"Jaeyong hyung" Dohyun said, "Please make yourself comfortable, the others are always outside if you need anything." Though it wasn't as if he already knew.
"No worries, I also have business to attend to outside, we're still investigating as much as we can", Jaeyong replied.
With that, the other three left the room leaving him behind for the meantime, upon stepping outside, a familiar face was waiting for them standing by the court ladies.
"Ah, Seung Hyun-Ki, what are you still here for?" Dohyun inquired.
"That, your highness, the department ran out of errands for me to do and Master Seo told me to join in today's lecture." He looked rather excited and as if 'the department running out of his for things to do' had no effect on him whatsoever.
He kinda wished he had that much willpower.
"I see, then Byung Ho, Minhye, you two should head out. Seung Hyun-Ki will accompany me to the library."
Minhye observed Seung Hyun-Ki before turning around with Byung Ho heading off in the opposite direction. They themselves were now also participating in the investigation and were probably ransacking their brains trying to figure out the culprit.
As they walked, Seung Hyun-Ki followed closely behind him since it wasn't appropriate to walk beside the prince yet he couldn't help himself from starting conversation, "Say, your highness, the poem you wrote yesterday, it truly is hard to find. I had some spare time after you returned to your residence and so I visited the library but none of the older poetry books have it. At least the ones I suspected that might contain that particular piece"
He continued, "It's also not from any of the famous poets I know since I would recognize the work right away… His highness is indeed a person of much experience."
Dohyun chuckled as they arrived at the familiar doors of the royal library.
Inside, the other princes had already taken their seats, as for the crown prince, his vacant as usual. Crown Prince Bu Yong Chul seldom participated in classes with them since he was often by the king's side or conducting business with the high officials and advisers of the royal court.
"Dohyun hyung!" Two high-pitched voices sounded through the room causing the rest of the people to wince at the noise.
Hajoon and Yejoon whose voices were still going through the process of puberty.
Hajoon walked over to him alongside Yejoon, "Hyung, I only heard from mother that you were out hunting, why didn't you tell us in advance?"
Yejoon added, "Yeahh and you told me the next time you would go that you'd take us along, don't you know how much we also want to see the outside world? Festivals are good and all but we only get to sit down and watch from our seats… I want to see as a normal person would"
All ears were on him now and so he couldn't afford any room for mistakes, he chose his words carefully before speaking, "I'm sorry, that time I was just feeling a need to release some energy, it wouldn't have been the best time for you to tag along."
"And Besides," Junwoo added, "You are princes, not just anybody."
The two younger boys were now pouting as they realized they had been betrayed by their favorite brother, he did feel guilty to all of them for having to hide the truth. Secrets between siblings felt the most wrong out of all, even for white lies.
He quickly added, "How about the next hunting season when there is lots of game, I will personally teach you?" They couldn't lose a deal like that and they jumped up with excitement.
"Really?!" Yejoon said.
"Really, as long as you promise me one thing", Dohyun replied.
"What is it, I'll promise you whatever!" Hajoon jumped.
"Well, in order to take you hunting with me, you first have to master your sword and arrow."
"I'll practice everyday from now on!" Hajoon optimistically said.
"Me too!" Yejoon added.
Hopefully no one would ask any further.
Like an answer to his plea, the attention of the crowd was now turned to the person behind him.
"Brothers, let me introduce Seung Hyun-Ki the scholars department's newest assistant"
Seung Hyun-Ki bowed as he greeted everyone, "It's an honor to meet with you all in this type of setting."
Yejoon studied him before speaking, "Seung Hyun-Ki-ssi, you look a whole lot younger than the other scholars, may I ask how old you are?" Child's honesty formed his words.
Seung Hyun-Ki smiled before answering, "Seventeen, your highness Prince Yejoon."
"Woooahh, that makes you the youngest person in the whole department." Hajoon remarked.
This seemed to have caught Junwoo's attention, it looked like he was going to say something before the doors opened again and Master Seo entered.
"Good morning your highnesses, today's lesson will have to wait until another day, his royal highness the king has called for a meeting, in that case, you may spend your time however you see fit." With that, he hurriedly rushed out of the building not waiting for any response.
Hajoon and Yejoon both secretly elated to hear the news. Seeing their expressions, Junwoo was quick to react saying, "Both of you, read these books today", handing over a pile of books enough to make anyone dread.
"But Junwoo hyung, Master Seo said we're free to do what we want today, why must we read more books, it's not like we already don't have enough homework", Yejoon said.
Junwoo gave them a stern look while still handing over the books.
"Your highness, if I may, it might be good to give them some free time." Seung Hyun-Ki said immediately all eyes were fixed on him, no one ever really went against Junwoo's decision.
Junwoo turned to him, his face no longer stern but rather curious, "You think today's education is not important enough to allow them to waste time playing games and such?"
"Of course not your highness, but we who seek knowledge can study every day until old age and still not finish, every experience for a wise person can become a lesson." Hyun-Ki replied.
He faced the two younger boys as he continued, "You have many great teachers and masters who will open the door for you but in the end, you are the ones who must enter."
Junwoo, "Continue…"
Seung Hyun-ki, "I come from a family of scholars who have all served in the royal palace during some time of their life, when I was younger I had the best teachers at my hands but I was only able to come this far today by wanting to myself."
A small smile formed on Junwoo's face, Hyun-Ki had caught his attention as a fellow seeker of knowledge.
"Well said, well said." Junwoo remarked, "Since this young master had made a point, I will let you off today- just today."
"Yes!" Hajoon and Yejoon exclaimed while hurrying out, bowing deeply to Seung Hyun-Ki on their way out.
It appeared that Junwoo had finally found someone whose opinions were worth listening to, since he only ever agreed with himself.
As the younger ones left the library, Seung Hyun-Ki added: "It is important for the younger princes to seriously take education but without breaks the mind becomes overheated and takes in less than actually gaining anything."
Junwoo nodded in agreement. Yes these esteemed princes had flaws though no one dared to point it out, Junwoo tended to have a strict unrelenting personality. But with the right counter, his will is also able to bend.
Seeing that he had no one to converse with, Sanghoon stood up and left saying, "I guess I'll go train today, if anyone asks, I will be in the courtyard" he said while waving his hand.
Dohyun thought he should probably return to his residence for the meantime, "Well, excuse me Junwoo, Seung Hyun-Ki, I will return to my residence for now."
The two offered him a bow before continuing their conversation, finally a person who could appropriately stand up to Junwoo's personality, Seung Hyun-Ki surely was an admirable person.
Back at his residence Jaeyong was nowhere in sight, the only people there were the court ladies who took turns with their shifts but in this case, they were also doing their job as the wonhwa guarding the building and vicinity.
Later that day Jaeyong returned, entering through the back walls avoiding the palace guards, he asked to borrow some paper and ink and then he started his work.
While Byung Ho and Minhye could only silently investigate the people working at the palace, it took time and patience in order to keep their intentions hidden; Jaeyong found another way he might be able to catch the suspect. Tracing the flow of the poison.
The poison used had a unique composition and its ingredients could be bought at a few different specific places within the capital making it a tad bit easier to trace.
When he left during the days, Dohyun was attending classes and training and when he returned in the afternoon they both crossed out names and checked possibilities of people who could have entered the palace.
During the nights, they would dine together sometimes accompanied by Byung Ho and Minhye while they reported the names of the people they've investigated and the names to cross out. Later into the night, the other two would return to their quarters and Jaeyong would stay up the longest looking for any sort of link between the people and the shops.
There were more than one hundred court ladies not including those in training, two weeks passed as they went through all of those people.
On the last day of the second week Dohyun and Jaeyong were scrolling through names reading through the reports given by Byung Ho and Minhye, Dohyun finished yet another paper with no progress. Looking towards Jaeyong who was intently studying the names he couldn't help but wonder why this person agreed to become a member of the wonhwa, why he decided to serve him while not really knowing much about him, what kind of prince he was, to have made that decision at a young age; perhaps he was told many things? Sort of brainwashed?
"Hyung" Dohyun said, his voice slightly trembling since he didn't know what kind of answer to expect.
Jaeyong stopped what he was doing and looked at him, giving his attention.
"What made you join them? Why did you join the wonhwa?"
For some reason, Dohyun lost confidence in himself and no longer looked that person in the eye. Was there an answer he already expected? Something along the lines of needing financial support, gaining honor and prestige, or not being able to deny the queen's request?
"His highness would be disappointed in me." Jaeyong spoke while lowering the papers he was holding.
Dohyun at least didn't expect him to actually expose himself like that, but it made him even more curious. "Would you tell me why?" He asked. He could only ask, it was no use forcing him to answer right then and now since he could say anything he wanted if he didn't feel like telling.
Jaeyong now also looked down and casted his gaze to the side, ah he wasn't willing.
But then a few moments later he spoke, "Perhaps to redeem myself… Back then, I couldn't protect the people I cherished the most, but if I can protect you now your highness, then maybe I could forgive myself."
So it was like that, for some reason Dohyun could tell he was being honest, yet that honesty had such a deeply held will to it. Did he really consider protecting Dohyun to be worthy of his self-redemption?
Dohyun didn't know what to say, though he knew deep down that he was relieved, perhaps what he feared was to hear such trivial answers but now, how could he respond to what the other had just told him. His words held a deep tone of sorrow, it was a reason from one's resentment towards himself, nothing to take lightly of. But what confused him was why did Jaeyong see him so highly, enough to forgive himself if he succeeded? He wasn't anyone special to him, because he was a prince?
"Forgive me your highness." Jaeyong hurriedly said. "My reason is truly selfish, but I did not want to lie to you."
"No…" Dohyun said, "I won't see your reasons as selfishness, if you wish to redeem yourself then you can use me, I think… we all have our regrets."
He couldn't judge one's reasoning based only from his perspective, what did he know? What did other people know? He was only sure that they both had their regrets in life.
"Your highness has regrets?" Jaeyong honestly asked, his face hinted with confusion.
Dohyun chuckled, "Is it unimaginable for a highly esteemed prince of this nation to have regrets?"
Whoever and whatever position a person held, a person was still a person.
"A person is still a person" he repeated out loud, "If I tell you, you must keep it a secret" he added but continued speaking before the other could object, "There is something important that I cannot remember, no matter how hard I try. That is my regret."
It wouldn't make much sense to anyone who was listening so it didn't matter.
Just as Jaeyong opened his mouth to speak, three loud knocks came from the door outside, one of the court ladies' voices echoed through the air, "Your highness, An Byung Ho and Yang Minhye have arrived."
Supposedly, people were to wait for the person inside to answer first and for their names to be fully introduced but Byung Ho and Minhye stepped in right away. Their faces were serious as Minhye spoke in a fast low voice, low enough only for them to hear, "We found a suspect."
A trickle of sweat broke out on Dohyun's forehead as he took in the news of their first lead, the four sat down and immediately got to the point.
Minhye, "Kim Bong Dan, a court lady who started working in the kitchen five months ago happened to be seen entering the pantry by the royal guards patrolling the night the food was poisoned, not only them but also a few other court ladies she shared a room with mentioned she left during the night saying she was going to relieve herself which automatically proves she lied."
If she was only going to relieve herself then why would she lie about going to the pantry?
"Where is she now?" Dohyun asked.
Byung Ho, "Court ladies quarters."
With that, they planned tonight's quest.