“Greetings to the honored mother!” Yi Hyun bowed low. “Has Your Majesty been well?”

  The queen was a full year and a half older than him. In Gyeonghuigung Palace, where she now lived, the rules were somewhat less strict than in the royal palace, and the young woman did not deny herself fresh, bright colors in her clothes. Instead of austere blue or dark green, she wore soft pink and light green and looked more like a young princess than the mother of the nation.

  “Prince Dojun,” the queen greeted him, using his official title. “What has brought you to this lonely hermit’s abode?”

  “I regret that I could not pay my respects earlier,” he continued to play his role. “I was afraid of troubling you without cause.”

  “It is always a pleasure to see my children,” the queen smiled stiffly. She was surely wondering what his real intentions were. “It is a pity they seem to have forgotten me completely.”

  “My younger brother is studying diligently in the monastery,” Yi Hyun replied as expected. “He does not dare show himself before you until he has finished studying the Four Books and Five Classics. I beg you to forgive his shame.”

  “Of course, the poor boy should first learn to read,” the queen nodded graciously. “And what is your elder brother, Prince Seojin, occupied with?”

  “He is preparing for the ceremony of conferring the queen’s title on his late mother,” Yi Hyun allowed himself a crooked smile. “And doubtless for the conferring of another title as well, this time on himself. A pity he is too arrogant to pay his respects to you, who care so much about him.”

  When sending his brother to the queen, Yi Yun had separately stressed the need to demonstrate their opposition. Considering that Yi Yun knew relationships within the court of Joseon much better than Yi Hyun did, the latter decided to follow his advice.

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  “Yes, children are rarely grateful,” the queen sighed theatrically.

  “I would like to prove that this is not always true,” Yi Hyun bowed again and drew from his sleeve the bundle he had prepared. “Even when you are no longer in the palace, there are still those who look after your interests. One maid died protecting your clothes. I took the liberty of finishing what she did not have time to do and bringing you these socks. Of course, they were thoroughly washed and mended, so as not to offend your feelings with the sight of blood.”

  The queen opened the bundle with fear in her eyes, but inside there was indeed only a pair of white socks.

  “In truth, she was killed by a eunuch out of jealousy,” Yi Hyun added, lowering his voice. “But this story will not go beyond the torture chamber.”

  The queen measured him with a long look.

  “You have done me a service I did not ask for, Prince Dojun,” she said at last. “What did you wish to receive in return?”

  “I did this out of filial piety,” he answered humbly and tried to put on his most charming, gentle smile. “Unfortunately, I do not have as much influence at court as I would like, and I will not always be able to defend your interests. But if we joined forces, together we could achieve more.”

  “How can a disgraced queen help you, prince?” she laughed without joy.

  “If the queen would agree to accept me as her son, there would be no greater joy for me,” Yi Hyun replied and fell still, waiting. If only she did not balk. If only she understood how much this would strengthen both their positions. Yi Yun really had found him an excellent support — one that, once it gave him strength, would be entirely dependent on him and not dictate its own terms.

  “So that the king would suddenly have two legitimate sons at once, both bearing the title of great prince and worthy to become heir?” The young queen’s smile grew wider and more predatory. “And you intend to compete for the throne, Great Prince Dojun?”

  “Father has allowed me to keep the Lesser Seal and lodged me in Donggung,” Yi Hyun straightened his back and looked the queen boldly in the eyes. Now was the time to show her his resolve. “He listens to my words at councils. If I am proclaimed heir, then one day my mother will receive the title of Queen Dowager.”

  “I do not want you to take this for greed, son,” the queen held his gaze without looking away. “But you truly are the only one of my children who has shown me respect, remembered me in this difficult time, and come to visit. Therefore it will be my pleasure to adopt you officially.”

  “I am endlessly grateful to my honored mother,” Yi Hyun bowed low to her.