He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

I WALK IN YOUR SHADOW PART III

Seven years later

"Here, mother, let me grab it," Minjoo stepped behind his mother, reaching up to grab the fabric she'd been eyeing on the top shelf.

"Look at my son, all grown up now. You've gotten so tall," Lady Sunhwi cooed as she pinched her son's cheek. Minjoo, his hands full of fabric, could only wince as his mother prodded him. "I miss your chubby cheeks, you were so cute when you were little," his mother reminisced as she took the fabric from him and made way to the large table in the center of the room. "What, mother, am I not cute anymore?" Minjoo teased, fake pouting and cupping his face with both his hands. Lady Sunhwi chuckled, bumping Minjoo with her hip before rolling out the fabric across the table. "I never thought I'd have a son prettier than me, but here we are. I suppose I should be grateful you didn't turn out like those men. You are much more refined."

"Mother, Jaeon and the Crown Prince are good people. They have done nothing but help me."

"I know, I know. I just.... Want you to forge your own path. I'd rather you not get swept up in their antics."

"Antics?" Minjoo's heart pounded. Did his mother known about their plans to overthrow the King? He hadn't mentioned a word about it, making sure to hide everything even after he'd moved back into Nabi Palace several years ago.

"Yes! They are so violent, battling the palace soldiers everyday, running the streets and terrorizing the local lords and ladies. It does you no good to be associated with them. I am grateful for the Crown Prince's help all those years ago, but I didn't think you would be indebted to him for the rest of your life."

"I'm not indebted to him mother, I'm a member of Horangi Palace, I am one of his people. Wanting to pay back his kindness is my own idea, he does not ask anything of me. He is like a brother." His mother's hands stilled, her scissor's paused mid slice.

"Do not say that, Minjoo. Do not ever say that to anyone."

"Why? Mother, I-"

"They will take it as a threat. Too many people already think you are the King's illegitimate son. I did what I could to avoid suspicion by refusing to be his concubine, but our presence in the palace is enough to set the supporters of the Crown Prince on edge. Do not make any statements that could imply any relation to the King."

"Is he really not my father?"

"No, Minjoo."

"Then who is? Who is my father?"

"I am not having this conversation Minjoo-"

"Do you even know? Or did you sleep with so many men you-"

"You will not speak to your mother that way!" Lady Sunhwi turned to face Minjoo, her scissors pointed at her son. Both their eyes locked on the tool, and Lady Sunhwi dropped them with a gasp. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's alright, mother. I shouldn't have said that. It is my fault." Minjoo looked down, then bent to grab the scissors, placing them gently on the table. His mother's slender arms wrapped around his waist, her head tucked just below his chin. Minjoo returned the embrace, tears pricking his eyes. He'd never realized how small his mother was until he outgrew her. As a child she'd seemed like the strongest person alive.

"I'm so sorry, son. I'm sorry you've had to live without a father." Minjoo shook his head, his mother's soft hair rubbing against his neck.

"You're enough, mother. It's not your fault. It's not our fault." As he'd gotten older, Minjoo had come to understand his mother's situation more. There was little she could've done under such pressure from the King. The fact that she'd secured a title and a palace without having to marry the King was feat enough.