Prince Song went directly to the room of Yoona's father and knocked. Letting himself in, he greeted the man that looked healthier than before. His complexion looked nice and brighter. The face looked smooth devoid of any trace of sleep. It seems like he has been up for a while.
"My lord, I have been sent to the capital to act as a diplomat. According to the letter I received, you are to guide me".
The man looked at the general features of the prince before him. The rumors and information he received labelled him a wastrel whose main interest is women and wine. Staying with him for the past one year has proven the information otherwise. Watching his conducts closely made him to understand that he was a good person.He can be quite lost sometimes but he can swear that staying with them has helped him unlock his full potential and live freely .
"I also received a letter from my father stating that I should accompany prince Song to Jindo, the only thing is that I had no idea I have been living with him for the past one year". Mr Kim complained feeling cheated that he lived and dined with royalty. He even assigned him to do menial jobs as a commoner.
Mr Kim realized that if people found out his folly of not recognizing royalty, they might accuse him of treason and sentence them to death. With a guilty heart , he went down on all fours and kowtowed.
"Master! what are you doing?" Prince Song asked perplexed and rushed to drag him up from the ground. Mr Kim shrugged down from his firm hold and resumed his kowtowing.
"Your highness, forgive this servant for not recognizing". Prince Song insisted on raising him up.
"Master, what type of person will I be if my father figure is allowed to kowtow before me?". He almost cried.
"I know that you might not be my imperial father, but you are the only one that has treated me with a father's love and respect".
Mr Kim stopped kowtowing and bowed. This prince is really different he reminded himself. The kind of son-in-law he would want, though a prince ,but at least he has no interest in the throne succession and will treat Yoona right.
"Thank you, your highness". Mr Kim continued.
Fiddlesticks! this is exactly the reason he hid his identity. He wanted to be treated as a common person with no attachment to his title. It seems things will change from now on but Mr Kim is not quite finished.
"Prince Song, I want to make an audacious request... can I not address you as royalty in the presence of my family? There is a reason for it"
Song almost jumped up in ecstasy. Just what he wants. Who wants to be burdened by the weight of a title? Anyway, he's not even a titled prince so who cares. "My lord, feel free to even address me as your slave. Just don't go about shouting your highness like it's a phenomenon.
"Your wish is my command, your highness". Mr Kim answered. Yah! that's not what he meant master by his statement.Just treat him normally and forget he's even a prince.
"Master please, it's not a command but a request". Mr Kim chuckled and relaxed himself. Prince Song heaved a sigh of relief and asked him to prepare for the departure.
"Your highness , I'm sorry I can't go with you. I already wrote a letter addressed to my father, just help me and dispatch it". He pleaded guiltily.
" Why?". Prince Song asked.
"I shouldn't stay away from my family for long". he replied.
"OK. it's understandable".
Mr Kim taught him the basis of negotiation and he left to prepare for his journey back . Spending one final moment with the family and especially Yoona, he left for the capital with the reason to see his father when he was asked.
______________________
At the capital, precisely the palace, prince Song stood respectfully in the presence of the emperor and the officials alike receiving his royal command.
Adorned with a bright red official robe and a black hat, he looked manly, mature and independent. The emperor's heart gladdened with happiness at the sight of his son whom he hasn't seen for a long time.
"Prince Song! we are happy to have you in our midst" the emperor said happily.
"No Majesty. Forgive this unfilial son on not performing his sonly duties ". he beseeched.
"Nonsense! you performed the secret task I gave you perfectly" the emperor smiled.
Secret task? is the emperor covering up for him? but why? he's the least favorite person so he shouldn't hesitate to punish him for negligence. What's the old man up to?
"Your highness, welcome back, the emperor told us he sent you on a secret mission" the first minister said and the others joined in saying something about it. Asking if he returned unharmed and if he completed his tasks. He decided to play along and answered that mission is still in the process but will be finished soon after his return from the current mission.
The prime minister watched the whole drama silently while praising the charade the emperor and his son put up. If not that he was watching the emperor intently, he might have bought the story. Prince Song looked slightly disoriented when the emperor said that he has been away on a mission but played along when the emperor gave him a fleeting smile. A smile not too visible but enough to pass someone a secret message.
The emperor said a few words, gave a few more royal commands and dismissed the court. Prince Song heaved a sigh immediately the session ended. He's trying to run towards his house and avoid his brother, luckily for him due to unknown reason, the crown prince didn't attend the royal meeting.
Outside the imperial hall, prince Song was flagged down by the prime minister that wanted information from him as he was about to ride his sedan chair.
"Your highness, you look like someone that returned from a vacation from the tropical area or somewhere even more fanciful" . The prime minister smiled at him while waiting for him to answer.
Prince Song let out a throaty laughter and answered him. "Prime minister Choi, one of these days should be good for your vacation. You work too much. Sometimes try and relax".
"Try the hinterlands. The air there is surprisingly fresh and calming and there are alot of food too especially those close to water habitat". he added feeling proud that he knows good places to relax in.
Hinterlands? close to the sea? Lots of food? A perfect place for seclusion and solitude. So that's where they might be. A place providing basic needs for them making a trip to the capital unneeded. Finally, there is a clue.
"Your highness, where do you suggest?"
"Try the Dajin hinterland, their people are hospitable " Prince Song unknowingly gave out a crucial information.
So that's where you might be hiding yourselves? This is going to be interesting I promise.
"I will take your highness's advice into consideration". Prince Song waved at him and left hurriedly to his house not noticing the evil grin on the face of a viper. The information that has been carefully guarded has been exposed due to a careless remark. He should have convinced the prime minister that's he was really on a mission without divulging any other information.
Anger towards a father has led to danger towards his beloved.
Prime minister Choi rushed home and ordered all his personal guards to investigate the information and return back before ten days. If the information is correct, they should send a message through one of them with the fastest horse. But if wrong, they should search other places and report their activities.