.sixty nine.

-

"I don't need your pity, little prince. So you can go now."  

-

The crowd quickly dispersed when more guards arrived to defend the princes, even the person who had mistreated the girl. Soon the two youngest princes were left alone, and in their privacy, Baek-ah had some questions for his youngest brother. They were about the girl he had so quickly gone up to defend. "Do you know that girl? Why is it that you were so quick to stand up and defend her?" He cocked an eyebrow at Jung in question. 

Jung sighed as he began to explain how he knew her, and why he had defended her. "I don't actually know her." He paused for a moment and continued when he saw the look of confusion on his older brother's face. "She was following me around the village this morning, and I felt bad seeing someone I knew being treated like that, even if I just met her today. Also, she said she was the princess of a fallen kingdom, and I know I would like someone to stand up for you if you were being treated like that." The fourteenth prince finished, his eyes trained on the ground. He wasn't the type to be very emotional, but he still wanted his brother to know that he cared and that he would want someone to help if he were in that situation.

It warmed Baek-ah's heart to hear his brother say such things to him, and he broke out into a smile. He then pulled him in for a hug, arms around his neck tightly, and he ruffled his younger brother's hair's teasingly. "Aish, Jung-ah. Sometimes I think you're not as hard headed and emotionless as you seem."

But he knew that for a fact because he knew how much his brother had suffered when he had lost his chance to marry Park Hak Soon. Baek-ah also thought in the back of his mind that he was often mistreated by others because of his bloodline, but he would never tell his brother of it. Jung was the type to go after anyone who messed with his brothers, and Baek-ah didn't think those people were worth it. The thirteenth prince was perfectly happy with his family and with his music.

The two brothers soon went their separate ways, as Baek-ah had more errands to run for the king. Jung had no responsibilities, as he was sheltered by his mother who prevented the king from bestowing any tasks onto him. He remained around the village, trying to find more fights to participate in. But when he found none, he made his way out of the village to ifnd the road that led up to the palace. As he reached the outskirts, he passed a well and once again saw the familiar face of the girl who had been following him around. The same girl who had claimed herself to be Eun's second wife. Jung wondered how much of that was true. Up until now, he hadn't heard anything about Eun marrying anyone else.

Still, he knew Hak Soon wouldn't like it.

The girl had tears streaming down her face and her eyes were red and puffy. She was scraping the mud off her face and hands, while trying to get as much as she could off her dress. Jung stopped in front of her and she looked up to stare at him with bitter eyes. 

"Can I help you?" She snapped at the fourteenth prince in annoyance.

Jung was taken aback that someone would talk to him like that. No one ever had done so. But this girl claimed to be princess, and in her mind, she thought that they were equals. Jung said nothing of it, since he knew it would be of no use. Instead, he started speaking awkwardly, scratching the back of his head sheepishly as he did so. "I just came over to see if you were okay."

She paused in her cleaning of herself and stood up straight, a regal air was definitely in her. She was prideful and unwavering as she replied to him. "I don't need your pity, little prince. So you can go now."

The fourteenth prince scoffed. "This is the thanks I get for helping you out?"

He expected something else. He expected things to go differently. He didn't help her out so that she'd turn around and treat him like he was garbage. 

"Did you want me to jump into your arms and kiss you?" She challenged, raising an eyebrow at him. The look on her face was one of disgust. Her objective from the start had been to seduce the fourteenth prince, but now that he was insinuating such things to her, she was disgusted. She thought that all men were the same and were only interested in getting women into their bed. The fourteenth prince was the very same. The one exception to what she had seen was apparently the tenth prince. He was loyal to his wife--a woman of lowly birth who, apparently, was a burden on his life because she could no longer see. Still, he remained by her side because he loved her and was absolutely devoted to her.

Jung was suddenly flustered, and he couldn't help but think how in some ways, this girl reminded him slightly of Hak Soon. In appearance, they were totally different. Equally beautiful, but like the moon and the sun. But this girl had an independent streak that he always saw in Hak Soon. Hak Soon always spoke up when she thought something was not right and challenged people at every turn. Perhaps that's why Eun had chosen this girl as his second wife. The fourteenth prince clarified, "I never said that. But a thank you would be nice."

The princess rolled her eyes at him. "I'm really not in the mood, little prince. So please go away."

He nodded his head. "I'll go if you'll tell me your name."

She heaved a sigh, and took a moment before finally responding, nose in the air with pride as she gave him her royal title. "Princess Jangmi, of Baekje."

Jangmi, it was the word in their language for rose. How fitting, he thought to himself. She was as pretty as a rose.

He bowed to her respectfully, taking her off guard. A part of her told her that maybe he was being honest and treating her like an equal. But the other part of her told her that maybe he was just messing with her. He couldn't possibly consider them equals. He was from Goryeo and all people she had encountered since arriving there were evil. He then proceeded to introduce himself, with his royal title as well. "Princess Jangmi. I am Prince Jung, of Goryeo."

-

As days turned into weeks, rumor reached the tenth prince's home that the king had fallen ill. Minji often encouraged Eun to visit his father, as he might not see him again. But Eun was certain that the king would survive, and that he would continue making their lives miserable. Even in that state, ill as he was, he was still sending Jangmi over periodically to attempt to seduce Eun in order to leave Minji. But the tenth prince wouldn't have any of it. 

When the king suddenly got worse, there was talk of an uprising which would put Yo on the throne. Minji feared that the most because Yo didn't like her. He also didn't much have a liking for Eun anymore because he was always defending Minji from him and everyone at the palace who treated her wrong. Some wanted Mu on the throne, and he was rightfully the next in line. But others thought Yo would make a better king. As the rumors reached their peak, and the palace was shut down in order to prevent news of the king's health from getting out, Minji continued to encourage Eun to visit his father.

Even Han tried to convince him, stopping by his brother's house before heading out to the palace. "We should go see him." He said, "This might be the last time we see him alive. No matter what, he's our father after all."

Eun gave a shake of his head. "He was never a father to us, Han. And he doesn't like Hak Soon. I can't be in the same room with someone who doesn't like my wife."

Minji took his hand in hers and gave a slight shake of her head. A small smile made way onto her lips as she made her own attempt to convince him. "He doesn't have to like me. We're not related at all. But you're his son, and I know for a fact that in how own way he does love you. You should visit him, love. I know he'd really appreciate it."

The tenth prince sighed, but finally gave in.

"I suppose I can go see him just once." He said.

Han nodded and the two young princes headed out together for the palace. Minji remained in the house, in her bedroom with Jinki and the twins. Soon Deok was there too with her daughter. She too thought it was best for the two of them to see their father at least one last time. From what they had heard, he was very ill and it was thought that he would not make it in the next few days. 

The two princes made it to the palace to find it on lock down. The guards informed them that they would be allowed in, but that no one else from the outside was allowed into the palace. As they entered, everything was quiet and empty. Even the skies were gloomy, as though they were predicting what was likely about to happen. The two brothers walked expertly down the empty hallways of the palace, knowing the way exactly to the king's quarters. They stopped at the double doors and Han hesitated for a moment before he pushed the door open.

They walked inside to hear the gut wrenching cries of their youngest brother Jung. "Your majesty." He called to him several times as his subject. But as the tears rolled down his eyes when he got no response, he broke down and became a vulnerable seventeen year old boy who just wanted his father's love. "Father..." The word came out of him in a strangled sob and Eun felt a lump in his throat immediately because he knew they were too late. 

Jung cried at his bed side as his brothers approached. 

Han, still on good terms with Jung, knelt by his youngest brother's side and pulled him in for a hug. Though Jung was taller, he was still younger and buried his face in his hyung's shoulder. Eun stood a few feet off watching them. He sometimes glanced at his father and thought about all the good times they had together. There were many bitter moments, but Eun had gotten good moments out of his strained relationship with the king. He was his father after all, and he loved him. The three were in the room alone with the king until the queen came to check in on Jung and saw what was happening.

After giving him a comforting hug, she quickly left the room as though she were in a hurry. Jung and his brothers remained in the room. For the moment, the rivalry between Jung and Eun was forgotten. They both shared one thing in common, their father, and they had lost him.

Now it would be up to their eldest brother Mu to continue with their dynasty. 

It was the start of a new generation because with the king gone, the one person keeping the peace, the fight between brothers for the throne would surely begin. 

Han and Eun looked at each other with knowing looks. If they had distanced themselves from the palace matters before, now they would have an even bigger reason to do so. They didn't want to get involved with matters of the throne, not if they wanted to continue living.

-

so with the king finally gone, things will tumble into chaos.

but does that mean his proposal for jangmi is over and forgotten? perhaps. perhaps not. i still have many ideas for this story, and i'm also developing a sequel. so please stay tuned for that.

qotd: should i start writing the book about han and soon deok already? i posted the blurb a while ago. but then i just left it alone altogether.

let me know what you all think.

-clary