章節 64: Chapter sixty-four: Prince Song identity is revealed

One week after the heavy rain, a message was sent out from the palace with a royal decree to honour and uphold it. The Jindos started attacking the northern border sending the villagers living close to the border to seek refuge in the capital.

This new development caused a great headache for the emperor. The minister of rites that takes care of diplomacy was ordered to find out through his sources there, the real plans of the enemy. The information gotten didn't look good making the emperor perplexed. Minister Kim was commanded to visit the Jindo imperial court as an envoy to create and discuss terms and conditions that will allow a peaceful coexistence among the two dynasties.

The royal command was barely carried out when the Jindos requested that a prince should be a royal delegate or there will be no negotiation. Prince Song apart from the crown prince is the only prince of the emperor hence he was called to the palace.

For the past one year, while he was staying in the hinterlands enjoying his youth and fantasy, he still kept tabs on the happenings of the capital. The shadow guard who sends the messages to him brought the imperial letter addressed to him. Watching the expression of his master, the guard knew that he is reluctant to leave. Prince Song had ordered that in it is a royal command, nobody should be made aware of his whereabouts. His servants in the capital were allowed to communicate with his guards in case of emergency.

The days and months he has spent here has become the best days of his life. He found freedom, he found joy and happiness, he could do anything he wanted without the fear of being watched or spied on. He found something he actually loved doing and people that has come to accept him as one of them without prejudice. The warmth he felt from his family here is priceless.

Reading the content of the letter, he remembered his beloved brother whom he hasn't seen for 2 years and some months. His gut clenched and he fisted his hands as he recalled that while he was receiving information from the capital, he purposely avoided the ones that concerned him. He can't believe that he stayed a freaking 2 years without seeing him or hearing from him.

Burning the letter, he walked to the door of the man that has become a father figure and knocked. He was told to come inside the room where he saw the man clutching a letter too, looking sad.

He didn't want to pry into his privacy hence he didn't ask what the content of the letter is. Mr Kim cleared his throat and asked him why he came to visit him late in the night. Prince Song got down on his knees which stupefied the older man.

"My lord, I'm sorry about keeping my identity secret for the past one year, but I want you to know that it wasn't for any malicious intent. I wanted to be accepted for who I am not for what I am". The man looked down on the floor, glanced at him and took a deep breath." Who are you then?". He asked while breathing with batted breath.

"My name is Kang Song, the first ranked prince and eldest son of emperor Kang."

Yoona's father grabbed his clothes, his knuckles as white as snow, his breathing shallow and ragged. With his heart beating with agony, he pointed a shaky finger at him."You... are you really the emperor's son?"

Prince Song nodded but was confused on why his reaction looked so deathly. He knew that his identity might deal a blow at the man's trust but he didn't know that he will look so pale. The next moment he started gasping clasping his hands on his chest. Prince Song panicked and cried out for help.

"Don't... don't...let ... her know.. please...". He almost choked on the word but he forced them out in order not to reopen an open wound. Yoona's mother was the first to rush in before the rest of the family followed suit.

"My love, deep breath,... deep breath... oh yes... keep on breathing, don't stop". she egged on while rubbing his back lightly.

"What happened?". She asked with concerned expression. Song made to answer but then he remembered the man's last words, catching his eyes looking at him with disapproval, he swallowed his words back and told her he found him like that and raised an alarm.

"My lord, you should avoid anything that can cause unnecessary exertion on your heart, please". She continued clearly unhappy on the turn of events. Mr Kim chuckled when he got his breath back and denied doing anything that could have provoked it. Everyone retired to their rooms when the master returned back to normal and could even tell jokes.

He signaled that Song should leave too but return back in the morning for the continuation of the discussion.

"My Lord, you can now tell me what really happened... everyone has left". She suspects that something must have happened to make her husband almost get a heart attack. He looked at her and feigned ignorance." Yes Mrs Kim, everyone is gone except the two of us... should we hit the bed and get started with our night business?"

She playfully pushed away the naughty hands that started to caress her back and blushed crimson red. It's his sign and invitation but he is weak and most importantly, he is changing the topic.

"My lord are you trying to use love trap to divert the direction of our discussion?"

"Is it working?". he smiled naughtily.

"Of course not". she cooed.

"What about now?". He reached out and tugged at her top while blowing warm air on her lips.

"Go away! pervert". She blushed harder while trying to escape from his clinging touch but was pinned down with his big muscular hand.

"I see you don't like the bed... you want it here?" he teased.

"Mr Kim! naughty mind, get away from me". she struggled harder at his tight grip and wondered if he was faking being weak earlier.

"Sweetheart, do you know that calling me pervert turns me on?". He planted a kiss that elicited a groan from her and she turned raging red.

The rest of the discussion became muffled with the series of events that followed suit and their breathless whispers.

___________________

Morning flew like a hawk and arrived at it's nest. The early morning call of birds woke all and sundry. The early risers woke up to begin the day's activities. Fishermen went to the sea to inspect their net for catches. The women woke up to prepare breakfast while the children was allowed to sleep in.

Prince Song woke up as well and prepared to meet the master of the house. His little belongings were neatly folded while the ones not his own were arranged properly in it's assigned space.

A nostalgic feeling crept into his heart making him feel reluctant to leave. He took in the surrounding that has become very familiar for the last time and smiled sadly. Heaven knows that he will miss this place for a very long time. He hopes that once his mission is accomplished, he will return to never leave again.

He picked up the seashell that has become the most important possession of his life and remembered the one that gifted it to him. A smile appeared on his face brightening up his clouded and dark face. With a very beautiful hanky, he wrapped it up and headed to see her before he sees the master.

In front of her room, he paused. Jae joon passed him silently and ignored him. Over the months, Jae joon became less harsh on him because the whole family accepted and welcomed him. He sometimes helps him do his chores but never accept a thank you. It seems he's trying to make up for his earlier behaviors. But Jae joon still warned him that as long as he keeps a reasonable distance away from Yoona, he will let him be. He chuckled when he remembered his gullibility on believing her fake name.

He stretched his robe and paused. One knock. A voice asks him to come in.