.thirty three.

By the second attempt, Wang So refused to do the ritual and his older brother Yo was ready to jump at the opportunity to take his place. But Ji Mong and Hajin had other plans. The astronomer had talked to him, letting him know that he had to do the ritual again. That his name had been chosen as the will of the heavens, to which So responded by assuming he and the King had something to do with it. With Mu gone, they needed a patsy to stand in and take his place. Someone who was not after the throne and someone who was worthy of the position. 

Hajin had also explained to Minji the previous afternoon that she wanted to help him. The people of Goryeo had treated him that way because they saw him as a monster, since he wore a mask to conceal his face.

If he were to leave his mask behind and show them that there was nothing  underneath--or make them think there wasn't--they would like him. It was the way of the people back then. They didn't like anyone with even the slightest imperfection. 

For that, she spent all night, with the help of Minji who told her family she was sleeping over with Yeon Hwa. The two girls came up with a form of make up, which would be able to cover upo his scar and make him feel like a normal person. The next morning, just before the ritual, Hajin found the handsome and solitary fourth prince and asked him to follow her. He had been confused at first as to what she wanted. But when she explained that she wanted to help him, he was putty in her hands. 

Minji had stayed with them for a moment until she started feeling like she was an awkward third wheel. Then she went to take her place by her mother's side for the ceremony. 

There were moments of uncertainty because no one knew where the fourth prince was and if he would show up. The next best option to perform the ritual was the first prince, and he was nowhere to be found. He was supposed to have arrived hours ago, but Minji suspected the third prince had something to do with his delay, since he was ready to take the seat that had been set aside for his younger brother at the ritual.

Several minutes later, the crowd saw the fourth prince walk into the palace, performing the ritual as he entered. Everyone watched in awe as his face seemed to have been rid of the infamous scar that had been holding him back for years. His face was now flawless and handsome as ever, yet he still walked guarded, as though he thought he would get attacked any moment now. Minji looked towards Hajin who smiled proudly at the fact that he had overcome all the prejudice people had against him. So smiled back at her, catching her smile in the crowd. But her smile soon faded as she saw Wook watching her too.

He knew So's transformation had been her doing, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. 

As he reached the altar the sky seemed to grow dark, and rain started pouring from the skies, drenching everyone there within minutes. The Queen and Yo were seething with jealousy that it had been So of all people to have brought upon the rain.

The court cheered and the fourth prince basked in the pouring rain above him. He only moved to a more private place when he felt his make up trickling down his face. He was now considered the savior of Goryeo and it was all thanks to Hajin who had helped him. 

-

Things were prosperous in the Kingdom over the next few days, and still there were no signs of the king asking his tenth son if he had someone in mind to marry. Minji dreaded that day to come because of what Eun told her--that he would choose her. Perhaps it was something he had said in a bout of drunkenness and wouldn't actually go through with it. But the fifteen year old knew it would cause conflicts between brothers. She was set to marry Jung, yet Eun wanted to marry her because he had no one else in mind to be his wife. 

It was one morning at breakfast when the King finally spoke up about the topic. 

He had been putting it off due to the drought, as he thought the well being of the country and its people was more important than his son getting married. But now knowing that he had one favor from the heavens to use, he thought he would use it on his son, so that they could bless his marriage and he could live a happy and prosperous life. 

"Eun-ah..." The king began with evident curiosity. The tenth prince's expression immediately dropped, as he knew what was coming. He had been talking animatedly with Baek-ah about So and how he brought on the rains as though he had some sort of magic to him. When the king called his name, it was like he had frozen in his seat. The king continued, "Now that the drought is over, we can focus on the next most important matter at hand--your marriage. Have you thought about who you have chosen as your wife?"

Minji's eyes widened in horror and she gave a small shake of her head as her eyes met with Eun's.

The tenth prince gulped before he decided to do something rash, but it would be his last attempt at refusing the wedding. He bolted out of his seat and went towards the king, kneeling in front of him, "Please your majesty. I really don't want to get married." He pleaded as tears began pooling up in his dark brown eyes. He was just a little boy who had no desires of having any responsibilities. That was what married life meant to him, being responsible for himself as well as for someone else. He didn't want to take that on when he was only eighteen. He was afraid he wouldn't be a good husband.

This time, Yo stepped in right away. "Don't make a fool of yourself, Eun. You're going to get married whether you like it or not."

His father, King Taejo, added as well. He had started to lose his patience with his eighteen year old son. "You dare to go against your king? This is for your own good, Eun."

Just then, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of General Park. He had been told the previous night that the king would be urging his son to choose a bride already. When he told his daughter Soon Deok about it, she urged him to offer her as a candidate to be the tenth prince's bride. The general wasn't too happy about her choice. But he wanted to see his daughters happy. It was all that mattered to him most.

He saw the tenth prince kneeled by the king's feet and knew it had everything to do with his upcoming marriage.

"Your majesty." The general greeted by clearing his throat to get their attention and bowing his head out of respect. "I have come to talk to you about my daughter Soon Deok."

The King looked to his trusted general and good friend. "Right now isn't a good time. Maybe you can come by the palace later."

But the general gave a shake of his head and continued explaining. "My daughter Soon Deok is of marrying age, and I would like her to marry one of your sons." Seeing this as his chance, Eun got back on his feet and scurried over to hide behind one of his older brother. His choice of the moment was So because he knew Yo and Won would sell him out in a second. 

The king heaved a sigh, but decided to talk to his friend. He gestured for his friend to follow him and they went a few feet away, just out of ear shot as the other princes and Minji continued to have their breakfast. 

"Would she marry Han? He will be turning eighteen next year and I need to start looking for a wife for him." The King asked, already hoping to plan ahead for the future. "They're good friends and they spend a lot of time together."

The general shook his head, already having once prince in mind for her. But he would let the King make his guesses. "She only sees your son Han as a brother because she spends so much time with him."

"Maybe Baek-ah?" The King made another suggestion. "I know his family comes from the fallen Silla, but his rank is still that of a prince because of me. Also, its said that any woman in Goryeo would like to marry him. He is handsome and very talented in music." When the general shook his head again, the King pointed out, "She can't marry Jung since he's already marrying your Hak Soon. He picked her and I would like to please him."

"What about your son Eun?" The general suggested casually.

The king looked towards where the others were having breakfast. Eun was still hiding behind his older brother, peeking out at them. The King smiled, as he liked the idea. Soon Deok was a good girl, came from a good family, and it would solve his problem of finding a woman for his son to marry. If Eun would not choose, the King had no choice but to choose for him.

The King nodded in agreement and they walked back towards the princes. 

"Good news, Eun-ah," The King announce joyfully. "General Park said his daughter Soon Deok will marry you."

Eun felt his heart sink. 

Panicking, he blurted out, "But your majesty, I already choose who I want to marry."

"Oh?" The King shot him a look. He was more in favor of his son choosing a wife on his own because it would probably make him live a happier married life.

Eun looked to Minji apologetically before speaking. "The girl I want to marry is Park Hak Soon."

-

Everyone in the room watched in shock as to what the tenth prince had said. The most surprised were probably General Park and Jung. The fourteenth prince quickly grabbed a tight hold of Minji's hand in his. 

"You can't marry her." Jung shook his head firmly. "She's marrying me."

"Think about it, Eun." The King urged. He wanted to avoid a conflict between brothers over the love of a woman. "You can marry Hak Soon or Soon Deok."

"You said anyone I wanted to marry." Wang Eun reminded him, to which his father responded by giving a nod of his head. The King didn't like going back on his word, as he thought a man who didn't keep his word could not be considered a man. For that reason, he hoped his son would make the wise choice, but he would not stop him if he decided to do otherwise. "And I chose her."

The king heaved a sigh. "If you really want to marry her, I won't oppose."

"But my Hak Soon wants to marry your son Jung, and it was already pre-arranged that way." The General protested. Now, not only would one of his daughters be unhappy, but both of them would be. "Soon Deok is the one who wants to marry prince Eun. Why don't we please three people instead of just one?" By marrying Eun to Soon Deok and Minji to Jung, the only one unhappy would be Eun. But by marrying Minji to Eun, three people would end up unhappy.

Jung wanted to protest as well, but as he parted his lips to speak, the King silenced them with a few stern words. "Right now my priority is Eun. This is his time to get married, so he's the one who gets to pick. If he wants your daughter Hak Soon, then I will please him. Soon Deok and Jung can find other people. Soon Deok can marry Han or Baek-ah if she likes, since they will be the next to get married." He would not listen to any more of their arguments.

Minji stood there, her hand limp in Jung's hold. It was official now. 

She wouldn't be marrying Jung. She would be marrying his older brother Eun.

-

so things just got really interesting in this story. eun would rather marry minji over marrying soon deok. but what will happen to jung? im sure he isnt just going to willy nilly accept it.

he likes hak soon and will surely fight for her.

also, her father could have said no. but then again this is the king of goryeo, so he might not really have much of a choice in the matter.

stay tuned to see how this continues to play out. thank you so much for reading and supporting.

-clary