황실의 사랑 이야기 (Hwangsil-ui Sarang Iyagi) - The Imperial Love Story

Chapter - 3

That night, the Hwang family gathered around their modest dining table, the warm glow of the oil lamp illuminating their faces. The aroma of simmering vegetables and grilled fish filled the air, but the atmosphere was anything but festive. Hyunjin sat with his head bowed, pushing the food around on his plate as his father, Hwang Jong-su, maintained a stern expression across the table.

"Eat, Hyunjin," Jong-su said, his voice sharp. "You need your strength."

Hyunjin merely shrugged, his appetite lost in the swirl of thoughts regarding the earlier incident with Prince Lee Yongbok. His father's disappointment hung over him like a dark cloud, and he could feel the weight of his father's frustration pressing down on him. The whole village had witnessed his confrontation with the prince, and while part of him relished the defiance, another part was filled with regret.

"Do you have any idea how you embarrassed our family today?" Jong-su continued, his voice rising slightly. "You don't just act without thinking! You've brought shame to us all!"

Hyunjin clenched his jaw, his irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. "It wasn't that serious, Father. He needed to be put in his place!"

Jong-su's gaze turned icy, and the intensity of his father's fury silenced Hyunjin in an instant. "You think this is a game? The prince is not someone you can toy with. You've crossed a line, Hyunjin, and now there are consequences."

Hyunjin's heart raced as he met his father's fierce glare. "What are you going to do about it?" he challenged, but deep down, he was anxious. He didn't want to hear the answer.

Without missing a beat, Jong-su leaned forward, his voice low and deadly serious. "You will train as a warrior for the kingdom. You will become a soldier for the royal family."

The room fell silent. Hyunjin's heart sank. "Father, no! I don't want anything to do with the royals, especially not after today!" he protested, his voice rising with frustration. "I don't want to serve that arrogant prince!"

"Enough!" Jong-su snapped, his voice booming. "You will do this, Hyunjin, whether you like it or not. It is your duty as a member of the Hwang clan, and you will not disrespect our family again."

Hyunjin's defiance wilted under his father's furious gaze, and he felt the fight drain from him. He looked away, feeling trapped, as if the walls were closing in. "Fine," he muttered, resignation seeping into his tone. "I'll do it."

"Good," Jong-su replied, satisfaction creeping into his voice. "And your brother will join you. In-Yeop will keep an eye on you. I trust he can make sure you don't get into any more trouble."

At this, Hyunjin's gaze shifted to his older brother, Hwang In-Yeop, who sat quietly at the edge of the table, his expression unreadable. He was the calm in the storm, often the voice of reason. In-Yeop met Hyunjin's eyes and nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, Hyunjin. I'll keep an eye on you," he said, his tone light, but there was an underlying seriousness to it. The look he gave Hyunjin was clear—there would be no room for mistakes this time. "Just don't mess things up again, okay?"

Hyunjin sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I get it, I get it. No more mistakes," he mumbled, slumping in his chair.

As the dinner continued, the jovial chatter of his younger siblings, Riki and Yeji, filled the air. They were oblivious to the tension simmering around the table, laughing and joking as they shared stories about their day. But for Hyunjin, the joy felt distant. The thought of being forced into training, especially under the watchful eye of his brother and potentially the prince himself, filled him with dread.

Once dinner concluded, Hyunjin retreated to his room, the weight of his father's decision pressing heavily on his chest. He plopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, frustration boiling inside him. "Why does it have to be me?" he thought, wrestling with his thoughts. "I didn't even want to be a soldier."

He could picture the royal palace, the towering walls, and the golden decorations that adorned the prince's quarters. The image of Prince Lee Yongbok flashed through his mind, a mix of irritation and disdain flooding his thoughts. "And that prince... of all people! I'd rather face a hundred enemies than be in his presence again."

But deep down, beneath the annoyance, something else stirred. Hyunjin shook his head, trying to push away the flicker of uncertainty. He refused to let that prince get to him any more than he already had. Tomorrow, he would prepare for training, and when he met Yongbok again, he would hold his head high—no matter how uncomfortable it made him.