Chapter 5 Jung Ji-un

(Soon the Prince's Birthday came and the Royal Ceremony was held. The head of this ceremony is His Highness, the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess. The royal relatives and officials also attended and were entertained by yeoryeong (female entertainers).

At the birthday banquet, royal family members and officials give their greet and the gift to prince one by one. Fortunately, the prince study all the records of the royal family members and important officials after happening the accident of Prince Jaeun. So, she can recognize the person who greet her. Eunuch Hong also help her by whispering who they are. When one royal member approach eunuch Hong whisper that... "He is the brother of the King and son of Queen Consort An, Lord Hyeonun."

Lord Hyeonun give his greet and gift to Prince and said...

Congratulation, Your Highness.

After he left, the two prince approach and eunuch Hong whisper again that... "They are the sons of the late Prince Dohyeon, Prince Wonsan and Prince Jaeun respectively. You met him before."

Prince Wonsan said that "Congratulations."

Thank you.

The Prince Jaeun also said that " I hope you aren't confused today, it's me Hyun."

I was merely goofing around that day.

After royal family greeting, the prince grandfather Lord Sangheon greet the prince. When Lord Sangheon come near to the prince, the Crown Princess, Royal Bodyguard Yoon and Court Lady Kim were watching anxiously. Lord Sangheon said...

Congratulations. The fine weather must be a proof of the everything on the Earth is celebrating your birthday.

Thank you.

It is a true honor to witness such magnificent growth in you. Please remember that the fate of Joseon solely relies on you. I will devote my life to serving to you just as I have been doing so far.

(While his grandfather was saying this, the prince remembered what had happened that night. That night, his grandfather thought that the death body was her and told to her mother crown princess that "It is my understanding that you have the girl's body. Everything I am doing is for you and our family's sake. Find it in your heart to let this go." Did her grandfather tell her who was sentenced to death because she being born as a girl that the future of the country depends on her? How funny it was!

After ceremony, the prince has to see others who pay their respect at his quarter. She really feel tired and unwell. So that eunuch Hong said that.....

You received enough guests for today. It is best we stop here now.

I can Handle it.

(At the same time, The court Lady Kim announced that....)

The son of Jung Seok-jo, an inspector at the Office of the Inspector General, ask to have an audience with you, His Highness.

Let him in.

(After saying that, he looked at the entrance and saw his friend Jung Ji-un. So, He quickly lowered the curtain and sat down behind it.)

My name is Jung Ji-un, the son of Inspector Jung Seok-jo at the Office of the Inspector General. Thank you for granting me a private audience with you.

(The prince was stunned when he heard that. Was the son of the man who killed her brother was his friend? Why? Why like this?)

I heard that your birthday is today. This may sound impudent, but after hearing about how excellent you are from a girl I knew, I wanted to meet you in person and wish you a happy birthday. From what she told me, you aren't authoritative or arrogant, but a generous prince with a loving heart for his subjects. So ever since that day, I have been hoping that one day, I would be able to serve you by your side.

(The prince could not say anything back and cried silently. Then Jung Ji-un said again ..)

I will soon be going to Ming Country for my studies. And I will do my best there to keep this promise to you and return as a subject you will be proud of. Please stay healthy until then.

(When Jung Ji-un said his goodbye and left, the prince said ......)

Wait...Is the girl you mentioned a girl named Dam-i?

Do you know her? By any change do you know where she went?

(When Ji-un said that, the price pretends not know anything and said....)

What you said? Is Dam-i no longer in the laundry department? That's why I haven't seen you these days.

(The prince told herself that, JungJi-un ...... Dami is sitting in front of you however, Dam-i will not be there for life...)

You can go now.

(When the prince said like that, Jung Ji-un pay his respect and left the prince's quarter. Not so soon, the prince follows to Jung Ji-un and accidentally saw the scene that Jung Seok-jo kill her a young court maid, her friend l-wol. Even though, Jung Ji-un pleased his father not to kill this girl, he couldn't do that and finally, this girl was killed by his father.

The prince was terrified when she saw the scene and she would like to escape from this place so she hid in her old house and crying. In the prince's quarter, the prince was missing and all the court maid were busy to find the prince. The Crown Princess was also worried that the prince was missing, so she searched the palace but could not find him and she feel anxious and said to Court Lady Kim that..

Where is the prince"

Now new yet. We searched the prince's quarters, but no avail.

We must find the child before anyone finds out. If something happens to that child too, I will never forgive myself.

Please don't worry Her Highness, everything will be all right.

(Meanwhile, young Eunuch Hong also search the prince and finally, he couldn't control himself and crying in one corner because he felt so sorry for the prince. When court Lady Kim saw eunuch Hong who was sitting and crying, she said that...

What are you doing here? Go and find the Prince now.

My heart breaks for the Prince. She must have been so scared. I wouldn't have lasted a day if I were in her shoes. The prince's own grandfather had him killed. Being forced to live around those people must have taken a toll on her. But I couldn't do anything to lessen her burden. All I did was cry in front of her out of fear.

You must be brave for the Prince. The day the King finds out the truth, it will be death of everyone.

(The place where he was crying was close to the prince's hiding place, so the prince who could hear everything and finally came out of hiding. When Court Lady Kim see the prince she said....)

Your Highness...What on earth happened?

Everything is my fault. Everything. The Prince and l-wol died because of me.

(Court Lay Kim hold the prince's hand and said...)

Please stop crying. This is not your fault. Everything that's happened is not your fault, Your Highness.

(The prince hug court lady Kim and cry. The Crown Princess heard the news that the prince had been found and ran to the prince. The mother and daughter were walking in the garden and said nothing for some time. After that, the Crown Princess said that...)

The moon tonight is bright indeed. When I was pregnant with you, I had a dream. A very big moon slid under my dress. And the moon split into two beautiful pearls. One of the pearls was your brother and the other pearl was probably you. I was happy...when I had you and your brother. I was truly happy.

How come...you are not scolding me? I ran away. Why are you not scolding me?

Because you came back. You came back to your mother.

I-wol...is dead. I cannot forgive the man who killed l-wol. And now, that boy...I will not be able to forgive anyone now.

Then don't.

Be it hatred or resentment. I do not care what it is. Learn to live with it. As long as it gives you the will to live, it is enough. This mother will be responsible for everything. I will only ask you to live. Live... even if your heart is burdened.

Mother.

Thank you......for calling me Mother after everything. I am...truly grateful. Never forget... that now you are the Prince. You are special. Your life is the most precious. You are the chosen one.

Mother.

(The prince hugged his mother and cried. Let me cry today. From the next days, I will try to become true Prince, Lee Hwi. Only today....I will cry.)

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