"So far, this is what we have..."
Asura pointed to a chest full of documents seized from the auditor's safe house, the work of the White Convoy. These documents were strong evidence of the governor's corruption during his time in office.
"How long is the sentence?" Dan asked. He had no interest in the details of the documents; all he wanted to know was the outcome of the case.
"Twenty years maximum. He'll be eighty when he gets released," Asura replied. "But, that's just an estimate. It depends on the court's verdict during the trial."
"If he has powerful people behind him, he'll walk free," Indra said, rolling his eyes. Politicians... No matter how guilty they are, they always have an invisible hand supporting them. They always find a way.
"We hope that won't happen. He might get a lighter sentence for the embezzling case, but for kidnapping royalty? He won't escape punishment. Jeonha mama will ensure he is dealt with severely," Asura added.
"Things are heating up at the financial department. Everyone has been questioned, except me..." Sun An reported. "It seems this governor isn't a new player in this game. He did the same thing when he was head of another department. But it was hard to trace because he covered his tracks well," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"He must have someone powerful backing him," Indra remarked.
"That's worrisome..." Dan sighed. "Does anyone know anything about his background? At least a clue?"
"We'll need to investigate. I think the auditor might know something," Asura responded.
The group nodded in agreement, returning to study the case while waiting for the Phoenix's next move.
***
Uk watched Min Jun and Myung Yu from a distance. They were at the royal cemetery, having just buried Woo next to her husband. It was a small tomb, but at least the spouses were reunited in death.
Seeing them reminded Uk of the day his father was buried. His father was laid to rest at the memorial site for his service in the army, but his mother was buried deep in the forest due to the illness she had before she passed. His parents were separated, even in death.
A thought crossed his mind. He wondered what would happen to him and Min Jun. There was no way they would be buried together. In the end, they would be separated—not just because of their social status but because of the norms that governed their world.
"Hyung-nim..."
Uk was pulled from his thoughts when Min Jun gently touched his hand. The prince was looking at him with pale skin, glassy eyes, and a red nose. He had obviously been crying during the funeral. It was a small, private ceremony, allowing Min Jun to freely express his emotions.
Uk softly took Min Jun's hand and patted it. Myung Yu, who followed her brother, looked visibly distressed. She hadn't even bothered with makeup. Her grief was evident.
"Orabeonim, I'm leaving..." Myung Yu excused herself. Accompanied by three court maids, she left the cemetery, weak and tired.
Min Jun watched his sister leave from the corner of his eye, then turned to Uk, signaling for him to follow. They walked together, side by side, their hands subtly intertwined.
After a short walk, they arrived at a riverbank, where they sat under a tree, taking in the peaceful scenery. Uk sighed as he watched the river flow gently. Winter would soon end, and spring would return to color the kingdom.
"I've realized... the closer we get, the less we talk," Min Jun said suddenly. Uk nodded, glancing at the prince and softly rubbing his pinky against Min Jun's palm.
"Are you still haunted by the incident? I mean, it was your first kill, right?" Uk asked carefully. For the past four days, he had been thinking about how to talk to Min Jun about the incident, wondering how the prince would react.
"Yes. My first kill was my first love. How ironic," Min Jun said bitterly, his eyes downcast and his lips a straight line.
"I should have told you about Jun Pyo when we first got together, sobangnim. Keeping my past from you hasn't helped at all, has it?" Min Jun turned to face Uk. The older man chuckled and gave him a sweet smile.
"Is it important to know someone's past?"
Uk's question made Min Jun pause. He stared at Uk, his heart aching.
"The past is important so we can learn from it," the prince replied. "That's why we have history classes..." Min Jun chuckled. "Myung Yu would be proud if she heard me say this!"
They laughed together, imagining the princess's reaction to Min Jun's sudden appreciation for her field. As their laughter died down, their faces drew closer, deepening the intimacy between them.
"Sobangnim..." Min Jun suddenly stopped laughing, his eyes piercing into Uk's. Uk smiled, focusing entirely on Min Jun, tightening his grip on the prince's hand.
"I should have told you about Jun Pyo..."
"I don't want to hear about it anymore. I think with what we have now, it's enough for me. I don't want to dig into your past. We'll just end up losing trust in each other, and I hate that..." Uk replied softly.
"But you need to know, sobangnim..."
Uk stayed silent for a moment, tilting his head as he studied Min Jun before giving him room to explain.
"Go ahead."
Min Jun bit his lip, taking a deep breath before lowering his head, gathering the courage to speak. It had been a while since the two had seen each other, and now they were reopening the past. Min Jun was afraid—what if Uk hated him for it?
"Jun Pyo never loved me. I know that now. It was just the closeness between us that drew us together. He was a manipulative man who used his charm for power and money. I was a fool for believing it was love," Min Jun explained carefully.
"I was heartbroken for a long time. That's why I built a wall around myself. I thought I couldn't let it go, so I stopped my treatments and lived carelessly," Min Jun said, shaking his head in disbelief at his past actions.
"That explains why you're so stubborn..." Uk's unexpected response made Min Jun playfully smack his back. Uk purposely lightened the mood so Min Jun could open up more easily.
"I just want you to know that I'm not the same person I used to be, sobangnim. Being with me is life and death. But..." Min Jun placed his palm on Uk's cheek. "My love for you will never end. I'll love you for as long as I live."
Uk smiled softly at Min Jun, holding his hand and kissing it delicately.
"I want you to know, being with you, no matter how hard it gets, I'll never back away. I love you more than myself, and I will never betray you. You can trust me on that," Uk said with sincerity, his eyes full of love. Min Jun felt overwhelmed by emotion.
"So, you don't mind continuing the journey with Gongju Jaga?" Min Jun asked. Uk frowned, sighing as he finally understood why Min Jun had been so affectionate.
"I thought it was over!"
"Sobangnim, you haven't even reached the North Palace yet..."
Uk looked away, sulking a bit. Min Jun shook his head, letting out a small laugh.
"I promise, once everything is over, I'll be with you for the rest of my life. Just give me a little more time," Min Jun said, trying to persuade Uk to follow the original plan. Slowly, Uk agreed, though his nod seemed reluctant.
"You better hurry! I can't guarantee I'll wait much longer. I might just elope with Gongju Jaga!"
Min Jun quickly turned Uk's head, making sure he saw his frustration. His eyes dimmed, and he bit his cheek in irritation.
"Yah, you just pledged your loyalty to me, and now you're talking about eloping with my sister?" Min Jun growled. "I'm telling you, if you betray me, I'll stab you worse than Jun Pyo!"
Uk sneered and laughed, then leaned in for a deep kiss before pulling away.
"I'm curious about something..."
"What?" Min Jun asked.
"When you were with Jun Pyo, were you... the bottom or the top?"
Uk's teasing question made Min Jun flush. He frowned as they both laughed.
"You know what..." Min Jun said, gazing at Uk with affectionate eyes. "I never slept with him. I was too weak for that. You're the first man I've ever been with."
Uk blushed at the confession, gasping slightly before covering his face with his hands. Min Jun laughed, teasing Uk for his cute reaction.
"What about women?" Uk suddenly asked. Min Jun sighed, weary of explaining everything.
"I've never done it with a woman either! Yes, I visited Concubine Lane often, but I only watched and learned..." Min Jun admitted. "I was more interested in their skincare routines and flirting techniques!"
"You'd better not lie to me..."
"Oh? And what about you? You had a girlfriend!" Min Jun whined, playfully pushing Uk away.
"Hey, we never even touched hands! We were adults who respected the relationship."
"Oho, but you dare touch me here and there! Are you being disrespectful?!"
"Excuse me, but I only touched you after you made the first move, Daegum Jaga!"
"When did I do that?" Min Jun played coy.
"Should I remind you how we first met? When you scratched your finger against my abs? Do you want to hear that again?!"
"It was just... a test!"
The two men bickered under the tree as the sun slowly set behind the mountains, marking the end of the day. It was a sweet moment, indeed.