Right Supreme Councilor(右議政), Ma'yeong Cheol, his wrinkled eyes narrowed, was the first to speak.
"This situation is rather perplexing," he remarked.
"I appreciate your astute observation," the King replied dryly.
Ma'yeong Cheol coughed, bowing his head. The King glared at his subjects.
"With our nation facing such a crisis, why the silence?!" he demanded.
His anger hung heavy in the air, silencing his subjects deeply. Chief Supreme Councilor(領議政), Moonseong Ik finally spoke.
"Your Majesty," he began cautiously, "we have only just learned of this situation. We haven't had time to gather much information. Yet, you reprimand us for merely commenting on the peculiarity of the timing. Even if we have thoughts on the matter, how can we dare to speak freely under such circumstances?"
The King's anger flared. "Do you think I summoned you here for trivial observations? I demand solutions and strategies!"
Seojung Kyun, the President of the Board of Diplomacy, stepped forward. "Upon receiving the report, we immediately contacted Sihwa-Kwahn(始華館)[1] to confirm the situation. They seemed genuinely surprised, claiming complete ignorance."
"Can we trust their words?" the King questioned.
"They argued that if they were planning a war, why would they leave their officials in our territory, especially those valuable enough to be stationed at Sihwa, just before the monsoon season." Kyun explained. "They even accused us of unfounded suspicions. I agree that it's illogical for them to leave their officials behind if they were planning an attack, especially not officials of that caliber. There must be another motive. We'll dispatch an envoy to Dong'gyeong within a few days to investigate. The Board of Diplomacy has already begun preparations."
"But the monsoon season is upon us," Cheol interjected.
"Are we an island country?" Kyun retorted.
Cheol, taken aback by his casual response, coughed again and fell silent.
"Don't talk about 'a few days'," the King commanded. "Send a small delegation tomorrow, even if it means a hasty departure. Find out what they're plotting. And what of our military response?"
The King's gaze shifted to Guseo Joon, the President of the Board of War.
"We've sent urgent dispatches to the governors of Kyeonkahng and Seong'geum," Joon reported. "We've instructed them to assess the troops in Yahngbuk and prepare those capable of mobilizing towards the border."
He bowed slightly and added, "Your Majesty, I believe we should postpone the deployment of troops from Sunyahng and Gyeong'gi until we have a clearer understanding of the situation."
The King, who had been demanding immediate action just moments ago, hesitated. The situation in Birahng weighed heavily on his mind, tempering his impatience. His subjects, sensing his conflict, remained silent. After a long pause, the King finally spoke.
"We cannot delay the suppression of the rebellion," he declared. "It has only been half a century since the founding of our nation. If the remnants of the rebellion are allowed to cross the southern sea and spread their influence, the very foundations of our kingdom, forged in the blood and sweat of our ancestors, will crumble. Even if we have to reduce Birahng to ashes, the rebellion must be contained there. That must be our priority."
"Then we must postpone our intervention in Birahng," Joon argued, as if anticipating the King's reasoning.
"The rebels are across the sea," he continued, "while the north borders our land. If our forces are limited, we must prioritize the situation in Yahngbuk. While I believe Sung's actions are not indicative of an immediate attack, if war were to break out, their forces would far surpass those of the Birahng rebels. Just as we are concerned about the approaching monsoon, those remnants won't attempt a landing before autumn. Focus on preparing our southern naval forces. If Sung is waiting for us to mobilize our troops south, then seizes the opportunity to achieve their own objectives, we could face a devastating defeat."
"You make it sound as if Dong'gyeong is encouraging the rebels' movements," the King observed.
"I can't rule out that possibility," Joon admitted. "It's a tactic Sung frequently employs."
The President of the Board of Law, Soha Jeong, frowned, her face creased with confusion. "But they have no reason to do this," she argued. "Why would they suddenly turn hostile when we've maintained a peaceful relationship?"
"Perhaps they harbor grievances we've overlooked," Kyun interjected.
The President of the Board of Construction, Saha Ryun, cautiously added, "But Princess Kyeong'ui..."
Joon cut him off with a sharp glance. "Your Majesty's priority in Birahng is the swift suppression of the rebellion," he stated. "The princess's rescue is secondary. We cannot divert our central forces south to save a single royal when we face a crisis in Yahngbuk."
His words were a thinly veiled admonishment directed at the King. The reminder of his responsibilities weighed heavily on the King. Though he knew that the security of the nation must take precedence over his daughter's life, he couldn't help but hope that if Kyeong'ui returned alive, she would remain oblivious to the discussions in this meeting, to her father's own words.
Joon had taken the lead, but the decision to postpone their intervention in Birahng had been hastily agreed upon by the three Supreme Councilors and the seven Presidents before entering the King's presence. Saha Ryun and Gahngseon Gyo, the President of the Board of Personnel, who had remained silent until now, had argued for prioritizing the princess's rescue, but their voices were drowned out by the majority, who feared the potential consequences of war with Sung. Typically, it would have been Chief Supreme Councilor Moonseong Ik, who held the King's trust, who would have persuaded him. However, he was unable to speak freely, as his son, Yool, had returned to Sunyahng on the warship sent by Kyeong'ui shortly after the arrival of the urgent report from Birahng.
"What is your decision, Your Majesty?" Joon pressed.
"I will follow your counsel," the King conceded. "Keep the central forces on standby and have the southern naval forces prepare for deployment."
The presidents bowed in acceptance. Once they had left, the King remained in his private chambers, awaiting someone. As he expected, the Queen arrived within half a day, her footsteps heavy and her expression furious.
"You told me to have faith in you," she accused.
"Sungian forces are amassing at the border," the King began to explain.
"I know that!" the Queen interrupted. "Have you investigated Sihwa-Kwahn?"
"They claim complete ignorance," the King replied. "An envoy will depart tomorrow. The journey by land will take longer than usual due to the weather, but with luck, they might be able to cross the border and meet with Sungian officials directly. Even if we finalize our troop deployments now, the time before the monsoon is too short. I've instructed the southern naval forces to prepare for deployment so that we can rescue Kyeong'ui and launch an offensive as soon as autumn arrives. Please be patient."
The Queen listened to his lengthy explanation, her chest heaving with suppressed emotion. The King braced himself for her reaction, ready to accept whatever she might say. However, to his surprise, the Queen simply asked, "What about Birahng, if Sung's actions are not a bluff?"
The King closed his eyes, then opened them slowly. "I'm ashamed to admit this," he said, "but I cannot risk our nation for the sake of one child."
The Queen's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I helped make you a king," she said. "I won't reproach you for choosing to remain a king instead of a father. But I will do what a mother must do. I will go to Birahng myself."
"What are you saying?!" the King exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm.
The argument erupted anew.
──────────
Kyeongshin entered Kyeongyul's chambers, his footsteps silent. Kyeongyul sat before a white wall, a candle flickering before him, his hands clasped together in prayer, his eyes closed. His lips moved soundlessly, whispering silent supplications. Kyeongshin strode forward, extinguishing the candle with a sharp puff of air.
"What are you doing in the palace?" he hissed. "You're a prince. You'll be scolded if you're caught."
Kyeongyul opened his eyes calmly, his expression unfazed. "What else can I do as her brother?"
Kyeongshin sighed, his frustration mounting.
"I haven't seen Father or Mother since the message arrived from Birahng," Kyeongyul said.
"The Innermost Palace is closed," Kyeongshin explained. "I haven't been able to see them either. They keep telling me to wait."
"Have you met with Moonseong Yool?" Kyeongyul asked. "He's the last person from Sunyahng who saw Kyeong'ui."
Kyeongshin shook his head, concealing his unease. "Let's go see our parents now," he said, placing a hand on Kyeongyul's back. "Perhaps we'll be allowed to enter today."
They adjusted their robes and hurried towards the King's chambers, their faces brightening at the sight of the open doors. They first went to the main hall, but the court man informed them that the meeting had concluded and the King had moved to his private chambers. They then headed to the Queen's quarters, hoping to see her, but she was also absent. The court lady informed them that the Queen had recently gone to the King's private chambers, her tone ominous.
As they crossed the threshold of the outer gate, they heard shouting coming from the King's chambers, the angry voices echoing through the courtyard. Though they couldn't make out the words, the tension was palpable. Kyeongshin sighed.
"It's best not to disturb them today," he said. "Let's wait another day and try again tomorrow."
He turned to leave, but Kyeongyul suddenly rushed towards the chambers.
"Kyeongyul! Kyun!" Kyeongshin called out in alarm, but it was too late.
The King and Queen, startled by Kyeongyul's sudden intrusion, fell silent. The tense atmosphere thickened, and the Queen's voice, sharp with anger, broke the silence.
"Where did you learn such disrespectful behavior, barging in while your parents are speaking?!" she scolded.
Kyeongshin, who had followed Kyeongyul, stopped at the doorway, his head bowed in shame. Kyeongyul looked at his parents, his eyes filled with reproach.
"How can the Queen leave Sunyahng at a time like this?" he asked. "Both of you, stay here. I'll go to Sahcheon tomorrow."
"You are a prince," the King retorted angrily. "Rescuing a royal is a task for the military, not for princes, not even for the Queen."
Kyeongyul, usually docile, stood his ground. "Then Kyeong'ui shouldn't have been sent to Birahng in the first place!"
"You!" the King roared, but Kyeongyul remained defiant.
"Kyeong'ui is not an orphan!" he cried. "Someone in this family has to try and save her! Father, Mother, fulfill your duties as rulers. I will fulfill my duty as a brother."
"You dare act so carelessly when you, too, could be king one day?" the King thundered.
Kyeongyul's gaze fell at his father's harsh rebuke.
[1] A diplomatic office overseen by Sung's Board of Diplomacy officials, established in each allied country.