Chapter 26 - Promise

Speaking of persevering out there alone, those were the same exact thoughts of the queen during their argument. 

Two days before Dohyun set off for Sasaeum Maeul. 

"Inform the queen I would like to see her", Dohyun said to the court lady in charge of announcing outside the queen's residence. With a curt bow, she nodded her head to the one beside her as the other entered. 

"His highness Grand Prince Dohyun", she announced as the doors opened before him. 

"Dohyun-ah", the queen greeted, in front of her sat Junwoo. To the left side sat Dan Yong. 

"I have something I'd like to say in private, your highness", Dohyun bowed. 

He had made up his mind. There was no way he could make up an excuse at this point, there was only telling his mother what he planned to do, leaving out unnecessary points. 

Junwoo furrowed his brow, "Is there something I should know about?"

"No, there isn't. Junwoo knows as much as I do, I think it would be better to let him help you Dohyun. I know you've been trying to figure out things on your own, it's time you start to listen and let us take care of it." Her voice was direct, with the tone of authority. 

Junwoo knew? So what if he knew? Would that change the reality of his so-called fearsome fate? 

Dohyun's thoughts faltered, informing his brothers wouldn't change anything, if he couldn't make progress himself then what could the others possibly do. Right now, he just wanted to leave, identify the culprit, and get to the bottom of it. He had the most information out of anyone else, the problem was about him, not Junwoo, not Sanghoon, Hajoon, or Yejoon. The culprit wanted him. 

"Dohyun, lets start from the beginning, if you could tell me everything you know-" 

Junwoo was cut off short, Dohyun spoke directly to the queen, "Your highness, there is no reason to drag him or anyone else into this. I came to inform you that I have a lead but I need your help to- no, I need you to let me go." 

The queen clenched her fists from under the table in front of her, separating her from the other two, on her face was an expression of pure disapproval. "And what do you think you can do even if you find out who this person is? Fight him directly? Dohyun have you forgotten that you are a prince of this kingdom? How would we cope if anything happened to you?" 

"It's not like this prince has done anything remarkable, you had it told to me myself that the blood of my loved ones would bleed out in front of me right?" 

"Dohyun-ah!" She scolded, "Listen to yourself, what has gotten into you!" 

"Enough Dohyun", Junwoo said, "Mother is right, we can help you." 

"And how would that be Junwoo? Do you plan on investigating everyone in the kingdom? I said I have a lead, and I'm going to find this person myself and put an end to this nonsense talk of fate." Dohyun said, "The only difference is if you're willing to help me leave or not." 

Despite losing her temper a few moments ago, the queen was quick in schooling her expression. "You've always been the one to be so sure of yourself. Even if that means either you or other people get hurt in the process. Forget it Junwoo, it's easier to rule a nation than a child, we'll all see who will come back as soon as they realize putting yourself and others in danger is no game." 

"I have never once thought of it as a game", Dohyun defended. 

"Your actions say otherwise, Dohyun. One day you'll learn what it is like to regret and wish you had listened. Fine, you may go wherever you want as long as the wonhwa accompany you at all times; your life is before theirs and they know that." 

Dohyun loathed that idea and would have to address that sooner or later with them, but right now he couldn't risk having her take back her word. "Then all I ask is that you cover for me till I return." 

The queen looked off to the side, "Very well, you're off to attain an item of my personal request from the empress of Qishen. I'll make it plain and clear that you have five months, no more no less." 

"Mother", Junwoo interfered. 

"Leave him be, you can lead a horse to a stream, but you can't make it drink water through its own will." 

As much as she wanted to avoid this situation and lock him up in his room, she did not underestimate the capabilities of her children. All skilled in sword and archery, intelligent yet unwise. They could defend themselves if needed but lacked the ability to prevent danger from arriving. 

Opposing him now when he felt like he could take the world would only drive him more to go his way, it was most inconvenient especially when you take into consideration the warnings of the foremost shaman in the kingdom. But as a mother, she could at least let him learn the hard way. 

For the first time during their conversation the queen looked to Dan Yong to her far left side, the shaman curtly nodded her head. Their confidence in the wonhwa was the best they could offer, despite knowing her son will embark on a potentially dangerous journey, it reassured her that the wonhwa was finally fit to protect him at all costs. 

With that, Dohyun left, meeting once with the rest of his brothers to bid his farewell. Later that day Minhye returned, informing him of successfully bringing Rim Ae Ran to Han Residence. Informed Sun Minwoo and her husband just enough for them to understand the girl's situation, they said they'd watch over her and Kim An while he was away. Sun Jangmin, once again regarding his thanks during their encounter. 

Dohyun's residence was now filled with the regular group, Minhye and Byung Ho conversed at the side planning out certain paths and places to stay during their travel. Jaeyong sat further away from the group wiping his sword till light effortly bounced of it. And Seung Hyun Ki updated Dohyun on his new findings and suspicions yet to be confirmed. 

"In four days is the the next meeting regarding the findings in the villages, I need you to stay behind and assist Junwoo, he's fast to grasp most things so inform him of anything suspicious or miscalculated", Dohyun said to Hyun Ki. 

Seung Hyun Ki determinedly nodded his head, he would do what he could to help his highness. In fact, from the very beginning he had aspired to show his capabilities. A thought came across Dohyun's mind and he spoke without thinking much of it, "Hyun Ki-ssi, why do you help me?" Thinking about it, Hyun Ki was fairly new to working in the palace and also had plenty of errands of his own to run for the department, he had also never once said "no" to a request or favor asked by Dohyun. 

Funny enough, he himself also just realized that. He didn't make much of the situation since he considered it part of his job from the beginning but in reality it wasn't. Assisting his highness was primarily due to coincidence of him being there when he was needed. He paused and chuckled to himself, "Serving his highness came as a coincidence to me, since that is the case, I can only think of it as my fate." 

"Also, I find the way his highness see's things exemplary, commendable." 

Dohyun didn't get why he saw him that way but if he really did, then he hoped to live up to those words. This reminded him, "Seung Ki-ssi, if you truly mean what you say about how I see things then you should have noticed by now how I prefer to be addressed when the eyes and ears of officials are not around." Hyun Ki's eyes widened, Dohyun continued, "Just call me Dohyun hyung." 

After he had finished understanding what Dohyun had said, he spoke up himself, "Then hyung, please just call me Hyun Ki comfortably, you are hyung by many years anyway." 

"Alright Hyun Ki, I hope for your success in finding information during our absence. Know that Junwoo will always be able to help you if you need anything." 

After Hyun Ki left, Byung Ho and Minhye made their way back to Dohyun, "How did things progress so quickly?" Minhye asked. During the past few days he was gone a lot had happened, Byung Ho tried to explain it all in detail but Minhye couldn't make sense of everything. 

"It is as you've heard", Dohyun said, his face growing solemn as he thought about it himself. The queen was displeased with him but what other choice did he have, risking his brothers intervening would only make him unfocused, eventually interfering with his mind and state of being. 

Minhye softly commented from the side, "This reminds me of back then, no matter how much we searched, all we ended up with was dead ends." 

Dohyun turned his head, "We were young back then and that was different. This matter, we have much more ability to tackle this matter." All three heads had been tilted towards him ever since Minhye brought up the topic, sighing, he said, "You two go prepare now, do what you want tomorrow, we might not be able to return for a while." 

Like that, the two left and headed back to their quarters. Dohyun was more silent this evening, many thoughts had been flowing in and out of his mind. Plans and fears, what he planned to do when he found the culprit and the outcomes he feared. Dead ends. 

Like him, Jaeyong also seemed to be preoccupied with his own thoughts. When the time came for them to sleep, they both made their ways on either side of the paper divider and laid down as their eyes aimlessly stared at the ceiling. 

Later on, Jaeyong spoke laying down but still facing him despite the divider between them. "Dohyun-ah?" 

Dohyun was called out of his thoughts, "What is it hyung?" 

"Do you really like being informally called?" The question obviously centered at how Dohyun requested others address him. To anyone outside the circle of people he allowed, it would be seen as utmost disrespect towards himself and his title. He did care and appreciated the advantages and welfare in life from being a prince but there was something he couldn't forget. 

"It's not more of a like or dislike idea but more so a reminder to myself. A reminder of a promise I made when I was a child." He said, changing his tone to a brighter one he added, "But don't you think it's more comfortable to call others comfortably? Such titles impact the way a person treats you. Whatever you try to do, people will remember you for your title, riches, fame and wealth and less of who you were as a person." 

"Then, what does Dohyun-ah wished to be remembered as?" Jaeyong asked. 

'What do I want to be remembered as?', Dohyun thought to himself. That he was also yet to ask himself. His father, the king, is well known for being the king of kindness and benevolence in this kingdom. His older brother was known to the masses as an austere and promising crown prince. 

"I'm not sure, I think that people will think what they want to think so I guess how my family and friends view me is what matters. In that case, I want to be remembered as me." 

To be remembered as himself. The statement alone isn't very concrete but a person is not a concrete concept. Humans change and are influenced by the people around them, they are abstract beings. "What about you hyung?" 

Jaeyong thought for a while, he didn't expect to be asked the same question but he knew the answer, he was certain of it. Putting it in words was what took the time. 

"To have expiated my regrets is enough for me, I don't need to be remembered by anyone if I could at least do that." 

Jaeyong had once mentioned regrets before, it made Dohyun curious about what he so deeply regretted. All he knew was that regrets could push a person to keep going in certain circumstances, like himself. Dohyun wanted to ask but it was a rather personal question, maybe in the future when things were calmer he would. 

As he laid there, his thoughts fluttered to the time Minhye had mentioned earlier. 

"Listen, you guys can't tell anyone, especially Yong Chul hyung, he'll just get mad at me again", young Dohyun seriously said to six year old Yang Minhye and An Byung Ho. 

"Hyungggg", Byung Ho whined, "But I wanna play when I go outside, we're only allowed to go out sometimes." 

Dohyun held his shoulders and looked them both in the eye, "Remember you said you want to become the best strongest guards in the palace? Well this is part of your training, remember a bit taller than me, carries a wooden arrow, and looks kinda mean but is actually really nice." 

They both groaned as Dohyun shook them for their response. 

"Alright repeat after me", "Taller than Dohyun hyung. Wooden arrow. Looks mean but is nice." 

Dohyun smiled in approval. "Good job! Now make sure to look everywhere okay." 

And even though Dohyun did the same routine every time Byung Ho and Minhye were allowed to go outside to the Golden Capital, they always returned empty handed. Saying that they never saw such a person wandering around. 

But even so, Dohyun did his best to get on his mothers and older brother's good side so they would at least pay less attention to him. He had to find a way to sneak back out someday, he had to find that person and say sorry and thank you. And do what they planned to do. 

This continued on for several years, eventually it became harder and harder for him to escape the walls due to his duties. Studying, practicing, learning about the kingdom. Secretly going outside once every few weeks slowly turned to once every few months, then eventually, yearly. 

On the year of his seventeenth birthday, Minhye and Byung Ho were already seated in his room when he had come back from wandering outside. Minhye said, "Hyung, you've been searching for years, I'm starting to think this person doesn't even exist." "My thoughts exactly", Byung Ho added, "We've already even checked all of the possible households and childrens names registered in the scrolls but there really is nothing." 

They were right, he had been asking for their help for years already, I was better if he continued to search by himself. To him now, it wasn't that much of a priority, he just kept looking because he might bump into that person by chance. He often wondered what happened after that day, if it hadn't been for his accident, then maybe, just maybe he would have found that person by now. 

Though one thing was for sure, he had never forgotten to look around every year before his birthday, even if as he eventually grew older he stopped using the excuse to go and find his friend but it just became a habit of his to walk the streets of the Golden Capital the night before his birthday.