Chapter 6: Il Minjoon

A woman in white scrubs sat near the acacia tree. Her back hunched, her legs crossed. She stared at Hae Gi, who seemed busy cleaning the baby. Her face contorts as she sighed. She leaped from the pedestal and walked towards the girl.

"You idiot, you won't finish at this rate. Even if you need to be gentle, you still need to apply a little force."

The woman snatched the towel and proceeded to wash the baby. Hae Gi stared at Eunjung, her best friend and rival. Eunjung is her childhood friend. ever since they were children, they always challenged each other in any game possible. They might seem like enemies, but in truth, that's just their way of showing their friendship.

"Jungji you're so good at this. "Hae Gi hummed as she leaned back, her gaze lidded.

Eunjung was yet again frustrated. Her hands stopped, her teeth clenched. Her eyes blurred as she struggled not to cry. This wasn't the Hae Gi she knew. The girl that she grew up with would snatch the towel from her grasp and say 'Did I ask?'. The girl that she knew would cry while cursing that man.

That girl that she knew- wouldn't be this languid. Lifeless.

"What were you thinking? You would be this good if you were to rest! I told you to sit down and let me do it. You're still fresh from labor and you're not supposed to walk! "

Eunjung faced Hae Gi, scolding her. While being scolded, Hae Gi grinned and waved her hand.

"It's fine. Don't worry."

"You could've died! If I wasn't there you would've died!"

Eunjung glared at Hae Gi. Her lips pressed together as she let an exasperated sigh out of her lips.

"You could've given the child to someone to take care of while you're recuperating. There's no harm in that."

Hae Gi shook her head. She trudged forward, and carefully lifted the baby, placing the infant in her arms.

"He's my baby. He's the only thing that keeps me alive. What makes me go on in life. "

She hugged the baby closer, rubbing her nose against the baby's little nub. The baby cooed, small giggles left his mouth as he stared at his mother. The first to give him warmth and comfort.

"Okay, fine. Have you named him yet?"

She lifted her hand and placed her palms against the baby's cheeks.

"His name is Minjoon. Isn't it nice? It means a clever and talented child."

Eunjung looked at her friend, then to the child. Her gaze lingered at the baby. Then suddenly she thought of something.

"Il Minjoon. The crown prince of the Il Kingdom."

The truth. That's what Eunjung needs.

"Hae Gi I'd better go. I have something to do."

She turned and saunters forward towards a wide door leading outside of the courtyard.

Eunjung walked and walked. With a place in mind, she advanced forward until she stopped in front of a majestic door. Symbols of dragons were engraved in the door, the bluish tint the same as the Emperor's suit. This is His Majesty's room.

The guards opened the door, recognizing the famous doctor in the kingdom and also the Emperor's cousin.

As the door opened, A man with long white hair is seen sitting at a desk. He seemed disheveled with his back hunched and his hair sprawled on the desk. He looks different from the Emperor that displayed his might by headlessly punishing his own bride. That mightiness has gone and is replaced with helplessness seen from his eyes. His eyes were heavy and uneven, a person who seemed to have stayed awake for countless nights. At the moment, he looked powerless. Unbefitting of an Emperor.

As Eunjung stepped forward, his static gaze peered at her.

"Cousin Yun, you seem well."

Eunjung spoke, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"What do you want Jung? I doubt you're here just for a trivial matter."

Daehyun closed his eyes as he massaged his forehead. A mountain of papers can be seen from the right of his desk. Still untouched and waiting to be finished.

"I have a request dear cousin."

Sarcasm was gone from the moment she spoke these words. Her stance unwavering, her back straight. Her voice promised power and a resolution. A woman who will not take no for an answer.

"What is it?"

"See her. Just for once."

"You-!"

Daehyun suddenly stood. His towering figure combined with his scowling face made him look like a vengeful monster. With his fist shaking, he glowered at his cousin. His eyes now cold, he advances, stopping at her front.

"Why should I? A person like her, she deserved it."

"No..."

Eunjung stepped forward, she glared straight at Daehyun's eyes. A glare full of animosity, mixed with sorrow. Her eyes blurred as her lips quivered.

"She doesn't deserve that... Hae Gi never deserved that!"

Daehyun was abashed. He stilled, he could see droplets of tears streaming down his cousin's face.

"She was always waiting for you! Even if you're away on some banquet or on the frontlines she still whispers your name. Even if she sees you holding another woman's hand, she still utters your insolent name! Do you not know the countless nights she cried herself to sleep, always coming to me, asking when you'll be back. She was waiting for you! Even if you were not always there for her when she's pregnant, she still believed in you."

With her teeth clenched, Eunjung stabbed a finger in Daehyun's chest.

"Yet after you came back... after she used all her strength and experienced so much pain during labor, you shouted at her! You called that woman a wench and left her behind. You abandoned her and because of your foolishness she almost died!"

At this point, Eunjung's tears stopped. Her fist was shaking, so much that her whole body was trembling.

"If this is still not enough. Just... see her, look at her."

Eunjung stepped backward, her stare unwavering.

"See if she looks like a loose woman that betrayed you for another man. "

And with that, Eunjung turned and left.

Daehyun was left standing in the room. His eyes wide, still staring at the door. He let the words sink in, still processing. His guilt increased as he thought of the possibility.

What If I was wrong?

He closed his eyes. He knew what to do. After a while, he looked for his robes.

Hae Gi was left lying beneath the Acacia tree with the baby in her arms. The moonlight stared at the Mother and child. Illuminating them, making them glow. Hae Gi breathed, and with her eyes closed, she sang.

to love, I live

to cry, I hide

To seek is to fleet

To smile, I cried

Hold my hand

I will not leave

You are my heart

What makes me breath

A lone tear cascaded down her cheek. Her brows furrowed as her lips trembled. She hugged the baby close in her arms and together, they slept.

The man in the doorway stood still, his lips in a thin line. His silver hair was gliding with the wind as he stared, guilt in his eyes. He will forever relive this moment, haunting him, making him realize he was wrong. That he was too late.