The news about the Prince's change of personal bodyguards spread all over the entire palace. Those itchy razor-sharp tongues of royal cooks, court ladies, and even some guards (yes, guards!) relaid the hot news with each other like a water cycle. For every curious person, the real meaning changed. "Nangdo Shun was on leave", "Nangdo Shun's father died.", "Who's his father?", "A commoner? What does he do? Make fishnets? Make amulets for the dead? Daebak! A shaman?"

Why did they even care? Why not just ask the nangdo that he punched? Well, Sae Joo made sure he would not talk. People acted as if they were talking about a huge pandemic. The news was indeed significant! (clap clap—productivity!)

Apparently, the hot gossip was not exclusive for people of lower ranks. If these lowlife people thought that their tongues were sharp enough, the Jingols would definitely laugh and squirt their butts all over their marble floors. They were the real deal when it comes to rummaging dirt and minor issues. They were more interested in the point that some of them even pay their servants to scoop for more. One of them was Jin Ri.

Two court ladies combed her hair carefully using jade combs from Tang while facing the mirror, sitting comfortably on her big red chair. Her sensitive hair (sass?) could not handle any other types. Just jade. If she was hurt or even felt that a strand fell down on the floor, she would punish them. Poor ladies! Just because of a hair strand, tomorrow it would be painful to stand.

"My Lady, did you know the latest news?"

"What news?"

"Nangdo Shun was kicked out. The Prince has a new set of bodyguards."

Jin Ri's face illuminated, her white teeth glimmered. "Is that so? What a great way to start this morning!" the two court ladies chortled, harmonizing her mood.

"Alright, stop." she raised her hands and stood. "Prepare my magenta skirt and my white robe. Quick!"

Her servants dressed her, then braided her hair, then placed lavender satin shoes on her white feet. Time for makeup! When it comes to her face, she preferred to do it by herself. She sat back in front of the mirror and applied powder to her face, highlighting her jaws and cheekbones.

"Lip paper!"

Her assistants gave what she demanded. She placed the red paper between her lips, painting it. When everything seemed to be complete, she stood and twirled. "How do I look?"

"Very gorgeous, My Lady. You are a head-turner! Even married noblemen would reconsider."

Jin Ri chuckled, "Thank you. You flatter me so much! Let's go!"

She strolled outside, with a bunch of court ladies and Red Dragon hwarangs behind her. A big carnation umbrella shielding her from the bright rays of the sun. It must have been quite late but she still tried going to the gazebo where her father drinks tea regularly. When she set foot on the tea party, a smile tracked down her face. The Prime Minister waved and smiled back.

"Good morning, father." she bowed her head.

"Darling! Have a seat." Jung Ho offered.

"It's quite late for your tea party. Is there something more important that you had to do?"

"Yes. Actually, I just came from your brother."

Jin Ri's face turned sour. She rolled her eyes, "Oh, Orabeoni. What does he want from you?"

"It's the other way around, darling. I had to talk to him about something. Anyways, in what do I owe this honor? Do you need anything? smiled Jung Ho.

"Hmm, not really. I just want to see you. I suppose you've heard the news about Shun."

Jung Ho took a sip and tittered, "Of course. I've heard he's on leave. The Prince confirmed. I just don't know for how long but uh, Sae Joo looks sad." he shook his head. "I can't believe a simple nangdo could do that to him. I even wonder if a girl can."

"After a million years, I guess—if this world starts to have a drought of male species." Jin Ri scoffed. "I'm starting to think that he likes men and not women."

"But he's still the Prince. Anyone who gets his attention or gets associated with him becomes of high importance." the Prime Minister smirked at his daughter which made the girl pout her lips.

"I know that look, father. What do you want?"

"Do you trust me, my dear?"

"Of course. Why is that even a question?"

"Listen, I've been waiting for this moment to happen for a long time. The Heavens are surely on our side. The time has come for our family to rise up to this society—to somewhere we really deserve. You do desire to become a queen, right?"

"I wish to become the most valuable female in this kingdom."

"Marry Sae Joo."

Jin Ri froze at her seat. With her eyes blinking repeatedly, she started asking herself, Did I hear that right? Marry? Sae Joo? Not that she did not want to, the main question that bugged her was, How?

"Uh, father, how could that possibly happen? First, the Prince despises me. Second, like what I've said, I honestly think he likes men." she shook her fingers and laughed. "No, no, not even in my dreams!"

"Those things don't matter anymore. When the Heavens dictate, no one could ever stop it. Believe me, when that time comes, Sae Joo would even come to you."

She realized her father's point. Like what she had told Sae Joo years back, people like them do not have this luxury called freedom, especially now that the Prince's fate as the next ruler would be a disaster. There was a high chance that he would comply... eventually if the Heavens demanded him to.

"So when is this wedding happening, father?"

Jung Ho smiled, flashing his confident face as if everything was under his control. "We shall see. The Head Priestess will tell us. For now, just prepare yourself. Walk in your prettiest."

"But I am the prettiest!"

The Prime Minister noticed the frown on his daughter's face. He leaned forward and reminded her of their ulterior motive. "Jin Ri, I can't say that you fully embrace the idea of marrying Sae Joo. But you need to remember why we're doing this."

"I know, father. We're getting what we truly deserve. People like us with great intellect and capabilities should not remain as Jingols forever. They don't deserve to be on top, just because they were born royals."

"Right. That's right, Jin Ri. You are indeed my daughter. You deserve only the best. You deserve to be on top."

Jin Ri stood and informed her father that she had some errands to take care for the rest of the day. The supposedly short tea party became a venue for a deeper subterfuge. Now that Jin Ri had developed a deeper sense of hatred towards the Prince and his family, no one could ever stop her from following all of her father's orders. After all, it was Jung Ho who conditioned her mind from the start. That their family was inferior, that they deserve only the top spot in their kingdom's echelon.

~~•~~

When Sae Joo arrived at the Hwarang Training Grounds for a special assembly, all hwarang clans had formed their lines, led by their respective hwarangdos. All fourteen clans complete. As they throng, preparing their eyes and ears, Sae Joo stepped up from the dais and delivered his reminders. "Hwarangs, hear me. It's my utmost responsibility to constantly remind you about the three core values of being a hwarang. Can someone recite it for me? See if anyone remembers."

At first, it was bleak silence. No one wanted to capture the attention of other hwarangs. Then, Jun Pyeong raised his hand. Sae Joo allowed him to speak.

"Your Highness, it's self-defense, self-confidence, and self-control."

"Good. Among those three, I would like to point out the third one. Self-control. A lot of you misses the essence of self-control. You step on me, I step on you." he paced down the dais, occupying the entire stage for his voice to be heard clearly. "Now, is that right?"

Some hwarangs hid their faces, realizing that the message was meant for them (those immature, stubborn pricks who always pick a fight with the other clans).

"No. You've learned self-defense which uplifts your self-confidence. That's good, that's important. But some of you have gained too much self-confidence to a point that you think you're the strongest, you're the best—"

"—Let me tell you something. Your skyscraping ego will destroy you, the entire hwarang organization, and eventually the kingdom. Pride will divide us! You are part of a group. And in a group, we all work as one. It doesn't matter who's the strongest, who's the most competent. The other hwarang clans or your co-nangdos are not your enemies. This is not the time for a Bijae. Your ultimate goal is to protect the entire kingdom."

Dae Wong, from behind, listened attentively to Sae Joo as he delivered one of the best speeches he ever had. Impressed—the correct way to describe his state of mind. Time had passed by quickly. From a naive, semi-idiotic, flamboyant, immature Prince, Sae Joo came out from his cocoon and metamorphosed into a strong yet subtle butterfly. Matter of fact, the minister worried about his consistency before, but now, seeing how the Prince established a sense of control, he was quite sure: This person has a great chance of defying his terrible fate.

As he engaged in the depths of Sae Joo's speech, strangely, Shun came across his mind. How about Sae Yoo? Is it true? Sae Yoo will be the kingdom's best ruler—the one who'll bring Silla to its highest glory?"

Confusion rushed inside his head, his thoughts getting hectic. Eight years ago, his focus was more zoomed out to the development of Shun's personality and skills, considering he was more likely to become a ruler than Sae Joo. But the tables had turned upside down. Dae Wong somehow gained a pinch of fear and hesitation about his favorite twin. His recessive colors were revealed. Impulsive, overdriven by love, living in a world that revolves around a single person (his father).

Did I make the correct decision? Maybe Chil Yook was right. I should've let Sae Yoo live a normal life, away from the palace. The prophecy, that they should not cross paths—doom the kingdom—would that happen?

I was too prejudged by the Head Priestess' prediction. Did I fail to see the possible outcomes and repercussions?

He shook his head, flushing the negative thoughts away and focused back on the Prince. Too early. I'll give both the twin Princes their chances. If Sae Joo's reign happens to be blood-drenching, Sae Yoo would come to save him, us... the entire Silla.

Sae Joo continued, "From now on, I don't want to see or hear any of these petty clan wars. I am kind and soft-hearted. General knowledge. But know this, I'm also just. I won't tolerate these kinds of behavior anymore. Suspension is too good for you. Expulsion will make my word serious. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Highness!" a unison answer, which bounced to the walls.

"Oh, one more announcement. Starting tomorrow, I will cease training with the Yellow Tigers. I will have my own. So you can assure that every decision I make in the future would be free of bias. Now, go back to your barracks."

As the hwarangs exited, Sae Joo descended the dais, getting ready for his next errand. Dae Wong followed him and expressed his amusement. "That was scary, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Lord Dae Wong."

"You get better every time I hear you deliver your speech."

"Art and leadership!"

"It's funny that when you were younger, I've always thought that you're going to be just a troublemaker—an outlier. I still remember the day when you openly told us that you hate politics, that you would like to help people based on your own way. But here you are, serving us the leadership people expect of you."

"What you've said is still true. I am helping people in my own way. I am a Prince, who has a big responsibility, who should be working hard to learn more. I need to prove that I am worthy of trust."

"The council? The King? Or the people?"

"No, Lord Dae Wong... of myself. I think I've just achieved the highest need a person might seek: self-realization."

Dae Wong smiled and thought, No, Prince. You still don't know who you really are.

"I have to go, Your Highness." a smooth signal to leave subtly.

"See you around."

The two parted ways. Dae Wong planned to go back to his chambers to continue some council paper works. Just as he was about to climb through the main stairs of the pavilion, a guard interrupted and gave him a letter.

"Where did this come from?"

"Muhyuk, Your Lordship."

"You may go."

He quickly went to his office and read the letter. Shocked about the content. "No. I have to do something. Jung Min should not know."

Jung Min, Jung Min. The new troublemaker. News flash! It was him. Jung Ho and Dae Wong both faced similar problems—the fear that this young man might know everything. In Dae Wong's case, his problem was more focused on what this man might do with the information he could dig. What would happen if he discovered about Chil Yook? The adopted son? The twins! He was afraid about the hidden, sleeping monster inside him. Surely, with those big chunks of information, everything—including mostly of Jung Min's life would change.

After crumpling the letter, Dae Wong quickly put his purple hooded cloak on and flew out of the palace.

~~•~~

Loud stomping hooves of a palace horse was heard outside Chil Yook's house. Then there was a screeching sound of the boots, rustling down the grassy ground. Three loud bangs by the gate. Ah Moo unbarred it and saw Dae Wong panting. His steps were big and heavy, and it felt almost like leaping. No time for greetings. He slid the door and saw Chil Yook and Shun preparing lunch at the kitchen.

"Muhyuk-ahjussi, can we talk?"

Chil Yook stared at him for a couple of seconds, processing what an image of a nobleman he just saw. "Sure."

"Let's go outside."

The two set up a table and talked under the cloudy afternoon. Wind blowing gently, smooth and chilly. Ah Moo went inside, closed the door, and perhaps assisted Shun with the cooking.

"Is it true? Jung Min has the headband?"

"That's what Shun has told me. What do we do?"

Dae Wong rubbed his temple and shook his head. "No, no. He shouldn't know about you."

"Yes, I know. Now, what should we do? Should we run off again? Should I think of another excuse for Shun?"

"No. That won't work. What is he, fifteen? Just do what I say—stay low!"

"That's what I've been doing for years, Dae Wong. I feel like a prisoner. Try doing what I do, and you'll see how hard it is. After you've found us, I couldn't remember if I ever had a good sleep. I always worry that anytime the Prime Minister might find us."

"Jung Min is scarier than his father. A silent yet deadly snake. Up to now, I still don't know where his loyalty lies. He's an ambiguous monster with no owner. He could bite anyone, anytime. Do you get me?"

"Yes." Chil Yook nodded and sighed.

"I should distract him. He should refocus his mind into something else. Damn! That person is hard to read." Dae Wong hissed and hammered the table.

"Same tactic, huh? You're just delaying him, not stopping him fully. What are the chances that when you do your plan he's going to stop?

"Well, by that time, we have already thought of another way to mislead him—to misinform him. Then, he'll stop. Just like what happened to Jung Ho. See, you haven't heard of him ever since."

"Just like what you said, Jung Min is unpredictable. What happened back then might not happen this time. Frankly, this is tiring, Dae Wong. What would you do then? Make a big ruckus and make him investigate all day, all night?"

The minister did not respond, but he just arched a brow and smirked. Chil Yook gasped, jaws gaping open.

"No. Dae Wong, are you out of your mind?"

"If that's the only way to protect our secret, why in the world not?" 

__________

NOTES:

Bijae (비재) - a Hwarang competition usually held to look for the next Pungwolju.