Chapter 39: Tiyung's Flight and Suspicion of Hana
⚠️ 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
Tiyung sits alone at the Palm Teahouse in Tamneki, watching rain fall in the courtyard where he and Sora first met Count Bay Chin. He confesses to himself that he came here because the place reminds him of Sora. Reflecting on the events at Qali Palace just hours earlier, Tiyung recalls his mother—typically levelheaded and never prone to overreaction—urging him to flee. She loudly dismissed him as a “charming fake” to Rayna, Sun‑ye’s sister, right before turning away. Tiyung grabs his horse from the stable boy and speeds away, convinced his mother saved his life, though he cannot explain the source of danger. He considers that his father spread word of his death when placing a bounty on the group; perhaps his continued existence is inconvenient. Yet he remains the king’s only living child, raising further questions.
Alone with only a single silver mun, Tiyung nurses his tea, uncertain where to go. He admits his lack of money, supplies, and connections. Missing Hana’s companionship from earlier travels, he suddenly remembers her strange reaction when he called them friends—she said, “We’ll see”—and her distant behavior that same day. He now believes she betrayed him. Recognizing that his family tortured her and her brother, he realizes she owed him no loyalty. He scans possible masters Hana could have served: King Joon, who gave her status as spymaster; or Rune, considering that the fragile alliance between Rune and Tiyung’s father is no longer necessary with so many deaths. Tiyung finds the Rune theory plausible and worries what this means for Sora and the others—and for himself. He finishes his tea and sets out for the messenger house, determined to act.
Key Events
- Tiyung drinks tea at the Palm Teahouse, reminiscing about meeting Sora and Count Bay Chin there.
- He recalls his mother’s warning to flee Qali Palace and her theatrical comment to Rayna.
- He concludes that his mother saved his life, though he remains perplexed about the exact threat.
- He acknowledges his vulnerability: no money, supplies, or allies.
- He re‑examines Hana’s odd behavior and her guarded “We’ll see,” deducing she betrayed him.
- He speculates that Hana may have been working for King Joon or, more likely, for Rune.
- Tiyung finishes his tea and heads to the messenger house, signaling his intent to seek information or contact someone.
Character Development
Tiyung moves from naive trust to sharp suspicion. His introspection here marks a turning point: he admits his foolishness in trusting Hana despite the history between her family and his. The chapter deepens his isolation—he is now a fugitive without a support network. His willingness to confront difficult truths about his family’s cruelty and his own misplaced faith shows emotional growth. Hana’s character is further shaded with ambiguity; though not present in the scene, her potential double‑agency becomes a major question for the reader.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Betrayal and Trust: Tiyung’s certainty that Hana betrayed him drives the chapter. He replays her words and actions, highlighting how trust can be weaponised.
- Family Legacy and Loyalty: Tiyung’s mother acts decisively to protect him, while his father has apparently wished him dead. The split within his family forces him to choose sides.
- Fugitive Identity: Tiyung now lives the same hunted existence as the people he once chased. The teahouse, once a site of alliance with Bay Chin, becomes a place of solitary reflection on loss.
- Unreliable Alliances: The shifting loyalties of Hana, Rune, and the king underscore a world where no contract is permanent.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is Tiyung’s moment of reckoning. It recontextualises Hana’s actions throughout the story, planting doubt about every prior interaction. Tiyung’s decision to head to the messenger house suggests he will take independent action for the first time, separating himself from both his family’s orbit and Hana’s guidance. The chapter also underscores the theme of survival in a world where intelligence and betrayal can invalidate even the strongest bonds.
Study Questions
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Why does Tiyung’s mother urge him to flee Qali Palace?
She likely perceives an immediate threat to his life—possibly that his father has discovered he is alive and still tied to the wanted group. Her public comment to Rayna is a cover to allow him a clean escape. -
What clues lead Tiyung to conclude Hana betrayed him?
He remembers her evasive reply “We’ll see” when he called them friends, her distant attitude, and the secret messages she sent during their travels. He also acknowledges that his family tortured her and her brother, giving her ample motive. -
Where does Tiyung go after leaving the teahouse, and what does it suggest?
He heads to the messenger house. This implies he intends to send or receive information, possibly to contact a surviving ally or to learn Hana’s true employer.