Chapter Sixty-Three: Watchtower Confessions and Capture
⚠️ 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 and Sora are left behind at the Rose Palace in Gaya while Mikail, Aeri, and Royo lead a mission to assassinate King Joon. From the watchtower, they scan for enemy ships but sense an ill omen. Tiyung questions Sora about her closeness to Mikail, suspecting romantic feelings. Sora clarifies that she and Mikail share only a bond of grief—both loved and lost Euyn, and together they shoulder their sorrow. Relieved, Tiyung moves closer, and their fingertips touch. The moment of intimacy is broken by the sound of armored soldiers climbing the stairs. King’s guard loyal to King Seok appear and demand that Tiyung and Sora come with them. When Tiyung resists, a brief fight erupts. The guard captain orders Tiyung unharmed, revealing they serve King Seok. Sora looks at Tiyung with betrayal, believing he may have been complicit. They are both forcibly taken from the tower.
Key Events
- Tiyung and Sora are assigned to stay behind at the palace while the others assassinate King Joon.
- From the watchtower, they observe a Weian ship hidden at sea and feel tension in the air.
- Tiyung confronts Sora about her relationship with Mikail, suspecting romantic involvement.
- Sora reveals that she and Mikail share a bond of grief over Euyn’s death, not romance.
- Tiyung and Sora share an intimate moment—touching fingers—but are interrupted by soldiers.
- A unit of King Seok’s guard arrives, separating the pair and capturing them.
- The captain orders Tiyung not to be harmed, implying King Seok’s interest in his son.
- Sora’s expression shifts to betrayal, believing Tiyung may have known about the attack.
Character Development
Tiyung admits his jealousy over Sora’s closeness to Mikail but then experiences relief and guilt. He strives to be better but fails to hide his bitterness at first. After Sora’s explanation, he softens. He is willing to die to protect Sora, showing his loyalty. When captured, he is shocked and unable to explain the situation to Sora.
Sora clarifies that her bond with Mikail is grief‑driven, not romantic. She shows vulnerability by opening up about her loss. She also takes a risk by stepping closer to Tiyung, only to have the moment shattered. Her final reaction—betrayal in her eyes—suggests she suspects Tiyung’s involvement with his father’s men, casting doubt on their fragile trust.
Mikail is not physically present but is discussed. His portrayal deepens: he is still grieving Euyn, and his hunger for the sword mirrors Seok’s lust for power. He is seen as a leader who sees Tiyung as soft or a valuable target.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and shared burden. Sora and Mikail’s bond is defined by mutual loss of Euyn, described as a “deep, dark pit.” The chapter emphasizes that grief can forge connections that are not necessarily romantic.
Trust and suspicion. The captured ending hinges on Sora’s look of betrayal. The fragile trust between them is immediately tested by the arrival of King Seok’s men. Tiyung’s inability to prove his innocence in the moment foreshadows future conflict.
The watchtower as a liminal space. The tower sits between the palace and the sea, between safety and danger, between intimacy and ambush. The darkness, the spyglasses, and the interrupted moment all reinforce the chapter’s tension.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Tiyung and Sora’s relationship—they move from guarded allies to nearly confessing their feelings—only to be ripped apart by external forces. It also establishes King Seok’s direct involvement in capturing his son, revealing that the rebellion’s plans may already be compromised. The cliffhanger sets up the next chapter with high stakes: Tiyung and Sora are prisoners, separated, and their allies are unaware.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tiyung initially resent Sora’s closeness with Mikail? How does Sora’s explanation change his feelings?
Tiyung is jealous and wishes to be the sole source of Sora’s happiness. When Sora explains that she and Mikail share only a bond of grief over Euyn’s death, Tiyung feels relief and a new sympathy for Mikail. He realizes that grief can create non‑romantic bonds, and he accepts that his own feelings for Sora are still possible.
2. What does the arrival of King Seok’s guard reveal about the failure of the group’s plan?
The guard’s sudden appearance suggests that someone within or outside the rebellion tipped off King Seok. Either Fallador betrayed them, or Rune’s men infiltrated the palace. The capture of Tiyung and Sora while the others are away removes their leverage and leaves the mission in jeopardy.
3. How does the author use the watchtower setting to amplify the emotional stakes?
The watchtower is isolated, dark, and high above the city. It forces Tiyung and Sora into close proximity and intensifies their private conversation. The looming threat of unseen soldiers below mirrors their unspoken fears. When the guard arrives, the tower becomes a trap—the only exit is blocked, and they have no escape, reflecting how quickly intimacy can turn to danger.