THE PROPOSAL

Minister Han while walking through the streets eventually stopped in front of one of the most lavish tea shops in the capital.

Princes as well as people of the first class and the nobility gathered at the teahouse and even watched shows by famous artists.

There were instrumentalists and painters, poets and composers all gathered around to be rewarded for entertaining the guests.

Minister Han walked in with his own private guard Jeonshik.

He had walked in when the owner of the tea house approached him.

"Good morning Your Excellency." The owner greeted Minister Han.

"Good morning." Minister Han said as he kowtowed.

"There was a reservation that I made." Minister Han added.

"Of course, come with me this way." The Teahouse owner said as he led the way to one of the compartments in the shop.

It was open at one end to allow the people inside view what was going on in the tea house middle and it contained one table.

There were four stools and even an additional window that was raised to allow some free circulation of air.

It being early summer, it was a little bit hot so the window helped allowing in some fresh air.

Minister Han sat down at the table with Jeonshik at his side as though he was waiting for the presence of someone.

Not so long after, the Crown Prince Gyeongjeong walked into the teahouse with Sangil alone.

"Your Highness." The teahouse owner said as he greeted him.

"Rise, I am looking for Minister Han, has he arrived here by any chance?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"Yes your Highness, this way." The teahouse owner said as he led the way to the compartment where Minister Han was seated and sipping a cup of tea.

Minister Han upon noticing the presence of the Crown Prince he stood up and then faced him.

"Your Highness." Minister Han said as he bowed his head.

"Minister Han, there is no need for you to do that, please rise and let us drop our formalities." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"I am afraid that I can not do that your Royal Highness as per the state's demands." Minister Han said.

"What about my demands." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said as he smiled.

"Forgiving me your Highness, I certainly didn't mean to offend you at all." Minister Han said as he bowed his head.

"It's alright, you are too modest and that alone is enough." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"You flatter me so much your Highness." Minister Han said as he bowed his head.

"Oh, please, let us sit down already and get to the point." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said as he pointed to the stools.

The two of them eventually sat down at the table and all of them fixed glazes at themselves.

"Tell me your Highness, what is it that you wish to talk to me about?" Minister Han asked.

"I have heard so much about you of late, you have been so busy serving the government and we haven't rewarded you very well." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"No need Your Highness, my only reward that I am most satisfied with is the ability to serve my country, that in the years to come, historians of the time will remember me." Minister Han said.

"I also congratulate you though, you have made a name for yourself and the Lantern festival feast that you held was a very splendid one." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"I am flattered that every one is still talking about it given that it all happens about two weeks ago." Minister Han said as he sipped at his cup of tea.

"You know better than me Minister Han, good deeds are meant to be forever known and never forgotten." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"I am humbled your Highness." Minister Han said.

"No need to be, I am as pleased with you and with the way that you handle your things, I am very happy to tell you this though, I respect you so much at this moment and I hope that you can consider what I am about to ask of you." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Please, I am but a servant of the state, most importantly, when it comes to titles and ranks you are my seniors, serving the Crown Prince is serving my country, this our heavenly Kingdom of Geosan." Minister Han said.

"Very well then, I didn't want to hide this from you given that you are like a father to me and I do understand that it may be a little bit too difficult.

This concerns you as much as it concerns me, and I have thought through it carefully and I speak in a sound mind." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Please proceed your Highness, your humble servant is here and listening." Minister Han said.

"It took me long enough and I noticed that at last Minister Han, not just as the Crown Prince of this country but also like another common human being.

I have fallen in love and it is with your youngest son, Han Seunghyeonjeong and I officially want to marry him and make him my concubine." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong replied.

Minister Han was surprised and the sooner that he heard those words he was utterly dumbfounded as the Crown Prince Gyeongjeong looked confidently at him.

It was getting harder to breathe and his heart started racing fast against time he had to tightly hold his chest and pull himself together as he sipped at a cup of tea in the hopes that it might relax him a little.

"Your Highness, you are giving me too much." Minister Han said.

"You deserve it Minister Han, you deserve to know about my true feelings towards your son." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said more confident than he had ever been in his life.

"Your Highness, I do not mean to be rude or offensive but may I inquire why of all the people in the kingdom, why is it that you are in love with my youngest son?" Minister Han asked.

"I trust you so much Minister Han and you in deed raised your son very well, he is just not charming and attractive, he takes after both you and Mrs. Han.

He has grown smart and intelligent and that is without a doubt, he is modest in the way that he handles himself.

He is not boastful and he is quite kind and dignified, loving and brave even in the most surprising ways, he is surrounded by a warm you can't help but feel Everytime you are around.

Additionally to that, he respects everyone including himself, passionate about what he does and lively, joyous that every one would be lucky to have him as there consort.

Tell me who wouldn't fall for such a person and be confident in them as a consort?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said with a smile.

He looked up at Minister Han and it was clear in his eyes that he was not ready to be rejected even at that point.

Nevertheless, Minister Han did not waver in his decision.

"Your Highness, you are in deed too kind but I am quite afraid that what you are asking of me is too much." Minister Han said.

He caught sight of the Crown Prince's cold stare, a symbol of his disappointment visible and readable that was eventually veiled by the Crown Prince's smile.

"Come on Minister Han, why do you have to refuse me?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Han Seunghyeonjeong is already sixteen years old and that is old enough for him to marry, yet at the same time consider being the concubine of the Crown Prince." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Please, don't use that word your Highness." Minister Han said.

"All factors considered, think about it, there isn't much of an age difference between the both of us, the Crown Princess is unable to give birth currently as the situation is.

Your son could mother the Royal dynasty and additionally I can protect him and give him all the care that a husband gives his wife.

I can give him all the love that he is worthy of and I could as well make you an influential man in the kingdom." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Please Your Royal Highness, do not make things any difficult for me than they already are." Minister Han said as he bowed his head.

"May be I am the one who is not getting it, how difficult is your life by Marrying into the Imperial family let alone the Crown Prince?" The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong asked.

"You may not be aware your Highness but what you are promising I can not at all be certain that you shall keep it.

Look at me an ordinary man that eats off the King's money as an official, I am kind and beloved by many of the people and that alone makes me resented among other officials.

You are aware that the Royal Clan as well resents me, not once or twice but many more times it has been that I have been suspected to have plans of usurping the throne.

Please tell me then what you would have done if you were in my place your Highness.

Age and my other sons not yet being married isn't an excuse, there are factors that are against this alliance you are trying to convince me into.

Not long ago there were rumours that circulated that the child that is descent of the Han clan would take the position of Queen.

That alone served as much a big obstacle in my struggle to prove myself less of an enemy of the state your Highness and let us suppose that you really marry my son, how many officials though unable to say it will oppose it and petition it to the King.

Forget about me but you know your father very well your Highness, can he ever agree to this alliance, not even in a mind that is not sound.

I might as well be framed for something else and then be executed along with the rest of my family and how exactly will I explain to my ancestors.

How can I begin to explain myself to all other people as they criticize me for having my son marry into the Royal family.

How can I begin to prove myself to the Royal Clan when they come against me because it is clear to the both of us that the Crown Prince must marry from a respectable family.

How long do you suppose it will take me to appear higher than other officials given that I am graced because my son is married to the Crown Prince.

You may not protect me then but can you assure me that you can protect my son from all those awful words.

Can you protect my joy and my happiness from the crude anger and the hatred of the Royal Clan or even your father, your Highness." Minister Han said.

The Crown Prince was keen listening to everything that Minister Han was saying that it occurred to him that he hadn't seen that far ahead.

Minister Han was in deed very right about everything that he had said that there would be much opposition to the marriage but he cared less.

"We can still find a way, who really cares about the opinion of the public and all the others, once I become King everything will change.

Such rumours will automatically be silenced as we both know it is unacceptable in our laws to speak I'll of the Royal family and the Royal concubines." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"That is easy for you to say your Highness but we can not possibly be in everyone's household to listen to whatever they say.

You can understand that it isn't easy for rumours concerning the Royal succession to die out all of a sudden.

Matters such as these can only be fueled until eventually everyone who is caught up in it is affected negatively.

Suppose you died without having children, my son would be murdered in cold blood as he will be seen as a great threat to the Crown.

I am trying to consider everything your Highness weighing the possible outcomes of this marriage and I'll be frank with you, I desire that all my children be excluded from the societal judgement.

I hope that you understand, this not only puts me in a tough position as an official but as a parent as well, even you as King, you might have people who will protect you but who will protect my son." Minister Han said.

"I will." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"We both know that it is not that easy your Highness and this might offend you but for every reason that I have mentioned I can not give you my son.

He is too young to consider loving someone else so I can't let him even if he loves you and even if it means me losing my head for offending you but not until I am certain that my son is in safe hands can I give him to anyone else in marriage.

If he insists on loving someone then I'll wait until he is eighteen years old to let them go and it must be someone I am certain will love him more than he loves himself." Minister Han said.

"Thank you for your sincerity." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said with a smile on his face as he stood up and bid Minister Han farewell.

"You shall reconsider this and I'll give you time to think about it." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said casually but for someone as intelligent as Minister Han he was aware that it was more of a threat.

Minister Han also stood and bowed his head.

"Your Highness." He said as the Crown Prince turned around to walk away.

The Crown Prince having exited the teahouse turned around and then looked at the magnificent structure slightly towering above him.

"Sangil." The Crown Prince called.

"Yes your Highness." Sangil replied.

"Tell your men to get ready and strike." The Crown Prince Gyeongjeong said.

"Yes your Highness." Sangil said.

"Perhaps I think that I shouldn't really be so easy going on him, they do not say no to me and we shall squeeze him until eventually he says yes to me.

He will even be pleading at the time he'll know exactly whom to say no to and of the both of us who the real senior is." The Crown Prince whispered.

He was confident as he turned around and walked away from the place.

Moments later, Minister Han stepped out with Jeonshik and he stared at the Crown Prince who was blending in with the crowd.

"What are we going to do your Excellency?" Jeonshik asked.

"I know how desperate the Crown Prince Gyeongjeong can be and he won't sit down and listen to my refusal.

There is a way out and I need to meet the King as soon as possible." Minister Han replied.

"Alright your Excellency." Jeonshik said.

"Let's go him first." Minister Han said as he walked with Jeonshik in the opposite direction.

"What?" King Gwangyang said as he rushed right in front of Soohyun.

"Yes your Majesty, the Crown Prince asked Minister Han for his son's hand in marriage today at the Sunshine teahouse." Soohyun said.

"Is he out of his mind?" King Gwangyang asked himself as he lowered himself down into his seat.

"I heard it personally and Minister Han however opposed the alliance." Soohyun said.

"Who is he to refuse the Crown Prince, he knows my son very well and I know my son very well as well.

We both know what extents the Crown Prince will go to to get what he wants and at this rate I must stop him before it is too late." King Gwangyang said.

"What should I do Your Majesty?" Soohyun asked.

"At this rate, it is important that we do not lose Minister Han to my son, eventually, my son is going to do his best to corner Minister Han and give him a hand at the expense of his son.

I need you to keep a close eye on Minister Han, he has his own personal army that is very experienced in fighting and it can protect him.

Find means of alerting both him and me on what my son's plans are so that he can stay ahead." King Gwangyang replied.

"Yes your Majesty." Soohyun said as he bowed his head and withdrew from the King's presence at once.

King Gwangyang was left there looking as Soohyun vanished out of his sight and Mr. Oh the Head eunuch walked in.

"Your Majesty." Mr. Oh said.

"I can barely hold on, my son's irresponsible actions keep on breaking me." King Gwangyang muttered as his eyes grew teary and he started to cough repeatedly.