Lady Hu agreed with Jin-Ri "She has a point, your Highness, for the time being, please rest. Captain Gi and I will try our best to gather information to help us answer those questions." She offered, to ease the prince's eagerness so that he would agree to rest for a while.
Young-Sik looked at Captain Gi, hoping he would back him up, but Kwan agreed with the two women, the prince needed to recuperate first "Normally your Highness, I would have your back. However, the time is not right yet, you need to gather strength and not to mention you need to regain your status within the palace" he explained to the prince.
Young-Sik inhaled deeply, rising to his feet with a frown that could rival a thundercloud. His closest allies, the very ones he counted on, were insisting he take a break instead of diving headfirst into the investigation. "I refuse to let a little thing like rest slow me down! I'll sleep when I'm six feet under!" he declared dramatically.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, just zip it! You're going home to rest, end of story!" Jin-Ri shot back, her eyes narrowing like a cat ready to pounce, trying to put the prince in his place.
Young-Sik rolled his eyes, ready to storm out, but Jin-Ri had other plans—she yanked him by the ear and marched him out of the Cherry Blossom, back toward the palace.
Lady Hu, Yeng, and Captain Gi were left in stunned silence. "Are you sure he was a fierce warrior?" Lady Hu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Pretty sure the soldiers called him a kitten; I might have misheard," Captain Gi replied with a chuckle.
At the prince's residence. Jin-Ri was bringing Young-Sik his dinner of braised beef, roasted chicken, and steamed rice. She entered the prince's room not knowing that he was putting on his upper garments after a warm bath. "Oh, sorry Your Highness, I didn't mean to..." startled, Young-Sik quickly covered himself.
Just as she was about to turn away, something held her gaze captive. She glanced again at the prince's chest. Gently, she set the food tray on a nearby table and approached him. Jin-Ri softly moved the cloth that hid the prince's bare chest. Tears began to fall as her hands flew to her mouth, saddened by the sight of Young-Sik's scarred and wounded body. She ran her fingers over the fresh injuries, overwhelmed with emotion. "I couldn't even begin to imagine what you have been through"
She took hold of Young-Sik's right hand, her heart aching at the sight of the whip scar that had nearly cost him his hand. As she walked around him, she noticed the arrow wounds and several smaller cuts on his back. "What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
After putting on his upper garment, Young-Sik embraced Jin-Ri and kissed her tenderly. "It's nothing, really. You don't need to worry about my wounds and scars," he said simply.
Jin-Ri pulled away from their embrace, her eyes searching the prince's face. The scar on his forehead, a painful reminder of her actions, made her heartache. "I want to know, Yong. Please tell me... I need to understand what you've suffered."
"They are wounds nothing more" He insisted with a smile on his face
"No, they are not just wounds. I know you have been through so much, and these are the reminders of the war that you had to endure. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry I wasn't there with you. If only I was there..." she cried as her imagination ran wild. She saw images of the prince getting wounded over and over again.
Young-Sik took Jin-Ri back into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately. At that moment, their feelings for each other are more than overwhelming. The time and distance that separated them are but a distant memory. Their love for each other at that moment was an emotion they could no longer suppress. The prince untied the ribbon that secured her upper garments, letting it fall to the floor. Jin-Ri brushed off the prince's shirt to reveal his bare chest. Young-Sik lifted Jin-Ri, walked across the room, and gently placed her on the bed. The two lovers stared at each other eyes before relishing in each other's embrace and soft kisses.
Outside the prince's mansion, snow continued to fall enveloping the palace grounds under a blanket of white. No one was outside brave enough to endure the cold, save for the guards, everyone was inside to escape the winter's freezing embrace.
The next day, before concluding the court session with the ministers, King Man-Ju stood up from his throne and walked to the edge of his pedestal "As you all know, the campaign to repel the Aranese invaders from Chiongsun resulted in the crushing defeat of the Aranese." He paused for a while, as if, hesitating to continue with what he needed to say.
"It was all due to your brilliance, Your Majesty," The ministers all said in unison while clapping for the King
The King lifted his hand, commanding silence from the crowd. "I want to bring back the one who led our fight against the invaders," he declared. A tense stillness enveloped the room as everyone speculated about the identity of this individual. Then, with a booming voice, the King announced, "Enter...Prince Kim Young-Sik!"
The Queen dowager sprang to her feet, stunned by the revelation. Ministers Lim and Gi were left speechless, their shocked expressions mirroring the gasps that filled the air as the courtroom door swung wide.
Gasps echoed through the courtroom as the prince made his grand entrance. His long black hair was meticulously tied back, and his striking black and red robes billowed dramatically behind him. Clutched tightly in his left hand was a gleaming white sword. Young-Sik's face was a mask of authority, his piercing gaze sweeping the room as if hunting for the stunned reactions to his unexpected return. And there they were—faces frozen in shock and disbelief, some even tinged with disappointment at his survival.
Trailing behind him were his three masters Minister Shin, Im, and Go. They are followed by Captain Gi and Jin-Ri, who halt at the entrance, allowing the prince and his three masters to stride forward to the King. The two of them exchanged glances, taking in the hushed whispers and anxious murmurs from the ministers on the left, while Queen Ji-Hye and the right-wing ministers wore smiles that seemed almost mocking in contrast.
Upon reaching the foot of the King's pedestal, Young-Sik knelt on one knee to show his respect for his King. "Your Highness...your servant has returned and successfully obeyed your command to drive the invaders out of your land!" He said in a booming and proud voice
"Rise Prince Young-Sik" Man-Ju commanded, the prince immediately stood up straight, his face lifted to glance at the King. "You were missing for ten days, could you tell us what happened to you during those days?" The King asked the prince, curious to know the prince's whereabouts when he was thought dead.
Taking a deep breath, Young-Sik began to tell the tale "I was seriously wounded during the explosion of the Aranese vessel. It was only by the will of the Creator; that I was barely able to reach a mast to shield myself from certain death." He paused a while before continuing "The shock wave of the blast was so strong that I was thrown overboard and was washed away by the strong undercurrents. I was found by a couple who nursed me back to health. When I was strong enough, I journeyed back to my home"
Upon hearing the prince's story, Minister Shin boldly addressed the King, exclaiming, "Your Highness, we have all witnessed the accounts of the Prince's valor, prowess, and leadership... we humbly ask that he be honored with a special reward for his gallant deeds!" The other right-wing ministers quickly followed suit, kneeling and bowing deeply before the King, urging him to grant their request for the prince's recognition.
King Man-Ju glared at the three ministers "I see that you are all finally able to join us"
"We were merely following your order, Your Highness. To only come back when the war has ended" Minister Im fearlessly answered
"Prince Young-Sik coming back, is the definitive proof that the war has ended in favor of Chiongsun" Minister Go added, his voice defiant.
In contrast, the Queen dowager let out a quiet scoff before responding, "Why should the prince be treated any differently? It is his responsibility to safeguard the King and this nation!" Her irritation was palpable. Jin-Ri and Kwan exchanged glances, visibly upset with what the Queen Dowager said.
The prince's three masters replied in unison, "It is for that reason that the prince should be rewarded, your Majesty. Despite being a prince, he charged into the heart of every battle. He must be rewarded" they explained to the Dowager Queen. They then chanted to the King over and over "Reward the prince, your Highness" Jin-Ri and Captain Gi also joined in the chant.
Man-Ju raised his hand again, a hush fell upon the courtroom as the King slowly descended the pedestal.
"Tell me what you desire brother, and I will grant it," He asked the prince.
Young-Sik took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze lingering on Jin-Ri's radiant smile. Addressing the King, he said, "I am grateful for taking care of my court maiden Your Highness, and now that I have returned, with your royal permission I wish to have my court maiden Jin-Ri returned under my care."
The King was caught off guard by the prince's unadorned request, yet he felt a twinge of resistance, knowing that Jin-Ri was now his own. He was acutely aware of how much she meant to his brother and relished the idea of keeping that happiness from him. "Is that truly all you desire, Prince Young-Sik? Surely, you must want more than just one of my court maidens. If you wish, I can offer you a plethora of stunning ladies, all ready to cater to your every whim and desire."
Young-Sik offered a gentle smile, saying, "Your Highness, your kindness is truly remarkable. Yet, for me, my court maiden is all I need. It's not just her presence I miss; it's her companionship, her unwavering honesty, her laughter that lights up the room, and her steadfast loyalty. I long to see her smile greet me each morning and to have that same smile linger in my thoughts as I drift off to sleep." The room fell into a contemplative silence, and though the prince did not voice it, his affection for the girl was unmistakable. Jin-Ri felt her cheeks warm as she listened to Young-Sik, a shy smile spreading across her face.
Queen Ji-Hye clenched her jaw in envy, unable to fathom that the prince she yearned for could show such tenderness to a mere court maiden. Man-Ju felt his temper flare, ready to deny the prince's request when the right-wing ministers once again chimed in unison, "Your kindness is unmatched, your Highness, please grant the prince's wish."
Caught at a crossroads, Man-Ju faced a dilemma: one path would allow him to keep the girl but risk losing the prince and the support of half the ministers. The other path would secure the prince's backing but cost him the company and probably the loyalty of the woman she desires the most. Ultimately, he chose the latter. "Hong Jin-Ri... I free you from the King's service, but I offer you the choice to stay with me or serve the prince," he declared, a final attempt to hold onto her.
All eyes were on Jin-Ri, the air thick with anticipation as they awaited her reply. She felt the gentle pull of Young-Sik's gaze as he turned to her, and in that moment, their eyes intertwined, revealing the depth of their affection for one another. Her heart raced wildly, and she placed her hands over her heart, stating firmly, "I would like to serve His Highness... Prince Young-Sik."
Man-Ju chuckled softly to himself, yet he had no choice but to acquiesce to the prince's desire and Jin-Ri's choice. "Then approach your master," the King said, his tone laced with sadness, desperately trying to mask the sting of his unchosen fate.
Jin-Ri glided towards Young-Sik, her presence a gentle breeze that stirred the air around them. Man-Ju's heart tightened as he observed her, a vision of joy and light, now that the prince had returned to her side. She had always smiled and laughed in his company, yet the sheer brilliance of her happiness in the prince's presence was a luminous glow that overshadowed any warmth she had ever shown him.
King Man-Ju averted his eyes from Jin-Ri and concentrated on his brother "You must be exhausted and physically strained from the ordeals of war, I will grant you a few days of reprieve my brother. But you have to come back, I still have much to ask from you" The King, taps his brother on the shoulder and walks back to his throne.