The dawn sky had just begun to brighten, casting a gentle golden hue over the palace grounds. But Areum's heart was far from calm like the sky above. She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at an old map neatly folded on her lap. The faded handwritten notes along the edges pointed to a place nearly forgotten by time — the Moonplain Temple.
"That temple was only mentioned once in the historical scrolls," Areum whispered to herself. "But if Seol Hwa truly came from there… then I have to go."
Yu Jin entered quietly, carrying a disguise outfit and a small bag of herbal concoctions. "Everything's ready. We'll slip out the back before the sun rises fully," he said, his expression serious — a far cry from his usual cheerful self.
Areum gripped Yu Jin's fingers tightly. "We must do this in secret. Wang Joon must not find out. If I fail, let me bear the consequences alone."
Yu Jin nodded, though his eyes showed deep concern. "I'm still going with you. You're not alone in this."
The Journey Begins
They disguised themselves as herbal traders from the mountain regions and traveled with a small caravan heading eastward. The rocky paths they followed were not only physically challenging, but they also stirred old memories in Areum — a future she had once walked away from, and a past now demanding answers.
Along the journey, Areum noticed a strange pattern — carvings of plum blossoms and crescent moons appeared on some roadside stones. Some were nearly faded, but her trained eyes as a cook caught every fine detail. She touched one of the symbols, and a warmth tingled at her fingertips.
"This isn't a coincidence," she murmured.
Yu Jin also examined the symbol. "Maybe it's a sign… or a warning?"
Areum didn't answer, but her gaze became more resolute.
The Watching Shadows
On the third night, they took shelter in an abandoned hut at the forest's edge. As Areum sat quietly, listening to the sound of crickets, she noticed shadows moving between the trees.
"Yu Jin… we're being watched."
Yu Jin gripped the small knife hidden at his belt. "Don't panic. We wait. If they show up, I'll—"
"No," Areum interrupted. "If they wanted to attack, they would have done so already. But if they're only watching… it means they're still unsure who I am."
She looked toward the forest, her determination hardening. "We must reach the temple before they learn too much."
The Forbidden Village
Three days later, they arrived at a quiet village hidden in the folds of the hilly forest. The villagers' faces turned wary when the temple in the north was mentioned.
"We don't go there," said an old man as he shut his barn door. "That place is cursed."
But an elderly woman, her gray hair neatly tied and her eyes deep as though holding a thousand stories, approached them.
"If you wish to enter the Moonplain Temple, make sure your blood is true. That place won't accept imposters. Many have tried… none returned."
Areum bowed politely. "I only seek answers about my origins. That's all."
The old woman studied Areum for a long moment before quietly saying, "Then go tonight — when the full moon rises. The gate opens only once."
The Gate of Truth
That night, beneath the light of a full moon hanging in the sky like a watchful eye, Areum and Yu Jin arrived at a moss-covered stone gate adorned with ancient carvings. At the center of the gate was the same plum blossom and crescent moon symbol they had seen throughout their journey.
Areum reached out and touched the carving. As her fingers made contact, a soft glow lit up from the cracks between the stones, spreading around the gate like living golden roots. A gentle breeze stirred, carrying the scent of plum blossoms — flowers that had never bloomed in this forest before.
Yu Jin stood speechless. "Areum… you—"
The stone door, once solid and immovable, began to creak open. Silence enveloped everything. Even the crickets had stopped chirping.
Areum stepped into the darkness that lay beyond the gate. "If this is the path to discovering who I am… I'm ready."