"If daegun jaga dies, you'll pay with your head!"
"Will you calm down?! What's with that harsh tone?"
"I don't know you. You could be anyone—from a spy to a hitman..."
"Do I look like one?"
"It's hard to trust anyone these days!"
"You know, your attitude could cause great harm. So, forgive me in advance, old man!"
Silence.
Min Jun slowly opened his eyes. He had actually regained consciousness a few minutes ago, but he realized he couldn't move. His body felt as if it were nailed to the table. He couldn't even make a sound.
Only his eyes could move, cautiously surveying the room. From his position, he saw a woman in a soft green hanbok busy cleaning some instruments on a wooden table.
She had used his reading table to place some strange apparatus!
The splash from the water filling the bowl made Min Jun wish he could strangle the woman.
There goes my wooden table!
"Oh, you're awake, Daegum! Sorry for your overprotective bodyguard. I have to halt his movement a bit, for my safety purpose," said the woman with a smile on her face, along with his cute voice.
The woman's reaction made Min Jun nervous. Her smile was a bit too friendly for a stranger. He was worried about his life when she slowly approached him and pulled out a needle from his neck.
Instantly, Min Jun felt his lungs clear and fill with air, but the air gushes too fast, causing him to cough slightly.
"Who are you?" Min Jun asked with a coarse voice when he felt like he's able to talk.
"Don't worry, I'm a friend..."
"I trust no one..."
"Why does everyone in this house have trust issues?!" The woman sighed in frustration. She left Min Jun alone on the bed, leaned closer to the table, and put the needle back into her green pouch.
"If you were attacked and almost killed a week ago, you'd understand how I feel," Min Jun replied warily.
The woman stared at him, shook her head slightly, and then left the room. A few seconds later, Min Jun heard a commotion outside.
A loud bang startled the prince. His eyes darted to the door as someone barged in, followed by the woman. A dagger was pointed at her neck.
"Min Jun daegum, are you alright?"
"Hyung-nim... I'm fine. Put down the dagger..." Min Jun coaxed Uk with his weak voice. Uk immediately let the woman go and dashed over to Min Jun. He stood between Min Jun and the woman, still holding the dagger.
"Who are you?!" Uk demanded. He held the dagger in one hand while the other was spread out, forming a shield.
"Are we going to do this all day?" she asked. "You do realize without me, your beloved daegum would be stuck like a doll all day long," the woman crossed her arms, waiting for Uk's decision.
Uk glanced at the motionless Min Jun, who lay on his bed with needles all over his body. The prince stared at him with pleading eyes.
"Fine," Uk slowly stepped aside, giving the woman room to finish her work. She carefully removed all the needles from Min Jun's body, using delicate techniques to ensure no harm came to the prince.
Once the needles were out, Min Jun slowly rose from his bed. Uk quickly helped him, placing a pillow under Min Jun's head as he rested against the headboard.
"I'm glad you're looking better, daegum," the woman said, bowing slightly. Her slanted dark eyes made her look fierce, and her thin pink lips complemented her sharp features. She was certainly different from the delicate women Min Jun had met throughout his life.
"Who are you? At least let me know so I can thank you properly," Min Jun said.
"I was going to remain anonymous, but I guess I have no choice. I'm Kim Soo Young. My father is General Kim," the woman bowed again.
Her name rang a bell in Min Jun's mind. He recalled someone mentioning General Kim's daughter, who had recently returned from China after completing her medical training.
So, this is that woman!
"Those needles... What are they?" Uk asked.
"This? Oh, it's a technique called acupuncture, where needles are inserted into specific points on the body, depending on the patient's illness," Soo Young explained.
"So, you're telling me those long, prickly needles can heal me?" Min Jun asked. Soo Young grabbed a chair, placed it near the bed, and sat down casually, facing Min Jun and Uk.
"No, they only provide temporary relief. They don't cure your condition, daegum. From what I can tell, your illness is quite..."
"Serious. I know. All the physicians, even the royal physicians, have told me that," Min Jun replied, lowering his head. Uk gripped the prince's hand tightly to comfort him.
"It can be cured, but the procedure is dangerous. Also, we're lacking the necessary equipment here. If you want to undergo the procedure, you'll have to travel to China. But even then, there's no guarantee..." Soo Young explained.
"Why?" Uk asked.
"Daegum has a condition called atrial septal defect, where there are holes in the upper chambers of the heart. This causes an increase in blood flow to the lungs, forcing the right chamber of the heart to work harder. Over time, this weakens the heart and can lead to permanent lung damage," Soo Young's medical explanation was too advanced for Min Jun and Uk, who both frowned in confusion.
"I believe our education level is too low to understand that," Min Jun said, pressing his lips into a straight line.
Soo Young sighed, realizing she had used overly complex terms. "Let me simplify it. Min Jun Daegum has holes in his heart."
Both men nodded in understanding. Uk looked at Min Jun with deep concern.
"It can't be cured?" Uk asked, turning back to Soo Young.
"Early treatment can prevent complications, especially when the hole is small. But late treatment can make things worse. Based on my initial assessment, the hole in Daegum's heart is quite large, which is why his heartbeat is irregular. The main concern is whether his right heart chamber is still functioning properly," Soo Young said.
"You can't determine that?" Min Jun asked, desperation in his voice.
"I'm sorry. If only we had the medical technology to diagnose you properly. But unfortunately, our kingdom is far behind," Soo Young replied.
Min Jun and Uk exchanged glances. They held each other tightly, overwhelmed by emotions. Uk was already worried about the assassination attempt on Min Jun, and now the prince's diagnosis added even more concern. Meanwhile, Min Jun, now understanding his condition and learning that there might be a chance for recovery, felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.
"I wish I could express more gratitude for your kindness, Soo Young agassi," Min Jun said, finally smiling.
"No need to. As a practitioner, I took an oath to do my best and use my knowledge to help others sincerely," Soo Young replied with a smile.
"Agassi..." Uk suddenly spoke up.
"Yes?"
Uk glanced at Min Jun, holding him tightly as he carefully weighed his decision.
"If possible, would you visit daegum at least once a week to monitor his well-being? We do have royal physicians, but I think they can't consult as effectively as you, Agassi," Uk suggested.
"I can, but only if daegum allows it. You know, palace visits require a consent letter from the royal council and approval from the king. For that, I'll need consent from daegum to state the reason in the letter," Soo Young replied.
She's definitely a professional! Uk thought to himself.
Min Jun glared at Uk, curiosity piquing in his mind. He decided to wait until Soo Young left to discuss the matter with Uk.
"Please, daegum! I think she can help you..." Uk pleaded. Min Jun's reaction clearly showed his dislike for the idea, but seeing Uk's determination, he tried to keep an open mind.
"I'll send the letter to your house soon, after discussing the matter with my family," Min Jun said, glancing at Uk while pressing the word family.
Uk finally smiled out of relief at him.
"As you wish, daegun jaga! I'll consult the royal council once I receive the letter from you," Soo Young said. She packed her things and prepared to leave.
"I'll see you out, Agassi," Uk quietly escorted Soo Young out. His action annoyed Min Jun slightly, as jealousy began to creep into his heart.
Looks like Hyung-nim might be interested in her!
***
Later that night, as usual, Uk was doing his night patrol. With some serious issues regarding on Min Jun's wellbeing and safety, everything messed up in his head. He started to overthinking about so many things all at once.
While sending off Soo Young this evening, the practitioner did mentioned some more information regarding on Min Jun's case, which permanently stamped into his mind.
***
"I bet, the royal family knew his condition, but maybe they chose not to give him an early treatment," said Soo Young.
"Why? He's a part of family, right?" Uk fell in a deep shock.
"Medical is something new for an Orthodox family like the royal family. Plus, I think you should understand one thing, Uk ssi. No one in this world likes broken things..." Soo Young glanced at Min Jun's room. " The same goes to a bitch. When they knew which puppies are more stronger, they will chose to take care of them and discarded the weak one, neglect them to die," those words pierced deep into Uk's heart, who could relate the parable with Min Jun's life so well.
"I hope I get a permission from the council. We can still put a hope in Min Jun daegun. I know we can count on him," as Soo Young walked out of the quarters, she turned her head again at the room.
"Why are you putting so much hope in daegun jaga?" asked Uk, in curiosity.
Instead of answering, Soo Young chuckled, leaving a helpless sneer lingered in the air.
"A good heart like daegun jaga doesn't deserve a cruelty in this world..." she finally stated her reason to firm her stance on Min Jun, leaving Uk stood there, with more questions rather than the answer itself.
Which made him think even more.