Lean

VI

TAEHYUN

Snowflakes welcome them into Frostholm after a nearly two-week trip from Evergreen. They arrived in the late hours of the morning, escorted into Frostholm by his family's bannermen. Taehyun was tired from the tedious journey and the snow they encountered along the road to Frostholm delayed their arrival. He couldn't believe he was finally home after everything he had faced since going to King's Coast around two months ago. He had missed the scenery of the wintry forest from his window in the castle. The snow was a welcome sight, too. He felt comfortable here, but he knew that a lot was waiting for him.

As they traveled through Frostholm toward the large castle in the distance, he couldn't help but notice the grim appearances on the faces of the residents and the bannermen escorting them. He had expected warmer welcomes since he would be ruling Frostholm in his father's absence. Had something happened since he was in Evergreen? He had sent messengers out to inform Choi Minjun of his plans if he didn't release his father. Did Minjun respond to his claims and hear about how he took his son for leverage? He was prepared to go to war if that was what it meant to get his father back.

His caravan rides into the castle gates and is greeted by the sorrowful expressions of his aunt and uncle. They are surrounded by his other family members and some bannermen who stayed behind. When he makes eye contact with his aunt, her eyes fill with tears. He glances back at his mother, who was riding in the wagon, in confusion. Her expression is unreadable, and Taehyun can feel the sudden emotions flooding through him. Whatever awaited him wasn't good news.

He urges his horse to a halt and dismounts, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword in his belt. Around him, his family members and bannermen bow down respectfully. "My lord," they greet him with small voices.

My lord. Yes, he was a lord in his father's absence. He was the lord of the Kang's kingdom and the lord of Frostholm. Adjusting to the new title was going to be different, even though he had been trained for it his entire life.

He walks to his aunt and uncle who had been attending matters in his and his father's absence. His aunt, Joohyun, steps forward, her voice trembling as she addresses him. "My lord, your father..."

Taehyun's heart sinks as he waits for her to finish the sentence. His mind races with thoughts, none of them pleasant. He had feared something might have happened to his father during their absence, but hearing it confirmed is a different kind of pain.

"My lord, your father passed away in King's Coast," his uncle, Daeho, finishes for her, his tone thick with grief.

The words hit Taehyun like a physical blow. He had lost his father, the man who had been both his mentor and his biggest supporter. Grief washes over him, and he swallows hard, struggling to maintain his composure. The air feels heavier around him and tears swarm into his eyes. He so badly wanted to break down and cry right now, but he was in front of his bannermen who placed their trust in his hands. His father had warned him not to express emotion in front of them.

Each memory of his father is like a painful stab to his chest, infiltrating his lungs and making it hard to breathe. He attempts to blink away some of his tears, but it's no use. His throat tightens and Taehyun's afraid that if he tries to speak, he'll choke. He should've known better than to leave King's Coast. If he was still there, his father might be alive right now.

Next to him, his mother appears at his side with Huening Kai. Huening Kai exchanges a hug with his parents before flashing a gaze of confusion between them. His mother didn't need to ask, though. She understood what had happened to his father just by looking at their expressions.