Chapter Text
Hyun and Soo Jin briskly walked through the trees and thickets surrounding the back entrance of the palace, a stark contrast to the lively streets they had recently roamed hours before. The weight of their recent actions hung over them, both of them aware of the impending reprimands. Having been away from the palace for two days, Hyun knew that his absence had not gone unnoticed and that a heavy punishment awaited him. He felt sorry for dragging Soo Jin into his mess.
"I don't think they'll go easy on us this time, Soo Jin-ah. I'm really sorry for involving you in this mess," Hyun said with a sigh.
"It's okay, Your Highness. This is what friends are for, right? Besides, I've also dragged you quite a few scrapes in the past," Soo Jin replied, deftly slicing through the thicket to clear a path for the prince.
Hyun chuckled. "You're too loyal, my friend. Way too loyal. Tsk tsk."
They slowly descended a hill and stopped near the palace wall.
"I know we’ve both caused quite a stir, but they might not punish us too severely, especially given the wound on your thigh," Soo Jin said as he knelt on both arms and knees. "Step on my back, Your Highness. I know you can’t hoist yourself up with that injury."
Hyun was so preoccupied and nervous that he totally forgot about his bleeding thigh.
"Yah! Don't tell anyone about this, okay? If my mother asks you anything just feign ignorance." Hyun instructed as he carefully climbed up the wall.
"Your Highness, you seem out of your mind. How can I deceive the queen? Do you want me to lose my head?" Soo Jin protested, dusting off his robes and helping Hyun with his.
"Don't worry, you won't die. You're being overdramatic. Just make sure that-"
"YOUR HIGHNESS! GRAND PRINCE LEE HYUN! AIGOOO!" Eunuch Bang's wail cut Hyun short.
"Eunuch Bang!" the duo exclaimed.
Hyun approached the pale eunuch. "How did you know I'd be entering the palace here, Eunuch Bang?"
"That isn't important, Your Highness! One of your father's consorts reported that you were not in your quarters. The king is so furious and is now on his way to you as we speak. Your Highness, you must hurry! Please!" Panic laced the eunuch's voice.
"Soo Jin-ah, leave the palace and go home. I'll send Eunuch Bang for you later once everything settles. No buts!"
With that, Hyun sprinted to his quarters. Knowing his father's notorious temper, he mentally braced himself for the inevitable. Soo Jin was wrong; he was in for a severe punishment that night, regardless of his injury.
Sitting in the prince's receiving hall, Queen Kim Eun Ae and King Lee Soo awaited Hyun, their gazes piercing and unwavering.
"You reckless boy!" the king shouted as soon as Hyun entered. "Your behavior has been utterly disgraceful. Word of your misbehavior has reached the ears of the palace through one of my consorts. You’re to be confined to your quarters until you show true remorse."
Hyun kneeled and bowed before his parents, trembling. His heart raced as he prayed to the gods that the wound on his thigh would not burst open in this position. If his parents discovered the wound, they would surely forbid him to leave his quarters forever.
"Aba mama, please let me expl-"
"Increase the number of guards around Prince Hyun’s quarters." King Lee Soo commanded sharply, cutting Hyun off. Without another word, he left the queen and prince alone.
"Eomma mama, I-"
"Hyun-ah," the queen said softly, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I know that being the grand prince often feels like a burden, and there are things you wish to do that your title restricts. That’s why your father and I have been lenient with you. But you must understand, just because you’re a prince does not give you the right to disobey the palace's rules."
Hyun winced at the truth in her words but kept his head lowered. "I am so sorry, eomma mama."
"You’ve been pushing boundaries for a while now, and it’s high time your father took action. We are currently facing serious matters within the palace, and the last thing we need is more trouble from you." Queen Eun Ae touched her forehead, exhaling in frustration.
The queen stood, signaling to the servants. "Escort the prince to his chambers, and do not let him out of your sight. Anyone who loses sight of him again will be severely punished."