Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
In Idle Prison, Tiyung receives a coded letter Sora wrote to Count Seok, proving she survived and intends to kill King Joon within a month. The message renews Tiyung’s hope but raises suspicion about Hana’s motives for delivering it and leaving him a lantern. Tiyung resolves to endure, alone in the dark.
Summary
After Hana departs his cell in Idle Prison, Tiyung rushes to the envelope she left behind. He recognizes his own seal and realizes Sora must have used it, flooding him with relief that she is alive and free. The letter, however, is addressed to Count Seok, not Tiyung.
Tiyung reads Sora’s brief message: “It was his plan. Tiyung is idling the day away. Within a month I will keep my word. Keep your word.” He interprets it as coded: the king masterminded the assassination, their original plot failed, Sora still intends to kill King Joon within a month, and the reference to “idling” is a warning to Count Seok that Tiyung is imprisoned in Idle. This confirms Sora survived the throne room and is acting to protect her sister and aid Tiyung.
Buoyed by proof of Sora’s survival and intent, Tiyung vows to endure for her, even while believing she may love Hana, not him. He reflects on Sora’s consistent compassion and contrasts it with his own past failings, resolving not to waste her efforts.
Yet Tiyung is unsettled that Hana delivered the letter and a lantern despite hating his family. He debates her motives—kindness or manipulation—but ultimately accepts the gifts’ value. When the lantern oil expires, he is left alone in darkness, clinging to renewed hope and caution.
Who Appears
- TiyungPrisoner in Idle; receives Sora’s coded letter, regains hope, questions Hana’s motives, resolves to survive.
- SoraSender of a coded letter to Count Seok; alive, signals plan to kill King Joon within a month.
- Hana (Zahara)Visits Tiyung’s cell; leaves him a lantern and delivers Sora’s letter, prompting his suspicion.
- Count SeokTiyung’s father; intended recipient of Sora’s message warning about Tiyung’s imprisonment.
- King JoonImplied mastermind of the assassination plot; target of Sora’s vowed killing within a month.