89- To The End

"Good job, Gisa Ahn! Your last campaign is a huge success!" Wang Ki praised Uk while studied the report.

Uk nodded with respect. The man; in his army suits– on his right knee– facing the king with a brave heart. His unshaved face remained stoic beside the praise. It never soaked him to the extend that he was over proud to himself.

"I promise myself to do the best for this kingdom," said Uk in a calm tone.

"I can see that. Under your wing, the battalion is more organized, and our army has more to offer. New units; like observation unit and frontliner, they are really helpful in terms of restoring the security of this very kingdom," Wang Ki smiled, looking at Uk with a proud gesture on his face.

Uk lifted his head a bit, studying the face of the King. Behind those praises, he could sense something was bothering him.

"I can sense something else in your mind as well, jeonha mama..."

"As expected from a quick witty man like you..." Wang Ki chuckled. "I wonder why did you reject the proposal from the kingdom for gongju jaga."

I know eventually we will drag to this point!

Uk sighed a bit but not too rudely loud. "The kingdom is my priority now. Besides, gongju jaga and Governor Sun An, they are match made in Heaven. Gongju truly loves him. I don't want to betray my friend."

The word betray halted him mid sentences. It cut deep into his heart, leaving an invisible wound that only him knew and feel.

"You serve the kingdom well. At least, let us reward you. If you refused gongju jaga, we can recommend you another royalty members to be your spouse–"

"A man like me has no future in love, jeonha mama. No one wants to marry a man only to lose him in a short period of time," Uk smiled politely at Wang Ki. The King finally laughed a bit, watching a stone heart man like Uk rejecting his recommendation felt like a funny skit to enjoy.

"Let me know if you have someone in your mind..." said Wang Ki. "You're in your age where you have to start a family. I'm concerned, not only as your Wang. But, I already see you as my son."

The conversations suddenly felt gloomy. Uk nodded faintly, feeling the burden inside him. He was grateful for the care, but at the same time, he felt guilty, knowing that dream will never gonna happen. Not only he couldn't love a woman anymore, his love was someone who he couldn't even reach.

Like a fish upon a sky.

***

Uk walked out of the Emerald Dragon with a huge sigh. He stroll along the wide space alone, with puzzling mind. Looking at the spring weather, he reminisce his journey for the past two years. His first intention to retire was the only starter for all the journey to the path that he walked on now.

It's bitter yet sweet.

"Gisa Ahn!" A royal guard's sudden appearance made him back on his feet. The man handed him a piece of paper. It looked quite an urgent. After a brief read, Uk frowned and marched faster towards the main gate.

***

"I'm glad that you're here, Uk!" Soo Young ran quickly whilst Uk entered the Red Ruby premise. The man bowed a bit before her, but instead of replying to Uk, Soo Young grabbed his hand and dragged the man inside.

"Seja... His illness probably comes back. He can't sleep last night; struggle with the pain," said Soo Young. Her voice was full in concern.

"Can you do anything about it?" asked Uk.

"I did what I could. With my condition, it didn't help much as well. I'm almost reach my third trimester, so I always feel tired," Soo Young replied. "If things get worst, we have to bring him back to China."

Uk's chest felt stuffy. Knowing that Min Jun might be in danger, he couldn't help but worry.

"He asked for you last night. I don't know if it's his last wish or what. But, at least, for the last time, you two should meet. I can't guarantee his condition. And I don't want to bear a guilt for not fulfill his wish," Soo Young shed some tears.

Uk sighed. He stared at the door of the private house where Min Jun resided. Ever since he became Seja, he never stepped his foot at The Sapphire. He spent his time at The Red Ruby, taking Uk's old quarters as his new residence.

"Manora, I don't think it's proper for me to visit jeoha mama for now–"

"Why? Is it wrong for a bodyguard to visit his former master?" Soo Young inquired. Uk hang his head low, taking aback by the question.

"Manora jaga... I believe everyone in the Red Ruby knew what we were before he marries you. I can't bring myself looking at him after what happened," Uk replied softly. "Besides, I wanna protect both of you from devil's eyes. Now you two are the most important people for the kingdom, we should avoid any hearsay."

"I know, deep down inside, that's not true," Soo Young gave away a smile. "Maybe the reputation part is somehow indeed, but the rest is just a lame reason. I know you're mad at him. Mad at both of us," Soo Young looked serious. Her firm stance made Uk froze on his feet.

"I–"

"It's not fair when you're angry without a reason. You should at least let jeoha mama explain the side of his story," said Soo Young. "To be honest, I too, have no idea what truly happened to him. I only know some part of it, and the reason why he took the responsibility on me. But, I'm not in a spot where I need to explain everything. It has to be him," the newly appointed Crown Princess gave away her words.

Uk took a deep breath. He looked at Soo Young. Her sincere voice made his heart melted a bit. Silently, he did blamed himself for not open up his heart and clear up things between him and Min Jun.

"Talk to him. Please... If you can't do it for him, at least, do it for me?" Soo Young plead to Uk for the last time. This was the last straw, the last method for her to let these two men that she loved the most to clear up things between them.

"Fine. I'll go and meet him..." said Uk. Soo Young finally smiled as she pushed the man towards the house. After Uk entered through the door, she asked the guards to leave the house so the two can talk privately.

I hope, things will get better between them!

***

The room was empty. The warmth form the Sun through the window made the room felt cozy. Uk was roaming around, looking at the empty wall. The bed remained the same, just how he left it before. They only changed the bed sheet.

He walked closer to a table. Next to it was his pottery wheel. Min Jun kept it inside instead of leaving it at the common area. The wheel still in a good shape; well taken care of– perhaps by Min Jun or the court maids– even the wheel was shining brightly than before.

Uk choked a bit when he saw a line of cups at a simple shelf at the wall. From the crooked, until the most perfect shape. Min Jun kept practicing, spending his time with these, maybe.

Slowly, Uk's eyes caught a piece of paper on the top of the table. He took a glance of it.

It's a marriage certificate. The same one that Min Jun showed to everyone during the interrogation scene.

But, the name is different this time.

It's not Min Jun's name written as a groom. But, it was Ki Dan.

Dan. Min Jun's deceased cousin.

"So, you finally here... Sobangnim...."