I Wished For You [Michaeng]

Chapter 24: Rebuilding

A/N: Just going to warn you, there's a time jump here (five years). It's said in the beginning.

And, it's kind of surreal to say, but we finally made it! Hope you enjoy this final chapter!

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Five years later

24 March 1827

Dear Father, I received one of your letters from a couple of months ago. I'm sorry for only responding now, I just couldn't seem to get my thoughts in order. I'm glad to know you're all doing well. I've been doing well too. It's been so long since we've last seen each other. I heard that the palace is in the final rebuilding stages, is that true? If it is, that's great news! I'm happy for the new queen. I hope she can finally achieve all she wants to. She deserves it far more than I ever did.

I turned out exactly like my brother in the end, huh? I ran away. I bet he misses me dearly, just like I did when he was gone. I get it now, why he did that, the burden of the role I had. I couldn't simply love who I loved, it was all conditional. So, I'm glad with how I live now. It's a quaint and quiet place and I no longer have to worry about whether or not I'm doing my job right. Because now, I no longer have anyone I have to appease. It's honestly such a freeing feeling.

Anyway, today, I'm thirty. That's such a strange number to say. I know my age is a number that keeps going up, but seeing it just feels so surreal. Something about me just even making it this far is truly a feat. Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Sincerely, Mina. 

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3 April 1827

Dear Queen Yoo, how's the new palace treating you? I heard it's almost completed. That's really great! I'm proud of you! Despite everything that happened, I still believe you will be a great ruler. You got everything you deserved.

It took me a long time, but I think I finally accepted it. I finally understand that you never had any intention of really caring for me besides the bare minimum. You put me in that academy for your own gain. You can disagree with that all you want, but it's true, isn't it? You adopted me, but I was still alone most of the time. I wanted to believe I had real parents, and for a time I did, but now, I'm glad with where I am. I sincerely hope you are happy with where you are too.

Yours truly, Chaeyoung.

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16 April 1827

My daughter, it was so nice to hear from you! I'm also glad to hear you're doing well! Yes! What you heard is correct. In fact, the palace has actually finally been completely rebuilt. I'm also happy for her, I think she'll do amazing things as queen (much better than my wife, but don't tell her I said that).

Perhaps you did, but you held on for much longer than he did, that's something I really admire in you, you fight for what you believe in one hundred and ten percent until you can't anymore. But, yes, he does miss you, I'm sure of that. I'm so happy for you though! I'm glad you feel free.

And Happy belated birthday! Thirty. Wow! That does feel weird. I'm really glad you have made it this far. No, thank you! You've done so much. You deserve your quaint life. Live it to the fullest!

Love, your father, Akira.

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23 April 2027

Dear Chaeyoung, thank you for your well wishes. I think I owe you an apology. No, I know I do. I'm sorry. You're right, I used you. I don't want to sugarcoat it. You don't deserve someone like me as your parent. In the beginning, I really wanted a child, but as soon as I became captain of the guard, I let my greed and hunger for power get the best of me. I'm truly sorry for not caring about you more. I'm sorry for going to such an extreme. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know how many times I can possibly apologize, but I promise you, I'm sorry. I'm glad you're happy where you are, I am too. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. And, happy birthday, for all that's worth.