Chapter 25: 24. Daehyun – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Daehyun and Iseul arriving at the inn during a heavy downpour. They take shelter in the kitchen as rainwater floods their quarters. Yul rushes to prepare tea and enlists Wonsik's help to protect the rooms.
Daehyun, distracted by Iseul's presence, tries to convince her to return home for her safety. He warns that the Great Event may kill them all and suggests she leave so her sister Suyeon might have a home to return to. Iseul refuses, explaining that her sister needs to know she is there. When Daehyun presses her on her fearlessness, she admits she is afraid—but fears regret more.
Prompted by Daehyun, Iseul reveals she blames herself for Suyeon's abduction. She and her sister quarreled at their hut, and Iseul ran out; Suyeon followed and was seized by the king. Daehyun insists it is the king's fault alone, not hers. He explains that the king sets people against themselves to justify his own cruelty.
The conversation deepens as Daehyun shares his own trauma. His foster brothers—sons of Lady Jeong—were ordered by the king to beat their mother to death, unaware it was her. Unable to live with the act, they later orchestrated their own capture to help Daehyun gain the king's favor. Daehyun still feels he should have died trying to save them. Iseul counters with her own losses: her mother killed before her eyes, her father executed while she hid. She echoes his earlier words, telling him to let the king carry the weight of all his crimes.
A sense of understanding passes between them. Iseul comments that she never expected such wise counsel from Daehyun, nor that he would confide in her. He notices her honey-brown eyes. She gives him a garakji necklace, her mother's talisman, and makes him promise to return it after the Great Event.
Wonsik interrupts with an urgent letter from Official Choi's household. It is from Deputy Commander Park, summoning everyone to the House of Bright Flowers in one week. Iseul wonders if her uncle has recruited other officials. Daehyun realizes the hypothetical coup he and Hyukjin discussed has become real.
Key Events
- Daehyun and Iseul take shelter from the rain at the inn.
- Daehyun tries to send Iseul away for her safety; she refuses.
- Iseul confesses her guilt over Suyeon's abduction.
- Daehyun reveals his foster brothers' sacrifice and his own guilt.
- The two share mutual understanding and emotional healing.
- Iseul gives Daehyun a garakji necklace as a talisman.
- A letter arrives summoning everyone to the House of Bright Flowers in one week, setting the coup in motion.
Character Development
Daehyun – For the first time, Daehyun opens up about his past without recoiling. He admits he should have died trying to save his brothers. By accepting Iseul's counsel, he begins to release his self-blame. His growing feelings for Iseul—which he initially views as a distraction—humanize him.
Iseul – Iseul is forced to articulate her deep guilt and learns from Daehyun that the king, not her, is responsible. She shows resilience and wisdom, turning Daehyun's own words back to him. Her gift of the garakji demonstrates trust and a desire to protect him.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Guilt and blame – Both Daehyun and Iseul carry misplaced guilt. Daehyun insists blame belongs only to the king, a motif that recurs throughout the chapter.
The king's manipulation – The king pits family members against each other, as seen in Daehyun's story. The characters recognize this pattern and refuse to internalize his cruelty.
Family bonds – The chapter explores family through sacrifice (Daehyun's brothers) and guilt (Iseul's sister). The line "when the other bleeds, you bleed, too" captures the motif.
Superstition and talismans – Iseul's garakji necklace represents hope and a promise of return. Daehyun's acceptance shows his vulnerability.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 25 is a turning point for Daehyun and Iseul's relationship. The emotional vulnerability they share builds trust and mutual understanding, laying the foundation for cooperation in the coming coup. It also provides crucial backstory for Daehyun's motivations and deepens the theme of the king's cruelty. The letter from Deputy Commander Park propels the plot forward, shifting the conspiracy from theory to imminent action.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Daehyun initially try to send Iseul away?
He wants her to live because he cares for her, and he believes that if she dies, her sister Suyeon may have no home to return to. He is trying to protect her from the deadly risks of the Great Event.
2. How does Iseul's experience with her family mirror Daehyun's?
Both lost family members due to the king's cruelty—Iseul's mother and father were killed, and Daehyun's foster brothers were forced into a situation that led to their deaths. Both characters blame themselves, but their conversation helps them reframe blame onto the king.
3. What is the significance of the garakji necklace?
It is a talisman from Iseul's mother, representing protection and hope. Iseul gives it to Daehyun to keep him safe, and she demands he return it after the coup, reinforcing their commitment to surviving together.