🌻 One Breath Away from Love
Yun Yuhua and her brothers were on their way back to Gaeseong, Joseon. This time, they moved slowly, making sure Tian Ke had time to rest. Qian'ai took charge of hunting, while Yun Yuhua fussed over Tian Ke like he was a child. Though her attention irritated him, Tian Ke didn't protest. He knew it was love—the kind that ran deeper than blood, the kind that endured beyond words.
They stopped just beyond the Joseon border, savoring a rare moment of peace. By the river, their laughter echoed, light and carefree, as they teased one another about how quickly the years had passed. The sun dipped low, casting gold over the water, and for a fleeting moment, they forgot the weight of secrets and sorrow. Tian Ke and Qian'ai glanced at Yun Yuhua, their smiles warm—tinged with the quiet awe of two brothers who had watched their baby sister grow from a stubborn child into a fierce, gentle force of her own. No matter how strong she became, she would always be the one they'd sworn to shield with their lives. They had found the ones they loved—those they wished to walk beside, once all truths were laid bare. But had Yun Yuhua made the first move yet?
"So... did you confess to him?" Qian'ai asked, leaning forward.
Yun Yuhua laughed and splashed water at him. "Confess what? Why would I do that?"
"Come on... it's obvious he likes you," Qian'ai said. "Why didn't you tell him you feel the same?"
Her laughter faded. Her smile faltered. Tian Ke noticed the shift in her expression.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.
Yun Yuhua tried to smile through the ache in her chest. "He... he just doesn't seem ready to open up," she said. As she spoke, a tear slipped down her cheek. Both brothers froze.
"Yuyu," Qian'ai murmured as he pulled her into a hug. Her resolve broke the moment his arms wrapped around her, and she sobbed into his shoulder. Tian Ke gently patted her head, a sigh escaping him. She cried quietly until they returned to their horses. For the first time, Yun Yuhua couldn't find the words to describe what she felt. Her heart had become a knot she couldn't untangle.
As she sat down, Yun Yuhua sniffled, trying to calm herself. Tian Ke and Qian'ai smiled gently, doing nothing but holding the space for her.
"I…"
Before she could finish, Tian Ke spoke softly. "Yuyu, let me tell you something. I know Ma has always been on your mind, day and night… but you will always be my little meimei. Someone I'll cherish until the day I die. I promised Ba I'd protect you and Li'ai. That promise is part of who I am—it always will be."
Yun Yuhua looked up, her eyes still wet. He continued.
"It's hard to keep pushing your feelings down. You're still growing. If you believe that he's the one you love… then don't hold back. Accept it. Fully."
She smiled through her tears and reached out to hug him, warm and tight.
"But…" she murmured, pulling back slightly, "something about him just doesn't feel right. He's hiding something."
Tian Ke let out a slow breath. "I know. After finding out Ji-nara is a Mongol princess… Seo Ju is definitely more than what he pretends to be."
Hidden behind the trees, Seo Ju stood completely still, watching them. He had followed them from a distance but hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected her tears. His jaw tightened. It wasn't the mention of a confession that stung—it was the pain in her voice, the way her heart ached because of him. He felt the same—torn, restrained. But how could he confess when his own family might be responsible for her family's fall? Until he knew the truth, he couldn't ask for her heart. Not when his hands might still be stained with guilt he didn't yet understand.
Dusk settled gently over the land, and they decided to rest for the night. The fading light painted the river in soft gold.
"I'll grab a few things and be back," Yun Yuhua said with a smile.
Tian Ke returned her smile. "Don't be long. Night's coming fast."
She nodded once and walked toward the woods. Tian Ke waited until she disappeared behind the trees. Then, his smile vanished. His gaze turned sharp.
"Come on out," he said sternly. "You don't need to hide from me."
Seo Ju stepped out from behind the tree, unease shadowing his features.
"Even after everything… your instincts remain sharp."
Tian Ke didn't look surprised. "Li'ai will return shortly. Until then, I'll ask just once—who are you?"
Seo Ju met his gaze but stayed silent.
Tian Ke continued, "What do you want from Yuyu?"
Seo Ju hesitated.
"I only want to understand the truth."
Tian Ke gave a faint, humorless smile.
"Which truth? That she cares for you—or the truth about who she really is?"
Seo Ju let out a quiet laugh, almost bitter. "I don't know. Not yet."
Tian Ke stepped forward. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, steady and unshaken.
"Enough. No more riddles. What is it you seek—from her, from us? We owe you nothing, and we have nothing to give. But I suspect you carry what we've been searching for."
Seo Ju's lips curved faintly.
"Her face holds more answers than I ever expected. If the King of Joseon sees her… the palace won't stay quiet for long."
Tian Ke could feel it—something about Seo Ju reeked of secrets, of danger tied to the Joseon palace. He held his sword steady, eyes locked on Seo Ju with quiet fury.
Just then, Qian'ai returned from the hunt. He stopped cold at the sight before him—his brother, blade drawn, and Seo Ju standing still. Without thinking, he dropped the game from his shoulder and stepped between them.
"Dage, what is this?" Qian'ai asked, positioning himself in front of Seo Ju.
"There's something off about him," Tian Ke said flatly. "From this point on, we keep our distance."
Qian'ai's jaw tightened. "That won't be easy for Yuyu… I know he might be someone powerful, but—"
"He won't speak the truth. So I won't allow him near her," Tian Ke cut in. "After tonight, he leaves."
Tian Ke returned his sword to the sheath and walked to the hunt that Qian'ai gathered for them. Qian'ai exhaled hard and looked over his shoulder at Seo Ju, eyebrows furrowed.
"You're just as stubborn as Yuyu," Qian'ai muttered under his breath, then walked off. Seo Ju blinked, caught off guard—then let out a quiet chuckle, more breath than sound.
Not far from the river, Yun Yuhua moved carefully through the trees, gathering herbs she remembered from childhood—remedies she hoped would ease Tian Ke's recovery. At her belt, a maedeup glinted softly in the fading light. It wasn't just any trinket. It was all that remained of her grandmother—the missing Crown Princess of Joseon. Passed from her dying father's hand to hers, the heirloom had become her silent shield, her secret burden… and a key to everything no one dared say aloud.
The forest was quiet—until the shadows lunged.
Just as she turned to leave, rough hands surged from the dark. One clamped over her mouth before she could scream. She thrashed, twisting with all her strength, but she was outnumbered. Her basket of herbs tumbled to the ground. Then—sharp pain struck the side of her neck. Her vision blurred. Limbs weakened.
In one final burst of clarity, she fumbled at the maedeup tied to her belt—loosening it.
The world tilted.
She collapsed.
Coarse ropes cinched tightly around her wrists and ankles. Her breath hitched in panic. And just before the last thread of consciousness slipped from her grasp, a single name echoed in her mind—desperate, silent, like a prayer.
Seo Ju…
With fading strength, she let her maedeup fall—her most precious heirloom—hoping someone would find it. Though her voice could not be heard, the cry seemed to strike Seo Ju like thunder. A chill passed through him. He turned sharply toward the path Yun Yuhua had taken.
"…Where is she? She has been taking a while already," he asked. Tian Ke's eyes narrowed. He looked toward the woods. Realization dawned—and with it, dread.
"Li'ai!" Tian Ke shouted, urgency ripping through the air. Without hesitation, Qian'ai dropped everything and bolted toward their gear, seizing both swords with practiced speed. Seo Ju, grim and silent, followed without a word, leaving behind the warmth of their meal, the echo of laughter, the brief peace they'd shared. All that remained was the thunder of footsteps crashing through the underbrush.
Their eyes swept the trees, searching for any trace of Yun Yuhua, any clue that could lead them to her. The forest held its breath—silent, ominous, as if the trees themselves mourned her absence.
Then, from the opposite side of the forest, Jinji burst into view—breathless, eyes wide with panic.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince! Her Majesty Jeong Min has ordered Lady Yun Yuhua's abduction!"
Tian Ke and Qian'ai froze. Their heads snapped toward Seo Ju, shock etched across their faces.
"Crown Prince?!" they gasped in unison, stunned.
Seo Ju didn't answer. His chest rose and fell with barely restrained fury. The woman he had tried so hard to protect… was now in danger because of him.
Then, something glinted in the dirt. His eyes locked onto it. Kneeling down, he picked up the serpent-eating crown maedeup—Yun Yuhua's.
His grip closed tightly around the maedeup. The fury in his gaze sharpened—but beneath it burned something even stronger: resolve. This wasn't just love. She mattered more than his own life. Whatever secrets lay ahead, whatever blood had been spilled, he would face it all. To protect her. To find her. To never lose her again.
"Find her. Now," he ordered, each word cutting through the air like a blade—sharp, unrelenting, and filled with deadly intent.
The men leapt onto their horses and tore through the forest without hesitation. Behind them, panic surged. Yun Yuhua was gone—abducted. Tian Ke, Qian'ai, and Seo Ju stood rooted, their hearts pounding with dread. Where should they start?
How would they find her?
Was it truly the Queen of Joseon who gave the order?
And if so… why?
"Nothing must befall you. I cannot bear to lose you again… not this time. No matter the cost, I will find you—and I will protect you."
Yi Seo Ju, Joseon's Crown Prince.