Thanks to the coincidental alignment of Jeol-il, one of the grandest holidays in the country, and the victory ceremony, the festival extended by three days. The emperor extensively granted holidays for businesses and distributed the nation's grains and fruits to the people. With the disappearance of the nation, replaced by new maritime and land routes, there was a better supply of the already scarce food.
As the new grains were stored in the granaries, the people cheered, shouting "Long live the Emperor! Hail! Hail! Hail!" Those who survived in the neighboring nation were stamped on the forehead or cheek and sold as slaves to the estates of the nobility. The nobles enjoyed having slaves more than cattle, and the people were pleased with unexpected abundance. It was a happy time for everyone except the former noble families who became human pigs trapped in pens and the neighboring nation's people who became slaves in an instant, marked by branding irons, excluding them.
However, Kang was not happy. He couldn't be openly happy. His worry seemed deep in his eyes, and seeing his half-brother King Jinyeong, whose face had become sunken and strained, filled his heart with guilt. The way King Gyeonghye had left with disdain and admonishment yesterday lingered in his mind.
What was his true position? He was the emperor's son, but nothing more than a hollow prince who couldn't fulfill his duties. His only task was to cater to the emperor's whims. Of course, the emperor liked it and ordered it, so he complied, but now he didn't want to. He wanted to be a better prince, acknowledged by others.
Kang looked at the white hand praised by the emperor. When he was learning archery in Hanyeongjeon, calluses were deeply ingrained from practicing so much. The protrusion felt like a pebble on the road or a sprout growing on a tree. He touched that part with his thumb. It was hard. It was a mark of his hard training, knowing that he would eventually go to war for the emperor.
However, his efforts bore no fruit. Kang clenched his fist in frustration. He didn't like how his hands, which felt small as the emperor said, looked. At a glance, he noticed that King Jinyeong's left hand had a finger missing from fighting on the battlefield. A recently healed red scar remained on his backhand, and his right hand was sluggish. King Gyeonghye had also gone to suppress a rebellion, but got an arrow stuck in his forearm, leaving a scar that troubled him for a while.
Kang stared relentlessly at Dasik[1], innocent yet targeted for death, then averted his gaze as he sensed scrutiny, turning his head. The emperor rested his chin in his hand, staring intently, his clear golden eyes looking very frustrated. When their eyes met, he subtly turned his head away, looking at Yeo Soo-eui, his mother. Kang followed his gaze persistently to his mother. Seeing his mother Yeo Soo-eui, whom he hadn't seen in almost a year, she looked more beautiful than before. Her pride, her black hair, flowed down to her thighs. In accordance with the emperor's preference for stroking hair, her untied strands cascaded like silk, enveloping her slender, soft body. With her pale white skin contrasting her black hair, dressed in clothes that revealed her delicate skin, she looked like a fairy staying beside a deity.
Yeo Soo-eui lowered her eyes and served tea to the emperor. Sensing the emperor noticing Kang's gaze on Yeo Soo-eui, he kindly wrapped his arm around her shoulders. With a smiling face, the emperor whispered to her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at Kang. Kang's eyes met his mother's after a long time, but he remained still, like someone who had forgotten how to smile. The emperor sat leisurely between the two, alternately observing them, then gently lifted her chin. Contrary to the emperor's tender gesture, he scanned Yeo Soo-eui's stiff face with icy eyes. His hand moved gracefully, stroking her delicate cheek and descending to her neck. In the oddly emerging atmosphere, Kang blushed and lowered his head.
"Your hair is still beautiful, Your Highness," whispered King Gyeonghye, who was beside him, smiling gracefully.
"My mother will probably have indigestion when she sees them in this state today, and Consort Sook will probably call for His Majesty while boasting about Song-i's victory," whispered Gyeonghye, smiling gracefully.
Kang frowned and looked at Gyeonghye without saying anything. He didn't want to engage in unnecessary provocations here. Gyeonghye picked up a sliced fruit and put it in his mouth. There was no sound of crunching. Making noise was considered impure, and whether it was a prince or princess, everyone living in the palace had been educated not to make noise. Whether pouring tea, walking, or even sharing a bed with the emperor, one should not make noise.
"Why? Do you think I'm wrong? My mother often complains of headaches, stomachaches, and constantly relies on His Majesty. The illnesses are always the same."
"Isn't it actually that she's not mentally weak?"
Except for King Gyeonghye, the concubines and their children always carried various illnesses. Of course, whether they were truly sick or not was beyond concern. There were always plenty of unfounded ailments. The emperor didn't say anything in particular, but when she complained of being ill, he would laugh as if it were absurd. There was clear irritation in his eyes.
"Do you really think Her Highness is ill?"
"I cannot know, nor should I judge. I am not a physician."
King Gyeonghye's smile deepened, and the silence grew thicker. He was suppressing laughter inside. Gently poking his knee with his slender hand, he muttered.
"It's such an obvious lie, yet why did you make such a face? After all, His Majesty doesn't care about anyone but you."
Kang pressed his lips together silently. When Kang recoiled as King Gyeonghye reached for his wrist, he grasped his hand. When Kang opened his eyes in resistance, he traced his bones with his finger and spoke in a harsh tone.
"Think about what happened at the victory ceremony today. Song was the hero, but didn't His Majesty only care about you? No matter how much we bring victory in war, you're always the one loved. Seeing how you, who did nothing in the capital, are the most loved, I understand why the concubines strive and compete for His Majesty's love."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better for you, brother, to strive like the concubines? Or, should you report to His Majesty about your stomachache?"
Their conversation flowed quieter than the gentle music playing in the background, unheard unless someone nearby listened closely. They looked at each other without smiling maliciously, instead with a cool smile, as if casually sharing gossip. Taking advantage of the lull, Kang withdrew his wrist and stood up. Despite the familiar feeling pricking his neck, he strode away.
As he walked towards the gate used for outings, a palace maid greeted him and opened the door. Kang smiled briefly as usual and looked for a quiet place. The controlled atmosphere of the palace grounds was evident. However, he couldn't go there now. With the banquet in progress, security was tight, and the emperor had blocked access to secluded areas.
There was nowhere to go. No matter how hard Kang looked around, there was no place to relax with all the gold-clad soldiers and dignitaries gathered.
Kang sighed deeply, sitting on a nearby rock, feeling stifled. As he walked towards the flower garden, he saw a familiar figure. Standing there was King Jinyeong, wearing a gray-blue robe with black robes draped over his shoulders. Kang smiled broadly upon seeing his favorite brother after two years.
"Hyung."
"Another fight with King Gyeonghye?"
King Jinyeong smiled gracefully. When Kang hesitated to answer, King Jinyeong approached and patted Kang's shoulder.
"I don't need to see it to know. You've had another argument with him, haven't you? He's a jealous one. Understand, Kang. It's because he's so greedy."
Kang softened his gaze at King Jinyeong's understanding and warm nature. If King Jinyeong knew, the emperor must have noticed too. The observant emperor wouldn't stay silent. Kang suddenly felt a weight on his heart, as if he had stumbled into King Gyeonghye's trap for no reason.
"Go see Father quickly. He's looking for you."
"Is hyung in trouble?"
"Well... a little?"
King Jinyeong awkwardly chuckled. Seeing Kang deflate with a sorry expression, King Jinyeong's eyes widened in surprise, and he stuttered.
"No, I did get scolded, but it wasn't a direct scolding. It was more like a gentle admonition, reminding us brothers to get along well during the pleasant banquet."
"I'm relieved. I was worried that you would be scolded because of me... Anyway, I did fight alongside, so..."
"You always blame yourself, but it's not your fault."
Kang stood upright, gazing at King Jinyeong silently. King Jinyeong smiled wryly at Kang's handsome appearance that dispelled the darkness and made the world dazzling. The emperor was alternating between examining Yeo Soo-eui’s face and Kang's. They looked so alike, yet King Jinyeong couldn't quite figure out the reason behind it despite scrutinizing Kang's face.
What King Jinyeong felt was that Kang was an incredibly kind and gentle boy. He cherished others more than himself and was a small child who didn't know how to harm even the smallest things. Perhaps the reason the emperor complained about his small stature was because of this temperament. King Jinyeong gently stroked Kang's head, raised in the capital without knowing anything.
The heart that had become toughened during two years on the battlefield strangely melted under Kang’s remark and warm touch. It was amusing. To receive recognition from someone you had so hated and then to disappear like melting snow. As his heart softened, so did his hatred towards Kang. Kang had done nothing wrong. Neither are the imperial rules. Sibling squabbles over parental affection were common in every country and household.
"You probably resent me like you do His Majesty, right, hyung? I just live comfortably in the palace every day... I don't even participate in wars... I'm really sorry to all my older brothers."
"When you grow up a bit more, you'll be able to fulfill your duties as a prince, so don't worry too much."
Looking at his affectionate brother's face, Kang blurted out what was on his mind.
"I want to ask Abamama for a request."
"A request?"
King Jinyeong muttered to himself, but from behind, a sharp laughter could be heard. The laughter was free and confident, yet subtly profound. Upon hearing it, it resonated in the chest like a bell, a poignant and poignant laughter.
[1] A kind of snack.