The royal grounds were bustling with excitement as the citizens celebrated the return of their beloved King and his triumphant son, Prince Young-Sik. The echoes of joyous cheers faded into the background for Prince Man-Ju, who stood by the northern gates with the Queen, his mother, her words dripping with disdain.
"It seems your brother has succeeded in eliminating the plague. What a shallow accomplishment," she whispered, her tone laced with envy.
Man-Ju clenched his jaw, feeling the fire of resentment burn in his chest. "An accomplishment is an accomplishment, your Majesty," he replied, pride tinging his voice despite the bitterness. "I, too, have good news to report to His Highness."
As the family gathered, the King's exuberance filled the air. "Welcome back, Your Highness! We hope your mission of mercy went well," Man-Ju bowed, masking his feelings beneath a veneer of respect.
"How fares the burden of the crown, my son?" the King asked, his eyes sparkling with pride as he turned to Man-Ju, who basked in the moment.
"I did better than I expected, Your Highness. I even managed to strike a bargain with a Giuong emissary!" Man-Ju boasted, his heart swelling with the need for recognition.
The King's expression shifted, shock replacing joy. "An emissary? You bargained with the emissary? Follow me to my study; you must tell me about your conversation!" Without waiting for a reply, the King hurried towards his private study, leaving Young-Sik and the Queen momentarily speechless.
"Your Highness," Jin-Ri leaned closer to Young-Sik, concern etched on her face, "Is talking to somebody from Giuong that complicated?"
Young-Sik sighed, the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. "You have to understand, that the Giuong empire has tried to annex Chiongsun for centuries. They've threatened our kings to give them tributes to avoid attacks. Meetings with Giuong emissaries are reserved for the King and our best ministers," he explained, his voice steady yet heavy with the burden of responsibility.
Inside the King's study, the atmosphere crackled with tension as the King's voice boomed, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" The fury in his eyes pierced through Man-Ju like daggers.
"What's the issue, Father? I merely allowed them to use our coastal waters. They still need our permission to set foot on our shores," Man-Ju replied, confusion knitting his brow as he tried to justify his actions.
"Can't you grasp the gravity of your error?" the King thundered, his disappointment palpable. "You've given them free rein over our fishing grounds! They now have access to our exclusive waters while we're barred from theirs. Do you not realize how they've played you for a fool? They've tricked you into expanding their territory at our expense, and for what? Absolutely nothing!"
"But, Father," Man-Ju protested, his voice rising in desperation, "I acted to prevent a war and protect our people from unnecessary death!"
"What you did doesn't protect our people; it only places them in greater peril. Did you even consider how Giuong will react, trampling over our citizens as they now see them as intruders in their territory?" The King's words were sharp, probing the depths of Man-Ju's understanding. "Do you honestly believe their demands will end here? No, they will only escalate, tightening the noose around our necks!"
Man-Ju rushed to assist his father as he grasped his chest, but the King waved him away. "I am utterly disappointed in you. As the crowned prince, you have chosen the path of a coward. Why can't you be more like your brother? He put his life on the line for our people!" Those words struck Man-Ju like a dagger, igniting a storm of fury within him.
The King turned and left, leaving Man-Ju alone in the study, simmering with frustration. "How can you not appreciate my efforts? I saved our nation, while Young-Sik—what did he do? You hold him in such high regard for saving a few!" he yelled into the void, emotions erupting as he hurled the nearest object across the room, shattering it against the wall.
The King, shaken by his son's actions, walked with a heavy heart toward Young-Sik's residence, intent on congratulating him. Meanwhile, Jin-Ri prepared for the prince's celebration, her hands moving quickly to complete the tasks at hand.
"Are you Hong Jin-Ri?" a guard approached her, breaking her concentration.
"Yes, I am," she replied, curiosity piqued.
"Someone called Yeng is by the northern gates looking for you," the guard informed her before departing.
Setting aside her work, Jin-Ri hurried to the gates, where she found Yeng visibly distressed. "What's wrong, Yeng?" she asked, concern washing over her.
"Chief Bong is outside; he said he wants to talk to you about your parents," Yeng explained, her voice trembling.
"What? Is there something wrong?" Jin-Ri's heart raced, uncertainty clouding her mind as she realized the weight of the news looming ahead.
Jin-Ri followed Yeng and once she saw the village chief eh asked fearfully about her parents "Chief Bong, my parents, are they alright?" she blurted out, desperation lacing her voice. "Is there a problem?"
Chief Bong leaned back in his chair, his expression cold and indifferent. "You need to send them more money to buy their medicines," he replied nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather.
"But I just sent silver coins to buy their medicines! They should have enough until next month," Jin-Ri insisted, confusion and fear filling her eyes. How could her parents need more when she had just sent them help?
"That money is for the village," Chief Bong replied, his voice dripping with disdain. "It does not cover your parents' medication."
Jin-Ri's eyes widened in shock, disbelief coursing through her. "What do you mean by that? My parents are part of the village; they should have received it!" Her tone rose, frustration and anger bubbling beneath the surface.
"The money you send is payment for the village for training you," he explained, greed evident in his voice. "Until you pay the full amount, the money goes to the village."
"For the village? Or for your pockets!" Jin-Ri retorted, her defiance igniting. "That money is for my parents and not for you!" Her voice trembled with indignation.
In an instant, Chief Bong's hand connected with Jin-Ri's face, a sharp slap that echoed through the small room. He yanked her hair, his grip brutal. "Listen here, you little brat," he hissed, rage simmering just beneath the surface. "You owe me fifty gold coins for taking care of you, and until you pay that, all your earnings will go to me. Do you understand, you little bitch?" He shoved her to the ground, leaving Jin-Ri reeling in shock.
Yeng, a nearby friend, rushed to her side, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked, helping Jin-Ri to her feet.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me," Jin-Ri replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Excuse me, but I need to talk to the prince." She hurried back to the palace, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.
The celebration raged on, laughter and music filling the air as villagers indulged in the festivities. But high above the revelry, Young-Sik found solace atop his mansion's roof, watching the scene unfold below. Just as he was lost in thought, a familiar voice broke the night's tranquility. "Excuse me, your Highness," it chimed softly from behind him.
Turning, Young-Sik's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Miss Shameless on the rooftop, how delightful!" he quipped, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jin-Ri settled beside him, a playful frown on her face. "Must you always tease me, your Highness?" she replied, though her tone carried an undercurrent of earnestness.
"Why? We're not getting angry, are we?" Young-Sik grinned. "Anyway, you seemed serious. What was that you wanted to ask?"
Jin-Ri hesitated, her embarrassment palpable. But the urgency of her situation left her with no choice. "May I ask for a leave of absence, your Highness? I just received news that my parents' sickness is getting worse."
The prince's demeanor shifted, concern etching his features. "How are they? What are their ailments?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.
"They… they are not receiving adequate medications for their hearts, your Highness. That is why I would like to ask for a three-month advance so I can buy the medicines they need." She hung her head low, shame washing over her.
Young-Sik's heart ached for her. "I will have the infirmary prepare the medicines you need not buy them and a large portion of ginkgo and ginseng for your parents," he promised, sincerity radiating from his words. "Also, I'll give you gold coins equivalent to six months. Don't worry, you don't have to return them."
"Your Highness, that is too much," Jin-Ri exclaimed, overwhelmed. She could hardly fathom the prince's generosity. "I couldn't possibly take advantage of your kindness!"
"You saved my life in Haan. Every day I am alive is because of what you did for me. Granting your request is trivial compared to what you gave me," Young-Sik said humbly. "When will you go home?"
"Tomorrow, your Highness," Jin-Ri replied, determination flashing in her eyes. "I have to take care of them."
"Will you be coming back?" Young-Sik's voice faltered, a twinge of anxiety creeping into his heart. He didn't understand why the question felt so heavy.
"Of course, Your Highness. As soon as they are well, I will come back," Jin-Ri promised, her gaze steady.
Young-Sik smiled, relief flooding through him. "Then I'll have what you need to be prepared. Get some rest so you can travel early. I'll have some soldiers escort you."
"That will be too much, your Highness," Jin-Ri protested, not wanting to impose.
"I insist. I just want to ensure you travel safely," he replied, his tone firm yet kind. "Go, go inside and sleep. You will need your strength for the journey ahead."
Jin-Ri bowed deeply, gratitude filling her heart. "Thank you, your Highness. Your generosity knows no bounds." She turned to leave, but then paused, looking back at him.
At that moment, as she smiled, Young-Sik felt a shift within him. She no longer appeared plain or ordinary; that smile illuminated her, making her more radiant than anyone he had ever seen. It was a fleeting moment, but it lingered, leaving him with a sense of wonder as he watched her retreat into the night.