Min-Jae shook his head, saying,"I've moved on from that life; you and Young-Ju are what truly matter to me."He pulled his wife closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders."He underestimates himself, he is more capable than he gives himself credit. His emotions cloud his judgment. If he could just break free from my or Man-Ju's shadows, he'd realize he has the potential to be the greatest King Chiongsun has ever known."
"Maybe so, but I can't shake the feeling that he's not keen on it,"Ha-rin remarked."He doesn't even want to be a prince; what he really longs for is the kind of happiness you have in your life."
"I can't help but feel sympathy for my youngest brother,"Min-Jae said, his face lighting up with pride."He has endured so much loss early in life, and he's pushed himself to grow up fast to protect the ones he loves. If that doesn't define a wise ruler, then I don't know what does."
Young-Sik lifted his niece onto his shoulders, and he pretended to be a horse, making funny 'neighing' sounds while running along the beach."Uncle Young-Sik, where's that nice lady you were with when you helped me?"
"The nice lady? She's at home,"Young-Sik replied gently.
"Why isn't she here with you? Didn't she want to come along?"his niece asked with wide, curious eyes.
Young-Sik crouched down on one knee to help his niece slide off his shoulders. After she was down, he took her little hand, and they wandered along the beautiful shore."She wanted to come with me, but it was too dangerous, so I told her to wait at home,"he chuckled, remembering his words."Home... now I get why your father doesn't want to return to the palace."
The little girl gazed up at him with sparkling eyes and asked,"Uncle, am I really a princess?"
Young-Sik picked her up and grinned,"Yes, you are! You're a real princess!"
Young-Ju pressed her finger on her cheeks and made a pouty face, asking,"If I'm a princess and my mom and dad are the King and Queen, where's our big castle?"
Young-Sik giggled at her silly question. He gave her cheeks a gentle pinch and pointed to the shiny water, saying,"Look at the sea!"Then he pointed to the big mountains and the lush trees. Young-Ju nodded, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Everything you can see with your lovely little eyes is your castle! It's much bigger than my castle and way more beautiful!"Young-Sik explained, showing her the breathtaking sights of Chiongsun.
Young-Ju squealed with delight at how big her palace was, giving her uncle a big hug and kissing his cheek."Uncle, what's the name of that beautiful lady? Is she your wife?"
Young-Sik grinned at her question. "Her name is Jin-Ri, and when I return, I plan to ask her to be my wife,"he answered cheerfully.
The little girl jumped up and down, asking,"So she'll be my Aunt Jin-Ri? Can I go to your wedding, please?"
"Your uncle can't ask her to be his wife if he's holding you, silly! Come on, my little flower, why don't you help me tidy up the table?"Ha-Rin said from behind them.
"Go on, help your mom with the table,"Young-Sik said to his niece as he set her down.
"Okay! But you have to promise me I can come to your wedding and eat lots of yummy food and cake!"the little girl exclaimed, holding out her pinky to her uncle.
Young-Sik wrapped his pinky around hers, making a special promise."I promise, I'll invite Young-Ju to my wedding, and she can eat all the tasty food she wants!"he replied.
The little girl's face beamed brightly with her uncle's promise. She followed her mother back to the tent while Young-Sik and Min-Jae watched them enter the tent.
Min-Jae sat on the sand facing the sea and Young-Sik sat down beside him."So, you're not coming back to the capital"He clarified to his brother
"My time...has long since passed. It is you who must now lead our nation"Min-Jae simply explained
"I just want you to know, that I finally understand why, you chose happiness."Young-Sik softly replied
"I can choose happiness because I know our country will be guided and protected with you paving the way"Min-Jae explained to his brother with confidence"Our brother needs your help, steer him back to the right path"He sincerely requested of Young-Sik
"I always do, I protect him no matter what, and he protects me"
"I hope so brother, just remember protect him not just from other people...if need be, protect him from himself"Min-Jae's words stuck in Young-Sik's mind,
Young-Sik only nodded, turning to Min-Jae he asked a question that he already knew the answer to"Where will you and your family go?"
"It is better that you are not aware of our destination brother. Just concentrate on your life. You know just because you are a prince, does not mean you can't be happy. I heard you say a name, Jin-Ri. Is she special?"He asked his younger brother, wanting to know who this lady was.
"Jin-Ri is a rude, talkative, and shameless court maiden"Young-Sik replied cryptically
Min-Jae nearly choked from the first description he ever heard of Jin-Ri"E-excuse me, what?"
"Jin-Ri is a court maiden assigned to me She is the first person, to treat me as a person and not as a prince, she is fiercely loyal, kind, and caring, and puts the needs of others above her own, she saved my life and I saved hers"Young-Sik dreamingly said, while describing her"She may be a commoner, but her beauty shines like no other"
Min-Jae gently placed a hand on his brother's shoulders"She sounds like a very special girl indeed, if she is the source of your happiness hold on to her. Care for her and love her and she will care and love you ten-fold. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise"he advised his brother
"I can't wait to see her again, I miss her so dearly"Young-Sik exclaimed, as he waited for the day that he and Jin-Ri would be re-united
"You'll see her again brother,"Min-Jae said to his younger brother, before looking at him with an intense stare.
Young-Sik noticing the stare immediately asked"What? Do I have something in my face?"
Min-Jae sighed,"You'll see your special lady again, which is more than I can say for my sword. You didn't have it when we found you"
Young-Sik scratched his head"Yeah, sorry about the sword. It's probably somewhere at the bottom of the sea. What a waste, it was a spectacular sword"
In the capital, Yeng was in her hut, gently cleaning Jin-Ri's arms with a damp cloth. Just as she was about to wipe her friend's face, Jin-Ri suddenly opened her eyes, giving Yeng a shock that made her scream,"EEEHHH!"Yeng grabbed her chest and exclaimed,"Don't scare me like that! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"
Jin-Ri slowly got up from bed"What happened?"she asked
Yeng supported Jin-Ri to help her get up while saying"You passed out yesterday, I was worried about you"
"Yesterday? I was out for a whole day?"she questioned, confusion etched across her face. Suddenly, a flicker of memory ignited within her, and she began to scan the room frantically."The sword? Where is Yong's sword?"
Yeng dashed out of the room, urgency propelling her forward. Moments later, she returned, cradling a long object swathed in white cloth. Jin-Ri's heart raced as she snatched it from Yeng's hands, her fingers trembling as she peeled away the fabric. The sight of Yong's sword sent a wave of emotion crashing over her, and she clutched the weapon tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks once more.
Yeng felt the weight of her friend's sorrow as she nestled beside her, enveloping her in a gentle hug. She lovingly stroked Jin-Ri's hair, her voice filled with compassion,"You love him deeply, don't you?"
Jin-Ri nodded, her voice trembling with emotion as she confessed,"I love him, more than life itself. I just want him back, Yeng please, I need him back in my life."Yeng did not answer, she just continued to cradle Jin-Ri, trying her best to comfort her mourning friend.
Later that day, upon returning to the palace, Jin-Ri went straight to the prince's residence. The sword still tightly tied to her back, she took out a broom and a cloth and began to clean Prince Young-Sik's residence. After polishing every inch of the house, she went out and started to sweep the surroundings.
From a distance, Jin-Ri did not notice someone watching her intently"The prince is dead, why can't I own your heart?"King Man-Ju asked himself as he turned around and walked away
The moon was already high in the evening sky when Jin-Ri finished. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she saw the moon shining brightly. She stared at the moon and whispered his name"Yong"
At that very moment, Young-Sik is sitting under a tree, he is then compelled by an unknown force to stare at the moon. Beneath his breath, he mumbled"Jin-Ri, just a little bit longer and we will be together again"