6. Daehyun
“Every day I feel asthough I am suffocating,” Daehyun whispered. He stood before the shelves of the royal library, his jaw locked as he flipped through military literature. “Should he reign another year, I will undoubtedly lose my sanity.”
“It is not only you,” Hyukjin replied quietly, glancing around to ensure they were alone. “I have spoken with other royal guards over drinks. I can tell you this—we all share the same thoughts. The soldiers, their hearts have left the king long ago. They are all waiting for change to occur. But everyone is too afraid to admit it.”
They both tensed as footsteps crunched outside.
“Who knew that one day our courage would be so tested…” Hyukjin cracked open the window, watching until the patrolling guards disappeared. “Remember the time we explored the forest and discovered an abandoned hut? It became our command post. We would spend hours here reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms. We played military games, and remember how we swore to each other, ‘We two—Prince Daehyun and Soldier Min—though of different families, swear brotherhood, and promise mutual help to one end. We will rescue each other in difficulty—’”
“We will aid each other in danger…” The words slipped from Daehyun before he could stop it. He shook his head. “That was long ago.”
“We swear to serve the state and save the people,” Hyukjin pressed on. “We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together.”
“It was child’s play,” Daehyun said, his voice strained. Once, he had cared—for the lives of the people, for the soul of the kingdom itself. And once, he had even believed himself capable of goodness and honor. But now he glanced down at his hands, the blood washed away yet he could still feel its stain. “All of it was child’s play…” He sighed. “What did you wish to speak with me about?”
“I cannot stay long; my sister wishes to see me.” Hyukjin turned to him. “I spoke with Wonsik this morning. He has been acting strangely ever since Nameless Flower appeared.”
“Do you doubt his loyalty?”
“Of course not.”
“We would have perished at the age of eleven, then again at age twelve, fourteen, and sixteen if not for his intervention.”
“How could I forget the first incident?” Hyukjin let out a humorless laugh. “Death by bee stings, if not for the investigator. He is as loyal to us as we are to him.”
They had disturbed a log hive in the deep mountains, and Wonsik—nearby, searching for the missing prince—had nearly died from using his body as their shield. Both Daehyun and Hyukjin had sat by the investigator’s bedside for days after, assisting the physician in removing the countless stingers.
“As I was saying, I spoke with Wonsik. He says we must find a government official to spearhead the—” Glancing around, he dropped his voice low. “The Great Event. He says it is bound to fail if we attempt to lead it.”
“I am of the same mind as him.”
“Indeed?” Hyukjin looked rather disappointed. “You understand, once our elders take over, we will be pushed into the shadows.”
“Those who are closest to the king wield the most power,” Daehyun murmured, glancing beyond the open shelves. They were still alone. “We are in need of such men and their influence, for we have none. But here is where my two concerns arise. First, we must find an official to lead, yet whom can we trust when no official trusts me? Second, Nameless Flower continues to kill off potential allies.”
A group of government officials entered, their brows clouded as they grumbled something about the king’s taxes. They faltered at the sight of Daehyun. Hyukjin had melted into the shadows, tucked into the space between the wall and shelf.
“D-daegam,” the officials stuttered, then exchanged glances among themselves. “Begging your pardon.”
Donning the mask of a bored prince, Daehyun returned his gaze to the book, but his attention remained pinned on the men. No matter where he went around the palace, around the capital, everyone whispered in contempt about the king. Yet no one dared to betray His Majesty. It was a tricky game, attempting to find someone willing to risk all to dethrone King Yeonsan.
“I forgot to tell you,” Hyukjin said, once they were alone again. “Wonsik informed me of something that might interest you.”
Daehyun snapped the book shut, reached to return it onto the shelf, then tensed as Hyukjin whispered:
“The girl you were looking for. He has found her. She is not dead.”