Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bong-Hwan had just wanted to have a last visit. A last look. A chance to say goodbye maybe. He had just wanted to look at Cheoljong one last time, maybe to kiss him and then he thought he could move on. Close that chapter of his life for good.

So he went to search for a Shaman, someone who had good recommendations on the internet, figuring that if anyone could send him back there for a moment it would be someone linked to the mystic world.

Of course, it would go to hell.

First of all the Shaman had looked at him strangely as he tried to explain his request (can you send me back 200 years back in time in the body of Queen Soyoung for just a minute? Thanks!) and now as he was sitting in a circle drawn on the floor with a lot of shamanic charms stuck around all around he was starting to get very woozy. His vision was swimming, his breath coming in ragged. He felt really bad and was going to ask for the Shaman to stop -maybe it hadn’t been his best idea, maybe he had to forget it ever happened- when everything went black for a second.

And then blue. So much blue. And cold.

And shit he was in the lake again. Soyong was in front of him but she wasn't swimming toward him. Just drowning.

Of course it would call on her but she maybe wasn’t aware of what was going on, so he was the one swimming toward her and then kind of frowned when she seemed really solid and there and real and not ethereal like she had been the first time. He kissed her but nothing happened.

He was starting to have trouble breathing so for a lack of a better thing to do he swam upward dragging Soyoung with him.

He emerged on the lake’s shore and took a moment to proceed with the information.

He was here in Joseon, Soyoung’s body in his arms. He, Bong-Hwan, was here in his own body, dressed in some expensive shirt and pants (because he didn't know how to dress cheaply, and his time as a Queen hadn’t helped) and he was now in Joseon, some two hundred years ago.

“Well, shit!” then he heard yelling and feet running in their direction and realized that it could be much worse. He decided to do CPR to Soyong hoping that she would wake up and.. save him. Do something.

He had just managed to have her open her eyes, confused, when a sword was pushed against his throat. He raised his hand trying to smile winningly at the gaggles of guards around them.

“Hello there, isn’t it a wonderful night?” he tried to sound casual.

“Lock him up!” someone yelled as other guards were helping Soyong back on her feet.

Oh, Bong-Hwan thought , this really wasn't what I expected to come back here for .

**

If Bong-Hwan could have, he would have left a scathing review on the Shaman’s profile on Google.

Because somehow he had asked for just a little minute of body possession and instead he found himself in the past for real and now he was in prison. Not at all what he asked for, thank you very much.

This had been a terrible miss. But maybe he could plead his cause to the King and save himself. After all, Cheoljong was a kind guy who was all for protecting his subjects. Surely, something could be done. If only he could explain why the Queen had jumped in the lake again. 

This was going to be the hard part. Cheoljong was probably in love with Soyong now that Bong-Hwan had left, maybe he didn’t even notice the difference really, so anyone who would harm his precious Queen was sure to have a hard time. 

“God,” Bong-Hwan said, banging his head against the bar, “Why me?”

It really couldn’t get worse.

**

It could get worse. Kim Jwa Geun who was supposed to be dead, killed by Cheoljong himself, and if not dead then not in any place of power at all came to see him while he was looking back on his life.

“So,” the man that had tried to kill him multiple times said, “They say you pushed the Queen into the lake and then submerged with regret saved her.”

Bong-Hwan gave him a blank look trying to understand why that man was here.

“Who are you and how did you enter the palace?”

Bong-Hwan considered his options. He could tell them his name but he needed a solid explanation on how he found himself in the palace. And he hadn’t one. Also, he was starting to get worried that he found himself at the time Soyong tried to kill herself when they had switched bodies.

She had awoken, he knew, he saw her open her eyes. But that meant she didn’t know him. She couldn’t have a memory of something that hadn’t happened to her yet, right?

He was so screwed. He was going to die because he had wanted a last look at the only person that made him fall in love.

See, that’s why I always said being sappy was idiotic! Look at where it got me!

Because he had no answer to what was asked of him he stayed silent.

“We have ways to make you talk.” Kim Jwa Geun said and Bong-Hwan fought to keep a straight face. He remember what torture looked like. Didn’t seem like something he wanted to be involved in. But he might not have much of a choice.

Thankfully for him a eunuch arrived and said something to Kim Jwa Geun. The man carefully looked at him before saying “I’ll come back.” and left.

Bong-Hwan put his head and his hands and prayed to anyone out there to help him get out of this mess.

**

Soyong had opened her eyes, surprised to still be alive. A man had been next to her, a man that she was sure she knew. Even if she hadn’t been able to tell how. And then she had been whisked away to her room where her handmaiden Hong-Yeon and Court Lady Choi were fussing over her, Hong-Yeon crying, blaming the man for trying to kill Soyong.

Except he hadn’t tried to kill Soyong. If anything he saved her.

She could have succeeded, died and left everyone behind, the court, the King that didn’t love her, Hwa-Jin who hated her…

She needed to meet the man who saved her, she thought. Why did he do that? Who was he? Why was she so sure that she knew him?

So she stood up, a bit unsteady on her feet and proclaimed.

“I want to see that man.”

“Mama!” Court Lady Choi said “You can’t! He tried to hurt you!” 

“He didn’t.” and both her maids looked at her, shocked.

“Mama?” Hong-Yeon tried

“He didn’t try to hurt me. He saved me.” She wasn’t lying. And no one needed to know how she ended up in the lake. She wasn’t going to answer that question. Hwa-Jin had been with her though, and now that she was not in fact dead but alive...Well… some consequences might be harder to ignore.

But first of all the man.

She had never been in the prison part of the palace before. Didn’t need it of course, she was the daughter of a nobleman and the future Queen. She had no reason to end up there. She still knew roughly where it was and made her way quickly. It was a beautiful morning, she thought. Or it had everything to be a beautiful morning but she couldn’t care. During the day she might feel okay and happy and great. But then the night came with the tourments, the pain, the feeling of uselessness… 

And I had been so close. So close to being free!

The guards at the prison bowed deeply but seemed puzzled as to why she was here. She ignored them -she had been using her meaner side lately hoping that by being insufferable people will reconsider her being the Queen, sadly that tactic hadn’t worked.

She walked up to the bars. The man raised his head and their eyes met.

She gasped as everything came back to her. She had thrown herself to the lake and that man, Bong-Hwan, had taken over her body. He had saved her, Cheoljong, the Kingdom, everything and then she had taken over once more, sending that man back from where he was.

She had kept some mannerisms from him after that, but mostly his memory and a child.

“Bong-Hwan,” she whispered and kneeled, reaching for him through the bar.

He had given her a reason to stay alive, he had created a safe place, suffered many pains and many perils for that and he hadn’t been there to see the reward.

But none of that had happened yet. It was all in the future. A compromised future as Bong-Hwan was here in front of her and not in her body.

“You recognized me?”

“Of course I do!” she answered, squeezing his hand tight, not caring about anyone seeing. “What happened? How?”

He blushed and ducked his head, embarrassed. So weird she thought, he was such a brave and arrogant man, refusing to admit his faults and yet…

“I wanted to see him one last time,” he breathed and Soyoung felt her heart ache for him. He loved Cheoljong. More than she would have thought. What they had lived together would of course create unbreakable bonds. And Cheoljong had loved him back so fiercely.

(She had felt like a liar, a cheater, a weak deceiver after Bong-Hwan had left because Cheoljong looked at her and could see that she wasn't his queen. She was an imposter in her own body. But how to explain? )

“You put yourself in a right mess.”

“I did.” He looked up at her. “Any way that you can help me? And why is Jwa Geun here anyway?”

Ha! he didn’t know. Of course, he didn’t.

“You arrived when I tried to…” she let her words trail off. Sure, her maid servants were a few feet behind and they weren’t talking very loudly and the guards were ignoring them but still… Now that she knew how things could be she had no desire to die. Maybe she could help change things around?

“Oh!” Bong-Hwan frowned, “That doesn't sound good.”

“No,” she agreed, “it doesn’t. But don’t worry I’ll get you out and then we have work to do.”

Bong-Hwan raised an eyebrow. “I have a feeling you’re not talking about sending me back...Home.”

“You want to?” 

“I don’t belong here.”

“That’s nonsense. You were vital here. Without you…” without you Cheoljong would have never managed to get his throne back. Without you the Andong Kim would have taken over the country forever and driven his population to death and insanity.

She squeezed his hand. He squeezed back with a small smile.

“Well, then get me out. And I have an idea what position you could offer me.”

She raised an eyebrow and then smiled.

“Mmh! I have a feeling we have the same idea!”

**

Getting Bong-Hwan out wasn’t as difficult as she had feared. She had just repeated ad nauseum that he had saved her, that she had wanted to admire the lake at night and that she had fallen accidentally, and that he had saved her.

Yes, he had entered the palace illegally. But he was a Chef that she knew about, had tasted his food once, and had wanted to have him enter the Royal Kitchen. It had taken more time than she had anticipated so he had maybe worried and had wanted to talk to her. 

Shouldn’t they be grateful that he was here at that moment? He saved the Queen shouldn’t they all be happier?

Of course as she explained this all to the Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon and Kim Jwa Geun they had been suspicious but she had bowed low, had used her best sorry voice, tried her best to sound sincere and begged for their forgiveness.

It worked. Jang Bong-Hwan was released -and offered appropriate clothes- and then offered a post in the Royal Kitchen as the Queen's personal Chef. She, of course, was waiting for him.

“Don’t you have a wedding to prepare for?” He teased her and she shrugged. 

“I remember the first time. I can hardly do worse than you did.” he gasped, faux-hurt but then laughed and they made their way to the kitchen together.

Hong-Yeon and Court Lady Choi were following them, glaring at him. Soyoung wasn’t too worried. Sure he was now a man, but she was sure he was going to win them over. 

It was really weird to feel so nostalgic when they entered the Royal Kitchen. She had only seen this place through Bong-Hwan’s eyes, and had herself no talent for cooking but yet it felt like home.

Especially the face of Mon-Bok who bowed lowly in front of her but regarded Bong-Hwan with half-envy half-hatred. And then frowned as she stepped right into the kitchen followed by her handmaiden.

“Royal Chef I have come to present to you the man that shall cook my meals for me. This is Jang Bong-Hwan.”

“Ha… Yes. I heard, your Highness. Very well.” Man-Bok bowed again while looking sideways at Bong-Hwan. Bong-Hwan smiled very broadly at the Chef, cocksure and confident, in his element.

She contained a snort at the face Mon-Bok pulled. The Royal Chef had survived weeks of teasing coming from a woman. Surely he could handle the same coming from a man. A peer.

“Well, your Highness,” Bong-Hwan said, turning toward her, “I think it would be best to start talking about the kind of meal you’re expecting.” He led her outside and then sat near some meat drying and pots of spices.

“Are we really talking about meals?”

“It would help, yes. You clearly don’t have allergies that I remember of. But you and I probably have different tastes? So, what’s your favorite meal?”

She heard her Ladies in waiting gasped at the way Bong-Hwan was talking to her - no finesse, no respect- but it was refreshing. And besides, how could Bong-Hwan who knows her inside-out could respect her? He had seen all the ugliness she hid.

While she started rattling off dishes she likes and her favorite vegetables, she could see Bong-Hwan’s brain was already working and she felt lighter. She had at least one ally for sure in that damned place.

**

Soyoung’s taste was very similar to Bong-Hwan (maybe the body exchange worked because of compatibility? huh. Interesting thought that.)

He felt her eyes insistent on him and he turned his head.

“We also need to talk about the Bigger Plan.” 

He sighed. She was right of course but that didn’t mean that he liked it. When he remembered everything that happened…(when he remembered all the time they had been hurt.)

“We need to help Cheoljong, but we also need to remember that he won’t believe you immediately.”

“And Hwa-jin will hate me no matter what happens.” They both frowned at that.

Her and the King’s brother had been pretty annoying from this side. Hwa-Jin had a change of heart but maybe it had been too late.

“We need to save her handmaiden,” Soyoung stated and Bong-Hwan nodded.

“You also need to keep Byeong-In on your side. Not your family side but just yours.”

Soyoung made a weird face at that. “That means I have to manipulate him.”

“Not necessarily. '' Bong-Hwan said “I mean, he is like your brother and you cared about him. You just want for him to be safe. There is reason to believe he feels at least the same way. A lot of stuff happened because I went out that night.” he glanced at her “I don’t think you will.”

She laughed. “No. I won’t.”

“We need to have your father change allegiance. Have him do what he did before but the earlier the better.”

“The ledger.” Soyoung stated, voice low. They stayed silent for a while. If they could get their hand on it now… What a way to jumpstart things.

“Yeah. That’s a lot of stuff to do and not a lot of time” Bong-Hwan looked up and caught Mon-Bok looking at him and Hong-Yeon and Lady court Choi staring at them, and at him with disapproval on their faces. “And I need to integrate myself here too if I want to help in any way.”

And wouldn’t that be a lot of fun?

**

Bong-Hwan wasn’t sure what being a Chef in the Royal Kitchen really entailed but once Soyoung had left -presumably because a wedding was approaching- and once he had been presented to everyone in the kitchen he left, saying that he wanted to visit a bit. No one stopped him.

(He was pretty sure Mon-Bok told him to get lost but it was natural. Chefs were known for their overinflated ego. Bong-Hwan would know, his ego had been pretty enormous. He was better now but still… He got it.)

As he walked around, he remembered everything that had happened, and yet at the same time hadn’t happened -what a weird thing to wrap his head around- and he saw the lake.

As it had been when he first came here it was empty.

He frowned. Maybe they still needed to have it be filled again. Surely Bong-Hwan couldn’t stay here, right? Surely he had to leave this place at one point? Would the lake work?

It had worked when he had wanted to know Soyoung's memory. But would it be enough to send him back? Could it be done?

He was so busy looking at the lake that it took him a while to realize that a small procession was making its way to the little gazebo.

Cheoljong. It was Cheoljong.

His heart stopped for a minute as he followed the silhouette with his eyes. Cheoljong didn’t glance in his direction. Of course, he wouldn’t. He was just one employee of the palace. Chosen by Soyoung of the Andong Kim Clan.

Cheoljong wouldn’t care about him.

He knew all that. It was still hard to not run toward him, to make sure he was all right, to kiss him…

But he wasn’t in Soyoung’s body. Yes, Cheoljong had once told him that he loved him for his arrogance, his personality, his weirdness. But he had been in a woman’s body. It was so much easier to accept than to fall for a man.

To think that he would never have him again. (That Soyoung would. He couldn’t hate her -her life had been so awful and sad- but he could envy her he supposed.)

“Well,” he said out loud to feel better, “I guess I can still try to seduce some of the maids here.”

And maybe it would put his mind off of Cheoljong. (Fat chances but beggars couldn’t be choosers, right?)

**

Bong-Hwan didn’t attend the wedding - he wasn’t really invited- but he heard that it went very well and now, Cheoljong and Soyoung were to spend the night together. Cheoljong who would not put his hand on Soyoung and Soyoung… Well, he had no idea what Soyoung would do.

He had tried to get Cheoljong drunk, failed, and was relieved when nothing happened (Though Cheoljong had tried desperately to make him believe that they did it. What a jerk he could be sometimes.)

The Soyoung who didn’t know anything might have gotten duped by Cheoljong.

The new Soyoung… Well. She might try to seduce Cheoljong to be fair. Or she might play pretend. She might...There were a lot of things she could do and Bong-Hwan hadn’t even thought to ask about it.

And now he would have to wait for her to tell him. If she wanted to tell him.

And why did it matter anyway? He wasn’t Cheoljong’s anymore. Cheoljong wasn’t his either. They had never met, they would never meet and Bong-Hwan had no right to be jealous!

“Did the cucumber offend you?” One of the kitchen boy asked as Bong-Hwan was cutting the vegetable with much more vigor than necessary. He sighed and tried to relax his shoulders.

“No… Just thinking.”

“Maybe someone fell for the wrong person and is bitter about someone sleeping with someone else” Mon-Bok muttered behind Bong-Hwan's back. He slowly turned toward the Chef who pretended to be very occupied with choosing his meat.

Bong-Hwan rolled his eyes. Denying always sounded like admitting to most people. And besides… He wasn’t that far off. Though Mon-Bok was thinking of Soyoung when Bong-Hwan was thinking of Cheoljong.

**

“Nothing happened,” she told Bong-Hwan first when she saw him again. Her handmaiden had made her understand that it wasn’t a good idea to go to the kitchen and she had ignored them. Besides, Bong-Hwan had just finished her breakfast and she had settled in one corner enjoying her pajeon and kimchi soup. Some very simple meals but cooked to perfection.

She saw Bong-Hwan’s shoulders go lax but she was kind enough to not comment.

“He tried to get you drunk?”

“Yes. I do believe he did.” she frowned “I wished he could be more sincere.”

“Well, he believes that you are working for your family and will help them in whatever plans they have. He will need time and some proof to realize that you’re on his side.”

“I know, I know…” she breathed, lost in thought. Her plan was nebulous for now but the pieces would soon start to be put into place and she would soon be able to help.

Though with the Great Queen Dowager and Kim Jwa Geun on her back asking her to be a spy… There were in for a couple of crazy weeks she supposed.

Couldn’t be crazier than when a man was possessing her body, didn’t remember a single thing, and went along the palace seducing any woman he met and declaring war to everyone else though.

So that was a good thought.

**

Bong-Hwan recognized the little girl loitering in front of the kitchen and he felt his heart squeezed.

Dam-Hyung!

Bong-Hwan had never considered himself paternal and had never wanted to start a family. Until he met Cheoljong but that was different. Anyway, he had never wanted children but had never -contrary to what a lot of people thought- hated them.

He didn't mind entertaining some when he was in cooking class and working in some low-class restaurants. The children were all different, like adults, they were just tiny people.

Dam-Hyung had been particular because for the first time in his life, he had been able to spend enough time getting attached to one. Though, the only good thing was to know that she had found her mother again and had been safe from the palace’s machination. It didn’t make it any easier.

He approached her, aware that he wasn’t in a small Queen body but in his body, of a tall, handsome man. He might scare her. He truly hoped he didn’t. In his pockets he had some sweets. (Hangwa that he made the day before, wrapped in pretty paper. He had sent some to Soyoung and had kept some too just in case. Looks like his instinct was right.)

Dam-hyung looked at him, her face blank and he smiled trying to look as friendly as possible.

“Hey there! Are you okay? Are you hungry?”

She nodded. She didn’t have any puppies with her today. Bong-Hwan just kneeled then and took out the hangwa presenting it to her:

“Come on, my treat you can have some if you want.” She brightened a bit at the sight of the sweets and ate almost all of them.

It was not very nutritious and he would like to offer her more but in this lifetime he was not sure he could bring her in the kitchen.

He looked at her closely. He didn’t know when Soyoung would come but hopefully, she might pass today. 

“Want to help me prepare the veggies for the queen?” he proposed and the girl nodded and took his hand.

(Mon-Bok groaned, protested but Dam-Hyung didn’t set foot in the kitchen, her and Bong-Hwan sat outside when they could quietly clean and set the different vegetables that Bong-Hwan was going to put into the fried rice.)

**

Soyoung came later when her meal was late -truly Bong-Hwan had no other ideas on how to make her come to him- and she froze as she caught sight of Dam-Hyung.

The little girl looked at her, clearly recognized the Queen and bowed. She looked ready to bolt so Bong-Hwan put a calming hand on her shoulder.

“It’s okay. She won’t hurt you,” he said. Soyoung came closer, sat beside them, and smiled.

“What’s your name?” she asked Dam-Hyung and the rest truly was history. As Soyoung left, after eating her meal she was holding Dam-Hyung hands and she had now a little maid in her entourage.

Right now it was the best they could do.

**

Mon-Bok was still acting like a territorial cat when it came to the kitchen toward Bong-Hwan, always making snide remarks when he was preparing food for Soyoung. At this point Bong-Hwan was pretty good at tuning him out.

It was an ordinary day in the kitchen when he caught sight of maids returning the Grand Queen Dowager's food.

Bong-Hwan had a good memory of the problem the food prepared by the Chef posed to the Grand Queen Dowager and he also remembered what he had cooked to help.

But at that time he had been Soyoung and as a Queen he had been able to challenge Mon Bok. Would the Chef really take him seriously?

Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. After all, he didn’t become the youngest Chef in the Blue House by being compassionate to his opposant.

He made his way to the plates and looked under the clothes. He heard Mon-Bok sputter indignantly but pretended to be very interested in the food. (To be fair he was really interested, Mon-Bok didn't become a Chef for the Royal Kitchen for nothing. He was genuinely good. Bong-Hwan was just better.)

“Your food doesn't seem to appeal to the palate of the Grand Queen Dowager. Why won’t you let me try?” he asked. As expected Mon-Bok protested vehemently.

“What about a contest then?” Bong-Hwan proposed. That made Mon-Bok pause.

“A contest? What kind of contest?”

“A cooking one. We both prepare the same dish and someone outside of the cooks -maybe the eunuch that oversees the kitchen supply- tastes and tells us who cooks better. If you win nothing will change, I still cook for Soyoung and you keep on. If I win,” and Bong-Hwan’s smile grew larger, “I cook for the grand Queen Dowager for a week. And if she prefers my cooking then I’ll keep on doing it I guess.” He shrugged.

Mon-Bok was glaring daggers at him and hissed “Fine, let’s do it! Which dishes?”

“I’ll let you choose,” Bong-Hwan said, pretending to be fair when he knew what Mon-Bok was going to propose.

“Fine! We’re doing Bibimbap!” he declared and Bong-Hwan had to try very hard to smile.

**

It came with no surprise that Bong-Hwan won. The eunuch even praised his cooking more heartily and Mon-Bok made a face when he tasted too that could only be described as envy.

He still muttered curses to Bong-Hwan.

Once the euphoria of winning had passed he took a moment to think. He remembered what he had cooked the first time. He had also used all the milk. He possibly couldn’t do that again, he was just a lowly Chef and it wouldn’t fly so well.

Life was so much simpler when you were the Queen and everyone was to obey any of your orders as eccentric or weird as they were.

Oh well, he still had more tricks under his sleeves.

Although… “I guess I should ask Soyoung to set up the delivery system already.” he mused while choosing his meat. He needed something tender and soft but not too thin that it would burn.

**

Soyoung was quite surprised to be summoned by the Grand Queen Dowager. She hadn’t been doing much lately, being looked after by her maids and being generally lost as to what she was supposed to do.

She had induced Hwa-Jin as Consort Ui. Had tried to make small talk and to be friendly. Of course, it had backfired and Consort Ui had just looked at her with suspicion. How long before she realized that they were all on the same side?

She had received a letter from her cousin and she should obviously answer back even if she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say. She didn’t want him to worry but she wasn’t even sure she was ready to see his face again. He had been dead, he had died protecting her, or protecting Bong-Hwan because he had her memory… That was…A lot to unpack.

Though she had now gained a little maid, Dam-hyung was eager to learn to read and write. That kept her busy and helped her put her mind at ease, thinking of something else. Soyoung needed to keep a close eye on her, especially when she remembered how they had to poison her and fake her death before.

Of course, if everything went right this time they wouldn’t try to poison Soyoung so this would all be unnecessary. 

Which was why it didn’t reassure her at all to be called. Still, she went and bowed very low in front of her grandmother.

“Mama,” she said and paused. “You have called for me. I'm here to answer any queries you have.” She noted that the Grand Queen Dowager was alone. Which let her know that it maybe wasn’t as urgent or serious as she had feared.

“The cook you brought in the kitchen” the grand Queen Dowager began and Soyoung felt a chill down her spine. Oh god ! she thought, what did Bong-Hwan do?

Then a sunny smile rose on the grand Queen Dowager's face :

“I had my doubts about his talent but he cooked a meal for me and I had never eaten that well! Or at least not in a very long time! I asked around and it seemed he would only cook for me for a week. So I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind landing him to me even after? Truly his cooking is marvelous!” the Grand Queen Dowager explained excitedly.

However, as much as she made it sound like a question, Soyoung knew it was a demand, an order really.

She just bowed again and reply:

“I’m so very pleased that his talent please you, Mama, I heard he even knew other means to help people stay younger longer. I’ll be sure to let him know to send you some of them.”

This pleased the Grand Queen Dowager even more, who could hardly hide her joy at the prospect. She let Soyoung go and the Queen made her way to the kitchen immediately -Dam-Hyung on her heels-.

She wasn’t mad -actually, that was a smart move from Bong-Hwan, they needed to keep the Grand Queen Dowager placated and the food would help- but she would have loved to be aware of it.

The problem was they didn’t have a way to send messages. Her maids were still fairly cautious toward Bong-Hwan even if she could tell they were starting to lose their hostility. (Bong-Hwan after all was doing nothing to harm her and he was keeping his hand to himself. Soyoung knew him enough to know that if he had really wanted for Soyoung to fall for him he could. He was an attractive man, he knew her and he knew how to flirt. Soyoung wasn’t prepared to face that kind of man.)

She arrived in the kitchen where Bong-Hwan was kneeling in front of one of the stoves, keeping the fire alive. One of the kitchen boys was at his side listening to what Bong-Hwan was explaining. Cooking advice probably.

“Mama!” they all exclaimed as they noticed her and Bong-Hwan turned toward her, smiling. 

“Mama,” he acknowledged, nodding, then clapped the boy on his shoulder before making his way toward her.

“Can I help?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Yes. I was summoned by the grand Queen Dowager.” In front of his worried frown she quickly added “She couldn’t stop raving about your cooking. Good job.” He smiled then frowned again.

“You’re not happy though.”

“I’m… Frustrated. I didn’t know you had the right to cook for her. And I know you can’t come to my chambers -for obvious reason. But it means when you do things to move the plan forward I don’t even know about it.”

“Actually I wanted to ask you something and it might help us.”

She looked at him, surprised.

“Remember the delivery service?”

“The delivery se- Oh! Right. It could help.” Then she made a face “As long as the letters don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“We’ll just have to be careful. The last time was…An honest mistake?”

“And I guess you don’t mind how it ended.” She teased and was so surprised to see him blush. 

When it came to Cheoljong, Bong-Hwan really was acting like a young maiden in love. It was sweet.

“I’ll get going then. I have a delivery service to create,” she said. Before she could leave though Dam-hyung appeared at Bong-Hwan side tugging on his pants. He kneeled in front of the young girl.

“Want some sweets?” he asked her and produced a candy for her. She was delighted and smiled brightly before kissing him slightly on the cheek. Bong-Hwan laughed, startled but pleased and waved them goodbye.

“So you like him?” Soyoung asked the young girl who nodded eagerly.

“He is very nice. He always gives me food. When I'm older I’ll marry him.” she declared and Soyoung laughed.

Bong-Hwan, womanizer, making every girl and woman fall for him. Maybe the court members were right to worry about him.

**

Like last time the idea of the food delivery service wasn’t very hard to put in place. They did give her a weird look, but even her maids had to recognize that it was a good idea.

“Mama, you’re so brilliant! This really will help the palace and people will be able to eat hot food everywhere!” Hong-Yeon exclaimed, following her, smiling wide.

Court Madam Choi was nodding alongside. These last few days despites the fact that Soyoung's attitude had changed they seemed so much happier and calm than before. They also had been a bit skeptical at her ideas but now that it was working everyone seemed really happy about it.

Soyoung knew she hadn’t been the best to take care of before her suicide attempt, but she was glad that they were still here. And that they were safe and happy.

“I think there are many ways to help the palace get better. So if you heard anything that you think I could help with, don’t hesitate to tell me!” she probed. After all, her maids hung out with other members of the staff and could maybe hear gossip faster than she could.

“Oh, well…” Hong-Yeon started, then shuffled closer “Last night a maid had disappeared and no one seemed to be doing anything. They think she ran away.”

Soyoung felt a thrill down her spine “already?” she thought.

“Who was she working for?” she asked, knowing perfectly well the answer.

“Consort Ui.”

Well, it looks like it’s already time to use our message systems .

**

A message arrived for him soon after “Her maid disappeared” it just said and Bong-Hwan knew who Soyoung was talking about. Time to find her then he supposed.

If he was an evil asshole, where would he keep a girl? She had been in the palace that much he remembered but he didn’t remember where exactly. He had to take out all the crowded places, and focus on places that hadn’t a lot of visitors. Places where you could keep someone locked without people noticing.

So some of the rooms on the outskirts.

Bong-Hwan didn’t have any weapons and had no real training -he had done his military service but while he remembered the warmed-up and reinforcement routine he wasn’t sure he would fare well in a real fight- so armed with a spatula and a ladle he went on his way; checking every place that looked deserted.

His feud with Mon-Bok was well-known from the eunuchs now, so he hoped to use it as an excuse “I was searching for ingredients that the other Chef would have hidden out of spite”. Though he didn’t need to deliver it, his uniform allowed him to walk around freely and the parts he was exploring were desert.

(Which made him think that he had been thinking correctly.)

He wasn’t completely stupid yet though, he didn’t enter a place without checking if there weren’t any windows that he could look through before. He didn't have a death wish.

That’s how he found himself gazing at Hwa-Jin’s maid, pale and hurt, fainting on the ground as a man with a horrible mask was looking over her. Two other guards were in the room.

Bong-Hwan should find some guards. But he was far away from anyone and even more worrying she had just fainted. She might not be able to endure much more.

Shit, he thought and looked more closely around. There were many heavy pots in the room. That could be helpful. And the element of surprise should definitely help.

And that was how he found himself barging into the room and yelling. It startled the guards present enough that he was able to grab a pot that was just next to the door and to throw it at one while hitting the other repeatedly with his spatula.

He saw the maid opening one eye while the guard that took the pot in the face fell on the ground. He then took a semblance of a fighting stance welding his kitchen ustensiles around.

Oh, Bong-Hwan, this is a really terrible idea , he thought but it was too late.

“You…” the masked man said and then started coughing. He looked a bit pale now that Bong-Hwan could see. He also had a faint scar on his chin. Easy to identify. If you know, he survived.

He managed to parry the other guards’ sword and started trading blows with him. Either the guy was really bad or either Bong-Hwan was a genius in sword fighting but he was doing okay. Or maybe the combo spatula/ladle was surprisingly efficient. Either way, Bong-Hwan managed to place some hits while evading the other sword.

Then he started using more objects that were lying around -it seemed to be some kind of warehouse- and finally knocked him out too with another heavy wooden chest.

Only to realize the masked guy had disappeared. At least the maid was alive and still there. He cut her bindings and carried her bridal style to the kitchen.

He had no other idea where he could take her. He wasn’t sure where Soyoung was, with whom and Hwa-jin would be suspicious if it was Soyoung who brought her her maid.

When he arrived one of the kitchen boys loitering outside yelped and Bong-Hwan called “Go warn Consort Ui that she needs to come to the kitchen now!” and called to another one “prepare some broth for the Lady here.”

Hopefully they should be okay.

**

As Bong-Hwan was feeding the poor maid who had suffered much Consort Ui arrived in the kitchen. At first her face was set in a frown, clearly wondering why a Chef (and more importantly the Queen’s Chef) was calling for her.

However, when she set eyes on her maid servant alive, she smiled and tears started to gather in her eyes as she ran the last steps toward them.

“My Lady!” her maid cried and they fell over each other, crying. Bong-Hwan stood on the side. He should leave them because he wasn’t good at emotional talk but he and Soyoung needed to convince Hwa Jin that they weren’t the enemy.

“How did you find her?” Hwa Jin turned toward him, her face pleading.

It was weird, Bong-Hwan reflected, the first time he had seen her he had been taken by her beauty and had tried very hard to flirt with her. Now he felt nothing if not a pang of sympathy.

“I was searching around the palace for more ingredients, I felt like Chef Mok wasn’t very honest with me and I wanted to make sure they weren’t spices or other delicacies hidden further in. I didn’t find what I was looking for but I found your maid.”

“You should have seen him, my Lady,” the maid said, “he swept in like an avenging hero and saved me from the hand of my enemies.”

Bong-Hwan frowned. He mostly recalled throwing anything he could put his hands on at everyone in his vicinity. He was pretty sure he looked more ridiculous than hero-like…

“Thank you, thank you so much.” Hwa Jin said, bowing slightly. Bong-Hwan waved her off:

“No need. It’s only natural to come help ladies when they are in need. However…” he started.

The demand he was going to do was a big risk, but the problem was that the first time the maid had died after being saved by Prince Yeongpyeong. Which means the maid was far from being safe yet.

“Yes?” 

“I think your maid should stay in the kitchen for a while. We have a place for her to rest and you can come see her anytime you wish.”

“What? Of cour-She is staying with me!” Hwa-Jin exclaimed, looking incredulous at his suggestion.

“My Lady,” Bong-Hwan said, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. “She can’t.”

“What?”

“He’s right,” one of the Aid said from behind “Servants cannot be allowed to recover in the palace. She would have to go back home.”

Hwa-Jin frowned. “Then I will send her home. I don’t see why she had to stay.”

Bong-Hwan ignored her and turned toward her maid: “Will you stay at your Lady's home or will you just say that you are and then come back sneaking in trying to find the culprit?”

It was funny how the maid of one of the most prominent figures at court was apparently terrible at lying.

“Oh-Wol! You can’t! You need to rest. You’ll just put yourself at risk.” her Lady argued, holding her hands, fresh tears in her eyes again. 

“But my Lady, we need to find the truth.”

“You’re right” Bong-Hwan cut in, getting several pairs of astonished eyes turning to him “But you’re hurt. You can’t go around. I can. Besides, the Queen protects me, I’m safe.”

Which was half-true. Of course, Soyoung would do her utmost to protect him -as he would do her utmost to protect her- but that doesn’t mean he would be entirely safe. But heh, better than most.

Hwa-Jin narrowed her eyes:

“And why would you do that?”

“Because I can’t stand the idea of a woman in danger. Women shouldn’t be worried about possible murderers, kidnappers or torturers. So I will make sure you don’t.”

He smiled his charming smile, the one that had allowed him to have a number of ladies fall into his arms.

Both consort Ui and her maid blushed. It was quite endearing.

“I-Well-I need to tell the King.” Hwa-Jin stammered, unable to look at him anymore.

“Sure. He should know that your maid is safe.” thought what Cheoljong would make of the Queen’s Chef who had rumors going around him saving his concubine’s maid was another topic that Bong-Hwan wasn’t sure he wanted to explore. But Cheoljong needed to know if only to tell his man to stop searching for her.

“You are a very curious man.” Hwa-Jin told him and Bong-Hwan shrugged.

“I’ve been told.”

**

Soyoung looked at Byeong-In in front of her, feeling her heart beating madly. It wasn’t just remembering that the last time they had seen each other for him it was the night they kissed -when she had been so low, so hurt, so down with grief at the realization that she was really just a pawn in one of the most cruel game- but she also had the memory of seeing him die through Bong-Hwan’s eyes.

Her feelings were unfurling like a tempest in her chest. She desperately wanted to touch him, to assure herself that he was here , with her.

She wanted to protect him so badly. He had always been so kind but last time he had turned into the worst version of himself thinking he was doing the right thing.

“Mama, I heard what happened to you. Are you okay? Were you hurt?” he asked, his soulful eyes full of worry.

“I’m fine, Oppa, thank you so much for always looking after me. I slipped really, it was nothing. I was saved.” she smiled a bit.

“Yes I heard about that man,” he frowned, “are you sure he can be believed?”

“I trust him with my life.” She said, then to soften the blow -and because the last thing she needed was Byeong-In suddenly deciding to go after Bong-Hwan “Almost as much as I trust you.”

It gained her a smile. 

“Has life at the palace treated you well?” 

“It’s better now.” she said remembering all too well her body freezing under the rain and how warm Byeong-In had been, how sweet the kiss had tasted before she had remembered her position and that she couldn’t.

“I’m glad to hear it.” he said more softly. They looked at each other without a word, drinking in each other's presence.

“Have you… Have you decided on a position you would like? I think your father was pestering you about that right?” she collected herself enough to ask.

Besides, she needed to know if he still intended to be one of the ministers.

“I was thinking of asking for a post as a captain of the guards.”

“That’s a good idea. And you will be in the palace. Maybe we will be able to see each other more often then?” she smiled again, liking the idea despite herself. With Byeong-In close and Bong-Hwan too surely they could manage to stop the worst from happening.

“Yes, that would be great.” Byeong-In smiled too. Then he got up “I think I should go and let you rest Mama.” he bowed lightly but Soyoung rose too and grabbed him by the arm:

“Please,” she said, feeling some unknown terror gripping her heart “when it’s just the two of us, keep calling me Soyoung.” she almost begged. She could see him hesitating before he nodded:

“See you soon, Soyoung.” he whispered before exiting the room.

She had been suddenly terrified of disappearing again. To lose herself even more. She had once been replaced by Bong-Hwan, and she wasn’t mad at him of course - it’s not like he had asked for it- but she had been erased, painted over, no one seeing the difference.

No one saw that Soyoung wasn’t there anymore. She didn’t want to disappear again. She needed some people to remember who she was and to call her by her name not by her title.

**

Oh-wol was getting better by the day, and while Mon-Bok had protested for the form, once he had seen the girl’s injuries he had quickly turned a blind eye to what she was doing.

He had kept muttering however how strange it was that Bong-Hwan kept being dragged in the weirdest stories and well… Bong-Hwan couldn’t really contradict him now, could he?

Consort Ui was coming regularly to see her maid. Soyoung kept coming too though less often, but it made for a lot of ladies in the Royal kitchen. Sometimes Bong-Hwan was sure he could see the veins popping off Mon-Bok. The poor man was getting invaded once again. 

With all those important figures coming and going really Bong-Hwan shouldn’t have been surprised to one day hear while he preparing some beef for the Grand Queen Dowager :

“His Royal Highness!” 

He could only watch in amazement as everyone in the kitchen was dusting themselves off and standing almost at a garde-à-vous. For his part he was frozen in place.

And then Cheoljong entered the kitchen. Bong-Hwan had to remember to breathe.  

Cheoljong was there closer than he had been in weeks. His gaze swept around the room overlooking Bong-Hwan completely.

It hurt. He was so stupid to be hurt by that when of course Cheoljong wouldn’t remember him. They had never met. He was probably here for Oh-Wol. And indeed once Cheoljong had spotted the maid -who had tried to hide herself in one of the corners- he made his way toward her.

Bong-Hwan looked away. He wanted to be close to him again. To be able to kiss him, hug him in his own body. But it was an unreachable dream that he had to learn to let go.

Somehow, someway.

He started cutting the beef again, with more vigor than necessary. At least he had cooking to help him.

“Chef Bong-Hwan?” Cheoljong said and Bong-Hwan felt a shiver down his spine.

He turned to look at Cheoljong, at the King looking at him.

Oh, boy.

“Your Highness” he replied, bowing. He was suddenly struck with the fact that this was probably going to be the most polite conversation he and Cheoljong would ever have.

As Soyoung, as the Queen, he didn't really care about properness, saying what was in his mind. But now he had to try because he was a lowly cook and Cheoljong could send him to jail if he wasn’t respectful enough.

“I was told by my consort’s maid that you were the one that saved her. Is that true?”

“Yes. I stumbled upon her and some of her captors and managed to bring her back here. I did fill a report.” 

He had to, under the gaze of commander Hwang who had looked at him curiously, trying to ferret something out of him. (except that Bong-Hwan couldn’t really go around saying stuff like “I came from the future and I’m here to help you, trust me” so he had let the point go.)

“I know. I read it. You’re the Queen’s cook right? The one that saved her from the lake.”

“I am, your Highness.” He could tell Cheoljong was suspicious and honestly speaking Bong-Hwan could understand why. Bong-Hwan kept doing things that attracted everyone's attention.

“How did you find where to find consort Ui’s maid?” Cheoljong asked with a hint of threat. It was weird Bong-Hwan thought that he seemed to have already let his mask off. Or was it because Bong-Hwan as a cook didn’t seem to be a possible menace?

“I didn’t know, your Highness, I happened across her really.”

“And how did you come across her? I hear she was locked in the far east part of the palace. Why were you there?”

“Are you accusing me?” Bong-Hwan asked, deciding to drop the polite front. Cheoljong had always heard better when he was straightforward. (he didn’t necessarily believe him though.)

“Yes, I am.” Cheoljong said, trying to loom over Bong-Hwan. Except that Bong-Hwan was taller than him. ( That was weird)

“If you must know it’s all his fault,” Bong-Hwan said pointing to Mon-Bok, who squawked in disbelief and quickly threw himself on the ground.

“Your Highness I swear I have nothing to do with- This rascal is saying nonsen-”

“As you can see he doesn’t like me.”

“What does that have to-”

“So, he is always hiding the good ingredients from me. He is jealous of my talent… I can understand I just arrived and I’m already preparing food for the Queen and the Grand Dowager Queen, but we had an honest contest about it, so really he should get over it.

“Anyway, since he tends to hide ingredients and stuff I decided to look around the palace, after all I thought that there could be more storage for the food elsewhere right? That was why I was looking around. 

“If I had planned to rescue a lovely maid I wouldn’t have gone armed only with my spatula and ladle. That would be very stupid and foolish.”

“Not if you were on their side.”

“Why would I kidnap a maid? I don’t need to do that to have one warm my bed if I so desire. Besides, it sounds very tiring and complicated.”

“But she is Consort Ui’s maid so it gives her political weight,” Cheoljong added. He was cute when he was angry and sure of himself. Of course, he was completely wrong but you couldn’t fault a man for trying.

“If I want Consort Ui’s attention I could just cook a meal. After she tastes my cooking she’ll want more and I could potentially have her do anything for that. I really don’t need to do things as complicated as kidnap someone’s maid then pretend to save her.” Bong-Hwan explained.

Cheoljong had flushed as he was talking about Hwa-Jin which was endearing. Though Bong-Hwan needed to be clear:

“I’m not interested in Consort Ui nor her maid if it matters.”

“So what?” Cheoljong asked, “You prefer the Queen?” 

In a way the answer to that was yes. But saying so was just asking for trouble.

“The Queen was the one who got me out of prison. I owe her.”

Cheoljong was still eyeing him. “And the Grand Queen Dowager?”

“I was bored and she needs a specific diet so it’s fun to concoct a meal for her.”

Cheoljong seemed to deflate a bit. “So you’re not working for the Andong Kim?”

“No. I’m working for the palace kitchen. I’m working for you .” Bong-Hwan said, hoping that Cheoljong would hear the unsaid message behind that. That Bong-Hwan was ready to do anything for him, Cheoljong just had to ask really.

Cheoljong only blinked at him. Nodded and then exited the kitchen.

“Yo-little- how dare you!!” Mon-Bok started hitting Bong-Hwan on the shoulders:

“I only told the truth! You always tried to steal the good ingredients from me! I have to do something!” Bong-Hwan exclaimed, pushing the offending hands away.

Now, he needed to relay that conversation to Soyoung.

**

“... I don’t know if I should congratulate you or be mad at you.”

“Why would you be mad? I told him only good things. Push his suspicion away from me!”

Soyoung casted Bong-Hwan a look. “That’s not how I would interpret this conversation. He might start to pay more attention to you and thus to me.” She sighed, and nibbled on some of the sweets Bong-Hwan had made.

She wasn’t surprised that Cheoljong had gone to the kitchen and how suspicious he had been. In hindsight it made sense.

It was just that the truth “We have seen the future” wasn’t a good enough explanation. Or at least not a believable one.

(Though Cheoljong once warmed up to Bong-Hwan had listened to him explaining democracy and all other futurist ideas without making too much of a fuss. Maybe he would believe them if they decided to try to tell the truth.)

“But anyway it was bound to happen at one point. I mean we are trying to change things and it will mean that you will be put in danger.”

“Mama, you cannot put yourself in danger too!” Hong-Yeon exclaimed. Her and Court madam Choi had been lured by the candies and had been listening to the conversation. They had looked at Bong-Hwan like he was raving mad as he was recalling his conversation with the King.

“She won’t,” Bong-Hwan assured her “We will find a way to keep Soyoung safe. Besides your… Oppa should be here right?” 

Soyoung decided to let the way Bong-Hwan had hesitated on how to call Byeong-In pass. Truly he was the only one who probably could understand the tangled mess that her emotions toward her childhood friends were.

“Yes. He has asked for a post. The same as last time.”

“Would he give us trouble?” Bong-Hwan asked, sounding unusually serious.

“I would hope not. But at this point I don’t know. I’m still the Queen and he still might not like the King because of his relation to me.” 

She could see her maids frowned.

“I’m hoping to at least placate him when possible.”

“Is there any way we can help Mama?” Hong-Yeon asked timidly. Soyoung blinked and looked at her two maids. She remembered when they were hurt trying to help Bong-Hwan rejoin the King in the forest.

She didn’t want a repeat of that. At the same time… Their help could be beneficial.

“I don’t have any concrete ideas for now, but I will let you know, okay?” the young maid nodded with enthusiasm.

They said goodbye to Bong-Hwan and Soyoung caught a glimpse of Oh-Wol in the kitchen, near the fire.

She was huddled on herself and looking at them curiously.

She looked better and hopefully she would soon rejoin Hwa-Jin’s side.

**

Bong-Hwan was a fool for Cheoljong.

It wasn’t a surprising fact he had learned that the hard way. 

In this situation -where he was unable to call him his husband, to go around in his room whenever he pleased- the only thing he could do was use his cooking talent for good.

After all, Cheoljong was running around every night searching for the ledger, (They still had to think on how to get their hand on it before everyone else) so he needed energy. He needed to eat healthily to be in strong health and defeat anyone that would pop on his way.

Bong-Hwan would have loved to be able to feed his secret guards too but he wasn’t even sure where they were staying.

But he could feed Cheoljong and that was what he wanted to do. He just needed to convince Mon-Bok. 

The man was, unsurprisingly, refusing.

“You want to take my place I can tell! but no! the King is mine!”

“What about I trade you?” Bong-Hwan proposed “I give you back the Grand Queen Dowager and I get the King. I know you have been watching me when I cooked for her. Surely now you get an idea of what kind of food she can eat and what she can’t.” he smiled at the other Chef who just scowled.

“You just want to flaunt your name everywhere” Mon-Bok muttered and Bong-Hwan paused.

“What about we don’t say that I’m the one cooking for him?”

That attracted everyone's attention in the kitchen including Oh-Whol.

“What’s the point of asking to cook for the King if he doesn’t know you do?” asked one of the aides.

Bong-Hwan shrugged. He couldn’t explain that it was his way to show he cared. That he loved Cheoljong and right now he was deprived of all the other ways he could tell him.

He only had food for him, but damn it! He was good at cooking.

“Do you want to poison him?” Mon-Bok asked, suspicious as ever and Bong-Hwan rolled his eyes.

“Of course not. If you want to look over my shoulders when I prepare to be sure I don’t put poison in it, do so. I don’t really care.”

Mon-Bok seemed to grumble some more under his breath before he finally uttered a “Fine. We can do that. For a month.” Mon-Bok said and Bong-Hwan nodded.

A month was more than enough time. Maybe in a month things would have changed completely and irrevocably.

“Fine by me.” and he and Mon Bok shook hands on a deal well done.

**

Soyoung needed to spend more time with the King. She didn’t necessarily want to but she had no choice, her family was annoyed at her being so distant with him. They wanted to know what he was up to and she wasn’t holding her part of the bargain.

So she decided to propose the seven nights deals that Bong-Hwan had once proposed. If the Grand Queen Dowager made it a decree even Cheoljong wouldn’t be able to say no. However it also meant that she could pretend to sleep while Cheoljong went to his night affair.

(Though how she was supposed to be subtle about that she had no idea.)

As predicted when the first night came around, Cheoljong looked as unhappy as possible but maintained his fool persona and hogged all the blankets. 

Soyoung sighed,put upon. Cheoljong could be difficult to deal with when he wanted to.

“My King,” she started “I was thinking that maybe we could try to get to know each other better.”

“Oh, And what would you like to know about me, my Queen?” he sat up, looking at her, expectant. Judging, she almost thought.

“I don’t know. Anything I guess?” She knew a lot through Bong-Hwan. But she wasn’t Bong-Hwan, she was Kim Soyoung and she wanted to get to know the King, her husband by herself. By her own means.

“There isn’t a lot to me my Queen, I’m just the King of Joseon and I like to read books, and find politics very boring.”

Of course Cheoljong would say that kind of thing to her.

“I was thinking … I don’t know, your favorite color? Your favorite meal? your best…Anything.” she cut herself before she could say memories. Really, no need to drag up the past be it the well or his exile or his life before the palace.

“Favorite meal? Are you planning on having your cook serve me too?”

Oh, Soyoung thought, Bong-Hwan would be very happy at the opportunity but Cheoljong sounded way too suspicious.

“No. Unless you want to try some of his cooking. He is very good, My King.”

Cheoljong hummed, his eyes narrowed as he was looking intently at her. What was he even hoping to find? she wondered.

“Well, I think it was a good talk but I’m very tired. Good night.” and he turned his back to her. She looked at him discomfit.

How did Bong-Hwan ever manage to break his defense so easily?

**

If the King was closed off and refused to talk then when Byeong-In came to see her it was the reverse.

She wanted him to stay by her side and help her but she also knew enough to know that he was loyal to his father too. Who would he choose between her and his father? Whose relationship would hurt less if he lost it?

She found herself weak to do so. She knew she had to push Byeong-In away from his father and his manipulation, to keep him away from the Kim, to keep him if not on Cheoljong’s side then on hers but she wasn’t sure how she was supposed to do so.

So she smiled at him and made small talk, her heart beating in her ribcage, a mix of fear and something else and she wished for things to go well.

(But when did they ever do?)

**

It wasn’t Cheoljong's first foray into the kitchen. He came back.

The first time was understandable to some degree : his concubine’s maid was there recovering from her injuries despite the palace rules, and there was reason to believe that whoever did that to her was still lurking around, so he needed as much information as she could tell him.

The second time Bong-Hwan couldn’t understand why he came : he had put everything he got into the different dished he had done so far and was sure and certain that it was to the King’s taste and some of his best compositions.

“Chef Mon-Bok” the King called “I wanted to tell you that your food lately is unparallelled. It is truly wonderful! It is always very new and exciting! Pray tell me where did you learn those new skills?” 

There was a pause as Mon-Bok was clearly wondering what to answer: lie and get all the honors (which was what Bong-Hwan had agreed to) or tell the truth.

“... Inspiration is inexplicable, your Highness” Mon-Bok finally said and laughed weakly. Cheoljong joined him, making his fool’s laugh.

Bong-Hwan could say that it grated on his nerves. It was annoying to see the Cheoljong that he had met the first time, the one that hid behind a mask, knowing that the Cheoljong he knew and loved was hiding behind.

Still he couldn’t say a damn thing so he stayed silent, eyes fixed on the cutting board in front of him.

At least he wasn’t mad at Mon-Bok for keeping the truth secret. It was for the best (Cheoljong was too suspicious to be able to believe that Bong-Hwan just wanted to please him) and it was what he had agreed to. (and besides now he knew that Cheoljong enjoyed his cooking. That was pleasing.)

Cheoljong left then and they all bowed. Mon-Bok shot him a look, almost fearful of his reaction. Bong-Hwan smiled and nodded “Well done.”

**

Cheoljong came back. Not everyday but he came back. Now Bong-Hwan was puzzled.

Why would Cheoljong keep coming back into the kitchen? Was he searching for proof of wrongdoing? Was something wrong with the food Bong-Hwan had prepared?

Mon-Bok was too much of a wuss to ask -and also seemed incredibly honored that the King was talking to him-.

“Your Highness if I may be bold?” he finally asked during the King's fifth visit.

“Yes?” Cheoljong had his stupid smile on but his eyes were as piercing as ever.

“Why do you keep coming here? Is there something wrong with the food? Surely you could just summon the Head Chef if you needed something in particular?”

“... It’s my duty as a King to see if my palace is running well.” Cheoljong replied, sounding petulant. Bong-Hwan frowned.

“So does the working of the kitchen not give you satisfaction?”

“No. It’s .. well. Everyone is working splendidly.”

“Are you searching for something then?” he asked, deciding to be even bolder.

“Are you accusing me of something? Am I bothering you?”

“Not particularly. I’m just concerned.” and he was. The fact that Cheoljong spend his time loitering in the kitchen could be used by the Kim to describe him as an incompetent King. Which was in no way helping. 

If he was wary of Bong-Hwan he could send his friends spying on him, Bon-hwan wouldn’t mind. But coming himself?

Cheoljong gave him a long look and then smiled and then exclaimed theatrically “Well, then, off I am.” and left then. Mon-Bok was looking at Bong-Hwan with huge eyes:

“How dare you speak to the King this way?” he hissed and Bong-Hwan shrugged:

“Don’t you find it weird? The way the King is acting? Why did he come into the kitchen so often? Doesn’t he have better things to do? A wife and a concubine to take care of?”

Mon Bok sniffed “You should be honored that the King took time out of his busy schedule to come see us.”

“I am,” Bong-Hwan said. And he was. He was also worried and the two weren't mutually exclusive.

**

The King stopped coming for a few days. And Bong-Hwan relaxed. Soyoung had told him about spending the nights with him but nothing happened. He wouldn’t even talk to her and he could tell that it saddened her.

As for Byeong-In, he regularly came to see the Queen, making sure she was okay. It was easier that way for her to keep an eye on him, Soyoung said but Bong-Hwan could tell that she was pleased all the same for the sweet attention of her cousin.

(And Byeong-In could be sweet when you know… He wasn’t trying to kill you.)

Maybe he was too relaxed, maybe he didn’t pay enough attention. Maybe he talked too loudly to Soyoung about what dishes he was thinking of doing for the King. 

All in all, after a few days of monotone duty in the kitchen the King came back, marching in there pointing a finger at Mon-Bok accusingly :

“You lied to me!” Mon-Bok immediately fell to the ground bowing, repeated apologies on his lips.

Bong-Hwan just had the time to blink before Cheoljong was pointing at him:

“And you are the one preparing my food! Why…Why would you keep that information secret?” he finally asked, sounding bewildered.

Bong-Hwan couldn’t even thought of a good enough excuse so he just blurted out:

“I thought you would refuse my food if you knew I was the one cooking.” Which was entirely true. Again as far as Cheoljong knew he had been hired by the Queen who he still believed to be working for the Kim.

“... Why did you-” and he paused, stood a little straighter “Everyone out.” he asked and all the kitchen aid complied, casting a last fearful look at Bong-Hwan like he was going to die or something.

“Why did you keep lying then? I came to visit the kitchen a bunch of times, why didn’t you come forward then?”

“I really thought Your Highness wouldn’t be pleased to have been lied to and we agreed with the Royal Chef that he would get the honor.”

Cheoljong looked at him in silence.

“... So you just cooked for me for no reason? No honor, no poisoning?"

“Poison?” Bong-Hwan asked, outraged, “I will never poison you, Your Highness. I just wanted to cook for you, to make you happy. You did enjoy my dishes did you not?”

“... I did.”

“Then that’s the only reward I need.” Bong-Hwan huffed, crossing his arms. To know that he had done something for Cheoljong and that he had enjoyed it was enough for him. He couldn’t really ask for more.

“... Great?” Cheoljong said, looking even more confused. “Then keep cooking for me.”

“I will, your Highness. And if you have suggestions or ideas, or needs don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“..Of course.”

(Later that day Cheoljong would look at his wife and would say “The cook you brought in the palace is the weirdest person I have ever met.” Soyoung would raise a brow “Has he done something to upset you, husband?” “No. Not really.” he would give a look then as he was figuring something out. “How did you day go?” he would ask her and Soyoung would feel like maybe things would be okay.)

**

Sewing had always been soothing to Soyoung. She had an innate talent for it and loved the feel of the thread against her finger and the pleasure she took in seeing little by little her design appear.

It also allowed her to be lost in her mind to think of things.

She liked Cheoljong. But she didn’t love him. She knew him to be kind and devoted to his cause -which was a fair one- but still. Her feelings were mostly Bong-Hwan’s feelings bleeding over her.

She loved Byeong-In. It didn’t come as a surprise she realized. It was the kind of quiet, strong, deep love that reassured her.

Of course her feelings didn’t matter. She was married to Cheoljong. But…

Cheoljong didn’t love her.

Funnily enough he never did. He loved Hwa-Jin, convinced it was her in the well, then fell for Bong-Hwan trapped in her body and while he took care of her she could see how strangely he looked at her when she came back. Like he didn’t recognize her.

It always hurt her. But she couldn’t shame him for that. She wasn’t Bong-Hwan. She never could be. They were too different.

She wondered if in a world free of the Kim, where she would be the ruler of the inner court, if in this world she could love Byeong-In and keep her King as a friend.

She hoped so.

“My Lady?” Hong-Yeon asked.

Her fingers had stopped moving. She was sewing a flower pattern but she saw another design in her eyes.

“Fetch me another sewing canvas.”

She picked a vibrant red, the color of Royalty, the color of passion. She would sew her hope as a talisman to ward off evil. And to make her wish come true.

** 

Bong-Hwan’s life had been a whirlwind these days. Between Soyoung that still came to see him from time to time -and brought Dam-hyung with her that Bong-Hwan couldn’t help but dote on by giving her all the sweets- and Cheoljong that now came to discuss the latest dish he had prepared for him he hadn’t had a time for himself.

At least Oh-Wol had rejoined her mistress once she had been completely healed and as far as Bong-Hwan knew she was safe and sound. Though they hadn’t made any progress in finding the man with the scar. 

It was complicated since he was still very busy. He wasn’t complaining. He couldn’t be happier actually. 

He had true friends. 

In his old life, he had been the youngest cook at the Blue House but he had also been an arrogant prick without any friends at all. He hadn’t felt alone because he hadn’t realized he had been. He could find someone willing to share his bed with, and he had thought that it was enough to squash the sad feelings inside.

Now he realized that his life before all that was utterly boring and sad. After all he was happier now, back in Joseon and they didn’t have TV or Internet!

So, he was busy but he was happy, leaning on the counter, smiling to himself wondering what to cook next. He heard a “Mama” from outside.

It was late but Soyoung was always welcomed in the kitchen. He rose to greet her and felt a sharp spike of pain inside his head and then everything turned black.

**

Soyoung had just opened her mouth to greet Bong-Hwan but was struck speechless as Bong-Hwan fell on the ground in front of her eyes.

There were cries of shock before she remembered herself. Mon-Bok was already at Bong-Hwan's side checking his pulse.

“He’s alive!” he called and Soyoung turned to Hong-Yeon :

“Go call for the Royal physician!”

“the Royal-?”

“Go!” she urged. She was a Queen and Bong-Hwan was of her household. She needed the best to take care of him. Besides, she couldn’t help but worry because she remembered last time why Bong-Hwan fainted -someone in his time had tried to kill him and at the same time the Queen Dowager had been performing a Shaman ritual- but what about now?

What happened to make him fall?

When Hong-Yeon came back with the Royal physician she found she wasn’t that surprised to see Cheoljong trailing behind. She bowed before the physician kneeled next to an unconscious Bong-Hwan examining him.

“What happened?” Cheoljong asked, the alarm evident in his voice.

“He fainted, your Highness, he was his usual self and then he fell.” Mon-Bok hastily replied, his hand wringing in worry.

“He needs to be moved to the infirmary.” the Royal physician said and Cheoljong nodded. Cheoljong, helped by the Royal physician, managed to carry Bong-Hwan all the way to the Royal infirmary.

Soyoung followed, worried worse now that she could see how limp and lifeless Bong-Hwan was.

He couldn’t be dying. Without him she wasn’t sure how she was going to be able to save the Kingdom. She needed him by her side.

“Mama, you should go back to your chamber.” her maids pleaded with her and she stopped in her tracks. “What if his state worsens?”

“I’ll send words.” Cheoljong told her. She blinked at him.

“Are you going to stay the night at his side?” she asked, surprised. That would get the people talking for sure.

“What? No… Of course not. I just… I’ll ask guards to keep us both posted. I have to meet Consort Ui.” The last part was said in a small voice, reminiscent of a young child being chastised.

Soyoung just nodded, curtsied and made her way back to her chamber, her hands gripping her dress so tight her knuckles turned white.

**

She barely slept that night, worrying endlessly, fear churning in her gut. And then it came to her in the middle of the night.

Her and Bong-Hwan had kept talking about what they should do to get their hands on the ledger. They needed it. Badly.

But Soyoung couldn’t leave the palace to see her father without an excellent reason and Bong-Hwan wasn’t known to her father - he had heard about her hiring a cook of course- so Bong-Hwan wouldn’t be able to snoop around the house freely.

But this gave them an opportunity. As part of the Queen household she could request that Bong-Hwan would be sent to heal in her house -as servants weren’t allowed to stay in the palace to recover- and then she could go there using the excuse to look after her people.

With how the Grand Queen Dowager had been enjoying his cooking, Soyoung could probably manage to get an authorization.

After that sleep eluded her but because now she couldn’t wait to start her plan. She kept fidgeting in her bed and as the sun started to shine she got up. She opened her door to summon Hong-Yeon and was startled to find her and Lady court Choi sleeping in front of her door. She shook her head in fondness then woke them up gently.

“My Lady?” Hong-Yeon said, rubbing sleepily at her eyes. “You’re up early.”

“I am. I want to see if we can get an update on Bong-Hwan. I was also thinking of sending him to recover at my father’s house.” She was gauging her ladies reaction as she said those words and was reassured when both nodded, approving of her idea.

Once the decision was made it wasn’t hard to put in place. Bong-Hwan had yet to wake up though, and that worried her. But keeping him here right now would be dangerous, if the cause was again the Queen Dowager Shaman ritual then she -or even the Jo clan at that point- might try to end Bong-Hwan life for good.

Keeping him away was clearly the safest choice. 

The only problem she hadn’t thought about was the King’s reaction.

As the palanquin to transport Bong-Hwan was ready to leave, and as Soyoung had sent prior a message to her father explaining the situation she found the King marching toward her, frowning.

“My Queen.” the King said and paused, looking at the palanquin. She could see that he was indeed worried.

“I heard you are sending Bo- The cook home?”

She blinked at him as he stuttered but decided to ignore it.

“I am sending him to recover at my father's house, yes. As your Highness knows servants aren’t allowed to recover in the palace. They have to do it outside. I have asked guards to accompany the palanquin to ensure his security. And my father is warned.”

“I see. A wise decision indeed.” The King said but was clearly thinking quite otherwise.

Soyoung decided to swiftly change the subject after nodding to the servants so that they left taking the palanquin with them, making their way to Soyoung’s father’s house.

“How did your night with concubine Ui go, your Highness?”

Cheoljong had still his eyes fixed on the palanquin and took a second to reply:

“Oh. It went… Very well.” 

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“You are?” He sounded surprised and Soyoung wondered why. They hadn’t even kissed, had barely talked. As far as the rest of the court knew : the King was so madly in love with his concubine that he chose himself that he was barely paying attention to his Queen. It was completely normal for Soyoug, the Queen, to say that she was fine with it. She didn’t have enough power yet to pretend to be jealous.

(Besides she didn’t really care about what Cheoljong and Hwa-jin were doing. Bong-Hwan would be the one who would be most saddened by that news. Not her.)

“I am indeed. I am reassured to know that your Highness has someone he can count on in Concubine Ui. “ she curtsied “I wish you a good day Husband.”

And then she departed. Now, she thought, how long should I wait before I ask to go see Bong-Hwan home?

**

The answer to that was not very long at all. The Grand Queen Dowager had her call as soon as she heard and asked for news about Bong-Hwan's health.

“He had given me a beauty mask and was supposed to bring some more to me! But if he is ill he can’t! “

“I was hoping to ask for your permission to go see my father. That way I could check on him and make sure he is well looked after so he can come back quickly to you.”

“Wonderful idea! I’ll allow it!” the Grand Queen Dowager declared and Soyoung bowed low, trying hard to hide her smile.

**

It was nostalgic to be in her father's home again. If only because while in reality, it had been only a few weeks, it had been much more time for Soyoung.

She regretted her life as a young child who didn’t know about how the world worked and how hard it was. How harsh. How it could crush you to the ground. She had been loved and protected.

It didn’t mean though that Bong-Hwan had been wrong when he had accused her father. Because he had a point. She had lost herself the day she married. This time hopefully she hadn’t but…

She shook her head and passed the gate, her father welcoming her warmly.

They would need to have a talk she realized because this was a good occasion to have her father distance himself from the other Kim. But not right now. Once they would be inside probably.

“I have done as you asked me, Mama. I have asked for the best physician to look after him. He is still sleeping but the physician is certain that he should wake very soon!” she nodded following her father inside.

She wanted to go see Bong-Hwan but her father had invited her to his study. They were alone. 

“I’m surprised though that you care so much about a cook. It looks really bad in the other Kim eyes you know? You need to be more careful about your place. You’re the Queen!”

And oh what a wonderful opening he just gave her. She looked at him gravely:

“Father, there are things I’ve been meaning to ask you and you gave me the opportunity: Why did you make me queen? Why did you do that? You did it in order to accumulate property to fill your storehouse. You sold your only daughter to satisfy your greed. Why did you always tell me to become the Queen and the pride of the family? Why did you tell me that I can do anything if I become the Queen? To me who was struggling with the guilt about my mother’s death, why did you keep saying your dream?”

Her father looked at her in shock but she pushed forward regardless :

“At my wedding I realized something you know : the life that I thought was mine was all a lie. Even the dream I had was not mine. I failed at everything. The day when your dream came true I lost the person I cherished the most. Myself.”

She was on a journey to reclaim herself, to reclaim her life, her place. It was hard work, it was unpleasant and she was tempted to give up once more.

But she wasn’t alone and thanks to Bong-Hwan she could try again.

She got up on those last words seeing her father's face stunned but crumbling a bit. She exited the room and asked a servant passing by where Bong-Hwan was. She knew her father would need some time to digest everything she had just said.

**

Bong-Hwan blinked a bit, his vision blurry for a bit. He didn’t recognize the room he was in. He had a slight headache and he groaned as the pain pulsed as he moved.

He did manage to sit up and look around. The room was richly decorated, very different from the palace servants' quarters that tended to be kind of drab. 

As he remembered what happened he was suddenly sure that he was at Soyoung’s father’s house but obviously not in her old room, probably in another part. Though it was nice to see that in that house the servant lived well too.

And also it meant that the ledger was in reach.

He heard voices from outside the room and wasn’t that surprised to see Soyoung opening the door, a relieved smile gracing her features when she saw him awake. She turned and to whoever was behind she asked them to fetch the physician then she sat at his side.

“How do you feel?”

“Better. Let me guess, the Queen Dowager’s shaman was at the palace when it happened.”

“I didn’t ask because honestly I don’t need the Jo clan to start a war against me. Or Cheoljong for that matter. But I suppose that yes.”

Bong-Hwan sighed “I shouldn’t be surprised though. I was sent here by a shaman. Luckily they couldn’t send me back.”

“Did you see anything while you were unconscious?”

Bong-Hwan frowned thinking about it. Last time he had seen the hospital. Had been unable to move or talk and that had been pretty frustrating but….this time… Blue. Quiet. Calm. The sensation of floating.

“I think I was back in the lake?”

“Oh!” Soyoung looked surprised, then she kept for herself whatever she wanted to say next as the physician entered to examine him.

Bong-Hwan was declared in perfect health, with nothing wrong. He didn’t surprise him.

It wasn’t his body that failed him.

He was still asked to rest a bit before resuming his duty as the physician couldn’t find a cause for him to have fainted abruptly like that.

Soyoung thanked the man and he left them alone again.

“The ledger?” he finally asked her -it was the most important part right now-. She nodded, frowning. She looked determined and Bong-Hwan was certain that nothing would stop her.

**

Going into her father’ study, opening the secret coffre and taking the ledger then hiding it in her room was surprisingly easy. She just hoped her father wouldn’t look at it for some days so that he wouldn’t realize who the culprit was. (Though would he think of her? Or would he assume Bong-Hwan stole it? After their conversation it was hard to say really.)

She went to sleep that night feeling satisfied. She still needed to convince her father to distance himself now from the rest of the clan but she felt like things were definitely getting better.

During breakfast, she studied her father's face and while he still looked sad when he looked at her he didn’t seem suspicious or upset so she was reassured that for now, he hadn’t realized the missing ledger.

Then the servant announced Byeong-In and Soyoung blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to come here when she wasn’t the one being sick.

Besides, it means she was forced to delay her conversation with her father which wasn’t ideal. She wanted to move things along as fast as she could. As long as the Kim were still in power she would never truly feel safe. 

Still, she welcomed her cousin warmly as her father did and Byeong-In was his usual polite self asking after her father's health and then turning toward her:

“And you Mama are you ok? I heard that the physician was called here and you went home rather urgently…” he sounded worried and she realized that he didn’t know about Bong-Hwan. Because as far as the Kim cared, Bong-Hwan wasn’t that important. The Grand Queen Dowager was aware of what happened but only because she had a personal interest in Bong-Hwan. The other kept an eye because of his link to the Queen. But probably no more than that.

“I’m fine really. A member of my household fell sick quite unexpectedly and I was worried for them so I came to see them recover. I probably won’t linger much longer and will go back to the palace.”

“Of course!” her father agreed “You have to go back today even if it’s possible! Surely the King might find himself quite lost without his Queen!”

She exchanged a look with Byeong-In which said what they were both thinking: the King was probably not very concerned with her. They were on… Better term if she was honest. He was less antagonistic than before but at the same time it wasn’t really hard. 

“Then I’d like to accompany you back to the palace myself Mama if you agree.”

“I would, thank you. I will prepare my affairs and say goodbye to my staff.”

She curtsied then exited the room. Hong-Yeon was waiting outside so she told her to start preparing to leave and went to see Bong-Hwan. He was still in bed and looked rather bored. There weren’t many things to entertain him in the house and the man seemed to be the kind unable to stay inactive for too long.

“I came to say goodbye.”

“You’re already leaving?” he asked, sounding like a child for a moment before he sighed “I guess it makes sense you can’t stay here forever.”

“I’m sorry. Byeong-In came through and I got what we needed…” she trailed off and he nodded.

“Well, be careful. And take it with you. You need to give it to him as soon as possible.” she nodded, knowing of course how important that point was. 

When she exited the room Byeong-In was waiting for her. He looked a bit upset.

“The member of your household… was your cook? The one who saved you from the lake? The one you go to visit a lot in the kitchen?” she could hear the undercurrent of jealousy in his voice. She also knew that Bong-Hwan was listening through the door and as much as she trusted him she’d rather they had that conversation in private.

“Please, follow me.” and she led him to her room, asking Hong-Yeon to leave them be for the moment.”

“Bong-Hwan is not the danger you think he is.” She finally said, firm and resolute. Byeong-In scolded at that.

“You spend too much time with him.” he stated and she nodded “I do.” and then she paused wondering.

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course!” Byeong-In answered immediately, leaning toward her. “Can I trust you?” she asked and at his confused face she added “Can I trust you to choose me above your father?”

That made him pause “Why would you ask me that? Don’t we all belong to the same family? Don’t we share the same goal?”

“I don’t think we do. If I was going against the Andong Kim clan’s wishes… Would you follow me and stand against your father or would you follow your father and stand against me?” She held her breath knowing that it was a decisive moment for their relationship. 

Byeong-In came closer, taking her hands in his, kneeling and with reverence in his voice said:

“Soyoung, I will always and forever choose you above everything. You are my everything. My reason to be. I would die for you.” he swore and she felt tears prickling at her eyes knowing that he was speaking the truth.

That Byeong-In had always been in love with her, Soyoung, the shy little girl, naive and too trusty toward this world.

She put a hand to his face.

“Please don’t die. I couldn’t handle that. I want to protect you, I need you.” she said softly and Byeong-In rose, bringing her closer. Their faces were so close that she could feel his breath against her face. “May I?” he asked, voice shaking, she nodded then.

She had been unsure and had pushed him away after their first kiss because she thought she had a duty. But she wasn’t unsure now. She loved Byeong-In, and wanted him in a way she couldn’t fully explain.

The kiss was soft just a press of their lips together, his body against her, his warmth, his hands cradling her. She felt so safe, happy, certain that everything was going to be okay.

“My Lady!” Hong-Yeon called from outside “The King is here!” 

Byeong-In and her separated, looking at each other in fear as the words registered.

**

Bong-Hwan was bummed out that Soyoung had to leave so soon but understood nonetheless. Last time he had been in her body so he had been able to stay longer here. (even had to carry Cheoljong on his back when that idiot fell into the well… Jesus.)

He just hoped his convalescence wouldn’t last too long. The physician had said that he would come back again tomorrow and make a decision there. The decision better be that Bong-Hwan could leave, otherwise he was going to get mad, staying here with nothing to do.

Soyoung didn’t even have novels or anything to read. It was all manual instruction from her tutors. She could occupy herself with sewing, drawing and whatever but he couldn’t. And he probably would get scolded if he went to the kitchen.

As he was pondering what he could possibly do to entertain himself he noticed that there was much more noise coming from outside than earlier now. There was some agitation going on.

Would the people really make such a fuss for Soyoung's departure?

He crawled enough to open the door that led outside and pop his head out.

And almost had a heart attack when he saw Cheoljong in the courtyard.

What is he doing here? Does he miss Soyoung already?

He then noticed Soyoung followed by Byeong-In walking in the King's direction. They both looked… Guilty. Oh God, Bong-Hwan thought, t hey have kissed, haven't they? It’s written all over their faces! I thought she was better at hiding her emotions than that!

He couldn’t hear what was being said but could only look, trying to decipher the matter of the conversation by their faces.

Then Cheoljong turned his head in his direction and spotted him. Caught Bong-Hwan just waved hello. Soyoung looked at him and frowned, displeased at him not being in his bed. She came closer :

“What are you doing? “ she fussed “You need to rest!” and she mercilessly pushed him back inside.

“What is going on ?” he asked, “Cheoljong came to take me back to the palace.” her voice was flat.

Then he leaned closer and hissed “You need to have a better poker face, anyone can guess that you kiss-” he was cut off as she put a hand on his mouth, her eyes wide.

“Don’t!” she warned and he raised his hand signaling his defeat. Her shoulders sagged a bit but she still looked incredibly guilty. He gave her a pointed look. She shrugged.

“I know, I know.” She bit on her lower lip “I… I was carried away at that moment. I didn’t expect Cheoljong to co-”

“My Queen, can I enter?”

They both froze, looking at each other. Bong-Hwan made a face but Soyoung composed herself and answered “Yes, Your Highness.”

Cheoljong entered then in all his glory. He looked at Bong-Hwan, smiling softly “I’m glad to see you’re doing better.” He said and Bong-Hwan felt his heart give a squeeze “Your Highness is too good to worry for a low cook like me. I am very lucky as I am well taken care of.” He bowed then stole a glance at Soyoung hoping for some help there.

“Did you need anything, Your Highness?” she asked and Cheoljong was startled, as if he had forgotten that she was there.

“... Just wanted to know if you had your affairs ready.”

“Almost. I'll finish so we can leave as soon as possible.” she curtsied and exited the room. Cheoljong didn’t follow her. Bong-Hwan just looked at him, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

“Your Highness?” he asked, feeling unsure.

“Did the physician find what was wrong?” Cheoljong asked him and he sounded much more serious than before. 

“No.” Then remembering what the supposition had been before he quickly added “I don’t think it was poison. I probably just worked too hard and … fainted, exhausted. It’s probably nothing to worry about, truly.”

He couldn’t tell the truth to Cheoljong because he probably wouldn’t believe him.

“In any case” Cheoljong said, still very softly making Bong-Hwan's heart clench “I’m very glad you’re feeling better now. I hope you will come back soon. I miss your food.” Cheoljong looked shy as he admitted that last part and Bong-Hwan had to hold himself from throwing himself at Cheoljong and kissing him deeply. 

Then Cheoljong flushed a bit, nodded and fled the room, leaving a flustered Bong-Hwan behind.

**

Soyoung came back to the castle with The King and Byeong-In following behind. She was unable to even try to do small talk with her husband as the memory of Byeong-In’s lips on her kept flashing into her mind.

She was trying very hard to not let anything amiss appear.

“I heard that you were going to choose some concubines for me?” the King asked her and she almost jumped in surprise, lost in her thought as she was.

“Ah… Yes. The Grand Queen Dowager asked me to do it. I hope my choice will please you, your Highness.” she bowed quickly.

The Grand Queen Dowager did ask her to do it and it had been quite easy because Bong-Hwan being Bong-Hwan he remembered the name of the one he had chosen last time and who had proved themselves to be a very good idea indeed.

The ceremony would probably happen very soon, she realized abruptly. The banquet was also fast approaching. She wondered if Cheoljong had started planning it with Mon-Bok. Or if he was planning to do it with Bong-Hwan.

They would need to make sure that no one poisoned the water that time. Though for the supplies…

She glanced backward at where Byeong-In was following them on his horse.

That would be a good thing to ask Byeong-In for his help. He had guards under his command if she asked him to make sure the supplies arrived he would do it.

There was also the matter of the men working for Cheoljong. If she remembered -though Bong-Hwan's knowledge on that part was a bit hazy- Cheoljong had expected his men to be captured.

And he made himself blow up in answer. They needed to tell him it was unnecessary. But how?

“My King…” she began but was interrupted by guards shooting as they had arrived at the palace. They both stepped down from the palanquin and the King bowed before walking briskly away leaving her in the courtyard.

“Mama?” Byeong-In asked from behind and she sighed. She would hopefully have another occasion to try to convince the King that blowing himself up was a disproportionate answer.

**

Bong-Hwan was thankfully declared healed by the physician and was able to leave Soyoung’s father's house.

The man did ask him to cook for him before he left, probably wanting to assert if his cooking was as good as he heard.

He also still seemed quite unsuspicious so that meant he still wasn’t aware of the ledger being missing.

As it was, Bong-Hwan made sure to always be with someone else of the household before leaving the house. (if he had an alibi he couldn’t be the culprit, right?)

He caught sight of the well as he was leaving. Cheoljong didn’t seem to have a problem this time. Didn’t have any panic attacks or anything. 

But he hadn’t stayed as long.

Now that Bong-Hwan could think about it he frowned: Cheoljong didn’t even seem to have searched for the ledger? He could have pretended to have wanted to see his father in law house right? It wasn’t completely unheard of. Yet he didn’t.

Did he forget? Didn’t seem to be Cheoljong type but….

Urgh. It wouldn’t help anything for anyone if Bong-Hwan was just letting his thoughts circle. 

He finally made it to the gate of the palace where he presented his “papers” -thanks Soyoung to have thought of taking it and to bring it back- and he made his way toward the kitchen.

“You’re alive!” one of the aid said when he entered and Bong-Hwan rolled his eyes:

“Of course I am. It was nothing. Really.”

“Are you sure?” another asked “It seemed pretty serious.” 

“If it was really serious would I be here?”

The aids exchanged a look between them.

“I wouldn’t! Who do you think I am?”

Another look was exchanged.

“Hey!” Annoyed, he turned to Mon-Bok who was sitting in front of one of the pots.

“What are you preparing?” He asked curiously.

“Soft boiled meat for the Grand Queen Dowager.” Mon-Bok looked up and down, “Are you sure you’re feeling better.”

“Yes. I’m touched that you were worried about me.” Mon-Bok didn’t reply but as Bong-Hwan made his way to “his” cutting board he heard him muttering “who was worried?”

He cracked his knuckles and smiled. Time to prepare the King’s meal.

**

As if life was an unending circle that repeated itself: Papyeong Yoon of the Gyeon Ok Clan, Namyoung Hong from the Sim Hyang Clan and Yeoheung Min from the Ja Yeon Clan were introduced as the new concubines of the King.

Soyoung heard that a lot of people couldn’t make head or tail of this choice from her since it wasn’t a very advantageous choice for the Kim. Soyoung ignored them as best as she could.

Though it was, however, harder to ignore how the Kim were starting to get annoyed by her in return.

The Grand Queen Dowager seemed to think she was some foolish, naive girl and that she wasn’t as useful as they thought she would be. Last time when it was Bong-Hwan at her place they had talked about abdication. Of taking her Queen status away.

Bong-Hwan had fought against that because he had wanted to stay to have access to the Lake.

Now, though, Soyoung couldn’t say she would be unhappy if it came to that.

Because it meant she could be with Byeong-In. (if, of course, he accepted to defy his father and asked her hand). The point was she didn’t have anything that tied her to the palace. Hong-Yeon would come with her and Lady court Choi was able to get outside so it wasn't like they would never see each other again.

It would mean Bong-Hwan would be alone. But he was resilient and as a cook his life was way less in danger that he had been last time. It was entirely possible that this situation would make them happier.

Which was exactly why the Kim never told her about anything of the sort.

They weren’t stupid. They wanted her to obey, to have her on their side. Threatening her to be replaced as Queen would just make her happy and would likely mean she would keep doing what she was doing.

However the fact that they didn’t seem to know what to do to have her obey was pleasing. She was a Queen so they clearly couldn’t hurt her too much or too obviously.

And their rival the Jo clan was surprisingly quiet. (Mostly, Soyoung reflected, because unlike last time she wasn’t doing anything to stand between Hwa-Jin and the King. And they had saved her maid. That meant that Hwa-Jin was pretty content to let her exist and wasn’t willing to join her clan in their machinations. She just wanted to support the King.)

But at least, she sincerely hoped that the choice of the concubines would open the King’s eye and let him see that not everyone in the Kim clan was against him.

**

Soyoung kept crossing paths with Byeong-In. It seemed that no matter where she went he was there as well. It made warmth spread in her chest to see him.

Even if it was frustrating to just be able to do small talks, to not be able to touch him as she wanted to, to at least hold his hand, or even felt the press of his lips against her again.

It was slowly driving her mad.

That was why when he snuck into her room once late at night, she didn’t protest at all but went pliant in his arms, relishing in his warmth, in the love she could see in his eyes and the way he pronounced her name.

Those were things that were hers, completely hers and she wasn’t willing to share.

**

“You’re close to the Queen right?” Cheoljong asked him one day and Bong-Hwan looked up from the vegetable he was boiling.

“... In some way, I guess. Why?”

“It’s just. I’m not sure I understand her.” Bong-Hwan give him a look:

“You could start by spending more time with her. That would help, I'd wager.”

“Yes. No. Of course, you’re right but… Take the choice for the concubines, it makes no sense.”

“Why not? They are pretty and their families are noble and quite powerful right?” Bong-Hwan would know he was the one to choose them.

“You think they’re pretty?” Cheoljong asked, his voice all weird before he kept up “Sure they are all that, but they are also… Not helping the Kim clan.”

Bong-Hwan sighed. “If she chose them and it doesn’t help her clan what can you conclude then?”

“.... That she is not very good at politics?”

“No,” and Bong-Hwan used a spatula to hit Cheoljong on the head. He looked at Bong-Hwan like he was possibly mad but Bong-Hwan ignored him. “It means that she is not working with her clan.”

“...But then who is she working with?” Cheoljong asked, though he took a step back, keeping away from the reach of the spatula.

Was he always that stupid? Bong-Hwan wondered

“She is working for you. With you if you let her.” Bong-Hwan muttered then added, “So, about the banquet have you chosen?”

“Oh, yes Mon-Bok propositions are very good, I’ll follow his instinct. Though… Are you sure you don’t want to do it?”

“Yes.” 

To be fair Bong-Hwan had hesitated but at the end of the day Mon-Bok was the head of the Royal kitchen it was normal that the preparation of a meal for such an important event as the banquet should go to him.

Bong-Hwan was more than willing to help him do it but for once wasn’t willing to put himself in the spot. Especially since he had suspicion that some of the people lurking around the kitchen those days weren’t full of good intentions.

**

The King was speaking more to her these days. At first she had been scared that he knew about her and Byeong-In but Bong-Hwan had calmed her worry by telling her about a conversation he had with the King.

That meant he was ready to trust her.

As a reward she came to visit him in his apartment one day the ledger hiding in her garment and when they were left alone she took it out.

“I know you have reasons to doubt me because of my blood and my clan. But I’m not like them. I refuse to see the people suffer even more. Here, this is a ledger that my father keeps with the record of the bad deeds done by the Kim clan.” she bowed, “No one knows that I stole it so please keep it safe.”

The King was silent for so long that she feared it had backfired but as he looked through the pages of black-mails, corruptions and usurpations of power he simply said:

“This will have dramatical repercussions even on your own family.”

“I plan to see my father tomorrow and to ask him to donate most of his goods to the people.” The shock was evident on the King’s face. “And to ask him to distance himself from the rest of the Kim. I’m not asking you to not punish him. But he is my father so I will try to protect him to the best of my ability.”

“He’s not the only Kim that you favor.” The King said, so low she almost didn’t catch it. But she did and she felt herself blush. She had nothing to add to that.

She had asked Byeong-In to keep an eye on the supplies and food that would be delivered for the banquet, he had promised he would make sure they arrived and she had to believe his words.

“You’re not alone, your Highness.” she added, with nothing better to say. A simple reassurance. Now that he had the Ledger it was the King turned to play his cards and to finally crush the Kim.

**

Seeing her father was not as pleasant as she thought it would. It was a necessity -she still wanted to protect him- but if last time he had agreed… She wasn’t sure what would happen now.

She hadn’t apologized yet and at the end she wasn’t sure she wanted to. But for what she was about to ask for she needed anything she could use.

“Father. I wanted to apologize. My words were rather harsh the last time we spoke.”

“No! Your Highness, I apologize for last time. And for all the times before. I hadn’t known… I hadn’t seen how I was hurting you. You were right. I was blinded by greed and was unable to see how it affected you.” he put his hand on hers. “I am truly sorry, your Highness.”

“Thank you father. Thank you.” she repeated, unable to say more for the moment. She hadn’t expected her father to admit so easily that he had been wrong. That the way he had treated her, used her was wrong.

“Father… What do you think of the rest of the Clan? What do you think of the power the Kim clan has over the country?”

She saw her father twitched, clearly uncomfortable with the question but he answered nonetheless :

“I feel that…Before I thought the clan was more important than anything. I owe much to them. But you are my daughter. You live in the palace and I’m not a fool. I know how dangerous this place is. I know that you are in danger. The rest of the clan wants me to warn you, to tell you to remember your place…” he trailed off, frowning. “But they haven’t noticed how you have changed. The fire in your eyes. They don’t realize that nothing will stop you.”

He smiled, a bit sad. “I’m proud of you Soyoung. Of the woman you have become. And I know that your mother would too.”

She felt tears prickling at her eyes and she lowered her head trying to hide her emotion. 

She… Hadn’t expected that. Neither these words nor how good they would feel. How she had needed to hear them.

She smiled back at her father.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“When your mother had you, there was something she would always say to me. She said that you would live in a better world than she did. That you will get to do everything she could not do. The expectation that you will live a better life than hers...was your mother's last wish.

“I want to be able to face your mother in the afterlife. I don’t know what your plans are but I want to help you.”

“Father,” Soyoung started, more confident now “I got your ledger and gave it to the King.” she saw immediately the alarm in his eyes. “I won’t let you fall, father. I want to protect you. So you must not become weak like this either. There is something you must do for me.”

“Tell me about whatever you need. I will do whatever you want.”

“There is something you must do. Take your hands off the corruption and build your reputation.”

She saw her father thinking about it. She could tell he didn’t like the idea. She knew that meant some of her own stuff might be given away. But it was necessary. If they wanted to protect him they needed to have him with a pristine reputation. So that when judgment would be made, they would be more lenient toward him.

**

“The supplies are still not here?” Man-Bok asked and Byeong-In shook his head, annoyed. 

“They were attacked before I could reach them.”

“I need them fast, the banquet is tomorrow! I need the food!”

Bong-Hwan was sitting in his corner, biting his nails, annoyed, worried. 

It couldn’t go like last time right? Surely it was bound to be better, right?

**

It was like last time. Bong-hwan was really upset about that fact. They had tried so hard! So hard to make everything go smoothly. But like last time the supply hadn’t arrived.

Byeong-In walked in the kitchen with what he had managed to save, which wasn’t much. He looked apologetic.

“We were attacked. There were so many and then they put the people in a frenzy by throwing the food to them. I don't… I tried, I swear but…” 

Bong-Hwan believed him if only for how upset he looked. That boy had lost to no one until now didn’t he? He hadn’t faced the King in this timeline. Which meant he wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted, to not have his way.

But they had a banquet to prepare. He looked over at Mon-Bok who was despairing over the lack of food.

At least Bong-Hwan had managed to stop the water being poisoned -he had thrown a nice uppercut and watched with satisfaction as the ancestor of Minister’s Han was knocked unconscious-  so all the kitchen staff was here. Losing their mind but here.

He whistled loud to have everyone attention on him:

“We can still salvage this. Do you trust me?” he asked, turning toward Man-Bok.

The Chef hesitated but nodded so Bong-hwan grinned  “We’re going to make a banquet that they will forever remember!”

**

Fried potatoes, tomato hamburgers, jelly cakes. Everything was done smoothly, everything made to be perfect, everything made to pretend that there was no problem.

Everything to show the Kim clan that they weren’t winning. Cheoljong and his sides would stop getting walked over.

They would win everyone with the banquet. And then … Then Cheoljong would do something with the ledger.

Bong-Hwan wasn’t certain what he would do and tried not to think too much about it. He had a banquet to prepare, papers to write, a King to help.

He couldn’t be busy planning or thinking about more than that.

Byeong-In had left them to rejoin Soyoung and to look over her during the banquet. Bong-Hwan had given him a distracted nod, too busy explaining to one of the Aid the way to cut the potato so that it would curl beautifully around the stick. 

** 

Soyoung was even less excited that she thought about the hunt in the woods: she had always been a pretty terrible archer, just good enough to not deshonorate her clan but that was all.

Besides, her heart was beating madly in her ribcage as she was wondering what was happening on the King’s side. Did Bong-Hwan stop the poisoning? Did the King use the ledger? Were they all going to be okay?

Her thoughts were spinning madly in her mind, and she couldn’t concentrate one bit on what was happening.

And yet she was ushered away and dressed to go hunt in the woods.( Last time Bong-Hwan had won. Maybe she should apply his method? Hide somewhere in the woods eating nuts?)

She made her way to the wood uncertain on where to go. She heard the cracks of twigs and turned around and found herself face to face with Hwa-Jin. 

For a second fear took over before she remembered that right now Hwa-Jin had no reason to hate her.

They looked at each other.

“Are you doing well?” Soyoung asked her, finally breaking the silence.

“I found some rabbits. And you?”

“Really? You’re the first person I crossed paths with…”

“...I think most of them left toward the East.” Hwa jin offered and Soyoung nodded, grateful.

“Then I guess I’ll go over there… Want to come with me?”

Hwa- jin paused then, clearly uncertain.

“Aren’t we supposed to be rivals?”

“Do you want us to be?”

That clearly took Hwa-Jin aback.

“...I… No. No, I would rather not.” she smiled then, tentatively and Soyong could understand why Cheoljong had been enamored with her. (Even if their relationship was built on a lie.)

Together they made their way through the woods. Hwa-jin helped Soyoung secure at least some points.

They had a pleasant time, speaking of anything and everything. Soyoung was surprising herself with how much she enjoyed it. She guessed she never had the occasion before to talk calmly with Hwa-Jin without any interference. They were rivals, belonging to two opposite clans, fighting for the love of the same man…Supposedly.

Soyoung wasn’t interested in Cheoljong anymore and Hwa-Jin had seemed to take a liking in Cheoljong’s older brother last time. It was hard to say if she would develop the same feeling here. But who knew?

Soyoung didn’t win the hunt -no surprise here- but she wasn’t last at least so there was that. The tiger though hadn’t been caught -but the poor man seemed very tired and emotionally scarred-.

Now it was time to change -again- and to assist to the banquet. Despite herself, Soyoung felt trepidation growing in as she had an inkling about what was going to happen.

**

At the end of the banquet the King got up and Soyoung looked up at him, heart beating fast knowing that it was probably now that the full story would unfold. 

She had been surprised when she had seen what was coming out of the kitchen, but then had crossed looks with Byeong-In and his dejected face and had understood.

Still she had eaten with passion, making sure to show exemple, to have people follow her lead.

It was excellent as everything that was prepared by Bong-Hwan always was, no doubt about that. He could be proud of his talent, truly. And he had saved the King. Again. She wished she could have told Cheoljong : Bong-Hwan made this meal for you but Cheoljong shouldn’t be distracted now.

And now he was getting up facing the ministers, the scholars, the people that made his government. The people that kept standing in his way to change the country for good.

“To everyone who came here and set an example as a scholar by not eating a lot, to show that you understand the hunger of the people, I will take this opportunity to make an announcement. With the start of this banquet, we will start reducing the dishes in our meals.”

She saw people muttering between them, surprised, with incomprehension on their face. For herself she made sure to look confident and understanding, to seem to drink every word that the King was saying.

“When the nation is in trouble, the King should reduce the number of dishes in his meals to share the pain of his people. By reducing the number of dishes, we feel the pain of the nation...so that we can overcome it together. At a time like this, taking the grain to save dozens of people, to make a piece of meat to please our tongues is a sin.

“As a result, if anyone in this Palace puts a piece of meat on their tables, they will be punished. I not only forbid meat, but I forbid you from eating generous meals. Ministers cannot enjoy drinking, singing, and dancing, and they must stop having factional strife.

“If you violate these terms, I will take it as you are willing to accept the punishment.”

Last time it was around that time that Kim Jwa Geun had risen and started talking about treason and the men formed by the King hiding in the personal guard. Except that now in that time, he didn’t. He was frowning clearly not liking anything that was coming out of the mouth of the King but unable to do anything.

Last time Byeong-In had brought them in. Today Byeong-In was standing on the side. Looking at Soyoung ignoring his father.

He had chosen a side and he would stick to it.

There was a sort of perverse joy growing in her at the idea that she had defeated one of the most brilliant tacticians with love. That she had swept his most powerful paws by loving him.

(Though she knew deep down that Jwa Geun must have loved Byeong-In. He just loved power more. That would be his downfall.)

Cheoljong stood talled now. He had paused then he kept up:

“I also have something else to annonce. I was given a document a few days ago. A document that proves the corruption of members of my government. Document that proves that those members have put themselves above the people. Above the King.

“This is treason. Pure and simple. And I have the proof. The proof of the wrongdoing of the Kim clan!”

He took out the ledger from his sleeves. She saw her father react to it and cast her a look. 

They had talked, they had put things on the table. Her father knew she wasn’t with the Kim anymore. 

He had followed her advice, she knew for the news of her father giving his good away had reached the palace. No one understood why he was doing that.

But she knew. Now, to see how far it would go…

“And what proof do we have that this document is true?” Kim Jwa Geun  finally rose.

“None of us had ever seen this document before. You said it is proof of our treason but-”

“I have seen this ledger before.” Soyoung’s father stood. She gasped. Her father who had always been so meek, so obedient, suddenly was standing up for her. For the King. Her father was really taking her side. Her father had swore to her that he would and she had feared that he wouldn’t, that fear would keep him silent. But no. She had never been more proud.

“This ledger is mine. I can confirm what the King had said. This ledger contains all the bribes that the Kim clan had accepted over the years.” her father walked up to the center and bowed deep, his forehead touching the ground.

“Your Highness, please forgive this foolish man for his past errors. But use this ledger to serve justice to those who deserved it.”

There were outcries. There were protests. Kim Jwa Geun looked like he had bit into a sour lemon. The Grand Queen Dowager had risen and stood still, shocked, outraged but unable to counter anything.

“I shall listen to your request.” Cheoljong face was thunderous as he proceeded :

“The Kim clan shall be banned. I will design someone that would be responsible to investigate this matter. Everyone who will be found guilty will be executed.”

Almost all members of the Kim clan fell on their knees, begging for their life. Begging for mercy.

But did they show mercy to the famished poor people? When they rise the taxes again, when they put people into slavery all so that they could drink and eat more themselves did they show mercy?

Soyoung looked coldly at the group kneeling at their feet.

She looked up and her gaze crossed Kim Jwa Geun. If looks could have killed she would be dead. He was seething. 

He had been crossed and beaten. And this time there was no coming back.

“And who would you nominate your Highness?” A member of the Jo clan member asked. For their part they seemed rather happy to see their rival clan fall. With no idea that Soyoung had a plan for the Queen Dowager and that they wouldn’t be allowed to rise in power as they so hoped to do.

“I nominate Prince Yeongpyeong and Kim Byeong-In as responsible for this investigation.”

The King’s brother as always was quick to bow in front of him, always there to help. Byeong-In for his part stood still for a few seconds realizing what was happening. Even Soyoung was shocked that Cheoljong would do that.

She crossed Byeong-In’s gaze and nodded, trying to communicate her feelings, her assurance, and how she knew he had to do this.

Byeong-In walked then, ignoring his father -who was looking at him with sadness but also Soyoung believed a bit of pride- bowing in front of Cheoljong.

“As you wish.”

**

The weeks that followed the banquet were very busy. Everyone was running around like chickens without heads.

Soyoung was confined to her room because the Kim clan hadn’t taken their fall too graciously and they still had one assassin running around.

Byeong-In had posted multiple guards around her. He would have probably preferred to stay by her side, Bong-Hwan reflected but he couldn’t because he was charged with building the case against his family.

He and Prince Yeongpyeong were doing an amazing job really, and Soyoung’s father was more than willing to help them.

As a number of people that had seen the bribes or extortions happened but had been unable to stop it before.

Bong-Hwan for his part was quite bored. The Grand Queen Dowager after a shouting match with the King that she had lost spectacularly had been sent away in one of the other palaces. Away from the Inner Court. Of course the Queen Dowager seemed to think it meant she was now the head of the inner court, not realizing that her position was precarious.

She probably wouldn’t last long. Once the investigation would be finished Soyoung would probably send her away too.

Hopefully, the palace would regain peace.

But without food to prepare for the Grand Queen Dowager, Soyoung being confined and Cheoljong being too busy to come see him in the kitchen, it left Bong-Hwan with quite some time on his hand and nothing to keep him entertained.

He could just hear the gossips that all the servants were carrying around. He stayed wary of those because some were too outstanding to be true but he was glad to see that the entire mood of the palace seemed to be in favor of the King and Soyoung.

Those gossips though were how he heard about the demise of the Jo clan. He had truly expected them to be brought down by Soyoung but they actually tried to push for more power in the very confusing period the palace was finding itself in.

Hwa-Jin was the one that had expressed her concern to the King, allowing Cheoljong to deliver a swift and prompt answer.

Bong-Hwan made his way to look at the palanquin that was taking the Queen Dowager away, wistful about it. He had talked with Soyoung once of what had happened after he had regained his body. She had told him of sending the old Queens away and the freedom it had brought her. (She also told him about how she had felt like an imposter.)

A few days later Bong-Hwan resolutely stayed in the kitchen, unable to face the execution of so many people. He came from a time where it simply wasn’t done anymore. Justice where he came from didn’t lead to that kind of death. He had heard that they would be decapitated. Just imagining it made him sick.

Soyoung’s father as well as some minor officials belonging to the Kim clan had been freed. Most of them had to pay a large enough fee and were unable to rise to any position in power anymore.

Kim Jwa Geun and other members of the Kim clan hadn’t been so lucky.

Bong-Hwan knew that Byeong-In had to assist in the executions because of his role in all of it and he wondered how the other man would feel. How Soyoung would feel.

And how Cheoljong was feeling.

Sure he was finally able to do what he had always dreamt of doing. He was finally free to

to reform the country to be a good King. But his way to the throne was paved in blood and Bong-Hwan knew it couldn’t be easy for Cheoljong to face all that.

To accept that the good of the country came with such a high price.

That was why one evening he went back to the kitchen to prepare some ramen and then made his way to Cheoljong's apartment.

He was sure to be arrested on his way but no one tried to stop him, he was a bit alarmed at that -shouldn’t be more people looking after the King- but he tried to tell himself that maybe Cheoljong had warned his guards that Bong-hwan wasn’t an enemy. That he was welcomed.

When he arrived in the King’s chamber, Cheoljong was sitting at his desk, awake. He raised his head at Bong-Hwan’s entrance and Bong-Hwan could notice the dark circles under his eyes. The guilt he wore, the way it seeped through the way his shoulders were sagged, his frown etched on his face. How despite having won he looked absolutely miserable.

He put the bowl of ramen down and looked at Cheoljong.

“You can’t feel bad about what happened. It was necessary. You know that if you had let them live they would have tried to gain power or worse kill you. Please, don’t feel bad.”

Cheoljong huffed :

“I know. I don’t fully regret it. Which is maybe worse. I should feel worse. I should feel… something I guess.”

“Are you afraid of turning heartless? Because your Highness I can tell you, you’re so far from it. The fact that you’re sitting here, not sleeping but thinking about it, is a testament to your kind heart.” Bong-Hwan added firmly.

Cheoljong looked at him a bit before replying:

“Cheoljong.”

“What?”

“When it is just the two of us… You can call me Cheoljong.”

Bong-Hwan stared for a while, sure he must have misheard that, and then to his horror he felt himself flush. 

Going completely red, flustered beyond anything he had ever experienced. Cheoljong was looking at him curiously and so Bong-Hwan tried to change the focus of the conversation.

“Here! I prepared some food for you, I thought you must be quite hungry with all that you have to do.”

He pushed the bowl toward Cheoljong, unable to look at him now.

He felt so stupid for reacting this way. Cheoljong was kind, he knew that and he was probably grateful for all the help that Bong-Hwan had tried to give him. The reprieve he had found while standing in the kitchen. The insight Bong-Hwan was able to give him about Soyoung’s mind.

It meant nothing. It couldn’t mean something. It couldn’t mean what Bong-Hwan wanted it to mean.

“Thank you, you’re right. I guess I’m quite hungry.”

Cheoljong started eating happily and Bong-Hwan wondered if he should leave or wait to go back to the kitchen with the empty bowl.

As if he was sensing this Cheoljong paused “Stay please. I always feel better when you’re here.”

“Do you?” Bong-Hwan couldn’t help but ask. Was the King truthful about that?

“You never treated me like a King. Which at first I was aghast about that.. but you never treated me like an idiot either. You don’t look up or down at me. When I’m with you I am Cheoljong. I’m not the King, I’m just me.”

“Some people would say that the way I talk to you is akin to disrespect and that I should be severely punished for that…” Bong-Hwan remarked. Cheoljong just laughed.

“True. But those people don’t know you.”

Breath caught in his throat Bong-Hwan cast a look at Cheoljong. He was looking at him fondly.

“But you do?”

“You’re weird, arrogant, selfish, and rough around the edges. I’ve never met anyone like you before. Like I said I was taken aback the first time we talked. But I like the way you are.”

Bong-Hwan was remembering the last time the King had said those words to him. They had been by the lake. After the King was hurt by the explosion that he set himself and after their first night together.

But it couldn’t be told with the same feelings as before. He lowered his head again, looking down at his hands, willing himself to be strong. To protect Cheoljong who probably just didn’t realize how… how what he was saying sounded. How it could be taken. Cheoljong was just very tired and when you were tired sometimes you said things you didn't mean .

“Your- Cheoljeong. You should watch what you’re saying. People could misunderstand you. It could lead to… problems.”

After all, his reign had just begun and Cheoljong was still in a somewhat precarious position. People would try to take advantage of him.

As silence was his only answer he looked up. Cheoljong was looking at him, smiling softly.

“Maybe I want you to misunderstand.” Bong-Hwan blinked, unable to comprehend this turn of event. 

Surely he was dreaming. Surely Cheoljong wasn’t saying what he thought he was saying.

“My King?” he asked for clarification. Cheoljong awkwardly made his way around his desk and kneel next to Bong-Hwan, cupping his jaw.

“While I do enjoy you calling me yours… I’d really prefer it if you called me Cheoljong.”  and then kissed him.

All thoughts evaporate from Bong-Hwan. All doubts too. He had found his way to Cheoljong again.

It was all very familiar and all very weird, he thought. He knew those lips, those shoulders, those arms around his waist, those hands with their calluses. He knew all that, was familiar with it and yet… And yet. It was so different. Because his own body was taller, stronger, his jaw was square, he had stubble, his hair was shorter.

It was as familiar as it was unknown the two sensation jarring.

But it didn’t matter. Because it was Cheoljong and at the end that was all that mattered really.

**

Soyoung was glad to be able to escape her room. She hadn’t really enjoyed being locked down even if she had understood why. For a while there had been an agent of Jwa Geun running around -the one that had kidnapped Hwa-Jin’s maid- but he had been apprehended when he had tried to free his master.

He had died too soon though. He had been sick, gravely ill, the physician had said and once in prison with no access to medicine -he hadn’t asked for it- he had passed away.

She had heard about the departure of the Queens and was just now realizing that the inner court was hers. Cheoljong was in power, truly and completely.

She and Bong-hwan had succeeded. She made her way to the kitchen hoping to celebrate.

She was rather taken aback by how cheerful she found Bong-Hwan once she arrived.  Sure she knew that he must have been happy too about their success but to the point where the man was whistling while he was cooking? Even Chef Mon-Bok seemed surprised, eyeing him suspiciously, muttering under his breath.

“Bong-Hwan?” she called.

“Soyoung!” he called back, happily. He was flushing slightly though as their eyes met, like he was guilty. And then it clicked in her mind.

She was… Surprised for sure. She hadn’t known Cheoljong would fall for Bong-Hwan as he was a man but she was happy for them nonetheless and she couldn’t contain her laugh.

Bong-Hwan made a face but even then his happiness was hard to miss.

“I’m glad to see you in such high spirits.” she teased him and he shrugged. “Well, You should be too. Aren’t you safe now?”

She nodded. “I am.” She had saved Byeong-In too. Sure Cheoljong wasn’t in love with her and she should have a discussion with him about the future of the Kingdom. About having a child maybe. Together or maybe he would rather have one with one of the concubines.

She would enjoy having a baby, but at the same time laying with Cheoljong would feel weird. Ha… Well, they would have to see. Seemed like the both of them had let their heart strayed quite far away from their duty.

Hwa-Jin was also still here. Would she stay though, Soyoung wondered. She had left once when she realized the King was in love with Bong-hwan and that her association with the Jo clan had cost so much to the King.

She had helped this time but the King had still fallen for Bong-Hwan. Would she even realize now that Bong-Hwan was in his own body? Would she be blind to it?

In any case if she decided to stay, Soyoung hoped they would be able to keep building their relationship, to have a friendship of sorts. She also needed to get closer to the other concubines as well.

“Are you staying?” Bong-Hwan asked suddenly, seriously and it took her a second but she figured what he was really asking. 

Was she staying as a Queen? 

“I think so. I have been miserable here, but you saved me. Once again. You helped give me a safe palace. I think I will be okay.” she looked around, the other staff of the kitchen were busy and no one was paying them any mind -it was usual for them to have the Queen in their kitchen-

“Besides I think we both have things that we can help the other hide.” she added and while Bong-Hwan flushed he nodded.

She would offer protection to the King if his interest in Bong-Hwan didn’t disappear. And as for her, she hoped that the King would offer her protection if she wanted to keep loving Byeong-In.

“Well, look at you,” Bong-Hwan joked, “You’ve become quite the modern woman!” 

She had seen a bit of the future through Bong-Hwan's mind. Learned about planes and cars and democracy and war. She had learned about woman working, not marrying or marrying late, about same sex couple, about polyamory too.

She had learned about all of it. And now it was maybe time to put some of those things in action. To have Joseon be a futuristic, progressive and open-minded nation. To build for the future.

“I guess I am.”  she replied

A few weeks ago she had jumped into a lake hoping to die. Now she was alive and glad for it. She had a friend who knew all about her, two maids that would always be on her side, a lover that had chosen her over anyone else and a husband who was slowly becoming a friend.

Yes , she thought, mind free for a moment, we will be okay.

THE END