Chapter 15 - Endless Dead Ends (part 4)

The king was the most respected person in the whole nation, for mere lowly people to demand his attention was the same as showing their disrespect and scorn towards the king.

Official Jung continued, "Due to the recent surge in the number of villages acting out, we had sent officials to go and solve the problems yet the people were beyond dispute and demanded the royal family to take action."

"Outrageous!" Another official let out, "Such disrespect towards our beloved king, they should all be beheaded as an example to others."

"Official Ko, surely you don't mean to behead all the people from three villages just to serve as an 'example' to others?" Official Hee argued.

The person scoffed at the refute.

Official Hee, "Inspector general, please explain the reason behind their discontentment."

Official Jung, "They claim severe hunger as their livelihood cannot sustain them anymore… they boldly accuse the ministries for corruption."

"Corruption?" A cold voice spoke, gaining attention from the crowd. "Inspector General, isn't it your job to monitor the other ministries and offices for such things?" Crown Prince Yong Chul said.

"Your highness, we've been deeply investigating ever since they've started complaining of such things, but they won't listen and wait, instead they've started turning to other things threatening to abandon their livelihoods which would greatly affect the lifestyle of the Golden Capital as some produce most of the rice and wheat, medicinal herbs, and livestock."

Official Ko spoke again, "Threaten? They dare threaten officials?" He faced the king adding, "Your highness, shouldn't we be condemning this kind of behavior? Sooner or later these acts of rebellion will only grow in number and cause us many troubles."

The King spoke in an irked tone, "And what are you suggesting Official Ko? That they all be punished?"

Official Ko immediately backed down as he lowered his head.

Official Nam broke the silence, "Allow me to explain your highness, this is why we have called the eldest princes' here today."

With that, both Dohyun, Junwoo, and Yong Chul looked at him. Though Yong Chul was right in front of him on the other side, Dohyun dared not to look at his face and avoided his eyes.

Official Nam continued, "Since they demand the attention of his highness then our best choice is to send the princes to ease their anger, sending them will satisfy their request and if the princes spoke to them, then surely they would listen."

Master Seo disapproved, "Nonsense, do you not understand the possible danger? What if they change their minds and attack instead?"

Official Nam, "Master Seo, even though they act all tough and mighty, in the face of a royal they are reminded they are nothing but peasants. It is very unlikely, but even so you do have a point and that is why a number of royal guards will accompany them as well as our officials to guide them when speaking to the people."

"A number of royal guards?" Yong Chul said with distaste, "Seasoned swordsmen do not need such things."

"Your highness, precautions are taken seriously by the royal court", Official Nam stated, "It is widely known that you are most capable in any situation but we cannot allow any miscalculations. The last time things were overlooked, a great disaster occurred", his orotund voice traveled throughout the room.

A moment of silence passed, each and every person recalling what Official Nam had meant by 'great disaster' happening for things being overlooked. The assassination of the late crown prince, deceased older brother of the current king, late Crown Prince Taeyang.

On his way to go hunting in the forests, he had made sure no royal guards were needed which evidently led to his downfall. An ambush occurred that day while he was waiting for his brother to arrive; upon arriving at the scene it was too late. Bu Taeyang had already bled too much beyond saving.

The king's face flashed a disturbed look, giving Official Nam a look not far from a glare.

Master Seo clenched his teeth, he didn't like the idea one bit but it was also the most logical thing to do. He could only turn to the king as he spoke, "Your highness, surely you don't agree to such a substandard idea?"

The king schooled his expression as he thought about the possible solution brought up, "Then it is final, I will follow the advice from the inspector general's office, Crown Prince Yong Chul, Prince Junwoo, and Prince Dohyun will see to these matters as suggested."

Yong Chul glanced towards Dohyun in disbelief, "Your highness, if we are to go to fix the problem, I don't understand why he should go, his presence would be of no help", he said referring to Dohyun.

"Enough", the king replied, "There are three villages, each of you will see different one's, I expect the office of the inspector general to have this sorted out by tomorrow."

Neither of them had a chance to speak, the king's decision was always irrefutable and final.

Before they left, Official Nam approached them and said as he greeted them, "Your highness Prince Junwoo, Prince Dohyun. We'll have the details prepared by tomorrow, I do hope you understand the weight of the situation we are facing right now."

Junwoo assured him, "We will see to do what we can, if the people are willing to listen to us as you suggested then there shouldn't be any problems. In return, I expect a detailed report by morning." He was straightforward and succinct with his words, then again, Junwoo was always eloquent when we spoke.

Official Nam bowed once more as he said with a small smile, "I will not disappoint, your highness."

Junwoo and Dohyun walked together outside, they were both thinking the same thing but neither thought of starting a conversation.

From the corner of his eye, Dohyun saw a small shadow disappear behind one of the buildings, he thought of following it but Byung Ho and Minhye had already appeared in front of him, they greeted Junwoo lowering their heads slightly, Junwoo returned the act as he proceeded to walk away.

Byung Ho tilted his head as he informed him, "The queen has requested an audience with you."

Dohyun replied, "Right… though you guys already told me this morning…"

He had already been told earlier, perhaps this was more urgent than he thought.

"Let's go-" Dohyun said as he turned around, facing the crown prince who had earlier already talked him down, he was heading his way… Not good.

Crown Prince Yong Chul walked straight towards him with his personal guard following behind him, though Dohyun had never really interacted with the people concerning his older brother, he still knew a lot about them. His personal guard was the son of Official Nam who served by his side since they were both young, he too was not that friendly of a person.

Dohyun kept his place as Byung Ho and Minhye stood behind him bowing to the crown prince as he arrived. Yong Chul acknowledged none of them as he seemed to pass right by them but stopped in front of Dohyun. Without bothering to face him he said, "Back out now if you can't handle it, I don't need another mess to clean up. After All, all you do is act uncultured and cause trouble for others."

His words were mean and harsh, but even more so, his voice. He never spoke to Dohyun willingly but when he did talk to him, his voice was always coated in loathing and disgust.

Dohyun stood there for a while after he walked away. There was nothing to say, no reason to react, so he visited the queen's residence as he was instructed.

Byung Ho and Minhye waited outside for him as he walked in after his name was announced, they also held it in, their frustration towards the crown prince.

The queen was seated as usual, the room void of any court ladies at her service, making it just them two.

At his sight, she stood up and walked over to him, her feet in a hurry and her face desperately trying to hide the concern, her facade was obvious. "Dohyun-ah, I've heard about the meeting, you must not go, it's too dangerous during this time."

Dohyun felt conflicted, it wasn't as if he could dismiss the orders of the king, "Your highness, I will only be going there to clear up some matters, royal guards will accompany us; you shouldn't have to worry."

She shook her head saying, "No, no, I will sort this out. I'll find someone to take your place, all you have to do is-"

"Mother", Dohyun said, "Who will you have take my place? Hajoon? Sanghoon? Yejoon? They're all kids. The king has ordered me to go and so I will."

She took his hands in hers pleading, "Dohyun-ah won't you just listen to me?" Her voice slightly higher as she tried to persuade him into letting her take over.

Dohyun only frowned, "Has there been another vision? Another guess that something bad will happen?" He sounded as if he didn't mind such things.

The queen quickly shook her head, "No, no, it's not like that. We can do this, even if your fate is bad, if you listen to me we can do everything to-"

Dohyun took off her hands placing them to her side, "It's fine right, it can't surely be that bad. I will get going now, your highness."

They're making too much of a fuss about this, he thought. All they had to do was catch the person who tried to poison him and end things once and for all. He was getting tired of constantly hearing his fate was bad, how bad could it even actually be, he'd been fine all these years anyway.

He stepped outside to where Byung Ho and Minhye were standing, they looked confused and curious but refrained from asking questions just yet, judging from his expression, he wasn't in the merriest of spirits.

As he faced Minhye he caught in his peripheral vision, the shadow of a person moving behind the wall.

"Byung Ho, have you attained a full report on the suicides?" He asked.

Byung Ho nodded his head, "Yeah, about that-"

Dohyun cut off, "For now leave that at my residence, I'll meet you two tomorrow morning before the instructions come in."

They nodded their heads and headed off in the other direction, as soon as he was sure that they weren't going to turn back he hurried off to where that shadow disappeared. Since it moved from the right side of the building he took the left side hoping to encounter whoever it was.

Just as he thought, there was indeed a person trying to hide away by taking that route. The person froze at first then turned her back towards him, her hopes for escape were futile, she had already been caught.

"You, what have you been doing here Dan Yong-ssi?" Dohyun called out.

Hearing that she had already been recognized, she sighed as she faced him instead and removed her topcoat from covering her head.

"Your highness", she greeted.

"I've noticed you since earlier", Dohyun stated.

She looked at him with a dubious expression, this one is a bit too fast in catching things.

"Dan Yong-ssi, please tell me everything. What you told me before was sugar coated, the queen… she wouldn't be acting this way otherwise, I can't comply with her requests if I don't understand."

Dan Yong looked him in the eye as she asked, "Then let me ask you your highness, would you comply with her wishes even if you understood?"