[Next Day]
(First Prince's Quarters)
The scent of sandalwood incense filled the air, creating an illusion of tranquility, yet beneath the surface, a latent danger lingered.
Ying reclined in an ebony armchair, dressed in a robe embroidered with golden threads. In his hand, he slowly swirled a wine cup, watching the crimson reflection of the liquid with a pensive smile.
The door opened softly, and Fong entered, his head slightly lowered in respect.
Fong: (serious) Master Ying.
Ying raised an eyebrow and took a small sip of the wine before responding.
Ying: (curious) What is it, Fong?
Fong: (informing) Your brother, the Third Prince, is here.
Ying placed the cup on the table beside him and leaned forward, his expression shifting from curiosity to caution.
Ying: (narrowing his eyes) Which one?
Fong: (in a low tone) The Third Prince, Hyeon.
Ying frowned slightly, resting his chin on his hand while his fingers lightly drummed against the armrest of his chair.
Ying: (thoughtful) Hyeon wouldn't come here without a clear purpose…
He knew his younger brother wasn't impulsive. If he was here, it meant something significant had happened.
Fong: (cautiously) Do you believe it's about… her?
Ying gave a cold, humorless smile.
Ying: (murmuring) Perhaps. Or maybe he just wants to play the hero.
He rose slowly, smoothing the folds of his robe.
Ying: (with a calculated smile) Let's see what my dear little brother wants.
The Third Prince Hyeon stood in the middle of the grand hall of Ying's quarters, his gaze sharp as a blade ready to be unsheathed. His presence dominated the space, his stance rigid and tense like a tiger prepared to strike.
Ying entered the room with his signature flawless calm, his polite smile firmly in place. Beside him, Fong remained silent but observant of every detail.
Hyeon: (furious) Eldest Brother, confess your crimes before our father!
Ying: (raising an eyebrow) Crimes? My dear brother, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Hyeon: (clenching his fists) Don't pretend to be innocent, First Prince. I've already discovered everything.
Ying: (sighing, feigning exasperation) You accuse me without proof, Hyeon? That's disgraceful.
Hyeon: (firmly) You can't fool me, Ying. I know you're behind this.
Ying tilted his head, as if pondering.
Ying: (with a provocative smile) This is fascinating… You come to my home, accusing me of something terrible. Where's your evidence, little brother?
Hyeon: (his voice filled with rage) I know you poisoned Mi-Suk!
Ying's expression remained unchanged, but a sharp glint flickered in his eyes.
Ying: (feigning surprise) Oh? Mi-Suk was poisoned? What a tragedy… But why are you looking at me as if I had anything to do with it?
Hyeon: (staring him down) You'll pay for this, Ying.
Ying: (chuckling softly) Pay? I never borrowed money from you, little brother, so I don't owe anything.
Hyeon: (narrowing his eyes) You know exactly what I mean.
Ying: (raising his eyebrows) Actually, I don't. But it's curious… All the wives you've had ended up dead, didn't they? That's some terrible luck.
Hyeon: (angrily) Don't you dare throw that at me!
Ying: (mocking) But isn't it true? Don't you find it strange that every woman who gets close to you ends up… perishing?
Hyeon clenched his fists, visibly shaken, but took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure.
Hyeon: (resigned) I won't waste my time with you, Ying. But I will prove your guilt.
Ying leaned forward slightly, a taunting gleam in his eyes.
Ying: (smiling) Oh, please do. I'd love to see you try.
Hyeon turned to leave but paused before crossing the door.
Hyeon: (in a dark tone) You can mock me now, Ying. But when your mask falls, not even our father will be able to protect you.
Ying crossed his arms, watching him leave with a tranquil expression.
Ying: (softly, to himself) We'll see, little brother… we'll see who falls first.
As the door closed behind Hyeon, Fong stepped closer, his voice low.
Fong: (worried) Master, he's more determined than ever.
Ying picked up his wine cup again and swirled the liquid before taking a sip.
Ying: (calmly) Let him struggle. A fish too eager to escape the net only ends up entangling itself further.
Fong nodded, but something in Ying's tone suggested he already had his next move in mind.
Hyeon, frustrated and conflicted, left the First Prince's quarters without another word. Ying sighed and returned to his throne, still intrigued by his younger brother's accusations.
(At the Third Prince's Mansion)
The night fell heavily upon the palace and its surroundings. The sky, painted in deep blue, was speckled with stars that shone timidly, concealed by passing clouds. The Third Prince's mansion was surrounded by silent gardens, where red lanterns swayed in the wind. Inside, the atmosphere was tense.
Hyeon paced restlessly through his main hall, his shoulders rigid and his gaze dark. The candles scattered throughout the room cast flickering shadows on the carved wooden walls, mirroring his troubled expression.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Hiyo entered, his face pale and breath unsteady.
Hiyo: (his voice trembling) Young Master…
Hyeon: (turning quickly, concerned) What happened?
Hiyo: (struggling to catch his breath) The Second Prince is here.
Hyeon's eyes narrowed.
Hyeon: (surprised) He returned from the war so soon?
Before Hiyo could answer, a loud, carefree laugh echoed through the hall. The imposing figure of the Second Prince appeared at the entrance. He was a tall and robust man, standing at 1.90m, with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes. His presence exuded physical power, though it was evident that his cunning did not match that of his brothers.
Second Prince: (grinning broadly) I came back early because I'm the greatest, little brother!
He entered the hall with confident strides, ignoring Hyeon's cautious expression.
Hyeon: (suspicious) What are you doing here?
Second Prince: (nonchalantly) I came to see my dear brother, isn't it obvious?
Hyeon crossed his arms, his dark eyes analyzing every movement.
Hyeon: (angrily) If you're here to ask for my help to become emperor, let me warn you now: don't count on me.
The Second Prince blinked, genuinely confused.
Second Prince: (frowning) You never wanted to be emperor when we were younger. What changed your mind?
Silence filled the air for a moment. Hyeon looked away, his jaw tightening briefly before answering.
Hyeon: (resentful) It's all because of our First Brother.
The Second Prince tilted his head, observing Hyeon curiously.
Second Prince: (trying to understand) Are you still upset that he dated Chuchu?
The mention of the name made Hyeon's heart tighten.
Hyeon: (upset) It's not that.
Second Prince: (curious) Then what is it, Third Brother?
Hyeon: (taking a deep breath) He knew I liked Chuchu, and yet he still asked her out.
The Second Prince furrowed his brows, considering his brother's words.
Second Prince: (understanding) Ah, I see… You're jealous.
Hyeon scoffed, stepping away with a frustrated sigh.
Hyeon: (frustrated) It's not jealousy! It's… complicated.
The Second Prince laughed loudly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Second Prince: (laughing) Hyeon, don't hold a grudge against your own brother over this.
Hyeon paused for a moment, his expression softening slightly, though a weight still lingered in his eyes.
Hyeon: (weary) I don't hold a grudge.
He fell silent, and the Second Prince sensed that something deeper was troubling him.
Second Prince: (empathetically) Hyeon, I know this isn't just about jealousy. Something else is bothering you. Tell me.
Hyeon hesitated. He had never been one to open up easily, but somehow, the words slipped out.
Hyeon: (sighing) It's hard to explain, Second Brother. I've always been reserved, but when I saw Chuchu, something changed inside me.
The Second Prince crossed his arms, watching him intently.
Second Prince: (interested) You fell in love with her, didn't you?
Hyeon: (confirming, with a distant look) Yes. I fell hopelessly in love with her. But our First Brother knew that… and yet, he still won her over.
The Second Prince scratched his chin, as if he was finally grasping the depth of Hyeon's pain.
Second Prince: (understanding) I see how much that must have hurt, Hyeon. But you know… you can't force someone's heart.
Hyeon: (melancholic) I know, Second Brother. But I feel powerless. Chuchu deserved someone who truly loved her.
The Second Prince sighed, reflecting on the situation.
Second Prince: (thoughtful) Maybe First Brother really did love her, Hyeon. We must accept what we cannot change.
Hyeon lowered his head for a moment, allowing himself to feel the weight of that truth.
Hyeon: (with resignation) You're right. But even so, I can't ignore what he's doing to Mi-Suk.
The Second Prince's expression grew more serious.
Second Prince: (gravely) I agree. We need to do something to protect her… and expose the First Prince.
Hyeon lifted his gaze, a fire of determination igniting in his eyes.
Hyeon: (determined) I will confront him and force him to confess his crimes before our father.
The Second Prince smiled, placing a strong hand on Hyeon's shoulder.
Second Prince: (supporting) I'll stand by your side, Hyeon. We are brothers, and we will face this together.