Fate Of The Tally [Kim Ga-On - "The King's Affection" FF]

- Chapter 49: (Sad Ji-Un)

- Hyun's POV:

"Hyun? I thought this was something only the ladies of the Palace participated in. Why are you and Lord Sangheon here?", Haeun asked me as I walked in.

"I am a Royal Prince too, you know. I want to see if anyone catches my eye and I am here for Hwi's sake too, to help pick the best candidate to marry him. And as for Lord Sangheon... You already know... He is using the power he has to try and make persuasions to a candidate he likes, or shall I say... A candidate that will give him more power in the future, acting as his 'puppet'.", I reply as I sit next to Haeun.

'She really believed that? Of course I'm not here to scope out the candidates for me, all of this is for Dam-i...', I think as the candidates walk in.

-TIME SKIP: [AFTER THE CANDIDATE SELECTION]

- Haeun's POV:

After the candidate selection, I went to visit Hwi with Hyun.

"How were the candidates?", Hwi asks me and Hyun.

"All from noble families... Including Lord Sangheons granddaughter. You met her actually...", Hyun says as I put two and two together.

'Wait... Ha-Gyeong said her dad was the Minister of War! And that is Lprd Sangheons son!', I think as I widen my eyes.

"I know her?", Hwi asks.

"You remember that lady that was roaming around the Palace one day? Ha-Gyeong?", Hyun asks Hwi.

"Her?! She is the granddaughter of Lord Sangheon?", Hwi asks.

"Yeah... And, So-Eun was there too.", Hyun adds.

"My Father wants me to marry So-Eun because her Father is the Minister of Personnel. He said it would be best to have her dad on my side. And I know Lord Sangheon put his granddaughter up as a candidate. He wants even more power than he already has...", Hwi replies.

"So-Eun and Ha-Gyeong seemed to be the best candidates.", I reply.

"I will talk to So-Eun later today and ask her to marry me. We shouldn't let Lord Sangheon gain any more power than he already has.", Hwi decides.

"Wait, so you are choosing your bride based off of politics?! D-Do you even like any of them?", I ask Hwi, worried.

"Haeun... I am the Crown Prince, the future King. My marriage was never about love to begin with. And neither was yours, but unlike you, I cannot escape this. It is my responsibility as the future King. Now I will be leaving and heading to So-Eun.", Hwi says as he walks away.

"Hyun, can't you do something? That's not fair to Hwi! He should marry someone he loves.", I say as Hyun shakes his head.

"There is nothing I can do. If I could... I would've done it already. It's your brother's decision. Don't interfere with it.", Hyun says as I sigh in reply.

"Wait... Isn't So-Eun close to Ji-Un? What if Ji-Un wants to marry her?! Now he can't! Wait... Is she who he was talking about that he couldn't be with?", I say to Hyun.

"What? What are you talking about? Ji-Un told you something like that?", Hyun asks in confusion.

'Oops... I don't think I was supposed to say that! Let me take it back!', I think as I start to speak.