Despite the rattling feeling deep inside his body, Shun followed the King's order and rose his head. He mustered his strength and shove his irrational fears away, thinking that he would not do anything against the law. He was ready to spill out everything that he knew. "Your Majesty, I was the one who saved Sae... I mean, His Highness, from those unknown men who tried to abduct him.

Jae Joong frowned, hungry for more details. "Continue. Tell us more details."

"I was on my way to Seorabeol when I decided to take a rest at an unknown forest. I tied my horse at a big tree and sat down under. Suddenly, I heard a scream. I was alerted, curious where it came from. I searched for the sound, and from the thick shrubs, I saw a group of men encircling the two already. One man was holding her by the neck, and the other man was grabbing the Prince by his neck—"

Jae Joong's entire face turned crimson in a wave of composed anger, hearing the boy's story. He tried to control his emotion and continued listening as his hands quivered down his sleeves. Shun continued, "The lady ran to the Prince, seemed like she was trying to save him. But another man from the circle stopped her. Eventually, there was a physical altercation, and the man suddenly pushed her, but instead of falling off the ground, she fell into the stream."

The Prime Minister raised a brow after listening, and he cut in, "Sire, this boy's story just matched with what Lady Jin Ri has narrated." he paused and turned his head to Sae Joo before he continued, "Apparently, the poor lady was just another victim. She faced and struggled with the unforgiving current of the furious stream."

"I am not yet done, Sire!" Shun suddenly burst out, making all the council members and nobles exchanged uncomfortable glances. A young commoner had his guts to voice out his thoughts without being intimidated by the Prime Minister. Out of a little embarrassment, a faint smile just embossed from Jung Ho's mouth as his eyes moved downward.

"Continue," ordered Jae Joong.

Shun rubbed his nose and spoke, "I noticed something strange. If they really want to take someone, why did they use wooden sticks as weapons, not real swords? It was as if they are really confident that their target could not even punch them in their faces." he chuckled.

"So are you saying that because of that, you think that the whole thing was staged?" asked Jae Joong.

"Another thing, Your Majesty. The Prince and that lady were just by themselves. The lady was dressed elegantly, while the Prince was dressed like a commoner. I just could not fathom why those men would even bother to show themselves to him if they could just escape after taking the lady. If I were on their shoes, I would just knock the lady off and get out as fast as I could. I would not bother showing up myself to a commoner. What good thing could I get from that?"

With Shun's logical explanation, members of the council members nodded and exchanged whispers with each other, slowly getting convinced by his assertions. Jin Ri fidgeted casually at her position while staring at her father, who seemed to be ignoring her. She could not handle the presence of the meddler in front of them so she decided to speak, afraid that any moment their dirty secret would be exposed. "Considering that you have a point, what is your proof that the entire thing was staged?"

The young boy turned around and walked slowly in front of Jin Ri, his eyes grew larger as he stared at her. "I have no solid proof. As I have said a while ago, I was just stating what I have observed."

"Did you hear him, Sire? He has no solid proof! Please do not trust this foolish person."

Boiling blood rushed to Shun's ear, for the lady just insulted his credibility. He moved closer to Jin Ri, and the two hwarangs from the lady's back immediately blocked him. "Why are you being so affected? Are you the one who is going to take the blame if it turns out that the whole abduction scene was scripted? Are you involved as well?"

Jin Ri's eyes bulged out in anger, lips fading into a thin line. "What did you just say? How dare you accuse me? I am the Prime Minister's daughter!"

"Being a daughter of a nobleman has nothing to do with this so why should I care? I did not accuse you. I just asked you questions. Know the difference..." Shun surveyed her from head to toe before he resumed. "... milady!"

Some council members and noblemen shook their heads, their jaws gaped down in shock. It was their first time to witness a commoner crossing his boundaries just to express his emotions. At the same time, a few of them tried to hide their entertained faces, like Dae Wong. This boy is indeed different.

Before the heated argument could had intensified, the King stood and reprimanded the two. He ordered Shun to come forward, and at the same time, the hwarangs returned to their places, behind Jin Ri.

"Shun, right? I could see that your statement makes sense, but without solid proof, I cannot honor your statements fully," said Jae Joong.

"I just stated what I think after analyzing the situation. If that is your final judgment, then I cannot do anything about that, Sire." he dipped his head in a low bow after resting his case.

Jung Ho butted in again. This time he looked confident that he could turn the tables around in his favor. "Sire, are you looking for a hard proof? I ordered some hwarangdos last night to search for those men who tried to kidnap your son based on my daughter's description. Luckily, we caught one of them. May we please let him speak?"

Squinting his eyes, Jae Joong agreed and gave his permission. "Go ahead."

"Let him in!" called Jung Ho. Two red hwarangdos marched down the carpet with a man wearing black robe and pants—his torso was tied in a rope. They bowed to Jae Joong as they reached the foot of his throne. Shun moved over to the side, scanning the guy head to foot.

"Is he one of those wretched bastards?" asked Jae Joong.

"Yes, Sire. They caught him last night when we did a raid on one of their hideouts. Unfortunately, others were killed while others have escaped. However, worry not, for we are trying our best to find and crush all of them," assured Jung Ho.

The King cleared his throat and turned to Shun. "Do you recognize this man, boy?"

After releasing a skeptical, yet sharp glower, Shun nodded his head slowly, confirming the man's identity. "Yes. He is one of those men." Hearing the boy's answer, Jae Joong immediately started the interrogation.

"I will go straight to the point, so answer my questions while my tone is still at it's regal, humane form... Why did you try to abduct my son, and who ordered you to do that?"

The man suddenly groveled, down on his knees as he started jabbering, begging for his life. "Your Majesty, please spare my life! I do not know anything! It was just a random encounter, an accidental moment! We do not really have a target. No one ordered us! We were on our way to our hideout when we found the two. Our leader ordered us to take the lady, to sell her for money, but since one of us has failed to knock her down quietly, she screamed, and the boy—I mean, the Prince heard us and suddenly dashed to our position. We had no choice! We should leave no witness. We were afraid! Please, Sire, do not kill me!"

"Hence, do you truly admit that you tried to take Lady Jin Ri for the sake of money?"

The apprehended man nodded quickly, "Yes, Sire. I know we are at fault but please do not kill me."

Grimacing in disgust, Jae Joong ordered the hwarangs to take the man away—to send him to the underground dungeon. "I have heard enough. Take away this disgusting thing in front of me." The hwarangs nodded in response, and they dragged the man away. He kept on screaming as his straw shoes squeaked in the wooden floor, past the carpet, until the council hall-door was closed. Jung Ho ran his eyes to the man as he was taken away, reminiscing the night when he met and killed those bandits.

~~•~~

After killing all men involved, wiping drips of blood in his face under the moonlight in the dark forest, Jung Ho asked the bandit leader, "Are those all? Only four?"

"No, Your Excellency. I reserved one of them for you, just like what you told me."

Grinning, Jung Ho ordered, "Bring him out."

The guards of the bandit leader dragged the last man who was assigned to take the Prince. Just like his colleagues, his head was covered with a black cloth—the body was tied in a rope. They pushed him to the forest ground and took out the cover.

"What is your name?" inquired Jung Ho, looking down.

"Bongsu, Your Excellency."

"Bongsu, I need you to do this little job for me, and I assure you that you will not follow your men down the grave," offered Jung Ho, scanning the dead bodies on the ground.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Yes. I will do anything for you, Your Excellency. Just spare my life please."

"All right then. Now listen to me...."

~~•~~

Back in the council meeting, when the door was closed, Jung Ho stood and bowed, "Sire, the man, who was recognized by this boy, already mentioned that they were the ones who tried to take Lady Jin Ri and the Prince. He also stressed out that he did not know their real identities. If that is enough proof already, may you please announce your judgments."

Jae Joong cleared his throat and glanced shortly at Jung Ho. "This issue is over. Considering that the man has already admitted everything, I will punish him. Lord Jung Min!" the Prosecution Minister stepped forward and bowed, "Yes, Sire."

"See to it that the man gets what he deserves... now!"

"Definitely, Sire." he lowered his head in a bow and walked out of the council hall.

When Jung Min left, he called the attention of the people inside as the investigation continued. He asked Shun again, for his mind was not enlightened yet about why the Prince had been missing for almost four days. "So, if you have saved my son from those bandits successfully, why did you just return now?"

Sae Joo butted in, "We were kidnapped by another group of bandits—this time they were from the Tang Empire."

"What? Tang Empire?"

"Yes, Father. We were brought to Dokdo Island, and we met the Tang's Crown Prince."

"Tang Prince? Do you mean Crown Prince Xiao Ji?"

"Yes, Sire. It was a long story. We were taken to Dokdo Island, alongside with some people from Silla and other nations. We did some agreements with him, which ended up with a fight. The Tang bandits knew that there was a prince hiding in commoner clothes in one of their captives. The Tang Prince said that he would free all of us if that Prince defeats him in a battle."

"So, did you fight him?"

Sae Joo did not respond, and Shun cut in. "I was the one who fought the arrogant Prince, Sire. It was Prince Sae Joo's idea. He gave me the eagle figurine and asked to pose as a Prince to get the freedom we deserve."

Jae Joong's nose flared in anger as the blood jetted to his face like magma from an erupting volcano. "This is unacceptable! Prime Minister, I need you to set me an appointment with Tang's Minister of Foreign Affairs. We need to seriously talk about this."

Anxiety infested inside the Prime Minister as he tried to convince the King to drop his order. He was actually not afraid of the bilateral talks between the King and Tang's representative. What really scared him the most was the stronger monster than him, whom he had a huge debt in the past: the source of his almanac when he predicted the eclipse—the Tang Emperor. With the King's plan, the probability that the Tang Emperor would meddle would be close to absolute.

"Sire, could you please reconsider? Maybe... this was just brought upon by the Prince Xiao Ji's immaturity. Everyone, just so you know, the Tang Prince is ill-tempered, arrogant, and has a towering pride. What if the Tang Emperor knows this? If everything goes unwell, the whole kingdom would be affected."

"Prime Minister, calm down. I would just like to raise my concern, especially regarding the ownership of Dokdo Island. We should make this clear once and for all. That island belongs to Silla, not to Tang. They should not have acted like they are superior to us in our own territory! I want this settled now. If you cannot do it, then I will assign it to someone else. Now answer me Prime Minister, will you do it?"

Jung Ho's narrowed eyes glued to the King, lowering his face, "Y-ye-yes, Your Majesty."

"Good. Everyone, this case has been cleared already. That man will be punished accordingly, and I will talk to a Tang delegate regarding this alarming case. They should stop what they are doing to our kingdom. If they want slaves or toys for themselves, then they leave Silla alone. I want the message to be delivered to Tang immediately... Now, I want to express my utmost gratitude to this boy who saved our Prince. Shun must be rewarded for his hard work. So, what is it that you desire, boy?" asked Jae Joong.

Shun bit his lips before deciding to tell the King what he really wanted. "My father is ill, Your Majesty. If I could just buy him some medicine, I would be the happiest son in the world."

Sae Joo spoke, "Sire, I proposed that you provide his father's lifetime medicine, and I would like him to be one of our nangdos. As a matter of fact, I want him to become one of my bodyguards. If that is all right with you, I will appreciate it deeply."

"The medicine for his father is not a problem, however, being one of your bodyguards is another thing. We will have another private council meeting for that matter."

Jae Joong continued, "This meeting is adjourned."

All the people left the council hall and went back to their homes since it was already a bit late when the meeting adjourned. In front of the King's pavilion, down the courtyard, Sae Joo talked to Shun, convincing him about his offer—being one of his personal bodyguards. "Shun, I understand that your father really needs your attention and care, but I am still hoping that you would consider my offer."

Shun smiled and bowed his head, "Your Highness, I really appreciate your offer. It really means a lot to me—at least, someone is able to appreciate my efforts. I am not closing my doors, but I guess, my focus right now is my father. Time is ticking, and his enemy is moving quickly: heart problem is not an easy foe to deal with. It is one of the greatest traitors every existed. One day, he may be fine, but the next minute, he might be not. I hope you understand."

"Sure. I do understand. It really relieves me that you are still willing to consider. I really wish your father good health and a long life... It is getting late. Please take your rest—the kitchen ladies will assist you."

"Goodnight, Your Highness." Shun bowed, turned around, and left.

~~•~~

The night ended well almost for everyone—almost but obviously, not with Jung Ho. He strode to his room, with steps rumbling down the corridor going to his chambers. Upon reaching his room, he pushed the court ladies, who were standing before his room, aside. He slid the door and banged it close. Standing in front of his table, he shoved the things above it, throwing them to the side. Unpleasant noises of the crashing glass sounds and his screams were heard inside. Accidentally, a small broken glass crystal pricked his finger, and he yelped in pain. Blood dripped on his carpet for a while, but he sucked his finger while shooting a stabbing glare by the wall. "No, Sire. You will never know my secret. Never!"

~~•~~

The next day, Shun woke up from his sleep in a small room for palace gardeners. Looking around the room, he rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms. Soon after, he heard a knock by the wooden door and opened it. In front of him was Sae Joo with his retinues and bodyguards behind him. He wore a periwinkle robe and feather jacket for protection from the dry and cold wind of the morning—the sun's crown peeking shyly at the skies. The Crown Prince smiled and greeted him. "Good morning. How was your sleep? Your arm did not hurt, did they?"

The young boy bowed, "Your Highness, Good morning. It was a pretty decent sleep. What could I do for you in this early morning?"

"With the King's consent, we will support your father's medication. He also asks to bring your father here to be examined."

Thousands of butterflies flew at Shun's stomach upon hearing what Sae Joo said. His heart was filled with joy and relief, now that his father would be completely healed. He smiled and bowed his head repeatedly. "Thank you very much, Your Highness! Your grace is insurmountable!"

"It is nothing. Remember, you are my savior. So get yourself ready, and we shall go to the royal infirmary for your father's medicine."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

With movements like a speeding arrow released from the bow, he quickly prepared himself and went to the royal infirmary with the Prince. Like the royal library, the entire place was monumental. It was filled with different sets of dividers and sections filled with cabinets of different types of medicines, in any form and any color. There were also beds and medical equipment arranged depending on use or purpose.

They tried looking for the medicines needed based on the list given by Doctor Yang. Unfortunately, not all medicines were present since some of the high-ranking officials had already consumed what Shun needed. So, they asked one of the stationed doctors inside. "Doctor, where could we find this one?" Sae Joo showed the list, and the doctor read it. "Oh, this one is rare. We have had enough supply but the Prime Minister uses this regularly."

"My uncle? What is this for?"

"This is for your nerves. It calms you whenever you are stressed, giving you positive energy. It also helps you to have a good sleep, Your Highness."

"I understand. My uncle is really a stressed person. By the way, where could we buy this one?"

"Let us try looking at our supplier. He is down at the East Market. Shall I accompany you, Your Highness?"

"Oh, sure."

When they were about to go out of the infirmary, Dae Wong went inside and talked to Sae Joo. He bowed before speaking, "Your Highness, please listen. If you really wish to go outside, I shall accompany you. The King has decided to give permission for you to go out, given that I am with you."

Nodding, Sae Joo acknowledged the King's words and agreed accordingly. "No problem, Minister Dae Wong. I am glad that my father allows me to go outside already... Let us go!"

With another additional set of hwarangs, they traveled to the East Market, the largest marketplace in the kingdom, which was filled with stalls of different products, taverns, and local businessmen such as sword makers, cloth tailors, potters, and many more. There was also a big public square at the center, in which events for festivals and rituals were executed. While walking going to the supplier, the group encountered a commotion near the square. People swarmed in the middle while others whispered on the sides, running their filthy mouths and tongues. Then, there was a scream from a boy. "Help us, please! Anybody!"

Sae Joo craned his neck out of curiosity, leaning forward. "What is happening there?"

A hwarang announced, "Clear the way! Clear the way!"

"Check what that is," the Prince ordered.

When the people started clearing out, there was a boy at the center, sitting on the ground while holding an unconscious man lying on his lap—face covered with a gray veil. Shun, who was curious as well, stepped forward. He gasped upon recognizing the boy. "Deok Cheol?"

The boy screamed, "Shun! Thank Heavens, we met... your father, your father!"

Shun dashed to the unconscious man and shook his body, checking for a response. "Father, father?"

"Your Highness, please help us!" Shun pleaded.

The doctor and some of the nangdos assisted them quickly, and one of them carried Shun's father at his back. The doctor led the way and called, "This way!"

All of them immediately followed the doctor to a small inn and rented a small room. The nangdo laid the unconscious man on the bed, and the doctor started checking his condition.

Shaking his head, the doctor spoke to Shun, "Boy, I need to remove your father's veil and turban. The way I see it, this is one of the main reasons why he fainted."

Shun obediently nodded, "Yes, please do so." he looked at Deok Cheol and asked, "Why is he dressed like that? It is the summer season. It is hot!"

Deok Cheol did not respond, looking away from his friend.

While watching, Sae Joo and Dae Wong could not help but be worried as well. When the doctor had removed the veil, the minister twitched his eyes, trying to recognize a familiar face which he thought he had missed for years. His breath suddenly heaved at the back of his throat upon recognizing the unconscious man fully; his face drained in color as he mumbled.

"C-Chi-Chil Yook?"

__________

__________ [https://em.wattpad.com/b0d3342d01cc7d2c157a86f7d24f8f3977ea06c2/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6a6349347646426d374e346737513d3d2d3730303934313839372e313538373635643761366565633938333332363539333832383534352e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]