FATEFUL ENCOUNTER.

"Father." Seunghyeonjeong said the instant that he saw his father walking through the Manor's door.

Seungjae and Seungnyang came after him but the young boy had eventually already hugged his father.

"I missed you big boy." Lord Han said.

"What is the fuss about?" Mrs. Han said as she walked across the inner courtyard to the gate of the second one.

At the sight of her husband, she stood at a distance and then smiled as he embraced each one of their children.

Lord Han once finished took hold of Seunghyeonjeong's hand and then they walked further when he caught sight of his wife.

"You are back." Mrs. Han said.

"Yes dear." Lord Han said.

"I missed seeing you these past few days." Lady Han said.

"Mother, you are supposed to be in bed." Seunghyeonjeong suddenly said.

"I am fine." Mrs. Han replied.

"Is there anything wrong?" Lord Han asked pretending not to know a single thing about his wife's accident.

"Yes dear, there is nothing for you to worry about." Mrs. Han said.

"Alright then." Lord Han said.

"I just want to have a word with Seunghyeon alone in private." Lord Han added.

"Alright honey." Mrs. Han said calmly as she turned and walked away.

"Let us go this way." Lord Han said as they walked in the gardens.

"Yes father." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

Lord Han took hold of his son by his shoulder and pulled him closer to his hip.

"Do you know what I want to talk to you about?" Lord Han asked his son.

"Not really." Seunghyeonjeong said or most probably he didn't want to be suspicious to his father.

"It is about the King." Lord Han said.

Seunghyeonjeong halted for a while and then looked down, he knew it automatically that his father had received the News.

"Forgive me father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"You casually spoke up to the King, questioned the type of King he was to abandon his people." Lord Han said.

"I was worried father, worried that I might never see you again." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"Oh, what little faith it is that you have in your father!" Lord Han exclaimed.

"It's not that I never trusted in you father, it was because I knew that you were innocent of all those false charges that they had placed against you." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"So you do trust me after all." Lord Han spoke up confidently.

"Forgive me father if I spoke up too soon, of in my unexpected short coming I inconvenienced you." Seunghyeonjeong apologized.

"Why would I be angry, you are only young after all." Lord Han said.

"But that is no excuse for me to misbehave and enjoy malice, punish me if you must father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Why should I do so when I am proud that you managed to stand for what you believed.

You spoke up for righteousness and that is the very least I should be grateful for." Lord Han said.

"I know nothing of politics but common sense, I can't be like you and I failed to understand the reason as to why you stayed quiet when you could speak." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Wise people my son act more and they talk less, your words could be used against you any time and you might end up regretting it sooner or later.

Sometimes, it is right to speak up for what you believe but not every one wants to hear you say out." Lord Han said as he caught his son by the shoulders and knelt down facing him.

"I'll always remember that." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"If ever there is a time that you feel you are really persecuted and that justice is not being served, don't stop being a hero.

Stand and secretly fight for those who can't fight, be the voice of those who are voiceless and be the person for the people.

That alone is what true power is about and if there ever is a time that you have it, never forget these wise words of mine." Lord Han said.

"Alright father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"You are destined for greatness and you of all people should know it very well that it doesn't matter how much others try to step on you, you must get up stronger." Lord Han said.

"Yes father." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"That is it my boy, you are finally growing up." Lord Han said joyfully as he tapped his son's hair.

"Let's go then." Lord Han said as he took hold of his son and they walked into the living room.

Looking back at the words that his father had told him, Seunghyeonjeong was motivated to become somebody from that day own.

He read very many books, learnt music and all other liberal arts, he grew more and more eloquent in speech as he blossomed even in his youth.

He was more and more Charming and he was admired every where he went by both boys and girls, women and men, young and old.

He was very skilled in his sword and at the age of fifteen years he was better than his brothers Seungjae and Seungnyang.

He fancied wearing expensive robes and he was a rather silent person than a talkative one.

Seunghyeonjeong travelled to Jiutsu where he had a katana forged for him and he kept it with himself secretly.

As he had grown his father had found him a friend and close confidant Shin Ji who served him closely and personally.

Seunghyeonjeong wasn't a fan of having people serving him but nevertheless,he treated Shin Ji more like a brother than a servant.

One day, as Seunghyeonjeong was walking through the streets, Shin Ji closely followed his master from behind.

They walked up to the best fashion store that was in the capital and it sold a number of expensive materials that Seunghyeonjeong used in spinning and tailoring his own clothes.

"Good morning." Seunghyeonjeong said to the store owner Mr. Sun.

"Good morning." Mr. Sun replied.

"It has been long since I last saw you." Seunghyeonjeong said trying to crack a friendly conversation with the store owner.

"How have you been?" He added.

"I am fine dear, how have you been?" the old man asked.

"The same, the usual, but I always miss the material that you bring in from Jiutsu." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"It isn't easy doing business in Jiutsu these days and also in Jin but I have a whole column that might be to your delight." The old man said.

"Really?" Seunghyeonjeong asked.

"Have I ever lied to you at any one point in time?" Mr. Sun asked.

"Never, because I know your quality is guaranteed." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Where is it and I shall take a look." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"That way, the last row on the right." Mr. Sun said as he pointed in his right direction.

"Alright." Seunghyeonjeong said as he headed in the same direction with Shin Ji.

The two walked for a while as Seunghyeonjeong studied the different materials of clothes that hang in different piled up wooden racks.

Seunghyeonjeong stopped at a piece of common cotton that was plain red and touching it he felt a sense of desire igniting in him.

"What is it young Master?" Shin Ji asked.

"This material." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"It is common cotton fabric, how come it has caught your eye?" Shin Ji asked.

"I love the colour." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Shall I get it out for you?" Shin Ji asked.

"Please do." Seunghyeonjeong replied and Shin Ji started to pull it out slowly trying to be careful in the best possible way in order to prevent damaging the other clothes.

In the mean time, Seunghyeonjeong continued walking down the aisle and he negotiated a corner where a number of more beautiful materials were.

The closer that he Drew to the next shelf of clothes, he had a series of voices in the store.

"Your Highness." He heard Mr. Sun say.

"Where are the most expensive attires?" He heard another rude and arrogant voice.

"This way your Highness." He heard Mr. Sun say.

"What an arrogant brat?" Seunghyeonjeong whispered to himself as he continued to move and check out the clothes.

After a fairly long while, Seunghyeonjeong heard another rumbling sound and what followed was the sound of things falling.

"Can't you watch where you are going?" He heard the same arrogant voice louder that time around.

"I am so sorry." He could hear Shin Ji saying.

By instinct, he rushed back where he had come from retracing his footsteps until he caught sight of someone dressed in a navy blue attire with gold.

Judging from the markings and the symbols, he could clearly tell that it was someone noble enough.

Seunghyeonjeong moved closer only to see Shin Ji bowing his head and pleading.

"I am so sorry." Shin Ji said.

"Cease him." the man spoke coldly and said.

At once, the guards who dressed in the uniform of the Imperial soldiers moved to cease Shin Ji until Seunghyeonjeong stepped up.

"Excuse me Sir." He said as he eventually stopped in front of The man.

"Wangseja." He said after noticing the face of the man, he had seen it somewhere and if it wasn't for some royal occasions he'd attended outside the palace he wouldn't have recognized him.

NOTE: "Wangseja." is the "Crown Prince."

"Don't interfere in this matter." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Or else....." He suddenly stopped after noticing that he was talking to a very charming young lad.

The Crown Prince stared into the beautiful brown eyes that sparkled so brightly and had his soul won over, it was undeniably a love at first sight.

"Forgive me your Highness." Seunghyeonjeong said as he bowed his head.

"And please, forgive this my humble servant for his recklessness, if you must punish him, punish me instead." Seunghyeonjeong added.

"Young Master." Shin Ji said.

"No need." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"I didn't mean to be rude to such a very humble and kind young angel like yourself." the Prince added.

Seunghyeonjeong stood up and looked at him.

The man was about twenty or more years old but looked young himself.

"I understand your Majesty, if you feel offended you can ask me and I shall make it up to you as you wish." Seunghyeonjeong said.

The Crown Prince on the other hand was already dumbfounded and lost in thought as he watched how elegant and graceful Seunghyeonjeong was, even in his speech.

"Your servant has in deed wronged me, and I am the Crown Prince after all, you have said it yourself that you shall make it up to me." Said the proud handsome Prince.

"Yes, your Highness." Seunghyeonjeong said hesitantly.

"How about a walk in the streets?" The Crown Prince said.

"Your Highness is in deed courteous enough and because I have promised then I shall certainly do so." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Very well then." The Crown Prince said.

Seunghyeonjeong first proceeded to the counter and Shin Ji placed the cotton fabric on the counter in front of Mr. Sun.

"Please Mr. Sun, have this material delivered to the usual place." Seunghyeonjeong said intentionally not wanting the Crown Prince to find out his residence.

It didn't click on the Crown Prince's mind to ask Ashe already seemed excited that the young man was going to have a walk with him.

"Alright then, thank you for coming." Mr. Sun said.

Seunghyeonjeong nodded his head and then walked outside the shop into the streets.

There were many people there that they could all barely notice the presence of the Crown Prince amongst them.

As they walked, the Crown Prince started a conversation.

"What does a person as fair as you do in your free time?" Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"Nothing much, I just tend to read books, poems, songs and rhymes." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"I have never seen someone as elegant as you are." The Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Your Highness is indeed very kind and humble, observant and yet smart to notice me." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"You flutter me so much." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"I take after my father, he always tells me that give praise to those that are worthy of it." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Your father is in deed a very smart man and I can tell that he raised you to be a very responsible person." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"In deed, I am grateful he did." Seunghyeonjeong said.

The Crown Prince then kept quiet for a while and looked up but it was clear to Seunghyeonjeong that he was trying to remember something.

"What is it?" Seunghyeonjeong asked in a tone of concern.

"I wonder." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"What makes you wonder your heart out your highness?" Seunghyeonjeong asked.

"That material that you bought at the store." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Was there anything wrong with it your Highness?" Seunghyeonjeong asked.

"Even from afar, one could clearly tell that it is entirely ordinary cotton and I can tell from your appearance that you are from a prestigious and well of family.

What would someone in a league like yours bother themselves to buy something so cheap?" Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"Hahahaha." Seunghyeonjeong laughed.

"What is funny?" Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"You aren't used to such your highness but any good cloth deserves to be worn, be it cotton or silk your highness, the quality may be different but the purpose is the same." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Very well then, it seems that I am spoilt a little." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"A LITTLE? IT IS ENTIRELY." Seunghyeonjeong thought himself to be screaming but he did not say a single word.

"I didn't imply that your highness." Seunghyeonjeong calmly said.

"You can drop that formality and speak casually to me, don't worry, I certainly won't apprehend you." Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Your Highness." Another group of imperial guards called as they arrived from the front.

Upon reaching in front of the Crown Prince, they bowed their heads.

"What is it?" Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"It is her Royal Highness the Princess Incheon." the head of the guards said.

The Prince looked at Seunghyeonjeong first and then looked back down somewhat embarrassed.

"What is wrong with her?" The Crown Prince asked.

"Your wife is giving birth." The guard replied.

"I'll be there in a moment." The Crown Prince said.

"Such an awful man, shamelessly flirting yet his wife is in labour." Seunghyeonjeong thought.

"Pardon me your highness and I totally understand if your wife needs you especially now, you can leave me to go, we shall meet another time when the heavens have set it." Seunghyeonjeong said.

He turned immediately and departed from the Crown Prince's presence.

She could feel him staring at him as he vanished and all that he did was to smile.

"You walked away from the Crown Prince he might as well apprehend you." Shin Ji said.

"I am a fifteen year old, he wouldn't be so inconsiderate and besides, how would the people see him then?" Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Can't she look after herself, aren't there royal doctors in the Kingdom, it's not like I am going to help her deliver." The Crown Prince furiously argued.

"Forgive us Your Highness but Her Majesty the Queen asked us to find you, we only worked according to her order." the head of the guards said.

"Alright fine." The Crown Prince said as he agreed to go with the Imperial guards who had come for him but as he went, his mind was far away as he thought only of the charming and handsome young boy he had encountered that day.

Undoubtedly, he could feel the eruption of many extra ordinary feelings that had been triggered within him.