Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

32.The Grieving

Tae-young leaned his head back against the palace wall, arms folded as he studied the garden's shifting shadows. Evening mist crept between the pine trees, carrying the scent of rain.

"You punched him in the face." The Crown Prince's voice carried more amusement than censure. "In front of half the noble families in Hanyang."

"Mm." Tae-young didn't bother opening his eyes. "He deserved worse."

"For trying to hurt Min-joon?"

"For thinking he could."

"He did." The Prince nodded, settling against the wall beside his cousin. "Though I must admit, watching Lord Kim stumble backward like a startled duck... almost worth the scandal."

"Almost?"

"The ancestral ceremony is set for next week. And I've been thinking."

"A bad pastime for you."

The Prince watched a servant light the evening lanterns before speaking again. His voice turned unusually serious. "You know, we could just let him stay dead."

"What?"

"Seong-hwan. The official records already list him as deceased." The Prince straightened his sleeve with careful precision. "Why complicate things?"

"She deserves the truth."

"Does she? Or do you just need her to know it?" When Tae-young didn't respond, he pressed on. "Think about it. You're already practically raising his son. The boy adores you. And Nandi—"

"Deserves better than another man's lies." Tae-young's voice hardened slightly. "Even well-meaning ones."

"Even if those lies would make everyone happier?"

"Would they?" Something flickered in Tae-young's eyes. "Or would we just be trading one deception for another?"

The Prince sighed. "You always did make things harder than they needed to be."

"So I've been told."

"And yet you never listen." But there was fondness in the Prince's exasperation. "At least consider it. For Min-joon's sake, if nothing else."

"Better to tell her before someone else does." Now Tae-young did look up, his usual easy smile nowhere in sight. "She deserves to know her husband still breathes."

"And what about your marriage plans?"

"Those haven't changed."

"Even knowing she might hate you for keeping this secret?"

Tae-young's jaw tightened. "Better she hate me than continue living this lie." He flexed his injured hand. "Though I admit, I'd hoped to have more time."

"Time for what?" The Prince's eyes held knowing. "To make her fall more in love with you?"

"To help her rebuild." Tae-young's voice softened. "Before I have to break everything again."

"Like punching nobles at festivals?"

That earned a reluctant laugh. "It was one noble. And as agreed, he had it coming."

"Indeed." The Prince studied his cousin's profile. "Though perhaps next time try not to look quite so attractive while defending your family's honor? Half the court ladies are already composing poetry about your 'passionate defense of virtue.'"

Tae-young groaned. "Please tell me you're joking."

"I particularly enjoyed the one comparing your grace to a tiger's spring—"