"If you ask me, I think it's a good offer," Dan said. Sun An's finger still lingered on the cup as he took his time, rubbing the ceramic surface while deep in thought.
"I don't know. I'm afraid I might hate the job later. I hate regrets the most..."
"You never know unless you try," Min Jun chimed in, offering advice to the younger man.
The group was having tea while discussing the proposal Wang Ki made to Sun An. They were slowly enjoying their tea in Min Jun's room. Uk sat still next to Min Jun, while Soo Young was busy packing her bag after finishing her treatment.
"How can I try if I don't know the outcome?" Sun An asked, still unsure. Dan sneered playfully and gave him a light smack on the head. The two were so close now that they acted like brothers, joking without needing to hold back.
"When it comes to things like this, you suddenly lose your genius brain!" Dan teased, glaring at the younger man. But karma struck quickly when Soo Young sneaked up behind him and lightly knocked him on the head.
"Yah! My head!" Dan yelped in mock pain. Soo Young smirked, clearly enjoying her boyfriend's agony.
"I was just reminding you that you're not always so wise yourself," she said, patting his shoulder with a grin. Dan scoffed, shooting a glare at Min Jun, who was laughing at him.
"Tough love, huh?" Sun An asked Uk. The man smiled faintly and nodded. Everyone had grown used to the love-hate bickering between Soo Young and Dan, just as they were used to Min Jun sticking close to Uk like sticky rice.
"It's not that, hyung-nim," Sun An replied. "I just don't want to make a hasty decision. There's a lot to worry about. I don't even know if my family will agree. I know the kingdom is offering a great deal, but it's not just my decision."
He thought of his family, picturing how they would adapt to a new environment, especially his father, who had never left the village.
"Sun An, I don't want to take sides, but for the sake of your siblings' future, this is a great opportunity," Min Jun said. "When the king said the kingdom would provide the best for them, he meant it! I know him. He treasures the future of the kingdom—those kids will carry on the legacy."
"Sun An, the king has his eyes on you for a reason. He's very meticulous. Every decision he makes is carefully thought out," Uk added, trying to persuade Sun An.
"Like daegun said, you never know unless you try. Look at Uk hyung-nim! If he never tried a new career path, he wouldn't be where he is now—or should I say, if he never tried daegun before, how can he knew how daegun taste is..."
Min Jun's hand fan landed on Dan's head before he could finish.
"Yah! I'm getting smacked left and right!" Dan complained, rubbing his head and glaring at Min Jun.
"It's because you run your mouth too much!" Soo Young scolded, adding to the playful bickering. Meanwhile, Min Jun and Uk exchanged glances and shook their heads in disbelief.
A small smile slowly formed on Sun An's face as he watched the four of them, each with such different personalities, yet blending so well together like a real family. It felt like home—a place where his little sister played around with his younger brothers, while his parents smiled warmly in the background.
"Daegun... I think I've made up my mind," Sun An said, breaking the silence in the room. Everyone turned to him as he unrolled the scroll and nodded.
---
"Why wasn't I informed about this earlier, jeonha?!" Miju's stern voice echoed through the hall as he faced Wang Ki, his expression filled with dissatisfaction.
How could he not?
This morning, a scroll came to the Sapphire, announcing the appoint of the new governor–Sun An. Miju couldn't hide his shocking face once he learnt that a young peasant from a poor family was the one who the kingdom appointed for such a big position! Not only that he felt losing on the hand of some unknown boy, he was feeling discarded as Wang Ki never called him up for his opinion.
What's the used of being the Crown Prince then?
The king calmly studied him before placing his seal on the document and handing it to the eunuch for further action. He knew this will come soon after the announcement, and he was ready to face everyone who dared to contest his decision.
"Given the recent situation, I felt I only needed a few honest opinions. Too many voices create confusion. I prefer to trust a select few," Wang Ki replied calmly.
"But that peasant is too young!"
"Mind your words, seja jeoha!" Wang Ki's voice was sharp as he reprimanded his son. He set the scroll aside and met Miju's gaze. He knew all too well how reckless his eldest son could be with his words, which was why he didn't hesitate to put him in his place.
"Sun An is the top student at the academy. He has the highest marks in every subject, and he excels in both sports and combat. I even heard he was interested in joining the Hwarang, but because of his family's financial situation, he couldn't be away from home for long," Wang Ki explained Sun An's background carefully.
"But that alone can't qualify him to be governor! He has no experience!" Miju protested.
"The previous governor served for a long time, yet he used his so-called experience to embezzle funds and abuse his power for personal gain," Wang Ki countered. "We need a fresh start, with new ideas for the town's development."
"How can you be sure about him, jeonha mama? He might turn out to be just like the last governor, or worse, since he comes from a poor family!"
Wang Ki sneered, shaking his head in disbelief. He pitied his eldest son for being so shallow.
"I don't know where I went wrong with you, seja jeoha. You're far too skeptical and narrow-minded compared to your siblings," Wang Ki said. Miju's face turned pale with shock. His father's words cut deep, and he clenched his teeth, trying to hold in his anger. His eyes glared at Wang Ki, but the king, unaware of the venom brewing within his son, continued.
"I apologize for my words, jeonha..." Miju said through gritted teeth.
"Perhaps you should spend more time learning about the people and the lands under our rule, seja jeoha. If you don't care about them, how can you be a good king?" Wang Ki advised gently. "And when you come to challenge my decisions, you should bring more than just baseless arguments. You're not wise enough to oppose me—your king."
Wang Ki's words were a sharp reminder of Miju's place, and the crown prince seethed silently. The rejection felt like a slap in the face, but Miju held back his rage, bowing low in submission.
"Forgive me, jeonha mama. I didn't mean to offend you."
"Stand up, seja jeoha. You are the heir to the throne. Don't lower yourself," Wang Ki said with a sigh. Miju rose slowly, his expression softening into a pitiful smile.
"I wasn't offended. I appreciate your concern about my decision. I simply want to teach you to be more relevant and wise in matters of the kingdom. Don't repeat this mistake. Learn from it. And I apologize for comparing you to your siblings—I should have been more mindful of your feelings."
Miju bowed again, forcing a smile. Inside, he cursed the king, his resentment growing. Wang Ki, however, remained oblivious to the venomous thoughts stirring within his son.
"Gongju is here, jeonha mama!"
The door opened, and Myung Yu entered, dressed in a dark purple traveling outfit, holding a scroll. Upon seeing Miju, she bowed briefly, then presented herself to the king.
"Are you leaving now, gongju?" Wang Ki asked. Myung Yu nodded, handing the scroll to the eunuch, who brought it to the king. Wang Ki quickly read through it.
"You're very generous, gongju jaga," Wang Ki said, praising her.
"Compared to what Sun An did for me, a piece of land is nothing, jeonha mama. Consider it a gift for his appointment as governor."
"A gift of land for the governor? That seems a bit extravagant, gongju," Miju remarked.
"Nothing is more extravagant than the fact that he saved my life and that of my maid, seja jeoha," Myung Yu replied calmly, taking the scroll back from the eunuch and preparing to leave.
"Send my regards to the Northern Kingdom and my congratulations for the wedding," Wang Ki smiled.
"Certainly, jeonha mama," she replied before dismissing herself.
---
"So, you all favor a peasant now?" Miju's voice dripped with disdain as he approached Myung Yu.
"What's the problem if we do, seja jeoha? He's not just a peasant anymore—he's a governor now," Myung Yu shot back with a hint of attitude, matching his tone.
"I'll be watching to see how long he can resist the temptations of power," Miju whispered, glaring at his sister.
"Not everyone is the same. He may be young, but he knows his place. Unlike your uncle-in-law, who forgot where he came from and dared to betray the kingdom, despite the generosity we showed in appointing him as governor."
Her voice lowered, wary of the palace walls that seemed to hear everything. Myung Yu was careful, yet firm in her words.
"You're lucky we chose to overlook that fact, seja jeoha. But let me remind you, family can be your greatest asset—or your biggest enemy."
With that, Myung Yu walked away, leaving Miju standing alone, his mind simmering with resentment. But as she disappeared, a smile crept across his face.
Yes, she was right. Family could indeed be the greatest threat.
He smirked, silently setting his plan in motion.