Night Prince

New Beginnings

A year later

"It is beautiful, isn't it? Our world?" Ri Jeong Hyeok whispered tenderly as he gestured to the awakening air.

It took almost a full year to revitalise what was left for the dead, but now, looking at how the sun was peeping through the clouds and smiling at their little town, King Ri Jeong Hyeok couldn't be more at peace.

"Beauty can be found everywhere. Look up now and you will see these puffs of magic floating in the sky. See how the light cracks through the velvety white to embrace us with warmth?" Ri Jeong Hyeok breathed gently, his mind, body and spirit in tune with nature in its golden state.

"And if you look past our town, you will see green in its purest form. Through that thick foliage, there is a river." The king continued to describe their little town as he does every morning.

A little babble coming from the bundle of joy in his arms prompted him to look down softly at their child, whose eyes were wide with untainted innocence as he observed his father and his speech.

"That is where it all started, Jung Mu. That is where your mother and I grew close to each other. And now, we are here."

Silence filled the golden morning as father and son basked in the peace together on that balcony. It has been a year and much has changed around them.

We all know that the town had been revitalised post-attack. Now, the little quaint town Seri grew up in could house hundreds more people. There were more jobs now, more lives born, more love.

The country welcomed their new king and queen as well after Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Seri got married in the spring following the war. It was simply meant to be. After all, they have been through so much together.

Amidst the new policies and decrees made by the royal family, they welcomed their new prince, Ri Jung Mu. The little one came into the couple's lives unexpectedly, yet, the blessings they have received from their little prince was unparalleled.

Truly, they couldn't be happier.

Likewise, the future couldn't be brighter.

On a soft morning like this one, one that wasn't foreign to the royal couple and their son, Seri found her favourite boys on the balcony, snuggling up to the sunlight together. Instantly, a smile cracked on her face as Seri embraced the fuzzy feelings of love that was uniquely present around her family.

Although she had dark circles under her eyes, Seri was still radiating because of love that very morning. Her soft footsteps did not go unnoticed by her husband's sharp hearing as he turned to greet her with a warm smile.

"Good morning, my dear."

"Good morning!" Seri spoke in a sing-song voice while half-yawning from the languid daze of the morning.

Joining Jeong Hyeok's side, Seri allowed him to draw her closer to him, such that Jung Mu was cradled between their chests. As three hearts beat in unison under the gentle rays lighting up their world, the conversation was as normal as it could get; mundane yet familiar, for in the end, every moment was special to a couple who had seen too much.

"Did you get enough sleep? You slept rather late last night." Seri could feel the pleasant vibrations stirring in her husband's chest as he spoke in a hushed voice, coaxing another yawn out of her because she was comfortable.

"I know, but the decree has to be perfect. I owe that to everyone." Seri reasoned lightly.

"Are you worried?"

"Just a tiny bit. I'm not sure how everyone would react."

"It will be fine, my dear. You spent a whole year convincing the board and then drafting this new decree. I for one am proud of you." Ri Jeong Hyeok gave Seri's arm a gentle squeeze, to which she responded with her eye smiles.