Royal Secrets || Gongfourz

Six

×Taesan's pov×

The school bell finally rang, a melodious sound that signaled the end of another day.

Taesan, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, quickly packed his backpack and said a hasty goodbye to his friends.

He pulled out his phone, his fingers tracing the familiar path to his grandmother's address. The digits were etched in his memory, a faint hope flickering within him.

As he arrived at the location, a grand sight greeted him. A massive villa, a stark contrast to the modest houses in his neighbourhood, stood before him, exuding an aura of power and wealth.

It was an imposing structure, a silent testament to the life his paternal family had lived. He pressed the doorbell, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Who are you?"

A voice boomed from the intercom, laced with suspicion, startling Taesan, who jumped back.

"Han Dongmin. I'm here to see my grandma."

Taesan replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his palms sweating. The heavy gate creaked open, and Taesan stepped onto the sprawling driveway, taking care not to stray onto the manicured lawn.

He walked towards the entrance, his mind struggling to process this sudden turn of events. The doors opened smoothly, revealing a pair of figures standing imposingly, their expressions stern and alert.

They were like statues, clad in dark suits, their presence oozing an aura of authority that made Taesan's heart jump into his throat.

Bodyguards? Where am I?

Before he could collect his thoughts, a young woman, with effortless grace, stepped forward.

Her expression was warm, a soothing contrast to the intimidating presence of the guards. She guided him through the expansive hallway, her footsteps near-silent.

"You must be Taesan. Your grandmother is expecting you."

She said, a kind smile gracing her lips. Taesan nodded, his throat tight with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity.

The woman led him to a spacious office, and there, sitting behind a large mahogany desk, was his grandmother.

Taesan was taken aback. She didn't look like what he imagined. Not the frail, elderly woman he had pictured in his mind.

She was elegant, with an air of authority that commanded attention. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of dark brown, held a warmth that melted some of his apprehension.

"Taesan, it's good to finally meet you."

He felt a rush of emotions - confusion, excitement, and a touch of fear. He sat down, as instructed, his gaze fixed on his grandmother.

"Tell me about school. How is it going?"

She asked, her voice gentle but firm. Taesan took a deep breath, and started talking about his friends, his classes, his life.

He spoke hesitantly at first, then, as he talked, he found himself relaxing slightly. His grandmother listened patiently, asking a few insightful questions here and there.

She knew about his struggles, the hardships he faced without a father's presence. She knew the pain, the void that haunted his young life.

He felt a sense of genuine care emanate from her, and he found himself opening up to her.

The conversation flowed, and Taesan felt a connection he never thought he would experience with this woman, a woman he'd only known through a few hazy stories. Then, she paused, took a deep breath and said.

"There's something I need to tell you, Taesan. Something important."

Her eyes held a certain intensity now, a seriousness that made Taesan's heart skip a beat.

"Well, duh? That's why I'm here?"

"There's no right way to say this. Well, I am the Queen of Xiangwu. And your father... he was Prince Han Daewook, the heir to the throne."

Taesan's mind reeled, his blood turned to ice in his veins. This was outlandish, utterly unbelievable.

A queen? A prince? He was simply Taesan, an average high school student. This was a joke, a very elaborate prank.

The weight of her words crashed down upon him. His dad, the man he barely knew, a man who was a distant, sad memory, was a prince? And he, Taesan, was a prince? An unreal situation unfolding in front of his eyes.

"You are a prince by blood. Your father's blood runs through your veins, and with his passing, the responsibility now falls on your shoulders."

Taesan's mind raced. It was too much to absorb. He felt a surge of fear, a sense of utter confusion. A prince? He didn't want to be a prince.

He just wanted a normal life. He wanted to be with his friends, go to school, experience the simple joys of a teenager's life.

This wasn't something he wished for or prepared for. He was not ready to take on a burden of such magnitude.

"I...I don't want to be a prince. I can't be a prince."

He said, his voice shaking with a mixture of fear and desperation. His grandmother looked at him, and a flash of sadness crossed her eyes.

But, she didn't retract her words. She was determined. She would not allow him to refute what was his right, and his responsibility.

"It's not a choice, Taesan."

She said gently, but her eyes held the firmness of a ruler that kind of scared Taesan a little.

"It's your destiny."

Taesan looked up, his face full of annoyance and anger fighting the urge to get up and leave.

"Nah, no, you got the wrong person. I cannot be a prince. Look at me! I'm all casual, trendy, not prince material."

"Han Damian Dongmin. You are a prince. You were born like that, whether you like it or not."

"Well, I don't."

"Well, we can do nothing about it, you are a prince and that's that!"

Taesan have had more than enough. He pushed his chair back as he abruptly stood up, stepping closer to his grandma's office.

"You come here after twenty whole years of being away, in a country that who knows if it actually exists, acting like as if nothing happened, saying that I'm a supposed prince, and expecting me to accept this life?! The life that I don't want?! Is this what families do?! Keeping.... Royal Secrets from the people who actually need to know them?! From people who deserve to know them?! If that's the case, I don't wanna be your family!"

Taesan shouted, grabbing his bag, leaving the house quickly while cursing, slamming the doors.

That's messed up.