Chapter 16

The news that Kang had received the title of King Yeonghyeon spread throughout the palace like flowing water. King Gyeonghye was shooting arrows in the shooting range, and Yeon Song who saw a servant, who was running over, rushing to deliver the news and smiled brightly. The sweaty boy's face was refreshed and cheerful.

"If Kang has become King Yeonghyeon, then I, as his elder brother, cannot just sit idly by. I must go see Kang."

"And King Yeonghyeon also expressed a desire to see you. Shall I arrange a separate meeting?"

"Yes. Tell them to come to Soyuljeon."

Soyul Pavilion was located northeast of Hanyeong Pavilion, near the artificial lake. It had been a large lake since ancient times, built for the hobby of emperors who enjoyed leisurely boat rides. There was a pavilion where the nobles could rest, and Soyuljeon was commonly used for such purposes. The unique feature of Soyuljeon was that the thick bushes made it difficult to see inside from the outside. With the lake, bushes, and flowers blocking the view, it was suitable for having private conversations.

King Jinyeong set down his bow. The young princes who had been shooting arrows with him surrounded him. King Jinyeong, seeing his half brothers extending their short arms to block him, burst into laughter at their puzzled expressions.

"What are you guys doing, blocking your elder brother like this?"

"Elder brother! Today, you promised to show us how to catch birds! Show us before you go!"

"This isn't a hunting ground where birds can't be caught. Show me later when you're with your mother. Or we can have a hunting competition."

However, the princes looked at the land where the grass was dead and dust rose. Unlike the fierce and arrogant close kings, King Jinyeong, who was gentle and kind to the princes and princesses, was popular among the children. It was King Jinyeong, not their father, who protected the princes from the servants’ harassment. When Kang, who was eager to eat sweets, rolled his feet, King Jinyeong deliberately brought sweets for him, even if he might be ignored. It was a situation where the big brother took care of the younger, but they got along well, so the servants and beauties left them alone.

King Jinyeong, with his innate temperament, still scolded and admonished his half-brothers today. The children were not satisfied, but when King Jinyeong patted their heads and hugged them, they felt relieved. King Jinyeong put down his bow and climbed onto the carriage where his attendants were gathering.

While moving towards the lake, King Jinyeong tidied his face, which was messed up with sweat and dust, inside the carriage. Suddenly, as the carriage entered near the lake, King Jinyeong turned his head at the vibrating fishy smell. He saw the blue flowers surrounding the lake. What are the names of those flowers, I wonder. Lost in thought, King Jinyeong decided to ask Kang, who knew about flowers well.

Not too fragrant, and with a simple appearance that seemed to suit his wife's taste. Unlike his elder brother Yeon Ju, who already had a concubine, Yeon Song only had eyes for his wife. While his friends drank and embraced women and men alike in the brothel, he never felt the desire to do so.

How could a man have feelings for another woman when he had a wife? Holding his wife's hand, remembering her modest smile, Yeon Song smiled contentedly.

He must buy flowers on the way.

Yeon Song, lost in thought, stepped down from the carriage. Outside, the scent that had felt drowned in the fishy smell now wafted strongly. Taking the sound of the flowing lake as his guide, he walked towards the Soyuljeon. Inside the pavilion, he saw a boy sitting there. It was Kang, the adorable son favored by the emperor, with a face like a cute puppy, his black hair tousled as he ran.

"Brother!"

"Kang."

Yeon Song smiled and opened his arms. Kang smiled brightly and rushed into Yeon Song's embrace. Yeon Song managed to stay upright and held Kang with both hands. From a distance, he hadn't noticed, but Kang had grown considerably taller than before. The baby fat on his cheeks had disappeared, and his features had become more pronounced. Especially his neck and wrists, such areas felt robust. Unlike the princesses, he exuded a solid sense of masculinity.

However, there were still unchanged parts of his body, namely his eyes and hands. His particularly large, black eyes sparkled like sprinkled pearls. His eyelashes were lush and long, blinking felt akin to the movement of wings. His hands had calluses, making them tough, but overall, they felt slender and delicate. Especially when holding a tea cup, they were exceptionally beautiful. Yeon Song smiled as he held Kang's hands in both of his own.

"You've grown a lot."

"Abamama said so. He said I've grown a lot."

"He must have been sad. Wasn't he?"

Yeon Song asked with a laugh, and Kang widened his eyes and nodded vigorously.

"Yes, he was very disappointed. Even when going to the royal palace, he insisted that I come every day, and he asked me not to forget him."

"Yet he still has other children to take care of."

He murmured with envy as they entered the pavilion and looked at Kang.

"Abamama only cares about you because he you’re so pretty."

Kang closed his mouth at his longing, envy, and faint jealousy that flickered in Yeon Song's eyes, remaining silent. While Yeon Song provided a supportive presence for Kang, the underlying currents of envy and anger were ever-present in his demeanor. Kang halted his steps, locking eyes with Yeon Song, who, in turn, lowered his head, evidently aware of the emotions he had conveyed. Silence enveloped them as they stood motionless, with only the slow-moving clouds, occasional breeze, and distant sound of water filling the quiet space between them.

Both Kang and Yeon Song understood the origins of their twisted affections: the emperor. The emperor's favoritism towards Kang, showering him with attention and affection, naturally led to resentment from his siblings, especially Yeon Song. Despite Kang's efforts to share the emperor's attention with his brothers, he found himself even more favored by the emperor each time. In situations like the present one, where there seemed to be no viable solution, Kang felt suffocated, as if his chest were tightly constricted.

Ideally, if the emperor's love could be distributed evenly among his siblings, they would lead comfortable lives. However, that seemed to be an unattainable ideal, already slipping through Kang's fingers. Glancing at Yeon Song's trembling hand, Kang reached out and firmly grasped it.

Yeon Song lifted his head to meet Kang's gaze. Kang smiled as gently as he could at his brother.

"Hyung, there's no need to worry."

Yeon Song blinked, uncertain of Kang's intent. Exhaling deeply, Kang murmured,

"Abamama had already excluded me from the line of succession long ago."

"What?"

"You're aware, aren't you? That I can't stand the sight of corpses. Abamama decided that someone who couldn't even bear to look at a corpse couldn't possibly sit on the throne."

Kang shrugged nonchalantly. Yeon Song's face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment as he laughed awkwardly. Placing his hand on Kang's shoulder, Yeon Song pulled him close. As the bond between the brothers rekindled, Kang relaxed, hesitated briefly, then slowly placed his hand on Yeon Song's back.

"I'm sorry, Kang. I... I shouldn't have been jealous."

"No, it's understandable. I would have felt the same way."

King Jinyeong cleared his throat and extricated himself from Kang's embrace. He concealed his flushed face with his long sleeves, evidently struggling to overcome the encroaching embarrassment.

Observing his brother from a distance, Kang smiled quietly before settling into the chair arranged in the hall. As the servants ushered away the palace maids, Kang personally brewed tea. From the renowned tea leaves of Hyeon, he carefully selected the finest tea leaves and placed them into the teapot. Pouring hot water slowly into the teapot, Kang covered it with the lid and patiently waited for the tea to steep.

Until King Jinyeong settled calmly, Kang remained silent. He knew his place well within the palace and never ventured beyond it. With his mother's earnest advice in mind, Kang always tried to accommodate the emperor's preferences.

There was no desire in Kang to become a crown prince. He couldn't imagine living like the emperor. He didn't want the burden of deciding which wife to sleep with, displaying power by hunting prey in the hunting grounds, dividing people into categories of right and wrong for execution, facing the wrath of his siblings, or being subjected to the palace's punishment.

Above all, Kang found it agonizing to see the dying eyes of those countless victims. How many times had he thrashed about in nightmares? It was so distressing that Kang pleaded with the emperor not to take him to the hunting grounds.

But the emperor only wore a face of incomprehension towards Kang's distress.

"Why are you so troubled? They taste so sweet like this."

Kang felt like fainting as he held the lifeless rabbit's neck in his hand. He barely managed to stand on his two feet. Thus, Kang made a firm decision. He would never slowly kill those pitiful creatures. If he had to kill, he would swiftly end their lives.

"Kang?"

King Jinyeong, who had quietly taken a seat, looked at Kang. Kang, now composed, blushed.

"I was lost in thought for a moment..."

"It's okay. Congratulations are in order. You've finally become a ‘king’ too."

"Yes, brother."

Kang received the congratulations with joy and pride, smiling brightly.

He followed the etiquette taught by the palace maids perfectly. Every movement of his hands, arms, and posture was truly graceful. The emperor, who enjoyed watching Kang perform the tea ceremony, would often dismiss the palace maids and insist that Kang serve him the tea. This unpleasant hobby was evident even when his brothers were present. Despite hesitating, Kang reluctantly stood before the emperor and served the tea. Seeing the emperor's affectionate gaze towards Kang as he served the tea, Yeon Song lowered his head.

"Please enjoy."

Kang offered the tea cup. Yeon Song, after tasting the tea, smiled and said, "It's delicious."

"I'm glad," murmured Kang affectionately, but soon his expression turned blank. He raised his head, lost in thought while holding the tea cup. King Jinyeong, who had been sipping his tea, opened his mouth with a puzzled expression.

"Why?"

"Hyung."

"Yes?"

"Sometimes, I don't know what Abamama is thinking."

Kang mumbled as if lost in thought. He sighed as he watched Kang's trembling hands clasping the tea cup.

"I wish Abamama... would love all his children equally, but since he only favors me... I feel so sorry and burdened."

Kang removed his hands from the tea cup, covering his face as he choked up.

"I feel sorry for our deceased siblings too..."

"Kang."

"Yes?"

Kang removed his hands upon hearing his name. King Jinyeong firmly held Kang's hand and sent him a sympathetic glance.

"Why would that be your fault? You haven't done anything wrong."

"...Hyung."

"I feel inadequate for having been jealous of someone as kind as you..."

As King Jinyeong murmured, he shyly smiled.

"You're so lovable. It's only natural for His Majesty to adore you."

A sudden blush spread across Kang's face. The flame grew, fueled by the blowing wind, quickly warming Kang's neck. Seeing his modest brother unable to handle compliments, King Jinyeong chuckled softly.

"Don't tease this little one, brother. I'm soon of an age to marry as well."

Kang, unable to suppress his rising embarrassment, boasted of his age.

 Seeing his younger brother, who couldn't control his emotions, both adorable and at an age ready for marriage, King Jinyeong twinkled his eyes. King Jinyeong scanned the surroundings with a straight gaze. The area was lush with blue flowers enveloping the lake and trees with long, trailing leaves. As Kang had dismissed the palace maids, only the two of them remained in the hall. With a mischievous smile befitting his youth, King Jinyeong leaned in close to Kang. Kang, taken aback by his brother's sudden approach, attempted to retreat discreetly but found his neck caught. Their foreheads touched.

"Has the engagement been decided?"

"The engagement... well, Abamama says it's not yet..."

King Jinyeong burst into laughter. Going through adolescence, his voice sounded like that of a sick person groaning, strangely stimulating the ears and making the heart beat faster. The sound of leaves rustling against each other and the wind gently caressing the surface of the water, creating a brilliant shimmer, and the slow crawl of the sunlight as it drenched the earth in warmth, none of it reached their skin. Twelve-year-old Kang focused all his attention on his brother's lips as he spoke.

"Your Highness."

However, before hearing his brother's complete sentence, the dry voice of Ye Damyeong  reached Kang's ears. Kang, startled by the voice of his friend and protector, turned around with wide eyes. Ye Damyeong, who had clearly been told not to come, was kneeling in front of the hall.

"Ye Damyeong . It's been a while."

King Jinyeong, who had a friendly relationship with Ye Damyeong, greeted him. Ye Damyeong  looked at King Jinyeong without a word, nodding slightly. Since the emperor took precedence, the remaining members of the royal family showed only simple respect. Acting according to the protocol, Ye Damyeong approached Kang directly.

"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you."

At the mention of His Majesty, Kang sensed the urgency. He felt a strong desire to stay longer with King Jinyeong, who had come to the palace after a long time. However, seeing King Jinyeong smiling as if to say 'go', Kang reluctantly descended the stairs with a sullen expression. Although Ye Damyeong reached out his hand for Kang to hold, Kang didn't take it. Kang looked up at his brother from below the stairs. King Jinyeong, who had been silently sipping the remaining tea in the hall, turned his gaze to the fidgeting figure with an anxious expression. King Jinyeong furrowed his brow as he saw Kang still hesitating to leave.

"You're not going..."

He was about to urge him to leave when Kang suddenly rushed up the stairs. Kang, now completely flushed and trembling, was nothing like the composed demeanor he had shown earlier. What on earth had happened to Kang? King Jinyeong fixed his gaze on his younger brother's unfamiliar appearance.

Kang's eyelashes trembled. He closed his eyes tightly before opening them again, retrieving something from the pocket he had been carrying on his wrist since they met. Kang covered the item with his whole body so that Ye Damyeong couldn't see it.

"Kang."

"Hyung, please... keep quiet..."

Kang reassured King Jinyeong with an anxious voice as he rummaged through his pocket. King Jinyeong, being the kind older brother he was, remained silent and observed his younger brother's actions. Kang's hands moved nervously. What Kang took out of his pocket was a necklace. King Jinyeong couldn't even muster a smile at the plain necklace adorned with just one jewel. Such necklaces or ornaments were commonplace even among the royal family.

"Don't royal princes join the war when they turn 14?"

As Kang lowered his gaze and fidgeted with the necklace, King Jinyeong remained silent with his lips sealed, still wearing a faint smile. It was a single thread of a benevolent smile on King Jinyeong's lips. Relaxed by his kind brother's smile, Kang moved his hand. Kang used his small hands to personally hang the necklace around his brother's neck. King Jinyeong, taken aback by his younger brother's unexpected gift, slowly widened his eyes and looked at Kang.

Kang's small face was flushed as if it would burst. Kang turned his gaze away, perhaps feeling uncomfortable under his brother's scrutiny. Kang repeatedly chewed his lower lip with neat teeth and placed both hands on his brother's shoulders.

His gaze fixed on the ground, Kang opened his lips nervously.

"Usually, this is something women do... But I like it, and... Also..."

Overcoming his fear as his lips quivered, Kang met King Jinyeong's eyes. King Jinyeong was captivated by the sparkle in Kang's eyes. He didn't realize his mouth had fallen open. The gentle sparkle in his younger brother's eyes was so fragile and innocent that he felt anxious, fearing it might break with just a little pressure. King Jinyeong's hand covered Kang's cheek, and Kang covered it with his own hand.

"I've been waiting to give this to you for a long time. But because it's something women usually give, I couldn't give it, and I've been keeping it. Then I heard that when you turn 14, if a war breaks out, you have to go... Also, I didn't know when we would meet again, so I thought I should give it to you when we meet."

Kang's initially trembling voice grew steadier and louder, then gradually faded like a dying flame. Kang nestled into his brother's embrace, murmuring with a trembling voice as if on the verge of tears.

"Now, I don't want to see any more of my siblings die. So, please... I hope you, hyung, live for a long time."

"Even though there hasn't been a war yet?"

"Recently, there have been rumors of nomads crossing the border, plundering crops and women. People are saying that instead of relying on the Emperor, they should send a prince. Don't you know about this? If a war were to break out, and if you were to leave... I wouldn't have a chance to see you. So... I wanted to give this to you in advance."

Both Kang and King Jinyeong were well aware of the incursions by the nomads from the northern territories. Kang couldn't help but know, as he remained by the Emperor's side, and King Jinyeong had already anticipated it, having received royal decrees several times. In the year when King Gyeonghye's reign would have turned 14, he had actively participated in the war. There was nothing King Jinyeong couldn't handle. Both Gyeonghye and Yeon Song were princes who could transform into wolves, and they were skilled in sorcery, magic, archery... there was nothing they lacked.

King Jinyeong was waiting for the time to join the war. He was prepared to sweep away the nomads, regardless of age or gender, and offer his neck to the Emperor for recognition. If that was the path to becoming the prince, he wouldn't hesitate to shed any blood or face any corpse.

But Kang was trembling with fear, unlike King Jinyeong. Having lived for only 12 short years, he was terrified of the deaths of his numerous siblings he had witnessed. King Jinyeong had never felt affection for Kang or the delicate Princess Yerin or Princess Yulha. He would rather they had died quickly and disappeared. They were the enemies he would have to deal with once he became the crown prince.

In the face of power, there was no family. They were either enemies or allies. That was all.

If Kang stood in his way, he would cut him down without hesitation. But why did this child feel so much affection for him? Was that why the Emperor favored Kang? Because he wasn't dangerous, but merely existed like dew, pure and transparent...

As King Jinyeong slowly tried to withdraw his hand, Kang wouldn't let go. He clung to his brother.

"Don't die, hyung."

"I won’t."

King Jinyeong toyed with the necklace his brother had given him. By now, the necklace held a significance beyond its simplicity. He ran his fingertips over the opaque gemstone embedded in the necklace. He had been pondering what this gemstone was, what meaning it held within, when Ye Damyeong, who had been waiting, called out to Kang. With Kang between them, King Jinyeong locked eyes with Ye Damyeong. Pushing Kang's shoulder slightly, King Jinyeong, affectionately smiled at his somewhat cool-faced younger brother, had been silently observing Ye Damyeong.

"Go on, Kang. Father is summoning you."

"Yes, hyung."

"And since there hasn't been a war yet... don't worry too much. Even if it happens, you won't need to worry because you have the necklace you gave me."

Before leaving, Kang weakly hugged King Jinyeong. As King Jinyeong tried to lift his hand to pat his brother's back, Ye Damyeong, who had been sitting all along, abruptly stood up and approached them hesitantly. It was strange. Doubt was slowly turning into certainty. Ye Damyeong's gaze was reacting to Kang's every move and word. The sharpness of his gaze went beyond sensitivity. King Jinyeong narrowed his eyes, glaring at Ye Damyeong, and tightly hugged his brother.

To everyone's surprise, Ye Damyeong boldly walked up and stood behind Kang.

"Your Highness, you must leave now."

"...Hyung."

Kang whispered softly, making sure Ye Damyeong couldn't hear.

"You must become the crown prince. You understand, right?"

So, even if war breaks out, come back victorious.

With those words left for King Jinyeong, Kang turned away. Taking Ye Damyeong's waiting hand, Kang smiled softly.

"Let's go."

Kang didn't look back at King Jinyeong as he left the hall. Only Ye Damyeong glanced at King Jinyeong with eyes that revealed nothing of his thoughts. King Jinyeong sat in his chair with a stoic expression, holding the necklace Kang had given him. Leaning back lazily in his chair, he let out a sigh.

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