A Secret To Keep

The two men then glanced at the couple's travel companions. A disheveled middle-aged man is driving a carriage filled with what they think are their possessions. They also noticed a woman about the same age as the man, wearing old, worn-out clothes. "Are they with you, young master?" Uncle Ban asked the prince. He looked at the man again and sensed a familiarity with him, though he wore a commoner's clothes. Uncle Ban thought that he had an aura of authority within him.

"Yes, they are, please take their carriage, we need to see grandfather immediately, this is important," Young-Sik urged them

"Of course, young master," Uncle Ra-Im answered. "He is currently having his meal, right this way, please." Uncle Ban took the reins from Min-Jae. He and his family exited the carriage and followed Uncle Ra-Im into the main house. Uncle Ban directed the horse inside the property before closing the gates.

The group went to the receiving area of the big house, waiting for Grandfather Jang. Young-Ju's eyes sparkled at the wonderful and big house she was in, she had never seen a house as big as this before. Her gaze wandered the interior, looking at all the beautiful and expensive paintings, statues, and decorations. "Wow, this place is so big." She then turned to her mother, who was cradling her in her lap, "Mama, is this a palace?"

Playfully pinching the child's nose, Ha-Rin replied, "This is just a house, my dear, palaces are bigger," she explained to her daughter

"Really? This is just a house? Who lives in a big house like this?" She asked her mother

Young-Sik took the young child from her mother and lifted her with his arms. "Your grandfather lives here," the prince told his niece.

"Whose grandfather lives here?" a voice asked. The group turned their attention to the door and saw an old man shuffling slowly towards them.

Ha-Rin quickly stood up and walked to Min-Jae's side, holding onto his arm. Jin-Ri promptly got up from her seat and went to the old man to help him walk. "How have you been, Grandfather?" she asked the old man, holding on to her left arm to support him.

Grandfather Jang glanced at Jin-Ri and with a warm smile answered, "I have been fine, my dear, thank you for asking." He then scanned the room, and when he saw the young girl, he could not resist but asked, "And who might this beautiful young lady be?"

Young-Sik, with Young-Ju in his arms, approached the old man. "Grandfather, I would like you to meet Princess Park Young-Ju, your great-granddaughter," he happily declared

The old man's face lit up with glee upon hearing the news. "My word... is she really? Did you adopt her?" the old man asked. He then stretched out his arms as if to carry the little girl. "May I?"

Young-Sik transferred the little girl to his grandfather, who suddenly seemed to have the strength to carry a six-year-old girl. Young-Ju was a little apprehensive about the old man carrying her. "Do you know me, young lady?"

Young-Ju, with lips tightly closed, shook her head vigorously. The old man just smiled at the little girl,l "I am now your great-grandfather after my grandson adopted you."

Young-Ju tilted her head in confusion. "But I'm not adopted," she declared with her cute little voice. "I'm their daughter," she said while pointing at Min-Jae and Ha-Rin

As Grandfather Jang caught sight of Min-Jae, a wave of familiarity washed over him. He carefully set Young-Ju down and took deliberate steps toward her parents, his gaze fixed on Min-Jae, examining every detail of the man before him. When their eyes finally locked, tears streamed down Grandfather Jang's face as he realized the truth—those eyes belonged to his beloved grandson. "Seo-Joon? Is that you?" he asked, his voice quivering with emotion.

Min-Jae's heart swelled as he replied softly, "Grandfather."

As soon as the old man heard Min-Jae's familiar voice, tears streamed down his face, and he pulled his long-lost grandson into a tight embrace. "My dear boy, where have you been all this time? I've missed you more than words can say. I was overjoyed when your brother made it back from the war, but now that you're here..." Grandfather Jang's words trailed off, overwhelmed with emotion, as he hugged his eldest grandson. Feeling grateful to Young-Sik for bringing back Min-Jae, he opened his arms wide for Young-Sik, who stepped forward to share in the heartfelt moment.

Jin-Ri and Ha-Rin stood nearby, unable to hold back their tears as they watched this beautiful reunion of a family once separated by hardship.

The family was later gathered around a large table with Grandfather Jang seated at the head. Min-Jae and his family were seated on the right side, and Young-Sik and Jin-Ri sat on the old man's left side. Min-Jae recounts the tale of how he miraculously survived, how Ha-Rin rescued him, how they lived their lives all those years, and how he regained his memories. The old man looked at Young-Sik and Min-Jae. "The two of you have made wise choices in hiding the truth from the King. I intend to keep it that way," he said to Min-Jae.

Min-Jae glanced at Young-Sik, who remained silent. He could sense his younger brother's disapproval. Young-Sik said, "We still don't know how he will react..."

But before he could finish his sentence, Grandfather Jang cut him off "You are right Young-Sik we don't know, that is the reason that it must be kept hidden" He looked back at Min-Jae "I think it would be wise if we set aside your real name, I will make you my right hand and you and your wife will manage our business"

Everyone nodded in agreement to Grandfather Jang's plans. The old man then glanced at his great-granddaughter. "And as for you, my sweet little princess, if your father and mother would agree, I think this would be the best time for you to start homeschooling."

Ha-Rin looked at Min-Jae, who just nodded. After getting her husband's approval, she spoke, "That would be beautiful, Grandfather. We always worry that she will not have a proper education. We don't want our daughter to live on the run. We wish her a normal childhood."

The old man smiled at the couple's approval. He then looked at the prince, "Young-Sik, would you let Ban and Ra-Im in?" Young-Sik nodded, stood from his seat, and exited the room. After a while, he came back with the two old men. "Young-Sik, you and Jin-Ri make sure that no one else is listening to this conversation."

Jin-Ri quickly stood up. "Don't worry, grandfather, we will make sure no one else will hear what goes on inside this room." She and Young-Sik exited the room, making sure that no one was within earshot of the room.

"Ban, Ra-Im, please sit." The two men took their seats and listened to Grandfather Jang. "You two have my utmost trust. I have sheltered both of you since you were children. Now I must ask for something in return."

"My life is yours, my master," Ban replied humbly to the old man

"And so is my life," Ra-Im declared, "We won't be alive today if it wasn't for you, Master Jang."

"What I am about to tell you must not leave this room; no one can know outside the family. For the safety of others, they must not know. Do the two of you understand?" His voice mirrored the urgency of the moment

"As the two of you know, a miracle happened when my grandson, the prince, returned to us," He started. The old man stood up and slowly walked to Min-Jae's sid.e "Now we have received another miracle." he said as he held on to Min-Jae's shoulders

The two men were initially confused by what Grandfather Jang meant. They stared at Min-Jae, who stared back at them. When Min-Jae thought the two could no longer recognize him, he stood up, went to the two men, and spoke "Uncle Ban, I remember the time I fell off a horse and you picked me up and ran to the physician, carrying me in your arms" He then shifted his gaze at Ra-Im "Uncle, I still remember the pork stew recipe that you thought me"

The two men's eyes widened in surprise when they finally recognized Min-Jae's true identity, "Master Seo-Joon? Is that really you?" They stood up from their chairs and embraced their master's grandson. Crying, they said, "Thank the stars you are alive. Where have you been all these years?" They asked Min-Jae

Min-Jae pointed to Ha-Rin, who was cradling Young-Ju, who had fallen asleep in her arms. "Raising a family," he replied, "She is Ha-Rin, my wife, and the child is our daughter."

"My word! The true King has returned to us, and he brought us an heir to the throne. Ra-Im expressed his joy and surprise

"That is why his true identity must be a tightly guarded secret. He will go as Park Min-Jae and be my right-hand. I will hand over all control of the daily business and activities of the estate to the two of them," He told the two men

"Do not worry, Master Jang, Master Min-Jae," Ban said, looking at their old master and Min-Jae, assuring them both, "We will support him and take this secret to our graves." The old man smiled as he patted both men on their shoulders.

Early the next day, Young-Sik and Jin-Ri were seen off by Grandfather Jang and the two uncles. "Are you sure you don't want to spend a few more days resting?" the old man asked the prince

"I am needed by the King back in the capital, they also need to know what the Guiong Emperor tried to do," He replied to his grandfather. The prince looked around, trying to look for someone

"If you're looking for me, you need to turn around," A voice from behind the prince said

As Young-Sik and Jin-Ri turned, they spotted Min-Jae and his family standing there, wishing them a safe trip. Min-Jae had cleaned up his look, shaving off his wild mustache and beard, and his hair was neatly styled in a top knot. He was adorned with some fresh, clean clothes. Ha-Rin exuded a lovely motherly elegance, and Young-Ju looked like a true princess in her peach and green ensemble.

Young-Sik breathed a sigh of joy, observing the return of his brother's noble spirit. As he had envisioned, Ha-Rin's warmth and poise emanated a royal charm. Young-Ju, despite his youth, was destined to be a remarkable princess and the rightful successor to the crown.

Min-Jae passed the reins of two horses to Jin-Ri before enveloping her in a warm embrace. He then turned to his brother, pulling him close. "I'm grateful, brother, for bringing my family and me back home."

"You and your family are meant to be here with us, that's why I brought you all back," Young-Sik responded with a reassuring smile.

Grandfather Jang approached his grandsons, his presence commanding yet comforting. "Rest easy, Young-Sik; the crowned prince will be safe in my care," he promised. "And remember, keep his return a secret from the King. Trust me on this," he urged his grandson.