"Whatever threatens the crown must meet death!!. It is known everywhere my king, no one should be spared. Not even the common people" a croaky voice came from the crowd of ministers that were present at the King's court.
" The minister of war says the right thing, your majesty. The people must all be killed because they threaten your crown" the prime minister seconded the first voices claim.
King Taejong's piercing gaze swept across the room, his eyes narrowing as he studied thr expressions on the faces of most ministers he could see.
"Your zeal is commendable, but we must not forget the balance between justice and mercy. Blanket executions will only breed resentments and instability and I will not want that to happen under my rule"
"You seized the throne through a rebellion and by overthrowing the former king in a cold bloodbath, now you..... "
" Abomination!!! How dare you speak to His Majesty in such a manner?!!" Another voice from the crowd cut short the minister of war's words.
The King raised his hand and the hall went quiet. He shot a gaze at the minister of war, subtle yet deadly.
"Go on" he simply said giving the minister the permission to continue to air his views.
"Your Majesty. The throne you sir upon was taken from the former dead and deposed King in a bloodbath and right now, there are reports that his daughter is alive and well living amongst the villagers in Jinsari. Should we leave her be so that in the near future, she would come back to question what you did to her family and brothers?"
King Taejong's gaze didn't waver." How dare you!!! I'll have you beheaded to show you how to speak to your king with respect!!" His voice low,but controlling.
Undeterred, the minister of war pressed on.
"I apologize if my words may sound disrespectful your majesty, but the threat remains. The girl's existence undermines your legitimacy and if she is allowed to live, she will become a rallying cry for rebels."
The Prime minister nodded vigorously.
" Yes your majesty, eliminating her will ensure stability"
" You can not try and justify a bloodbath!! It's not done anywhere! The people won't be happy with the Kind of they learn that he slaughtered an entire village" the minister of civil personnel said.
" The people's discontent is of no consequence when the crowns security is at stake. We cannot afford to show weakness" the minister of war replied the minister of civil personnel.
The King sat in silence, lost in thoughts as his court was divided into two sides; the ministers in support of the massacre and those against it.
It hadn't been five years since he took the throne from the former king, in a bloodbath like his minister of war had rightly put it.
A cold and unsuspected rebellion which gave him an upper hand in the war coup.
With his own hands,he has murdered the king in his sleep, be had killed his wife and her twin boys suckling at her bosoms.
But he hadn't known about the girl,he hadn't known that a trusted ally of her father's had escaped with her and bis men hadn't killed ber like they believed.
It was only few weeks ago one of his patrol soldiers had seen a necklace that was the heirloom of the deposed King's family, and then it had been known that she hadn't been killed.
He knew he had to kill her, but he didn't want to make it obvious before his court that he was still scared of a rightful throne heir coming to challenge him for the throne one day.
"You will ride at dawn tomorrow,minister of war and kill every body in Jinsari!! Let no one be left standing!!" The King commanded and everyone in the court bowed before turning to leave.
" This is your chance now. Don't fumble it. Take revenge on the enemy that escaped your hold the last time" the prime minister whispered.
"You don't need to remind me that, father. I will behead the chief and hang his head on a spike in front of his pagoda for the audacity he had loving the same woman I did. And as for Hae Min, I will set her on fire and watch her burn and squeak in pain for choosing the lowborn pauper to me" came the minister of war's reply.
*----------------------------------------*
"Wow mother, does that mean that I will become the crowned Prince very soon? And father would teach me how to be the best swordsman after that?" A young boy not more than ten asked excitedly.
"Of course my son. And one day, you will become the king of the nation, the king of Joseon!!" The lady with him replied.
She watched as the spark in his eyes disappeared and she immediately went nearer to him to see what was wrong.
",The Princess said that I will never become the crowned Prince" he said downcast.
" Why would the princess say such a thing like that to you? You are the King's only son and that automatically makes you the only heir to his throne" the lady smiled cheekishly as she tried to convince him.
" It's true that I might be the Kongs only son. But I was birthed through his escape with a palace maid he took as a concubine. Surely that status of my mother's would greatly work against my claim to the throne" he replied.
His mother's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.
" Who has been telling you these?" She questioned.
"If I were you, I wouldn't ask who has. Your son is wise. Wiser than you are and at times like these, it is better to follow the counsel of the young boy. He is the only person who can enter tell you where your place is...." a lady replied and walked up to her and bent to whisper something in her ear.
""..... Below, grovelling at my feet while serving me" she completed.
The lady immediately fell on her knees and began to beg for forgiveness.
" I'm so sorry my queen. What I was telling him, I didn't mean it in any light you're taking what I said my queen. I was just... "
" Of course.. You wouldn't have told him anything to mean it in that light. I know, I clearly understand. Him being the kings only son gives him an upper hand over his sister's, but so you always have to remind him of that? That the throne is meant for him? Do you think you would be here to see him take the throne? The King spared your life because you birthed him a son he was so desperate for. And now you've suckled him past the cradle. Do you think you can still stay standing that long?" She asked gently but her guards who stood by her side and held on tighter to their swords made the concubine know that her threats were not just empty.
The young Prince stood scared and was shaking.
"I deserve death my queen. Please have mercy on me" the concubine said as she continued to grovel on her knees fearing for the life of her son.
"Of course you deserve death and death you shall be gifted out of the bounty of my grace. Your life belongs to me now the prince is out of the cradle, according to the King"
One of the Soldiers began walking up to where she was grovelling at the feet of the queen.
The young Prince stood where he was, unable to speak or make a sound as his legs wobbled fearing what might be done to his beloved mother.
"And guess what. I'll make yours fast and quick but your son's would be slow and steady but I will make sure he never ascends the throne. Not when I or any of my daughters are still alive" the queen whispered to the concubine's ears abd her eyes lifted as she wanted to launch to attack, but immediately,a sword was stabbed deep into her heart .
"Come my prince. You are my child now. Let us leave and I will raise you to become one of the worthiest generals this kingdom has ever seen" she said and extended her hand out to the young boy who came strotting after her.
Face expressionless, mood in check as he did but he didn't miss the occasional stares he turned to give his mother's motionless blood bathed body that knelt still where she had been.
And his fists didn't listen to his call anymore, for they clenched by his sides burning and full of vengeance even as he followed the queen closely behind like a pig being led to the slaughter.