This is my true self

Yee Bang-won was walking, holding a lantern close to his feet. His bodyguard followed behind, also carrying a lantern. The place was incredibly dark, much darker than anyone could imagine. The air hung heavy with the smell of burned firewood. The dim light from the lanterns that only showed them where to step their foot next. They reached the end of the path. From there, they took another path leading to their destination. Their footsteps echo against the cobblestones as he navigates the shadowy labyrinth of the town. New fireplaces dot the landscape, their warmth a fleeting respite from the pervasive cold. But even as the fires flicker and fade, the darkness remains unyielding, casting a pall over the land. Lost in thought, he sighed and walked on, the path ahead. It has been nearly a year since disaster struck Joseon, plunging the kingdom into eternal night. King Lee Poong-Yeon has spared no effort in his quest to uncover the cause of the catastrophe, but his efforts have thus far been in vain. The kingdom languishes in darkness, the sun a distant memory, and the moon a mere phantom. One of the biggest problems is that they do not know the cause and people are dying, some are sick, while some are thirsty. There’s not enough food even in the palace. The worst is that the well water was bitter, and the river had turned into a pool of blood. The kingdom suffered more especially when they cannot differentiate between day and night. There are more than thirteen lanterns hanging in a middle-sized room yet to be lit. The room was decorated with maroon curtains, a gigantic bed that lies at the far end of the room beautifully made with a beautiful canopy that looks majestic. In the middle of the room lay a well-polished table with three chairs. On the table is a beautiful flower vase with beautiful flowers. There are two more flower vases on the bedside. The room carries a majesty aura. He was sitting on the chair with both elbows on the table and his face supported by his palms. His brightness shines against the darkness, he needs no light to see what is close to him or even the lanterns in his room when he is around, he is sparkling like the brightest star in the sky. His bright, large eyes with long eyelashes will not give away the burden on his mind, his pointing nose and well-shaped dark eyebrows make him look smart, the calmness, gentleness and aura of his room resembles him. This was the great king of Joseon, king Lee Poong-Yeon. Now sitting without knowing what to do, looking at the flower in front of him, wondering how beautiful it would look under the sunlight. “When last did I see a star?” He asks himself in a low tune he cannot clearly recall when he last saw a star that made him fall into the trap of his pass. Suddenly, someone tapped him on his shoulder, which suddenly brought him back to the present. He looks up with terror, but his face brightens when he sees the man tapping him. “oh! It was you.” He sighs, “You frightened me”. He said that to the man standing close to him, the man presence brings a measure of solace to the king, a reminder of the bonds of friendship that endure even in the darkest of times. he offers him a seat. “You have to stop worrying yourself, your majesty”, The man said looking seriouse “Whatever was happening wasn’t your fault, you tried, and you are still trying.” He added. “Bang,” The king always shortens the name, saying that the name is too long for him. Yee Bang-won was the Prime Minister (PM) of Joseon and the king’s best friend. They grow up together, he knows the king very well and so the king does. He is the first to become prime minister at a young age. Whenever the king says that his friend’s name was too long for him, the PM always asked, “What about your name? It seems much longer than mine”, “That’s why I shorten it to poong,” that was the king’s answer every time. “Anything new?” inquires the king, his voice tinged with weary resignation. Yee Bang-won takes a seat beside the king, his expression grave. “Yes, but we will discuss it at tomorrow’s meeting,” he replies cryptically. The king’s shoulders slump with exhaustion, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down upon him. “I hope you find something,” he murmurs, his voice heavy with despair. “If not, I fear I may have no choice but to surrender to the darkness.” He said, expressing his agony, Yee Bang-won’s gaze softens with empathy as he places a reassuring hand on the king’s shoulder. “You mustn’t lose hope, my king,” he urges gently. “Your people look to you for guidance and strength. They believe in you, as do I.” “What makes you think that way? They may be tired.” “No they are not, because I noticed something on my way here. Those people of yours have added more fireplaces. If they are tired they will not add it,” “But still. That does not mean that they are not tired. Can’t you see we are running out of everything?” “What do you mean, your majesty?” “Every morning, ten strong men will enter the forest to fetch firewood, two to three will die, some will return wounded by a deadly insect or snake, and they must fetch firewood every day. We are running out of oil. Soon we’ll have no oil to lid those lanterns and if things continue like this, we will run out of fire wood as well.” The king said, emphasizing every word. “I’m sorry, I know how painful it is, but still you have to be strong and wait a little bit longer.” He stood and walked up to where the king was sitting and gave him a friendly tap. The king offers a wan smile, grateful for his friend’s unwavering support. “Thank you, Bang,” he murmurs, his voice tinged with gratitude. “I am truly fortunate to have you by my side.” “It is late. You have to rest. I will be going. Good night and stop thinking about a peaceful death, because dying in this disaster is far from peaceful.” Yee Bang-won takes his leave, leaving the king to ponder the uncertain future that lies ahead The king just follows him with his eyes. He sighed, yawned and stretched, he wanted to sleep, so he called his attendant to help him change into his night robe. After he changed into a white robe, he lay on his bed facing up with his hand on his chest. “I could not have come this far without you, Bang,” he whispers into the darkness. “I am truly grateful for your friendship.” He mused and smiled, With those words of gratitude lingering in the air, King Lee Poong-Yeon succumbs to sleep, his dreams haunted by visions of a kingdom bathed in light.