"Ji-ah!" The said princess was smothered in a hug once the sun rose and Soo-won found his way into her room. "I'm glad to see that you're alright!"

"You as well," Ji-ah returned the hug, albeit a bit stiffer than usual, which didn't go unnoticed by Soo-won, who stiffened a bit in return. "Have you found Yona or Hak yet?"

The two separated, and Soo-won shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, but neither could be found on the castle grounds or anywhere in the surrounding area."

"And father's murderer?"

Soo-won avoided looking at her directly, his hands clenched at his sides. He had succeeded in killing the king, but he had lost two friends in the process. The friend that he still had left was the daughter of the man he had killed, and he would now be living off of lies.

But that was fine. 

He was used to lying. 

"I'm sorry."

They both knew that those words meant more than they seemed. 

"I know."

They made a silent agreement not to mention it. 

****

Kouka Kingdom is governed by five tribes: the fire tribe, the water tribe, the earth tribe, the wind tribe, and the sky tribe. At the head of those tribes were the generals, the strongest warriors who protect both the king and the tribes. And now, a few days after the king's death, all five were currently congregated in the same room in Hiryuu castle, which was located in the kingdom's capital otherwise known as Kuuto. 

Other than the generals, Soo-won, Soo-won's advisor, and Ji-ah were also included in the meeting that was taking place. Also, since Hak had disappeared, Son Mundok, the previous Wind Tribe general as well Hak's grandfather, was taking his place as the Wind Tribe general. 

"The king is dead?!"

It was safe to say that this meeting was not going to be a light hearted one. 

"What do you mean?!" General Lee Geun-tae of the Earth Tribe asked. "I was wondering why we were summoned so suddenly… and it's because the king has died…?"

"Princess Yona and General Son Hak have gone missing as well," General An Joon-gi of the Water Tribe noted calmly. "What was happening at the castle…?"

"Elder Mundok," General Kan Soo-jin of the Fire Tribe started, and Ji-ah could already feel the headache that was bound to start up. "Do you perhaps know something about General Hak's whereabouts?"

"What are you trying to say, you Fire Tribe rascal?" Mundok glared at the man from where he sat. 

"There's a rumor going around the castle," Soo-jin mentioned, not shying away from the dark look the Wind Tribe elder was sending him. "That General Hak killed the king and escaped, taking Princess Yona hostage." Mundok's glare darkened. "Doesn't this mean the Wind Tribe has committed treason?"

"Those are awfully bold words, General Soo-jin." The attention of everyone in the room snapped over to Ji-ah as a tense air circulated throughout the room. "Please do not misunderstand me, I certainly believe that rumors are to be investigated. They could possibly include important leads after all. However," Ji-ah took a long sip of tea before continuing, nobody daring to interrupt her. "Rumors are nothing but circulating stories and hearsay. Until General Hak's guilt has been proven, I believe that it is far too early for such accusations of treason to be going around. It's rather useless to start up groundless fires so soon, is it not?"

Silence rang out through the room, only being broken by General Soo-jin clicking his tongue. Though, he didn't dare argue. All those in the room knew better than to just disregard Princess Ji-ah's words. She generally had very keen insight for someone of her age, and this wasn't the first time that she had sat in on one of the general's meetings. For someone who was generally so quiet, she had definitely made quite the impression on those around her. 

"I must agree with Princess Ji-ah," Joon-gi commented lightly. "It is quite early to be coming to any conclusions. We don't even know where General Hak is. What if something happened to him as well?"

Geun-tae snorted. "That Thunder Beast surpassed even me in strength when he was thirteen years old. He wouldn't die that easily!"

"I heard that he seriously injured many of the castle guards!"

"Calm down." They were silenced once more as Soo-won spoke up. "His Majesty was murdered by someone three days ago. We don't know where Princess Yona or General Hak are."

Ji-ah sweat dropped. They had literally just gone over this. Was there really a need to restate it?

"Lord Soo-won, then surely he…"

"We are currently searching for them," Soo-won told them. "Please leave this matter to us. Contact the castle if you find them. You are not permitted to harm them or mention this to anyone outside."

"But…"

"If this matter is made public, then it will cause confusion within the kingdom. It will only instigate conflicts between the tribes, won't it?" Soo-won questioned. "Even if we don't do that, there is already instability within the kingdom. We don't know when the country of Kai to the north or Xing and Sei to the south will attack us. Right now, we urgently need to gather the strength of the five tribes to make Kouka Kingdom strong enough that other countries will not be able to invade."

"Indeed," Joon-gi agreed. "King Il gave away territories and presented them as offerings to other countries to avoid conflict."

"The power of Kouka Kingdom has been declining," Geun-tae commented. "Now is not the time for strife within the kingdom."

"We also need a new king…" Soo-jin spoke, looking a bit more smug than he had earlier on in the conversation. 

"While it is a matter of concern," Kye-sook, Soo-won's advisor, admitted. "Princess Yona is currently absent, and considering Princess Ji-ah's… impairment…" Poor Kye-sook didn't even notice the immediate tension. "Lord Soo-won is the only other one with royal blood flowing through them. Lord Soo-won is the son of King Il's brother, Lord Yu-hon. Originally, he would have been the crowned prince. Even though it's to crown a new king, there shouldn't be a problem."

Apparently, silence was not the reaction that he had been expecting. Kye-sook looked around curiously only to notice everyone trying to avoid making eye contact with him and sweating nervously. Even Soo-won appeared to be avoiding his gaze. 

It wasn't until he glanced over to where Ji-ah was sitting that he finally understood. 

At a single glance, there wasn't anything particularly wrong. She was just sitting there casually, sipping her tea and occasionally snacking on a cookie. When he took a longer look, though, he could see that the smile that had donned on her face, while calm and soft in appearance, was forced and had a threatening edge to it. 

It sent shivers down his spine. 

Never before had he ever considered this woman to be a threat, but at this moment, he knew exactly why she had garnered so much respect over the years. He just didn't understand. 

Ji-ah, while well-learned, had grown up sheltered just as her sister had. From what he had heard, the king had begun to practically baby her after the girl's mother had died and Ji-ah lost her sight. It was also a well known fact that he never let either of his daughters so much as touch a weapon much less use one. 

So why?

Why did he feel like he was staring at the personification of death itself?

"Kye-sook, was it?" Ji-ah's smile that was often described by others to be as calming as a mother watching over their child suddenly alarmed the advisor as he, too, began to sweat nervously. 

"Um, yes," he answered nervously since she appeared to be waiting for his affirmation to her question.

He looked to Soo-won for help. 

Soo-won avoided his gaze.

"From what I seem to understand," she started, her voice as soft as ever. "You believe me to be… incapable so to say… because of my lack of sight. That in and of itself does not particularly bother me. I am quite accustomed to being underestimated due to my eyes. However, you should really take caution and think before you speak. One might think that you're insulting the royal family." Another shiver ran down his spine as she smiled innocently. "Of course, I'm sure that wasn't your intention, now was it?"

"Of c-course not!" Kye-sook bowed his head in repentance, the others in the room relaxing as the tension and threatening aura exuded by Ji-ah finally dissipated. 

"I'm glad to hear it," she smiled at him before turning to address the entire room. "While I certainly wouldn't use my eyes as a reason to disqualify myself as heir to throne, I must admit that I have no intention of fighting Lord Soo-won for the position." A few of the others looked to her in shock. "There's no need to look surprised." That comment only garnered her more strange looks. "I've made it very clear over the years that I have no interest in becoming queen."

Soo-won sweat dropped, recognizing just how true that comment was. The last time he had asked her if she wanted to be queen, he ended up with a face full of snow after she simply snorted at the question. He learned it was best to just not question her about such things. 

"Personally…" Kan Soo-jin finally deemed it safe enough to speak. "If Lord Soo-won were to become king, then I, Kan Soo-jin of the Fire Tribe, would give my sincere approval."

"What do the other tribes think?"

"Yes, if it's Lord Soo-won…"

"We have no objections…"

They were treading lightly, but all of them more or less agreed with the appointment of Lord Soo-won as the new king. All of them except Elder Mundok that is. 

"I'm tired," the man sighed, standing up as he went to go leave the room. "Tired and drowsy. All this complicated talk has made this old man sleepy. I'm going home."

"Mundok, we're not done talking."

"I am not a general," he told them simply. "You should summon Hak to talk about that."

"If you don't acknowledge Lord Soo-won as the king," Kye-sook, unfortunately having gotten over the fear he had felt due to Ji-ah, began to threaten the man. "We will suspect even more that the Wind Tribe is planning a revolt."

"Well," Soo-won sighed nonchalantly while scratching his head with closed eyes. "If I don't get the approval of all five tribes, then I won't become the king." His brows furrowed in thought. "However, this country won't last really long without a king… What should I do to get your approval…?"

"If you are wed to Princess Yona, and you formally become the king of Kouka, I will happily present you with a gift." Mundok told him, and Ji-ah could sense a bit of sadness and disappointment permeating throughout the room. Soo-won himself was surprised at the man's words, his own eyes widening before looking down sadly. "Besides, Hak would not leave the castle without a reason. I can't approve of your ascension to the throne."

Soo-won's expression became blank. "Three days from now, the coronation ceremony will be held," he told him. "If I don't get the approval of the Wind Tribe, then we won't go through with it. However, I believe without a doubt that you will attend three days from now, Elder Mundok. For the sake of Capitol Fuuga's people."

"That's a shame, Lord Soo-won," Mundok didn't look back as he began walking out of the room. "As I do with Hak, I have always thought of you as my own grandson."

He left without another word. 

****

2029 words excluding A/N

Finished - November 14, 2021

Bye ~