.eighty four.

-

"But you and your brother are still so young. You have so much to live for. Take this opportunity to escape with your wife and children before its too late. Take them to a place where they'll not know hatred against their own brothers for a simple title."

-

Every day since Yo had taken the throne, Minji spent it living in fear. There was just a worry in the pit of her stomach that she could not shake, and she knew it had everything to do with Yo. It didn't help that she remembered from history lessons back in the present that there was one king who would murder all of his brothers because of his greed for the crown. Now, Minji thought it was probably Yo. It had to be him, and it was only a matter of time before he would come after her husband. But in order for a king to get rid of any possible threats to his throne, he had to pull the weeds from the root. That meant that her children, but especially Soo Hyun and Jin Ki were in danger, if only because they had been born male. 

If he was feeling gracious that day, perhaps he would spare Eun Bi and Eun Ji. But Minji knew that was highly unlikely because Yo hated her, and he resented his brother. He would make their ends a slow and painful one.

For days, as soon as Minji made her request towards her husband, Han and Eun spent several days away from home. They were arranging for a secret escape out of the county, which Eun still thought was a little too much. But Han certainly thought it was a good idea. He convinced his older brother by telling him to think of it as a vacation and that they would return one day once things were no longer dangerous for them. Dangerous in their own country, Minji shuddered at the thought. This was Eun's country, the place where he grew up. And now he was in potential danger because he was a prince, because he came from a prominent family, and because he was male. How unfortunate things were in the past, Minji thought to herself. Brothers against brothers for a throne, a title that was fleeting like most things in life.

Eun certainly told her that. He told her that the king often told his sons that when they were having breakfast together on the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. "Enjoy this time we share together, boys." He would tell them with a sad smile. To Eun, those days felt like they had taken place centuries ago. He was only seventeen when he remembered that particular day. Now he was twenty four, and a man himself, with children of his own. "Happiness, like most things in life, is fleeting. You never know when you will be able to smile and sit down with your brothers like this again."

How right he was, Minji thought to herself.

On that particular day though, she could practically feel the air thick with tension. Han had heard from his military contacts that the king had summoned the nobles and the other princes to the palace. Both Eun and Han had been surprised that they were not included in the meeting, and Minji just knew that it was probably because they would discuss something that had to do with them. 

She had even woken up from her usual nightmare, except this time around it felt so much more vivid. She remembered every single detail and she woke up crying in her husband's arms. He was startled awake by her cries and tried to comfort her, wrapping his arms around her tight. He whispered words of comfort to her, assuring her that he would be the one to protect her from everything until his very dying breath. He assured her that in a week's time, they would be out of the country and living in Japan in a little cabin in the woods. Han had been the one to arrange it, and Minji fathomed that the eleventh prince had probably been in contact with Jung. Both were military men and probably knew the same people.

Minji and Eun got up that morning and went about their daily routine as though it were a normal day. But Minji still felt a weight on her chest that didn't let her breathe. 

It was early afternoon when they heard a commotion outside and Minji's heart dropped. She heard the clanking of armor and the voices of soldiers outside as they conversed with the guards outside the house about a serious matter. They were to attempt a peaceful arrest at first, and if the family did not surrender, they would take the house by force. A guard at the entrance had gone to fetch Eun's grandfather, who followed hesitantly to the front gates.

He explained to the older man that the family was to be arrested and sentenced to death for conspiracy to usurp the throne and place their son Wang Eun at the top. Eun's grandfather quickly shook his head, but without another thought he was tied up by the soldiers who continued into the main house to get the rest of the family. From a distance, Eun saw the swarm of troops enter the big house where his mother lived with his aunts, uncles, and his grandfather. His eyes widened in fear at the thought of losing them.

"Jagi," He cupped her face in his hands. "I have to try to help my mother. Just get the kids and wait for me. Five minutes. If I don't come back in five minutes, get to Han and Soon Deok and leave through the tunnel system in the back of the property."

He wanted to save his mother, even though their chances were slim. Minji could not blame him for that because she knew she would have done the same in his situation. Knowing they didn't have much time left, she nodded her head slowly and closed her eyes. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and ran off in the direction of the main house, disappearing into a row of trees so as not to be seen. As soon as she heard his footsteps getting lighter, she dashed into the house expertly. After living there for over five years of her life, she was an expert at navigating through the house, even without her eye sight.

The tenth prince weaved through the trees and made his way into the house through a side entrance without being spotted. He heard the cries of his family as they were captured one by one and taken outside like cattle to be tied up and taken to the palace. He continued through the house, successfully avoiding the guards, until he reached his mother's bedroom. He pushed the door open to find her sitting on her bed calmly, as though nothing horrible were going on outside. She had accepted her fate.

She looked towards the door and she showed a reaction of surprise to see one of her sons there. Eun rushed to her side and took her hand in his. "Eomma," He begged, trying to pull her up to standing. But she refused to budge. Footsteps were beginning to get louder down the hall and Eun knew they didn't have a lot of time. "Come with me. We have to get out of here right now. Hak Soon and the children are waiting at home, but I know that as soon as they're done here, they'll try to go get her."

His mother gave a slow shake of her head. She pulled her hand away from his hold and cupped his face gently. "My dearest Eun-ah." She smiled at him warmly. "I have already lived my life and it seems that this is the end for me."

"No eomma." Eun shook his head, refusing to hear her words.

Still, she continued. Her words were full of wisdom, yet they tore straight through Eun's heart. "But you and your brother are still so young. You have so much to live for. Take this opportunity to escape with your wife and children before its too late. Take them to a place where they'll not know hatred against their own brothers for a simple title."

Eun felt the tears already spilling from his eyes. He couldn't help himself. The five minute mark he had given his wive was probably overdue already, and he needed to get back to them if they wanted to escape. With no time left, and sure that it was what his mother wanted, he threw his arms around her and pulled her in for one final hug. "I will certainly remember you every single day of my life, and I hope that we can meet again, if even in another life." He pulled away from her and she beckoned for him to hurry off. Eun was already down the hall and out of sight when he heard the soldiers storm her bedroom.

Though it was more difficult, he made it back to Minji and the children without being spotted. Minji carried Eun Ji while Eun had strapped Jinki to his chest with a silk cloth and held the twins in each of his arms. They met up with Han and Soon Deok who were also holding out as long as they could to see who else could make it out of the house with them. With Eun and Minji, they waited a few more minutes before they all decided it was much to dangerous for them to remain there a moment longer.

Han expertly led them through the set of caves and tunnels which had been created specifically by the military to surprise the enemy in combat. They had been dug out since before Goryeo was a nation, around the time that their father was a soldier, out on the battle fields.

The caves led to the palace, but Han assured that it was the best place to hide. The palace was big and Yo would never be able to find them. They would also only be hiding there for a few days, since they had arranged for a boat to take them to Japan, but there were still a few days left before that could happen. The caves also led out to the docks, and not many people knew how to navigate through them, only military people. Han and Soon Deok both had that experience.

Eun's relatives had been placed into carriages and taken down to the palace. One by one they were unloaded onto the courtyard and from the top of the steps Yo watched with satisfaction at their looks of fear. Most were women and children, relatives of Eun who lived on the property. His grandfather and mother were there as well. But the big prize was seeing Han and Eun, along with their wives and children there. When everyone was unloaded, Yo couldn't help but be filled with rage when he didn't see his two younger brothers.

"Where are the tenth and eleventh princes?" He demanded in a loud voice.

The soldiers jumped in fear where they stood. One stepped forward and spoke after clearing his throat. "We checked the whole house, your majesty. But it seems that the princes got away."

Yo was seething with anger. Directing his attention towards Eun's mother and grandfather, he demanded, "You helped them escape didn't you? Tell me where they're hiding and I'll have my soldiers kill you mercifully."

Eun's mother remained utterly silent, ever royal and proud even as she kneeled in the courtyard. But Eun's grandfather was unable to keep his composure. He cried out, "Please spare our family, your majesty. We do not want to take your throne. You have known my boy Eun well. Neither him nor Han want to be king. We are loyal to your empire. Your majesty, please--" He was cut off by Yo gesturing to one of his guards. The soldier then stepped forward and struck the older man down with his blade. He was the first and he laid on the floor slowly bleeding to death.

Jung, who was standing nearby, felt a sense of relief upon not finding the familiar faces of his brothers and their wives. That meant they were out there somewhere, alive. Perhaps they had gotten to the docks, where Jung had helped Han arrange for a boat. 

The fourteenth prince tried once again to appeal to his brother. Taking a step towards him, he said, "Your majesty, please spare Park Hak Soon and her family. You have already promised her to me, and she has done you no wrong. Our brother Han and his family too. Please reconsider you decision and let them live." 

Yo gave a firm shake of his head, unchanging in his decision. "I want them dead. They are enemies of my kingdom."

And without any form of remorse, he gave the signal for Eun's family to be struck down one by one. Soon, the floor of the courtyard was painted in a crimson red with the blood of the people who had done him no harm. All because he was holding a years old grudge against his younger brother.

-

the second update for tonight. tomorrow i will try to update twice again. so please stay tuned for that.

qotd: what do you think will happen next in the story?

i already have stuff planned out and i dont think i will change anything, but i think it will be interesting to read what you all have to day. now that yo is king, do you think he will really find them? will he really have them killed when he finds them? theyre his brothers after all and they grew up together.

idk, let me know.

-clary