Yunseo raised his hand and traced Hwi's eyes, nose, and lips in turn. Hwi, who had been receiving the touch compliantly, said:

"The fact that the child happened to call in a black dog — it may be because of you."

"Pardon?"

At the sudden remark, Yunseo thought back over what had just happened. He was curious why Hwi was thinking that, and why this thought had settled in his heart.

"Yeondeok told me about the black dog from your childhood at some point."

"When?"

Hwi kept silent for quite a long time before answering.

"It was when Yeongin was in the egg — so perhaps that story flowed to the child."

When Yeongin was in the egg, and a time Yunseo didn't know — that meant he had been in a coma. So they had talked about such things then. Yunseo carefully stroked Hwi's cheek.

"Then this time… I hope we can be with Kkamkkam until the very end of her life."

"We should make it so."

From his answer, a deep love for both Yunseo and Yeongin was felt. Yunseo traced Hwi's face slowly with a rapturous gaze, then pulled him into an embrace.

Hwi pressed his lips to Yunseo's cheek and slowly moved his hips. The interior, full of seed, made a wet sound as it stirred. Yunseo let out a heated breath and entrusted himself to Hwi.

* * *

A golden waist cord woven with gold thread was wrapped over the white ceremonial robe, completing the formal attire for the memorial rite. Wearing the ritual garments like this made his chest feel heavy with a solemn sense of responsibility. Yunseo shook out his sleeves to adjust his appearance and turned to look at Hwi.

Hwi gently smoothed Yunseo's forehead hair as though tidying it, then reached out his hand. He took that hand and briefly exchanged glances. Hwi in ritual garments exuded a sanctity that made him look almost holy at a glance. On this day of all days, his state of mind would be set apart — it was natural for the inner to influence the outer.

The two went out hand in hand. Below the high-rising altar, Yongrin and Eternal Spring Flowers wearing white ritual robes were lined up. With enough people to be called nearly all in attendance, filling the shrine — the sight was nothing short of magnificent.

Every single one of their faces was solemn. The memorial rite for those Yongrin and Eternal Spring Flowers who had passed away while fulfilling their duties was held every year, but each time only representatives attended — it had never before been the case that everyone was present in person like this.

It would be a meaningful day for everyone. If the departed above were watching, he could only hope it brought them comfort.

The sky was overcast, and through the clouds a faint sunlight filtered down. The ritual officiant read the memorial address in a reverent voice, and Yunseo and Hwi climbed the altar and burned incense. The fragrance that brushed the tip of his nose felt oddly familiar. Yunseo followed the rising thin smoke and offered the ritual cup.

The fact that everyone present here could exist was entirely thanks to them. People who were born before us and did not run from the duty given to them but fought. They too must have been afraid at times, and must have wanted to flee. Because before being heroes, they were simply people.

Below, drums rumbled dung, dung. The musicians began to play the ritual music. The magnificent music, powerful enough to make the ground beneath his feet reverberate, encircled the shrine and spread toward the sky.

Dancers wearing long white-sleeved garments danced in time with the music. Dozens of sleeves fluttered and swayed. Their movements seemed like gestures of farewell, and also like greetings conveying gladness.

Yunseo moved his gaze to the Yongrin and Eternal Spring Flowers lined up below the altar. Each of them was looking up at the sky — some murmuring something, others wearing sorrowful expressions with their hands clasped tightly.

People of different genders, natures, hometowns, and original statuses were of one heart here in this place. They were comrades in arms and brothers, and precious bonds.

May the long, long chain of suffering end with us.

Yunseo closed his eyes and prayed.

"Now, let's go with a dignified look."

Changing Yeongin into ritual garments and trying to fix her hair, the child's expression was downcast. Yunseo knew the reason but deliberately didn't acknowledge it and tied the hair.

He had become quite skilled at doing Yeongin's hair by now. At first it had been so difficult — he'd needed Yeondeok's guidance for every touch of his hands. Come to think of it, Yeondeok had always tied his hair well from the beginning. Thinking of Yeondeok, the smile that had been naturally forming at the corners of his mouth gradually faded.

He turned Yeongin around to check the fit of her clothes — and Yeongin pressed her lips together and furrowed her brow.

"Father."

"…Yes."

"I don't want to send Yeondeok away."

At the word that had finally come out, Yunseo swallowed a sigh. Yeondeok had naturally looked after Yeongin, just as he had cared for young Yunseo. Yeongin, who was the spitting image of Yunseo's childhood self, was someone Yeondeok was enormously fond of — so of course it was natural for Yeongin to follow and cherish Yeondeok.

But Yeondeok now had to leave. It was Yeondeok's will and intention.

Three months ago, Yeondeok had come to find Yunseo. He was clearly tidying things up around him as though he had something to say, and when Yunseo coaxed him saying to just say it, that he would grant anything — he brought out a request Yunseo had never imagined.

'Your Majesty. In three months' time, Yi Sowon… no, Deputy Magistrate Yi will be dispatched.'

'That's right.'

'Would it be alright if I followed after him?'

The moment he heard those words, dozens of thoughts flashed through his mind. Had Yeondeok and Deputy Magistrate Yi been that close? Why didn't I know? Since when? No, but — he's saying he wants to go to Dongju?

'Why… may I ask the reason?'

At the careful question, Yeondeok hesitated, his lips moving, then gave a soft smile. It was the smile of a kind older brother — the kind that occasionally made Yunseo realize Yeondeok was his senior.

'I can rest easy now. Your Majesty looks so very happy. Being able to watch that from your side has made me so glad too. And so… I also want to go see the world Your Majesty told me about.'

At Yeondeok's sincerity, Yunseo could only let out a single deep sound of admiration. The memory arose of how Yeondeok used to wave him off saying it was too much trouble whenever Yunseo suggested he try traveling.

Of course — had Yeondeok not wanted to step outside the private house, outside the palace? Yeondeok had simply been waiting. Waiting for him to fly freely. And this foolish younger sibling had only come to understand that now.

Yunseo supported Yeondeok without a moment's hesitation. There was just one thing he was curious about.

'Do you like Deputy Magistrate Yi that much?'

'Pardon? What are you thinking.'

The explanation that came back was that he had simply taken a liking to the Northern Mountains that Huije had once mentioned, and wanted to go there — so he was just following the procession of Deputy Magistrate Yi who happened to be heading that way.

'If I go with others, you'll feel better about it too, won't you?'

'Yes. I can't send you alone, it's too dangerous.'

'Your Majesty.'

In any case, that was how it had come to be. Yunseo and Yeondeok had debated how best to tell Yeongin — and ultimately concluded they couldn't deceive the child, and told her honestly.

Yunseo first carefully gave her a hint and explained that she must respect Yeondeok's wishes. Yeongin, wanting to seem mature, promised to do so and said her farewells to Yeondeok saying to have a safe trip. But as time passed and the day of Yeondeok's departure drew near, every now and then when she'd forgotten about it, Yeongin would ask whether Yeondeok was really going.

In her heart she had not truly accepted it. He understood Yeongin's feelings completely — more than completely, he felt the same way — and it pained him. But he also understood Yeondeok's wish to see the world with a heart-piercing clarity, and so he could not hold him back.

"Yeondeok has already decided to leave. We agreed to respect his wishes, didn't we?"

"…I don't want to. Yeondeok cares for me and I care for Yeondeok. So why is Yeondeok leaving? Doesn't Yeondeok care for me?"

"Yeondeok cares for you very much. But that and the matter of Yeondeok leaving are separate things. Yeondeok has his own life. You want Yeondeok to be happy, don't you?"

"Can't Yeondeok be happy here? Why?"

Yeongin's round eyes filled with tears. Yunseo bit his lip, not knowing how to explain this. It was as good as a first farewell for the child. It wasn't a permanent parting — but how to ease this sorrow?

"Yeondeok is happy here too. But there is also happiness outside that Yeondeok can have. Yeondeok is going to find it. And after finding it, will come back."

"What if Yeondeok doesn't come back?"

"Yeondeok promised to return. Didn't you hear?"

"But in the meantime I won't see Yeondeok. I don't want that! I'll give the order for Yeondeok not to leave! Yeondeok is mine!"

The child cried and threw a tantrum. Yeongin, who had never cried when losing a spar or being scolded by Hwi and always quickly regained her bright expression, crying like this was something he had never seen. His heart wanted to soften — but Yunseo instead hardened his expression and gripped Yeongin's shoulders.

"Yeondeok is not an object! Yeondeok's master is Yeondeok. Are you going to be a Crown Prince who treats people carelessly by using your position?"

The role of the strict father had always been Hwi's — so this was the first time Yunseo had scolded Yeongin like this. Startled, Yeongin stopped crying with a hiccup. The child with reddened eyes looked up at Yunseo with desperate eyes, but Yunseo held Yeongin's gaze sternly.

As the uncomfortable and heavy silence stretched, Yeongin's tears finally stopped. Yeongin sniffled and stole a glance at Yunseo.

"I will not be that kind of Crown Prince. But I am sad. Are you not sad, Father?"

A small walnut appeared in Yeongin's chin. Only then did Yunseo soften his expression and stroked the child's warm cheek.

"Father is sad too. Because Yeondeok is my friend and my sibling."

"How can I bear it?"