Before the fall of the midnight, Jung Ho had returned to the palace swiftly, as if no one had seen him go. He walked down the grand courtyard, with light from the moon and torches from the pavilions as his guide. As he was about to return to his chambers, he ran into his son who invited him to have a small dinner at the young man's place.

The Prime Minister gladly accepted the invitation. He followed his son to his pavilion and went up to the balcony. Jung Ho and Jung Min sat at the elegant table near the baluster, enjoying the panoramic view of the palace pavilions. After a while, the court ladies brought in a delicious set of food and wine.

"What is this for, Jung Min?" asked Jung Ho.

The young man beamed, "Well, I just thought that it has been a long time since you and I had a bonding moment together. After all, despite our confrontations regarding our profession, we are still family, right? I am still your son, and you are still my father."

Jung Ho grinned and drank a cup of wine. "Cut the aesthetics, cut the crap. I know you. What is this about? What do you want?"

Jung Min leaned on his chair and crossed his arms, "Sae Joo... Seriously, when do you plan to kick him out of the palace? I do not like the situation right now. In three days, he is going to get the position he does not deserve."

"Worry not. I guarantee you that the Prince will not hold that position for a long time."

"What are you going to do?"

"Watch me. I did not become the Head of the Ceremonial Rites for nothing. When the Heavens speak, the people lend their ears." he drank another cup of wine and laughed.

The dinner finished for about an hour, and the two went their separate ways. Jung Ho went back to his chambers and lay on his bed, finishing his entire day.

~~•~~

The next day, same time as always, all hwarangs assembled at the training ground, ready to receive announcements from Dae Wong. The young minister announced the upcoming mass recruitment of the hwarangs from the provinces, which would be a potential addition to strengthen the kingdom military. After some reminders, he instructed Sae Joo to join the Yellow Tigers once again. The hwarangs left the training ground while Dae Wong just stood idly on the dais, waiting for someone.

After about fifteen minutes, he saw a guard running from the gate towards him. The guard bowed and handed him a letter. "Good job. You may go."

Dae Wong went back to his chambers, rode a horse, and left the palace. He traveled for almost three hours, going to a small, countryside town beside Seorabeol. After long hours of travel, he stopped into a small walled compound away from the residential, near the mouth of the forest entrance. He descended from the horse, opened the gate, and walked down a cobblestone courtyard, going to a small house. Upon entering the house, he saw Chil Yook, Shun, and the man in a green robe talking at a small table at the center.

Chil Yook was surprised to see the minister stormed inside the house. The man on a green robe stood and bowed before the minister, "Lord Dae Wong, thank Heavens you had a safe trip. Just like what you have told me, Muhyuk and Shun arrived safely here with me."

"Good job, Ah Moo. Could you please leave us alone?" the man bowed his head and exited.

Speechless as he was, Chil Yook's eyes involuntarily locked at Dae Wong as he sat at the table. "So, how do you like this place? How do you like one of my houses?"

Shun's eyes sparkled in astonishment, "This is your house, Lord Dae Wong? Daebak! We did not know, that man did not tell us."

"Lo-lo-lord Dae Wong, why are you doing this?" asked Chil Yook softly.

"I really want to help you because Shun is the Prince's first friend outside the palace. He feels the need to help you," replied Dae Wong, eyes flashing a signal to Chil Yook.

"This is too much, Lord Dae Wong, but father and I want to send our utmost gratitude for helping us. Your timing was incredible. Ah Moo-ahjussi came when we needed him the most," narrated Shun.

"It is nothing, Shun. I guess I just have this paternal instinct even though I do not have a son. Just feel at home because this is your house now."

Shun could not believe what he just heard. Maybe the minister was indeed their guardian angel, for he extended his help to him during a time of hardship. "Is that true? This is our house now?"

"Yes, Shun, if that is alright with your father." Dae Wong arched a brow and smirked at Chil Yook. "What do you say, Muhyuk-ahjussi?"

Chil Yook's eyes darted to two different sets of eyes: one was flashing with mockery while the other one was dazzling in excitement and new hope. He cleared his throat and spoke, "I honestly think that we do not deserve this house, but uh, for the sake of my son, I will accept your offer."

"Very well. But just like any other house, we need to consider setting up rules. Since legally, this property is still mine, I would like to impose some rules and conditions. Would that be amenable?"

Shun's face shifted from excited to nervous. The tone of the minister suddenly changed from warm to strict. "Yes, Lord Dae Wong."

"Alright. So first, my very first rule is that Muhyuk-ahjussi should not step outside the compound. I am truly worried about your condition, so please never... ever let anybody have even the slightest glimpse of your hair or shadow. No one should know that you live here."

Shun's forehead curled in confusion. "Uh, excuse me, Lord Dae Wong, but how about me? If you really want to let our stay a secret, should you not include me in that rule as well?"

"Hmm, that is where my condition comes in. You, Shun shall join the hwarangs. Ah Moo will stay here in the house to attend your father's daily needs while you are away, training in the palace."

Chil Yook could not hold his emotion anymore, and he hammered the table, which made Shun and the minister startled. "What is the meaning of that, Muhyuk-ahjussi?"

"Shun, let us go." Chil Yook held his son's arm and stood.

"Forgive my behavior but I cannot allow my son to join the hwarangs."

Dae Wong's fingers twitched as he was itching to roll his palms into raging balls. His lips pursed into a thin line, shaking in annoyance with Chil Yook's resistance. "Could you please explain to me your reason?"

"It is simple. I just do not want my son to risk his life knowing that he could die any minute."

"But death for the nation is the greatest death. He surely will have a special seat in the Heavens."

"Even so, Minister Dae Wong... I am not allowing it."

Holding his composure, the minister raised a brow, leaned forward, and clasped his hands together, "Well, if you cannot abide with my rules, the door is open. You may go."

"Lord Dae Wong... uh—" said Shun, hesitating to leave and resisting from his father.

"Shun, could you please leave the both of us? We are just going to talk," urged Chil Yook.

The young boy threw short glances to the two and left. When the door slid closed, Chil Yook sat at the table again. "Dae Wong, please. Do not do this."

Reacting with a scoff, the young minister's eyes shaped in contempt, "Chil Yook, you cannot stop Shun's destiny. He is supposed to be the next ruler."

"What? What are you saying? Have you forgotten the prophecy? You are the ones who threw him out of the palace, thinking that his existence would bring the kingdom to its downfall since he is a twin. So, why did the tables suddenly flipped unexpectedly?" stressed Chil Yook.

"There is a new premonition from the Head Priestess. Prince Sae Joo is destined to bring the kingdom to its downfall. But there is more, the Head Priestess saw another person who shall bring the kingdom to its highest glory—I am merely thinking out loud but I believe that is Shun... no, Sae Yoo."

Chil Yook's eyes blinked fast involuntarily, processing what the young minister said, "I... I do not understand. What shall happen to Prince Sae Joo now?"

"Well, since the King thinks that Sae Yoo is dead, he is planning to give the throne to Prince Sae Joo... This is where I need your help the most. You are the one who has the convincing power over Shun. We need to prepare him for his fate. Sae Yoo should be the next king of Silla."

"How is that going to happen?" stared Chil Yook, but Dae Wong's neutral and bland face did not dare to blink an eye before responding, "Just leave it to me. Come on, Chil Yook, we are running out of time! The Prime Minister is acting quickly these days. Those men who caused trouble in your community are Jung Ho's men. He wants to find Shun as well. If we do not act quick;y, Jung Ho might take Shun from us and use him against his own brother and father."

Chil Yook breathed heavily, thinking about what the minister said. "So what shall happen to Prince Sae Joo? We both know that the identity of the twins shall never be exposed to the public. How are you going to make Shun the king?"

Dae Wong did not respond. However, Chil Yook had already sensed the thoughts and plans of the young minister. "Do not tell me that... you are going to kill the Prince."

"What in the world are you saying? No! I will not kill the Prince. Killing him is not the ultimate solution. No, I will not let that happen... I will not kill him, but I shall save him."

"Oh well, you are part of the nobility. Maybe that is why I cannot understand your views. But for me, it seems like you are just playing the lives of two innocent persons."

The minister's eyes fluoresced a cold gaze to the former Grand Marshal. "Do not be a hypocrite, Chil Yook. You had been in the palace for years, so I think deep in your heart, you really know why I am doing this. I am not playing with their lives. I am trying my best to save both of them and at the same time, save the kingdom."

Chil Yook tapped his fingers on the wooden table tensely. Shards of vile memories of his nightmare under the Prime Minister's roof stroke the most fragile part of his mind. He remembered how many people had died in the past just because he was blinded by the Prime Minister's false principles, concealing in the aesthetics and words of diversions.

"I have done countless mistakes and wrong, irrevocable decisions in my life. How can you guarantee me that Shun will be safe?"

Dae Wong answered with a hint of a smile, "Chil Yook, trust me. I know what I am doing. I will make sure that Shun will grow up to be a strong, intelligent, and decisive man. I will see to it that he will be Silla's great ruler."

Convinced by Dae Wong's strong words of promises, Chil Yook finally concurred in acquiescence. "Fine. I agree with your terms. I will not go out of this house, and I will let Shun join the military. What else do you want?" asked Chil Yook.

"That is all. I just want you to support my decisions and plans because all of these are for our nation's sake."

Chil Yook's wrinkly lips shaped into a faint smile. When their conflicts were resolved, Chil Yook called his son from the outside and let him in again. The young boy sat beside his father, and Dae Wong started orienting him. "Shun, the mass recruitment of the hwarangs will be the next day. When you start training as a nangdo, you will be living in a barracks instead of here. Other details will be explained on the day itself."

Shun turned to his father, and Chil Yook just nodded, giving his son an assurance that he would be fine without him.

"So, what do you say, Shun?" asked Dae Wong.

The young boy's cast quick glances to both of them. "Err, since my father seems to approve it, then yes. I will join the hwarangs."

"Good," smiled Dae Wong.

"But uh, Minister... I would like to ask another favor from you if it is alright," Shun added.

"Hmm, what is it? Go on. Speak."

"About what had happened in our community, I want to know why those men are looking for my father. I want justice for my father's close friend, who was killed just to protect him."

With eyes like a vigilant sentinel, locked to Chil Yook's eyes, Dae Wong twitched a brow and answered, "I am so disheartened to hear that. Worry not, I shall look into it if that is what you wish. By the way, is your friend Deok Cheol back in your community?"

"Yes, Lord Dae Wong."

"Alright. I will see what I can do..." he stood and informed the two that he still needed to go back to the palace. The father and son stood and bid goodbye to the minister.

When Dae Wong left, Shun asked his father what made him agree to the minister's proposal. With a small pearl of tear on the corner of his almond eyes, Chil Yook held his son's hands. "Son, whatever happens to you in that palace, never forget all the good things that I have taught you."

"Of course, Father. I will be good." Shun gleamed and hugged his father.

Savoring their remaining times together, Chil Yook, with the help of Dae Wong's servant, Ah Moo, cooked Shun's favorite dishes to celebrate at least the young boy's late birthday. Under the new, cozy house, they spent their times bonding together—talking about good things in life and joyful memories and eliminating all negativity for a brief period of time.

Two days had gone by so fast. Not even the birds and the crickets could deny that inevitability. Shun prepared all the things needed and packed them in a small brown wool bag. He slid the door open, and the warm, rejuvenating light from the morning sun welcomed him. Cool air from the nearby forest soothed his skin as he stretched his arms, ready for the big challenge.

"Shun!" called Chil Yook, approaching him.

"Good morning, Father. Today is the day."

"Are you sure that you have not forgotten anything?"

"Yes, Father. All my things are inside my bag."

Chil Yook patted his son's head and squeezed him with a tight hug, before letting his son leave. "I will surely miss you, my son. Take care."

"See you when I see you, Father," beamed the young boy.

Chil Yook and Ah Moo walked Shun to the gate, where a black horse was waiting for him. Wearing a simple brown robe and pants, paired with new straw shoes, the enthusiastic boy stepped out of the gate, mounted on the horse, and left. With a heart filled with zeal and strong will, Shun was ready to face new challenges that could come on his way.

Just like Dae Wong, Shun traveled for about three hours. Upon reaching the palace main gate, a sea of young individuals aspiring to be part of the honorary military thronged in the entire area, extending from the arch of the gate to the marketplaces. Staying still on his horse, he surveyed the entire place and eavesdropped to some of their conversations.

"Daebak! Do all these young boys want to be a hwarang? I never thought that being a hwarang is actually a big deal."

He then heard two purple hwarangs' announcement, marching down the marketplace. "All boys who aspire to join the hwarang, fall in two lines. We repeat, two lines!" the hwarangs shouted at the top of their lungs only to be heard. The crowd somehow decongested and became more organized—candidates were more distinct. Shun waited for another hour, patiently standing under the sun—sweating while holding the whip of his horse.

The moment he had been waiting for finally arrived. Two orange group hwarangs asked his name while sitting at a brown table with a maroon cloth. One of them asked his name, a mid-twenties man with sharp jaws and small eyes. "Name?"

"Shun."

The other hwarang wrote his name at the top of a long white paper with a dragon seal at the bottom right. As the quill brushed the ink at the fine paper, his age was asked.

"Fifteen."

"Province?"

Shun lifted his head and had a thought for a while. He knew he could not say Myeongju for that might spark potential problems. His lips sculpted thin and answered, "Sangju.. Yes, Sangju."

After writing his province, the hwarang handed him the paper and instructed him to follow the other boys. Shun smiled and bowed his head. He passed through the registrar table, pulling his horse and scanning the majestic, eye-candy view of the palace. Strolling down the courtyard, head craning upward, neck extending like there was no tomorrow, Shun heard a deep full tenor called his name.

"Shun!"

Looking side to side, he searched the origin of the voice, and he was surprised to see a familiar nobleman to his right—tall, stark, toned. Beside him were a young noble lady and a nobleman at his mid-twenties.

"Y-Yes?" bowed him.

"Your name is Shun, right?"

"Yes. Your..."

"Prime Minister. I am the Prime Minister. So, you are joining the Hwarang," Jung Ho grinned. 

__________

NOTES:

Sangju (상주) - a province in the Unified Silla, located in Modern day northern North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.