In the palace, Queen Ji-Hye was busy ensuring that Prince Young-Sik's funeral rites followed the tradition set for royal family members. "Hire three more shamans, make sure there are at least two chanting the funeral passage at any time" She instructed one of the court maidens who after bowing, immediately followed her instructions
She along with her entourage walked the palace grounds making sure that everyone was wearing the appropriate mourning garments, the items to be placed inside the tomb were complete, she even checked if the tomb was up to traditions and the like.
On her way to check the courtroom, she chanced with her mother-in-law. She and her entourage bowed to the elder Queen, while the Dowager Queen's entourage bowed to the current Queen.
"Queen Mother, it is nice to see you this early in the morning," Ji-Hye said, though insincere she tried to hide it with a soft voice.
"It is good to see as well, your Majesty" Eri, looked around "It seems you have everything in order and you are overseeing things personally"
Ji-Hye thanked the dowager Queen for the words that she heard "Thank you, Queen Mother, your words bring joy to my heart"
Eri quickly smirked at the response "However, I must insist that we change everything since they are not at par with my standards"
"As Queen, it is my responsibility to overlook everything in the palace" Ji-Hye retorted "You think it may not be at the level of your standards, but I don't care. Everything is within my standards and that is all that matters." She said to Eri defiantly and with malice
"Is that so? Maybe the reason you are so attentive is that you and the dead prince were once betrodden" Eri retorted viciously, she turned to her lady-in-waiting "Everything the Queen has done is wrong, change it!"
Ji-Hye clenched her fists beneath her long sleeves "You have no right, to meddle in affairs that are assigned to me, you are not the Queen!"
"How dare you belittle me, I outrank you!" Queen Eri exclaimed her voice raised
Ji-Hye smirked when she got under Queen Eri's skin "Your time has come and gone old woman, do not meddle in my affairs ever again" Without batting an eye she left the elder Queen dumbfounded and speechless. As she was walking away, she glanced over her shoulder to Queen Eri "That should teach that witch that there is only one Queen and that is me!"
Young-Sik said goodbye to his brother and his family "I wish you would change your mind and come back to the capital with me"
"You don't need me there brother, you and Man-Ju are more than enough to lead, just believe in yourself, the way I believe in you, we better be on the way winter is upon us," Min-Jae told his brother, assuring him
Young-Sik and Min-Jae embraced as they said their goodbyes "Farewell brother, I'm so glad that I was given a chance to see you again" He then glanced at Ha-Rin and Young-Ju "Sister, please take care of my brother, Young-Ju be a good girl and always protect your father and mother, okay?"
"I promise Uncle Young-Sik, you be careful okay, and don't forget to invite me to your wedding," Young-Ju said to his uncle reminding him of his promise
Young-Sik smiled at his niece and patted her head. He watched his brother climb onto his cart and ride off with his family. He mounted his horse and took one more look at the direction his brother and his family went, riding back to the capital.
In the capital, Jin-Ri finally gathered enough courage to ask something she dreaded to know. Later that day in the prince's exclusive room in the Cherry Blossom, she was waiting with Lady Hu and Yeng "How are you holding up?" she asked the court maiden
With a sullen voice, Jin-Ri replied "Not great, it's so hard to accept that he's no longer here"
Lady Hu reached for Jin-Ri's hand "We are all feeling his loss, we all thought he was so invincible on the battlefield"
The two were busy reminiscing about the prince when the captain arrived "Captain Gi, thank you for seeing me with such short notice" Jin-Ri said the moment she saw the captain, offering him a seat.
"It's no trouble at all Lady Jin-Ri, what can I do for you?" he asked while greeting the two ladies.
With trembling hands, Jin-Ri placed Prince Young-Sik's sword on the table, her heart aching. "Would you tell me about his last moments?" she implored; her voice laced with sorrow.
Lady Hu and Captain Gi shared a worried look, their hearts heavy. "Why would you wish to revisit such sorrow?" Captain Gi asked gently.
"I thought that if I could learn how he was in those final moments, it might lessen my pain," Jin-Ri said, her face betraying a glimmer of hope, though the deep sadness within her was palpable.
With a somber expression, Captain Gi drew the prince's sword from its sheath, his fingers brushing against the cold metal as if it held the essence of the fallen. "Each action he took was for the nation," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He carefully returned the sword to its resting place and handed it to Jin-Ri. "You were always in his heart," he added, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
Jin-Ri's voice cracked as a tear slipped down her cheek. "How did he die?" she asked, her heart aching as she turned to Captain Gi.
"In the waning days of the war, we discovered they had harnessed a formidable new weapon. It could kill from distances that far surpassed any conventional bow and arrow. The Aranese were retreating, and luckily, they were unable to utilize their new armament. Prince Young-Sik pursued their last remaining warship, intent on capturing more of the new weapon to study it. During the fierce battle, the ship erupted in flames... that was when he perished." Captain Gi's head hung low; sorrow etched across his face as he recounted the prince's tragic fate.
Jin-Ri paused, her heart heavy with the weight of her inquiry. "What were the soldiers' thoughts of the prince?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Their admiration for him was boundless," Captain Gi responded, his gaze distant as if recalling a bittersweet memory. "He was a force of nature, a beacon of hope amidst chaos. In the heat of battle, he was fierce and relentless, yet he fought with a tenderness that touched and uplifted the souls of our defenders."
Jin-Ri gave a sad smile when she heard how the prince was revered by his army. "Did...did he ever think of me?"
Captain Gi, reached for Jin-Ri's hand "Before each fight, he would hold the necklace you gifted him close, vowing to return to you, to survive for your sake. Every night, he would gaze at the stars, yearning for the comfort of knowing you were under the same sky."
Jin-Ri collapsed in tears, her heart heavy with sorrow. Yeng enveloped her in a comforting embrace, whispering, "Let it all out, my dear. I promise things will get better."
"How can they possibly get better? He's gone forever, and I'll never see him again," Jin-Ri lamented, her voice choked with grief.
"He truly held a special place in your heart, didn't he?" Captain Gi remarked, his tone surprisingly indifferent.
"Oh my goodness, the crazy crying lady is at it again" Lady Hu smirked, her smile as bright as a shooting star. "Come on, stop crying! You'll only make the prince sad, and who knows, he might just leap out of his grave to check on you!"
"Are you serious? You think that could really happen?" Jin-Ri asked, her curiosity piqued as she dried her tears.
Lady Hu feigned shock. "Oh my goodness, let's hope not!"
That night, Young-Sik was unwinding beneath the stars after a long journey. "The stars really pop tonight," he commented while admiring the view.
As he was on the verge of falling asleep, a sudden noise pulled him back to reality. He got up to investigate and, peeking through the trees, he saw a middle-aged couple facing some trouble.
He watched as the couple struggled to get their cart out of a ditch. After thinking for a bit, he headed back to his camp. He untied his horse and walked over to the elderly couple. As he approached, Young-Sik said, "Good evening! Looks like you could use a hand. Can I help?"
The couple looked at him, a mix of surprise and suspicion on their faces. "Who are you? Are you a bandit?" they asked. "We don't have anything valuable, and if you are, you'll find us tougher than you think," the man warned Young-Sik.
Young-Sik walked up to the couple with caution. "I'm not a bandit, I promise! I'm just a soldier heading back to the capital. I noticed you were in a bit of a bind, so I thought I'd lend a hand," he said to them.
Without waiting for their reply, he tied his horse to the cart and started leading the horse to help pull the cart out of the ditch. Once the cart was free, he untied his horse and said, "The cart's out of the ditch now. Wishing you both a safe journey!" He then turned to head back to his camp.
"Hey, hold on!" the woman called after him. "Thanks for your help!"
The man chimed in, "We're about to set up camp for the night. You're welcome to join us by the fire."
Young-Sik grinned, "It's pretty chilly tonight, so a spot by the fire sounds perfect!"
As the fire crackled to life, casting a warm glow over the campsite, Young-Sik and the elderly couple gathered around the flames. "I'm Seuk, and this is my wife, Dam. We really appreciate your help," the man said, introducing themselves.
"Just call me Yong," Young-Sik replied, reaching out his hand to Seuk.
By the warmth of the fire, they all shared the meal, Dam prepared "I have never seen anybody eat as much of my wife's meal as you" Seuk mentioned "Not even our own daughter eats that much" he said with a hearty laugh
"Why are you two alone? Where is your daughter?" Young-Sik curiously asked while downing more of Dam's stew.
"She works in the capital, which gave us relief knowing she was safe during the invasion. But now we worry about her. Her master recently died and even if she does not admit it, I can tell they cared for each other" Dam exclaimed, telling Young-Sik about their daughter
"Enough of the sad stories, let's not sully our guest's meal with sad tales" Seuk glanced over to the prince "Would you like more?" Young-Sik nodded extending his bowl, Seuk filled the bowl with stew "You mentioned you were a soldier. Were you in the army that fought against the Aranese invaders?" he inquired.
"They don't recognize me, and I'd rather keep it that way," he said quietly to himself. "Yes, I was," he answered Seuk's question.
"Why are you all by yourself? Are you lost?" Dam asked, with a hint of curiosity.
"I was badly hurt and ended up separated from them, but luckily a kind family took me in. They helped me heal before continuing with their travels," he said, thinking back fondly on his brother and his family.
As he tended to the flames, Seuk said, "You're lucky to have come out of the conflict alive. I've heard we lost so many soldiers and civilians."
Young-Sik's expression shifted to one of sorrow as he replied, "The war was relentless and brutal. Countless brave souls laid down their lives for our country, so we can keep living in freedom."
"Those idiots in the capital have totally wasted our freedom," Dam piped up.
Young-Sik replied calmly, "Sure, things have been rough and different lately, but I still believe the King is trying his best to support and safeguard the nation."
Seuk chuckled at the prince's comments. "It's clear we don't see eye to eye. Let's just agree to disagree and not spoil this amazing night with political talk."
Young-Sik nodded with a grin. "I'm with you on that."