Chapter 2

"His highness prince Kang-Dae is here!"

"Open the door" The prince said to the subjects at the queen's quarters.

As the doors are opened Kang-Dae walked in to see his mother seated at a table.

"I see my son has come to pass on his greetings." His mother, Queen Hei-Ran said with a smile on her face.

"Mother, I am back from the northern kingdom with my father and brother." Kang-Dae said as he went on his knees to bow.

"Oh, then I should send my regards to the emperor soon." She said as she gestured him to rise.

"I see you are in good health, Mother" he said rising up.

"Well even if I wasn't just seeing you would have made me recover." Hei-Ran said, "How was time with your father in the northern kingdom?"

"Well, we weren't able to fully extend peace but agreed on signing a treaty." Kang-Dae smiled "Father seemed happy on how brother and I handled it. Even though brother got must of the credit I-"

As Kang-Dae spoke, he was interrupted by a vase coming down into the ground.

"Huh?" The prince rose his head to see that the queen was the one who pushed the vase down in anger.

"You said?" She made an angry smile.

"Mother it turned out fine-"

The queen pushed another vase down before she began to break cups "I was here relaxing while my son was being humiliated and disgraced!? Choon-Hee must feel really cocky now."

"Your Majesty you must not throw a fit. It will damage your health." said one of the maids attending to the queen.

"Mother it isn't something you should worry about. Brother will be the crown prince which means-"

"Are you willing to just give everything up without trying?"

"Mother it is nothing we should argue on!"

"Lady Leo is here!" said the announcer at the queen's doors.

"Let her in!" The queen said as she sat back down.

As Lady Leo walked in, she bowed to the crown prince then the queen. "Your Majesty I have a request!"

"Make your request." The queen replied.

"Well, I would like to reinstall ethics into a female and would like to request if she learnt and lived on the West queen's quarters ground."

Hei-Ran made a sigh before making a reply "Well if she is of noble birth, I assume it wouldn't hurt."

"Thank you. You will be a benevolent queen mother." Lady Leo said before leaving.

As the doors closed behind Lady Leo the queen continued to speak "Do you see how high everyone expects of me to be the queen mother! Yet I'm not after that position but for you to be the next emperor because this kingdom needs a good ruler."

"Mother I'm sorry but I have no interest in being the crown prince." The prince said as he turned to walk out of the room "I will be leaving."

And as he walked away the queen wondered why all their conversations ended this same way. "Why can't he just understand where I'm coming from?" the queen thought out loud.

While queen Hei-Ran wondered this in the east queen's quarters, queen Choon-Hee was being informed of the happenings by her eunuch Lee-Wook

"…the emperor, Prince Kang-Dae and Prince Chin-Hwa have returned and-"

"Wait."

"Of course, my queen."

"Repeat yourself and tell me everything in full." Choon-Hee said to the eunuch.

"The emperor, Prince Kang-Dae and Prince Chin-Hwa have returned from the northern kingdom with hope of signing a treaty. While his highness Prince Kang-Dae has gone to greet his mother, Prince Chin-Hwa stayed by the emperor's side. Prince Chin-Hwa also contributed a great part in the agreement in signing the treaty."

"I see my son never fails to impress me and boost his chances in becoming the crown prince."

"Yes, your Majesty! In no time he will be an impressive emperor." Hye-Sun, Choon-Hee's lady in waiting said in reply "But why did he not come straight to you Your Majesty to inform you? It would rise suspicion. The prince's mother is so lonely. The prince does not care about his mother. That would really damage his reputation."

"You're right Hye-Sun." the queen got up "Call for Prince Chin-Hwa at once!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" a eunuch at the door answered.

Later the prince was brought to the east queen's quarters.

"Prince Chin-Hwa has arrived!"

"Open the doors!" Chin-Hwa said as he walked in to see his mother playing a game of baduk with Hye-Sun. "mother you called?"

"Is it wrong for a son after being apart from his mother to visit her?"

"No mother but-"

"Are you planning to make me look like a fool?" Choon-Hee said calmly.

"No." Chin-Hwa said in defeat.

"I try so hard to see the effort you put in to make yourself the crown prince, but you keep giving the people reasons to love Kang-Dae!" Choon-Hee shouted throwing the game to the floor "Prince Kang-Dae is very respectful to his mother while Chin-Hwa hardly sees his mother! Chin-Hwa is after power; look how much he hates his mother! Would it kill you to at least make more time, more effort?"

"I'm sorry mother."

"You should be! Listen to me Chin-Hwa! If you don't make more effort, if you don't become the crown prince! Chin-Hwa, I will disown you!"

"I beg your forgiveness mother!" Chin-Hwa fell on his knees "I'll try my best and no matter what I'll be the crown prince, the next emperor!"

Choon-Hee sighed "I'd love to see that effort-"

"Her Highness Princess Ho-Sook is here!" said the announcer at the door.

"Open the doors!" The queen said as Chin-Hwa stood up and Hye-Sun cleaned up the game.

"Queen Choon-Hee! Brother Chin-Hwa are you back?" Ho-Sook said as she walked in

"Yes." Chin-Hwa replied.

"Then I should go find my dear brother Kang-Dae!" Ho-Sook said with joy obviously in her eyes.

"Princess what brings such a joy to the east queen palace?"

"Well, I hear your palace is ever so lonely and I'd wish to see if it really is." Ho-Sook said as she looked around.

"What would make you say that? The east queen palace has always been known for its beauty." Choon-Hee replied obviously hiding her displeasure.

"Was."

"Huh? Pardon?"

"The east queen palace was known for its beauty now I have to say the west palace is far more beautiful" Ho-Sook said as she touched the plants in the room with her fan "with the many colorful flowers out front in the veranda and beautiful purple lace blinds set in front of the doors. I've been there so many times that I could tell you every detail."

"Very well. I'll try my very best to make my palace more appealing so as to stop the rumors."

"Anyways as your son is here to see you, I'm sure you aren't lonely. My company is no more needed." Ho-Sook bowed down "Thank you for your hospitality, Queen Choon-Hee."

"The pleasure is all mine, Princess." Choon-Hee said as Ho-Sook left, and the doors closed behind her.

Choon-Hee filled with rage picked a cup on her table and threw it at Chin-Hwa "This is all your fault! Even Princess Ho-Sook is mocking me! I'm sure Hei-Ran is enjoying every minute of this!"