Once they are all in and no one is around to listen to their conversation - the butler make sure to tell the guess to prevent anyone from approaching or listening in on their discussion. The Lord stands facing his desk with his back facing them, two boys stood about five away, in silence with their heads bowed, their previous flames seems to be put out. The girl stood behind the old man, clinging to his clothing as usual. The old man stood to the Lord's right side, eyes closed. Seeming to be pre-meditating the conversation that is to unfold. The Lord sighs this unfolds the mood hidden in the unknown silence. The tension gave way for a new more fresh and new emotion, betrayal and denial - with a hint of calm at the end. Kwang Yeou looks at his father with denial, "You- You didn't kill my mother?" "Not directly, no. But I can't deny the fact that I didn't try to protect her." Everyone can see the Lord's grip on his wrist, his other hand seems to be turning white
Seong-jin steps forward, "What do you mean this child is your illegitimate child?! I understand the others and I aren't yours by blood, hence you sent them away. But didn't you just say Kwang Yeou is your only biological child?!" The Lord nods his head, turning his head to the side, "This is all to protect the both of you. I promised both your mothers I'd protect you, regardless of what happend to them". Kwang Yeou retorts, mockingly, "So you let them die?" "I had no choice, I made a promise." The boy shouts angry, "One that allows for her to die?!" The man turns to face his son, his voice rising a little to show the stir of emotion. "Your mothers made me choose between you or them and if ever the time came when I had to choose between the mother and child. Besides I found out when it was too late, there was no saving her at that point. Forefilling that promise for the rest of my life was the only option I had left. Hence why I never visited your mother on her death bed because I knew I wouldn't be able to bare watching her waste away. It broke me. However I could only save one..." Jin stares at Yeou whose at the edge of breaking down into tears
Surprisingly calm, the wisdom that comes with age had finally descended on him in this moment. He looks his father in the eyes, the two locking eyes, "Are you telling me my mother was a murderer?" The man sighs, looking at the older man who nods his head. Going to have a seat with the little girl. "Let me tell you a story, sit". The two boys look at each other then go take a seat, apart from each other. Feeling uncomfortable with each other, ever since knowing that Jin's mother killed Kwang's mother. On felt guilt towards the other while the other couldn't find the emotions to express to the other to let him know that he doesn't blame him and It's not his fault. It's just been putting a strain on their relationship as brothers. Once everyone is seated, the Lord begins telling the tale, "Your mother's were the best of friends since childhood. I fell in love with Kwang's mother after my return from the war, however I was betrothed to Jin's. Seeing her friend had loved me so and I loved her back. Jin's mother accepted for us to get married a year after my marriage to her"
"Things had been peaceful for a while, that was until the other three entered my harem. I married them for strictly political reasons. I allowed Jin's mother along with the other three concubines to have outside relationships, I would take care of the kids to give them face. Most called me foolish but I knew I could not give them what a husband should have given his wife. His unconditional love, care and support. I had made a mistake back then I was selfish and wished to be solely with your mother Kwang, but the feud between our families seemed to have been greater. Your mother's family made a rebellion against the king since they were inside family but lost. In order to save you, Jin's mother who had been jealous of our relationship and the push of the concubines made a move. She met with the Royals at the gatherings and plotted Kwang's mother's demise. Slowly the poison in the food and drinks your mother consumed increased, til finally she died. Kwang sits there and shakes his head, look at his father with glossed eyes, he grips he cloth under his hands tightly
He seems to be holding his breath. He shut his eyes a single tear glides down his cheek, he exhales a shaky breath. Calming himself down then he speaks. "She knew," the man looking at the floor in sadness suddenly looks up at Yeou with shock, "What?" "I said she knew, she was being poisoned". The boy slowly opens his eyes, a certain type of power radiates off of them, the father questions in interest and confusion. "How?" "I remember there were times when I wanted to eat the food served to her personally but she would refuse . Always coming up with reasons why I couldn't eat it, saying like I would stop growing and my teeth would rot or some other excuse". The Lord grips his chair's arm and stares at his son in shock. Kwan continues, "She always welcomed concubine Lin but the later always seemed dissatisfied each time. She even broke down crying, kneeling before my mother while begging for forgiveness. That was the day before my mother's health started mysteriously deteriorating drastically"
"After mother's death, Concubine Lin would secretly take care of me but when she started going mad from guilt, she had someone else take up the job". He turns to look at Jin, Jin jolts as he realises his brother is talking about him. He shakes his head while waving his hands in a defensive way. Saying he knew nothing about what Yeou was talking about, "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, my mother never gave any orders to take care of you or about anyone else. I didn't even know she was secretly taking care of you," Seong-jin sits looking at the ground as his mind runs wild with this new discovery. His mother did that?
Is that why she asked him to take care of him before she died? He knew his mother killed Kwang Yeou's mother but this is the first time he heard about the two being friends and the fact that his mother felt guilty. She always had a strong persona even towards him. Then a realisation hit him. All this time he thought he was trying to protect his mother but he was truly seeking for a way to get her love which Yeou always recieved from her. He could tell but he decided to turn a blind eye to the truth. He was jealous of his mother's love towards the boy. No wonder he grew up well and lived so long. His gaze settling on his father, that is also probably why his father betrayed him at the last minute. Every single time... They weren't related in any way afterall, no wonder he had no care when he sent him to the training ground after getting a near death beating
Seong-jin's voice echoes in the room as everyone sat in silence thinking, cutting through the silence. "Is this why you made me the heir? So your blood related child could be safe from the elders' prying eyes?
You pretended to favor my mother to shield your lover? You- you had betrayed me all this time and I always thought it was at the last minute. Not knowing it was all staged... I must have been blind and dumb- Noni must have been too desperate for love that I let you people use me as you wish." The Lord is shocked that this boy knew of his plans ahead of time, but why did he speak as though he has lived through it? The man calls out to the boy with the intent to find out how he knew this most confidential information but is cut off. "Jin-", the boy stands, "Please excuse me I don't feel well." He rushes out, leaving the room. Kwang Yeou looks at his father asking him to confirm what he had just heard. "Is it true? Did you plan to use brother Jin as a replacement puppet for the elders?" "Things are more complicated then what you may think," the man makes an expression to show that his in a tight spot. However Yeou wasn't going to be understanding, he is tired of secrets and deserves to know the truth or so he thought. "Father, is it true? Is this what you planned to do to him too?!" He shouts as his eyes widen while pointing at the child sitting in the old man's lap. The man struggles to give an answer so he changes tactics. He slams his hand against the armrest of his chair, "Look here boy! I am your father and I will do what is best for you. I promised your mother I would take care of you. It's my duty as a father!" "And what about brother Seong-jin? Didn't you promise his mother you would take care of him?" The man looks away, "That's different, you are my priority". The boy laughs as he smacks his chest, "Where were you when my mother had just died?"
The man remains silent, "Oh you were protecting me by sleeping with one of the concubines while my mother was fighting for her life?! Don't lie to my face. You can do whatever you want but don't lie to me right in the face!" The Lord's eyes widen like saucers at the child's words, he stares as his son points and the little child, "This child other has a mother and a father! Don't use it's weakness for your personal emotional gain cause I will never forgive you-!" The boy leaves, once again the man it cut off as hie tries to call out to his other son