Heard, but Silenced

A couple weeks later, King Tae-Han and Queen Asora's return to their hometown and kingdom was marked by urgency and tension as they were swiftly escorted to the palace. Advisor Jangsu, usually composed and respectful, displayed uncharacteristic urgency as he ushered them into the waiting carriage as they walked from the dock. Typically, a soldier would accompany the King, but Jangsu, in a surprising move, firmly pushed the soldier away, a sight that left both the royal couple and the soldier bewildered.

The King and Queen exchanged puzzled glances as Jangsu's actions caught them off guard. It was a departure from his usual demeanor, and the sudden shift in his behavior heightened the sense of unease. However, Tae-Han, ever calm in the face of uncertainty, reassured them with a simple directive, "Close the door, soldier. Everything will be alright."

As Queen Asora secured the carriage door, her instincts kicked in, and she swiftly locked it. Meanwhile, King Tae-Han, sensing the gravity of the situation, retrieved a sword from beneath his seat, a silent acknowledgment of the potential danger they might face.

"What happened, Jangsu? How bad is it?" King Tae-Han's voice was low, his eyes fixed on the advisor, his concern palpable.

Jangsu wasted no time in responding, his words tumbling out in a rush as the carriage hurtled through the streets towards the palace. With every passing moment, the gravity of the situation became increasingly apparent to the royal couple. Jangsu's account painted a dire picture of events that had transpired in their absence, each detail adding weight to the impending crisis awaiting them at the palace gates.

As the carriage finally pulled up to the grand gates of the palace, King Tae-Han wasted no time. Before Jangsu could even finish his report, the king swung open the carriage door, the vehicle still slowing down from its rapid journey. Asora, ever graceful, reached out and placed her hand on Advisor Jangsu's cheek, her expression a mixture of gratitude and concern.

"You are brave, Jangsu," she murmured, her voice soft yet resolute. "You have fought for our country in our absence, and for that, you should be commended."

Jangsu nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and weariness. He had indeed done his best to uphold the kingdom's interests in the face of adversity.

With a gentle gesture, Tae-Han helped his wife out of the carriage, his protective instincts kicking in. Asora's touch lingered on Jangsu's cheek for a moment longer before she followed her husband out of the carriage.

Ascending the grand palace steps, Tae-Han couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung heavy in the air. Each footfall echoed ominously against the stone, a stark contrast to the bustling activity that typically filled these corridors. The once-familiar walls seemed to loom larger than he remembered, their imposing presence casting a shadow over his already somber mood.

As they ascended, Tae-Han couldn't help but notice the gloomy weather that matched his own internal turmoil. Dark clouds gathered overhead, threatening a storm that mirrored the turbulence within his own heart. The air was heavy with anticipation, as if the palace itself held its breath in anticipation of their arrival.

With each step, Tae-Han's mind raced, trying to piece together the events that had transpired in their absence. His thoughts were a whirlwind of worry and uncertainty, fueled by the knowledge that their kingdom faced grave danger.

As they finally reached the grand entrance of the palace, Tae-Han steeled himself for whatever awaited them within. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew that he must face them head-on, for the sake of his kingdom and his people.

Inside the General's chamber, the atmosphere was tense, thick with apprehension and uncertainty. General Ki-Yong stood by the window, his back turned to them, his silhouette a stark contrast against the fading light filtering through the glass. Meanwhile, Wiseman Japh occupied the center of the room, his expression grave as he observed the scene unfolding before him.

As Queen Asora and King Tae-Han entered the chamber, the weight of their kingdom's troubles pressing heavily upon them, Wiseman Japh's typically stoic demeanor faltered for a moment. With a sense of urgency, he rose from his seat, a dagger glinting in his hand, a symbol of the danger that lurked in the shadows.

Without hesitation, Queen Asora approached Wiseman Japh, her regal bearing softened by concern and empathy. With a tender embrace, she conveyed her appreciation for his unwavering loyalty and dedication to their kingdom's cause. King Tae-Han followed suit, his embrace a silent reassurance of their unbreakable bond.

As Queen Asora and King Tae-Han embraced Wiseman Japh, they instinctively stepped back, their eyes fixed on him, anticipating his usual mode of communication—sign language. However, to their surprise, Wiseman Japh broke his silence, his deep and husky voice resonating through the chamber.

"He may not know you are here," Wiseman Japh stated solemnly his deep and husky voice resonating through the chamber.

As Wiseman Japh's unexpected words hung in the air, a palpable tension gripped the chamber. Queen Asora's eyes widened in disbelief, her usual composure momentarily shaken by the revelation. Beside her, King Tae-Han turned his attention to General Ki-Yong, a furrow forming on his brow as he sought to understand the gravity of the situation.  "What do you mean?" he inquired, his concern growing.

With a pained expression, Wiseman Japh stepped aside, allowing Tae-Han to approach General Ki-Yong.

"Ki-Yong, my brother, we are back," Tae-Han addressed him softly, his voice laced with concern and a hint of hope. But to his dismay, there was no response. As he drew closer, intending to bridge the gap that had formed between them during their absence, the King was startled to find a gleaming sword at his neck, its cold edge pressing against his skin, held by his once-loyal general.

The room fell into stunned silence as Ki-Yong's eyes blazed with rage, their usual warmth replaced by an unsettling intensity. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, suffocating any semblance of normalcy as the tension escalated to a breaking point.

Queen Asora's breath caught in her throat, her hand instinctively reaching out to her husband, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear. Beside her, Wiseman Japh stood frozen, his usual calm demeanor shattered by the sudden turn of events.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as the gravity of the situation settled over them like a heavy fog, obscuring their thoughts and senses. In the midst of the turmoil, King Tae-Han remained remarkably composed, his mind racing to understand the motives behind Ki-Yong's drastic actions.

Amidst the fury that clouded Ki-Yong's expression, there was a profound weariness etched into his features. His eyes, once bright with determination, now appeared dark and sunken, betraying the toll that recent events had taken on him. His unkempt hair and disheveled appearance only added to the aura of despair that surrounded him.

With a deliberate slowness, Tae-Han reached out to take the sword from his general, his movements deliberate and measured. As their eyes met, a flicker of recognition sparked in Ki-Yong's gaze, a glimmer of realization piercing through the haze of anger and confusion that had clouded his mind.

In that fleeting moment of clarity, Ki-Yong seemed to snap out of his trance, his grip on the sword faltering as he released it into the King's outstretched hand. The weight of the weapon seemed to symbolize the burden that had weighed heavily on his shoulders, a burden that he could no longer bear alone.

In a rare display of vulnerability, tears welled up in General Ki-Yong's eyes, his resolve crumbling under the weight of his emotions. For the first time since the brutal loss of his family, he allowed himself to release the pent-up sorrow that had long consumed him. As the tears flowed freely down his cheeks, a heavy silence enveloped the chamber, broken only by the sound of his muffled sobs.

Moved by the sight of his friend's tears, King Tae-Han instinctively pulled Ki-Yong into a tight embrace, offering silent solace and support in his moment of vulnerability. For several heartbeats, they remained locked in a wordless embrace, the weight of their shared sorrow hanging heavy in the air. 

As the intensity of the moment began to ebb, Tae-Han gently pushed the general back, his gaze searching Ki-Yong's face for answers. "What has happened, my friend?" he inquired softly, his voice laced with concern.

Unable to comprehend his King's words, General Ki-Yong turned to his new interpreter, Wiseman Japh, who began to sign what the King had just said.

As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, it was Queen Asora who first comprehended the gravity of the situation. She turned back to the general, her eyes wide with disbelief, and her whispered words carried the weight of her shock. "Don't tell me he's deaf?" Her voice trembled with a mixture of horror and incredulity as she struggled to come to terms with the devastating truth.

The King's head snapped back to Ki-Yong, his horror mirroring that of his wife's. In that moment, the full extent of their loyal general's suffering became painfully clear, sending a chill down their spines. 

Japh didn't need his ears to know what the Queen had just asked, his eyes betraying the burden of the revelation. "By the time we realized he was being poisoned, it was too late," he began, his voice heavy with regret. "He lost his hearing, and the effects still linger. It's why I speak for now, although it is poor."

As he continued to speak, Wiseman Japh's gaze shifted to the fallen general, his expression tinged with sorrow. "His condition is worsening," he continued, his tone filled with concern. "The poison has taken its toll, leaving him vulnerable to bouts of dizziness and fainting spells."

As if on cue, General Ki-Yong succumbed to exhaustion and embarrassment of his newly found weakness, collapsing to the ground. Tae-Han grabbed him before his head could the floor and slowly sank to the flow with general in his arms. 

The only thing Ki-Yong could think about despite his consciousness slipping away was his mission to protect the kingdom was done, and he could die in peace.

Everyone else in the room ran to him, Queen Asora asked her Jangsu and Japh to go get the medic while she waited with her husband. And as they both got up and ran out, Asora sobbed. The realization that their trusted defender had been robbed of his most basic senses by treachery struck them like a hammer blow, leaving them reeling with disbelief and outrage.

"I want there neck," Asora cried. "I want their head on a platter!" She screamed. "And I will search for these bastards until it is done."

Tae-Han could only look down at his brother in arms, and the closest to a brother he had... "Fine." He said with a dark aura slowly seeping out of him. "I will leave the heads for you to cut off, but that's after I've dismembered everything else. They want to cause a riot in my kingdom walls and hurt my family, consider this day one of a war that I intend to win."

"We intend to win," Asora said as she brushed Ki-Yongs hair away from his face. Tae-Han could only chuckle because she was right. "Whatever fool did this forgot you and I are not just one but two powerful countries, our enemies will see what a true attack is soon enough."