A Kingdom Reforged (JOONGDUNK)

Special Chapter: Raising Fourth

The sun had barely risen over the grand palace, its golden rays filtering through the ornate windows and casting a warm glow over the intricately designed halls. The morning should have been peaceful, a moment of calm before the bustle of court life began. But in the palace nursery, chaos reigned.

A high-pitched giggle echoed through the room, followed by the unmistakable sound of something crashing to the floor. Dunk, who had been peacefully sipping his morning tea in a nearby chamber, sighed deeply and set down his cup. He knew that sound all too well.

Fourth, his and Joong's son, was at it again.

The young prince, barely five years old, had a reputation that preceded him. Mischievous to his core, Fourth had an endless supply of energy and a knack for getting into trouble. His big brown eyes and innocent smile could charm even the sternest of palace guards, but it was all a ruse. Behind that angelic facade was a child who could turn the palace upside down in a matter of minutes.

As Dunk approached the nursery, he was greeted by the sight of one of the nannies, her face a mask of exasperation, trying to clean up what appeared to be the remains of a once-beautiful vase. Fourth stood nearby, a guilty grin on his face, his tiny hands still clutching a few scattered flowers.

"Fourth," Dunk said, his voice a mix of sternness and affection. "What have I told you about playing in the nursery?"

"But Papa," Fourth began, his eyes wide with feigned innocence, "I was just trying to make it look pretty. Like you do with the garden!"

Dunk couldn't help but smile, though he quickly masked it with a more serious expression. "The garden is outside, where things like vases don't get broken. What am I going to do with you?"

The young boy shrugged, completely unbothered by the scolding. He was used to it by now, and he knew that despite his constant mischief, he was deeply loved. Dunk knelt down beside him, brushing a stray curl from Fourth's forehead.

"You know," Dunk said, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "if you want to help, there are better ways to do it. Ways that don't involve breaking things."

Fourth's eyes lit up with excitement. "Like what, Papa? Tell me!"

Dunk chuckled softly. "Well, for starters, you could help me in the garden this afternoon. We can plant new flowers, and you can help decide where they go. But you have to promise to listen and be careful."

The boy nodded eagerly, his earlier antics forgotten in the promise of a new adventure. "I promise, Papa! I'll be good, I swear!"

Dunk smiled, pulling his son into a brief hug. "Alright then. Let's go see what trouble we can avoid today."

The afternoon found Dunk and Fourth in the palace gardens, a sprawling expanse of greenery filled with vibrant flowers, meticulously trimmed hedges, and the soothing sound of a nearby fountain. This was Dunk's sanctuary, a place where he could escape the demands of court life and find peace among the flowers. Today, however, it was anything but peaceful.

Fourth darted from one flower bed to the next, his small hands eager to touch everything within reach. Dunk tried his best to keep up, reminding him to be gentle and not to trample the delicate blooms.

"Careful, Fourth," Dunk called out as the boy nearly toppled over a pot of newly planted roses. "These plants need time to grow, just like you."

"But they grow so slowly," Fourth complained, pouting as he reluctantly slowed his pace. "Why can't they grow fast like me?"

Dunk laughed, kneeling beside him. "Because they need to take their time to become strong and beautiful. Just like you need time to learn and grow into a wise prince."