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The prince was smiling as he turned to head back into the palace.  The ice queen had left him abruptly.  Without an answer.  Which had only intrigued him more.

He was rather happy that his brother had sent him on this errand.  And piqued his interest in the young princess. 

She was certainly something unique. But there was something else about her….

Some hidden pain bubbling under the surface.  Wounds that had festered because no one had ever taken the time to heal them.  He knew such agony well.  If nothing else, he wished to lance her lesions.

But he was going to have to go slowly with this one.  Gently. 

That was all right.  He had time.  He wasn’t going anywhere.  Not until he and Jin Heung had come to an agreement.  Concerning several things.

And he was going to drag things out as long as possible.  Because he also needed ample time to find his sister.

––

As she fled for refuge to her bedchamber, Sook Myeong couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

The prince had disarmed her while arming her.

She hadn’t expected him to hand her weapons to her.  He’d surprised her.  Several times, actually.

He wanted to become further acquainted with her. 

Why did his intent terrify her?

Was it because she’d already broken her heart over one man?  Was she repelled by Jong Su?  Or was she drawn to him?

He was clearly interested in her.  And, possibly, in a marriage with her.  If her brother agreed with him, she’d be imprisoned in an alliance.

But…could it really be so bad?

He had grabbed her hand and refused to release it for several minutes.  But he hadn’t hurt her.  And he’d relinquished her weapons to her.  He’d even invited her to shoot him.

She giggled as she recalled the utter absurdity of that moment.  What a strange man!

She wondered when she would see him again….

––

Eun Sook headed for the garden.  She’d given up on seeing Jijin today.  She was going to take a stroll without him.  Trailed by her three guards, she stepped out into the warm, summer air and inhaled deeply. 

She smiled as she gazed upon the dying rays of the setting sun.  She hadn’t missed it.  She’d nearly waited too long.  But she had finally given in to the impulse to see her bright star before it went to sleep tonight.

She took her fill of it before turning towards her favorite spot in the garden.  She glanced up into the stunned eyes of a handsome man.  Something about him tugged at her.  What was it? 

She furrowed her brow as she studied him momentarily.  He was a stranger.  Wasn’t he? 

But, in the next instant, as her eyes flowed over his long robes – unfamiliar but clearly royal robes – she realized that he must be the visiting king.  Her brother.  She stopped, astounded, and simply stared at him for a moment.

And, as she did so, a memory bubbled up.  Of a similar robe.  One in which she’d been wrapped the night her nurse had rescued her from the palace.  Just moments after her birth.

––

As the prince turned to head inside, he caught sight of another unexpected woman.  This time one who instantly intrigued him.

She was wearing flowing crimson robes as she descended the stairs into the garden.  Looking every bit the princess she clearly was.  But it was her stunning, unusual hair that immediately caught his attention.  Her long, snowy locks were blowing back behind her due to the stiff breeze that had suddenly materialized to stir the vegetation surrounding him.  He stood as one transfixed.  Wondering if he had dreamed up the beauty headed his way.

She stepped down into the garden and smiled as her eyes met his.  “Oh!  Are you the prince from Goguryeo?”  She bowed to him.

Her voice was just as heavenly as her eyes.  They were a deep indigo that instantly drew him in with their obvious warmth.  They seemed oddly hopeful…and apprehensive.

“Yes, I’m Prince Jong Su,” he remarked easily as his eyes searched hers.

Was he looking at his baby sister?  The one for whom he’d spent months searching?  And years yearning?

Tears filled his eyes as he stared down at her.  For her face was reminiscent of their mother’s.  He’d know that squat nose anywhere.  He’d inherited it too.  And the shape of her eyes.  If not their exotic color.

“Eun Sook?” he breathed.

And she stilled.  He recognized her?!