88- It's Over

The main compound of the Emerald Dragon was flooded by people. All of the dead bodies were gather in the middle of it. The royal family– already changed in black and white attire– standing still at the front entrance of the castle.

"Let's settle them first before we conduct the funeral for your brother, his wife and your cousin," said Wang Ki. "Soo Young, can you handle it?"

The lady blink her eyes and looked at Min Jun.

"The royal council will guide you. Don't worry..." the prince gave an assurance. "Besides, you need a proper burial for your husband..." he whispered softly at her.

"Certainly, jeonha mama..." Soo Young nods. "I'll do my best."

"Good. This is your first task as the new manora."

Upon hearing that from Wang Ki, her heart sunk. She glared at Uk; the man was busy with the arrangement of the funeral for those dead armies. Then, her eyes lay upon Min Jun. He was attentively checking on Uk.

"Gisa Ahn..." Wang Ki called Uk from afar. The man walked towards them with a slightly gloomy face, especially when he saw Soo Young, standing next to Min Jun.

"Jeonha mama..." he bow in respect.

"How did Saturn died?" the king asked.

"He killed himself while trying to escape from us. I think, they already know this coup was a bad idea," Uk replied to Wang Ki politely.

"I can't believe the Southern will betrayed us. The bond between these two countries were already exists since we ended the war. I thought, revenge is already die. Turns out, it's a flame that we can't put it off," said Wang Ki.

"Betrayal is the most painful experience to forget, jeonha mama. The pain will lingers. Even when it's over, there's a scar left to be remembered," Uk murmured softly, as he landed his sight at Min Jun. The prince got the message, loud and clear.

"Let's end this, the sooner, the better. I'm glad it's over so we can move on faster..." Wang Ki sighed in relief.

Uk bow and dismissed himself from the royal family. Min Jun could only watched his boyfriend disappeared before his eyes with a heavy heart.

***

Two weeks had passed. Now, the whole kingdom is alive again. Everyone was busy with their life. Asura and Indra were granted a higher post in the army; both were appointed as a leader for infiltrate unit and observation unit. Sun An saved the kingdom once again, and for that, he was granted a huge sum of money for the development of his town.

Soo Young carefully packed her bag. She chose only the thick clothes with her. As she packed her boots, Soo Young appeared at the front door with a smile on her face.

"Are you ready, gongju-nim?" she asked. A court maid quickly handed her a chair to sit.

"Yes. The more I think about it, the happier I get..." Myung Yu smiled while checking on herself in the mirror. Her face was radiant in happiness; and aura of a future bride visible clearly in her.

"Governor Sun An is a nice man. Hardworking and charismatic. Not to mention, a good looking person as well!" Soo Young teased her sister in law a bit.

"Orabeonim will get jealous, manora..."

"He's not into me to that extend..." Soo Young replied to Myung Yu with no hesitation. Soo Young could feel the change in the current of the air. She dismissed her court maids at once.

"Manora, does jeoha treats you bad?" asked Myung Yu.

Soo Young smiled and shook her head faintly. "He's a nice man. And, really took his promise seriously," she paused a bit. "But we both know where his heart leans to, gongju."

They fell in silence. Both of them sigh as they stare at the blank space.

"Gisa Ahn never stops by at The Red Ruby?" asked Myung Yu.

Soo Young shook her head. "He kept getting deployed almost all the time; receiving a lot of on-field mission rather than stay in the kingdom. I think, that's his coping mechanism. I mean, who's gonna stay and watch his lover walking around with his wife."

"This silence between them is killing me..."

"Us. It's killing everyone who knows about them. Not only you," said Soo Young, which was indeed true.

The murky situation between Uk and Min Jun affected almost everyone. Their relationship is not a secret among The Red Ruby personnels, so it was sad to see them slowly drifting apart. The most tragic part was they couldn't do anything about it. The relationship was a discreet business, something that they couldn't discuss in open air. Furthermore, Min Jun's status as the Crown Prince made him vulnerable, and they need to be careful about their action.

"I can't sit down and wait. We have to do something about them. At least, they have to clear the air between them," said Myung Yu. She showed her relentless with her eyes.

Soo Young took a time to think. She stared at an empty space in front of her. "I think, I'll step up my game," she said. "If Gisa Ahn refuses, I'll take out my wild card."

"What do you mean?" Myung Yu frowned in curiosity.

"Gisa Ahn has a stone heart. But, his weakness is the one and only our lovely jeoha mama. I'll use that, for our own good..." Soo Young grinned as she glanced playfully at Myung Yu.

Slowly, the princess showcased her teeth.

***

Cherry blossom danced with the wind. The flowers in pink fell onto the ground, lifeless. The spring is coming, a season of love. It used to be romantic, at least for him. But, now, with this uncertainty, he felt lost.

"Jeoha..." a voice from behind made his head turned. Soo Young, in pale red hanbok was standing not far from him, looking deep into his eyes. Min Jun smiled bitterly.

"It's cold. You should wear a coat..."

"I don't feel like it. Besides, it's hot. My body is changing since I got pregnant," Soo Young rubbed her huge belly. She's in her third trimester, and might deliver in anytime soon.

"At least cover your neck. You gonna get stiffed later..." said Min Jun. He tuck the collar properly while looking at Soo Young.

"I feel weird, tho!" Soo Young pout.

"Why?" asked Min Jun.

"Those maids... They said we're a lovely couple. How could that possible?" she chuckled as her hand softly patted Min Jun's shoulder.

"Maybe the act looks real now?" Min Jun frowned and wondered. Soo Young sneered as she almost smacked him on his head.

"Shi– there's no way it looks real! Did you realize the way you look at me?" Soo Young asked. Min Jun lifted his shoulder, acting clueless.

"Your eyes, they are sparkling. Just how a mother adores her daughter. There's love, yes, but it feels like a family love instead of true love," Soo Young said. She smiles faintly at Min Jun, acknowledging his feelings so well.

"Jeoha mama, you can lie to the whole world. But, you can't lie to me and yourself. I know there's no way you will love me as much as you love Gisa Ahn..."

Smile dispersed from Min Jun upon hearing the name. He hung his head low, trying to control his emotion.

"I love him. But, I don't think he will ever forgive me for what I did–"

"What did you do?" Soo Young tilted her head and her sharp gaze pierced into his eyes. "You tried to save everyone. That's what you did. There's nothing wrong with that!"

Min Jun sighed. He nodded, but then a strain of sadness visible on his face.

"He... Stray away..."

"Have you ever explain to him about us?" Min Jun shook his head. "Just as I thought! You're definitely the most stupid man I ever met!" Soo Young gushed as she, again, slapped Min Jun on his back.

"I could ask anyone to come and cut your hand for smacking me. I am your Seja." Min Jun portrayed his dissatisfaction with his straight face.

"I don't care if I'm going to die, but at least let me see you and Gisa Ahn patch up," Soo Young's reply made Min Jun went bitter again.

"Soo Young, do you think... Gisa Ahn... Still..?"

"He loves you. Or else, he won't get mad til this extend, jeoha mama. He might feel sad, and confused. And your silence makes things even worst," Soo Young sighed.

"What should I do? I can't face him, and he refuses to see me..."

"Leave that to me. I'll handle it. Just trust me," Soo Young flashed a wide grin.