Duty and Devotion - The King Eternal Monarch

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Min-jin's POV

The grand halls of the Kingdom of Corea resonated with the soft footsteps as I made my way through the palace. The high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, the lavish tapestries depicting historical triumphs, and the scent of fresh flowers arranged daily by the palace gardeners—all these were familiar sights and smells. Yet, for me, the opulence of the palace was nothing more than a backdrop to my thoughts and my relentless curiosity.

From a young age, I had shown an exceptional intellect just like my brother, much to the amazement and sometimes frustration of my tutors. They often found themselves at a loss for words as I quickly grasped complex concepts that were beyond my years. Mathematics, science, literature, politics—nothing seemed too difficult. But what set me apart wasn't just my intelligence; it was my insatiable curiosity and determination to understand the world in ways others couldn't.

I spent most of my evenings in the palace library, reading up on mysticism and science fiction. I believe that there could be some truth to science fiction. The person writing it just don't understand the concept to explain the phenomenon. After days of pouring over science fictions, documents and research papers from ancient scientists of our great kingdom, I stumbled upon an old manuscript.

The library was a vast room filled with countless books and scrolls, some so ancient that their pages crumbled at the slightest touch. The manuscript I found was hidden away in a forgotten corner, covered in dust. The pages were yellowed with age, and the writing was barely legible. Yet, something about it caught my attention. I spent countless nights deciphering the text, which spoke of worlds beyond our own—a concept that seemed fantastical but intriguing.

As I delved deeper into the manuscript, I began to notice subtle clues that hinted at the existence of parallel universes. The idea seemed preposterous at first, but the more I read, the more convinced I became. My keen mind connected the dots that others had overlooked, and soon, I was certain that there was another world parallel to our own. The manuscript described a mythical flute, the Manpasikjeok, capable of opening doors to these alternate realities. It was a discovery that could change everything we knew about our world and our history.

Manpasikjeok. The flute. It went missing after the news of our father passing. He was killed by his brother, our Uncle Lee Lim. That's all I know. Gon knows more about the matter as he was witness to all that unfolded on that fateful night. The traitor was shot dead. It was a turning page in both our lives. We were not King's children anymore. Lee Gon was king now and I was second in line. Maybe Lee Gon knows about Manpasikjeok. Could it be true? I should ask him.

My thoughts were consumed by my discovery when I heard a knock on my door. It was Jo Yeong, his expression as stoic as ever. He was one of the people I admired most in the palace, the Unbreakable Sword and my brother's closest friend and bodyguard. I often found myself drawn to his unwavering dedication and strength. There was a certain calmness in his demeanour, a steadfastness that I found comforting. I respected him deeply, not just for his service but as a person of immense integrity. Over the years, I had watched him defend my brother and our kingdom with an unflinching resolve, and I couldn't help but admire him.

"Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly. "The King requests your presence."

I nodded, rising from my seat. "Thank you, Jo Yeong. I will be there shortly."

As we walked through the palace corridors, I couldn't help but steal glances at him. There was something about his calm demeanour and unyielding strength that made my heart race. I had always admired him from afar, but recently, those feelings had begun to deepen. I found myself drawn to his quiet confidence and the way he carried himself with such grace and discipline. He caught me looking at him. I smiled quickly averting my gaze to the corridor ahead.