Chapter 2: Journey to the Palace

In the adjacent room, Yoongi was busily packing his possessions. The room was filled with the rustling of clothes and the soft murmur of his sisters' voices. Minhee carefully folded a stack of freshly laundered shirts, her hands deft and practiced.

"You must remember to take your favorite quills," she advised, placing a bundle of finely crafted writing instruments into his bag. "The palace is grand, but it is important to have familiar things with you." Yoongi nodded, appreciating her thoughtful words. He glanced around the room, ensuring he hadn't forgotten anything important. His mind buzzed with anticipation and a touch of nervousness at the thought of leaving the only home he had ever known.

Hana, the ever-pragmatic middle sister, was meticulously organizing his books and parchment. "These should be more than enough for your lessons," she said, arranging them in neat stacks. "Make sure to write to us often, and do not hesitate to ask if you need anything." Her voice was steady, but Yoongi could sense the underlying concern in her tone. 

As he placed the last of his clothing into the bag, he paused to look at his sisters, their familiar faces bringing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of packing. "I will miss your faces everyday," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine emotion. Minhee and Hana exchanged a glance, then enveloped him in a warm embrace.

"We will miss you too, Yoongi," Minhee whispered. "Do not forget us."

"Minhee, you are speaking as if we would never see him again" Hana chuckles, but the laugh hid away her hurt for seeing her little brother leave. "The King said that he could return home whenever he wishes" she says, pulling away from their group hug.

"I know, I know" Minhee sing-songs. "Still. I will miss being annoyed by you each day."

Yoongi laughs. "Sometimes you are confusing."

"Well, what could I say? I get it from mother" Minhee says, making all three of them laugh in unison.

Suddenly, their mother quietly entered the room, her presence instantly noticed by the trio. She stood for a moment, watching them with a mix of pride and melancholy before softly clearing her throat. "Minhee, Hana," she said gently, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency, "the King has finished his tea. Please go and attend to him." 

The sisters exchanged a quick glance, nodding in unison as they rose to their feet. With a final, reassuring smile at Yoongi, they slipped past their mother and made their way back to the main room, their footsteps echoing softly down the hall. Alone with her son, Yoongi's mother took a deep breath, her composed facade beginning to waver. She approached him slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "My dear Yoongi," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "it feels like just yesterday you were a small boy running around the bakery, and now you are leaving for the palace." She reached out, her hands tenderly cupping his face, her thumb gently brushing against his cheek. "My heart aches at the thought of you being so far away." Tears now freely flowed down her cheeks as she pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him as if she could imprint this moment into her memory forever.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself and remember to stay true to who you are," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. Yoongi hugged her back just as tightly, feeling the weight of his mother's love and the bittersweetness of the impending farewell.

"I promise" Yoongi croaks out, feeling emotional at his mother's break down. "I will come back soon."

But then his mother pulled slowly away with teary eyes and a sad smile. "No, you will not."

"Why would you say that, mother?"

"Because," she starts, rubbing his shoulders. "Once you get a glimpse of the outside world, you would never want to return." She made her word final, giving her son a kiss on his cheek before he could answer her.

Yoongi watched as his mother slowly exited the room, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway light. The door closed gently behind her, leaving him in a quiet, contemplative silence. He turned to survey the familiar surroundings of his shared bedroom with Hana, his eyes lingering on the simple yet cherished details: the neatly arranged futons on the floor where he and Hana slept, the small desk cluttered with parchment and quills, and the window that offered a view of the bustling village outside. 

The room was filled with memories of late-night study sessions, whispered secrets, and shared dreams. A pang of nostalgia washed over him as he realized how much he would miss this space, the comfort of home, and the presence of his beloved family.

Gathering his possessions with a deep breath, Yoongi felt the weight of the moment settling upon him. He then checks his sturdy cloth bag, ensuring he had everything he needed for the journey ahead. With one last glance around his room, he stepped out into the hallway and made his way towards the living room. As he entered, he saw his family standing together, their faces a mix of pride and sadness. King Jeongguk and his guards were there, the royal presence adding an air of solemnity to the occasion. The guards, clad in their immaculate uniforms, stood at attention, while Jeongguk offered Yoongi a warm, encouraging smile. 

The King's intense gaze held a mixture of curiosity and something deeper, something that made Yoongi's heart race. He felt a strange, almost magnetic pull in those dark eyes, as if the King could see straight into his soul. A flush of heat crept up Yoongi's neck and spread across his cheeks, and he quickly averted his eyes, feeling both exposed and inexplicably drawn to the monarch.

The King then nodded towards his guards, and at once they took Yoongi's bags from his hold. "My guards will put them in the carriage for you" came the deep voice of the King. "I will wait outside, and let you say your final goodbyes" he says, and at once, Yoongi's family bowed lowly for their King, a sign of 'Thank you'. And with that, King Jeongguk offered him a final, lingering look before nodding slightly and stepping outside to wait in his carriage. Yoongi took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart, the King's gaze still burning in his memory. The moment was brief, but it left a lasting impression, a mixture of awe and an unsettling sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.

It was Hana who hugged him first. "Remember what I said to write to us often" she says, hugging him rather tightly, that Yoongi had to signal behind her back to ask one of his family members to save him.

Minhee was the one to pry Hana's hold from him. "Enough, enough" she chuckles. "I packed many bread and cakes for you. It will last for some time."

"Thank you" Yoongi beams, bringing his older sister into a final embrace.

Next, was Yoongi's mother who brought her baby into a more tighter embrace that what Hana has already given him. "A mother's heart yearns more for her only son" she says sadly, patting her wet cheeks. Yoongi's chin wobbles by her words. "To be loved is to be known" she whispers softly so that only he could hear.

Yoongi gave his mother a questioning look, but she said nothing. She only gave him an encouraging smile, as if she knows what his fate is to be in the future. A part of Yoongi knows that there will be more to what he is to do. Deep inside, he somehow knew that the King not only needs him to be a tutor, and by the look on his mother's face, it gave Yoongi the impression that she knew as well. He knew then, that this might be the last time they ever see each other.

So, tearing his weeping face from his mother, he looks up to his father, who already watched his son with tears in his eyes. Yoongi approached his father, feeling a lump form in his throat. He bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the ground, as a sign of profound respect and gratitude.

His father, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, reached out and gently placed a hand on Yoongi's shoulder as he rose from the bow. "Go forth with courage and integrity. Remember, no matter how far you go, this will always be your home." They embraced tightly, a silent exchange of love and understanding passing between them. As they pulled apart, Yoongi's father gave him a firm nod, a final gesture of encouragement and farewell.

Yoongi then took a deep breath and stepped out of the house. His family lined up outside, their expressions full of sadness. Minhee and Hana stood beside their parents, both of them with tears streaming down their faces.

At the edge of the yard stood King Jeongguk, holding the reins of a magnificent horse he had ridden into the village. The horse, a noble creature with a sleek, ebony coat, stood calmly by the King's side. As Yoongi approached, the King turned to his family. "As a token of my gratitude and respect, I offer you my own horse," Jeongguk announced, handing the reins to Yoongi's father.

His family gasped in surprise and bowed even lower, overwhelmed by the royal gift. Yoongi felt a mixture of awe and humility as he took one last look at his family, knowing this moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. "G-Goodbye" he says. 

With a final, heartfelt bow to his parents and siblings, he turned to join the King in the carriage, ready to embark on his journey to the palace. Yoongi settled into the plush seat of the royal carriage beside King Jeongguk, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension as the carriage began its journey towards the palace. Outside, the King's guards rode ahead, leading the way through winding paths that stretched across the picturesque landscape of ancient Korea.

As they departed from the village, Yoongi turned to look back one last time, catching sight of his family and neighbors gathered along the road. With a wave of his hand, he bid farewell to the familiar faces who had watched him grow up, their expressions a blend of pride and fondness.

Now with his family nowhere in sight, he sat back into his seat beside the King comfortably, but could not help but move further away from the King, scared that the proximity of them would upset him. "The journey to the palace will be long, so I will understand if you fall asleep along the way" the King says with amusement in his voice.

Yoongi offered a small, shy smile, and hesitated to answer the King. "I will stay wake."

Jeongguk then regarded the look on the boy's face and nodded shortly, looking out of his side of the carriage, all while clenching and unclenching his fists.

"C-Could I ask Your Grace a few questions?" Yoongi questions.

"Go ahead" the King nods, looking down to the younger boy beside him. The village slowly faded into the distance, replaced by rolling hills adorned with blooming cherry blossoms and tranquil rivers reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun

"What is your cousin like?" Yoongi hums.

"Well, Taehyung is very...outgoing," the King thinks about what more he could say. "He is currently is Suwon, he is visiting his family and a long time friend of his. He loves dueling, but the boy hates having to attend lessons. He is to know everything about the history of our country, politics, and more, but he is too lazy to learn anything. That is why I need you."

"How could I be any different from his past teachers?"

"Teaching is mostly a woman's job" says the King. "And Taehyung always seem to become bored by the old women I employed to teach him. He is not surrounded by anyone of his age in the palace, so he mostly needs a friend" by the last line, the King made intense eye contact with Yoongi, which made the younger turn his head away with a deep blush.

"After today, are you still going to be in search for a wife?" Yoongi asks, looking back to the handsome King who had a frown on his face.

"No," he starts. "Marriage is only to happen to produce the next heir to the throne. I am only two tens and nine, though. I have ample enough time to search for a wife in future, but now, I have already searched for someone for quite a long time. So for now, I am putting pause to it. It is, after all what my advisors want" Jeongguk gulps. "It is not what I want" he whispers the last part with a tone which meant way more beyond than what he said, and Yoongi noticed it. So instead of questioning him further about the matter, he decides to change it by reaching for one of his bags before him and carefully retrieved a small parcel wrapped in cloth.

"My sister has packed cake for me" The aroma of fresh vanilla filled the carriage as Yoongi offers one of them to the King. Jeongguk accepted the gift with a smile of appreciation. Each cake was perfectly baked, their golden tops dusted lightly with powdered sugar. "They are a specialty of our family bakery."

"A pleasure to have one of them" Jeongguk smiles, taking a bite of the sweet cake. Seeing the satisfied look on the King's face, Yoongi too, took a cake for himself and ate it quietly, looking outside into the scenery ahead.

The journey promised to be long, spanning from morning till nightfall, as they ventured deeper into the heart of the countryside where the palace, nestled between majestic mountains and serene rivers, awaited their arrival. As they traveled, King Jeongguk shared stories of ancient legends and royal customs, his voice carrying a sense of reverence for the land they traversed and the kingdom he ruled.

"What is it all you can teach?" asked the King, having another small cake, enjoying the sweetness. 

Yoongi thinks for a moment. From the age of five, he had began to read, since his mother taught him, and noticing Yoongi's love for it, his mother bout her son many books that he soon got to learn and cherish. Along the way, he has taught himself mathematics and science (which his family do not understand at all), which includes astronomy and herbal medicine. He one day came across a book explaining the Art of Ethics and Philosophy, and immediately found it interesting, and that is one of the books in which he has in one of his bags.

"I teach Literature and Poetry, Calligraphy, History and Culture, Mathematics and Science, Politics, and now, I am currently still learning about Ethics and Philosophy, but I think I am far enough into my studies to teach it" Yoongi lists off on his fingers, beaming brightly right after.

The King looked at the boy with widened eyes. "That is...much" he chuckles. "I am impressed, truly."

Yoongi blushes. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I was never taught Mathematics, simply because numbers numb my brain." Yoongi giggles softly at the crooked-eyes face the King does.

"Would you like me to explain it to you?" Yoongi asks sweetly.

"Yes, please," Jeongguk muses. If he was being honest with himself, then he would have told the boy to not stop talking, simply because he loves the sound of Yoongi's voice.

Pleased with himself, Yoongi set aside the parcel of cakes, and reaches into his bag for his equipment. With parchment and a bamboo brush in hand, he began, "Your Majesty, mathematics is the foundation of order and precision. It allows us to measure and understand the world around us." He drew symbols and diagrams on the parchment as he spoke, illustrating addition with pebbles arranged in rows. "Adding two pebbles to three gives us five," Yoongi explained, gesturing to the arrangement.

The King observed with interest, leaning forward slightly. "So, with these numbers, we can calculate quantities accurately?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"Yes," Yoongi replied, nodding. "And multiplication helps us understand how quantities grow or shrink when combined or divided." He continued, sketching diagrams to demonstrate the concept of multiplication using examples from daily life in the palace.

The King followed along attentively, occasionally interjecting with questions about specific calculations and scenarios. "And how would we apply these principles to agricultural planning?" he inquired, prompting Yoongi to delve into practical applications of mathematics in managing resources and planning harvests.

As the lesson progressed, Yoongi continued. "Beyond basic arithmetic lies the realm of geometry and algebra, disciplines that unlock new dimensions of understanding." With a graceful sweep of his brush, he sketched geometric shapes on the parchment, explaining angles, lines, and the properties of triangles and circles. "Geometry helps us measure land and construct buildings with precision," Yoongi continued, illustrating how ancient Korean architects used geometric principles to design palaces and fortifications. "It's a language of shapes and space, allowing us to visualize and create."

"And what of algebra?" asks the King.

"Algebra is the solving of equations and understanding patterns." He wrote equations on the parchment, demonstrating how variables could represent unknown quantities and how algebraic expressions could model real-world problems. "It empowers us to predict outcomes and find solutions to complex challenges," Yoongi added, drawing connections between algebra and practical applications in trade, astronomy, and navigation.

All the while Yoongi spoke of it, the King listened whole-heartedly. He might not have understood everything the boy was telling him, but he loved seeing the excitement on the boy's face whenever he would draw, explain, and solve equations.

As time past, the carriage rumbled along the dusty road towards the palace, the midday sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape. The journey had been steady and uneventful thus far, the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves punctuating the otherwise peaceful ambiance. Soon, however, the familiar routine of travel necessitated a brief halt. With a practiced efficiency born of many such journeys, the carriage came to a stop at a secluded spot beside a winding stream.

Yoongi, King Jeongguk, and their guards disembarked, each taking a moment to stretch their limbs and relieve themselves by the tranquil waters. The guards maintained a vigilant watch, their uniforms gleaming in the sunlight as they scanned the surroundings for any potential threats. Meanwhile, Yoongi and the King exchanged light conversation, discussing the scenery they had passed and the landmarks yet to come.

The break was brief yet refreshing, providing a momentary respite from the rigors of travel. So, they continued the journey soon after, and when it neared nightfall, Yoongi was curled up in his side of the carriage, fast asleep.

The carriage rolled through the darkness, the ancient Korean palace emerged like a spectral vision amidst the shadows of the mountains. The moonlight cast a silvery glow upon the tiled roofs and intricate wooden eaves of the palace, lending an ethereal quality to its traditional architecture. Lanterns flickered softly along the pathways, their warm light casting dancing shadows on the stone bridges and reflecting gently in the still waters of the surrounding lotus ponds where koi fish glided gracefully through the water. 

The palace grounds were enveloped in a serene hush, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant call of a night bird. Tall pine trees stood sentinel around the perimeter, their branches reaching upwards towards the star-studded sky. Stone statues of ancient gods and mythical creatures adorned the gardens, their features softened by the veil of night.

As the carriage approached the palace gates, guarded by silent sentinels and ancient stone lanterns, the air carried a sense of timelessness and reverence. The soft murmur of a nearby river added to the tranquil atmosphere, its waters reflecting the moon's shimmering light like liquid silver. The palace itself, with its sprawling layout and intricate courtyards, seemed to hold centuries of history within its walls, each stone and pillar whispering tales of dynasties past.

Within the carriage, Yoongi stirred from his slumber, awakening to the sight of the palace bathed in moonlight. The grandeur and ancient beauty of the place left him awestruck, a sense of anticipation and wonder filling his heart as he prepared to embark on this new chapter of his life within the storied halls of the palace nestled among mountains, trees, and rivers under the veil of night.

The King then exited the carriage when it came to an abrupt stop, and all his guards bowed for their monarch. 

The carriage was opened for the younger boy, where a hand reached out for him to take, and soon saw that it was one of the guards. Yoongi accepts his hand politely and steps out of the carriage, looking up in aware to the beauty and history that awaits him.

The King then came to stand before the boy, and it made Yoongi nervous, wondering what will happen next. 

"Welcome to Gyeongwon Palace, Yoongi" says the King, and gestures to the scenery around him. "My guards will guide you to your new living quarters, and will get you settled. Soon, you will join me for dinner" and with a final piercing look, the King turns to enter his castle with two guards following him, leaving the boy all alone.

Yoongi then turns his head to make eye contact with the guard that offered his hand to help him just moments ago, and felt relieved when he smiled politely to Yoongi. So with a bow, Yoongi then follows the guard into the palace to where he will now live, signaling the start of Yoongi's new life.