"Of course," Soo Hyuk said, grinning widely at her, thoroughly amused with himself. Surely now she would see him differently. Her special connection. Her fortune.
Haesoo stared at him for a long moment.
Then she burst into laughter.
She even snorted.
"Do you really think I'll believe that a guy like you is acquainted with the Crown Prince? Wow. Tsk!"
Soo Hyuk blinked.
Was she serious?
"Of course you're acquainted with the Crown Prince," she continued mockingly. "In fact, I believe you're the Third Prince. No! The Crown Prince himself!"
"Of course!" Soo Hyuk yelled defensively.
He wasn't the Crown Prince… but he was the Third Prince. Soo Hyuk!
She had guessed correctly.
And yet she still didn't believe him.
"Cackles… now you're really something. Don't you dare follow me," she said, waving him off before walking away.
"Hey! I'm really acquainted with the Crown Prince!" Soo Hyuk shouted after her, pouting with his hands planted on his hips.
He couldn't wait to see her expression when she realized he truly was the Third Prince.
"Hey! Haesoo! I'm really the Third Prince!"
"Yes! Everyone here is also the Crown Prince!" Haesoo yelled back without turning around.
"Jeez… that brat," he muttered under his breath.
He just hoped she would still be this bold later.
××××
The Chief State Minister's residence stood imposing and dignified, built with dark timber and high stone walls that concealed its secrets from prying eyes. The inner council chamber was vast yet suffocating, heavy curtains drawn to dim the light. A long polished table sat at the center, surrounded by ministers whose ambitions were far louder than their voices.
The air was thick with calculation.
Left State Minister Lord Shikryeom tapped his fingers against the table, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Lord Shikryeom," the Minister of External Affairs asked cautiously, "do you truly believe Prince Seowoo will abandon his family and support the noble founders?"
The Minister of Taxation let out a low laugh.
"Of course. Only those who have something to prove strive harder for power. The young prince is desperate for affection and recognition."
"Lord Shikryeom," another minister added, lowering his voice, "is Prince Seowoo truly the right choice for the noble founders? What if the Royal Noble Consort intervenes? The prince dotes on his mother."
Lord Shikryeom smiled thinly.
"No," he said calmly. "Not if the prince has no family left."
The words lingered ominously in the chamber.
Suddenly—
The doors flung open.
Prince Seowoo stormed in, followed by one of the minister's guards.
The room fell silent.
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
Had their plans been exposed?
Seowoo approached Lord Shikryeom, his eyes blazing with restrained fury.
"My apologies, my lord," the guard stammered, breathless. "I could not stop His Highness—"
Lord Shikryeom dismissed him with a slight tilt of his head.
"Your Highness," Lord Shikryeom greeted respectfully, bowing along with the other ministers.
"To what do I owe this august visit?"
Seowoo scoffed.
What a hypocrite.
He strode forward and slammed his fist against the table. The teacups rattled violently.
His gaze was murderous as he unfolded the paper in his hand.
The ministers held their breath.
"If you want to own the palace, you must sacrifice something," Seowoo read aloud, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Why would the minister concern himself with such a trivial matter? Or does the minister have hidden intentions? Surely Lord Shikryeom cannot care so deeply about Prince Seowoo."
Lord Shikryeom chuckled softly, his expression unreadable.
"Your Highness, there are rumors that you are having difficulties in the palace because of the Crown Prince."
Seowoo's smile was cold.
"You need not concern yourself with such groundless rumors."
"Of course," Lord Shikryeom replied smoothly.
Seowoo nodded once and turned to leave.
"Does Your Highness know," Lord Shikryeom said lightly, "that His Majesty requested to see the Crown Prince secretly?"
Seowoo stopped.
The hook had caught.
"What?" he asked slowly, turning back.
"Ah… forgive me," Lord Shikryeom said with false humility. "Your loyal subject should not trouble Your Highness with trivial matters."
"What do you mean, Lord Shikryeom?" Seowoo demanded.
Lord Shikryeom stepped closer.
"Why do you think the king requested to see the Crown Prince in secret? His Majesty and the Royal Noble Consort think little of Your Highness."
Seowoo let out a humorless chuckle, his jaw tightening painfully.
"Never. I am a prince of this nation. No one dares think—"
Lord Shikryeom stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The Crown Prince's star has been shining brightly lately. Do you know what that means?"
He leaned in slightly.
"It means he will live long. Shine brighter than any king Joseon has ever seen."
A pause.
"And what, then, will become of you, Your Highness? The Royal Noble Consort will gladly silence any wind that threatens her beloved son."
Seowoo's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"I refuse to believe Mother would ever do such a thing," he said, though pain laced his voice.
"The king wishes to abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince. And the Royal Noble Consort will ensure her son remains heir for a very long time," Lord Shikryeom continued smoothly. "So tell me, Your Highness… what will happen to you?"
Something inside Seowoo snapped.
With a sudden motion, he drew his sword.
The blade flashed through the air, knocking over teacups and sending porcelain crashing across the chamber floor.
The ministers flinched.
The room trembled under the weight of his fury.
Lord Shikryeom walked forward calmly.
He gently took hold of the sword and slowly lowered himself to his knees.
The other ministers followed, baffled but obedient.
"Your Highness," Lord Shikryeom said solemnly, bowing his head, "at your request, we will gladly return what rightfully belongs to you."
Seowoo burst into hysterical laughter.
Why would the king's loyal subjects abandon the king's favorite?
He turned to face them.
"Why?"
"Your Highness," Lord Shikryeom vowed, lifting his head slightly, "we swear to Heaven and to you. We believe you are the true leader of this nation. We will remain loyal to you as long as you desire."
A sly smile flickered across his lips as he watched the prince's expression slowly change.