This journey, though undertaken by force, has taught me much—about life's values, loyalty, and the true meaning of longing for someone so precious.
Being apart is a test of loyalty and patience. Whether we withstand it or not depends entirely on us. For me, being away from you has not lessened my love; if anything, it has only grown stronger. The longing for each part of you—emotionally and physically—feels like a priceless treasure that keeps my heart strong. So one day, I will return to you as a stronger man, ready to fight bravely for our hearts.
Not a single day passes without thinking of you, my wangjanim...
Uk closed his journal and glanced at the convoy. They were having dinner at the tavern on a calm night. The journey to the North had been nothing more than snowy roads and bitter cold. Sometimes, the sky was darker than usual. The sun made rare appearances, its light a fleeting visitor.
After a long and tiring journey, they decided to stop at this tavern for at least two nights before continuing. It was their second stop; the first had been closer to the realm's border, where the snow was not as heavy as the one that they current faced.
"Have you had your dinner, Uk ssi?"
Uk lifted his head, his eyes meeting Myung Yu's. The princess still wore her white fur coat. He couldn't deny his admiration for her resilience throughout the rough journey. It wasn't easy for most, but Myung Yu managed the harsh weather, the treacherous roads, and even set aside her comfortable lifestyle, all for this. She didn't mind riding the horse for long hours and could even sleep upright on its back!
"I have. This is my second bowl. They've given us so much, I don't think I can finish it," Uk replied, his voice tinged with fatigue. Myung Yu gently pushed the bowl closer to him.
"You should try. You don't want to offend our hosts. They've put in a lot of effort and resources," the princess said softly.
Uk finally gave in, pulling the bowl closer and taking another sip of the porridge. Myung Yu watched him eat, a gentle smile on her face. She felt as though she were watching a husband at dinner, savoring a fleeting moment of domestic tranquility.
"Why are you staring at me, gongju jaga? Have you eaten?" Uk asked, his tone subtle. Myung Yu nodded, raising her cup of tea in response.
"I always enjoy the food here at this tavern. Knowing that it comes directly from the local farmers, I feel grateful," her smile softened. "But at the same time, I feel guilty because I know how difficult the process is. The farmers build everything from scratch—the dam, the farm plots, the livestock—they do it all themselves. Yet, it's never enough. I've tried to bring this issue before the royal council, hoping we can help them," Myung Yu said, her voice tinged with concern as she sipped her tea.
"The only thing the realm can do is send another governor to manage the area..." Uk replied with a sigh.
"What do you mean?"
Uk looked at Myung Yu's innocent expression. Though she had traveled to the North many times, she had never delved deeply into the administration of the cities under the realm's territory.
"It seems you haven't truly considered the plight of these people, gongju. All you've done is bring a large convoy, stop at the local tavern, stay for two days, and then move on," Uk's words hit a nerve. Myung Yu's brow furrowed as she struggled to suppress her frustration.
"I've done my part by bringing business to them. I pay for everything myself. We aren't here for free," Myung Yu tilted her head, awaiting Uk's response.
"It's true. We pay for the food, the stay. But have you ever wondered why it's always the same food? Why the buildings never change? Year after year, nothing improves. There's little development in this small town. Everyone lives the same way, even after the war, still struggling for food. Don't you think the problem might lie within the administration?" Uk's words gave Myung Yu pause.
The princess glanced around the tavern. The building remained the same—old wood with holes here and there. The tables looked worn out. Nothing had changed since her last visit.
"You seem to know a lot, Uk ssi..."
"I've learned something important during my service as a Knight. The success of a town or kingdom depends on how it is governed. If the government is poorly managed, it will crumble, no matter how rich the city is. It could be bankruptcy leading to poverty or the people themselves rebelling," Uk explained. "Gongju, do you know how a war begins?"
Myung Yu shook her head slightly, her curiosity piqued.
"War usually starts because of one thing: power. Some believe that with power, they can conquer the world, which, unfortunately, is true. Once they have power, they often misuse it. Sometimes, it happens even among family members. The one who sits at the top controls everything. That's what power does to people," Uk explained kindly. The princess slowly began to grasp the reality.
"Power makes people greedy. When you have it, saying that you might use it for good will be a big lie. There's no way you could exercise a good politics, even the discretionary seems to be bias. Believe me. Sad to think, but people will always born to be selfish," Uk continued.
"Not all people are the same, Uk ssi..."
"Yes. But most people are..." The man shook his head in disbelief.
"If you want to test my theory, let's visit the market tomorrow. We'll find out if the government is really treating these people as they claim," Uk suggested.
"What will we gain by visiting the market? We can just go straight to the governor's office and ask," Myung Yu replied.
Uk chuckled. "Gongju, in matters like this, we have to be wise. We must open our ears and listen carefully, discerning which opinions are genuine. People can lie, and they're often good at it..." Uk looked at Myung Yu pointedly. "But I don't need to explain that to you, do I?"
Myung Yu scoffed, giving Uk a meaningful look, silently acknowledging his point.
"Fine. If you say so. Let's visit the local market and listen to the public opinion," Myung Yu finally agreed. Though she wanted to go straight to the governor's office for an inspection, she realized that without complaints, she had no right. Relying on gut feelings alone would make her look foolish.
"It seems I chose the right person as a companion for this journey," Myung Yu praised Uk, patting his hand softly. Uk froze, uncomfortable with the touch, but it would have been rude to pull away. So he let it be.
Perhaps, she meant that sincerely. Uk coaxed himself to stay calm.