Phases of the moon

Chapter 1

King Haejin closes his eyes, not wanting to meet the eyes of his people. Just for a second— a second to let him compose himself and organize his thought. Perhaps, he is also ashamed to do so. How could he even look at them in the eyes and shatter the only hope left that they've been holding for so long? But he has to. He has to.

He takes a long deep breath before he delivers the message he has received from an envoy from Wolgwang who arrived earlier before taking his leave. Wolgwang, the children of the Moon— Cheon-il's enemy.

Come to think about it, the two nations are bound to clash swords with each other. The Kingdom of Cheon-il, the children of the Sun, and the Kingdom of Wolgwang where the people are favored by the Moon. It seems that a bloodbath is inevitable between them for they are the complete opposite of each other.

It has been ages since the feud between the two kingdoms has started and it has finally come to an end like this.

Wolgwang has waged war. If Cheon-il does not surrender within a month, they should expect the military prowess that Wolgwang has always boasted about.

Haejin, of course, knows about Wolgwang's capability. They are always true to their words. If they say they'll burn Cheon-il to ashes and paint their land red then they'll do it. He knows this because they have experienced it first hand. That is how Wolgwang kept on expanding their territory— by conquering land after land. With their enemy's growing military power, Cheon-il has slowly lost theirs.

Cheon-il has lost lands. Worse, they've lost lives. Countless lives have been slain at the hands of Wolgwang's soldiers.

His people. His men have died protecting their land and their people until their last breath. Haejin failed to do that. He failed at protecting the lives of his people but as he is faced with the predicament, he will change that. He will protect the lives of his people. He will not let their efforts be in vain.

"What will we do, your highness?" he could see the fear and hopelessness reflected on his eyes as he speaks and Haejin understands him well for he has every right to do so and as King, it is his job to assure his people that he will do everything in his might to protect their lives, no matter what.

"We will surrender," no matter how many times he has repeated that in his mind, it still pains him to say it out loud to his people.

"Your highness!" the men in front of him calls to him, including his loyal advisor, Lee Changho. Most have partly expected this but to hear it coming from their King doesn't make it less surprising.

"The lives of our people are far more important," he continues, "I will personally negotiate with their king." Haejin knows the reason behind why Wolgwang is so eager in taking their lands. With Wolgwang expanding their territory also comes with the growing population. This means that they have more mouths to feed but their food supply couldn't catch up with the growing demand. This is where Cheon-il comes in. Cheon-il is blessed by the sun. They both have fertile soil and grace from the Sun, something that Wolgwang doesn't have. They have abundant vegetation all-year-round and this is something that Wolgwang badly covets.

"I have already requested an audience from their King in two-weeks time."

He could see that they are doubtful about the outcome of the negotiation even though they tried hard to hide it, "I have also decided to offer my daughter's hand to the youngest Moon for marriage," he continues, and surely, it roused his people. The Moons practice monogamy and only accepts one mate in their lifetime. Their young King has already married which leaves Haejin to have the youngest Moon instead.

"Your highness!" Haejin particularly hears a voice that stood out among the officials and high-ranking soldiers in front of him. Lee Joon. The young man has almost the same features as his adviser only that he is younger and has a better build than his father who has grown frail with age. The sudden announcement shocked them, especially Joon who is the princess' childhood friend.