe. “You smell like one of the king’s women—of chamomile and sandalwood.”
It took Daehyun immense control not to strike Maggot. All that mattered at the moment was that he’d made sure to cover their tracks on the slope and had bribed each prisoner to silence.
“I am not sure what you mean,” Daehyun remarked innocently.
Maggot grinned, a predatory smile. “Should a man suddenly be found dead on the night of a coup, would that draw any suspicion my way? What do you think about that, daegam?”
More torches hurried down a hillside.
“The deputy commander has ordered us out of the palace.” The soldier panted for air, as did the others behind him. “We have led the search too far north. According to witnesses, the deposed king escaped and was seen heading south on foot. He is likely headed for the Yongsan District. There is a small port facility in operation by the Han River there— Wait!” The soldier held out his hands before anyone could move. “It is the new king’s strictest order that we capture Yeonsan and bring him back alive.”
This gave Daehyun pause; it gave everyone pause.
“May the new king live and reign for ten thousand years,” he whispered, then shoved past Maggot so hard the man spun around and had to grab hold of a soldier for support. “Perhaps you should put aside your lustful intentions,” Daehyun growled, flicking a glance over at the vile creature, “and focus on finding the deposed king? What do you think about that, my lord?”
Maggot paled with fury, and in that moment, Daehyun knew he had received a death sentence. And he found himself rather surprised at how little he cared about how his story might end. All that mattered was the future of the young woman escaping into the dark of the mountains.
Run, Iseul.He cast one last look up the slope as a drop of rain splashed onto his cheek. Be safe and be well.