COLLISION COURSE

The sun had risen above the hills and with it's light it graced the land, the beams rained magestically upon the land and the life sprouted from the earth.

The carriage carrying Minister Han was travelling through the countryside and slowly started to approach the capital in the valley.

Minister Han stared through the open window and then looked down upon the settlement.

Mighty buildings rose up and towered over the ground as golden rooftops were visible in the saffron light it looked no less of a city of gold.

There was barely a bustle or anything to disrupt the calm melodies of the birds and yet the wind as well peaceful howled and breathed more life into the kingdom.

"I can see home from here, not far from my reach." Minister Han thought to himself as it had been a month since he was away.

After some time, the carriage was into the city and with every other person starting to rise, they weren't many but a few that were out on the streets at that hour.

"Halt." Minister Han said shortly after.

It was obvious the very place where he had arrived.

The Coachman got out a foot stool which he laid out on the ground and gracefully, Minister Han got out and looked at the structure in front.

The walls had been coloured a brilliant shade of maroon.

"It seems that a lot of renovation has happened to this old Villa." Minister Han said.

"In deed sir." The Coachman said.

"How ever can I forget how my grand father praised that it was a gift to his forefathers, it's foundation stone laid by the King Jinpyeong made it one of the most remarkable residences in the capital?" Minister Han asked.

"It is a very good job My Lord, even in the morning Glory she towers with so much elegance." The Coachman said.

After a while, the doors of the Manor were opened wide and standing there in another grace and with an exhilarating expression was Seunghyeonjeong.

Beside him Mr. Song and a few servants just to keep them company and carry the Master's luggage.

"Father." Seunghyeonjeong said as he kowtowed.

"Master." The rest said in unison doing the very same thing.

Seunghyeonjeong walked over and took his father by his left hand.

"There is the joyous one that I missed the most." Minister Han said to his son.

"I missed you too father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"It is obvious you did." Minister Han said as he was led in to the serene compound at that moment so shocked that there were a few more adjustments that added life to it.

"The benches, flowers, whose idea was this?" Minister Han asked.

"Young Master is in deed as talented as you are my Lord, who is better than him at bring artistic and creative, his mind is but a vast well of ideas both interesting and wonderful." Mr. Song replied.

"You did this?" Minister Han turned to his son asking so surprised.

"Yes father." Seunghyeonjeong replied.

"I knew it, I knew it very well that I could possibly rely on you to maintain the order and the beauty of this household.

You have proved me right and my return has in deed not disappointed me." Minister Han said.

"I am happy if you are father." Seunghyeonjeong said.

There was the sound of the Master's chamber opening and from if walked the Lady of the household Mrs. Han (Lady Kim).

"Darling." she called happily.

"At last, I am home." Minister Han joyously replied as his wife descended down the stairs into the courtyard where she hugged him tightly.

An embrace that generated so much warmth cast about the whole place absolute happiness as other members of The household stepped in to the seeing.

"I suppose work was very busy." Mrs. Han said after she pulled out of the hug and looked her husband.

"In deed it was but as usual, I never forgot to return home given that this is where my heart always remains and I must say I am very much impressed by how all of you have looked after the place." Minister Han replied.

"Father, we received a message from the Fortress in Peju and it says that soon, Seungnyang will be joining us for the lantern festivities and to so celebrate my birthday." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"In deed, it has been a very long while since we last saw him, about three months ago." Minister Han said as they walked into the living room.

"And one more thing father, I have something that I wish to discuss with you in private." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Can't it wait, I simply want to first enjoy the rest of the day at my own exposure." Minister Han said.

"Alright father, if you say so, I shall have the household kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"I must say, you really run the household better than your mother and much as the heavens gave me a son like you I have no regrets cause you act more like a daughter to me." Minister Han said.

"Don't worry father, you just relax, the journey must have been tiring but I do not want any of that to bother you any more." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Alright." Minister Han replied.

At once, Seunghyeonjeong departed and went off to his commitments as his father watched him from a distance fading from the apple of his eye.

"Blessed is the person who'll marry you my dearest son." Minister Han whispered to himself.

"Your Highness, the people that we put to watch the Han Manor have reported." Sangil reported to the Crown Prince who was seated in his study.

"What is the matter?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"It appears that the master of the house has returned home." Sangil replied.

"Minister Han? He is back?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"Yes your Highness." Sangil replied.

"Then it appears that I am in luck today." The Crown Prince exclaimed happily.

"What should I do your Highness?" Sangil asked.

"Tell all your men to Keep their eyes open and to readily alert me on any of Minister Han's movements because it would be convenient for me and him to seat down to a cup of tea some time soon." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong replied.

"Yes your Highness." Sangil said.

"There is also one more thing that I wish to ask of you and you can consider it doing a favour to me that is greatly rewardable." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong added.

"What is it your Highness, tell this your Humble servant after all your wish is my command." Sangil said.

"How long have you served me?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"Not long ago." Sangil replied.

"I appreciate how you do your job and out of all my men your skills are unmatched it would be a waste if I did not help you exploit them fully." The Crown Prince said.

"Tell me your Highness." Sangil replied.

"My brother has a Jade pendant that he carries around with him Everytime." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Does your Highness desire to have it in his possession?" Sangil asked the Crown Prince.

"Not at all." The Crown Prince replied.

"What then shall I do with it your Highness?" Sangil asked.

"It is a very simple task that is not complicated at all and I trust you can fulfill as shortly as possible." The Crown Prince said as he turned around.

"There is only half of the pendant and so I want you to get the blueprints of it on something and study the material very well and the points of cleavage.

When you are done, have it taken to the Goldsmith outside the city and ask them to forge another half to perfectly fit the missing piece.

In less than two days, I need the job done at once." The Crown Prince added.

"But your Highness, it takes time to craft something so delicate from a very hard and precious stone." Sangil said.

"Is it made of diamond?" The Crown Prince asked.

"Not at all your Highness." Sangil replied.

"That is why I am entrusting you with such a fatal task that even loose ends are strong enough to cause rupture and rifts between blood siblings and family members." The Crown Prince said.

"Alright your Highness, I certainly will." Sangil said.

"And I won't let you down." Sangil added.

"Of course, I know it very well that you won't." The Crown Prince said as Sangil bowed his head and eventually took his leave.

The Crown Prince remained there seated but he couldn't take his eyes off the book that was in front of him.

"As long as the right record's book doesn't get in the hands of my brother and as long as there are less people that are willing to speak of it.

Be it rain or sunshine, whether I am treading through blood and fire, this is a secret I shall take to my grave." The Crown Prince thought.

He had one piece of evidence that could help his dear brother find the person he was long in love with.

"You might have seen him first but I asked for his hand first, forgive me my brother, I would kill even for this one young man but losing you is also a risk that I am not willing to take.

I may be selfish but it is only for the greater good and as long as I cover up the truth even with a white lie, you won't have a reason to resent me at all because I am doing this out of my love.

For the both of you and for this land that we call our home." The Crown Prince thought to himself.

"How am I even supposed to start telling father at this moment?" Seunghyeonjeong asked Shin Ji.

"He is too happy having returned from Haeji at this time of year, telling him about the Crown Prince's crush on you could ruin the mood for him.

Let alone that he'd constantly remain in worry thinking about you and could you find it in your heart to forgive yourself for making your father gloomy young Master?" Shin Ji asked.

"No, not at all." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"But I fear that he might find out from somewhere else, I feel it in my bones." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"Let's say even if he did, you would not be the one to blame here or the first person he'd turn to.

You have already showed that you have no possible interest in the Crown Prince and given that he's about eight years older than you he won't let it happen.

You are still fifteen years old." Shin Ji said.

"Only for a short while, very soon my birthday will approach and I'll be sixteen years old." Seunghyeonjeong said.

"You are overthinking it and besides it's not that the Crown Prince has confessed that he really loves you, even if he is having a crush on you, the moment a concubine is chosen for him then he'll forget about it eventually." Shin Ji said.

"I certainly hope so, I hope that it is as you say it is, a royal romance is just the very perfect thing to start a civil war in the Kingdom." Seunghyeonjeong said worriedly.

"We have quite a number of reasons to dismiss that boy from becoming the Crown Prince's concubine." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"Yes, after all, all the elder brothers from the house of Minister Han are not married, it would seem improper for the third and last child to marry before his brothers." Minister Lee said.

"Not to mention, he is pretty young, there is a big age difference between the both of them and contrary to that he is fifteen years old, it might be already old enough for an engagement but a concubine is needed for immediate marriage." Minister Yang said.

"Very many ministers fear Minister Han and even members of the Royal Clan of Hyeonju Lee dislike him, given the prophecy of the old Seer that a Han born child shall take on the position of Queen they all fear this matrimonial alliance.

We can as well say if we are to dismiss this match that we have quite a number of ministers supporting us and having our back." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"Isn't that great?" Minister Lee asked.

"The horoscopes and even other factors present are against this match being made." Minister Lee added.

"Not yet." Minister Suk Hwan said and immediately his colleagues were both puzzled.

"Not yet?" They asked in unison.

"Yes." Minister Suk Hwan confirmed.

"Why would that be so?" Minister Yang asked.

"Come to think of it, we both know that there is one thing about the Crown Prince that is not in our favour, he has but one flaw which could overturn our plans." Minister Suk Hwan replied.

"What is it?" Minister Lee asked.

"The Crown Prince is smart and perseveres so much, it is possible that if he has already had an eye for the young boy then he has already laid a plan to get what he wants.

That can only mean that there is a possibility of low success which leaves us with a bigger picture to use the most powerful piece in the game." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"What is this piece you talk about?" Minister Yang asked.

"Who in the Kingdom is above the Crown Prince?" Minister Suk Hwan asked.

"The King." Minister Lee replied almost immediately.

"Exactly." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"How are we going to use the King?" Minister Yang asked.

"Our proposal and effort to make the Crown Prince give up on marrying Han Seunghyeonjeong is useless if not backed up by the King and that backing up must not be done in just words alone but actions." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"That makes sense." Minister Lee said.

"There is one thing that the King has to do that can stop his son because as long as the King is still alive then it is only him whom we can turn to to stop this." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"What should the King do?" Minister Yang asked.

"I saw the purple star twinkling last night but not bright as usual only dimmer each time and with that we can all tell and so can the astrologers, the King has little time left on this Earth.

It is best that we strike now and him seeing things I am certain he might have seen this coming, he has to give away Seunghyeonjeong to someone else who is very powerful and influential." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"So even if the King dies, his offer and decree will remain a law not even the new King can break for the sake of remaining a filial son and showing the world his kind nature." Minister Yang said.

"And with that, this alliance would be stopped." Minister Lee said.

"Exactly." Minister Suk Hwan said with a smile.

"Bravo, I should thank you, you are really very smart and I had never imagined that you also could read the stars." Minister Yang said.

"There are many things that I can do and losing is not one of them, I am always set for the win because I am always looking at the finish line." Minister Suk Hwan said.

"Your Majesty." Soohyun said as he walked into the King's personal hall.

"I suppose you bring some news that is urgent for me to hear." King Gwangyang said not wavering as he stared at the books on his table.

"His Highness, The Crown Prince's men are on a move and Minister Han is back here in the capital." Soohyun replied.

"Then my son must be aware of it by now." King Gwangyang said.

"Give me your command your Majesty and I'll have my men carry out your heart's deepest desire." Soohyun said.

"Leave my son's spies and keep your eyes on Minister Han, my son should do whatever he wants in the time being." King Gwangyang replied.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid he might be up to something of your dislike." Soohyun said.

"Let it be, we can not risk him becoming too suspicious of your men, leave him to his negligence in the name of Safety, after all if you keep watching Minister Han, being the center of attraction in this game all roads will lead his men right to us." King Gwangyang replied.

"Who would bother looking elsewhere for the honey when you keep the bees?" King Gwangyang asked.