LTIS Ch 2

With a face that seemed to suppress something, he asked again, but the child shyly fidgeted. Her cheeks turning red, she was no different from a girl with a crush.

“That’s why I’m giving it to him. Because he’s mean.”

“What?”

The boy’s eyes widened. It was interesting, but her actions and words didn’t match at all. Admiring someone because they’re mean?

“He only hears that he’s mean, so he only does mean things. His butt is even crooked, how unfortunate. If I give him a pretty flower and tell him he’s pretty, then Lord Yeon Hwagun will become a pretty person. I’ll make him pretty.”

The child clasped her hands and looked up at the sky. Even with Yeon Hwagun in front of her, she seemed to envision another Yeon Hwagun above her head, her resolve impressive.

“If Lord Yeon Hwagun becomes a pretty person, he’ll make a pretty country when he grows up. Then everyone can live prettily and well.”

The way her eyes sparkled as she spoke, she seemed to truly believe it. Her heart was lovely, but since it was directed at him, the boy felt strangely irritated.

Whether the country was pretty or ugly, that was for the King and the Crown Prince to worry about, not him.

So, this child admired him not because he was accomplished, intelligent, or skilled in martial arts, but specifically because he was mean, stupid, and had an uneven butt.

To be precise, it wasn’t admiration, but pity.

No, considering she wanted to change his personality, was it meddling?

Even if he wrote it down for her, there was no guarantee she’d understand. The easiest way to prove the rumors false would be to turn around and show her his butt, but he couldn’t do that for the sake of his dignity.

Above all, he felt pathetic for even entertaining such thoughts about a little child, and a sense of alarm told him he needed to leave.

“I’m sure Yeon Hwagun would be so pleased to receive a flower of treason.”

He spat out the sulky words and turned around, when he saw a nanny gesturing from afar. It seemed his mother’s treatment was over, so he hurried his steps.

He was curious about the child’s expression after hearing his harsh words, but he stopped himself, afraid he would engage her again if he looked back.

“Tsk.”

With such long legs, he quickly disappeared. The child glared at the boy’s retreating back with a sullen face.

With each stride, his robes fluttered and his braided hair swayed like a pendulum. It irritated her to watch him.

It was true what they said about high-ranking families having no manners. He probably had slanted eyes, too. They said appearances reflected personality.

Later, she would give him a flower and tell him he was pretty. Otherwise, he would grow into a mean adult.

The child looked up at the Saekhwa flower again. The red flower stood out against the clear blue sky like a painting. It looked as if it would drip red water if she held it in her hand.

“Even if it’s dangerous to touch, when dried properly, it becomes a very good fragrance. How it’s used depends on the person.”

Recalling her father’s words, the child reached out her hand. If she picked this special flower and gave it to him, surely Lord Yeon Hwagun would like it.

She would dry it carefully and make him the best fragrance pouch.

At the thought, the corners of her mouth lifted.

୧₊˚🍵🔖. ݁₊

A half-moon hung on the tip of a tree.

The sound of hooves disturbed the quiet forest. The wind stirred the frozen ground.

“Ha!”

The leading horse pulled on its reins, abruptly changing direction. The horse following behind, unable to control its speed, slid toward the cliff.

He struck down the rider who leaped into the air with his scabbard. The fallen rider rolled several times before tumbling down the cliff.

A cold wind blew. The world fell silent after the sound of rolling rocks.

“My Lord. Are you alright?”

Aeulmu, who had urgently ridden his horse, checked on his master first. His eyes went to the injured shoulder. Yeon Won looked around with sharp eyes without answering.

“I’ve spread them out. They’ll be wandering for a while.”

As soon as Aeulmu answered his gaze, Yeon Won sheathed his sword. The sound of the blade crying cut through the cold moonlight.

“There are many of them. You must escape this place quickly before they catch up.”

Aeulmu untied his headband and wrapped it around Yeon Won’s shoulder. Yeon Won’s voice was calm as he patted his surprised black horse’s neck.

“They’ve already drawn their swords against me. They won’t give up easily.”

“Then, what shall we do?”

Yeon Won silently turned his head. His weary gaze reached the palace. Countless lights shone there.

His eyes swept over the tiled roofs that stretched like waves, filling with and then emptying of many emotions. His voice, like severing living roots, was slightly tinged with weariness.

“We must see this through to the end.”

His eyes, emptied of thought, became firm. He tightened his grip on the reins and turned his horse.

“Bring Gyeonghu.”

The black horse turned half a circle on the spot, now facing opposite Aeulmu’s horse. Though the horses faced different directions, the two men faced each other.

Yeon Won, after briefly looking at his long-time loyal servant, removed a decoration from his saddle and tossed it.

“Meet me at Hyeonjeo.”

Aeulmu, catching the thrown decoration, became resolute. It was a symbol of Yeon Won. It was both a grant of his authority and a command to return safely.

Yeon Won turned up the corners of his mouth.

“Let’s see if ‘Deunghabulmyeong’ works this time as well.”

They understood each other perfectly. Aeulmu knew the words were meant to boost his morale. Accepting his words, he assured him.

“They will be frantic to find you.”

“It will be interesting.”

The two men exchanged glances without words. Though they joked, the weight of their shared time was within those looks.

The wind sweeping through the forest became ominous. It was a sign that the enemies were approaching.

“Let’s go.”

Yeon Won turned his horse first. Aeulmu followed suit.

Soon, the sound of hooves quickened.

On a night of thick fog, two horses quickly dispersed along the ridge.

A visitor arrived late that night at the Crown Prince’s palace.

“You say Yeon Hwagun was attacked?”

The Queen turned to Minister Yoon, holding a bowl of medicinal soup. The liquid inside swayed and then settled.

Minister Yoon checked the Crown Prince’s complexion before answering. Sure enough, the Crown Prince, who had been lying down, raised his head with difficulty.

“What do you mean…? Yeon Won…attacked…?”

The Crown Prince’s voice, speaking after several days, was hoarse. The Queen hurriedly supported the Crown Prince and tried to feed him the soup, but his attention was elsewhere.

His pale, chapped lips and dark circles under his eyes clearly showed his illness. The Queen looked at Minister Yoon, who had brought the news to the East Palace, with a mixture of resentment.

“Who would attack my younger brother? How could such a thing happen?”

The Crown Prince, who had been groaning in pain for three days and nights, sat up. He showered questions, seemingly energized from somewhere.

“Who did it? Where? When did it happen? Is Yeon Won safe? Where is he now?”

A short sigh escaped the Queen’s lips. The Crown Prince still called Yeon Hwagun by his childhood nickname, Yeon Won.

It was a nickname given by the late King only to the Crown Prince and Yeon Hwagun.

Prince Yeon Hwagun, Yi Wi, was Yeon Won. Crown Prince Yi Yang was Jaeon.

It was also the name of a close friend and the only brother he had, sharing an innocent childhood and a passionate adolescence together.

The Queen thought that fairytale-like affection was unbecoming of the Crown Prince’s position. Or rather, perhaps it was unbecoming of the relationship between a Crown Prince and a Prince.

Especially during such times when the Crown Prince’s position as heir was precarious.

“We don’t yet know who is behind this.”

Minister Yoon, sensing the Queen’s gaze, reported cautiously.

“Since the attack happened on his way to the palace, it seems they knew in advance and laid an ambush.”

“On his way to the palace…then it’s because of me. He was coming to see me because I asked him to, and this happened to him on his way.”

“Your Highness. Calm down. How is this your fault?”

Even with the Queen’s attempts to soothe him, the Crown Prince’s self-blame didn’t subside. His dry, cracked lips trembled with weakness.

“So, what about Yeon Won?”

“It seems he changed his course and didn’t come to the palace.”

“Is he safe? Is he injured?”

“I don’t know the details, but the bodies of masked men were found near Byeoksan Mountain. According to reports, suspicious individuals have been searching the mountain since then.”

Life returned to the Crown Prince’s eyes.

“They searched the mountain looking for Yeon Won. Then, he’s alive. If he escaped them, he must not be seriously injured.”

His joy was short-lived. The exertion caused a wave of dizziness, and his face paled. While relieved by the news, unavoidable anxiety and worry shook his body, already battling illness.

“Then, when can I see Yeon Won? Will Yeon Won come to see me again?”

Even a lover’s longing wouldn’t be this intense. The Crown Prince’s face darkened noticeably.

The medicinal soup was getting cold. The Queen’s heart ached. She feared the Crown Prince’s life would shorten at this rate. Unable to bear it any longer, she pressed Minister Yoon.

“So. Where is Yeon Hwagun now?”

Her voice was filled with desperate emotion.

“Find him. Immediately.”

She had to know Yeon Hwagun’s, Yeon Won’s, whereabouts.

For the Crown Prince. Or, perhaps, for the Crown Prince’s safety.