Lee Seong-min could not focus.
Sitting in his study, a dozen petitions from the court lay before him waiting for his signature. His ministers had told him of tensions rising on the frontier, of trade squabbles, of palace politics that must be addressed.
But his thoughts were on someone—Yoon Ji-hwan.
The moment their eyes had met in the throne room, something within him had shifted. A pull, a glimpse of insight that could not have been.
It didn't add up. He wasn't sure that they had ever met.
And yet…
"You feel… familiar."
Seong-min had seen how Ji-hwan's shoulders had stiffened, the pause in his breath before he had waved it off.
He was hiding something.
A soft cough interrupted his thoughts. Minister Kang Yeon-su stood in the doorway, his hands clasped behind his back.
Your Majesty," the advisor said hesitantly. "Can I speak freely ?"
Seong-min glanced at him. "You always do.".
Minister Kang was reluctant to proceed. "It is unwise to believe in Yoon Ji-hwan.".
Seong-min furrowed his brow. "Why?"
" He is the offspring of the deceased Minister Yoon, who had been charged with treason. Although the charges never held water, his family's treachery is still talked about".
Seong-min considered this. He had read the reports—Minister Yoon had been combative, a man of quick wit and unyielding principles. But treason?
That was his father's fault," Seong-min answered. "Not his.".
Minister Kang bowed his head. "Despite that… his unexpected return disturbs me."
Seong-min did not answer. He gazed instead out into the moonlit courtyard, where Ji-hwan's face was burned into his mind.
He would discover exactly what Yoon Ji-hwan was concealing.
Even if it meant bringing him nearer.