Lessons Before the Storm
1055 Words
The twenty-fifth day of the Month of the Snake dawned without omen.
At least—None that could be easily named.
Within the Crown Prince’s residence, a far different scene unfolded.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Crown Prince Seo-Joon said, his tone warm as he regarded his younger brothers.
“Why did you summon us, Your Highness?” Man-Ju asked.
Seo-Joon smiled faintly.
“I sought Father’s permission to instruct you… in the duties of our house.”
Young-Sik blinked.
Then groaned dramatically.
“Oh no… so now you are our teacher as well as our brother?”
He collapsed onto the floor.
Man-Ju sighed. “Get up. You are making a spectacle of yourself.”
“I refuse,” Young-Sik declared. “I will live freely.”
A soft laugh slipped from nearby.
Crown Princess Yoo-Na stepped forward.
“Your brother will teach first,” she said gently. “If you listen well, I am certain you will do well in his examinations.”
Young-Sik froze.
“…Examinations?”
He shot upright.
“An exam? Already? The lesson has not even begun!”
He clutched his chest in mock agony.
“Is this cruelty now part of royal education?”
Even Seo-Joon had to hide a smile.
Then, casually—“Whoever earns the highest mark… will be granted a steed.”
Silence.
Young-Sik stood instantly.
“…You should have said so sooner.”
Man-Ju tapped his head lightly. “Shameless.”
They had just begun to settle—when something shifted.
At first, it was faint.
Distant.
A sound that did not belong.
Seo-Joon’s gaze lifted slightly.
“…Did you hear that?”
No one answered immediately.
Then—shouting.
Far off.
But unmistakable.
The doors burst open.
A royal guard stumbled in, breathless, a sealed scroll clutched tightly in his hands.
“Your Highness—!”
Seo-Joon took it at once.
Broke the seal.
Read.
The color drained from his face.
Yoo-Na stepped forward, reading over his shoulder.
Her hands rose to her lips.
“…Your Highness…”
“What is it?” Man-Ju asked.
Seo-Joon did not soften it.
“There is unrest,” he said. “The outer villages have risen.”
Another pause.
“They are moving toward the palace.”
Young-Sik’s bravado vanished.
Seo-Joon reached for his sword.
“Princess,” he said firmly, “take them to the Queen Mother’s residence. Do not delay.”
“What about you?” she asked.
He met her gaze.
“I will go to Father.”
When Crown Prince Seo-Joon entered the throne room, the silence unsettled him.
Only a handful of soldiers stood guard. The vast chamber, usually filled with ministers and officials, felt hollow—abandoned.
At the center stood the King.
“Your Highness… are you alright?” Seo-Joon asked, his voice tight with urgency. His eyes scanned the room. “The ministers—where are they?”
“None came,” the King replied, his jaw clenched. “Not even the Minister of War.”
A flicker of anger crossed Seo-Joon’s face. “Cowards…a lot of them. They speak of loyalty, yet abandon you in your hour of need.”
The King raised a hand, steadying him.
“There is no time for anger,” he said. “I have prepared two caravans—for the Queen and for Consort Lee.”
He stepped forward and placed both hands firmly on his son’s shoulders.
“You will go with your mother.”
Seo-Joon stiffened. “No. I will not leave your side—not now.”
The King’s gaze hardened, though sorrow lingered beneath it.
“Listen to me, my son. The situation is far worse than it appears.” His voice lowered. “You will lead them through Mt. Yangge to your grandfather’s lands. There, they will be safe.”
Tears welled in his eyes—but did not fall.
“As long as my sons live… Chiongsun still has a future.”
Seo-Joon shook his head, struggling against the command. “Father—”
The King pulled him into an embrace.
“Must I command you as your King?” he asked quietly. “Or will you honor me as your father?”
The question lingered between them.
Then—
Seo-Joon relented.
“…I will do as you ask.”
The King closed his eyes briefly, as if committing the moment to memory, before stepping back.
He turned to the Head Eunuch. “Take him to the Queen’s caravan. Quickly—we have little time.”
Seo-Joon bowed deeply. But before leaving, he hesitated.
“Father… what of Man-Ju?”
“He is with Consort Lee,” the King replied. “They will depart for Mong-din when you say the word.”
Relief flickered across Seo-Joon’s face.
He bowed once more—and turned away.
The King watched him go.
Then, without another word, he took up his sword and strode from the throne room.
Toward the northern gate.
The caravan was nearly ready when Seo-Joon arrived at the Queen’s residence.
Princess Yoo-Na stepped down from her palanquin the moment she saw him.
“I feared we would leave without you,” she said, relief evident in her voice.
Seo-Joon smiled faintly and pulled her into a brief embrace.
“I would not let that happen.”
He moved quickly to the Queen’s palanquin.
“Are you well, Ma-ma? And Young-Sik?”
Queen Min-Ah nodded, gently brushing her hand through the young prince’s hair.
“He has exhausted himself with tears,” she said softly. “But he is unharmed.”
A soldier approached, leading Seo-Joon’s white horse. The Crown Prince took the reins and mounted without hesitation.
He rode next to Consort Lee’s palanquin.
“Are you safe?” he asked. His gaze shifted to his brother. “And you?”
“We are well, Your Highness,” they replied.
Seo-Joon nodded. “You will travel to Mong-din. Remain there until I come for you myself.”
With that, he guided his horse to the front of the Queen’s caravan.
As he surveyed the group, his eyes briefly passed over the line of court attendants.
Among them—A small, familiar figure.
He said nothing.
Only turned forward.
“March.”
The caravans began to move.
- Writer
