章 6: Let her go

"Aeng?"

King Suk Seokju's brows knitted together as he waved off the servants.

The news that Chancellor Yi proposed Han Aeng as the bride caught the King off guard. Of all the things he had expected, this was not one of them - rather, this was never an option. Prime Minister Han's conflicting emotions in the past few days now made sense.

When Chancellor Yi suggested Han Aeng, Prime Minister Han's immediate response was logical worries about the court to stir Chancellor Yi's attention elsewhere. Now that reality prove it to be of no avail, he was drowning in his worried about Han Aeng leaving his side.

Prime Minister Han had mentally prepared himself for her marriage, but under the condition that the groom would be from nearby. The idea of marrying her off to another country was unthinkable.

Prime Minister Han avoided the King's gaze, speaking sincerely, "Yes, Your Majesty, but this Minister must express my opposition to this idea. This Minister humbly wishes for Her Highness to proceed as the bride for this alliance; My Aeng is not a suitable candidate for such a heavy task."

The King's eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions. For the first time in a long while, the sure and confident Prime Minister Han seemed stressed and anxious as he silently stared at his clasped hands.

"Sunmi was not in favor of this marriage and made her objections known. Although I did not expect Aeng to be the next candidate, as the King, I have no objections to complying with the proposed candidate," the King replied solemnly. He was well aware of the implications of sending Han Aeng as the bride to Shangwei. It could potentially give Minister Jang an opportunity to disrupt the balance that he and Prime Minister Han had worked so hard to achieve in the court. However, the personal benefits might outweigh the risks.

The way Prime Minister Han's face contorted between anger and agony before sighing with a mix of emotions indicated his unhappiness with the progression of the alliance. Just a few days ago, the only unresolved matters were the number of troops to send to Shangwei along with the bride. Now, there was a debate about who the bride should be, when it was never supposed to be up for negotiation.

"Your Majesty, this Minister knows not what Chancellor Yi is planning but humbly objects to the idea. This Minister does not wish to pose as treason waiting to happen and give reasons for Minister Jang and others to pick fault with me."

"You and I both know that sending away Aeng is the best way to show your loyalty to me."

The King didn't believe Prime Minister Han's words. Their relationship went beyond the realm of king and minister, and the King could sense that Prime Minister Han was facing a dilemma for more than one reason. "The problem doesn't lie with you as my minister; the problem lies with you as her father."

King Seokju's eyes unexpectedly softened. Obviously, Prime Minister Han didn't care if Minister Jang found fault with him or besmirched his name; his concern was Han Aeng leaving his side. "Seungkyu-ah, stop speaking like a minister and talk to me as a brother and as Aeng's father. Do you want to give her away?"

King Seokju and Prime Minister Han were childhood friends. Growing up, they relied on each other; they shared their happiness and sadness. Under different circumstances, they would have been brothers-in-law. Their familiarity with each other meant King Seokju would call for Prime Minister Han without a second thought if he was troubled, and the same applied for Prime Minister Han - although he hadn't done so in years.

Ever since that fateful day, Han Seungkyu never spoke casually to Suk Seokju. Even when they were alone, he always maintained a certain distance. After Suk Seokju ascended the throne, their conversations were restricted to that of a king and minister. This would be one of the rare occasions when Han Seungkyu would speak to Suk Seokju as a friend and a brother.

"As Aeng's father?" Prime Minister Han repeated, his voice but a whisper.

As any loving father would, Prime Minister Han was extremely reluctant to marry off his daughter, not to mention getting married to another country. Only Prime Minister Han's emotions were much more complicated than just marrying his daughter to a foreign country. He owed his daughter too much. So much more than what he has done for her, much more than the life she had to live.

"I don't want to let Aeng go. She's the only thing I have." In truth, he wanted to scream that Han Aeng was his. Prime Minister Han was not willing to give away the child he had fought so hard to keep. He risked everything he had just to see her again, spent seven years at the battlefront for her, betrayed his principles just so he could be her shelter, and went against his morals to be at a place in life where very few people could challenge him.

But despite Prime Minister Han's tireless efforts to protect Han Aeng, nothing seemed capable of shielding her. He had to constantly face the harsh reality that his efforts were not enough. He was never enough to protect her.

She was still in danger and could never escape the threat to her life. The child was basically a walking disaster; trouble was attracted to her just like moths drawn to the flame.

"However, I also don't want her to suffer any more than she has to, hyungnim." Prime Minister Han muttered, running his hands over his face.He was exhausted, fearful, and worried. The recent kidnapping had shattered Prime Minister Han's confidence in his ability to protect her. He no longer wanted to test his luck at the cost of her life, nor did he want to be the reason Han Aeng continued to fight for her survival.

"I know." Silence followed the King's statement.

In truth, Han Aeng was more or less the source of both their joy and pain. Saving her would mean inflicting hurt upon themselves, both emotionally, morally, and politically.

While he is Prime Minister Han's friend, Seok Seokju is also the King, which is a very desolate and uncertain position - frankly, one that would be easier kept if she was out of the way. The child's existence was a sore wound, bitter and miserable. Something he tried to erase but could never bring himself to do because he owed Prime Minister Han and Han Aeng's mother in more than one way.

He regretted many things. Back when he took the throne, he stood idly with his hands behind his back as Han Aeng endured dreadful circumstances and witnessed Prime Minister Han break every inch of himself to match Han Aeng's uncertain fate and keep her from harm.

Putting aside his personal gain, it wasn't entirely a terrible idea for Han Aeng to leave Jeontu. Her departure would ensure the safety and stability of King Suk Seokju, Prime Minister Han, and even her own life.

King Seokju knew if he didn't choose his words carefully, he would hurt his young friends' feelings and shatter the last strand of sanity that was holding him together. "I know just how hard you fought to keep her then, just how hard it was on you to raise her, and I know just how hard it is for you to let her go now. But there is a whole life waiting for her out there, maybe a safer one than we could ever provide her with. It will be a sacrifice born out of love, duty, and the relentless pursuit of her future."

King Seokju placed his hand on Prime Minister Han's shoulder, a subtle way to show that he shared the same pain.

The reality of Han Aeng's departure weighed heavily on both men, each grappling with their own emotions. Prime Minister Han would have to let go of his daughter, and King Suk Seokju would carry the burden of sending her away for the sake of their alliance.

"I'm not saying this as your King, but rather as the big brother who's watched you grow. No matter how much you try, that child isn't her. You have to let her. Let both of them go."

Her.

Her smile, laugh, tears, tantrums, and everything else about her was an unattainable bitter-sweet memory to Prime Minister Han. She was his everything yet nothing, all at the same time. She was the reason why Prime Minister Han wanted Han Aeng to stay by his side so badly. Losing Han Aeng meant losing her along the way, and he didn't want to lose her - not again. Han Aeng was the only thing that connected him to her, seeing Han Aeng was like bathing in her presence. He wanted her, and to do that, he needed Han Aeng by his side.

Although he believed his affection for Han Aeng was conditional to her, Prime Minister Han's desperate attempts to keep Han Aeng were more deep-rooted than he would like to admit, or maybe even more than he knew. "I can't let her go, and I don't want to let Aeng go."

For a while, neither of them spoke. Prime Minister Han fought back his emotions, and King Seokju's eyes fixed on the pitiful scar spread from the center of Prime Minister Han's forehead to the tip of his brows.

"Maybe it's time you do."