I need To Save You

"Whatever they told you was a lie, I did what I had to save our people from being imprisoned," Young-Sik said, defending his actions

"You nearly made an incident, the only reason Chiongsun is still a free country is because of me," Man-Ju declared while thumping on his chest like a victory drum. "I convinced them that I will pay reparations for what you did."

"You talk like what I did was wrong. What did you expect me to do? They took us hostage, they refused to let us go back unless I fought that soldier in a battle to the death." Young-Sik shot back.

"You should have given them what they asked for! Whatever they asked is surely something replaceable!" Man-Ju shouts at his brother

"That bastard asked for Jin-Ri!" Young-Sik told the King, which stunned him for a brief moment. "You are talking about our people like they are nothing more than property that can be given away and easily replaced! Well, I don't see them that way, to me they are people, my people, and they are my responsibility!"

"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST LET THEM KILL YOU!" The King charged at Young-Sik, "If you are this responsible person that you claim to be, you should have just sacrificed your life!" Man-Ju yelled at the prince furiously

Young-Sik took a deep breath to calm himself, he wanted to express his ideas clearly to Man-Ju in hopes that it would convince him to see where he was coming from. "Where will it end, Man-Ju? When will you stop giving away Chiongsun? What will you do when they ask for your throne?"

"They will never ask for my throne; they respect me too much for that," Man-Ju replied confidently

"Respect? Have your hubris blinded you from the truth?" Young-Sik asked his brother with genuine worry and confusion

"Because I made peace with them, without shedding a single drop of blood. Unlike you, who had lost thousands of our soldiers in that war of yours," Man-Ju declared arrogantly

"By slowly giving away Chiongsun piece by piece?" Young-Sik expressed, "What would that achieve, brother? How would that benefit our people?"

Man-Ju chuckled, "My people will benefit, but not through you," The King said. "How could they rely on you when you need someone to save you?"

Young-Sik was unprepared for the King's words, "What do you mean I needed to be saved?"

"Well, you were in jail for disrespecting the King. Do you think something like that would just go away on its own?" Man-Ju asked, ridiculing the prince, like he was savoring the moment. "Did you assume you got out of jail because I needed to talk to you?" he added

"Why did you let me out then?" Young-Sik replied with a mocking voice

"To remind you that you thrive only through my generosity, like you always have since we were children," Man-Ju snarled at the prince

"I thrived because of my perseverance, not because of you!" Young-Sik answered back, though he was holding back, there was no denying the shock and anger in his voice, "It is you who thrived under my protection!" he dared say to the King

"You dare mock me? Maybe a lifetime in the stockade will drill those manners in your head," Man-Ju threatened the prince.

Young-Sik grinned at the King, "That's what you are, Man-Ju, always so brave when you hide behind other people. You could never do the hard things; you always need someone to do it for you."

Man-Ju grinned, his finger dancing in the air. "This time, dear brother, everything that follows is orchestrated by my design and crafted by my own hands." With a sharp clap, he signaled his intent.

The doors swung open, drawing Young-Sik's gaze. There stood Captain Gi, clad in the regal attire of the royal guard. "Captain Gi?" Young-Sik exclaimed, taken aback by his friend's unexpected role. Kwan then moved aside, unveiling Yeng in a court maiden's gown, sending a jolt of anxiety through Young-Sik. But as Yeng stepped forward, the ground beneath him seemed to crumble.

Jin-Ri stood in front of him, her hands clasped together just below her chest. Her hair was tied into a bun and held in place by a golden peacock hairpin and several jade hairpins. She wore a red silk top coat with gold and black trimmings and intricate designs. Her skirt was peach with golden trimming as well.

Young-Sik attempted to approach Jin-Ri, but Kwan blocked him with an outstretched hand holding a sheathed sword. "Captain Gi?" were the only words he could muster. He looked past Kwan and called to her, "Jin-Ri, what are you doing?" He tried to reach for her, but she stepped back, avoiding his hands.

The prince felt his heart shatter when his beloved avoided his hands. He spun around and lunged at the King, voice steady and fierce. "What did you do to her?" He glanced back at Jin-Ri, demanding, "What threats did he make toward you?"

The King pushed Young-Sik aside and asked Jin-Ri, "Lady Jin-Ri, the prince said I coerced you...Is that true?"

Jin-Ri bowed her head, and the events from yesterday rushed through her mind. "Your Highness!" She shouted, entering the courtroom, "The Prince, where are they taking the prince?"

"How dare you enter this place and address the King so shamefully!" Minister Lim declared, he blocked the court maiden's path and raised his hand to strike her.

"Do not lay a hand on that woman minister." The King intervened just in time, his voice catching the attention of everyone present, especially Queen Jin-Hye

"But your Highness, she blatantly disrespected you..." Minister Lim replied in protest to the King's defense of Jin-Ri

Jin-Ri took advantage of the situation and addressed the King, "Your Highness, the prince, why is he being dragged away? What will happen to the prince?"

This time, Queen Ji-Hye took advantage of the situation and responded to Jin-Ri's question. "The prince shouted and dared to mention His Highness's name; therefore, he is guilty of disrespecting the King and must be punished." She revealed a plan brewing in her mind.

Jin-Ri dropped to her knees and bowed deeply to Man-Ju. "Your Highness, please have mercy on the prince. I know he is only worried about the state of our nation."

Ji-Hye posted a leading question, trying to steer the situation into something favorable to her. "His Highness is a very merciful person. Why don't you try to convince him?"

The Queen's words intrigued the King, he looked down on Jin-Ri and said something that surprised everyone, "Disrespecting the King is akin to attacking the King, he will be beheaded because of this."

The King's announcement sent shockwaves through the court, leaving everyone astonished. Queen Ji-Hye sprang to her feet, bewildered by the turn of events. Kwan, just arriving, caught wind of Man-Ju's words and hurried to the court maiden, falling to his knees. "Your Highness, you cannot do this! Think of all the sacrifices the prince has made for your honor," he implored, his voice laced with dread for the prince's future. His body was tense, quaking with fear.

Jin-Ri stood up slowly, her fists tightly clenched as a torrent of thoughts raced through her mind. Her breath was uneven, her body felt numb, and her head throbbed painfully. "I will do whatever you ask if it means sparing the prince's life and granting him freedom!"

The worry on Queen Ji-Hye's face vanished, replaced by a victorious grin. The King slowly stepped down from his elevated position and approached the court maiden. "All of you leave!" the King commanded. Kwan also stood up, but the King stopped him, "Not you!"